Truckee, CA.

[Bob Loblaw]

I'm hitting the Truckee this weekend. Any tips for a first timer.

[bigfly]

Bob, the main thing is, these fish are drift sensitive.
If your perfect imitation bug is drifting like everything else, then you have a good start.
If it moves faster than the waters flow, or far too slowly, or jerks every time you mend your line, it could be a long day.
These fish will drift with a fly for a long ways before buying it ("Shopping time").
They also hate crunching cobbles, big looming shadows, a wildly waving rod,
and splashy false casts in their air space.
Other than that, it's a piece of cake.....
Occasionally a fish rises here ( I often carry a second rod for that style)........but mostly it's bobber fishing.
We use a fair amount of weight and get it down there (ABs are good sized.).
Make sure the bubbles are passing the bobber at least half the drift.
Primarily roll casts and waterloads for minimal tangles.
It's a good time of year to swing a streamer too.
Slightly heavy 2x for the streamer, 3x for a big fly, and 4x for the rest.
If you hook up, don't just stand there, run.
A six weight is a good call, I like a switch/light spey as well, below Hirschdale.
Near town water flows are a little low, but may be better for dry fly'n.
Bring lots of flies, the T eats them (Beaver cuttings.....).
Oct. Caddis pupa, Smaller tan Caddis, Midges abound, Flavs, SJ worms, Rubber legged stones (coffee colored).
And HOPPPERSSSS in the PM, (Burks is best Sz. 8 ) Drown them...
Water temps around 58 deg. Just about perfect.........
There are nice fish almost anywhere, walk a bit.....and as always, "fish close first....." they are often nearby.
Good luck out there....let us know how it goes.....

Jim

[Bob Loblaw]

Thanks Bigfly, great advice. They sound like educated fish and a step up in weight class for me. I've been having fun the last year catching mostly hungry little wild fish in smaller water and occasionally I've hit some big stupid planters. Looking forward to giving these fish a shot, fully expecting the fish to win!

[JGB]

Love you're willingness to share timely knowledge on the area, it's very generous of you.

Must be the water in the area? You, Frank, Ralph,...others.

Your posts are not only helpful, they are fun to read. Oldies and newbies can benefit from your suggestions.


Thanx,
JGB

[EricO]

Word, JGB.

[bigfly]

I can boast neither the information density, nor guide longevity, of Ralph or Frank.
Although they both have informed my approach.
I just do my part to help folks make the transition from terrestrial thought process, to an aquatic one......
If this was easy water with a high fish count, I think egos might play more of a part in this guide community.
But since the majority have waded up to their gluteous for several decades in the T, we know we've all paid dues....
As far as great tips....
I could send you the official rules to the Guinness book of records, but getting in the book is gonna take some work......

Just keeping it real;
Thanks.

Jim

By the by, looks like a week or so, of perfect conditions.

[JasonB]

Speaking of influences, Jim has been a big one for me. Can't tell you how much your tips have helped Jim! Both on the Truckee elsewhere. If you're looking to up your successes and your range of fishing techniques, I can say that a few days with Jim would do wonders.

BTW I fished the Truckee on Thursday and found it to be tough overall, but on the other hand I did manage to catch my biggest brown yet on the Truckee. Actually this guy would be my biggest trout period (22.5") that I actually brought all the way to hand. I seem to have a bad tendency to not quite bring the big ones all the way home, so this was a nice improvement for me.

Of particular signifigance is the fact that I caught this one on a streamer. Must be getting to be that time of year. I rarely catch fish with streamers it seems, so it's always a good sign when I do... Had several other chasers and another couple break offs on the same streamer pattern too. I'd be headed back up there in a second but we're off to fish for steelhead instead on the Rogue
JB

[aaron]

Nice fish JB!

[EricO]

Nice Truckee pigola Jason!

Looking forward to your Rogue report to boot!

EO

[bigfly]

JB!!!! Now that's what I'm talk'n bout!
It's perfectly OK to catch only one fish per day on the T, if that's what it looks like...
I believe I mentioned it was streamer time....
And, first we learn to hook them, then.....we learn to land them......
The best part of my job, is seeing someone take a little info, and run with it.
Keep it up.
I will now state publicly........BROWNS are the best!!!!
Hope the Bows , Brookies, Goldens, Cutties, and the all-l-l-l-l rest don't hear about it though.
To me, it's not so much about catching a fish, as fishing for a life......
Looking forward to the Rouge report.

Jim