Early Bird gets the Worm
Well the dog days of summer have arrived and we’re seeing the best fishing first thing in the morning and it quickly tapers off towards the middle of the day. The science is there, the invertebrates don’t hatch during the warmest part of day, so the fish don’t feed. In fact, many of the fish (especially the big ones) go fully nocturnal in the summer, but you can still hit their feeding window if you are fishing at the crack of dawn. The other concern are water temperatures… I think the industry/community has done a good job making most anglers who are practicing catch and release aware of the 68 degree stop fishing rule, now it’s up to us to follow through with that by checking temperatures and calling it an early day if needed. The rivers are still fishing well overall so get up early, fish hard, and take a midday siesta.
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: Perfect hopper dropper flows at the moment, but is starting to get warm in the late afternoon. The best fishing is normally a hike away from the vehicle or a scramble down a steep bank. Chubby Chernobyls and tan grass hoppers with tungsten beaded Midges, perdigones, small CDC jig flies have been working pretty well. The pocket water in between the main buckets and runs can also be fun to fish with a single dry (smaller fish but normally wild!) such as size 14 EC Caddis, or other caddis imitations. As always, the roadside stocked zone is more beginner friendly with the hike to zones being a fun option for anglers searching for wild fish.
West Fork of the Carson River: Now’s the time we start fishing the canyon section between Desolation Hope Valley and Alpine Village. This section is shaded and stays cooler, as well as all the pocket water generates more oxygen and the fish tend to stay happier in the summer. The downside is getting around can be difficult as it’s a lot of boulder hopping, but worth it!
East and West Carson River Fishing Regulations:
Carson River, East Fork from Hangman’s Bridge downstream to Nevada State Line: All year. Only artificial lures may be used. Minimum size limit: 14 inches total length. Two Trout.
General Regulations for East Carson River above Hangman’s bridge and West Carson.
Truckee River: The tricky Truckee has been fishing well and actually holding its cooler temps up until now, but expect it to switch to CDFW recommended hoot owl conditions soon. Euro nymphing the fast water, or highsticking streamers have produced some nice fish for us recently, with the dry dropper and indicator rigs working well to catch the shmedium rainbows that take advantage of the feeding lanes while the big fish lay dormant until nightime. If you’re searching for the big Truckee fish, this river in particular benefits the angler who’s on the river by 5:30 am. Crawdads and stoneflies that probably imitate crawdads (Pat’s, TJ Hookers) or swung caddis/soft hackles have been working best for us.
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: General Regulations
Trout Creek to Mouth of Prosser Creek: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial Flies only. Zero Bag limit.
Prosser Creek to NV Stateline: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial only. Zero Bag limit.
Little Truckee River: One of our coldest tailwaters, which is awesome for the fish but everyone knows it. The parking lots have been full but we’ve still had some good days out here. PMDs hatching midday with a few BWOs on the cloudy days. Last light bite is well.. if you know you know.
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: Still fishable first thing in the morning, but this top fed tailwater is one of the first that we tend to see the constant warm temperatures that make fishing tough. Look for a cooler night, and than fish it first light with a streamer or crawdad pattern if you’re looking for the big fish. Carry a thermometer as often this river becomes too warm by 11 AM.
East Walker River Fishing Regulations:
Nevada: Elbow to California Boarder, catch and release, artificial, single hook, barbless.
California: Last Sat. in Apr. through Nov. 15. Only artificial lures may be used. Minimum size limit: 18 inches total length. NOTE: BOW AND ARROW FISHING FOR CARP ONLY IS PERMITTED
Heenan Lake: Heenan Lake is closed until September
Hot Lakes:
East Peak Lake: Private and exclusive to us, ask how you can fish this lake!
Sawmill Lake - Opened and stocked, fishing great from float tubes!
Higher Elevation Alpine Lakes: Now’s the best time of the year for going on a hike to our >8000’ elevation lakes! Beat the Heat!
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime.
