It has been an interesting spring weather wise to say the least. We seem to be in a cycle of a few warm days and then a cold storm system that follows. Snow melt has seemingly been slower this year, as has the LCT’s return to post spawn behavior. 

Shallow Cutthroat still dot the shore consistently. Some fish are heading into deeper water and are accessible from shore, and we’re not too far off from float tube fishing really kicking off. Most of our bites have been between 7.5-10 feet deep on the indicator, and dredging the bottom with a sinking line has worked as well. When retrieving flies it has been an even battle for the LCT’s affection between buggers and beetles/boobies. I almost always use a dark bugger and a light attractor fly because I like the contrast between the two variations. 

If you stick to the indicator, small flashy red midges have been the most effective, but the tui-chub will be showing in more abundance soon and we anticipate the Balanced Chub bite will pick back up. 

Once we finally get some consistently warm weather I still believe the Lahontans will move into deeper water chasing Tui-chub. It just may be a shorter end of season float tube fest than usual but it will happen and all indicators are that it will be a good one well into June.

-Mike Anderson, guide Reno Fly Shop