Horn Lake

[aaronlawson]

Has anyone been to Horn Lake (ever)? It is located north of North Lake and the JP Lewis Tract (in the south-western part of the park above the Black River Wild Forest and south of the Moose River). I have read historical records of great fishing there (In "Adirondack Tales of the Black River Country"). There is also a legacy brook trout strain from this lake. I was planning on hiking to Horn Lake this spring to check out the fishing.

The only information I have been able to find on the web is : 1) brook trout strain info, 2) one site that claims the fish there are dead due to acid rain, 3) the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corp's testing of the lake in the mid 80's -it found trout still living there, and 4) a fly-in service that lists Horn Lake as a possible desination (though it also lists lakes that are known to be dead from acid rain).

Anyone know anything about Horn lake? Any info would be appreciated...

[TrailOGRE]

Horn Lake

I haven't been back in there in years
but we hiked in there in the 70's and I remember
there were signs that said "NO FISHING" along the shore
I believe (but I may be in error) that they were were using it as a hatchery
and fishing was not allowed
That may have changed since then

Hope that helps

[pondhopper]

Special regs for Horn:
3 fish limit
Artificials only

They're a heritage strain and a few still exist.

FYI- forgot to mention that the DEC's talking about moving the gate out to Falls Lake Outlet, after the handicapped access is installed into Squaw Lake.

[Wldrns]

Has anyone been to Horn Lake (ever)?

I've been there a number of times passing through on long hikes, both from the northern route via Moose River Plains, more often from the south out of North Lake. Fishing is allowed, though special regulations apply (check the current regulations book before you try). I've heard the rumors too, but the one and only time I tried fishing it I had no luck whatsoever. There were a couple of old boats on the shore there, now chained and locked I believe.

[HookedOnBrookies]

I have been going back to horn lake for a few years , the fish are not wiped out. There are boats there but they are in pretty rough shape. If you plan on going in there at least bring a set of paddle's.

[serotonin]

Bring paddles.
And bring a serious patch-kit consisting of 12x12 sheets of aluminum, rivets/gun, silicone, and a good attitude willing to get skunked.
That's a long way to go for a small trout that doesn't really exist... but at least you'll get to float around a little bit.

[forager]

A friend went there last summer

and reported the following:

1) A long walk
2) the boat floats but leaks so bring a water bottle to cut into a bailing bottle
3) he caught several beauties around sunset (I saw the pictures)

So when are we going????????
(I'll check if he brought paddles or found them there before we go)

PS - Not Kidding, when are we going?

[St.Regis]

Heritage Strains

There are a number of "Heritage strains" of brook trout in the Adirondacks. Horn Lake, Little Tupper, Honnedaga, Windfall, Titus, to name a few. The Tammarack strain, I believe, is extirpated. Acid precip and non-natives/invasives are the primary threats.

[aaronlawson]

I'm hoping to get out there this spring. It looks like a 7.5 mile bushwack from North Lake -is coming from the northern access easier perhaps?


Forager -do you have the photos to post? I'd love to see what this strain looks like. I glad to hear that reports of the fish are not apocryphal, as some have suggested.

[Wldrns]

I'm hoping to get out there this spring. It looks like a 7.5 mile bushwack from North Lake -is coming from the northern access easier perhaps?

It's really not that bad as bushwacks go. You'll see lots of new and old trail to follow, so in that sense it's not strictly much of a bushwack. This is an excellent trip to practice terrain observation map and compass skills. There is plenty of variation in terrain and you'll find natural navigation clues conveniently spaced all along the way. It's a beautiful area to observe.

Study the map closely and you'll see the obvious way, but don't count on being on the old tote road trail shown on the map the whole time. It is not necessarily visible or accurate in all places, and may only seem less so, as you encounter numerous false side trails that may lure you astray. If coming from the south, note that you are bounded by a high ridge to your west, and a river to your east, so if you pay attention it is hard to get seriously disoriented. Definitely try it without relying on gps; it is a very fun exercise and will sharpen your navigation skills.

If you come from the north you will have to figure out how to cross the Moose River. In the summer you could wade across in the shallows near where the Indian River comes in, but not in the spring. I cross with a Hornbeck at Stone Dam, just outside the edge of the Adirondack League Club property. You can also approach from the NE by crossing the Indian River, which will also be a challenge in spring. Again, especially south of the Moose River, don't count on the mapped trails to be totally accurate along with many unmapped false side trails. Trust your compass and the natural navigation clues more than you trust the odd trail section that "looks right"!

[forager]

I'm hoping to get out there this spring. It looks like a 7.5 mile bushwack from North Lake -is coming from the northern access easier perhaps?
Forager -do you have the photos to post? I'd love to see what this strain looks like. I glad to hear that reports of the fish are not apocryphal, as some have suggested.

I measured a walk of only 6 to 6.5 miles from North Lake depending on the exact location of the parking lot which is beyond the Northern most part of the lake as I recall. I sent an email out to my friend who went up last summer to get a lowdown on his trip and asked for his fish photos too.

My interest in getting up there was also sparked by the book you mentioned, Adirondack Stories of Black River Country, by William "Jay" O'Hern, which is based on the journals of A.L. Byron-Curtiss, who lived or summered at North lake for sixty years. Jay and I just completed a biography of Byron-Curtiss (or B-C) which will be released sometime this summer so I have transcripts of B-Cs journals -- including his Horn Lake trips from 1901 to 1935. I'm hoping to re-live a little bit of what I've been writing and editing for over a year.
I will definately go from the North Lake access (as B-C would have) but I don't think I can fit it in this spring because I'm already doing a six day trip the 2nd week of may.
If you don't end up going this spring and want to go later, say mid-July or Sept., keep me in mind. I'll do the same.
As inspiration, here's an excerpt from the upcoming book about some of B-Cs guests who went to Horn Lake.
"June 7, 1915: In the kindness of his heart B-C hurried his breakfast agreeing to man his launch and take the pilgrims, bound to go to Horn Lake up to the head of North Lake. The jack-knife guide, Stone, awaited them. Though an amateur, he showed his good sense by going through their packs and discarding a lot of useless stuff.
...the worthy "huskies" shouldered their still husky packs. Stone, the jack-knife guide, with a sly wink at B-C and a demoniac smile on his face, then led Ed and Martin into the tall timber. After catching a large number of beautiful trout at the head of North Lake, Clayton and B-C returned leisurely in the launch to the comfortable shelter of Nat Foster Lodge...while they listened to the soft patter of a steady rain which came up and pitied poor Ed and Martin hitting the trail for Horn.
June 9, 1915: B-C and Clayton started in for head of lake after the Horn Lake pilgrims about 3:15 P.M. as per agreement. They looked like tramps and acted like paupers asking at once for something to sustain life. Martin and Ed each indicated their experiences by putting up a hard luck story of being without nourishment for a long time. Upon B-C asking how they came to be so starved and famished, Martin explained that they had bad luck on their way in. Upon the Commodore inquiring how it happened, Martin with a deep sigh and a wry face said, "I dunno how it happened, but the cork came out of the bottle and you see," he added eloquently, "we've had nothing but lake water to drink." The Commodore acknowledged this was tough and from the tool box of the launch produced a bottle of Duffy's Bitters and administered a dose of a table-spoon or more to each. Martin, like "Oliver Twist," cried for more so B-C complied...The double dose of bitters revived the drooping spirits of Ed and Martin and they began to brag about their catch of trout. "Tis loath to show them."
The rowing team in service did very well in the still waters of the Middle Branch but the head waters of the lake was so rough that scarcely any progress was made. Ed was inclined to feather his oar and Martin dipped his deep enough to catch a crab.
The Commodore promised another dose of bitters when they arrived if the crew would stop quarreling and get down to business. All were invited to stay to supper at B-C's and partake of trout furnished by, of course, the Horn Lakers. At this Ed and Martin demurred, saying they were too modest to show their catch but they were out-voted by Clayton, B-C and the guide. B-C then set them to getting supper although he really did all the work. For their part, Ed found he could keep the fire going if someone brought in the wood and put it in the stove. Martin said he could eat if supper was ready. Meanwhile Clayton and the guide cleaned about 100 trout of "legal size" after ascertaining that the game warden was not around. These the Commodore cooked first; Ed ate most of them.
Later in the evening Clayton found Ed and Martin pawing over two or three bushels of ferns and leaves, trying to find their big trout. The Commodore suggested that possibly the fish had evaporated. At this Martin swore, said a prayer in Irish and then reminded B-C that he and Ed had not received the promised bitters for rowing the launch across the head of the lake in a choppy sea. It was at this time that the loss of the bitters was discovered. It is hoped that before the final chapter is written, in the Horn Lake trip that the matter of disappearance will be cleared up. It is said of the Irish that it is easier for them to get a cork out of a full bottle of whiskey than to get it in again, but in this case it looks as if there is going to be no bottle at all. "

If we go we'd better keep an eye open for that old bottle!

[aaronlawson]

Horn Lake and the Black River Country

I loved that book, but as a fisherman it is depressing to read about the abundance of fish that once lived in the region. I think that the Middle Branch is completely dead or close to dead, as far as I can tell and the lower Black river below North Lake and above Forestport is seriously damaged, despite non-existent fishing pressure. I wonder too about Hardscrabble Lake -the last few times I've been there there has been no sign of fish, though there were salamanders there. Has you seen any trout there lately? It would be sad to see such a beautiful little lake die.

I guess the good news is that there are still some streams in the area that seem healthy -Goldenstair Creek, flowing in to North Lake, is doing well, but for how long?

I heard that the current federal administration had reversed the past policies on coal and other acid-rain-causing pollutants that has made headway in lessening the effect of acid rain. I hope this isn't true, but it would in no way surprise me.

Can't wait for spring so I can get back out and tromp around the area -it is a fascinating place!

-Aaron

[forager]

Here's the trip report my friend sent. He didn't include pictures:

"last time there was a row boat and a small jon boat out in the open to the left. both leak but the row boat leaks less. bring oars. i've been told there's a plastic barrel with stuff above a camping spot on the south shore but have
not looked for it. i've only been there in the fall-late sept -no bugs, dry
trails. there are a couple spots that would probably be real wet in the
spring. plan on about 3 hours to get in. your gps might cut some of that."

I haven't been to Hardscrabble so I can't comment on there being fish there or not. Its not on DECs list of recently stocked waters in Herkimer Co. but North Lake is. Have a great trip.

[Creekwader]

RE: Horn
One can always look for the submerged canoe owned by the guy from forestport who is the prime suspect in the ALS arsons!

RE: Black R.
North and Middle Branches were OK last I checked but it's been a few years. I haven't been back there too much after my girlfriend (now wife) and I were almost killed by a falling treetop during the 96 Microburst while camping in one of the sites south of where the middle branch comes in.

[Limekiln]

Creekwader- What is the ALS? Thanks