Paul Clouse and Al Hurwitz trolled Los Vaqueros Reservoir (LVR) on 5/28/26. We were looking for both Mt. Lassen Rainbow Trout and Striped Bass. We ended hooking up with 14 fish, including nine Rainbows (two released, one got off next to the boat), two Largemouth Bass (one spit the hook, one released), and three Striped Bass (one released). There were a few monster strikes, one of which completely ripped a streamer fly off the fluorocarbon line—these were likely due to large Stripers hitting very hard. This ultimately left us with a stringer of six nice Rainbow Trout and two Striped Bass. Pictured here are Paul with a nice 4.37 pound Mt Lassen Rainbow Trout, and Paul and Al with the nice stringer of fish.

We found a difference in the pattern of the bite this week, noting that the fish were biting in deeper water columns at the entrance of coves and in the open reservoir. This situation was distinctly different from prior weeks when the Trout were packed in shallow water and responded to very shallow trolling techniques. All the fish were caught in Cox and Howden Coves as well as the open lake in deeper water. The fish were caught on Jointed Rapalas, wobbler spoons, and mostly on a variety of streamer flies, all trolled 6 to 15 feet below the surface in 25-100 foot water columns. The water was extremely clear with a surface temperature averaging 65 degrees. The weather was cold and rainy in the morning, giving way to partial sun and clouds in the afternoon.

A great day with excellent trolling success! We hope to return soon.

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