05.05.08 - Lake Del Valle

Launched with Frank Fishing at about 9AM. Water vis was clear to about 10 feet. We saw some nice LMB hanging around the launch ramp. I caught 2 (15 - 17 inchers) - one with a fly-lined nightcrawler and the other with a fly-lined minnow. Frank caught the biggest one in the pack measuring 18+ inches. All were released after the pics.

We decided to head over to Valentines Point for stripers. I got there and fished it with a fly-lined minnow and caught and released 4 - the biggest was a 17 incher. Frank hooked up but it shook him off. We then decided to hit the dam but there was no love there. We made our way back to the ramp and Frank got a catfish on a trolled crankbait. I nailed 4 more LMB and 1 SMB on the tullies right next to the ramp.

Had a great time - weather was nice, a little wind here and there through out the day but was never an issue. Had the lake mostly to ourselves

We got our feet dry by 5PM.

Frank, always a pleasure fishing with ya 

some pics...

Frank's LMB...

my catch.....stripers,SMB and LMB

Note the yellow tag on the LMB.

Met some of the local residents of Del Valle....

Great report - Good Times for sure.   

Forgot to mention that the water level at Del Valle is at it's ultimate high.....check out the Hetch Hetchy group camp site. The picnic tables are only about 5 feet from the waters edge 

Forgot to mention that the water level at Del Valle is at it's ultimate high.....check out the Hetch Hetchy group camp site. The picnic tables are only about 5 feet from the waters edge 

Are those the same picnic tables from Fishin & Chilling I, last october?  Man!!

the DV stripers appear to be much skinnier than mendo stripers.  wonder why?  It's not like there's not enough forage, considering the amount of DFG and EBMUD trout plants.  Or am I just generalizing?

Good outing guys.  Wish I could fish with you on a monday.  I bet it was so peaceful out there, probably had the lake all to yourselves.

Are those the same picnic tables from Fishin & Chilling I, last october?  Man!!

yes

the DV stripers appear to be much skinnier than mendo stripers.  wonder why?  It's not like there's not enough forage, considering the amount of DFG and EBMUD trout plants.  Or am I just generalizing?

There are a lot of smaller schools of stripers going around the lake BUT there is a school of bigger fish in there - it seems like every now and then, someone get's lucky and comes across that school  The BIG ones do exist - next time your there, check out the pics at baitshop by the ramp. I've also seen BIIIG striper carcass along the shoreline on separate occasions.

Awesome report and pics, Mooch.  I haven't been to Del Valle in a while.  I forgot how much I like that place in the spring.  Did you guys fish the tules just north of Hetch Hetchy?  That is an awesome spot this time of the year.  I caught my personal best LMB over there (about 7 or 8 lbs).  Did you notice if the shad were running along the shore?  I am not sure if it is too late or too early for that.  When that happens, the bass ambush them from that creek channel next to Hetch Hetchy. 

Wow what a difference in water level!

That is FULL! ...now there's even MORE area from them to hide from ME in!!   ..don't you guys ever have any house chores you should be doing?
Way to get out for 5 days straight Mooch!....i'm jealous. Nice lil' mix of compliers you guys got!

Frank~2 fat-cats from Mendo and now this? your gonna need a new handle pops! .... how bout'CatmanFrank!

ImissYOUguysALREADY!  (in a good way)

Nice work fellas. Them pictures bring me back to the first fishin and chillin dayz. Good times. That's a nice lake I'd like to visit someday again.

the DV stripers appear to be much skinnier than mendo stripers.  wonder why?  It's not like there's not enough forage, considering the amount of DFG and EBMUD trout plants.  Or am I just generalizing?

I'm no expert but I remember SCWA saying that a lot of the stripers @ Mendi feed on the striper plants. So maybe the reason why the Mendo stripers are fatter is because they're cannibals!!

Z

the DV stripers appear to be much skinnier than mendo stripers.  wonder why?  It's not like there's not enough forage, considering the amount of DFG and EBMUD trout plants.  Or am I just generalizing?

I'm no expert but I remember SCWA saying that a lot of the stripers @ Mendi feed on the striper plants. So maybe the reason why the Mendo stripers are fatter is because they're cannibals!!

I think I remember Sean saying something about that too, but I've got to believe that a striper would eat a planter trout, no?  A planter trout would be about the same size as a planter striper.

As for the monster striper Mooch refered to that is posted in the Del Valle bait shop, it was caught in the South end shallows near the river mouth and I'd bet dollars to donuts that it was feeding on little helpless planter trout.   I'm thinking a big swimbait would be the key to landing some ginormous stipers, especially on trout plant days.  I'm sure some hog LMBs and stripers come up to feed when those little guys start hitting the water.

BTW, nice outing Mooch & Frank.   Can't wait for the summer when I can actually join you guys on a midweek fishing adventure.

Michael

Nice work fellas!  Primo you sure did rack up some fishing/traveling hours this week...good for you man gotta do it when we can.

Cool turkey pictures and nice efficient fishing- well done!

That last picture portrays a very high water level at Del Valle and also the biggest net I have seen on a kayak!

Really nice fish. The water level is scarry. Where is Valentine's Point?

Scott