Reno - Tahoe Area Fishing Report
Pyramid Lake
There has been a high pressure system over the area that started to move in last Wednesday. This has kept the winds down and made fishing pretty tough for most anglers. Glass conditions have been the standard over most of the lake. There are still plenty of fish cruising around the hatchery and all up and down the west side of the lake. Calm conditions have given most of the fish in spawn mode lock jaw for the past week. Some unsettled weather has moved into the area and should remain for the next few days. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms which can get the wind going for a while in the afternoon and evenings. This could give us some much needed chop on the water and even some cloud cover for the remainder of the week. The first and last light bite has been pretty UN reliable for the past few days as well. This time of year you have to just be at the lake on days when the wind is blowing. Look for areas with wind in your face and put in some time. The fishing is going to be streaky and it is important to be ready when it is happening.
The indicator bite has been the most consistent lately for sure. You can catch fish with shooting head rigs but it has been a tougher bite. White Ghost tadpoles, Olive Martini and Midnight Cowboy Wooly Worms have been the way to go. For Nymphing rigs use a Red Maholo Nymph on top and an Albino Wino or a Copper Top in size 12 for the dropper right off the bottom.
Truckee River
The drought has set in on the Truckee River. The water master cut the flows from Boca Reservoir from 400 CFS to 100 CFS last week the day after our report. This took 300 CFS out of the river. We have been forecasting this situation for a while now and it happened much sooner than we expected. Look for water conditions to remain low for the immediate future. This could be a long term bad deal for the Truckee River. The flows are still high enough from Boca Bridge downstream to the state line but they are really low around Truckee and in Nevada. Nymphing in the canyon section of the river with smaller flies in deeper pools is a good way to go. If you want to fish the Truckee do it soon as it looks like it is only going to get worse.
East Walker River
Flows at 20cfs, very low. Easy to spook the bigger fish, so stealth is important. If you are going to fish the EW do it now and leave it alone once the weather warms up. Fish are scattered and seems the numbers are down.
Dry fly- fish still looking up for the Skwalas, so olive bodied Stimulators size 6 or 8 or your favorite Skwala pattern still drawing interest and some spectacular grabs on the surface. Target the deeper runs and anywhere there are overhanging bushes. Still seeing some BWO activity. Parachute Adams size 14-18 get the occasional fish. Dry-dropper rigs are effective at these flows. Try dropping a Mercer's Micro May size 18 in olive or brown and Juju Baetis under the dry flies, or smaller Zebra Midges in black or red.
Nymphing- pretty slow, especially at these low flows. Use stonefly nymphs size 8-14. Mercer's Micro Mayflies and Juju Baetis are good options. Bedhead Pheasant Tails size 14-20 are still effective. Smaller bedhead caddis in olive and dark brown will get you some grabs. Flashback Hare's Ear nymph’s size 12-20 are also good options. Dry-dropper rigs seem to be the best option on the EW at this time.
Little Truckee River
The L.T. is starting to slowly drop and is now down to 92 CFS which is still really good. Fish are pretty active eating some available Baetis and Midges. There has been some anglers on the river lately and the fish are already feeling the pressure. A stealthy approach is a great idea. The Little Truckee is not the type of river to pound away with an indicator rig. It is a small stream and requires a soft hand. Take your time, get good drifts and don’t over fish the water. Try to observe more and cast less. 10 good casts will catch more fish on the L.T. than 100 any time. Baetis Nymphs in size 18-20 fished on 5X tippet is a good way to go. Midges in sizes 18-22 and San Juan worms are also worth having along. Look for flows to continue to slowly drop down to somewhere in the 20-30 CFS range in the next month or so.
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