Truckee River Fly Fishing Report for May 7, 2021
We have been seeing some beautiful weather here in the Truckee-Tahoe region and fishing has been great for most anything that swims in our local waters. As campgrounds open and we gain access to some of the higher elevation lakes, it feels like summer this week. Now is an excellent time to visit the Sierra. Fishing has been solid for a variety of species including small stream brook trout, tailwater dry fly fishing for rainbows and browns, excellent lake fishing for trout using nymphs, dries or streamers, good fishing on the Truckee River using nymphs and streamers and for the angler looking for alternative species the smallmouth bass fishing remains steady.
Truckee River Fishing Report and Forecast
Another great week on the Truckee as we are seeing great flows for this time of year given our mild winter. The water continues to run cold and clear throughout the entire California side of the river and anglers have a lot of good options in terms of sections of river although a change in weight, depth, tippet diameter and even bug selection may be necessary depending on where you land for the day. Given the extremely clear water and slightly cooler temps along the 89 stretch, a smaller bug paired with 5x tippet would be a good way to go while those fishing below the boca confluence can safely use a 3x-4x tippet as clarity diminishes and flows increase. Look for fish in a variety of water types right now, if it looks like it could hold a fish, fish it! We have seen a big increase in activity from the summer bugs such as March Browns, Caddis, PMD’s and golden stones while attractors such as eggs and worms have still been putting fish in the net, so don’t be afraid to play around with different patterns until you find success, you have some options! Streamer fishing has been very good on the Truckee this spring and for those looking to see the biggest and baddest the Truckee has to offer, chucking meat is the way to go! Various colors and sizes of streamers have been working but a good go to would be sculpin patterns in olive or black, anything that imitates whitefish or any trout patterns. Basically, anything that looks like what’s swimming in the river.
Recommended Flies for The Truckee River
Poxy Back Golden Stones #10, Pat’s Rubberlegs #8-#10, Drummonds stones #10, San Juan Worms #12, Gummy Worms #12, Anato-Mays #16-#18, Juju Baetis #16-#18, Hunchback March Brown #10, G6 Caddis #14-#16, OCD Caddis #14-#16 Caddistrophic Pupa #16, Splitcase PMDs #14-#16, Jigged PMDs #14-#16, TNT PMDs #14-#16, Pheasant Tails #14-#18, Prince Nymphs #12-#18, Copper Johns #12-#16, Zebra Midges #16-#18
Little Truckee Fly Fishing Report and Forecast
Fishing on the Little Truckee remains good – but the crowds here continue to increase. Please be aware that there are still actively spawning fish here and fish sitting on spawning redds should be avoided at all costs. These vulnerable fish are a crucial part of keeping this a wild trout fishery and we ask you to not target, harass or disturb these fish as well as keep a close eye on where you’re wading so as to not step on their delicate spawning beds. As always, if you have any questions on what to look for or if you are unsure on proper ethics when fishing around spawning fish, please ask us and we are happy to explain.
We have seen a shift in bugs here over the last week or two and the Baetis, while still around are certainly starting to take a backseat to the summer bugs such as Caddis and PMD’s. look for these hatches to be more active in the evenings when the sun goes over the hill. The fish have definitely begun to take notice as well and these new bugs have definitely freshened up the dry fly fishing as they seem a little less decerning on fly selection for these new hatches, for now. Because of these bugs larger size (#14-#16 for both) you can use 5x tippet which should help you land fish with more confidence and hopefully a little quicker. As water temps continue to rise throughout the season, landing fish quickly and releasing them strong will become very important to maintaining a healthy fishery, especially this year so please do your part. The Boca Inlet has also been fishing well as the lake level has risen to near the campground. This has made for a lot of good fishable water, from the deeper channels closer to the lake to the riffles up above. We have seen some great evening dry fly fishing here and will be a good option for a quick evening outing.
Recommended Flies for The Little Truckee
Hackle Stackers in PMD and BWO #14-#16, Mole Flies #18-#20, Melon Quills #14-#16, Light Cahills #14-#16, E/C Caddis #14-#16, Elk Hair Caddis #14-#16, Griffiths Gnats #18-#22, Dandelion Midge #18-#22, Para Adams #16-#18, Zebra Midges #18-#22, Juju Baetis #18-#20, Anato-Mays #18-#20, Olive Mic Drops #20, Splitcase PMD’s #14-#16, Jigged PMD’s #14-#16, TNT PMD’s #14-#18, G6 Caddis #14-#16, OCD Caddis #14-#16, Caddistrophic Pupa #16, Flexy Floss Worms #12, San Juan Worms #12, Glowbugs #14, RS2’s #16-#20, Palomino Midges #18-#20
Pyramid Lake Fly Fishing Report
As the season winds to a close at Pyramid, the fishing remains steady. With a number of fish actively trying to spawn very close in to shore your best bet out here will be targeting the fish you don’t see. This means stripping streamers on a full sink line or using small midges and nymphs under an indicator. The algae has really began to take hold out here with the warmer weather and when shore fishing off of rocks expect to clean your flies off regularly. The sandy beaches will have less of this growth happening and will be a good place to fishing using streamers as fish are schooled up and cruising with regularity. With temps reaching the 80’s mid-day the best times to fish will be mornings and evenings so don’t forget to pack a good lunch and lots of cold drinks and take a good pause during the warmest point of the day.
Recommended Flies for Pyramid Lake
Midnight Cowboys #6, Estaz Woolly Worms #6, Woolly Buggers #8, McCune’s Sculpin #6, Mini-Loop Sculpin #8, Swim Coaches #4, Boobie flies #8, Cutbait Midges #12, Ice Cream Cone Midges #10-#12, Maholo Nymphs #10, Copper Johns #10, Pat’s Rubberlegs #8-#10, Glowbugs #10
Thanks again for following our shop and supporting local businesses in Truckee-Tahoe. Whether you are lucky enough to live here full time, part time, or visit occasionally – we share the same love of the place and all that it has to offer.
Tight Lines! – Miles