Truckee River Fly Fishing Report September 3, 2021
Fishing in the Truckee/Tahoe area continues to be very limited this week as they continue to keep all National Forest Land closed. This will be reevaluated on the 17th of September but until that time please respect the closures and stay out of the surrounding national forests.
The lower section of the Truckee River will remain open from the “school yard” area to the Nevada state line. This section is holding around 165-185 CFS and will have the highest flows along the entire river, but it is still much lower than average. The water temps have come down and fishing is an option later in the day now, but fish seem to still be most actively feeding during the lower light hours mid-morning or early evenings and the bite slows mid-day. We have been using smaller flies than normal when nymph fishing often going down to sizes 18-20. With the lower water dry fly fishing has been good and using small BWO’s or PMD’s in size 18’s has been the most consistent, but dry dropper set ups with a hopper or ant paired with a small nymph dropper has been picking up fish as well.
Streamer fishing also continues to get better daily as the cooler weather has these trout moving a little more on larger offerings, for this we recommend any Sculpin patterns in olive, smaller baitfish patterns imitating trout or whitefish or using a crawdad fly in olive, brown, orange, or gray. Let’s continue to keep the nearby fires and the communities affected in our thoughts and prayers and hope for some cold and wet fall weather before too long so we can get through this crazy fire season. Pray for snow!
Recommended Flies for the Truckee River
Juju Baetis #16-#20, Anato-Mays #16-#20, Rainbow Warroirs #16-#18, Peaches and Cream #16, Splitcase PMD’s #16-#18, TNT PMD’s #16-#18, Olive Mic Drops #16-#20, Zebra Midges #16-#20, Flexy Floss Worms #12-#14, WD40’s #18-#20, Hacklestackers #16-#18, Para BWO’s #16-#20, Melon Quills #16, Mole Flies #18, Beefcake Hoppers #10-#12, Mimic Hoppers #10-#12, Morrish Hoppers #8-#10, Carpenter Ants #12, RP’s Ant #12-#14, Sculpzilla #4-#8, Mini Loop Sculpins #8, Ziwis #4-#8, Dead Drift Crays #12, Near Nuff Crays #6-#8, Woolly Buggers #4-#12
Little Truckee River Fishing Report
The entire Little Truckee falls under Tahoe National Forest land and is closed to all recreation including fishing. Please respect these closures during historic fire conditions and fish elsewhere during this time.
Truckee Tahoe local still water fishing Report
The National Forest closures will also affect access to most of our nearby lakes. Please do some research and find water that is outside of national forest land for your next still water fishing outing.
All in all, fishing is good if you can get out early, avoid the smoke, avoid the closed areas, and safely navigate the exposed slippery rocks from lower flows. And, if you're in need of any gear, we're having an 'end of summer / Labor Day Sale at the shop. Come on in and say hello.
Thank you! -- Miles and the TCO crew.
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