Truckee Tahoe Fly Fishing Report May 20th, 2025

This report will focus on the Truckee River and an overview of the venues in the surrounding area. The weather looks to be sunny and warm for Memorial Day weeken. This may spike the flows a bit but I feel like the big push of runoff is past. Flows are good all around and the reservoirs are pretty full for this time of year. Fishing has been very good at times and slow other periods. Follow your thermometer! A client and I had a super topwater session on the Truckee a day ago and got some good action on March Browns. It was very short lived and we hung out a while to see if another wave of bugs would come through and they did not. It is still very much spring up here. Access is good to all of the low area fishing spots with a few down trees and some mud holes. There are alot of options for fishing up here currently.

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Super chunky Truckee River rainbow

Truckee River Conditions

The current flows on the Truckee River are 304 cubic feet a second above town and 874 cubic feet a second below Boca out flow. Both sites are seeing about a 75cfs change throughout the day. Water temps east of Truckee is 46 degrees to start and passing 50 degrees by 1pm. The river is very clear and fishable throughout the system. With the warming trend we may see some turbidity but it shouldn't affect the fishing.

Truckee River Tactics

Truckee River Tactics are to carry two rods. A nymphing set-up of your choice and a dryfly set-up. Nymphing is best for all day success. Low and slow in the deeper softer water has been picking up some nice fish. Like I mentioned above the March Brown are out and about with some BWO's and Caddis. A second rod setup with a Dry or Dry/droppper rig is worth having along. And, there is no reasons to think a streamer wouldn't work as well.

Truckee River Suggested Flies

Truckee River suggested flies: for dry flies try the Parachute Adams 14-20, Thorax Dun 14-20, Compara Dun14-20, Royal Wulff 14-16, Chubby Chernoble 10-12, Quigley Cripples 14-20, and RS-2 16-20. For nymphs: Haresear 12-18, Micro May 16-22, Rainbow Warrior 14-18, Pheasant Tail 12-18, Flashback PT 12-18, Perdigons 14-18, SJW, Copper Johns 12-18, Frenchie 16 -18, Rubber legs 10-14, Twenty Incher 10-14, and Princes 10-18. For Streamers try Woolley Bugger 6-8, Sculpzilla 4-8, Sparkle Minnow 6-8, and Dolly Llama 4.

Truckee River Summary

The Truckee River is in great shape for Memorial Day weekend. The Truckee River is in spring conditions mode. Fishing has been excellent at times and slow others. Nice fish are being caught if you put the time in. Nymphing has been the most effective technique. Although there has been some stellar hatches of March Browns at times mid-day.

Little Truckee River Conditions

Little Truckee River flow is currently 340 cubic feet a second. The temp at the inlet was 48 degrees today. Have not fished this venue for over a month because it seems like the fish haven't moved into the system yet. Today, I felt the same way not many fish around although we did hook a few it is not like past seasons.

Little Truckee River Tactics

Little Truckee River Tactics for these flows would be nymphing or streamers. Fish are coming up occasionally but not super dry fly fishing yet. Fish the slower edges, drops, and the deeper holes. Wading is challenging at these flow so pay attention. Fish are spawning here as well so they may not be willing to eat. Give them a chance to make next season's fish.

Little Truckee River Suggested Flies

Little Truckee River suggested flies for this report. Mayflies, Midges, and Caddis are all available right now. Seems like you need everything. Suggested flies for dries: Royal Wulff 10-12, Parachute Adams 14-22, Quigley Cripple 14-20, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, E/C Caddis 14-18, 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. Streamers try Woolley Bugger 6-8, Sculpzilla 8, and Sparkle Minnow 8.

Prosser Boca and Stampede Reservoirs

The reservoirs are all pretty full and the inlets all have good flows coming in. The Lahontans and Rainbows are staking in the mouths and making their spawning runs currently. Some are ready to eat others are trying to do their spawning thing. Nymphing under and indicator or stripping streamers have both been working. The smallmouth are active and in play in the shallower bays and coves. Smallmouth love trout flies and fishing balanched leeches under and indicator is a pretty solid technique right now. Stripping streamers is also a good choice.

Four Seasons Fly Fishing is the leading #Orvis endorsed guide service in the Truckee and Tahoe region. We specialize in offering #flyfishing walk/wade trips on local rivers and reservoirs, along with comprehensive fly fishing clinics catering to all skill levels. Contact us today to schedule your fly fishing expedition by calling or texting 530-386-0525, or emailing brian@flyfishingtruckee-tahoe.com.