Fishing Report
Truckee River
Stream flows on the Truckee have been very consistent. Lack of snow has limited any run-off on warm days. The fishing has been fairly good for January and we have even seen some fish rising to Baetis and Midges on the surface on warmer afternoons. The water is really clear and easy to wade right now. It is important to take a little more stealthy approach than normal. Nymphing with smaller stoneflies, Baetis and Midge patterns in slower deeper pools has also been effective. The water is cold so fish slowly and do not be afraid to make a few extra drifts in good looking spots. The fish get a little lethargic this time of year and will not move much to take a fly. Our guides have had some really good days with clients in town to ski and have ended up fishing instead.
Look for the weather to change in the week to come and it to look a lot more like winter in the Truckee area. Access has not been a problem on the river in a while but that could change with storms forecasted soon. It may be a little more important to fish further downstream going forward in the lower elevations of Nevada on the Truckee.
Little Truckee River
Access has not been a problem so far this winter. That could all change this week. Storms forecasted for the next week or so should close the road or at least make it tough even with a 4 wheel drive.
Flows have been at 44 CFS for a while now. That is not too bad for winter months. Normal winter methods are the way to go right now. Small nymphs and midges in sizes 18 to 20 fished in slower water is a good way to start. If you see fish rising when small dries are also an option. 5X to 7X is a must in this lower clear water.
East Walker River
Reports have been really good on the California side and pretty bad on the Nevada side. The main reason is that as the stream comes out of Bridgeport Reservoir where the water is warmer and it has a tendency to cool as it goes down stream into Nevada which is around 15 miles downstream of the outflow. It can even ice over and does often in the winter when the flows are low.
The flows are 25 CFS coming out of the lake. This is really low but common for this time of year. There have been some really good reports of fish being caught on a variety of small nymphs and midges in sizes 18-20. Baetis nymphs in Olive and black and any darker colored midge pupa will do the trick. Getting a good dead drift in the slower deeper water is the key. Cover water slowly and make a few extra drifts. Fish will not move much to eat so you have to cover ground slowly.
While the retail portion of the Shop is now closed, we continue to operate our Guide Service (Truckee River Outfitters) For more than 30 years we have been offering the best guided trips on the Truckee and Little Truckee Rivers, Pyramid Lake, East Walker River, Davis Lake, Frenchman’s Reservoir and other area waters. Additionally, we will continue to operate our two private fisheries, Smith Creek Ranch and Lassen Meadows Ranch and are still hosting destination travel around the globe.
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