Dry Shoulder Season
Thank goodness, the kids are back to school, the Labor Day is behind us, and we can get back to some peace and quiet on the water (gumble, grumble). Overnight temps have been getting low and keeping water temps where they need to be and the fish are happy. It’s the shoulder season and one of our favorite times in the Sierra. September and October should fish great and our go-to rigs have been single dry and dry/dropper rigs. The hoppers are hopping and the caddis are flying. While we’ve been heavily focused on wild fish, there has been some great stocking decisions in Alpine County creating some good fishing on the Carson rivers. The powers that be have been keeping stocking locations more secretive leading to less truck-chasers. Our favorite rivers on the northside have also been fishing well in some spots and not so much in others. Let’s get to some tips.
East Fork Carson River: July was tough to beat and while I’ll say we are past the prime time, fishing has been good throughout Alpine County and outstanding on some stretches. Flows are low and clear so your stealth is going to be a factor if you’re targeting the larger wild fish on this river. There have been a lot of stockers caught up high along the 88 corridor mixed in with some beautiful wild 13”-18” wild trout. Don’t sleep on that skinny pocket water. It can be a lot of fun to find fish these sesions that are usually running too fast for most of the season. Upstream presentations with a dry fly to pockets can surprise you. Going deep below Hangman’s Bridge can be a chore and weed out the lazy anglers but those willing to take the trail will find solitude and some wild browns scattered amongst the wild rainbows. We have seen more wild fish down low than stockers - if you’re into that kind of thing. The river is barbless and artificial and traditionally catch and release downstream from Hangman’s Bridge, and general regulations above the bridge. Hoppers have been exploding so a lot of us are opting for hopper dropper set ups as they’re effective as well as fun to fish. Caddis are starting to fly as well. For the dropper, try bead head caddis patterns, pmd patterns, and jig fly attractors. Indicator or euro nymphing opportunities are slimming as flows lower. If these are your only jigs, stick to the deeper buckets and limit your snags.
Truckee River: Certain The Truckee is the typical Truckee right now. The better California sections have been where there is less traffic - surprise. Look at a map, make the walk. A better/best option on the Truckee is the CA/NV boarder and now into Reno where water is bigger and have had reports of large fish. It’s not the prettiest river down there and please pack your trash, but if you’re a big gamer, you might find a fish-of-a-lifetime. Those bigger browns and ‘bows will work there way up river as we get closer to Fall. Indicator fishing has been more productive historically on the river and that’s no different right now. Hopefully we see the bite pick-up in the coming weeks.
Little Truckee River: If you like fish and people, this river is for you. Packed parking lots, wild fish, and a healthy side of moss on your rigs have been the game. While we love this river, the time to go is when the weather is bad - most of the average joe’s tend to call it quits early with a stiff breeze or a little sprinkle. This river had been running low but just bumped up to a prime 145 CFS the last couple days. Look for some happy fish, and more happy anglers at this flow. A little birdie told me they had the river to themselves at twilight late at sunset. While harder to see, this river can be serene when it’s no one but you in the half-light. It’s still Summer time bugs such as PMDs, drakes, and caddis should produce some trout, but with the heavy angling pressure the fish are going to be smart. Try smaller tippet, and more moderate action rods to protect that tippet. Unweighted nymphs and/or emergers should also fool the educated trout if presented right.
East Walker River: What can I say - the reservoir flipped and with the unusually high sustained temps, the amount of carbon dioxide offloaded into the river was enough to have an unprecidented fish kill on the California side. Let’s let this river recover and call it a spectacular season while it lasted. This river was lights out on any given day this Spring and Summer. Thanks for a good time. As for the Nevada side, a totally different story. Enjoy the public sections and the back of the meadow and as it curves through the mountain sections. The E-Dub is fishing great there.
Stillwater Options: Surface temps are stabalized but not necesarrily coming down. Float tubes, small boats, and sinking lines will be working better the next few months, with opportunity for the bank angler in the mornings and evenings. Calibaetis, midges, and random terrestrials will wind up in the water if you want to try dry flies, but leeches and wooly buggers are the safe choice if no fish are rising.
Hot Lakes:
Bridgeport Reservoir: Flipped and awkward
Sawmill Lake - BOOK NOW Fishing well from float tubes and rafts. Shore bite has picked up in the AM. This lake is private - contact the shop for bookings.
Pyramid Lake - Closed
Lower Blue Lake - Fish from float tubes or the dam
Caple’s Lake- Big lake with big fish. Do you fish inlets? We do.
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
Heenan Lake - Open for catch and release angling and float tubes with sinking lines or jig bombs under an bobber. Winds have been wicked so stay safe out there kickers.
