The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Russ Burke releases fish into Hand Lake. photo by Conrad Weiler Three small lakes in the Corbett State Park area were stocked last week with fingerlings and adult cutthroat trout from Camp Sherman's Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery.

The fish were transported by a three-member team of fisheries specialists: Doug Curtis and Mike Sims, along with volunteer Russ Burke.

Two trucks were used in the operation, one large fish hauler and a smaller vehicle to navigate the narrow lake roads.

After early morning fish loading at the hatchery, the carriers headed up Highway 20 and parked at the Corbett parking area off Highway 20 below Hoodoo Ski Area.

The smaller truck made three separate runs to the lakes, coming back each time to reload fish from the larger truck.

Both trucks were equipped to maintain correct temperature and oxygen conditions for the fish.

Some 1,500 fingerlings and 50 adult fish were placed into Link Lake; 600 fingerlings and 50 adults went into Hand Lake; and 300 fingerlings and about 35 adults were placed in Dollar-Nine Lake.

A great number of tiny tree frogs was observed at Hand Lake's boat launch site.

The first part of the road up from the Corbett parking area shows evidence of last year's B&B Complex Fire, which burned over 90,000 acres and threatened Hoodoo.

Yet, some areas are still very green and it would be difficult to imagine fire had been in the area.

Other spots show fire reminders. There is significant growth of ferns adding greenery at ground level.

The road and trail to Corbett State Park are open.

The Forest Service has used orange dots on white posts to indicate which roads are open and safe for vehicle use.

There is a short description about these conditions on signs at the start of the narrow road out of the Corbett parking area that leads to the lakes.

This area is a wonderful recreation area in both summer and winter.

Camping, boating and fishing are summertime activities and in the winter, hikers, snowmobiles, snowshoers and cross-country skiers use the trails.

A fishing license is required at the lakes and the total day's catch limit is five fish from all lakes.

Fishing licenses may be obtained at The Fly Fisher's Place, 151 W. Main Ave. or at Lutton's Ace Hardware, 373 E. Hood Ave. in Sisters.