Truckee Tahoe Fly Fishing Spring Report for April 13th, 2026

Is it spring here or winter? Mother Nature just cannot decide this year. The winter weather the last couple of days is more like what it usually is this time of year. Grab some extra layers and head on out; there are some nice fish to wrangle with. They are fat, strong, and subburn you're going to have to work for them. Nymphing has been the go-to method over the last few days as the water temps have dropped significantly with the last storm. This drop is water temps has slowed the fishing a bit. Low and slow is what your trying to achieve with your nymphs. Bacon(SJW) and Legs are the go to setup to start with when we have these conditions. The fish are not looking up at the moment. Streamers could also be a option at this time on all bodies of water.

I've been on the water most of last week. It started off really good and as the storm approached and as the water cooled so did the catching. Been on the Truckee, Little Truckee, Prosser and Boca. Managed to tie into a few fish at all stops. Looks like the weather will start to warm during the next few days and still freeze at night. This should help keep the runnoff from the latest snow storm slowed down a bit and clear. Looking ahead this lastest round of precip will help us out this summer. I welcome the cooler wet weather.

Truckee River Conditions

The Truckee is flowing at 320 cubic feet a second above town and down at Boca it is 871 cubic feet a second. The water clear and the mid-afternoon temps have cooled a quite a lot and are 41-44 degrees.

Truckee River Tactics

Truckee River Tactics for these flows would be Nymphing. I like indicator nymphing in these conditions with the ability to control much longer drifts farther away from you. Covering the water is key. Streamers on a sinking line are also a good choice, Trout Spey basicly. As we are approaching summer all of the bugs are growing bigger. It is a smoregashboard of food for the trout. Stones of various sizes, mayfly nymphs, worms, and caddis are all present and available. You may have to change a few times to find the fly du jour.

Truckee River Suggested Flies

Truckee River suggested flies: Dry flies: Chubby Chernoble 6-12, Double Dutch 8-10, Royal Wulff 10-12, Parachute Adams 14-16, Purple Haze 14-16, Thorax Dun 14-16, Sparkle Flag 14-18, Griffiths Gnat 16-20, and Quigley Cripples 12-14. For nymphs: Haresear 12-16, Zebra Midge 16-18, Micro May 16-18, Rainbow Warrior 14-16, Pheasant Tail 12-16, Flashback PT 12-16, Perdigons 14-18, SJW, Copper Johns 12-18, Frenchie 12 -16, Rubber legs 6-14, Twenty Incher 8-14, and Princes 8-18. For streamers try Woolley Bugger 6, Sculpzilla 8, and Sparkle Minnow 6.

Truckee River Summary

The Truckee River is fishing has slowed a bit with the lastest storm. As it warms later in the week it should pick back up. Fish low and slow under and indicator for the best success.

Little Truckee River Conditions

The Little Truckee is flowing at 473 cubic feet a second. The water is clear and mid-day temps are 42-44 degress.

Little Truckee River Tactics

Little Truckee River Tactics are similar to the Truckee River at the moment given the high and fast flows. Nymphing is going to get the best results. These fish seem to like the smaller Mayflies and Caddis with their SJW's. There are some sparse hatches of BWO's but haven't seen the fish going after dries on top. Once the weather settles there could be a more consistant hatch and working fish.

Little Truckee River Suggested Flies

Little Truckee River Suggested Flies; Royal Wulff 12-14, Parachute Adams 14-16, Purple Haze 14-16, Elk Hair Caddis 14-16, E/C Caddis 14-16, Thorax Dun 14-16, Sparkle Flag 14-18, Griffiths Gnat 16-20, and Quigley Cripples 12-14. For nymphs: Haresear 12-16, Zebra Midge 16-18, Micro May 16-18, Rainbow Warrior 14-16, Pheasant Tail 12-16, Flashback PT 12-16, Perdigons 14-18, SJW, Cooper Johns 12-18, Frenchie 12 -16, Rubber legs 6-14, Twenty Incher 8-10, and Princes 10-18. For streamers try Woolley Bugger 6, Sculpzilla 8, and Sparkle Minnow 6.

Little Truckee River Summary

The Little Truckee is fishing very similar to the Truckee. These fish like smaller bugs. The water here has cooled a bit too and nymphing is the ticket out here for the near future.

What to improve your skills? I have set my clinic schedule for 2026 and now is a great time to sign up for a class or take a guided trip.  Click here for more information and to sign up for a class, or give me a call 530-386-0525.

Nymphing Clinic:  One Day May 30th, 2026

Women's Only Intro Clinic:  One Day June 27th, 2026

Trout Spey:  One July 19th, 2026

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