Paul Clouse and Al Hurwitz trolled Lake Del Valle on 7/25/24, looking for Smallmouth Bass. We hooked up with 11 of them, getting eight to the boat while losing three. Pictured here is Paul with a nice Smallie close to two pounds. The fish were all caught with Inline Spinner Flies, either “Joe’s Flies” or “RoxStars”, with scent applied. We fished in 30-40 foot water columns, trolling lures 21-23 feet below the surface. The fish were nabbed along the eastern rock wall entering Heron Bay as well as along the western shoreline. A couple of big Smallmouths also struck hard off points in Heron Bay, but couldn’t stay pinned. These were our first Smallies  hooked up in 2024 off points in the flats of Heron Bay—-very good news, because there are some large Smallmouth Bass looming out in Heron Bay! A very brief and wild biting frenzy occurred along the rock avalanche area on the western shore opposite Swallow Bay, and then died as fast as it started.

The day was quite warm, and the surface water temperature was around 79-81 degrees. Water clarity was very good in the northern half of the lake. Heat eventually drove us off the water.

We express our thanks to the Del Valle staff for getting us a large comfortable canopied boat, and for being so helpful in assisting us getting on and off the lake. See you soon!

All the best,
Paul Clouse, Lafayette 
Dr. Al Hurwitz, Saratoga