Solo Backpacking Duck Pass to Purple Lake - Days 2 & 3

Day 2 | June 20, 2024: Decided to explore close to camp and fish Purple Lake and the creek on the outlet of Purple Lake. I fished the creek for a couple hours landing a beautiful, wild rainbow and lost a couple others before they reached the net. The mosquitos were pretty ruthless so I went up and tried fishing Purple Lake for a couple hours. Mosquitos found me again and I had no signs of fish being interested in what I was tossing. Had the creek and lake to myself however.
Day 3 | June 21, 2024: Due to the crazy mosquito hatch going off I decided to head back a day early rather than attempt to hike to Virginia or Rams. On my way out I fished Duck Lake to no avail. I wanted to fish the creek I caught my brookie in on Day 1 that was closer to the trail head, but some other folks were fishing it so I had to pass up on that sweet spot. After going over the pass back into the front country, trail traffic picked up significantly and I instantly began missing the solitude of the backcountry.
I highly recommend this area if you enjoy amazing views, solitude or fishing. I would love to go back later in the season.
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[@rkatrails]

Looked like a very enjoyable trip despite no luck with the fish. Didn't look like there was another soul out there the whole time.

[@meghanstewart00]

@@rkatrails from the trailhead to the pass you’ll see a lot of day hikers but almost none of them hiked all the way down to Duck Lake. Great catch though I did have Duck Lake all to myself both times I stopped there. Once you meet up with the PCT/JMT you’ll see thru-hikers but I enjoyed that! But honestly no one around me at the creek (bushwhacked to that spot) and no one around Purple Lake. Maybe I got lucky haha.

[@rkatrails]

​@@meghanstewart00Yeah, a lot of day hikers turn around at Duck Pass. It's also later in the season now so I think there'll be a lot more traffic on the JMT/PCT and it's always fun to talk to them.

[@zzww9483]

I wear long pants and bring headnet on every trip even though some Mosquitos can still bit through my clothes. I can image how bad it is without a headnet. I find Tenkara is not really good fit for big alpine lakes if there is no inshore activity. I bring a 4-piece spinning rod and a tenkara rod with me and switch between them.

[@meghanstewart00]

Ugh I know I had my headnet and didn't think to wear it while fishing haha. And yeah I started kicking myself for not bringing my 4 piece fly rod for the lakes. I had seen people using Tenkaras up in the Sierras and Trinities so I was hoping I would have the same luck. Worked great for the creeks though!! Appreciate your insight!!