TCO Fishing Report - January 24th, 2025 for the Truckee River, Little Truckee River and Pyramid Lake
We are finally seeing a bit of snow in the forecast this week! Although it isn’t the amount we were really hoping for, it is hopefully a sign of a shift in weather patterns starting next month. The snow this weekend will likely be a light dusting followed by some more sunny days, then another storm late next week. We don’t expect this to really change anything as far as the fishing conditions go, other than possibly improving the bite at Pyramid for a day or two. We would be lying if we said that these weather patterns aren’t concerning for the summer months, but as we’ve learned from the past, it only takes a couple of good months to give us the snowpack we need. As for now, the fishing conditions are great for the end of January, and we are seeing some really large fish getting caught. So, we encourage you to make the most of the weather now because you may end up kicking yourself if you wait until summer!
Truckee River Fishing Report & Forecast
With the flows around average for this time of year and the water cold and clear, the fish are very keyed in on the “LBS” or Little Black Stuff, right now. This term includes Blue Wing Olives and Midges around a size 18-22.
Although it’s in the name, the flies certainly don’t have to be black. When we’re fishing midge larvae, we’ve been doing great on red, olive, brown and even pink. For BWO nymphs’ try using olive, purple, chartreuse, gray or just straight flash body flies like rainbow warriors or lighting bugs have been fishing great. The flashy flies will typically fish best on the sunnier days, which we’ve had a lot of lately.
Not surprisingly, the larger attractor nymphs are still putting plenty of fish in the net despite the clear water and a good first drift in front of a fish using a stonefly, worm or an egg will likely produce a bite. But if you put it over them a dozen times, they’ll likely figure you out.
If fishing small flies under an indicator isn’t your jam, the dry fly bite at Glenshire remains great using midges mid-day and the streamer bite in the canyon and through Nevada has been a really solid option. With access open along all stretches of river, you have plenty of good fishable river miles on the Truckee right now. So, get out there, move around and explore some new water!
Little Truckee River Fishing Report & Forecast
The Little Truckee continues to fish well, in particular for the nymph fisherman. The dry fly bite has been a bit spottier as of late, likely due to the sunny days, which Blue Wing Olives don’t care for.
On the other hand, midges love low, cold, and clear water paired with sunny days. Much like on the main river, if you’re heading out here with the intent of throwing dries, having some size 22 midge patterns with 6x tippet will likely be your best bet at hooking a few on top.
The nymph fishing has been good along the entire river system, and we encourage anglers to do their part and spread out, giving others space and hopefully spreading out the ever-present angling pressure on the Little Truckee. Spreading out your impact greatly benefits the health of the fishery, as well as the riparian habitat which get trampled down by anglers year-round.
For the nymph fisher, using a worm or an egg as your top fly paired with a midge larvae or emerger will be a very good way to catch a few right now. Even the streamer bite has been fair, which isn’t typical for this fishery.
Pyramid Lake Fishing Report & Forecast
The lake continues to fish ok all things considered, and it seems like suspending two midges 6-8 feet under an indicator on some of the rockier beaches has been the best producer during these sunny days.
In the early morning hours, fish are being caught on buggers and beetles on a full sink line, but by mid-morning when the sun hovers directly over the lake with no cloud cover, switching tactics to the 2 midge rig will be your best bet at success.
With the shift in weather this weekend, we may see an improved bite for a couple days and possibly even into the week as the high-pressure system sets back in. With that said, we likely won’t see the leeches really become effective again until we get some consistent stormy days. Those stormy days will stir up the bottom and push baitfish into the shoreline, making them easy prey for the cutthroat.
