This Report will focus on the Truckee and Little Truckee Rivers. I have been guiding almost continuously for the last three weeks and the flyfishing has been excellent. If #dryfly action is your thing then you better get up here. Change is coming with this continuous warm weather, the water slowly dropping, and the water temps rising. The cooler nights are keeping us going on the Truckee. The Little Truckee flow is slowly being dropped. The hatches are rolling and the fish are as finicky as ever.
There are other options in the area for fly fishing. The Truckee has been fishing so good that I haven't spent the time I usually do fishing for smallmouth bass on Prosser, Boca, and Stampede reservoirs. I hear from others that Milton Reservoir is good, but the fish are small there this year. I imagine the high country stuff is prime right now. Bring bug spray, the mosquitos are out and about.
Truckee River Conditions
The flows on the Truckee River are 258cfs near town and 601cfs below Boca inflow. The water is getting warm in the afternoons hitting 68-70 by 4pm. The clarity is good but has a sunscreen tint to it. Look for the flows to continue to drop out of Tahoe.
Truckee River Tactics
Current tactics for the Truckee River should include following your thermometer and finding the cooler water, especially in the afternoons. Drop down below Boca for cooler water. Look for the fish to move into the faster water as it warms up. The dryfly action has been excellent, but the fish are starting to wise up and it might be the 4th or 5th pass that gets them to move. Changing flies will work as well. Dry/dropper has also been quite effective in the afternoons. Nymphing with tightline rigs in the deeper slots will get some bigger fish.
Truckee River Suggested Flies
Suggested flies for the Truckee River have to include #Caddis and various #Stonefly patterns. Caddis, Little Yellow Stones, and Golden Stones are a big juicy meal and the fish love 'em. Dry Flies: Thorax Dun 16-18, Parachute Adams 14-18, Rusty Spinners 14-16, Quigley Cripple 16-18, Royal Wluff 12-16, Double Dutch 8-10, Stimulator 8-12, Crystal Stimulator 10-16, Elk Hair Caddis 12-14, E/C Caddis 12-14, Missing Link Caddis 12-16, Chubby Chernoble 10, Humpy 12-16, and Griffiths Gnat 16-18. For nymphs: Pats Rubber Legs 10-8, Twenty Incher 8-10, Peacock Stones 8-10, Mercer's Poxyback stone 8-10, Soft Hackles 12-16, Prince Nymphs 8-12, Poohpah 14-18, LaFontain Sparkle Pupa 14-16, Burk's Bottom roller 14-16, Mop 10, SJW, Flashback Pheasant Tail 12-16, SJW, Haresear 12-16, Flashback Haresear, Copper Johns 12-16, and Birdsnest 10-16.
Truckee River Summary
The Truckee River has been great lately. It's fishing well till around 2pm and again once the sun leaves the water for that last "magic hour". Dry flies have been working great, but other techniques are working as well.
Little Truckee River Conditions
The flows on the Little Truckee River are 244cfs and the water temps are cool. Water clarity is good.
Little Truckee River Tactics
Tactics for the Little Truckee River require you to fish longer and lighter than maybe you would normally. Use some stealth when approaching a run for the first time. Wear clothes that don't drastically contrast to the surrounding brush. These fish are picky and it may take several fly changes to get one to eat. Dry, dry/dropper, and nymphing techniques all work here. There is some algae on the bottom which may make it harder to run weighted nymphs.
Little Truckee River Suggested Flies
Suggested Flies for the Little Truckee should include Green Drakes. Yes, they are still around. PMD's are coming out in the late morning with Midges, and some Caddis throughout the day. For dry flies: Green Drake 8-10, Parachute Adams 10-20, Griffiths Gnat 16-10, Quigley Cripple 10-18, Royal Wluff 10-14, Thorax Dun 10-16, PMD 14-16, and Compara Dun 10-16. For nymphs: Green Drake 8-10, 20 inched 8-10, Micro May 16-18, Pheasant Tail 16-18, Flashback PT 16-18, SJW, Copper Johns 14-18, Zebra Midge 18-20, RS2 16-18, WD-40 16-18, and HBI 14-16.
Little Truckee River Summary
The Little Truckee River is shaping up nicely. Don't expect the fishing to be easy. The fish are seeing some action and are quite wary. Nice hatches are happening throughout the day.
Four Seasons Fly Fishing is the premier #Orvis endorsed #Guide service in the #Truckee#Tahoe area. We offer walk/wade trips on our rivers and boat trips on the local reservoirs, as well as #flyfishingclinics for beginners to experts in all styles of Fly Fishing. Give us a call to book your adventure today. 530-386-0525
email: brian@flyfishingtruckee-tahoe.com