August 2022 - 23

The author casts for trout in a creek far
from civilization. Packing a four-piece
fly rod and a selective number of flies
or lures are a couple of sound tips for
fishing in Wyoming's high country.
(Photo by Jack Ballard)
What if I get lost?
The best way to get found happens before
you leave home. Tell someone who is not going
with you what route you will take and when
you will return. Then stick to the plan. That
way, if you don't show up, that person will
notify search-and-rescue.
Bring a whistle. Many packs have one built
into the sternum strap. If you lose your way,
stop moving, find a sheltered spot out of the
wind, then use your whistle to signal for help.
The sound is louder, travels farther and is more
sustainable than shouting.
What if a storm hits?
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in
the high country, even on a sunny day with a
clear forecast. Plan to be at your campsite with
your tent up by midafternoon in case a storm
hits. Keep a rain jacket and rain pants within
easy reach. If you get caught in a thunderstorm
and you're not at your tent, drop your pack -
the metal frame can attract lightning - then
find a depression to sit or lie in until the storm
passes. And spread out. If lightning strikes, it
helps defer the possibility that multiple people
in your group get zapped.
Should I drink the water?
Even the clearest mountain stream may
contain microscopic impurities, like the
parasite giardia lamblia which causes digestive
tract distress. Always boil, filter or chemically
treat water before drinking or brushing your
teeth. Use hand sanitizer, especially if you are
cooking or eating. More backpackers get sick
from dirty hands than from waterborne nasties.
How do I stay warm?
The key to staying warm in the backcountry
is staying dry. Dress in layers and be sure the
ones closest to your body are either wool,
which is warm when wet, or synthetic fabrics
that wick moisture. A weatherproof outer
shell and a down, synthetic down or similar
insulating top are musts, too. It can snow in
Wyoming's mountains any month of the year.
There's a saying among savvy backcountry
travelers that cotton kills because it retains
moisture. Leave your cotton clothing at home.
If you're cold at night, put on a wool hat.
People lose about 10 percent of their body
Wyoming Wildlife | 23
5
TIPS TO HELP YOU CATCH MORE
BACKCOUNTRY FISH
1. Use a travel rod: For fly-fishing, a four-piece rod fits easily on the side of a pack
and is shorter, whereas a two-piece rod sticks up and catches on tree limbs.
2. Do your research: Instead of bringing your entire tackle box, figure out what you'll
need for lures or flies and streamline what you carry. Grasshopper and cricket
patterns usually work well in August, along with common dry flies like parachute
Adams and elk-hair caddis. If nothing bites, try a basic wooly bugger.
3. Find the inlet: When fishing an alpine lake look for the inlet, which is where fish
like to hang out. Water coming into the lake is like a food conveyor belt to fish.
4. Understand spawning: Cutthroat, rainbow and golden trout are spring spawners,
which could mean July in the high country. If the fish ignore your presentation
to them they might be spawning and less interested in feeding, but don't give
up, they still eat a little - especially if it's an easy grab.
5. Be stealthy: Though a remote lake doesn't get a lot of pressure, the fish are still
wary of avian and land-based predators. The water is likely clear, which helps
you see the fish, but they can see you, too, and they'll spook if they catch you
moving on the shoreline.
- By Lisa Ballard
August 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2022
