Merrill Lake

CITY

Kelso

NOAA

Accuweather

TWC

HATCH

NYMPH/
LARVA

PUPA/
EMERGER

DUN/
ADULT

EGG-
LAYER

Dragonfly

Midge

Sculpin

Leech

Baitfish

Merrill has a strong population of brown trout, some of which are pretty hefty. Browns are more tolerant of cold water than rainbows, so if you head up here and cast a streamer, you could pick up a long-as-your-arm brown trout. Crowds are low, so there won't be anyone around to witness the event--or to contradict whatever fish story you want to tell.

As the lake cools down, look for trout in shallow areas, where the water is warmer. If that doesn't work, present your streamer low-and-slow: down deep and barely moving.

The road into the campground is either closed or about to be closed. You can carry your float tube down the hill, or head for the north end of the lake where you'll have less distance to walk. You can also just wade the shoreline and cast your fly; this works until the rains arrive and the lake rises into the willows.

Olive Woolly Buggers and Bunny Leeches are good fly choices.

For more on November tactics and flies, see the Lakes in General report.