October 10th Fly Fishing Report for the Truckee River, Little Truckee River and Pyramid Lake
The seasons have changed quickly this year, and Truckee might see its first bit of snow next week. The mornings are colder and the trees are nearing peak color. Fall is such a beautiful time here in the Sierra and the only thing that can rival its beauty, would be the stellar fishing. We are in prime conditions for being outside right now, but it definitely won’t last forever.
Guided Fly Fishing
Fall on the Truckee is a truly special time, and our guided trips are your ticket to the best of it! As the water cools and the leaves change, the big wild trout get aggressive. Whether you want to hunt for a trophy or looking to dial in technique, our guides know exactly where the action is. Maximize your time on the water, learn the local secrets, and make this autumn the most productive yet. Don't wait—book your Truckee fly fishing adventure today!
Truckee River Fishing Report
The Truckee is seeing typical fall conditions right now. The upper section of the river is low, but thanks to increased releases out of Boca, the canyon section of the river is right around 450 CFS, which we would call above average. As mentioned, at 100 CFS the upper section of the river here in town is quite low. That said, it is still fishable, and when flows get that low, the dry fly fishing often becomes better.
This is the time of year when the October Caddis begin their yearly emergence, and it’s a fun but short-lived window when we can throw these large caddis patterns at fish eager to maximize calories before a long winter. The October Caddis adults also make for a better alternative to the waning hatch of grasshoppers for a dry dropper. Pair these with a zebra midge or BWO nymph a couple feet under the caddis and use it as a searching pattern, covering lots of water in search of those more ambitious trout in any given run.
For those looking to maximize odds on an already tough and technical river, we would recommend using an indicator or euro rod, being sure to get down in front of fish quickly and without any drag on your flies. The usual suspects for fall fly selection will certainly get the job done so long as you are pairing them with an excellent drag free drift and ample weight.
Your odds will always go up if you can do this within the first few drifts of any given run and have enough familiarity with reading water and knowing where the fish would be most likely to hold. You should put most of your focus on this water and not unlikely sections of a run. This is probably one of the biggest differences in what sets a successful Truckee River angler apart from the rest. This is also something that can only be taught to a degree and really requires consistent practice to master.
As far as these usual suspects, we are recommending to fish stonefly patterns, such as Pat’s Rubberlegs, BWO patterns like Micro Mays, good ol’ Zebra Midges, as well as various size 18 perdigons. Also don’t forget worms, eggs, and October Caddis pupa as other options for your larger fly choice. Streamer fishing has also been getting better as the fish begin to chase flies around a bit more with water temps continuing to cool. Olive, white, black, brown, yellow, they all have their day and once again, we’d say presentation would likely be more important. Covering a lot of water is another great way to maximize odds when chucking streamers. They are likely to decide whether to hit your fly or not the first time they see it.
Recommended Flies for the Truckee River
Little Truckee Fishing Report
At +/- 50 CFS we highly encourage anglers to fish elsewhere at this time, especially as the browns begin their annual migration upstream.
We ask that you please appreciate the fact that this is a 100% wild trout fishery reliant on the necessity for a successful spawn by these fish. When the water is low and people are disturbing this natural process knowingly or unknowingly, the spawn is simply less effective. This makes for fewer fish for future generations. It is imperative that we understand the need for restraint during these situations despite it remaining legal to fish out here, acknowledging the distinction between legal and ethical.
Pyramid Lake Fishing Report
With the colder weather to start off this year’s Pyramid Opener, the bait, and therefore the trout, were a bit more spread out. This means fewer big number days to start but is also a good sign of the shore bite starting a bit earlier this year. The average size of the fish has been on par with last year however, with a 28-pound fish already hitting the net in the first week. We have also already been getting a few reports of some fish caught by shore anglers, but it’s certainly few and far between as of now. With the stormy weather forecasted, we expect the remaining bait balls to likely break up and the cutthroat begin to push into shallower water as soon as next week.
As of now the name of the game is going to be getting out on a boat or float tube and finding deep water, fishing near the bait balls of Tui Chub and using heavy jigged flies to get down in front of the hungry cutthroat. Once the fish begin to move in shallow consistently, stripping streamers or using balanced leeches or balanced baitfish under the indicator will be the best bet. Usually, it is around January or February when they begin to key in on midges, but sometimes fishing a midge with your leech early season can certainly pay off. We couldn’t be more excited about another year at the lake and expect another stellar season catching the world’s largest cutthroat!
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!
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