Del Valle - 2/1/09 - Great Paddling but Slow Fishing

Launched around 945 with Karen, Molly and a friend who was in town for the weekend. Trolled around the launch then up to the narrows and back for nada. Fishing was slow although some large trout were caught. Great day on the water although my first skunk this year. Left at 1130 and went wine tasting and watched the superbowl with friends. Nice to meet bassmanben.  Khmunger and FF were there and hopefully had better luck.

Scott

yep, great day out there with some beautiful weather.  i went out for a short paddle then came back in and shot the sh*t with some of the boaters

saw scott out there with molly - she's so adorable I couldn't keep my hands off her.  she seemed to like me too but that was probably because I smell like bacon.

it did seem slow - not too many fish came in but I saw one around 7.5lbs from a PBer and I heard a kayaker caught one just under 8...but dont know who.

I know that one of the guys who fishes the lake quite often (Woody in a nice North River) said it was very slow - so no knock on anyone who got skunked.

The weather was hot but the fishing was not. Seemed like the bite was on in the morning but then tapered off after 9am or so. Most everybody I talked to reported slow fishing with the exception of this one guy that was just slaying fish after fish on every pass he made in this one spot in the south end. I did however nail my personal best trout. I've been fishing DV for a couple years now and have heard the stories and seen the pictures of big trout but had yet to catch one. I've caught numerous nice sized fish but had yet to land a trout over 4lbs so this was a really nice treat.

I caught this fish in 20 FOW on a threaded nightcrawler. This fish measured out at 24" and was flip flopping between 7lbs 15oz and 8lbs on my scale so I'm just gonna call it 8lbs.



I also managed another small trout


The water was pretty green down by the marina but got clearer the farther north I went


Oh and I saw a kid probably under 10 years old with a 9 lb trout at the bait shop as I was getting ready to leave.

All in all it was a great day on the water. I don't think I've ever fished in nicer weather in the middle of winter. The fishing was pretty slow over all but that one big trout made my month.

-FF

SWEEET.  WTG FF.

Was slow for me too, as in nada!  And it wasn't for lack of trying since I got there at 7 and pulled out around 3...

Beautiful day, though, so much so that I was reluctant to leave.

Marked a lot of fish around the mouths of some of the coves in 14-25 FOW, but they weren't interested in what I offered.

Sorry to miss you, BMB and GB2, but nice to meet Keith and Fish Flogger, (nice fish, btw!)

Nice fish - WTG.   

DEVA!!?!!!
Nice friggin trout brother! Wow!

So far, Del Valle has me completely confused.  However, being out with Deva and seeing the 8# Fish being caught, it does give one hope.  Way to go Deva even though the extra 8# in the trunk made my wife's car drive a little lopsided.

Nice fish FF, that will help secure a point or 2 for AOTY.   Congrats!!

Michael

WTG on the trout FF. That's a nice looking healthy fish there.

Jedmo

nice trout there it looks healthier then those farm raised lookin pigs

Thanks everybody 

I felt like this fish was a long time coming but you gotta pay your dues I suppose. BTW I smoked that trout and it was/is absolutely amazing. It was my first time attempting the smoker and I was very very pleased. I think I'll start bringing home more trout and smoking/vacuum packing them for the freezer.

Can't wait to get out again 

-FF

sounds like a great day, despite the skunking, Scott.   A little paddling, gorgeous day, wine tasting, great superbowl - what more could one ask for?     Well, some coopertive fish would be nice, but hey, thats fishing