Hike Up or Go Early
It feels like the dog days of summer are quickly approaching as our flows drop and temperatures increase. The news is not all bad however, as our high alpine lakes and streams are in peak condition, and the morning and evening bites have been stellar. Now’s the time of the year to pull out the map (or google earth these days) and explore those high elevation creeks and lakes that we are surrounded by.
East Carson River:
Steady flows at 100 CFS have produced some awesome days of fishing as these flows are perfect for wet wading, and throwing dry dropper rigs. The fish are spread out, with the bigger fish being found in the deeper slower buckets, but plenty of trout being found in the inbetween pocket water or riffles. Try a funky colored chubby chernobyl or grasshopper pattern with a bead headed nymph. Don’t be afraid to get that chubby up against the rock cliffs in the fast water. Swinging caddis and soft hackles has been working too, or any change in the dead drift presentation these fish see all day everyday. Temps are starting to climb in the afternoon but for the most part we are enjoying this river all day.
Truckee River:
The Truckee is fishing best early morning and late evening with primary hatches of yellow sallys, caddis, and the occasional PMD. If you are opting for a nymph rig, make sure to let those flies swing out at the end of the drift as the fish are keying in on emerging caddis. Small rainbows are being caught, and I’ve heard stories of big rainbows taking a swipe at that 6” rainbow as it’s being landed. That means one thing for the guys who like sink tips, 6 or 7 wts, and meaty streamers. Water temps in the canyon section are starting to reach that cautionary 64-68 degree mark, and we expect it to get worse with this week’s extra warm weather so be diligent and check those water temps.
Little Truckee River:
Cool water with not so cool headed anglers. As our other waters begin to warm people often flock to this small stretch of tail water. Try to maintain traditional fly angler etiquette and give room to the person already fishing that run. “High holing” and “low holing” are unavoidable but same holing is never warranted. On the flip side don’t be the guy who stands in the same run for hours at a time. If you find yourself out there on a busy day, try working the in between stuff with a larger dry fly or streamer, basically walking and casting at the same time. Big fish can hold in shallow water if there’s even a hint of structure they can feel safe next to. Summer time hatches of PMDs with the occasional drake remain the primary bugs.
East Walker River:
Get up early if you want to fish this river as temps are non lethal only between sunrise to about 11:00 AM this time of year.
Stillwater Options:
Bust out those float tubes and slip indicators as our rivers begin to slow and the lakes become our best option for all-day fishing. Lake fishing with a fly rod is often overlooked but can produce bigger and stronger fish then our rivers do. If you are unfamiliar with still water techniques, stop by the shop or do some research. I recommend the videos by stillwater goats Brian Chan and Phil Rowley to get you started.
Hot Lakes:
High Elevation Lakes - Stop by the shop for more information
Blue Lakes - Lower is fishing great
Prosser Reservoir - Trout and Smallmouth
Sawmill Lake - BOOK NOW! Private Lake with large rainbows and browns
Lake Baron -Stocked!
Bridgeport Reservoir - Carp time. Drop a line by the dam.
Silver Lake - Stocked!
Caple’s Lake- Chance at a big Lake Trout
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
