Bull_Dog
09-12-2012, 11:46 AM
Truckee River
Although nighttime air temperatures have been way cooler the last couple of weeks around the town of Truckee, daytime temperatures have still been very warm. This has kept the water temps. up and slowed the normal fall changes to the fishing. The flows have been cut way back out of Lake Tahoe and most of the water in the system is coming from Boca Reservoir. This has really changed the dynamics of the upper river down through the Glenshire stretch. The flows around the town of Truckee have gone from 350CFS to 160CFS. In short the upper stretch of the Truckee is low and clear. The good news is that the wading is easier, the same number of fish are in way less water and probably easier to find. This would be a great time to do some Hopper Dropper fishing for sure.
The stretch below the confluence of the Little Truckee River is still flowing strong at 488CFS. Nothing has changed here much over the past couple of weeks. The water is still a little warm and really clear. Mornings and evenings are still the best time to fish. The fall hatches and normal changes to the river have not really gotten started yet. Nymphing either with an indicator or High Sticking “Floater No Cator” style has been the way to go. Use a little bit lighter tippet like 4X to 5X for sure. Small Stoneflies with an even smaller dropper in the 16 to 18 range should do the trick.
The Nevada side has been fishing well. The water is still warm but it is starting to cool. The tubers are all but gone and the fish are starting to get the river back to themselves. It will not be long until the Brown Trout start to get active doing their normal fall routine. The only down side is the water is getting really low and clear. This has made it a little tougher to fish for sure. Nymphing “Floater No Cator” style has been really effective using a long leader and a couple of Bead Head nymphs. Stones are always a good bet with a smaller dropper like a Pheasant Tail. There have been some really nice fish caught just before dark lately as the sun gets off the water.
Little Truckee River
Or should we say the Very Little Truckee River. As expected the Little Truckee has been cut way back. It is flowing at 45CFS. This is normal for mid September, especially after a low water year. Water storage season has begun for Stampede Reservoir so look for the Little Truckee to remain low for a while.
As far as the fishing goes, use 6X and 7 X tippets, long leaders and break out your best camouflage. Try to approach an area from downstream and spend plenty of time observing an area. We are in between our major two hatches right now but the Fall Baetis hatch could start any time. Look for fish in a little faster water. The slower the water the harder it gets to make a good presentation and fool the fish. Use a dry fly for an indicator and something really small and not too flashy underneath. Black Midges and Baetis in 18-22 are a good way to go. If you tie your own flies try to put as much weight in your flies as possible and try not to use a split shot too close to your flies. Look for Baetis to start hatching as the weather continues to cool.
East Walker River
Flows are 126CFS. The water is still pretty warm and looking at the forecast it could stay that way for another week or so. Mornings and evenings are still the best time to go. Fish are looking up at hopper patterns and starting to get pretty active. The flows are perfect right now for wading, Dry Dropper, Nymphing etc. This is a great time to be on the East Walker. A great way to approach the river right now is to take two rods; one with a Hopper and one with a couple of nymphs either under an indicator or “Floater No Cator” style. Make a few casts into shallow water around the main current and seams with the Hopper and then go back through with your nymph rig. The fishing should only get better as the weather cools and if the flows stay in the area they are in now.
Frenchman’s Reservoir
Our last few guide trips to Frenchman’s have been outstanding. Lots of grabs, healthy fish and great weather have been the scene lately. The fish are larger than they were in the spring and still full of energy. Callabaetis and Midges are hatching daily and fish are being caught on a variety of techniques. In the mornings when the wind is not blowing fish are taking Loco Ants and Parachute Adams on the surface. Snail patterns fished with sink tip lines are always a good bet and Nymphs and Midges fished either “Floater No Cator” or “DCA” style are keeping anglers rods bent all day. If you need to catch some fish right now Frenchman’s is going to be hard to beat.
Davis Lake
Callabaetis and Midges are also hatching at Davis. The fishing has been pretty good but not great. Davis is shallower than Frenchman’s and it takes a little longer in the fall for water to cool. Fish are still being caught but they are in a little deeper water. Woolybuggers and Leaches fished on a faster sinking line in 8-14 feet of water will work as well as Deep Line “DCA” rigs. Coca Pods are still kind of unchecked at Davis and the fish have soars and scars on them for sure. Hopefully they will continue to clean up in the months to come.
Although nighttime air temperatures have been way cooler the last couple of weeks around the town of Truckee, daytime temperatures have still been very warm. This has kept the water temps. up and slowed the normal fall changes to the fishing. The flows have been cut way back out of Lake Tahoe and most of the water in the system is coming from Boca Reservoir. This has really changed the dynamics of the upper river down through the Glenshire stretch. The flows around the town of Truckee have gone from 350CFS to 160CFS. In short the upper stretch of the Truckee is low and clear. The good news is that the wading is easier, the same number of fish are in way less water and probably easier to find. This would be a great time to do some Hopper Dropper fishing for sure.
The stretch below the confluence of the Little Truckee River is still flowing strong at 488CFS. Nothing has changed here much over the past couple of weeks. The water is still a little warm and really clear. Mornings and evenings are still the best time to fish. The fall hatches and normal changes to the river have not really gotten started yet. Nymphing either with an indicator or High Sticking “Floater No Cator” style has been the way to go. Use a little bit lighter tippet like 4X to 5X for sure. Small Stoneflies with an even smaller dropper in the 16 to 18 range should do the trick.
The Nevada side has been fishing well. The water is still warm but it is starting to cool. The tubers are all but gone and the fish are starting to get the river back to themselves. It will not be long until the Brown Trout start to get active doing their normal fall routine. The only down side is the water is getting really low and clear. This has made it a little tougher to fish for sure. Nymphing “Floater No Cator” style has been really effective using a long leader and a couple of Bead Head nymphs. Stones are always a good bet with a smaller dropper like a Pheasant Tail. There have been some really nice fish caught just before dark lately as the sun gets off the water.
Little Truckee River
Or should we say the Very Little Truckee River. As expected the Little Truckee has been cut way back. It is flowing at 45CFS. This is normal for mid September, especially after a low water year. Water storage season has begun for Stampede Reservoir so look for the Little Truckee to remain low for a while.
As far as the fishing goes, use 6X and 7 X tippets, long leaders and break out your best camouflage. Try to approach an area from downstream and spend plenty of time observing an area. We are in between our major two hatches right now but the Fall Baetis hatch could start any time. Look for fish in a little faster water. The slower the water the harder it gets to make a good presentation and fool the fish. Use a dry fly for an indicator and something really small and not too flashy underneath. Black Midges and Baetis in 18-22 are a good way to go. If you tie your own flies try to put as much weight in your flies as possible and try not to use a split shot too close to your flies. Look for Baetis to start hatching as the weather continues to cool.
East Walker River
Flows are 126CFS. The water is still pretty warm and looking at the forecast it could stay that way for another week or so. Mornings and evenings are still the best time to go. Fish are looking up at hopper patterns and starting to get pretty active. The flows are perfect right now for wading, Dry Dropper, Nymphing etc. This is a great time to be on the East Walker. A great way to approach the river right now is to take two rods; one with a Hopper and one with a couple of nymphs either under an indicator or “Floater No Cator” style. Make a few casts into shallow water around the main current and seams with the Hopper and then go back through with your nymph rig. The fishing should only get better as the weather cools and if the flows stay in the area they are in now.
Frenchman’s Reservoir
Our last few guide trips to Frenchman’s have been outstanding. Lots of grabs, healthy fish and great weather have been the scene lately. The fish are larger than they were in the spring and still full of energy. Callabaetis and Midges are hatching daily and fish are being caught on a variety of techniques. In the mornings when the wind is not blowing fish are taking Loco Ants and Parachute Adams on the surface. Snail patterns fished with sink tip lines are always a good bet and Nymphs and Midges fished either “Floater No Cator” or “DCA” style are keeping anglers rods bent all day. If you need to catch some fish right now Frenchman’s is going to be hard to beat.
Davis Lake
Callabaetis and Midges are also hatching at Davis. The fishing has been pretty good but not great. Davis is shallower than Frenchman’s and it takes a little longer in the fall for water to cool. Fish are still being caught but they are in a little deeper water. Woolybuggers and Leaches fished on a faster sinking line in 8-14 feet of water will work as well as Deep Line “DCA” rigs. Coca Pods are still kind of unchecked at Davis and the fish have soars and scars on them for sure. Hopefully they will continue to clean up in the months to come.