Feels Like Summer
The warming trend we’ve seen has kept the rivers high but the good news is that this should be the last push of snow melt before the rivers settle down. Once that happens, grab those rods and enjoy the warm days with the cold water as June is often one of the best months for fly fishing in the Sierras. Every day we are seeing more bugs as the water temps increase and the PMDs, Drakes, and unfortunately mosquitos start to hatch. So dust off the dry fly rod, the bug spray, and hit the rivers and lakes!
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
All Lake Tahoe Tributaries- Now open to catch and release fishing with barbless flies or lures. No bait.
East Fork Carson River: Steady peak flows at around 1000 CFS which is a bit high for us to fish, but a skilled angler could probably find a few fish along the edges or in soft water behind structure. Worm patterns, big stoneflies, bright attractors, and streamers are flies that I would try. For us, we’re just being patient until we see the peak flow around 600 CFS, and than it’s go time.
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: Similar to the East Carson, flows have been steadily high, but at least this river is clear and fishable. Cover ground and don’t spend too much time in one spot. The fish normally eat on the first few drifts or not at all this time of year. With the warmer temps we should start seeing more rising fish in the evenings which makes our lives easier as it eliminates the needle in the haystack style of fishing during high water.
Truckee River: High but fishable. The sections above the confluence of Prosser Creek will be more wadable and fishable with normal tactics. The “canyon” section of the Truckee is around 1000 CFS which is big water, but often times this is when the big fish make mistakes. PMDs have also been more frequent so check the back eddies and soft water for rising fish. Soon we will start to see the Green Drakes hatching which is the true start of Summer fishing on the Truckee.
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: A small bump in the flows has occured and now the river is sitting at around 460 CFS. Think Truckee rigs for these flows, lots of weight, bigger bugs, and 6 WTs. We like to see this flow as it spreads the fish out as well as the anglers, but requires some different techniques to still catch em. PMDs will be the main hatch with some green drakes mixed 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: Flows have slightly crept up but as its sitting at 170 CFS which is still a great flow to fish and definitely worth the extra drive down to this desert tailwater. People have been catching fish from the “Miracle Mile” all the way down to the Elbow. A mixed bag of bugs seems to be working with PMD colored perdigons, frenchys, stoneflies, midges, and green caddis the go-tos. Streamers also can be an option, especially swung through the waist high, walking speed runs or stripped along structure.
East Walker River Fishing Regulations:
Last Sat. in Apr. through Nov. 15. Only artificial lures may be used. Minimum size limit: 18 inches total. Two Trout.
Stillwater Options: The higher lakes in the area have thawed and nows a great time of year to get away from the crowds, hike up a mountain to a remote lake, and catch some really cool fish.
Hot Lakes:
Bridgeport Reservoir: Fish for big browns from a float tube near the damn.
Sawmill Lake - OPEN! Road is now open! Call for early season Sawmill Availability.
Pyramid Lake - Float tubing or from a boat is going to be better than shore.
Lower Blue Lake - Road open to lower Blue
Caple’s Lake- Thawed and ready to fish
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
Heenan Lake - Closed until September.
