Del Valle - 1/02/08

Sorry for the delay, I've been a slave to chores.

Yesterday started at 4 am for me as I got up and was feeling like hell - my head was pounding.  Thought I could power through so I had breakfast and then quickly signed up for AOTY.  By this time it's 4:30 and I had succumbed to the pain.  I downed a bottle of water and crawled back into bed, there would be no fishing for me today.  I felt bad about flaking because I had posted the hook-up.

Woke up at 8:30 and had breakfast, again.  Started doing the dishes and thought, hey, I feel pretty good.  By the time I was finished with the dishes, the wife was getting back from having taken the dog on a walk.  Told her of my plan and I was quickly packing the car.

Arrived at the launch ramp around 11:15-ish where I see Grumpy helping a PBer.  Noticed a sunrise prowler on the opposite side of the launch ramp who I later figured out was Mooch.  Got on the water and decided to stick with the risto rap that was left on from the Melones MBF.  I saw that Mooch was over in his favorite Striper honey hole and radioed him to find out that his FF was dead.   All the while I was changing my other rod to a needlefish.  By the time I was finished, I had practically drifted to where he was.  Decided to troll through the "marina area" as reports for the last week had this being the place!  Nada.

At the end of that loop I pass Mooch and we decided to make another loop before heading towards the narrows.  As I was finishing my second pass, approaching the ramp and heading towards the narrows, my pole went bendo.  Felt heavy for awhile and then nothing    so I start winding as fast as my little hand would crank - either he is heading at me or he spit the hook.  I finally felt tension and saw color.  Decent fish so out comes the net.  Mooch was gracious enough to come over and take a photo.  Thanks buddy.

After messing with him, I decided to make another pass while Mooch headed towards the narrows.  Nothing for me on that pass so off I went.  By this time Grumpy had returned from the narrows and was trolling the shallows.

Trolled all the way to Badger Cove (a small cove in Swallow Bay) for a break.  Nothing on the way.  I pulled, several different rapala lures and nary the strike.  While in Badger Cove I rested and collected plastic, aluminum and glass recycle.  Man there are a lot of slobs out there.

Came out of Badger Cove and passed Swallow Bay where I passed Mooch.  I was heading towards the dam and he was on his way back to the marina.  I eventually made my way to Heron Bay where I managed to bury a treble hook into my ring finger!         In all my fishing, I had never done anything like this.  Sat in my yak for the next 10-15 minutes (what felt like an eternity) weighing my options - rip it out or poke it through, snip and pull out?  Oh decisions.  Finally decided that the angle wasn't going to allow the poke through method so I had to rip it out.

By now, it was a little after 4 pm and time to high tale it back to the ramp.  Started panicking because I wasn't sure what time I was supposed to be off the water.  According to the GPS, I averaged 3.9 mph on the way back - man were my thighs on fire.  Once I realized I was OK with time, I trolled another lap in front of the marina for nada.  Pack it up and called it a day.

Thanks for checking on me before leaving Mooch.  Thought that was real classy.

Bummer I missed you Grizz.  Would have enjoyed seeing the pontoons in person. 

Lots of fun out there yesterday gentlemen.  Look forward to doing it again, soon.

Oh, and the WORST part of yesterday - I FORGOT TO MEASURE AND SNAP A PIC OF MY FISH FOR AOTY!     Now many people will say that the year is young and I will have many more opportunities, and I will agree with that, but never again will I have an opportunity to be in 2nd place!   You can tell this is my first time with this whole thing.

Michael

Thanks for checking on me before leaving Mooch.  Thought that was real classy.

Just a brother looking out for another 

We heard Mooch and delbeck talking so I gave them a shout and said hi to Mooch.

Grizz,  I heard you on the radio but I had no idea who it was.  I just thought it was one of Mooch's many friends.  I apologize for not saying hi.  I sat and listened to the entire conversation but must have missed your intro.  Sorry buddy, I wasn't being rude - promise!

Michael

Michael,

No Prob.  How is the ring finger?  I’d say the length of you trout, compared to your ram tubes, is about 28”.

How is the ring finger?

Thanks for asking Grizz.  Oddly enough, during the entire ordeal, it didn't really hurt.  My adrenaline on the other hand was out of control.  Started to panic a bit before I told myself to get a grip.  Actually, the finger has been a little sore since Thursday but I can't really describe it as painful.

I’d say the length of you trout, compared to your ram tubes, is about 28”.

Yeah, yeah, isn't a witness as good as a photo?  I'll settle for 27".

But seriously, right before I chopped the head and tail off, I measured and it was 14.5", just forgot to bring out the camera!

Regarding the RAM rod holder, I had to order the extra long tube so that while I peddle, my rod holders aren't in the way.  That extender was something like $35.

Michael

now that's a breakdown of the day! an EXCELLENT way of reportin it, short of mentioning what you had for breakfast.   Good read!

 and grats' on the Trout O'theday too! 

Oh, and the WORST part of yesterday - I FORGOT TO MEASURE AND SNAP A PIC OF MY FISH FOR AOTY

Did that TWICE last year and would have placed a couple of places higher if,
....iwasentsoDamnXcited 

once again.....there's a whole year to go......and with this rain?
we might find our lakes full again! 
 remember when the water touched the vegetation line? 




   

now that's a breakdown of the day! an EXCELLENT way of reportin it, short of mentioning what you had for breakfast.   Good read!

Honey Bunches of Oats w/ Almonds      Couldn't help myself.

Glad you enjoyed the report Adam.  I like reading detailed reports and figure those that don't can just skip it. 

My wife accuses me of being long-winded and I guess this is a perfect example of what she is talking about.

Michael

No problems here with your long-winded reports and details on lures,location,direction trolled and HoneyBunchesofOats are ALL GOOD to REPORT! 

keepemcomin!

isn't somebody going to complain about the lack of pics?!? 

isn't somebody going to complain about the lack of pics?!? 

Yeah, I had the camera in the side compartment but didn't pull it out.  Not many real photo opportunities other than the quick fly by of a bald eagle but he was gone before I could even get it out.

Michael

.......and YOU had a CAMERA?!   DUDE?     at least an OTW SHOT!

.......and YOU had a CAMERA?!   DUDE?     at least an OTW SHOT!

I know, I need to get better at that.  Once I'm on the water, it's hard to think about anything but catching the scaly critters below.

Michael

BTW, anybody know if there is a fish-cleaning station at Del Valle?  When leaving the ramp, is it up to the left or is that only a bathroom?  Thanks.

Michael

you guessed it...both!   &thinkofyourbrethren@work