Dave,

You can find info on Del Valle and some other local places that rent boats for fishing by pointing your browser at:

[url=http://www.norcalfishing.com/:2d3e8]http://www.norcalfishing.com/[/url:2d3e8]

Lake Chabot is supposed to be good but I haven't tried it yet. You can get the latest fishing reports for several area lakes from that site...the reports are updated weekly.

The Merced river is a 2 hour drive. I went steel heading there recently...not sure if the season is over yet. It's not as good as the Trinty or Klamath but it's a lot closer.

Guides are available on the Merced: [url=http://www.sierraflyfisher.com/:2d3e8]http://www.sierraflyfisher.com/[/url:2d3e8]

You're also not far from Yosemite...not sure if it's too cold to fish there this time of year.

This time of year, the rattlesnakes probably aren't an issue at Calero or some of the other local spots...ask the Rangers when you get there.

If you go to Stevens Creek Reservior, make sure you park outside or make sure you pay the parking fee (find the machine). Parking is much cheaper than being ticketed.

There's also a casting pond in Campbell (very close) maintained by a local fly fishing club (but open to the public). Google didn't turn up a map for it, but there are some hits readily available. It's near Hwy 17 where it meets Camden Avenue.

There are perc ponds near the casting ponds that were recently stocked with trout. Most folks fishing there are using spin gear but the occassional fly fisher shows up.

Float tubes are allowed if you have one with you. They're pretty small ponds though...