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Blackstone Lake is a premier, private, catch-and-release fly fishing lake
located in the Kittitas Valley of Central Washington located just
minutes from the Worley Bugger Fly Co. pro shop.
We are now offering exclusive, professional guided fly fishing tours to this fabulous 12 acre lake. |
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Blackstone Lake was developed
well over 30 years ago during some of the construction of Interstate I-90. Gravel was excavated from the area to provide the much needed foundation for the creation of the
state to state highway system. |
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Upon completion of the highway, the gravel pit was
filled
with the existing ground water and Blackstone
Lake was formed. |
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Several ground
water springs feed the lake on both the west and
south ends, creating virtually crystal clear,
cool waters most of the year. |
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Blackstone
fish
will utilize these area's at specific times of the year
for cooling and spawning purposes. |
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Because of the unique character of this man-made lake,
the mature Kamloops
rainbows will reproduce, generating a self sustaining trout
population. |
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Blackstone Lake Information
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Naturally feeding rainbow trout. At no time is
their any pellet feeding done. Fish feed consistently on
the natural aquatics of the lake. |
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Blackstone has a naturally sustaining population of
rainbow trout. Spawning activity occurs in the
early months of spring. The lake has not been
planted in over 3 years. |
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Trout
exceeding 8 pounds are common, with the chances of
hooking fish over 10 pounds. |
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The
trout at Blackstone Lake at the present time
average approximately 22-24" |
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A river rock
bottom, one much like the one that exists in the Yakima
River, lines the lake's bed which creates an extraordinary
habitat for both fish and insects. With water depths that
exceed 25 feet throughout the lake, a variety of fly lines, flies and
tippet materials are essential for each fishing situations you may
encounter during your day
at Blackstone.
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Rainbow trout in the lake average 18-22 inches. However, fish over 10 lbs. are common, while fish weighting 14 lbs. have been caught, weighed and released back into the lake.
Blackstone Lake is a flourishing fishery with an abundant aquatic insect and plant population. Here, a variety of natural insects thrive within its waters.
The Blackstone rainbow population subsist entirely on the
insects native to the lake.
This feeding occurs primarily on Dragonfly nymphs, Scuds, Callibaetis Mayflies, and Damsel nymphs
and Chironomids.
Grasshoppers as well as other terrestrial life forms also provide the
Blackstone rainbows with another food source during the warm summer
months. This creates some exciting dry fly fishing in the early
Fall when the lake reopens to guided tours.
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A
variety of leeches and crustaceans inhabit the waters of the lake as
well. The Blackstone rainbows will feed consistently on their
imitations. |
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Immediately upon the winter thaw, the
Blackstone rainbows will begin feeding on
hatching Chironomids. Callibaetis
Mayflies soon follow and trout that have been
lethargic throughout the cold months of winter, begin adding
girth to their already enormous size. The
extensive amount of scuds that exist within the plant life
throughout the lake, keep the trout actively forging the entire year
and account for the majority of insect life in Blackstone. |
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Spring fishing begins as ice thaws from
the lake, which in most cases is late February. The lake will
remain in operation throughout the spring, until water temperatures
begin to exceed 65° at the lakes surface.
This will usually occur sometime during the latter parts of May or
the early portion of June. Worley Bugger Fly Co
will then suspend operations at Blackstone. This management
practice is is part of our ongoing supervision of the lake and it's
rainbow population. Closure of the lake protects
fish from over exhaustion and unnecessary
stress during the warm
weather months. |
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Once surface and air
temperatures begin to recede, the lake will
then resume operations for Fall fishing.
Generally you can assume this will be in the
latter part of September. Fall fishing
will be available through the months of October, November and
December. |
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Blackstone Aquatic Insect Life Cycles
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early parts of Fall, the Blackstone rainbows will be feasting on
Damsels, Dragonflies and Callibaetis Mayflies throughout the day.
Hopper fishing is also productive around the circumference of the
lake throughout the first part of October. Site
fishing with specific dry flies from a boat in the spring and fall
can provide an exciting Blackstone Lake experience. |
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Fishing from the banks of the lake is productive. A boat, float tube
or pontoon boat is ideal at Blackstone for several reasons:
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Blackstone Lake Fly Fishing Season
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Blackstone Lake
has two (2) fly fishing seasons. Spring and Fall.
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Spring |
March |
April |
May |
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During the warm
months of summer, generally June, July and August
Blackstone is closed to all fishing. Surface
temperatures exceeding 65° is a common occurrence.
Due to these surface water temperatures, the lake is
closed during these months to prevent any unnecessary
stress on the fish. |
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Fall |
Sept. |
Oct. |
Nov. |
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Upon the return
of cool temperatures in late September, Blackstone Lake
will reopen for Fall Fishing. |
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- Site fishing
with dry flies or emergers from a drift boat or from shore to big
porpoising trout is highly productive and is some of the most
exciting fishing you will find at the lake.
- Blackstone
is deep and has long narrow shelves and bars that extend far beyond the
banks of the lake. The trout cruise these shelves gorging on
aquatic insects and crustaceans.
- Willows line the banks of the
lake, creating shade and some winds breaks. Large poplars are in
the process of being planted on the west end of the lake to reduce
wind and high water temperatures during the summer months.
- Due to the water depth of the
lake, areas that are inaccessible from shore can be reached from a
floating craft. This provides you with the opportunity to
experience the diverse fishing at Blackstone.
- The fish are big, strong and
powerful and many times will take large amount of fly line.
Fishing from a floating craft will help minimize the chances of
not successfully landing the Blackstone rainbows.
- Bank fishermen have success
along area's of the lake, especially the southern end where tree's
and other hazards don't create casting problems.
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| At this
time, the southern end of Blackstone Lake is currently being
expanded. Upon completion, the lake will encompass well over 20
acres of prime fly fishing for trophy trout. The expansion however
does not disturb the lake or the fishing. Construction efforts of
Blackstone are concentrated during the off fishing season. |
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A minimum of
3 persons is required to book a day of fly
fishing on Blackstone Lake. The maximum number of anglers per day
is 6. Professional guided fly fishing tours on Blackstone
Lake are available 4 days per week. A barbecue
style lunch is provided and served lake side with refreshments for
each client. A professional, knowledgeable and friendly guide
is on site at the lake at all times. |
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(Flies, leader, tippet and other
equipment for the day are not provided) |
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This
management will insure unnecessary
stress and pressure on the lake is kept to
a minimum, while insuring each and every
fly fishermen an unforgettable Blackstone experience . Worley
Bugger Fly Co. and Blackstone Lake want you to experience the best
of Eastern Washington's private lake fishing. |
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| Please call
ahead for booking information and availability. A release of
liability form must be read and signed by each fly fishermen before
your day can begin. Please call if you have any questions. |
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 Blackstone
Lake is a privately managed, catch &
release, single barb-less fishery. All fish are released
unharmed. |
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This site is
constructed and maintained by Worley-Bugger for fly fishers by fly fishers!
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