2/14/08 - Frank and Joel's Valentine date at Lake Del Valle......

The wind sucked, the water was brown but the fish made up for it 

9 stripers for me (lost 2) and 5 for Frank. More info and pics to follow.....

Way to knock-em dead now thats a valentines gift every guy would love . where did you guys score on the minnows, I hope we have as good of a day at Pablo on Friday.

Pat R

Info: Frank and I headed towards the Dam and fished "Valentine Cove " We did some trooching and drifting in 20 to 30 feet of water and we had a consistent bite between 12:30PM to 1:30PM and then decided to head back (we ran low on minnows).

some pics...

nice work, guys!
but can't make it to SPR tomorrow, huh...!?
anyways, g-job!

The "trooching" method: butt of the rod under the left knee while forward grip of the rod rests on the right shin. Paddle real slow while keeping your line (and bait) on a vertical presentation. I like this method because 1) the rod is close enough to grab when a bite occurs 2) you can "feel" the bite when the rod is resting on your shin bone. (same method I used when trooching for salmon and rockfish)

Who needs a live bait tank when you can use your footwells Power to the Prowler 

Check out the water level.....that's the Hetch Hetchy group campsite - note that the water is only a few feet away from the picnic benches 

Uncle Frank, thanks for grabbing the minnows and hanging with me on Valentines day 

  WTG Guys!!!!

 The wind this morning was awful,  way to stick with it and score!!!!!!

Do you guys release anything???  How big are those 18.0001"?  Yes...I have been drinking!!!     Looks like fun.

Do you guys release anything???  How big are those 18.0001"?  Yes...I have been drinking!!!     Looks like fun.

All were released but we ended up keeping two legals (for each of us) at the end of the day. The sizes ranged between 16 to 19 inches....small compared to mendo but they still put up a hell of a fight - especially with lighter trout tackle

Good work gentlemen.  Wish I could have joined you.  Frank, I'm thinking that you should write an article on "How to Get the Wife to Let You Fish on Valentine's Day."  I know plenty of guys would be willing to listen. 

Mooch, I've looked over a Del Valle map many times and never do I remember seeing Valentine's Cove!    Any plan on revealing its real name?

I see you kept a vertical presentation, but how deep was that presentation?  Mid-water column, bouncing the bottom, or ... ?  Not that I'll be able to apply any of this any time soon, I'm locked down for several weeks at the minimum.

And Mooch, did you find out info that refuted what you were told back in January about minnows no longer being aloud at DV?

Michael

Check out the water level.....that's the Hetch Hetchy group campsite - note that the water is only a few feet away from the picnic benches 

Amazing. What a difference from the Fishin' & Chillin' weekend. I wonder if the picnic tables ever end up in the water.

Joel and Frank WTG on the stipers!!!  Pretty small compared to the trout we will catch tomorrow.  BTW - debit your WAF/GAF by 2 days for fishing on Valentines Day. 

Scott

Nice work on valentines day and you are living up to your name. I'd bet you Valentine's cove is right around the corner from Lover's point. 

Hojoman
I have seen the trees in the front in the water in past years. Shore access is severely reduced when that happens.