Fire in the Canyon…
Hoping that the good firefighters of the Truckee/Reno area get a handle on a fire that sprung up yesterday near I80 and the Floriston exit. I was actually out on the Truckee when the smoke started billowing from the canyon. As of now, westbound I80 is closed, and some of our favorite fishing areas on the Truckee are under stand-by evacuations so check current conditions before traveling around this area. Beyond the fire, everything else is good news as Fall is here and the fish are acting like it. Good fishing from the East Carson, Truckee, and Heenan Lake, with decent reports from Little Truckee and East Walker.
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: Cool water and hopper eats. The wild fish sections below Hangman’s bridge have had the best reports with fish moving around, eating hoppers, and the best fishing is worth the hike (or RZR ride!). Lots of fishing pressure in the easy access stuff has made fishing tougher, so downsize the tippet and try smaller flies. Even the stockers learn to not eat fake bugs! The canyon sections above Broken Dam to Markleeville Creek Confluence have been fishing best for us with some nice fish being hooked on hoppers and big chubbies.
West Fork of the Carson River: Flows are low but the meadow section is great for practicing and learning, with a chance at some fish eating a dry fly. The pocket water below Desolation Hotel to Alpine Village will fish the best but harder to get around!
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: Be mindful of the fire in the Floriston area, but other than that the river is fishing. Lots of the tightline/euro crowd out there finding success chucking heavy crawdads and sculpins around in the pocket water. Indicator rig working but use enough weight to break the currents in and around the pocket water. Fish will eat on the first drift so be ready. Not many bugs hatching as we’re a bit in between hatches but a few mayflies and caddis scattered around. Best reports coming from the town of Truckee to Downtown Reno, water still off color below Sparks
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: Flows still low, but hopefully they raise the flows and we will get some migratory Kokanee and Browns making their way up from Boca. Fall is normally an excellent time of year so lets hope for a flow bump!
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 are still variable with a recent jump back up to 230 CFS, but as soon as flows stabilize between 100 and 180 CFS it will be go time! The river fishes decent at 230 CFS but the slower water becomes harder to find and the river gets harder to navigate. The miracle mile is generally the easiest section to fish at these flows.
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: As usual, the lake is fishing great for those that know how to fish it, and tough for those that don’t. Long line midging a few inches off the bottom with SZ 14 bright red, orange, or black/brown chironomids working well. A fish finder goes a long way to find the schools of cutthroat that are tight to the bottom of the lake. Soon the lake will turn over and the fish will spread out, so for the guys itching to strip nymphs and streamers, we are close!
Hot Lakes:
East Peak Lake: Private and exclusive to us, ask how you can fish this lake!
Sawmill Lake - Shore Fishing picking up, Cooler nights and cooler days mean better fishing!
Tahoe - Fall bite from shore is picking up!
Pyramid Lake: Two weeks away, start prepping!
