Gotta Get Up To Get Down
The next few days are looking warmer and more humid that usual due to a warming trend off the west coast. Our weatherman was not available for comment but we’re seeing less bugs coming off and majority of action has been sub-surface on most rivers. That’s not to say their is no action to be had but we’re finding most fish on dropper flies or under nymph rigs. If you euro, this too has been highly productive in the pocket waters and below heavily oxygenated water.
This report is written to give a quick overview of the Tahoe area, for a more detailed report including access, stop by the shop or give us a call at 530-541-8208
East Fork Carson River: Flows are very low and have been ranging from good clarity, to strong turbidity depending on where the afternoon t-storms have been landing. After this brief stint of sunshine over the next few days, look for this trend to continue. The area above Hangman’s Bridge recently got a fresh truck of stockers and anglers have taken notice. Get out on the weekdays if you can because the weekend warriors are loading up the turnouts. If your looking to escape the crowds and find some solid productivity - skip over to the NV side and walk upstream. Small 18-20 perdigons, midges and 16-18 caddis patterns have worked great under 12 and 14 Chubby Chernobyls. Nymphing the bigger buckets has also worked well but with the thin water, if you had one stick, make it a dry dropper rig.
East Carson River Fishing Regulations:
Above Hangman’s Bridge to Carson Falls: General Regulations
Below Hangman’s Bridge: Artificial lures only. 2 Trout - Minimum size limit: 14 inches total length. Highly recommended Catch and Release
West Fork Carson River: The strongest reports are the farthest from the meadow of Hope Valley. The wild fish are up high off Blue Lakes and can be super fun on a 3wt. We’ve seen the best action down below the hill around Woodfords area. Little black stuff size 18 - 20, or perdigons dropped in pocket water and behind boulders will produce fish in this area.
Truckee River: Flows are good, everything looks great and we’re looking forward to seeing big fish move up higher in the system and for bugs to pop in the coming week(s). This actually isn’t uncommon around the state and West! With few bugs flying, the report stands - Heavy nymphs/streamers/split shot into the fast water is catching trout for us right now. Mornings are the game but if you can get out just before sundown you’ll find some good action. Dead Drift Craws, pat’s rubber leg in crawdad tones, big duracell jigs are still in play but be ready for some hatches to break out the 4WT. If you want to fish a second or third fly, try a PMD type nymph off of a tag above the heavier fly. This is the time of year where the euro nymphers do the bragging, but high sticking with lots of weight under an indicator works well too. High sticking streamers (Just don’t be annoying about it - Gallup) also works if you don’t have a euro set up.
Truckee River Fishing Regulations:
Below Lake Tahoe Dam:(All Year) Closed for 1000’ below Lake Tahoe Dam.
Below 1000’ of the Tahoe Dam to Trout Creek: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial - NO BAIT. Zero Bag limit.
Trout Creek to Mouth of Prosser Creek: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial Flies only. Zero Bag limit.
Prosser Creek to NV Stateline: Artificual Lures and Flies. Two Trout.
Little Truckee River: The fish haven’t gone anywhere but the flows sure have. Things are still low and with the late Summer mid-70s temps the weeds are prevalent. With the lower flows the crowds have been less and less but for good reason - if you’re just looking to get out and see this river’s topography, maybe find some risers, there is solitude to be had up there. The top sections have been fishing better than down low. Maybe stand on the cliff and spot some rollers before walking down. A pretty consistent hatch of Green Drakes and PMDs have been happening between 10am and 2pm, but the fishing can be good earlier in the morning or late afternoon as well, especially if the rain clouds roll in.
Little Truckee River Fishing Regulations:(All Year)
Stampede Reservoir downstream to Boca Reservoir: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial - NO BAIT. Zero Bag limit.
East Walker River: The East Walker has had a weird year. We’ve had 30 fish days, 26” browns and skunked nets and there hasn’t been much rhyme or reason to it. Flows are low but not panic low. First light the fish will be spread out feeding in random nooks and crannies, but by mid morning they will slide into the oxygenated seams (think white water!). It’s really a Dry/Dropper system that is working best right now but if you’re big game hunting this is one of the more fun, small water technical games for chucking streamers to coax a monster out. We’ve had luck on crayfish patterns as well under an indicator or big foam chubby. Look, you have to pay to play, if you’re not tucked under the branches at these flows, you are not in the game.
East Walker River Fishing Regulations:
California: Last Sat. in Apr. through Nov. 15. Only artificial lures may be used. Minimum size limit: 18 inches total. Two Trout.
Stillwater Options: Perfect time of year to go for a hike up to a high altitude lake looking for wild fish that are eager to eat flies. All the normal lakes are fishing best from boats or float tubes as the fish have started to go deep during the sunny hours.
Hot Lakes:
Sawmill Lake - OPEN and STOCKED! Fresh load of big fish this week.
Fallen Leaf: Good numbers of Lahontan Cutthroat with the occasional brown/lake trout mixed in.
Lower Blue Lake - Road open to lower Blue. Check out some of the other lakes in the area as well.
Caple’s Lake- Fishing has been good. Better from a boat or tube and drift around the inlet.
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
Heenan Lake - Heenan is OPEN! If you don’t know the lake, get a guide or a fishfinder. Best from a tube but if all you have is a boat or kayak, get their early so you’re not in the ramp line.
