Welcome to the first Fly Fishing Report of the new year. This report will focus on the Truckee and Little Truckee Rivers. It is the first chance I have had to get out and recon what is accessible and what is not. I am happy to report that many of the access points along both rivers are good to go. Although some are a bit muddy in the warm afternoons. There is a series of storms starting to roll through tonight into next week which may make things even more muddy. Check the weather before heading out. The fishing was pretty typical for mid-winter. Not much happening until the heat of the day. And with a bit of cloud cover there was a decent hatch of BWO's. Midges preceded the Olives but the fish didn't seem interested. The fish that were showing were not easy as is usually the case in the winter. Still good to get out and stretch the casting arm a bit.
A reminder to check the fishing regulations. Not all bodies of water are open and some of those that are are Zero Kill. The state is going all digital with the regs and you can check them here. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations#freshwaterfishing
Truckee River Conditions
The flows are 76cfs above town and 360cfs below Boca. Water temps are in the low 40's mid-day. Clarity is very good.
Truckee River Tactics
Truckee River Tactics for this time of year is to fish low and slow. Fish have moved out of the summer holding spots and into deeper slower water. Nymphing is generally the best bet. Dry/dropper can work too if the fish are rising on the overcast days. I prefer the air temp to be above freezing as well.
Truckee River Suggested Flies
Truckee River suggested flies; for dry flies try the Parachute Adams 16-22, Thorax Dun 16-22, Compara Dun 16-22 Elk Hair Caddis 16-18, Royal Wulff 14-16, Chubby Chernoble 10-12, Quigley Cripples 14-18, and RS-2 16-20. For nymphs: Haresear 14-18, Burks Bottom Roller 14-16, Micro May 16-20, Rainbow Warrior 16-20, Zebra Midge 18-22, Pheasant Tail 16-20, Flashback PT 16-20, Perdigons 16-18, SJW, Copper Johns 16-20, Prospector 16-18, Frenchie 14 -18, Rubber legs 8-12, Kauffman Stone 8-12, Twenty Incher 8-10, and Princes 10-16.
Truckee River Summary
The Truckee River is in mid-winter conditions. Fish the heat of the day nymphing low and slow for best results. Currently, the access is good but that may change with winter storms moving through. Check the weather before heading out warmer days are better.
Little Truckee River Conditions
The Little Truckee river is flowing at 140cfs. The water temps was 40-42 mid-afternoon and the clarity is good. Access here is currently good for high clearance vehicles all the way to the upper lot.
Little Truckee River Tactics
Little Truckee River tactics for mid-winter should take into account fish are cold blooded and the water is cold. Look for the fish to be in slower deeper areas. Like the Truckee try to fish the heat of the day on days where the airtemp is above freezing. Midges and Mayflies are are the bugs of choice for a while. Any overcast day can get a hatch going and provide dry fly opportunities. However the best chance of success will be nymphing.
Little Truckee River Suggested Flies
Little Truckee suggested flies for Dries: Parachute Adams 14-22, Quigley Cripple 16-20, Thorax Dun 16-22, Compara Dun 16-22, Hackle Stacker 18-20, Emergers 16-22, RS2 20-22, Griffiths Gnat 18-20, and Compara Dun 16-22. For nymphs: Haresear 14-18, Brassie 16-20, WD-40 18-22, AP nymph 16-20, Micro May 16-20, Rainbow Warrior 16-20, Barrs emerger 16-20, Pheasant Tail 16-20, Flashback PT 16-20, Juju Beatis 16-20, Perdigons 16-18, SJW, Copper Johns 16-20, Zebra Midge 16-22, and Princes 16-18.
Little Truckee River Summary
The Little Truckee is fishing pretty well. Nymphing will be the most successful technique unless there is some cloud cover. Then the BWO's will pop and provide some top water action. Access is good but, check the weather before heading out. Good Luck!
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