We’ve enjoyed a fairly mild temp and windy last few weeks but the fishing has been good if you have the legs to go find it. Water is getting thinner on our freestone waters but their is help in the forecast and we are looking forward to it. El Nińo has been on everyone’s mind and that will have a huge impact on fly fishing opportunities and the health of our trout populations. California Fly Fisher magazine has a great article on El Nińo and it’s impact from a fishing standpoint, but the bottomline is a healthy snowpack can allow access and stability to trout populations through run-off and into the following Summer. We’ll see what happens in the coming months, but all signs are pointing to a season that rivals records when it comes to precipitation across the the Sierra. In the meantime, well presented dries and clean dead drifts are the big winners of the last couple weeks with streamer action in NV on the East Walker and Truckee Rivers.
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: With the low water levels, it’s easy to spot fish in the buckets. That also means they can see you coming so a level of stealth is going to greatly increase your chances of hooking fish. Good presentations and drifts are key to staying stealth and tricking trout. If you’re slapping the water with fly line or a big bobber just to get it in the perfect spot, you’ve probably spooked the hole. There are tons of crayfish in the system and stripping an articulated orange or cray-like streamer on or close to the bottom of the river has solicited some epic strikes. The pocket water and the in-between has also been holding fish. Look closely at small depressions in riffles and run your bugs through before crossing or walking by. Cover a lot of water. With the water so clear you don’t need to spend a lot of time on a bucket if you don’t see any fish. Dry dropper has been working best with us with the dry producing as much as the dropper. Foam Caddis, small hoppers, and micro chubby chernobyl’s loaded with a size 18 or 20 midge or micro mayfly has been our go to setup, but streamers and crayfish have caught some big fish for us recently.
West Fork of the Carson River: Flows are still really low but the meadow section is great for practicing and building confidence with a chance at some fish eating a dry fly. There are a couple spots near Pickett’s Junction that can hold fish in the meadow. Or walk below the confluence of Willow Creek and high-stick some nymphs behind the bolders. 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: Flows are about perfect for anything below the town of Truckee and the fishing is getting better everyday. Not an easy river even at it’s best but cloudy days, good drifts, and finding the right water will go a long way. The Nevada side has been fishing best, but Cali has been fishing well especially in the harder to get to spots - think mid-canyon and east through the boarder. Nymphing is king as usual with caddis hatches increasing, and some BWOs/Mahoganies mixed in. The egg (bead) bite is coming but with that be mindful of spawning browns especially in and around Reno. As we move into winter, this will be a go to spot for us and many other anglers so spread out, be respectful, and try new spots.
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 picked up a big this past weekend and after the turbidity cleared, some of the action has picked up as well. Light tippet, small flies, and good presentation go a long way. You can probably leave your tightline rigs at home and look for morning baetis and small dries coming off the water after it warms up in the morning and again early evening. Some hatches will be sporadic throughout the day. Generally, this is a good time of the year to avoid crowds on the LT but even less crowded after 1PM.
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 been moving between 90 and 110 CFS our of Bridgeport Res. Flows are moving almost daily for the past week and that aggravates the fish. We get real excited if we see flows stabilize between 60 and 150 CFS for 4 days or more. That means go time. Streamers, nymphs, drys(big and small) can all work on this river and a lot of our time has been focused on hucking cray-line streamers to the far side and dragging them near the bottom of the buckets. The beauty of the East Walker is abundant public access and paid private access. The river is made for the exploring angler with trout living between the dam on Bridgeport reservoir all the way into deep Nevada. As any river in our area, the farther you hike or gnarlier the access, the better the fishing!
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: Fish spreading out, some days the long-line midgers catching the most, other days the full sink strippers landing the fish. Be mindful that the lake can flip any day now, which normally means tough fishing while the debris and water clear up. Once the lake has flipped, the long line rigs get put away and shallow indicators and sink lines are brought out. As the weeds die off, oppurtunity from shore will increase, but for now still fishing best with a float tube, Kayak, or boat.
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: Open and most fishing happening from boats or float tubes. Fish will move in-shore as we get deeper into Fall/Winter. If you’re into sinking lines and stripping fast with flash streamers or bouncing jigs, head on out. If you want to stare at an indicator bobbing in the waves, give the fish some time to move closer to the shore.
