Truckee Tahoe Fly Fishing Report September 5th, 2025
- 4seaslusser
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
This report focuses on the Truckee River and Milton Reservoir. We continue to have thunderstorms and rain. Wednesday's rain storm was a long slow soaker which only ended up being about a quarter inch at the house. Again enough to settle the dust and make for a foggy morning communte to the river. The hatches are waning a bit but there are still Mayflies, Caddis, and Midges out at various times of the day. And the fish are looking up. Flows are good, temps are good, and it looks like the weather is going to get colder next week. Super conditions for the Truckee River moving forward.
I managed to make it out to Milton for a few hours and it is in good shape. They are moving water through so it is cold. There are plenty of Midges and small Mayflies coming off. There was even a hatch of very small winged ants that seemed to have all of the fish looking up for awhile and only interested in the ants. It should be a good month out there too.
Guided Trips available. Call directly if you're a short-notice type person (530-386-0525) or book on-line if you're a planning-ahead type of person by clicking the button below.
Truckee River Conditions
Truckee River flows are currently 278 cubic feet per second above town, and below Boca inflow they are 478 cubic feet per second. Water temps are 65-66 degrees mid-day. Water clairity is good. Watch the thermometer in the late afternoons because as the sun comes out this weekend water temps will move up.
Truckee River Techniques
Truckee River technique would be to get out and fish. Try different techniques and rigging. Nymphing is still going to be the most productive. However a dry or dry/dropper rig works too. The Brown in the above picture ate a dry! Moving forward, giving more time to the streamer is going to pay off. The fish are still holding in the pocket water and faster seams.
If water is emerald green, fish it. If you can clearly make out the bottom of the river, move on.
Truckee River Suggested Flies
Truckee River suggested flies: Dry flies: Parachute Adams 14-20, Purple Haze 14-18, March Brown 14-18, Thorax Dun 14-18, Rusty Spinner 14-16, Compara Dun10-16, Hoppers 8-10, Royal Wulff 10-16, Chubby Chernoble 6-12, Double Dutch 8-10, Quigley Cripples 10-16, Ants 16-18, beetles 14-16, and RS-2 16-20. For nymphs: Haresear 12-16, Micro May 16-22, Rainbow Warrior 14-18, Pheasant Tail 12-16, Flashback PT 12-18, Perdigons 14-18, SJW, Copper Johns 10-16, Frenchie 12 -16, Rubber legs 6-14, Twenty Incher 8-14, Tim's Dead Drift Cray, and Princes 8-18. For streamers try Woolley Bugger 6, Sculpzilla 8, and Sparkle Minnow 6.
Truckee River Summary
The Truckee River is in great shape. There are some bugs still popping and fish are looking up. It is also time to get a little more serious about streamers if you want that really big fish. Overall super good conditions and there is no reason not to get our for a day.
Milton Reservoir
Conditions at Milton are good. They are dumping water out of Jackson Meadows and water is cold, 48-51 degrees. Burrr. The fish are doing their usual slow morning rising. Tried slow stripping small mayflies 18-22 and didn't work. Switched up to fish small midges 18-22 and maflies 18-22 under an indicator and that worked well until the ants 20-22 dropped out of the sky. Then the fish weren't interested in much else. The fish were very spooky and would avoid the zone you casted into for awhile. Milton is awesome if you like to fish far, fine, and really small bugs.
Join Me for an Unforgettable Fly Fishing Experience!
Four Seasons Fly Fishing is the leading #Orvis endorsed guide service in the Truckee and Tahoe region. We specialize in #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 experience:
Call or Text: 530-386-0525
Comments