MOUNT VERNON — Author John E. Moore likes to keep things simple when he goes fishing.
He uses a Zebco reel. You know the one — no bail, just a button to push. Then there’s a torpedo float and a length of leader attached to a fly.
On a recent windy day on Mirror Lake, Moore used his basic setup to hook cutthroat after cutthroat.
If you want to know more about Mirror Lake, look no further than page 181 of Moore’s latest effort, “A fisherman’s Guide to Selected Lowland Lakes of Northwest Washington.”
The book touts the virtues of 100 lakes — a quarter of which are in Skagit County. The remaining lakes are in Whatcom, Snohomish and Island counties.
“The lakes in the latest book are so much more accessible,” said Moore, who lives in Mount Vernon. “More than the previous book.”
“A Fisherman’s Guide to Selected Lowland Lakes of Northwest Washington” comes on the heels of “A Fisherman’s Guide to Selected High Lakes of Northwest Washington,” which arrived at bookstores in 2007.
Moore said his latest book was as labor intensive as his last. The only real difference was some of the lakes tended to be a bit closer to home.
“I didn’t have to spend as much time driving,” said Moore. “So there was some time-saving aspects there. But it still took substantial efforts. Since the lakes were closer, it was also easier to revise the data. Plus, if the weather was rotten, I could just go back home and come back later to get pictures.”
Next month, Moore’s latest endeavor, “A Fisherman’s Guide to Selected Lakes in South Central Washington,” will be printed. The book focuses on lakes mainly in Grant and Kittitas counties.
“It’s a real departure from the rest of the books,” said Moore. “There aren’t any trees.”
There is also sunshine.
“I had to coat myself in sunblock,” Moore said.
Moore keeps things basic out of necessity. You have to trek to many of the lakes in his books.
Still, Moore often packs an inflatable raft so he can collect as much data as possible at the lakes he visits.
“There are a lot of lakes that require substantial hiking,” said Moore. “Others are as easy pulling the truck up.”
Moore gives exacting detail within the covers of his books, which are really hybrids — part fishing, part hiking.
Take Mirror Lake:
Size: 13.8 Acres
Elevation: 348 feet
Maximum depth: 34 feet
County: Whatcom
Coordinates: T37N R5E Sec30NP
Longitude: 122d 12m 58s to 122d 13m 15s West
Latitude: 48d 39m 43s to 48d 39m 52s North
Species Confirmed: Cutthroat trout, coastal
Species Reported: Rainbow trout
Characteristics include bottom strata. Directions are can’t-miss. Fishing tips are included.
“My books have a lot in common with hiking guides,” Moore admitted. “Except mine also deal with fishing. They are really a combination of both. That makes them a little different. If someone wants to simply hike to a lake and not cast a line, all the information to get them there is in the book and I hope they do that.
“Of course if they want to try and catch a fish, then that information is provided as well. It’s a really good combination.”
Most of the folks he meets on the trail are hikers, not fishermen. Many, in fact, have no idea that a lake lay along the way.
“A lot of the lakes in Lowland Lakes of Northwest Washington, are lakes people around here know of,” said Moore. “Maybe they hit some (lakes) they have to hike to and then extend to some other lakes that take a little more time and effort.
“These lakes aren’t quite as intimidating as some found in the previous books. Many are easy to get to. Take Mirror, for instance. It’s easy to get there and I’ve never been skunked fishing it. Lizard Lake, you have to hike into it, but there are some nice trout in there. I’ve caught some 31⁄2-pound trout. Not many, but they were still big.”
Then there are places like the Texas Ponds outside Darrington.
“Those used to be quarries in the late 1970s,” Moore said. “On a good day, you won’t catch a lot. However, there is potential to catch that big fish. There isn’t a lot of people, usually just locals, people I fit in with. It’s a good place to fish.”
Some of the lakes are ones Moore first visited in the 1970s and 1980s. He revisited many for the book.
“Some lake information is only as current as my last visit,” Moore admitted. “A lot can change very quickly in the outdoors. Roads change. Access can change. There are some times when I wish it could just all stay the same. But some change is for the better.”
Moore said he does all the stumbling around so others don’t have to. He’s traipsed on many trails that are deteriorating.
“I’ve done a lot of hunting around (for the trail),” said Moore. “Eventually I find it and find my way to the lake. But I’ve done a lot of bushwhacking and been in mazes of woods.”
He’s quick to point out that he enjoys bushwhacking.
“It’s part of the fun,” said Moore. “If it all went right, it wouldn’t be fun at all. Just having lakes to get to is one of the benefits to living in this part of the country.”
Moore recalls hiking with his now adult son when his son was about 8. The trail to a lake located above Marblemount slowly faded, then disappeared and Moore’s son became concerned.
“I turned and told him there was nothing to worry about,” Moore recalled with a slight grin. “I said, ‘The trail is going to the same place we are and we’ll find it when we get there.’”
Though comfortable along a trail, Moore recently found himself in unusual surroundings — a book signing at a mall.
“I have never been in a mall that long,” Moore said jokingly. “To think that people are reading and using what I have researched. It still hasn’t sunk in that I’m an author.”
Moore is a stickler for data. He’s an encyclopedia when it comes to lakes, their locations and the species found in their waters.
His files chronicle about 750 lakes. He constantly updates information.
“I have a lot of information and photos,” Moore explained. “I am constantly revisiting and revising. It’s a massive amount of work. But on a rainy day, I put on some music, turn on a football game and get to work. There is always something that needs to be done.”
Moore hopes his books spur folks to get outdoors, whether they are looking to catch fish or just want to take a good hike.
“I love the outdoors,” Moore said. “I believe there is no better way to have a more positive impact on your kids and family than to get them outdoors.”
Vince Richardson can be reached at 360-416-2181 or by e-mail at .
More lakes to explore
Vince Richardson
John E. Moore fishes on Mirror Lake, one of 100 lakes featured in his latest book: “A fisherman’s Guide to Selected Lowland Lakes of Northwest Washington.”
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