Legends of the Fall
Fall has been fun on the water and we’re seeing hungry fish throughout our Sierra waters. The weather has been great with brief strong storms giving way to sun-filled days on the river. The foot traffic has been way down on the rivers and as well some folks are making their pilgrimages to Pyramid Lake to target those big cutthroat and that is also contributing to the lower traffic on the rivers. We have a pretty strong set up storms rolling in over the next week and temps staying cool. We’re looking for this weather to refresh some freestone water and if the temps stay down, start building up the snowpack. If you can get out on the water in the next couple days, you will get rewarded - fish are aggressive and bulking up for the winter.
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: Being a freestone river, the EC benefitted nicely with the early November storms and flows bumped up a bit. Along with it the streamer bite continued and some of the best sections have been below Hangman’s Bridge. We’ve also had a lot of fun up high near Wolf Creek and if you’re feeling adventurous - head over to the NV side off 395 and fish some of the sections parallel to the highway and around broken dam - some good size browns and rainbows have been caught in this section as well. The caddis bit hasn’t been so hot but the fish are still on stones and LBS (little black isht) Small 18-20 perdigons and midges with a bigger Pat’s Rubber Leg above have been great under an indicator. As flows continue to drop, fish are moving out of those pockets that were great at 70 - 90 CFS and look for fish holding in runs and buckets. We’ve been seeing browns throughout the system and also have found a couple nice cuttbows. This is a good sign for cutthroat reproducing on the EC.
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: The WC meadow fishing has slowed since it’s stocking but these fish have pushed downstream and the closer you get to around Woodfords has been good. Euro-style jigs behind bolders and shallow indicator rigs have been the ticket. These fish have seen all the flashy flies throughout the season and with lower flows it’s time to go back to the “buggy” looking beadless flies.
Truckee River: With good flows, low wind and the Fall season, fish have been active throughout the system. We’ve been focusing our efforts around the CA/NV boarder and East of Reno. If you’re not familiar with this water, I recommend a guide or plan on stumbling to find the buckets. We’re finding fish on the edges so keep your shadow off the river and dont over-wade. Your first casts in any section should be from a few big steps back from the bank. Things are going to get dicey here with the weather coming but that’s no different than most rivers. Being dam-controlled for the most part, flows should remain fairly consistent through the weather. Egg patterns have seen some aggressive and hungry fish to hand. Winds are going to slow things on this river through the weekend but come middle of next week the storms should let up and give you a window of opportunity to get back out there. Bundle up because it’s not going to warm up. Your typical euro-fishing has been productive but were throwing small midge patters and an egg under an indicator right now. Flows are great, water temps are prime and the fish are active.
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: Report has been holding here - don’t fish it.
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 low and we are not recommending any fishing here. If flows come back up to 50+ then it could be game-on, but with the recent drop to 22 CFS, stay off this river.
East Walker River Fishing Regulations:
California: Last Sat. in Apr. through Nov. 15. Only artificial lures may be used. Minimum size limit: 18 inches total. Two Trout.
Stillwater Options: Pyramid shore bit has come alive and a lot of anglers have been making their way to the ladders and rocks. Go early, real early and get your spot. Make sure you are loaded on chironomids and balanced leaches. Heenan has been a ton of fun lately and going to continue through November. Mind the wind as getting back to the launch in the afternoon can prove challenging for float tubes and kayaks.
Hot Lakes:
Sawmill Lake - OPEN and STOCKED! Fresh load of big fish this week.
Fallen Leaf: Good numbers of Lahontan Cutthroat with the occasional brown/lake trout mixed in.
Lower Blue Lake - Road open to lower Blue. Check out some of the other lakes in the area as well.
Caple’s Lake- Fishing has been good. Better from a boat or tube and drift around the inlet.
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
Heenan Lake - Heenan is OPEN! If you don’t know the lake, get a guide or a fishfinder. Best from a tube but if all you have is a boat or kayak, get their early so you’re not in the ramp line.
