Lake Del Valle 9/23/07

Went to lake Del Valle today to do some trolling, I ended up trolling from the launch ramp to the dam and back I did manage to boat 2 fish, a 16” trout and a small 13” striper. Round trip to the dam and back was five hours. The trout hit a broken back silver Rapala on top and the striper hit a broken back clown Rapala at ten feet on the downrigger. It was a great day with very little wind. Sorry no pics I ran out this morning with out my camera  .   

Pat R

I was launching when you left. (Orange Tarpon 120).  I spent all afternoon trying for bass.  No luck w/ bass, but I caught a nice sized trout on a small storm swim bait.  It was right next to shore.  I should have started earlier.  The wind picked up a little in the afternoon.  I saw some surface activity in various spots in Swallow Bay.  I tried throwing the swim bait with no luck. 

Hey Pat -

WTG . Did you try any fly fishing? I have never see anyone fish DV with a fly rod but it may be productive in the fall and good practice for BAM.

Scott

I didn't fly-fish.  I want to learn how.  I have a fly rod and reel, but I haven't figured them out yet.  One of these days.
 You could probably buy/make a perfect shad imitation to match the size of the actual bait. 

Thx for the port Pat!   trollin and hookin can't be beat!  it could have been 5hrs. spent thinking about going and then not! 

Don't forget the GRAVY (i mean camera) next time out!! it should be listed as:PRIORITY# 2 right above the PFD.

Better than I did last time at DV. It was my first time and all I could muster was a rainbow. I was fishing for bass and had a spunky rainbow that just wouldn't leave my fluke alone. He ended up finally hooking himself when my lure was like 3ft from the surface as I was reeling it in. Is this lake generally tough or has it just been a slow summer?

FF

the vast fluctuations in the water level can make DV somewhat tricky.  When its WAY down, you end up having to cover a lot of water to find bite.  When its up, you can usually fill the stringer by trolling the narrows for trout.  With the recent rain and DFG plants, the bite should be pretty decent this weekend.

152 Sumo nice to have met you I did not realize you where a NCKA er I guess I should have asked, glade you did not get skunked.


 Great Bass 2 I did not take my fly rod this trip just bought a couple of new trout trolling rod, thought I would test them out. Also did some modifications to my rod holder extensions I shortened them up, worked out real well. I have talked with a couple of people fly fishing that lake they mostly use wooly buggers with some luck mainly in the winter time.

FisHunter definitely PRIORITY #2 I was charging the batter and forgot, I was so exited to go fishing next time for sure.

Pat R         

Thanks for the DV report! Although I've never caught anything there, it is sure one great lake to paddle, especially with no wind!

I did not take my fly rod this trip just bought a couple of new trout trolling rod, thought I would test them out.

Oooh, what did you get? How did it/they work out? The tip of my 40-year-old Garcia rod just bit the dust so I'm in the market for a new rod.

Janice aka "Big J"

Big J I bought two rods 1 Daiwa Spinmaticx 7' 2-6lb $39.00 and the outher is a Lamiglas Kokanee Special 7' 2-8lb $69.00. I am thinking about giving the Daiwa to my wife  and buying anouther Kokanee Special there both nice Trout trollers I run 6lb on both, got to love to troll  . I will be at the First Annual Fish & Chill at Del Valle you are welcome to check them out.

Pat R

Pat - Lamiglass rods are great.

Janice if you lost less than 2 inches of the rod tip, you can just put a new tip on. Steve at the rod Rack in Hayward will do it for you.