- Steve Joyce, Red's Fly Shop
CALL NOW (509)933-2300
CALL NOW (509)933-2300
At 35 acres in size, Hilltop is just the right size for a small craft. The lake itself is long and relatively skinny with great Bass habitat including cattails, Russian olive trees, and weed beds surrounding the entire shoreline. This creates an unlimited number of pockets and undercuts to probe with a variety of flies as you work the edges from a drift boat, pontoon, or float tube.
While fishing is fishing, and they can inexplicably become lock-jawed at anytime, the fact that we restrict angler days and allow fly fishing only on Hilltop Lake gives anglers a "better than average" chance at experiencing something special. Most days the fishing is anything but technical. Largemouth bass are predators and when they set their sights on eating something, they're going to get it done! Given the dense riparian foliage surrounding the entire lake and soft mud bottom throughout, bank angling is simply not an option. Pontoon boats, drift boats,prams, float tubes, and even small rowable sleds work well and are necessary to effectively fish the lake.
Anglers should consider time of day as they plan their trip. In the early spring we tend to encourage fishing during the warmest part of the afternoon into the early evening, but not until dark. In the late spring - summer, dusk provides the greatest frequency of action assuming we don't have high winds or a cold front. In July and August, early morning trips and hitting the lake at dawn for the first few hours of the day can be a huge advantage!
Guided Trips vs. DIY Access
Guided Trips Include:
- Steve Joyce, Red's Fly Shop
We are unapologetic about proclaiming the prowess and professionalism of our fly shop staff and guides. Between our shop staff and subcontractor guides we have approximately 30 team members. Their blend of ambition, competitiveness, kindness, fishing skill, work ethic, and patience are like no crew we've ever seen. Our staff is the ultimate team. This means teaching each other, sharing secret fly patterns, insider fishing reports, and helping our other guides on the river get into more fish.
Red's has been at this for a long time and putting together a franchise like this was no accident. We look for talent, character, unique skills, and a strong sense of "customer first" attitude. We're here to serve the customer. That's our mission.
Cancellations made by the customer less than 72 hours from the start time, will forfeit 50% of the total cost. If you cancel more than 72 hours from the start time, you may reschedule or request a refund minus 5%. Cancellations within 24 hours or failure to show will forfeit 100% of the trip cost. If Red's decides to cancel the event due to adverse conditions the customer may request a full refund.