East Lake, a Sleeper for Trophy Brown Trout Written by: Rick Arnold www.trophytroutguide.com Setting right behind Paulina Lake in Newberry Crater is one of Central Oregon's best kept secrets and a wonderful fishing destination, East Lake.  Jim Teeny developed his famous Teeny Nymph in the 70's when the lake produced some big bows, brookies and browns.   The brookies are rarely planted anymore and the rainbows are more along the normal stocker size, but the lake is a sleeper on big browns and nice sized kokanee.  There are also some atlantics, but in lesser numbers.  The lake record brown of over 22 Lb. was caught back in the early 80's on a small jig.   East Lake differs from her sister Paulina Lake in that probably 20-30% of the lake is fairly shallow with depths under 30.  These productive weed beds are perfect protection for the tui chub and other young baitfish that the big browns forage on. Flyfisherman do extremely well as do trollers and baitfisherman.   When the lake ices-off sometime in May the action is best in the shallows.  Usually an area opens up in front of the resort from the hot springs and spreads east to the cliffs.  You want to work the shallows for all your worth.  The higher oxygenated water and warmest temps will be found in the top 20 feet.  This can be a killer drill.  Jeff Vinson from Portland, found out several years back and was rewarded with a monster brown of 18 LB.   When I last guided up there in 2005, we did extremely well on the browns with downriggers working the thermocline in the mornings from June to the end of August.  I like to tow a variety of minnow plugs in 4-5 in. sizes that represent the kokes and chubs.  Our largest brown that season was just over 9.5 Lb. and we averaged a few browns from 3-6 LB. on most trips.   In the fall, when water temps drop, the shallows again become the prime area to fish for all species.  The browns will be staging before they "false" spawn and can often be seen in the shallows chasing after the kokes or chubs.   Last but not least is the beauty and wildlife of the area.  Many times we have seen osprey and bald eagles dive to pick off an unsuspecting koke or rainbow near the surface.  We have actually had them dive after our hooked trout as they roll on the surface during the fight.  Bears, porcupines and deer are common sights for most of the summer.  That reminds me, be sure to keep your food as far away from the bears as possible.  Years back when my grandson was about five, we watched a young cub run down through the campground and jump into the back of a truck bed.  He proceeded to open an ice chest and ran off with the guys Sub-Way sandwich.   To get the latest information on what is working specifically, you should contact the resort 541.536.2230 that not only stocks a great selection of tackle, but also has a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch.  You can also rent cabins, boats or stay in one of the three campgrounds that surround the lake.  This is a lake that should be on your short list of trophy brown destinations! Thank you Rick!  We are excited that you love this lake as much as we do.  To view other great fishing pictures please check out www.trophytroutguide.com. From: Comment: Tom Price Wednesday, September 19, 2007 Quiet Monday evening at East Lake. Jim Robertson and I went for a spur of the moment trip to East for some fall browns. The lake was empty of boaters and we fished in 6-10 feet of water till dark and landed 6 fish for the evening. No monsters to report but all around 18-20 inches in length. Water is still a little warm at 60 but this cold weather snap should help with the bite. Tom Price Friday, September 28, 2007 Sunday Sept 23 for an afternoon of browns. Got on the lake about 4 pm with only one other boat to share East Lake with. Wind was blowing about 15mph but still pretty nice for a fall day. Trolled flat line rapalas along the shore line in about 12-14 feet of water and picked one fish in the first 20 minutes then it slacked off. Moved out to 18-20 feet and the bite picked up. The next two hours yielded 6 more browns all small in the 16-20 inch class. Not what I was looking for but fun anyway. Will be there for the whole weekend this week. Looking for those 10 pound fish. Dwight & Cynthia Monday, June 01, 2009 Another year another trip to East Lake 4 weeks and counting. I wish more folks would use this site to post reports or conditions. Tom Price Friday, June 19, 2009 Was up June 13th for an afternoon of brown fishing. It rained all afternoon and was wonderful. Not many boats on the lake. I fished from 6 pm till dark and got 5 browns. The largest was 23.5" and a 19" the other 3 were 16" scrapers. All and all a very fun and relaxing afternoon. John Francisco Wednesday, June 24, 2009 fished east last may with some buddys,loved it see first week of july 09 Dan Vance Wednesday, June 24, 2009 Went up on Monday night, the 21st and slayed them. Callibaetis hatch was in full swing. Caught 15 fish in just over an hour until dark. Emerger pattern was the most productive, but a dry pattern worked well until the light started failing. Tom Price Saturday, July 04, 2009 Spent Thursday evening on the lake. Took my girlfriend out for a little fun. We got on the lake about 5:30 with a nice big rainstorm that cleared the lake of most boats. The kokes were differently cooperating on jigs. We scored a couple of limits within an hour. This was fun for my girlfriend catching fish. The kokes were in great shape all about 11". Started trolling about 7pm for browns, Saw Rick Arnold out on the lake. Good to see him fishing. We trolled all evening with only one take down. But not fish. Did not see if Rick netted any. Was a wonderful night after the rain stopped. I love this lake. jeff wallberg Monday, May 24, 2010 My wife Pam and I were at East Lake on may 22,2010. it was a birthday present for me and one of the best birthday presents ever. Dave, his wife and parents in law were so friendly that it was amazing. we are definately coming back. It was snowing while we were fishing and we caust 6 trout. we fished with bobbers and worms. stayed in a cabin and loved every minute of our stay. Thanks again for treating us like kings. Dwight & Cynthia Monday, June 07, 2010 Glancing at the calendar I noticed that it is 18 days until we arrive for our annual visit to East Lake. This fishing trip and vacation is the most anticipated of the year. We caught some beautiful fish last year and hopefully will do the same this year. Dave and Kathy see you soon.