Truckee, CA.

[bigfly]

http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Bigfly1/Clients/PA100190.jpg (http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Bigfly1/media/Clients/PA100190.jpg.html)

We still have water in the river! Mostly the lower section.....
Made it through Summer without a die-off.
With some snow on the crest we can breath easy for a minute.
Little creeks may start to flow again, and the main stem will rise a bit over time..
The water is small, but very beautiful.....
The fish are feisty!
Temp is mid 50s, maybe bring some fleece for underneath waders.....
Haven't seen any stones for a week or so.
Mahongany Dunns, and Baetis are a-flyin'.
A few tan speckled Caddis too.
And of course, midges......
The most amazing thing though......Hoppers! (So try a hopper/dropper....)
They are still doing the mating flight when it warms around noon.
Definitely a long-running year.
Seeing risers again finally.
I drew the long straw yesterday....
Hooked a nice fish on the first drift w/Cutters Bi-vis BWO.
Then we sat down to wait for them to start rising again.
Kept checking back, They never did.........
These guys are SPOOKY!
Stay low, and get that first drift in there..........
Have fun, and think SNOW!!!!!!!!

Jim

[cdevine]

http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Bigfly1/Clients/PA100190.jpg (http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Bigfly1/media/Clients/PA100190.jpg.html)

We still have water in the river! Mostly the lower section.....
Made it through Summer without a die-off.
With some snow on the crest we can breath easy for a minute.
Little creeks may start to flow again, and the main stem will rise a bit over time..
The water is small, but very beautiful.....
The fish are feisty!
Temp is mid 50s, maybe bring some fleece for underneath waders.....
Haven't seen any stones for a week or so.
Mahongany Dunns, and Baetis are a-flyin'.
A few tan speckled Caddis too.
And of course, midges......
The most amazing thing though......Hoppers! (So try a hopper/dropper....)
They are still doing the mating flight when it warms around noon.
Definitely a long-running year.
Seeing risers again finally.
I drew the long straw yesterday....
Hooked a nice fish on the first drift w/Cutters Bi-vis BWO.
Then we sat down to wait for them to start rising again.
Kept checking back, They never did.........
These guys are SPOOKY!
Stay low, and get that first drift in there..........
Have fun, and think SNOW!!!!!!!!

Jim

Was on BT and LT today. Picked up a few
Nice browns on LT. Big time BWO hatch had them jumping.
Water temp was 47 in am and only low 50's by mid day.
Tossed a few streamers as well to mix it up.

[bigfly]

http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Bigfly1/Clients/PB150198.jpg (http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Bigfly1/media/Clients/PB150198.jpg.html)

Water is low but stable at the moment.
Temps range from mid 40s to low 50s.
Clear and slow.....
There are still places you can hear the river's voice, but you have to walk a bit.
I still go out regularly, but don't fish much....My job is to go see what's happening on/in the water..
When I do decide to fish, it's not about numbers.....
One cast, one drift, one fish is my aim now. Then roll up.....
We are going into the season of the Midge. sz 20 zebra for starters...
They are already outnumbering the other bugs.
There are some Large Caddis occasionally, but they are about done.
A smattering of what looks to be a Mahogany Dunn. Almost done sz 16....
Larger BWO sz18 on cloudy days.
Also a few smaller Baetis sz 20(Dark body).
Haven't seen Hoppers since temps hit 8deg. at night and 16 at mid-day last week..
Fringe waters had ice forming, but it's warmed recently...
It's been raining lightly for a couple days.
Not enough to bump start the seasonal creeks yet.
Blustery right now with clouds/sun.
Wind will let up and go west early this Sun. Then east for a while.
The crest is still mostly barren of snow, a dusting recently..4-5"..up high...
Some man-made at resorts, but I would wait.......or bring old stuff.
If you have the gear and the game.....it's a great time to be out...


Jim

[cdevine]

http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac260/Bigfly1/Clients/PB150198.jpg (http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Bigfly1/media/Clients/PB150198.jpg.html)

Water is low but stable at the moment.
Temps range from mid 40s to low 50s.
Clear and slow.....
There are still places you can hear the river's voice, but you have to walk a bit.
I still go out regularly, but don't fish much....My job is to go see what's happening on/in the water..
When I do decide to fish, it's not about numbers.....
One cast, one drift, one fish is my aim now. Then roll up.....
We are going into the season of the Midge. sz 20 zebra for starters...
They are already outnumbering the other bugs.
There are some Large Caddis occasionally, but they are about done.
A smattering of what looks to be a Mahogany Dunn. Almost done sz 16....
Larger BWO sz18 on cloudy days.
Also a few smaller Baetis sz 20(Dark body).
Haven't seen Hoppers since temps hit 8deg. at night and 16 at mid-day last week..
Fringe waters had ice forming, but it's warmed recently...
It's been raining lightly for a couple days.
Not enough to bump start the seasonal creeks yet.
Blustery right now with clouds/sun.
Wind will let up and go west early this Sun. Then east for a while.
The crest is still mostly barren of snow, a dusting recently..4-5"..up high...
Some man-made at resorts, but I would wait.......or bring old stuff.
If you have the gear and the game.....it's a great time to be out...


Jim

Thanks for the report.

I was out on the LT the other day. Lots of fish jumping. Some very small baetis but mainly over. Hooked up a couple nice rainbows and browns on Zebra midge. Will post pictures later. Heard Big Truckee Flows got up to 150 cubes in canyon after this wet weather. My temp readings have been all in the 45-50 range. And the 50's are coming to an end. I'm still a little torn about fishing the BT. I do a lot of walking and hiking as well. In all of this though I haven't seen any fish kill. I would say I've been on that river between 30-40 times this year. From Mogul in NV too Glenshire west. I never did fish anything east of Mogul this year. Just not enough water and I won't even consider anything really east of Farad this winter. Hopefully we get some rain/snow soon.

I did a guide trip a week ago down lower sac in Anderson/Redding. Not bad but nothing epic. Water only 2-3 ft clarity. I bet this wet weather made that thing choc milk.

[bigfly]

cdevine, glad you're getting out....
You shouldn't see any fish kills in these temps.
The BT fish are happy and mostly UN-threatened by casual fishers.....
Those that can regularly get into fish here are their caretakers.
Like you mentioned, we walk a lot of water and fish a little.....(112cfs)
It's a great time to observe the workings of the river....
There is a higher level of play in lower flows.....fishing 12'+ leaders and longer casts/drifts...with a pretty good bug.
Lately I walk till I see a rising fish and catch him on a dry.
Personally, I would feel worse fishing the pressured trickle (32csf) of the LT.
It should be closed now/winter.

Jim

[cdevine]

cdevine, glad you're getting out....
You shouldn't see any fish kills in these temps.
The BT fish are happy and mostly UN-threatened by casual fishers.....
Those that can regularly get into fish here are their caretakers.
Like you mentioned, we walk a lot of water and fish a little.....(112cfs)
It's a great time to observe the workings of the river....
There is a higher level of play in lower flows.....fishing 12'+ leaders and longer casts/drifts...with a pretty good bug.
Lately I walk till I see a rising fish and catch him on a dry.
Personally, I would feel worse fishing the pressured trickle (32csf) of the LT.
It should be closed now/winter.

Jim

Yeah, I hear you about the LT. I rarely fish it because there are just too many people. Sometimes I will throw some streamers near the inlet. The BT in the canyon is always tranquil. (especially now).

This time last year I would be hammering the Patrick and Mustang NV area. That really treated me well during the winter season. Not this year. I will keep out of NV until Spring flows. I actually wish they closed the NV section. I hear stories of people pulling browns out of pools. (basically trapped). And I mean trophy type fish. Makes me sad.

Thanks for the reports. Always enjoy them.

[bigfly]

Low flow years can be an ethical challenge for some.....
I have to go to the water.........but I don't have to fish.
Have a hard time even posting, but I figure a few folks want info how the T looks and feels.
But I don't want to make it easy, just informative.....
A great way to slow down and get better, is to fish one rod between 2-3 guys.....I do this with guides and fishing civilians.....
Bring a beverage maybe... and watch. You'll be amazed what you'll see/learn....while your buddy makes his 3 drifts.
It's good for smallish water too..............
Treat'em nice..
Thanks...
Jim

[Frank R. Pisciotta]

"...LT. It should be closed now/winter."

Jim & cdevine----Yes indeed, the LT should be closed in winter. I've been on that band-wagon since it became open in winter since March of 2007. Progressively anglers are starting to agree with me.

My hope is that anglers other than those in the "industry", such and Jim and I are, lobby the CA DF&W on a LT winter closure. IMO, F&W may pay more heed to non-commercial interests. The poor fish have been hammered for close to three years without any relief.

Frank R. Pisciotta

[cdevine]

"...LT. It should be closed now/winter."

Jim & cdevine----Yes indeed, the LT should be closed in winter. I've been on that band-wagon since it became open in winter since March of 2007. Progressively anglers are starting to agree with me.

My hope is that anglers other than those in the "industry", such and Jim and I are, lobby the CA DF&W on a LT winter closure. IMO, F&W may pay more heed to non-commercial interests. The poor fish have been hampered for close to three years without any relief.

Frank R. Pisciotta

The terrible irony in all of this is under a "NORMAL" winter it wouldn't matter if the little truckee was closed because it would be really tough to get too. Back in the good ol days when it snowed from December through March pretty non stop only the wacko's (maybe me) would attempt to go back there. (they don't plow that road). Sadly now the winters have been so mild many of our streams are accessible when they shouldn't be. Hopefully this year changes. Heard a system is coming in overthe weekend. Pray!

[cdevine]

The terrible irony in all of this is under a "NORMAL" winter it wouldn't matter if the little truckee was closed because it would be really tough to get too. Back in the good ol days when it snowed from December through March pretty non stop only the wacko's (maybe me) would attempt to go back there. (they don't plow that road). Sadly now the winters have been so mild many of our streams are accessible when they shouldn't be. Hopefully this year changes. Heard a system is coming in overthe weekend. Pray!

Here is a beauty from LT last week. He was healthy and Fought hard. Water temps in low 40's.

[bigfly]

This region has historically had mega droughts (up to 300 years).
This is merely a four year drought. So far.....
Nobody knows what normal is.......that's the irony.....
They've only actually been measuring for 120 years or so...
The coolest evidence most of us would understand, is the standing forest, deep in fallen leaf lake.

Jim

[Morgan]

This region has historically had mega droughts (up to 300 years).
This is merely a four year drought. So far.....
Nobody knows what normal is.......that's the irony.....
They've only actually been measuring for 120 years or so...
The coolest evidence most of us would understand, is the standing forest, deep in fallen leaf lake.

Jim

Ive heard some second hand info from a buddy that is friends w/ some bioligists. They pointed out that forest in fallen leaf. And were talking about this being the start of a 500 year drought. I sure hope not. If we dont get an "average", winter we are gonna be hurting next year in good ol California.

[bigfly]

300-500 years......it wouldn't matter.
We would be in for some very-dry flyfishing.
I'm working on my freemen "still" suit, got spice? :wink:

BTW.. the flows on the T are up to 207cfs....
Snowed all night, 2-3", dripping like crazy right now........
I'm going fishing.....

Jim

[cdevine]

300-500 years......it wouldn't matter.
We would be in for some very-dry flyfishing.
I'm working on my freemen "still" suit, got spice? :wink:

BTW.. the flows on the T are up to 207cfs....
Snowed all night, 2-3", dripping like crazy right now........
I'm going fishing.....

Jim

What's up with the Truckee now? Heard flows are anywhere from 180-210 below Boca down into Reno. Did they let more out of Donner/Boca/Tahoe? Those are good winter time levels. Let me know how you do Jim.
We can feel good again about fishing!

[bigfly]

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/current/?type=flow

I assume that everyone knows about flows.......but, just in case.
One of the best ways to raise your fishy game, is to use the flow report for your local waters.
On our waters, it may at times, be more important than weather or moon phase.
There are 4 dams that release, it's one of the things that makes the T "challenging".
Click on the number at left, for a look at the historical graph.
Trout don't like abrupt changes........up, or down. Temp or flow.
Look before you drive.....

12-8-14
The flows are nice......
The river has her voice again.....Green.... 43-44 deg 250cfs.
Fish are biting......I got to take a nice walk on a streamer......
My switch rod is great in these flows.....Swing it!!!
Midges....sz 20 zebra, or a little brassy.
Buckle-up, the weather is going sideways for a couple days.....
After that, it's back to guiding.....


Jim

[cdevine]

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/current/?type=flow

I assume that everyone knows about flows.......but, just in case.
One of the best ways to raise your fishy game, is to use the flow report for your local waters.
On our waters, it may at times, be more important than weather or moon phase.
There are 4 dams that release, it's one of the things that makes the T "challenging".
Click on the number at left, for a look at the historical graph.
Trout don't like abrupt changes........up, or down. Temp or flow.
Look before you drive.....

12-8-14
The flows are nice......
The river has her voice again.....Green.... 43-44 deg 250cfs.
Fish are biting......I got to take a nice walk on a streamer......
My switch rod is great in these flows.....Swing it!!!
Midges....sz 20 zebra, or a little brassy.
Buckle-up, the weather is going sideways for a couple days.....
After that, it's back to guiding.....


Jim


12-9-14
I was east today out past sparks. The river was stained for sure. Might be some melt but its got color.
Flows down in that neck more like 300-320. Haven't been out there since the flows were low so I thought I would make a trip. Nice to see the river back in winter mood. I was tossing streamers and midges. A bit slow but hey its fishing…. Hearing mixed things. Good in some areas and not so much in others.

[bigfly]

1-14-15
Busier in town and water with nice weather..
Some shelf or shore ice on the river, but mostly melted.
Here's my take on lakes...
All the ice on land is melting.....
Very warm daytime...freezing at night.
Be careful....

Remember...the two best things about winter fishing.... you can sleep in....perfect for the high-noon angler.
And, you could get first tracks, then go fishing......

River's dropping..... .....call it clear/green 42 degrees.
Air temps freezing at night, days can be "almost balmy" in the sun....45-50 deg felt like summer compared to nighttime.
Bring some Griffiths Gnats sz 20...........they're out of stock at Ace........a few Baetis might be good too....nymph and dry.
Bring a coat, about time to bring an extra layer for da feet (2 socks)...

I said last year and the year before that, fishing Winter-Spring is best in a drought.......don't wait for July.......there won't be any water then.........don't need a snow survey so far...
Really nice this week!! I'll be out..

The fishing year is underway.......


Jim

Please let post drop off page, but I'll still post updates here till things really change......thanks...