It was nice to see a shift in weather this week. It would’ve been a whole lot nicer if we saw more snow out of the deal, but a light dusting on the peaks and temps dropping below freezing at night is definitely a good thing for the longevity of the season. This week we are seeing things warm back up and it shouldn’t take long for the fishing to pick back up right where it left off last week. With some changes in the flow regimes out of the lakes this week, there have been a few things to keep in mind when getting on the water, but there’s still lots of good fishing to be had with a little bit of know-how!
April 3rd Fly Fishing Report for the Truckee River, Little Truckee River and Pyramid Lake
Spring Half-Day Guided Floats
Trade the long wade for a spring float on the Truckee. This is one of the best windows of the year, Skwalas and Baetis bringing consistent dry fly chances and higher flows setting up the kind of streamer water this river is known for. Spring can bring some of the most exciting fishing of the year, and our guides know how to stay ahead of shifting conditions. It’s a short season, book a half-day float and make the most of it.
Truckee River Fishing Report
The rain/snow mix in town has caused a surge in flows along the whole river, but flows are already dropping and we’d estimate by early in the week we should see things stabilize and the clarity should improve along with it. The river didn’t run “chocolate milk” from this storm and one of the best things about the Truckee is it is very quick to get back into shape, in fact we’ve been fishing through this entire storm and doing pretty well! At it’s peak, the canyon section of the Truckee hit 1,570 CFS this week, but between the passing of the storm and the flows out of Boca Dam tapering off we are seeing the Farad gauging station around 1,200 and dropping. This week we would recommend most anglers seek out the somewhat lower flows here in town, but for those looking to get after it there is still a lot of good fishable water in the canyon, there will just be a lot more hiking to get to them and more weighted needed to get in front of fish. For Truckee flies this week, the name of the game will be using junk. Eggs, worms, stoneflies, crawdads are the best options under the indo, and streamer fishing under the tight line or stripping on a sink tip has been great as well. If things clear up try mixing in some smaller flies, but odds are a well presented double cheeseburger will get plenty of eats right now.
Recommended Flies for the Truckee River
Little Truckee Fishing Report
The LT has seen flows come up, like way up! As of today, we are seeing flows above 600 CFS. This is large and in charge for the Little River and we are seeing it flow over into the grass, becoming very pushy in most spots. When the flows are at this level the holding water will be limited, but definitely not impossible to fish. As a matter of fact, it can be a really fun and unique challenge, and you may be surprised how good the fishing can be at these flows. When the water is high out here, much like the main river, we are fishing a lot of junk and streamers. Eggs and worms are the main two, and for streamers using smaller more natural ones will be the best choice. Because this is a tailwater, the water has been remaining crystal clear, so it’s still good to think more naturally with your fly selection. Using these grabbier flies will be a good way to find where the fish are holding and once they figure you out and stop eating them, switching over to bugs may get you a few more fish.
Recommended Flies for the Little Truckee River
Pyramid Lake Fishing Report
With the fish mostly spawning right now, the bite has been a bit tough again this week despite the shift in weather. At this point in the season a good way to find more consistent fishing would be to get out on a boat or float tube and use a slip indicator with midges or leeches, or a fast-sinking line with a larger streamer. For those fishing the shore, we recommend using a ladder and seeking out a more gradual drop off and setting your indicator shallow with two small midges, down to a size 14. This is also a good time to mix in that random river bug that somehow made it into your Pyramid box, such as a Duracell, Copper John or Pheasant Tail. You can also strip streamers at these beaches, and we would recommend using an intermediate or type 3 sink line with smaller beetle patterns or white buggers or baitfish patterns.
Recommended Flies for Pyramid Lake
Check the Flows Before You Go...
Trout Creek Outfitters Clearance Rack!
Before you go, take a moment to explore our end of summer blowout sale featured on this Clearance Rack. It's a great opportunity to find quality gear at reduced prices, perfect for adding to your kit or trying something new. You might just hook a fantastic deal!
Watch Doug Ouellette Break Down Pyramid Lake Beetle Retrieves on YouTube!
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