top of page
4seaslusser

Truckee Tahoe Fly Fishing Report May 11th, 2024

Some wild weather we are having! Spring one minute and winter the next. Not to worry, the recent storm just added more water up high. This report will focus on the Little Truckee River, Truckee River, and Local Reserviors. Should be pretty awesome weather for the next week or so. Snow should start melting a little faster off the ridges and pump up the creeks one more time, just in time to work on those nymphing skills. Take my nymphing clinic on May 18th and get a better understanding of you subsurface presentation.


For those of you that are looking to improve your fly fishing skills I am offering the following clinics this sping/summer.

  • Nymphing Clinic on May 18th

  • Women's Only Clinic on June 22nd

  • Trout Spey Clinic on July 20th

Call me at 530-386-0525 or click here for more info: https://www.flyfishingtruckee-tahoe.com/clinics


Truckee River Conditions

Truckee River flows are down from the last report to 315cfs above Truckee and up to 1,230cfs below Boca. Water temps are cold in the morning at 44-46 degrees. Clarity is good in town and super clear along Hwy 89. This warming trend should see temps come up quite a bit this week.


Truckee River Tactics

Truckee River tactics would be to break the river into sections for the varying conditions. The upper river along 89 is pretty resonable for shallow nymphing and dry/dropper techniques. Below Truckee the river is rapidly gaining size and depth. Indicator nymphing and streamers are good options throughout this section. Hit the soft water and deep slow pools. The fish have not moved into the fast water yet. Below Boca the flows are more than double. Again, indicators work good here and so do big ugly streamers. The wading is going to be more difficult but longer rods will help with that.


Truckee River Suggested Flies

Truckee River suggested flies: Bacon and Leggs are going to do the majority of the work for a while. 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. For Streamers try Woolley Bugger 6-8, Sclupzilla 4, Baby Gonga 4, and Game Changer 4-6.


Truckee River Summary

The Truckee River is three different rivers right now. The upper stretch is pretty normal, town to Boca is high, and below Boca is really high. Adjust you technique and approach for each section.




Little Truckee River Conditions

Little Truckee River flows are up to 344cfs and the afternoon temps are 42-44. Clarity is good. It is a little pushy wading is some spots.


Little Truckee River Tactics

Little Truckee River tactics are similar to the Truckee. Nymphing and streamers are the ticket here. There are bugs hatching in the afternoon with some topwater potential but low and slow is the technique. The water is fast at this flow. Hit the edges and deep slow pools. Anywhere with current relief, such as boulders, is also a good spot. It seems that all of the bugs are in play so you may have to change a bit to find one they like. Mayflies, Midges, Caddis, and Stones where all present on my last outing.


Little Truckee River Suggested Flies

Little Truckee suggested flies for dries: Skwalla stone 10, Little Brown Stone 16, Royal Wulff 10-12, Parachute Adams 14-22, Quigley Cripple 14-20, Thorax Dun 16-22, Compara Dun 16-22, Hackle Stacker 18-20, Emergers 14-22, RS2 20-22, Griffiths Gnat 18-20, and Compara Dun 16-22. For nymphs: Rubber leg 10-14, Haresear 14-18, Brassie 16-20, WD-40 18-22, AP nymph 14-20, Micro May 16-20, Rainbow Warrior 14-18, Barrs emerger 14-18, Pheasant Tail 14-20, Flashback PT 14-20, PMD 14-16, Birdnest 14-16, Juju Beatis 16-20, Perdigons 16-18, SJW, Copper Johns 14-18, Zebra Midge 16-22, and Princes 14-18.


Little Truckee River Summary

The Little Truckee flow is up and fast. All of the bugs are in play and changing thoughout the day. You may have to switch up a bunch to find the one. Nymphing has been the most productive technique.



Local Reservoirs

Prosser, Boca, and Stampede are filling nicely. Access is improving aroung them but there is still some mud around. Avoid the mud - it sucks. Various trout species and Smallmouth Bass are being caught at all three. Inlets are fishing well but so are some of the shallow bays along the shoreline. Just watch the osprey!


Reservoir Tactics

Reservoir tactics are nymphing under an indicator or streamer on a intermediate sinking line. The water levels are rising pretty quickly and stirring up the shoreline. Most of the inlet streames are pumping pretty well, too. The fish are in close. You may not need to get too deep with your streamers or your nymphs.


Suggested Flies

For nymphs: Haresear 14-18, Rainbow Warrior 14-18, Zebra Midge 16-18, Brassie 16-18, Duracell Jig 14-16, Pheasant Tail 14-18, Flashback PT 14-18, Perdigons 16-18, SJW, Copper Johns 14-18, Rubber legs 8-12, Draggon Fly Nymph 10-14 Balanced Leech 6-8, Sheeps Creek 12-14, and Princes 10-16. For Streamers try Woolley Bugger 6-8, Thin mint 6-8, Hot Flash Minnow 6-8, Sclupzilla 4, Bunny Leech 4-6.


Reservoir Summary

The reservoirs are where its at over the Truckee River in these conditions. Plenty of different fish being caught on streamers and under an indicator. Inlet streams are a good starting point but the fish are also cruising the shallower areas.


Four Seasons Fly Fishing is the premier #Orvis endorsed #guideservice in the #Truckee #Tahoe area. We offer flyfishing walk/wade trips on our rivers and on the local reservoirs, as well as #flyfishingclinics for beginners to experts in all styles of Fly Fishing. Give us a call/text to book your #flyfishing #adventure today 530-386-0525 or, email brian@flyfishingtruckee-tahoe.com






84 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page