Chopaka's Evolution

Treefrog

Treefrog

Smolt
A group of us fished Chopaka in mid May which we have done for decades. The fishing experience was not what it has been. The bug life had changed dramatically and the numbers of fish were down. In the past, we could rely on good chironomid activity while waiting for the mayflies to hatch giving us what we really came for: dry fly fishing! It appeared the lake was down two feet over last year which was down over previous years. I decided to call the WDFW regional biologist for information about the state of the lake. According Ryan Fortier, the regional biologist, drought and a water source (part of Totes Coulee Creek) has probably lowered the lake. Water diverted though some ancient agreement from Totes Coulee Creek used to supply water at the south end of the lake (think of the last hairpin turn that goes over a creek before a cattle guard). That creek used to trickle into Chopaka. The original water rights agreement that allowed the diversion of Totes Coulee Creek water was written on palimpsest and is unretrievable. I am kidding, but the agreement does seem lost in the archives. Therefore, the diversion doesn't seem fixable from a legal standpoint and the dam which was built in the 60's or maybe even before is unstable and the department of Ecology doesn't have the wherewithal (money or energy) to upgrade or fix it. There is also some suggestion the State could secure the "older water rights" from the current owner of the ranch that has those rights. Its all vague and iffy and political. It looks like we are stuck with a lake struggling to regain its old Glory. WDFW does continue the fingerling planting of rainbows in May/June. The photo is from a friend of mine of the handicap deck at Chopaka lake. The piers used to be in the water!
 

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I talked to a friend who fished it during the hot spell we just had. Fishing was very tough. He caught six fish over 3.5 days and came home a day early.
SF
 
I may have made my final trip to Chopaka. I first fished it in 1972 or 73 and irregularly ever since. It has been my favorite east side lake. I fished it last Thursday and Friday. I believe this is the first time I've been skunked on Chopaka. The lowered water level apparently allowed the south end to warm up to 70*, so fish seemed to be avoiding it. I found no chironomid hatch of consequence, although anglers were getting some on 'mids. Saw adult damsels and mayflies, but no emergence of either of consequence.
 
I understand the owner of the private land at the south end of the lake passed away recently. I for one appreciate his forebearance allowing multitudes of anglers to camp and fish there. I hope whoever manages that property and road access continues...
 
So many great memories fishing there. I feel blessed that I fished it a number of times last century.

With all these recent reports I will not go back. The great memories still live on...
 
It served a good purpose as one of the best "corral" lakes over there. I hope that continues in the long run, or another suitable contender emerges to take on the traffic. I can think of a few.
 
I see through the ruse, this is much akin to the rattlesnakes and tics tactics. I bet that there is a meeting each day on the lake of all the anglers, with a leader detailing out how everyone is to report back to the masses about how “bad” the fishing is. Well played, well played.
 
Stopped "by" on Saturday after 3 days on the Upper Columbia w/ the idea of pitching a tent for 4/5 days. Saw lots of rods on the water. Looked at a couple of the vacant sites and was greeted by what looked like families of Prairie Dogs. Thinking they'd spoil the stay what with shredding my tent and stealing all my food, I just headed home. What the Hell are those rodents? (I'm thinking they're not Prairie Dogs.....)
 
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Ron McNeal said:
Stopped "by" on Saturday after 3 days on the Upper Columbia w/ the idea of pitching a tent four 4/5 days. Saw lots of rods on the water. Looked at a couple of the vacant sites and was greeted by what looked like families of Prairie Dogs. Thinking they'd spoil the stay what with shredding my tent and stealing all my food, I just headed home. What the Hell are those rodents? (I'm thinking they're not Prairie Dogs.....)
Click to expand...
Haven't been to Chopaka but could it be these guys?
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Columbian Ground Squirrel
 
Many moons ago I was at the wookie lake when the water was this low. Myself and my buddy realized you could walk along the "shoreline" and be below the reeds. We were there in late may. Funny thing is a couple guys from a fly club asked us why we were standing on shore while nothing was going on. I laughed. In the 20 minutes before dark we hooked at least a half dozen fish each, never casting, just dragging a Goddard caddis or size 10 simulator less than 10' from shore. The fly club guys were clueless. Imagine that. Low lake levels can be taken advantage of if you know what you're doing.
 
That’s funny Stimson…..just because someone is in a fly club sure doesn’t mean squat in my book! I belonged to a fly club for 7+ years and the majority were old guys using the “club” meetings for social events, dinner, getting away from the wife for a bit and drinking and bs’n! The others were newbies that saw “A river runs through it” and wanted to be Brad Pitt…….
But back to the lake, it’s sad that we’re already talking about the good ol day’s already.I fished it in its glory years, amazing location, hatches and fish. Long drive from Seattle especially at the price of gas today! Besides driving by so many other good lakes to fish.
 
I'm not trying to be a I'm better than you guy, but when you're standing on shore knowing what's gonna happen in the next 15 minutes, and the president of a fly club exits the lake absolutely clueless to what's going on in the next 15 minutes, ya gotta wonder if fly clubs are worthy.
 
By the way the fly club guy "announced" he was president as he was getting out of the water, of the b'ham fly club. Doushbag.
 
How about 40 fish on a size 12 gray Humpy. This preceded by lots of fish on size 10 mid black with silver rib and there was no bobbers in those days. Instead we stripped mids on a sink tip line as there were no real intermediate lines available. Oh, how can I forget stripping a size 10 gold ribbed hares ear. Years and years of global warming have destroyed habitat and the bugs that came with it. They will never return. The creek that dumps in at the south end could be seen with lots of cutthroat spawning at times. Finally, maybe some of you can remember the snakes (Atlantic Salmon) which were unique but a failed experiment.

Have not been up there in years as there are pork chop lakes that produce much larger and many more hook ups without the endless flotilla of rubbermaid trollers.

Sorry for the History lesson and rant but Chopaka was once the jewel of NW Fly fishing!
 
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