No way to sugarcoat our outing, but Paul Clouse and Al Hurwitz had a very tough day trolling Lake Del Valle on 11/19/25. We trolled all sections of the lake mainly with inline spinners trolled 16-21 feet below the surface, trying to get a hit from either Bass or Rainbow Trout. We caught only one fish, a 1/4-1/2 pound Smallmouth Bass caught by Paul along the western shore at the north end of the Narrows. That was it! No other bites. Hard to explain the slowdown, since the weather was very nice, and the fishing conditions quite ideal. We can only think that the recent rain storms, and significant drop in the level of the lake put fish on lockjaw status (at least for trolling and casting lures). Other boaters we spoke with had a similar disappointing experience. Those casting PowerBait from shore for Rainbows  may have had better success, but we didn’t have the chance to ask them. At any rate, November is often a transition month, moving from catching Bass to catching Trout. The surface water temperature had dropped to around 62.5 degrees, getting down to a level where Rainbow Trout fishing should keep improving in the weeks ahead.

We appreciate the  great assistance of the Lake Del Valle staff with our fishing efforts, and we wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Paul Clouse, Lafayette 
Dr. Al Hurwitz, Saratoga