Hopwell Lake 10-1

[CAMBYSES]

Fished Hopewell Saturday morning for about 8 hours. I waded the banks and caught more sunnies than I can recall, all fish were caught on a size 2 Purple Bunny leach. The prize of the day was a near 5lbs bass caught in heavy weeds and down timber along the back side of the lake near the dam. All in all I walked away with 3 bass and a really good time on the water.

The air temp was near 70F and water temp was a lot warmer than expected. I don't have a thermometer so I don't know exact water temps. The water was clear making sight fishing very easy and bass were cruising the banks near over hangs and shallow weed beds and lily pads. All fish were caught in less than 6ft of water and most being caught in less than 4ft.

I used my new cheap bass rod and really liked it. It is a Eagle Claw 9'8WT with a Martin mountain Brook large arbor reel. For $65.00 spooled and shipped I couldn't beat the price.


Bob

 

[tomgamber]

You caught sunnies on a number 2 hook?

Good budget find on the rod BTW. If the reel has a disc drag that'd be good for just about anything and you still have enough money for gas.

What county is this lake in ?

 

[jayL]

Tom,

It's in french creek state park, just south of Birdsboro. Right on the border between Chester and Berks.

Cambyses, good report. I haven't been there in a few years. Gotta get back out there soon.

 

[CAMBYSES]

Tom, I was as surprised as you! I thought by throwing a no. 2 I would eliminate that problem, but those damn sunnies were pretty big and pretty determined to take my offering!!!

JayL, The lake has seen a lot of pressure over the last 2-3 years and the fishing has suffered because of it! The numbers are down but the size is up dramatically. The feeder stream between Scott's run and hopewell holds some trout which is always fun in that small water and the bass in hopewell will cooperate on week days and evenings. If you go I would suggest heading towards the Disc Golf course on the opposite bank from the pool. Pickerel and bass hold up there near year round just off of the sand bar at the mouth of the feeder stream.

 

[jayL]

Thanks for the advice. I usually fish other class A streams in the park, but I'll check that feeder out some time. I have seen trout in there before.

I used to dock a boat in hopewell, but a few years ago it got very very weed choked. It was great fish habitat, but was a pain in the rear to fish. Are they still putting northerns in there?

 

[CAMBYSES]

JayL, Yes they are and there some real nice ones swimming around in there as well. If your looking as to where they sitting PM me. I just don't wanna give that info up to everyone under the sun, as I had to work to find them myself.


Bob

 

[tomgamber]

Wow thats cool... I grew up in Reading..is that like Hopewell Village area? I tie size 2's for the beach...those must be some pretty big 'gills.

 

[CAMBYSES]

Tom,
Hopewell Lake is near the town of Elverson or Birdsboro.

When spin fishing on the Brandywine river I use 1/0 for smallmouth and catch 'gills all the time. I think it depends on how hungry they are!! : )