Truckee-March

[bigfly]

I phoned in from a road trip, to get the report for the T for March.
Was pleased to hear that some snow arrived. Maybe two ft.
With much bare ground before, this will mostly melt and drop water temps and raise flows.. and slow the bugs again.
Back to Baetis and Midges....and 38 deg water.
March may come on gangbusters (we hope), this watershed sure needs it..
Maybe wait for the next warm window.....
Several friends/guides I know, don't stop fishing on account of a little weather.
I'll make sure to pass along any fish stories/info, they share.
Hitting the coast for a couple weeks, talk later.......

Jim

[Scott V]

Have fun on the coast Jim. We need to get together this year and do some fishing.

[bigfly]

Thanks Scott....
The only question is, are we fishing uphill, or down.
Recharging my fishing batteries, for this season.
I'm on the chetco now......no snow/many fish.....this may take a while.

Jim

[Scott V]

Thanks Scott....
The only question is, are we fishing uphill, or down.
Recharging my fishing batteries, for this season.
I'm on the chetco now......no snow/many fish.....this may take a while.

Jim

I want to fish your neck of the woods, but we can fish where ever, it doesn't matter to me. I am making it a point to fish articulated streamers for big trout this year. I would like to get something over 25" in the river on a streamer.

[bigfly]

Scott, Truckee would be best for biggies.
Must confess to being a semi-recovering streamer-swinger.
Doing the 12 step program....right to the water.
Beats the heck out of waiting for a rise, or watching a bobber.......
I treat the Spring rainbows like wannabe steelies, and the Fall browns like gluttonous,
ambush experts. Sculpin are a logical offering here.
Water needs to warm about ten deg. before we get too wound-up.
Like to start streamer fishing as the melt ends, with water still off-color slightly.
Let you know when.

Jim

[JasonB]

Water needs to warm about ten deg. before we get too wound-up.
Like to start streamer fishing as the melt ends, with water still off-color slightly.
Let you know when.

Jim

... Maybe sooner than you think :D ...

Not that I would say that streamer fishing has been "hot" by any means, but as my streamer game is nearly non existent, I figure any time I catch fish on streamers it has to be good enough to take it serious. Nymphing has been excellent as usual, and even saw some (mostly) little guys surface feeding the other day. Not bad for winter... this is winter, right?
JB

[bigfly]

Hey Jason, glad to hear you're at it.
We should hook up when I get back..

Last year I learned that cold brown water can be very fishy.
Water was so big that I didn't even want to take clients in the water.
Forced by guide prudence to fish close, we did very well.
On my own, of course, I waded deeply, tap-danced a bunch, and swan a bit.
Didn't score any more than we did from the bank, fewer even.
The streamer thing kicks in mildly around 42, and came on strong with each deg increase. I've heard many times the happy spot is 52-62 deg. Seems about right.
But that doesn't mean they don't eat otherwise.
Early spring is some of the best fishing all year for me.
With the T open all year they never get a break, but a little less pressure during winter causes them to let their guard down slightly.
Stirred up food, off color water, allowed fish to hug banks without fear and out of heavy flows, and me to stick'em on heavier leaders and not even get wet.
Dangle a Skulpin 1-2 feet from the bank, you just might scare yourself.........
To me, Fly fishing isn't about perfect T-shirt days and rising fish on dries.
(Although you can twist my arm when they do.)
That may be the romantic (Hollywood) ideal, shared by many, but I'll swing a streamer during the melt, instead of waiting for it to "get good"........

Jim

[bigfly]

After this cold spell, the storm coming is warm.
Any rain falling on snow, we can expect water temps to drop, and stay lower for a week, or so.
We had a big swing in air temps yesterday. All the trees unloaded the snow from their branches.
Beautiful blue sky today 3/21/12.
The last snowfall has settled to mere inches. No snow shoes needed.
The River is a little off-color as well.
Flows are going up slowly. Flows at near 300cfs in Truckee.
Green/tan near creeks. But over-all, very fishy after low winter flows.
The fish don't seem to like rapid changes in temps, or flows.
Can't say I blame them....but once the flows stabilize a bit, we're good.
They can be caught in these conditions, but it is a little harder.
Need to hit them on the nose with the offering, they don't move far when it's colder. Fish the bubble line/edges.
Still getting grabs on sz 20 olive Baetis. Little sz 18 black winter stones are back fluttering around with the new snow.
We are coming into what I call "bling season". Go for those bright and flashy things you have languishing in your box.
(Bead heads, Tinsel-heavy streamers, glowing colors etc.). I lead with bling, and trail natural...
Later as flows drop and water clears I shift to as natural as possible.
The best part of off-color water, is being able to use a heavier leader on the larger fish. 2-3x with a loop knot will allow more than a one sided conversation with Walter.
The lower Truckee, down by Reno, is generally warmer water, and so fishier early spring (the Crays are waking up).
If you do fish, try dead-drifting a small streamer.......sz 10-12 is seasonally correct with only very-small fry available yet.
We are also coming into the "worm hatch", I just fish what I find in my seine.......


Jim
3/20/12 Fish on!
http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Bigfly1/P3190408-1.jpg

[bigfly]

http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Bigfly1/P3240427-1.jpg
The Skwalla on the Truckee river, continued their emergence the last three warm days.
I should have posted, but was very busy fishing......
Turned dozens of fish on the surface.
The next little front is too cold for them, but when it warms after that......
Bring a 5x leader, and an accurate (low riding) bug, and a "perfect drift".
Best way to fish, is to find one feeding, then stalk them.
You can actually hear them rise....
A downstream presentation seems best. Very near shore.
Do-not walk right up to the water!!!!!
Many fish are within two feet of the bank.
Multi-year fish know where to look for this bug.
An auto-set may cause you to break off on a big one.
Treat them all like big fish until proven otherwise.
Make fewer casts in the area of the fish. No splashy false-casting please....
They feel vulnerable in shallow water.
Wade quietly too.
If you put one down, just wait a few minutes, they'll start feeding again....
The trace of snow we received last night will melt soon.
It's cold and windy today, stay in and tye......
Flows are dropping to below 300cfs near town.
Bigger flows below town.
Water temp was up to 43-44 deg. before this dusting, and rising, green-clear and perfect..
Although it is tempting to just fish dries, later in the day, drown them.
Yesterday was too cold for a big bug, but BWO's were well received......
Fish dries, and emergers. Try sz. 18, in all stages. Dun, Adult, and spent.
Midges around too.....

Wanted to add......I've seen the warden several times.
Make sure you have smooth jaw hemostats, and pinch them barbs....
Also, the LT confluence at the Truckee river, up to Boca dam, is considered general reg water, and is closed now.
Warden says this is the highest citation area.
Above town the T is general regs water and closed now as well..
That leaves only twenty miles of water to play in......

3/30/12
http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Bigfly1/Stock/P3300435-1.jpg

Jim