10_2025_REELLIFE_digital - Flipbook - Page 22
And it may come as a
surprise to you but the
kokanee fishery at Wickiup
is entirely natural.
DUDE: Not supplemented?
KOKANEE: Not at all. This
is a great example of the
adaptation I was speaking
about earlier. The kokes
have to be ready to spawn
before the water supply
challenges and limits
their ability to graze.
Fortunately, just enough
water is available to make
redds that will be properly
oxygenated even with the
draw down.
DUDE: But the size and the
great number?
KOKANEE: With so much of
the reservoir being shallow
when full, the draw down
encourages a great variety
of insect hatches. One
species in particular thrives
there. These are a type
of fly. In larval form they
are called chironomids.
They are produced in such
abundance as to be mindboggling. Wickiup kokanee
have discovered that these
chironomids are a better
source of protein than the
zooplankton water fleas
known as daphnia. These
chironomids don't run and
hide when the sun comes
up, and the kokes can feed
on them round the clock.
And they do. An abundant
protein source makes for
very large kokes, much the
same as the Mysis shrimp
did for the third year kokes
at Wallowa Lake. Only the
chironomids don't destroy
the next generation of
kokes.
DUDE: And let me guess,
the second year kokes
at Wickiup can eat
chironomids because the
fly larvae are small enough,
unlike the Mysis.
KOKANEE: Exactly. So the
second year kokes gorge
and become very large
second year olds. As such,
they have more strength
to make it through the
severe winter conditions at
Wickiup. So when spring
comes, now as three year
olds, they are still in great
shape, large and cranky just the way they should be.
In the meantime the three
year olds have spawned.
The drawdown of the
reservoir provides a good
measure of protection
as virtually all motorized
boating ceases. If left alone,
the redds will produce
huge numbers of kokanee
fry ready to start the cycle.
DUDE: You have taught me
so much and I don’t know
how to meaningfully repay
you.
KOKANEE: Well, there is a
way you can do that.
DUDE: Anything.
KOKANEE: You know all
those mornings when
you get on the lake just
before first light, and then
some light starts chasing
the darkness away? How
quiet and still things seem
to be. Your mind is filled
with anticipation of the
great fishing day ahead.
And you take a slow deep
breath – just trying to take
it all in. Don’t ever lose that
feeling, and don’t keep it
to yourself. Pass on such
ethics to your children, and
family and friends. Help out
and encourage those just
starting out in the sport.
DUDE: Yes, I can do that.
KOKANEE: I’ll be on my way
now. Gotta fulfill my real
purpose. It’s been great
chatting with you and I’m
really glad you responded
in the way you did. As for
me, the ladies are calling.
