Chopaka Lake (Hosts - Peter Rubenstein & Vance Thompson)

This trip is designed to hit the peak of trout activity in this remote lake in Okanogan country. Chopaka Lake is where fly fishermen belong, and chironomid soakers put down roots. It just may be the hottest Callibaetis mayfly lake in the state. Located on a distant walled-in funnel at just under 3,000 feet elevation above the Sinlahekin Valley, Chopaka Lake is 148.8 acres of trout water squeezed into a narrow 1½ mile-long ladle. Depths in the southern half, the handle end, average less than 10 feet and support fertile nests of bottom vegetation that grow incredible insect fodder, especially mayfly nymphs. The bowl of the ladle is on the north end where the lake bottom plunges to more than 70 feet. A floating device is necessary to fish for the really large rainbows that cruise the lake.

WA DNR has a no fee campground with 2 vault toilets, questionable potable water, and a number of campsites with picnic tables. A few of the picnic tables have wooden canopies. You should have your WA Discovery Pass or WA DNR Pass with you for this campground.

The federal BLM has a no fee campground with 8 campsites with campfire rings and a vault toilet just passed the DNR campground. There has been camping outside of the defined campsites in the BLM campground area.

NFA usually establishes itself in the DNR campground.

What to Bring for Fishing:

• Washington state fishing license

• Raft, canoe, pontoon boat, kayak, or float tube.

• PFD is always recommended for wading and riding in boats.

• 4-6 weight rods and floating lines.

• 3x,4x, and maybe 5x tippet depending on which flies you use.

• Check the local fly shops on what is working. You may want to bring Hares Ear and Lightening Bugs.

What to Bring for Camping:

• WA Discovery Pass

• Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad

• Bring clothes for warmish daytime temperatures and chilly nights.

• Rain gear

• Sun screen, hat, and dark glasses

• Flashlight(s)

• Folding Chair

• Camera (in Ziplock bag)

• Water Bottle with liquid

• Bring drinking water, approximately 1 gallon per person per day.

Food & Beverages:

• The outing fee only covers Friday and Saturday night dinners and Saturday and Sunday coffee.

• Bring your own food for breakfast and lunch.

• Bring your own wine, beer, or hard stuff.

Directions:

• Drive to Wenatchee and head north on Rte. 97 to Tonasket

• From Highway 97 at Tonasket, take the Loomis-Oroville Highway west through Loomis.

• Two miles past Loomis, turn left onto the Chopaka Mountain Road. Keep to the right and drive the steep grade up the mountain.

• After 3.5 miles, take the road to the right for two more miles to reach Chopaka Lake.

Cancellation Deadline: Deadline for cancellation is 8:00 p.m. the Sunday before the outing. If you need to cancel, please contact the Outing Host(s). There will be no refunds after the cancellation deadline.