Truckee Tahoe Spring Fly Fishing Report May 12th, 2026
- 4seaslusser
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Welcome to the second spring in Truckee. Everyone is out and about. The bears, the bugs, the flowers, and the anglers all enjoying the beautiful conditions that we currently have. Fish are being caught. More fish are coming off than landed. With the high flows it is very easy for them to take advantage of these conditions and just power away to freedom. Giving us the fin in the process. Fustrating but fun all at the same time.
The weather is excellent, and with these warm conditions, we have entered our second phase of runoff. The water master is releasing 350 cubic feet per second from Tahoe and over 400 cfs from the Little Truckee River. Combined with the snowmelt and rain from April, the main Truckee River is flowing robustly. Anglers who can manage the flows are catching impressive fish, with nymphing proving effective. Streamers are a good bet as well. The Dryfly guys also have a chance with presence of large Carpenter Ants and the other bugs species making are sporatic appearances as the water is warming up. Consequently, if the River is too big for you, then Stampede and Prosser reservoirs are offering good spring fishing opportunities as well. It is time to get out and give it a go.
Want to improve your skills, deal with higher water? I have a Nymphing Clinic coming up on May 30th, 2026. It is the perfect time to sign up for a clinic or take a guided trip. Click here for more information and to sign up for a clinic, or give me a call 530-386-0525.
Truckee River Conditions
The flows on the Truckee River are 526 cubic feet a second above town and 1160cfs at Boca. Water temps mid-day are 52-54 degrees. The water is a little off color due to runoff but very fishable.
Truckee River Tactics
Truckee River is fishing best with nymphing techniques at this time. Like I mentioned in my last post "Four Tips for Nymphing in Higher Flows" weight is going to be key to get your flies in the zone and keep them there in these conditions. Now that the Ants are out a Dry/Dropper rig could be pretty effective along the edges and slower margins. Keep you eye open there may be some March Browns and Drakes popping occasionally.
Truckee River Suggested Flies
Truckee River suggested flies: Dry flies: Chubby Chernoble 6-12, Double Dutch 8-10, Royal Wulff 10-12, Ants 10-14, 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: Drowned Ant 10, 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 high throughout the system. There is opportunity for all types of fly fishers to find success. Nymphing is the best right now with Streamers and Dries providing some action as well. The big Carpenter Ants are out and about and fish love the Ants.
Little Truckee River Conditions
The Little Truckee River Flows are up again to 479 cubic feet a minute. Water temps are 50-52 degrees and it is clear.
Little Truckee River Tactics
Little Truckee River Tactics are similar to the Truckee River right now. Nymphing is the best overall tactic. Except that the Carpenter Ants are out and those fish love them. Fish the Ants on top or drown them. Either way fish have a hard time ignoring them. Nymphing is still the best overall tactic but there are other Mayfly hatches happening as well and it is worth taking a dryfly setup along.
Little Truckee River Suggested Flies
Little Truckee River Suggested Flies; Ants 1-12, 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, Ants 10-12, 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 River is flowing high right now. Nymphing is still the best tactic at the moment. However, with the emergence of the Carpenter Ants and the other bugs getting more active it is worth trying dryflies as well. Good luck.
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