Fall Transistion
We’ve been slacking on doing an updated report, mostly because we’ve been too busy fishing! The fall fishing has been excellent, and up until the first big storm should remain excellent. This fall we have seen some epic fish caught from the Truckee River, Fallen Leaf, Pyramid Lake and even Lake Tahoe. This time of year is when big fish will cruise the shallows of our lakes and the browns, Rainbows, and even monster Lake Trout (Mackinaw) will be within fly casting distance. The rivers that still have decent flow are also great options for the late fall, with Blue Wing Olive hatches happening almost every day.
Carson River:
East Fork: Overall fishing well, with a few large planters still remaining in the pools and small/medium wild fish scattered throughout. The river’s regulations did change yesterday (November 15th) and the entire river is now catch and release, barbless artificial, until the last Saturday of April. Fishing wise, it’s mostly a nymphing game right now, with the big fish holding tight to the bottom in the deeper pools. However, on a calm, cloudy day you might get a midday hatch of midges or Blue Wing Olives that will entice a few fish to rise. Flies to try are size 16-20 small baetis/blue wing olive nymphs such as TNT Baetis, Shotglass Baetis, WD-40s, dark olive perdigons, and RS2s.
West Fork: Like the East Carson, the river is now catch and release, barbless, artificial until the last Saturday in April. The river is low, but still a decent flow for this time of year. Probably not a ton of fish in the scenic meadow sections, but there will still be some wild fish found in the pocket water below Desolation Hotel, or way up high in the willows off Blue Lake Rd. Try small midge patterns like zebra midges and disco midges, or small baetis nymphs.
Truckee River: Fall on the Truckee is often when the big Browns and Rainbows start messing up and eating our flies. Their need to eat and prepare for spawning/winter causes their focus to shift from avoiding anglers to consistantly eating. While we all like big pumpkin browns, a general rule for fishing this time of year is that the buckets and fast riffles are fair game but if you can see the fish they are probably either pre/post spawn, or are actively spawning so please let them do their thing. In order to maintain this special fishery with increased angling pressure, we all need to take our part in protecting the spawning fish and their redds. Flies to fish are small caddis, midges, and Blue Wing Olive Nymphs. If you are out there on a cloudy, windless day, start paying attention to the calm tailouts and look for rising fish eating Blue Wing Olive Duns.
Little Truckee River:
Similar to the Truckee, fall time can be epic but we also need to be mindful of the spawning Brown Trout and their Redds. Avoid fishing any calm, shallow water or walking through these areas. That being said, each day there is normally a Blue Wing Olive hatch sometime between 11am-2pm. This will be one of our better opportunities in the area for actively rising trout this time of year. Fishing a 3wt or 4wt rod with a presentation focused dry fly line and long (11 ft +) leader with a small single dry fly can be an absolute blast on the Little Truckee. The window of feeding fish will be short, but worth the effort.
East Walker River:
November 15th marks the close of the California side of the East Walker, which will remain closed until the last Saturday of April. The Nevada side remains open year around, but they have reduced the flows to a winter time level of 21 CFS which is a bit low for me to take the drive down to this river.
Stillwater Options:
Heenan Lake has a few weeks left where it will be open, so get out there while we still can. They do tend to close Monitor Pass after it snows, so check Caltrans website to confirm that the road is open before making the drive.
For the true trophy hunter, this is the time of year where big Brown Trout, Rainbows, and the Lake Trout will come in close and targeting them from shore with a fly rod is possible. A couple friends of the shop have recently caught a couple nice Lake Trout from the shores of Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, Caples Lake, and a couple more secretive lakes. Come by the shop for some tips and flies that can entice these bigger fish.
Also with November comes the opening of Pyramid Lake, a destination fishery that produces the worlds largest Cutthroat trout. Stop by the shop for the flies, rigs, and spots to check this lake out completely DIY, or we can recommend a guide service if you want to have all the equipment and knowledge taken care of.
Hot Lakes:
Heenan Lake - Two Weeks Left!
Sawmill Lake - BOOK NOW! Two weeks Left!
Pyramid Lake - Shore bite picking up!
Caple’s Lake- Fishing well near the inlets, chance at a big fish!
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
