Del Valle Trout Report for Sunday 10-12-08

[Floating Office]

Got out to the dam area around 7:30am, water temp was down to 66 already in spots. Started the troll with rapalas (j-7) and grubs from surface to 25ft otw. 1st trout on little after 8am by the west beach. Then nothing for about an hr. 2nd trout hit while trolling into the back cove in heron bay but it came unbuttoned, didnt get it to the boat. Nothing more trolling for the rest of the day. The only action we experienced trolling was toplining dropping it way back, same lure both times J-7-BTR "brook trout color" (red on bottom and fades into orange on sides to a green back with gold). Once the wind came up we anchored by the dam (east side) and caught a nice sized hook jaw trout on orange/red sherbet &white combo of gulp PB with about a 3' floro leader. My buddy hook one using a chrome colored hammered Lit'l cleo spoon while casting but didnt stick. Trolled all the way back to the launch for nothing…Better days ahead!

[Woody]

Floating office it is alittle hard to troll grubs and Rapalas at the same time. Grubs should be ran at 1 to 1.5 mph and rapalas 2 to 3 mph. Did you find the wobble disks to run in front of the grubs?
Now that this low pressure has gone through and the water temp is dropping we should start doing a little better.


Woody

[Floating Office]

Thanks Woody for trolling tip and further defining the grub technique!! :) ...and indeed, I was able to find the disks. Just got the clear color for now in both sizes. I figured the grubs could be trolled slower but I didnt want to go any less than 2mph for the rapallas. I guess in hindsight I might have compromised both of their actions by not trolling at their ideal speed. In my own defense, I always do the quick "drive-along" test and drag the lure beside the boat to see how the action is at the given speed before letting it out. And they both looked fine, but good to know for next time for sure...its generally either one or the other. With all this mph talk, I'm glad I installed a paddle wheel speedo a few months ago. I also got the procure krill sent and I was surprised how that stuff stays on (or at least the greasy residue).

Is there a time of the year when the trout fishing is more productive in the narrows and near the south end? I think their stocking at the launch now and not the dam. Or is the dam always a good place to be throughout the winter? Thanks again Woody for your input.

Floating Office

[Woody]

Floating office I marked a ton of fish at the marina on friday but I couldn't get them to bite. As the water cools down those fish will start to bite. The problem is alot of boats start bait fishing that area this time of the yr. so it is a little tricky trying to troll that area. Also in the spring time the creek area is great.


Woody

[The Reel Deal]

Last year it seemed the bays and narrows produced up until late april. From mid april to end of may i was killing them down on the sounth end in front the swim beach down to the tullies all the way at the end of the lake.

Rapalas and Yozuri pin minnows worked well.

-Jeff

[JefffromLivermore]

I was up near the dam again today and picked up 3 nice trout on various powerbaits and a fat catfish which I gave to a group from Colorado.
Not much happening on my luck spinners.