Treefrog
Smolt
I just received this email from a friend of mine that is a member of WFFC (Washington Fly Club) from fish biologist Ryan Fortier:
Good afternoon, WFFC
I received this fish report this afternoon from Ryan Fortier. Please take a moment to read.
I’m hoping you can get the word out to anglers who are venturing to Big Twin and Chopaka lakes in the next few weeks. Both lakes exhibited large fish kills this winter/spring as evident by abundant carcasses revealed in the shallows immediately following ice off. Investigations have revealed them to be large, but not complete. Chopaka lake was surveyed last week and found to still have an abundance of RBT, especially in the 12’-16” range. There was some lacking in the 17”+ size range, but the loss of the other RBT should give them plenty of space to bulk up quickly. Anglers checked during the surveys were found to still be catching RBT, but still with the usual cold water sluggishness. Catchable plants from Davis and Blue Lake (Sinlahekin) were diverted to Big Twin in addition to the usual plant when it was revealed in early surveys that they had a robust overwintered population. Early fishing at Big Twin was still slow despite the plants, but water temps rising last week resulted in some reports of potential hold-overs (15”+) that were unlikely to have been part of the recent stocking. I doubt Big Twin will have he remarkable year it did last year, but it shouldn’t be dismal. Little Twin’s new aerator did get the job done in its first tough winter with the reward of some good size RBT. Big Buck (Frost Road) and Aspen lakes were stocked two weeks ago so exploring could be a good venture this spring if Big Twin isn’t meeting your expectations. I have only heard a pair of reports on Campbell Lake so if anyone has some recent photos and reports, I’d love to from you.
Good afternoon, WFFC
I received this fish report this afternoon from Ryan Fortier. Please take a moment to read.
I’m hoping you can get the word out to anglers who are venturing to Big Twin and Chopaka lakes in the next few weeks. Both lakes exhibited large fish kills this winter/spring as evident by abundant carcasses revealed in the shallows immediately following ice off. Investigations have revealed them to be large, but not complete. Chopaka lake was surveyed last week and found to still have an abundance of RBT, especially in the 12’-16” range. There was some lacking in the 17”+ size range, but the loss of the other RBT should give them plenty of space to bulk up quickly. Anglers checked during the surveys were found to still be catching RBT, but still with the usual cold water sluggishness. Catchable plants from Davis and Blue Lake (Sinlahekin) were diverted to Big Twin in addition to the usual plant when it was revealed in early surveys that they had a robust overwintered population. Early fishing at Big Twin was still slow despite the plants, but water temps rising last week resulted in some reports of potential hold-overs (15”+) that were unlikely to have been part of the recent stocking. I doubt Big Twin will have he remarkable year it did last year, but it shouldn’t be dismal. Little Twin’s new aerator did get the job done in its first tough winter with the reward of some good size RBT. Big Buck (Frost Road) and Aspen lakes were stocked two weeks ago so exploring could be a good venture this spring if Big Twin isn’t meeting your expectations. I have only heard a pair of reports on Campbell Lake so if anyone has some recent photos and reports, I’d love to from you.
