Lake Chabot - 12/27/08 Farewell to 2008

Wanted to try out my new Christmas toys (Garmin 60CSX, Little Chief Smoker). Checked my freezer and was a couple of trout fillets short to fill the smoker. Could have bought some trout as Costco, but since I was giving it to friends, decided to go out and catch them myself.  Was planning on hitting Del Valle at 7 AM today but after 8 hours of no sleep because of my new dog's nightime whining and barking,  , I was too tired when my alarm went off at 6AM. Finally at 8 AM my wife kicked me out of bed and told me to go fishing.  Started heading to Del Valle when I picked up a call from ChuckE and we decided to hit Chabot instead.  I first joined NCKA several years ago after running into ChuckE and Freddie on Lake Chabot so it seemed like a good way to end my 2008 fishing season. Met ChuckE in the parking lot and launched after 9AM after passing an inspection that never happened?  Headed up to Half Moon Bay and hooked a trout on a J7 Firetiger which came unbuttoned at the boat.  ChuckE was working Honker Bay for nada and was switching to bait. I headed towards the dam and picked up a DFG 12-13" trout on a J7 Brook Trout and called Chuck who told me to let him know if I caught another one. About 45 minutes later I hooked a slightly bigger trout on the same lure and let ChuckE know. About 10 minutes later Chuck was there and I was thinking, man those Hobies are FAST.  Trolled with Chuck for about an hour and hooked another small trout on a F7 Brook Trout which I also lost at the boat.  When I first met Chuck on Chabot I gave him a F7 Brook Trout but he left it at home.  Ended up with 2 trout for the smoker and 2 lost at the boat. Great day on the water with a water temp 49 degrees with poor to fair clarity. Clarity improved in the dam area. Always good to hook up with Chuck at the place where my addiction began. 

Scott

Nice way to end the year Scott with a couple of trout. your Xmas present looks good . I will be fishing Montezuma tomarrow with my son,I have your stuff in my truck we will have to hook up soon

Pat R

Great report to cap off the year, Scott.  Nice work.   

Great report  I love that lake.

I missed the meating at Chabot. Great to hear a report from Chabot. I'll be there next week and/or Del Valle, cause I'm off all week.

Nice report and pictures GB2. Congrats on the trout. I love smoked trout.

Jedmo

what a good ending Scott!.....hooking a couple of trout is harder than you may think. Ending the year where your madness began AND getting to (out)fish (with) the Champ is something I'd Frame,Mount&Mantle.
see you next year Scott!! 
thanks for these pics and all your past "fishONaDISH" shots....i acutually kept a few to eat this year!...you inspired me.

Sounds like you guys had a good time.

Nice present in the Garmin 60CSX.   Let me know when you have it figured out because I've got the same unit.  I think I've got the basics down, now I just need to dig out the manuel.

Michael

GB2 good fishing with as usual.  My very first impression of you when we all first met at Chabot was that you were the king of that lake. .... and that's still the case.

Right after Scott jammed, I hooked into a rare surprise at the spot he left me.  It was a nice fat 18" LMB.  I'll post the pics as soon as I get a chance.

Not long after that, I hooked into nice fat trout that would have completed my AOTY card, but sadly, it came unbuttoned at the boat.  I was using J7 fire-tiger Rapala.

Not long after that, I hooked into nice fat trout that would have completed my AOTY card, but sadly, it came unbuttoned at the boat.  I was using J7 fire-tiger Rapala.

Nooo0O0oooo! you better be up there today,yesterday or tomorrow!
a trout short of a full card is a Real_AOTY travesty! doood?! 

Good times/good company. Great going guys!

I was at this lake (which is my "backyard") 2 weeks ago but did not get anything on the fly. I was sorry for myself forgetting to bring my spinning gear with me... got the rapalas but no rod/reel to go with.  

Fire tiger seems to be the hottest pattern in Chabot. That's what I was using when I caught my largest trout (~5.5lb) in this lake.