Del Valle Fishing Excursion

* I am trying to catch up on the many outings I've been on since last summer. Unfortunately, it's now more difficult to check my blog for things like spelling. Please bear with my occasional mistakes.

Del Valle at sunrise

The day is the twenty-second of November, and for me, it means trout time. Fly fishing in the azure waters of a high altitude mountain lake is very appealing, but bank fishing for trout is how I came to love fishing. Sitting on the gravel slope of a beautiful reservoir and starting at a fishing pole for a hint of movement  makes you feel like a hunter stalking prey. It's a wild-card experience that is both tense and exciting. So when winter swung around in the Bay Area, I was more than happy to grab my rod and head to a nearby lake. Which is exactly what my father and I did.

Three rainbow trout that we caught 

Because the trout season was still in it's infancy, my dad decided that taking a trip to Lake Del Valle would be a good bet. We've fished at that lake for three seasons, and just before the water freezes up for winter there is a window of opportunity in the fall where an avid trout fisherman can pull in triple limits of trout.  Plus Del Valle features a plethora of wildlife, including deer, giant turkey vultures, quail, various hawks, harmless tarantulas, two famous bald eagles, and of course fish. Overall, it's probably one of the nicest reservoirs in the bay area, therefore making it a must go for my dad and I.

Our car stopped at the front gate around 5:30 A.M. The air temperature was barely above freezing, and frost covered the ground in an icy sheet. Our poles were already rigged up and ready for action. After trekking through about a mile of frigid landscape we arrived at the Narrows. The Narrows are a point on the lake where the sides of the reservoir our very close together, and the water level drops off quickly. The result is that fish are constantly funneled through the area, and sometimes come onto the flats to feed. Our tackle consisted of a standard sliding egg sinker rig, with a leader of varying length. Instead of a standard bait-holder hooks, I made the decision to use #8 circle hooks. Circle hooks are utilized by salmon boats, and their strength is that the fisherman does not have to set the hook. The unique design causes the hook to slide into the side of the trout's mouth with minimal tension. Finally, the hooks were garnished with chartreuse power bait and cast into the lake.

Two rainbows that were landed in front of the parking lot

Waiting for a trout to bite is an experience like no other. You may have to wait for hours without a bite, and yet still remain utterly focused on your pole. It's a mentally exhausting task that tests your patience and determination. For two arduous hours I waited and waited, and waited some more. Six hours could have passed, and I still would have been frozen in the same position. But after two hours, my line began to shoot out. I was out of my chair and at the pole in seconds.

When a trout takes your bait it is sometimes hard to judge how big the fish is. But that wasn't a problem with this fish. As soon as I set the hook line poured off the reel in waves. I stared at my reel, dumbfounded as line peeled into the depths of the lake. Snapping my head back to the water, I realized I was hooked into a big fish. But just how big? That is the question that all fisherman ask themselves as they reel in their fish. They'll imagine a giant catch on the end of their line. And so caught up in their fantasy, they forget about reality, and the fish slips off the hook and back into the water. Reeling in a large fish requires discipline.

SPIDER!!!

Five minutes into the fight my forearms burn with exertion. The slim trout pole is doubled over and the monofilament line twangs with tension. It's a battle of endurance between me and the fish and I'm determined to win it. Finally my catch comes within netting range. I can't see it clearly but it's massive. And it's only after the fish is netted that I sense something different. See, trout are red, silver, and emerald. This fish is a mottled brown...... and then I see the whiskers and downturned mouth and I realize I've caught a catfish!

It may not be a trout, but its still a big fish, and I'm ecstatic. But after some thought I realize catfish require warm water, and trout are a cold water fish.  It's then I realize that the water where I am fishing at is several degrees above the ideal temperature for trout. So my dad and I pack up the catfish and hike back. By now its almost 10:00 A.M. and we're far from the first people to be at a spot so close to the parking lot. But we decide to cast in our poles anyway. And after only an hour, we have two rainbow trout on our stringer. Satisfied, we pack up our catch and head home in time for lunch. It's been an excellent day of fishing and we're all smiles as we return to the car.

The 7lb. catfish, landed on 4lb. test

I believe that every fishing trip teaches you a lesson that can be applied to daily life. Take the catfish for example. I was fishing at the wrong place, at the wrong time, for the wrong species, doing the wrong thing, and yet I still managed to land a seven-pound catfish. Even though the odds are against you, one can still overcome the many disadvantages with determination, patience and a little bit of luck. And the second lesson I learned from this fishing trip, is that you should put your effort in where it matters the most. Although catching the catfish was great, I wanted to catch rainbow trout. And because I caught the catfish, I knew I was in a location that was not likely to yield trout. So I moved spots, and because of that pulled in an additional two rainbow trout. It was a beautiful day, and I even saw some wild cows waking on the path. Even without the fish, I still would have had a great time. But of course, catching a couple for dinner always makes the experience better.

Results: Seven Pound Catfish
Two rainbow trout (about 14 in)
Tackle: Sliding Egg Sinker Rig, 18 inch leader, chartreuse power bait, #8 circle hook

Air Temperature: 45 degrees
Wind Condition: None