Truckee River

The flow of the Truckee River has increased nearly three fold from our last report. The Downtown Reno gauge is sitting at 660 cfs at the time of this report. We saw the river turn to chocolate milk for a few days after the initial push of water but it has cleared to good clarity and continues to get better, and fishing well! You may have to adjust where you fish, 600+ cfs is a strong flow, but with more water comes more food and the fish are responding according. Skwalla stoneflies, BWO’s, and Caddis hatches are occuring on most days, and even if the trout aren’t rising they certainly are feeding sub-surface. Look for additional storms and warming weather to bump flows from day to day. The river may become dirty with flow bumps. 

With the increased flow, fish are sitting in fast to moderate speed water. This has prompted us to pivot back to European Style Nymphing methods as getting to depth is key. We’re focusing on the afternoon bite, allowing the water to warm a bit and waiting for the hatches to begin. With all the activity and food in the water steamer fishing has already proven to be an effective technique. Especially when water clarity is not ideal.   Focus on presentation and depth and the trout are sure to follow.

Flies we suggest: Spanish Bullet, Quill Jig, Hot Spot, Zebra Midge, Baetis Nymphs, Carot, The Ticket, Parachute Adams, Parachute Olive, Psycho May BWO, ID Theft, Sculpzilla, Weirs Sculpin

Area Lakes and Reservoirs

Many of our area lakes and reservoirs are open and fishing very well. The very light winter we have had has largely kept these ice free and fishing well from a float tube, raft or from the banks.

Many of your Pyramid Lake techniques and flies can be used here in that the trout behavior is largely the same in these cold winterlike conditions. As things warm up you will have great success adapting to more localized insect focussed diet but for now Balanced Leech and Holographic Midge can put a good number of fish in the net.

Here is one of our classic podcast episodes with Phil Rowley. In it we review some of the tactics and technques that work on many of our area stillwaters. If you make it out please let us know how it goes by tagging us on your social media posts or dropping us a message. Good luck!!!