Tahoe Fly Fishing Report Archives

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Wow, hard to believe that summer is going and we are transitioning into the fall fishing season. The temps are dropping along with the flows and the fish are getting ready for another winter. Kokanee and Browns are staging to start their spawning runs, the Rainbows are feeding more aggressively and the crowds are gone. This is one of my favorite times of year for fishing up here especially when you throw in the fall color change. Fishing with small BWO's or ripping a big streamer there are some good options here. Get out and fish.

This time of the year I venture north to Oregon to guide Steelhead fly fishing trips for Morrisons lodge on the Rogue River. I recently purchased a new drift boat and will be able to offer steelhead trips on the upper Klammath River as well. There are some blocks of time at the end of September and October that I would like to fill in trips. (Sep 27th thru Oct 4th and Oct 21st thru Nov 4) The Rogue River Trips can be booked through Morrisons Lodge or 1-800-826-1963. The Klamath River trips can be booked directly with me by calling 1-530-386-0525 or email.

Note: If you are looking for guide service in the Truckee area while I am in Oregon then go to the Tahoe Links page and contact Frank, John, or Doug.

Steelhead - During the early part of the season swinging traditional patterns seems to be most effective. After the fish have been in the river awhile and the salmon start spawning then nymphing can be more effective. I still prefer the tug on a swung fly. Shunks, Silver Hiltons, Tiger Paws, and Purple Peril have all taken half-pounders and some adults.

Truckee River**-**** The current flows are 137cfs below Donner Ck. and 463cfs below Boca Reservoir. They can change but, now is perfect or fishing Attractor dries and nymph droppers along Glenshire Drive down to Boca inflow. Below Boca indicator nymphing and streamers are going to be more productive. I have already witnessed a few October Caddis fluttering around.

Little Truckee*** The flow out of Stampede is 49cfs which is kind of low considering the Kokanee and Browns are soon coming up to spawn. The fishing here is very technical. Use some small bugs and stealth. Give the fish on their redds a break and leave them alone.

Boca, Prosser, Stampede**-**** The Kokanee and Browns are staging for the spawn at the major inlets to these reservoirs. At Boca and Stampede this can bring up some Mackinaw looking for and easy meal. The browns can be quite large as well. Fishing with a 4 or 5 wt may not be enough to handle some of these brutes. Don't forget about the smallmouth they eat trout flies too!

Davis Lake***-***** This lake is prime right now. Fishing under and indicator with blood midges and callibeatis nymphs or, stripping streamers and damsels has been productive. Yes, the fish are still eating damsels. If you need to get a numbers fix this is the place right now.

Thanks to everyone who fished with me this summer. I look forward to fishing with you again soon.

Brian