Heads-Up for Chopoka Anglers

My introduction to fly fishing was on Chopaka back in 1978. Friends of mine invited me up and I had a wonderful time. It was the beginning of my enjoyment of fly fishing everywhere. But that was then and this is now… The experience is vastly different now from what it was. Yes, the topography is beautiful and the lake often gives up wonderful trout. But not like it used to. And I doubt it will return. I have fond memories of my visits up there, and I will have to rely on them in the future. Because I don’t see me returning to Chopaka anytime soon, if at all.
 
Flymph said:
All your points well taken. "Negative public benefit" IMPO can be a good thing for a Lake that has had to withstand the intense pressure that this lake has had to endure. Entire Fly Fishing clubs descend on this lake for some unknown reason. I have been fishing this lake for over 50 years and can tell you the fishing has gone to hell!

Climate Change has raised hell with this lake as well as witnessed by many low water years followed by extremely hot summers. All you had to do was look at the summer kill on the bottom of the lake in the shallower areas. Year after year of far too much pressure plus the ills of Climate Change have plaid a huge role in the decrease in insect life which once sustained bows that averaged over two pounds and fought like Henry's Fork bows used to.

Now, the smaller, skinnier, bows, have been caught two or three times before the new "sparse" mayfly hatch occurs. I'll bet you can't name a single angler who has caught and released 20 or so fish on mids awaiting the calibaetis hatch only to catch another 20 fish on size 12/14 Dries!

All I am saying is this once, great, lake could use a break so it might heal with nature taking over for a few years. And, by the way, I am not hording this lake for myself. I have not fished the lake for many years and don't even intend to buy a license for the second year in a row.
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I’m a relative newb to this lake by the last 10 yrs hearing of it for the last 30, but the good fishing has always been there. The sole difference is the lake level has dropped by at least 6 feet, likely 8. The fishing position by the boat ramp used to have its ‘feet’ under a foot of water. It has been dry for yrs. There has not been enough water for yrs because the berm at the south end is compromised. That lake cannot survive with low water at the south end as we saw last yr.

Another is how much water flushes through the lake, a small creek at the south end had apparently stopped going into the lake but has now been re diverted to flow in. I noted last yr that the marl patches at the south end I used to sit by to see fish have gone. My point being the fishing has become suddenly poorer recently, not because of the number of anglers but the water quality and depth.

Last yr the fish were few and bobber fishing sucked but all fish caught were very big.

The situation sucks and it will not get better but tbh I go to there hang with friends and even with poor fishing; hanging out with my fishing buddies is the best. The fishing is ok but chiro and mayfly fishing is reduced but other styles work well..

Dave
 
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