THE DUBIOUS FATE OF INCLINE LAKE

BY BRETT COFFMAN

For those of you who have followed the saga of Incline lake over the past few years you’ll know that this will soon become one of the most pristine wilderness parks for local Reno/Tahoe area residents. For a few of us, Incline lake has become a sour note on what would have been a potential prime fishery.

Approved by voters in the 2002 election, money from a special tax fund was allocated to acquire new lands for the creation of more parks and recreation. These funds were subsequently used to strike a deal with the Incline Lake Management Group. A company dedicated to keeping the lake and surrounding property extremely private and off limits to the public. To date, the land at just 750 acres and a $46million price tag, the purchase has been one of the most expensive land deals NV has ever made.

For anglers, stories of monster rainbows and less than modest sized brook trout have long surrounded the mystique behind the ~70 acre lake. Maclean Financial Group used to hold a tournament annually. For a hefty fee this one day event was about the publics’ only shot at rainbows that were known to peak at 27”. A small hatchery located on the southwestern shore catered to anglers of NV’s most elite that were fortunate enough to have vacation homes along the shore.

So there it sat, for nearly a year. In limbo, while the deal went through. Not fishable, yet still arrest able for trying. Finally in early summer of 2008, a gate went across the dirt road leading down to the lake. While the Forest Service went about the necessary work to prepare the area for public use, an astronomical fine of $10,000 would be imposed to anyone trying to gain access. Demolition crews went about tearing down cabins, and every building along the shoreline, but I noticed a more sinister situation arising. Driving between Incline Village at Lake Tahoe and Reno, I watched in horror as the once full lake began dropping - quickly. Day by day, the water level visible between the trees was falling fast. A sign on the gate across the road stated that the crews would be done by Nov. 30th. This date could not come quick enough as I especially wanted to be one of the first to cast a line on the seldom fished water.

Autumns in Northern NV are quite seasonable and it was looking as though there may be water left by the time the deadline approached. More importantly it may be ice free. Alas, no such luck. The lake was pumped dry long before the public opening time, and leaving me with a sour taste in my mouth for government beauracracy. Shouldn’t the NV State Parks have assumed control? Why was the U.S. Forest Service involved? Was the lake drainage part of the federal mandate to return most lakes to natural and “pristine” conditions before humans intervened? Phone calls went unanswered, internet searches ended with dead ends, and the few anglers that have heard rumors of the fish were left quite unhappy.

After the first few winter storms dumped snow in the Sierras, my fiancé and I took a snowshoe trip out to the lake. Standing in the middle of what should have been a frozen over high mountain lake, the resulting aquatic community and fish loss continued to irritate me. Would NDOW now assume control once the lake refilled and turn it into a sub prime fishery of 9-11” stockers? Or would the lake just remain fishless - a pretty spot in the Sierra’s with an unremarkable hike on a dirt road to get to it? Only time would tell.

The following spring of 2009 came, winter snowmelt gave way to high country meadows of wildflowers, full flowing creeks, and refilled reservoirs, but something was amiss. The level of Incline lake never rose. Following a hike to nearby Mt. Rose, my hiking partner and I went down to the lake to check things out. A walk along the dam revealed wide open gates and a trickle of the creek flowing through it. Did our ever so wise state lawyers purchase the lake with taxpayers dollars yet sell the water rights? Given state legislators everywhere, not just NV - one has to wonder.

Some of the latest news is that the dam may falter during an earthquake, thus the lake got drained so repairs can be made. However as of this writing, late Sept. 09 there window to do work is all but gone. Maybe the current economy has put a damper on the situation, but somehow each day a Forest Service truck seems to be down there “doing work” with nothing ever being accomplished.

My latest trip to the lake took me along the dam and just below it where equipment to monitor c.f.s. was stationed. Just downstream of the equipment finned a half dozen brookies, their white tipped fins clearly visible in water that barely covered their backs. A lone crawfish made its way among them, all survivors of a fishery that could have been. Their size? 12-16”. I wonder if they’ll survive the winter.

So to anyone reading this who’s faced with a similar situation. Take advantage of the in limbo time. Fish it at ice out - catch trophy fish, take pictures, and if you get arrested, when people ask you “what you in for?” Just try to act tough when you say fly fishing.