Bull_Dog
08-30-2012, 08:32 AM
Cooler overnight air temperatures have started to creep into the Sierras. The smell of fall is in the air. We have had an awesome summer and the fishing conditions have been really good and very consistent over the past couple of months. Now we are on the doorstep of some major changes to our area waters. Hopefully our fall forecast will paint a little clearer picture as to what to expect out of some of our more popular fisheries in the weeks and months to come.
Truckee River
The flows on the Truckee have been very consistent all summer. There is still plenty of water storage in Lake Tahoe so look for the water conditions to be very similar through September. As the water cools and the summer traffic settles down, look for the water to get cleaner and clearer than ever. The river is already starting to take on a fall feel. In the fall the Brown Trout get really active and eventually spawn. They are already starting to get more active and move around looking for food and staging areas for their yearly routine.
October Caddis should start to show themselves by the middle of September, especially on the California side. By the end of September, Baetis and some Fall Caddis should start to appear as well.
This fall has the potential to be outstanding. There are really no negatives that we can find that would lead us to believe that the Truckee will not be as good as it gets in both California and Nevada.
Little Truckee River
The flows on the L.T. have been pretty good all summer although they are starting to get a little low. It is normal for the flows to be cut down even further in September. Look for flows in the 50-60 CFS range sometime soon. This usually makes the L.T. even more difficult and tougher to fish due to a long spring and summer of pressure on these fish. It is important to stay out of the water where possible when flows are this low and (as always!) avoid areas with spawning fish.
This has been a really fun but technical year on the L.T. The PMD hatch lasted over two months and is not completely over. If this is any sign we should have a phenomenal Baetis hatch sometime in September continuing on for months as well. Midges also come out in force with the cooling air temperatures. Kokanee will move up out of Boca in late September to spawn and the Brown Trout will follow, eventually spawning sometime in November.
East Walker River
Normally this time of year we can’t wait for the summer flows to come down to fishable levels after irrigation season. Normal summer flows are 250-500 CFS. At those levels the East Walker is tough to fish and just about impossible to cross. The flows have been really good and fishable all summer this year. They have been hovering in the 100-175 CFS range. The water was really warm due to a pretty warm summer and lower flows.
The overnight lows in the area are already dipping into the low 40’s at night and looking forward the daytime highs are going to be in the 70’s. Right now is the time to go to the East Walker. The flows are at 79 CFS and the conditions are perfect. Bridgeport Reservoir is on the low side and water storage season could begin any time. Fall is going to come early on the East Walker this year so don’t wait too long if you are planning some time down there. Normal wintertime flows get as low as 20 CFS and they could get there a little early this year.
Davis Lake
Davis is in a slow uphill battle since the poisoning in the fall of 07 to remove the Pike. The fish populations have recovered nicely but the bugs are a little behind. Coca pods have been running a little unchecked and the fish have had a few scars and soars. As the Eco System continues to recover the fishing should only get better. This fall could be a sleeper at Davis. Callabaetis are making a comeback and there will be plenty of midges as well. We had a good spring at Davis and this fall should be as well. We should see many reports of numbers as well as big fish caught at Davis this fall.
Frenchman’s Reservoir
If this spring was any indication of how good of shape Frenchman’s is in, this fall will be “Off the Hook”. 20-40 fish days were abundant from late April through June at Frenchman’s. The fish went pretty deep in the heat of the summer but are already returning to the shallows. There has been a pretty good Callabaetis hatch and Chronomids are out in force in the mornings and evenings. The fish are usually a little smaller at Frenchman’s but they are pound for pound the toughest fish around. There are so many places to fish in the fall that Frenchman’s get over looked a lot. Don’t make that mistake this fall.
5 Dot Ranch
Huge Triploid Rainbows take long runs into your backing and leap high into the air. Sounds like a fish story but it is always a possibility at the Dot. Fall is always a great time to fish and this year shouldn’t be any different. The lake levels are still in great shape and the fish have had almost a two month break. They will have forgotten what our favorite flies look like and will be willing and rambunctious. We still have a few spots available for our September 28-30 Outing. For more information email Rob Anderson at rob@bucketlistflyfishing.com.
Lassen Meadows Ranch
The fires in the Lassen area are all but gone and the smoke is clearing. The Ranch is in great shape and we are now taking reservations for this fall and next spring. If you are looking for a place to get away with the family or just a secluded place to fish, Lassen Meadows is a great choice. We specialize in single party bookings and as always we do not charge for non-anglers. rob@bucketlistflyfishing.com
Pyramid Lake
Pyramid opens to fishing again on October 1st. Although it can be really good right out of the gate, it usually gets better sometime in November as the water temperatures cool. Schools of Tui Chubs cruise the lake and kind of help predict where the fish might be. Fall is the time of year that you have to find bait and fish and move around a lot. Although Pyramid can be tough in the fall there can also be one of those magical days out there if you are in the right place at the right time.
Truckee River
The flows on the Truckee have been very consistent all summer. There is still plenty of water storage in Lake Tahoe so look for the water conditions to be very similar through September. As the water cools and the summer traffic settles down, look for the water to get cleaner and clearer than ever. The river is already starting to take on a fall feel. In the fall the Brown Trout get really active and eventually spawn. They are already starting to get more active and move around looking for food and staging areas for their yearly routine.
October Caddis should start to show themselves by the middle of September, especially on the California side. By the end of September, Baetis and some Fall Caddis should start to appear as well.
This fall has the potential to be outstanding. There are really no negatives that we can find that would lead us to believe that the Truckee will not be as good as it gets in both California and Nevada.
Little Truckee River
The flows on the L.T. have been pretty good all summer although they are starting to get a little low. It is normal for the flows to be cut down even further in September. Look for flows in the 50-60 CFS range sometime soon. This usually makes the L.T. even more difficult and tougher to fish due to a long spring and summer of pressure on these fish. It is important to stay out of the water where possible when flows are this low and (as always!) avoid areas with spawning fish.
This has been a really fun but technical year on the L.T. The PMD hatch lasted over two months and is not completely over. If this is any sign we should have a phenomenal Baetis hatch sometime in September continuing on for months as well. Midges also come out in force with the cooling air temperatures. Kokanee will move up out of Boca in late September to spawn and the Brown Trout will follow, eventually spawning sometime in November.
East Walker River
Normally this time of year we can’t wait for the summer flows to come down to fishable levels after irrigation season. Normal summer flows are 250-500 CFS. At those levels the East Walker is tough to fish and just about impossible to cross. The flows have been really good and fishable all summer this year. They have been hovering in the 100-175 CFS range. The water was really warm due to a pretty warm summer and lower flows.
The overnight lows in the area are already dipping into the low 40’s at night and looking forward the daytime highs are going to be in the 70’s. Right now is the time to go to the East Walker. The flows are at 79 CFS and the conditions are perfect. Bridgeport Reservoir is on the low side and water storage season could begin any time. Fall is going to come early on the East Walker this year so don’t wait too long if you are planning some time down there. Normal wintertime flows get as low as 20 CFS and they could get there a little early this year.
Davis Lake
Davis is in a slow uphill battle since the poisoning in the fall of 07 to remove the Pike. The fish populations have recovered nicely but the bugs are a little behind. Coca pods have been running a little unchecked and the fish have had a few scars and soars. As the Eco System continues to recover the fishing should only get better. This fall could be a sleeper at Davis. Callabaetis are making a comeback and there will be plenty of midges as well. We had a good spring at Davis and this fall should be as well. We should see many reports of numbers as well as big fish caught at Davis this fall.
Frenchman’s Reservoir
If this spring was any indication of how good of shape Frenchman’s is in, this fall will be “Off the Hook”. 20-40 fish days were abundant from late April through June at Frenchman’s. The fish went pretty deep in the heat of the summer but are already returning to the shallows. There has been a pretty good Callabaetis hatch and Chronomids are out in force in the mornings and evenings. The fish are usually a little smaller at Frenchman’s but they are pound for pound the toughest fish around. There are so many places to fish in the fall that Frenchman’s get over looked a lot. Don’t make that mistake this fall.
5 Dot Ranch
Huge Triploid Rainbows take long runs into your backing and leap high into the air. Sounds like a fish story but it is always a possibility at the Dot. Fall is always a great time to fish and this year shouldn’t be any different. The lake levels are still in great shape and the fish have had almost a two month break. They will have forgotten what our favorite flies look like and will be willing and rambunctious. We still have a few spots available for our September 28-30 Outing. For more information email Rob Anderson at rob@bucketlistflyfishing.com.
Lassen Meadows Ranch
The fires in the Lassen area are all but gone and the smoke is clearing. The Ranch is in great shape and we are now taking reservations for this fall and next spring. If you are looking for a place to get away with the family or just a secluded place to fish, Lassen Meadows is a great choice. We specialize in single party bookings and as always we do not charge for non-anglers. rob@bucketlistflyfishing.com
Pyramid Lake
Pyramid opens to fishing again on October 1st. Although it can be really good right out of the gate, it usually gets better sometime in November as the water temperatures cool. Schools of Tui Chubs cruise the lake and kind of help predict where the fish might be. Fall is the time of year that you have to find bait and fish and move around a lot. Although Pyramid can be tough in the fall there can also be one of those magical days out there if you are in the right place at the right time.