the "BIG" T

[cdevine]

Was out on the Truckee for a little winter fishing and observation. So nice to see her at 400 cubes again. Slight Tint with some melt this week. Stuck a couple nice rainbows. Definitely a different fishery at these flows again. Think lead. Have fun and get out on it.

[bigfly]

Was out on the Truckee for a little winter fishing and observation. So nice to see her at 400 cubes again. Slight Tint with some melt this week. Stuck a couple nice rainbows. Definitely a different fishery at these flows again. Think lead. Have fun and get out on it.

Think tin...........or tungsten, not lead.
Lead is toxic to ALL life forms.......
Anyone who is aiming to fish the 4th of July is going to wait too long......
Glad you are getting out now.

Jim

[cdevine]

Think tin...........or tungsten, not lead.
Lead is toxic to ALL life forms.......
Anyone who is aiming to fish the 4th of July is going to wait too long......
Glad you are getting out now.

Jim

Figure of speech. I should have said weight. I haven't used lead in years. I'm sure most are the same.
Make sure you have enough weight. Weather is nice and warm but water temps are still frigid.
Obviously keep that in mind.

I'm a little more optimistic. I think we will have good fishing through the summer this year but I'm a glass half full guy. We need a good March and April though.

[John Sv]

Ima take it a little further, no dig at CDevine just a PSA, (BTW Cdevine autocorrects to 'codeine' on my computer), let's TRY and leave with all the weights we bring. These drop shooting rigs I see some fly people using these days, where the shot is below the fly and is allowed to slip off in a snag, I'm pretty sure is illegal. Ya gotta have a point fly.

Not trying to harsh mellows here. To get the thread back on track, The river is looking good, and glad you caught fish! I have a view of the river from my office, some bugs coming off yesterday. Little beatis maybe?

[Morgan]

Figure of speech. I should have said weight. I haven't used lead in years. I'm sure most are the same.
Make sure you have enough weight. Weather is nice and warm but water temps are still frigid.
Obviously keep that in mind.

I'm a little more optimistic. I think we will have good fishing through the summer this year but I'm a glass half full guy. We need a good March and April though.

Im with you there. Gotta think positive.
February is only half way thru and March is generally our wettest month. Lets think "miracle" March.

And it almost odd seeing our river....an actual river, rather than a creek.
You actually have to get in the river to fish the far seam. Love it!
And the fish seem even more stoked.

Great looking bow cdevine!

[Dan LeCount]

Fish are looking healthy, but man there's a lot of people out on the water for Mid February. Someone said it was ski and skate week so all the kids are on a break.

[bigfly]

Devine, I figured you knew.....
Wasn't trying to be an ass...just searching for clarity...
Gangster... I've been through 2, 6yr droughts before this one...so I'm a realist in a land of 300 yr mega droughts....
To think it won't happen again does not compute....
I'm just saying....fish now.
And yes, the T's perfect right now.... and is getting less cold every day. Heard a buzz about streamer follows...so it needs to warm a bit.
Had my hands in with a bug seine today....and didn't recoil in horror/pain.
No Skwallas yet........
John....it is illegal to drop shot in CA. but had to read regs closely to find it, and the warden wasn't sure.....
I have people who have "learned" in UT. ask if I dropped shot, I said "never do", they said "let's book a trip" because they wanted to learn to nymph fish.............
Some folks just want a fish.....don't matter how......


Jim

[Morgan]

Devine, I figured you knew.....
Wasn't trying to be an ass...just searching for clarity...
Gangster... I've been through 2, 6yr droughts before this one...so I'm a realist in a land of 300 yr mega droughts....
To think it won't happen again does not compute....
I'm just saying....fish now.
And yes, the T's perfect right now.... and is getting less cold every day. Heard a buzz about streamer follows...so it needs to warm a bit.
Had my hands in with a bug seine today....and didn't recoil in horror/pain.
No Skwallas yet........
John....it is illegal to drop shot in CA. but had to read regs closely to find it, and the warden wasn't sure.....
I have people who have "learned" in UT. ask if I dropped shot, I said "never do", they said "let's book a trip" because they wanted to learn to nymph fish.............
Some folks just want a fish.....don't matter how......


Jim

Jim its always time to fish. Just a matter of where.
But yes I agree....its game on now. And just like Dan said....its a zoo out on the water for feb.
As far as streamers go...i havent had any chases strippn. But swinging ive had a few solid grabs.
And I like to stay optimistic. Winter has only began. And im also gonna catch a 30" brown this year.

[bigfly]

If you hook a 30" Brown, I hope you have a big net........no wrestling allowed....
It's not melting at night right now, but it is close.
Give me a shout before you come this way.......

Jim

[cdevine]

Sounds like we might get a little weather system in Wed-Thursday. We will take all the liquid gold we can get but March needs to be wet and a normal precip month. This last 2 weeks felt nice but not what we need. It has been very warm the last week and like Jim said probably close to melting.

Agree with Dan and the guys about the crowds. I think there is a general Pent Up Demand for fishing as a result of the last couple of years. Lets face it most people with ethics were not fishing the Truckee last summer. I might be in the minority but I still think its good for the industry and the local economy. Of course people need to be courteous and respectful out there. Have fun and be safe.

[VinnySteel]

I'm headed up to the Truckee in the morning. Was thinking about hitting the Verdi area, haven't been through that stretch since last year and was wondering if anyone has been up that way lately? I know the NV side was hit pretty hard with the drought but I heard that stretch managed to keep a little bit of water in it. Anybody fished that stretch lately it know what the conditions are like? Also if anybody has any suggestions on patterns to tie up before I go?

Thanks!

[cdevine]

I'm headed up to the Truckee in the morning. Was thinking about hitting the Verdi area, haven't been through that stretch since last year and was wondering if anyone has been up that way lately? I know the NV side was hit pretty hard with the drought but I heard that stretch managed to keep a little bit of water in it. Anybody fished that stretch lately it know what the conditions are like? Also if anybody has any suggestions on patterns to tie up before I go?

Thanks!


If you stay near Stateline you should be fine. That area held up pretty well. I've fished it but I want to say Mogul through downtown and of course east was hit much harder. I fished east about 2 months ago and it was crickets but keep in mind the water is 39-41 degrees and you are going to get some melt right now. A little off color. Flows are coming up near 450-500. Baetis, worms, small stones. I didn't get any chases on streamers. Too cold and water was too clear.

[VinnySteel]

Just got off the water, definitely quality over quantity today. My brother and I fished for about 6 hours. Takes were few and far between but both of us managed to land fish over 20". I'll take that any day! Seems like the bigger fish faired better through the summer, didn't see any smaller fish at all through the Verdi stretch.

Tight lines!

[cdevine]

Just got off the water, definitely quality over quantity today. My brother and I fished for about 6 hours. Takes were few and far between but both of us managed to land fish over 20". I'll take that any day! Seems like the bigger fish faired better through the summer, didn't see any smaller fish at all through the Verdi stretch.

Tight lines!

Vinny- You experienced exactly what I have been. Not many takes but the fish that I have hooked up have been big/wild/healthy. Its interesting and I know a few really experienced guides talk about this. Winter fish = low quantity bug high quality. Big fish need to eat. Summer fishing often more little guys. But I'm sort of with you on the count side regarding small guys. I usually get a few little guys but I haven't gotten any or seen for that matter. Been my experience on the EW as well. I guess its a matter of evolution from the droughts. These big guys owned the remaining water and probably ate the little ones. Who knows.

Anything on top? Usually come March there starts to be a good BWO hatch lower on the river. I didn't see anything when I was out.

thanks for the update.

[VinnySteel]

There was a decent amount of midge on top around 11 and some sporadic mayflies around mid day but didn't see any fish looking up. Water was COLD. Decent flows below the diversion dam and a lot more up above it. The fish seemed to be holding in the slower deep water. All takes were dredging the bottom with Baetis patterns. Micro mays, S&Ms, two bit hookers in olive.

[TyV]

After staying away most of the last 18 months due to drought, save for a trip or two last winter, I was reunited with the Truckee today. I have to echo everything being stated here. Crowded...on a random Tuesday! Few and far between on the action...BUT...ALL the action was from BIG fish. Above Prosser the river is damn near gin clear...Prosser is making visibility maybe 18-20"...maybe this improves downstream? The clear water was much prettier...but mostly unproductive for me. Down and dirty in the dirty water was the ticket...no streamer love anywhere for me today.

Oh Truckee river...how I have missed thee!

Pray for more rain and snow...

[PV_Premier]

There was a decent amount of midge on top around 11 and some sporadic mayflies around mid day but didn't see any fish looking up. Water was COLD. Decent flows below the diversion dam and a lot more up above it. The fish seemed to be holding in the slower deep water. All takes were dredging the bottom with Baetis patterns. Micro mays, S&Ms, two bit hookers in olive.

Thanks for the excellent, detailed report.

[John Sv]

Slushy snow floes going down the river today.
I bet we have 14" of fresh at our house!

[SteelieD]

Headed up that way for work. Was hoping to stop and fish for a few hours. Any recommendations on where I could stop (or not)? Not looking for any secrets... maybe just a spot or two than I could access (two wheel drive). PM's welcome. Thank you.

[Dan LeCount]

Headed up that way for work. Was hoping to stop and fish for a few hours. Any recommendations on where I could stop (or not)? Not looking for any secrets... maybe just a spot or two than I could access (two wheel drive). PM's welcome. Thank you.

The river is open from Trout Creek next to Truckee east to the state line. Hwy 80 follows the river. Pull off anywhere you feel like along that hwy stretch and explore. There's a bunch of pulloffs and multiple freeway exits that should all be fine for your vehicle. They all can have nice fishing with these flows.

[cdevine]

The river is open from Trout Creek next to Truckee east to the state line. Hwy 80 follows the river. Pull off anywhere you feel like along that hwy stretch and explore. There's a bunch of pulloffs and multiple freeway exits that should all be fine for your vehicle. They all can have nice fishing with these flows.


Dan said it well. Tons of access and open water off I80. My experience has been the farther east you go the less crowds. And the window for action is later am and early afternoon. (Makes sense because warmest part of the day). But with such nice water and weather this week, I think you will have company. The health of this river is truly amazing after a real tough stretch.

Have fun and let us know what sort of bugs you see. Skwala should be appearing soon.

[SteelieD]

Dan said it well. Tons of access and open water off I80. My experience has been the farther east you go the less crowds. And the window for action is later am and early afternoon. (Makes sense because warmest part of the day). But with such nice water and weather this week, I think you will have company. The health of this river is truly amazing after a real tough stretch.

Have fun and let us know what sort of bugs you see. Skwala should be appearing soon.

Thanks! Will let you know what I see.

[SteelieD]

Fished for a few hours on Wednesday and just an hour or so on Thursday. It as really warm and flows seemed about perfect to me (I really don't have a point of reference) but mostly got my butt kicked. A couple of beautiful days on the water is still OK by me.

Flipped some rocks and saw exactly one skwala nymph. Tons of tiny baetis.

Sure would have liked to see some more snow though. Makes me nervous about all that water they are letting out of Folsom.

Good luck up there!

[cdevine]

Fished for a few hours on Wednesday and just an hour or so on Thursday. It as really warm and flows seemed about perfect to me (I really don't have a point of reference) but mostly got my butt kicked. A couple of beautiful days on the water is still OK by me.

Flipped some rocks and saw exactly one skwala nymph. Tons of tiny baetis.

Sure would have liked to see some more snow though. Makes me nervous about all that water they are letting out of Folsom.

Good luck up there!


Fished yesterday and had the streamer rod along with the nymph. Not many on the water which was nice. Heck I didn't see another soul where I was.

As for the fishing.... Picked up 2 nice fish. One rainbow and one brown. Both in that 16-17" range. All down and dirty on baetis nymphs. Nobody chasing "My" streamers yet. Water still ice cold. Might have warmed to 41 or so by 2pm. Did see 2 small skwala stones crawling on me while I changed out flies. They are are coming soon.

Glad I'm not fishing the yuba. Sounds tough out there. I see a wet pattern late next week. Lets hope for a good March. If we get it I think the summer goes ok. (just ok)

[PV_Premier]

Fished today 8-2 at Farad and Floriston. Hooked 3, didn't land any of them. All 3 looked to be rainbows 14-16" range. I was fishing size 14 winter stone and size 18 juju baetis.