The cold is starting to take hold at night and we’ve seen some early season weather patterns dump some snow on our peaks and bring some much needed rain to the lower elevations. It’s been great to give freestone flows a little kick but we are looking forward to some much bigger kicks. In the meantime, the 10-Day forecast looks fish AF with partly cloudy skies and large temperature swings with some days getting into the 70s on the river? Let’s focus in and see what our crystal ball tells us.
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: We got a much needed bump from that Halloween storm and flows are around 67 CFS. It might not be much but it’s enough to head out this weekend and take advantage of the good weather. Overnight temps going below freezing up high should keep this flow steady for the next few days. The cray fish had their days this Fall but we’ve moved on. Trout food is trending smaller with baetis and midges working well under a big foam indicator aka chubby chernobyl. Dry dropper has still been the go-to rig but with this little bump in flows we’re seeing some abandon buckets come back to life below the confluence of MC. Have a nymph rig with you for those deeper buckets. You can leave the streamer rod at home unless you just want to keep stripping. 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.
West Fork of the Carson River: Not much has changed here even with the storm surge. 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: We’re back to clear water and small bugs below the town of Truckee. The storm mixed things up a bit and we’re finding fish on the egg but most coming on small midges being the meal of choice. As you get down into the canyon flows are around 395 - 400 CFS and deep nymphing on the bottom with egg patterns has been fruitful. Look for these partly cloudy days this weekend to see some surface action as the morning warms up 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. A nymph rig is your primary but having a dry fly set up for those morning warm-ups can be a fun game. More big brown action to the east but they should be coming up high in more numbers very soon.
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: Reallt happy with the consistency of flows on the LT right now. It makes for happy fish and happy fish eat flies. Running a stimulator pattern on top with an BWO emerger is a fun game right now. that tiny BWO can float around 6 - 9 inches off the stimulator hook shank an solicit strikes as they come up to take a look at the big bug. We’re finding fish holding in slower water behind bolders or in seems of strong transition between fast and slow water - trout can sit in this spots and use very little energy while a consistent flow of food peels off out of the faster water.
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: And of course the inconsistency down here continues. We saw some consistency on the back half of October but they have since lowered the flows to 20 CFS. Let’s steer clear of this river until they start letting more water out of Bridgeport.
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.
