Phil says settle in…
The famous groundhog saw his shadow last week signaling 6 more weeks of Winter - we sure hope so because at a reported 46% of average snow pack here in the Sierra we could use the long winter and usher in a few more big storms. Temps have been mild on our rivers and the fishing has been solid. We are in a very wet and warm cycle with storms peeling off from the Southwest over the Pacific. This trend will continue and hopefully we get some snow at higher elevations of Alpine County and all along the Sierra range. While we welcome any precipitation, we need to the snow pack to grow and ensure and long Summer on the river. For now, the rain is blowing out some systems after an epic January, but while it’s raining outside, let’s forecast what’s to come and see what the magic 8-Ball says. (If you believe the groundhog, you definitely believe the 8-Ball)
TROUT REGULATIONS CHANGE NOV. 16 for some of your favorite Sierra Rivers. See below for seasonal regulations.
East Fork Carson River: We needed the rain here. The river had been fishing excellent through January but as the flows continued to drop, stealth became the best strategy and breaking ice to get to your position isn’t very stealthy. It’s not so much the pattern as not letting them see you coming and getting a good drift. The shop tie - Tungsten BH Powder Puff Squirmy was on the menu and netted a lot of fish the last few weeks. But the most fun has been had on the streamer. Big fish coming out of there dens and shadows to take swipes at big meals. MFC’s Galloup Lazer Legal and Micro Dali Lama Olive were both proficient in coaxing wild fish to the fly. With the recent storms and heavy rains the river spiked to 500 and off-color. The system will continue these spikes as long as the rain/weather are here but look for it to settle by mid-February. The next problem will be a dry, cold spell where anchor ice will be an issue to reaching your favorite buckets. Good news is some of the lakes around are experiencing a mid-Winter ice-out and you’ve got some options at big fish in Alpine County.
East Carson River Fishing Regulations:(starting Nov. 16th)
Above Hangman’s Bridge: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial - NO BAIT. Zero Bag limit.
Below Hangman’s Bridge: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial - NO BAIT. Zero Bag limit.
Truckee River: Another river that has spiked with the rain but my goodness has the Truckee been on fire. The midday highs in the 40’s made for some great dry fly fishing all day long. Unfortunately that window has closed, for now, and the river is running high. If you do head out, work the edges and slower water with baitfish emerger or a heavy squirmy. When flows come down and daytime temps come back up, this river will turn back on. Another trick is to break the mold and throw a medium to large streamer hoping to find that one fish that is conserving energy…. unless the meal is too large to turn down. Crawdad and Sculpin patterns work well in the winter.
Truckee River Fishing Regulations:(starting Nov. 16th)
Below Lake Tahoe Dam:(All Year) Closed for 1000’ below Lake Tahoe Dam. 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: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial. Zero Bag limit.
Little Truckee River: Continue to mind the Redds and stay out of these waters. It’s been so busy here. With the road being open due to no snow, it’s lined with anglers. Some guys might as well have a chair and a tv in a hole - don’t plan on them leaving their “special hole”. In some cases you might waste a day waiting for “that good water”. When this happens, take a closer look at the river. If you see another angler in the 4-star water throwing his 50th drift. Look downriver in some of the soft water - those fish that were higher up may have dropped down a bit away from the death by a thousand casts above you. This river fishes well in the winter but the road is unmaintained so be careful not to get stuck in a snow patch out there. Small, beadless nymphs and BWO dry fly patterns are the normal flies during the winter.
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: Probably too low for us to make the drive out there at 20 CFS, but if they raise the river to 40+ CFS, it can be a fun wintertime option. We look forward to early spring (March-April) where the Skwalas will start to emerge and the fishing gets really good.
East Walker River Fishing Regulations:(starting Nov. 16th)
Below Bridgeport Reservoir to Nevada Stateline: Fully Closed in California. Open in Nevada. Catch and release, artificial, single hook only from Stateline to the Elbow. Below the Elbow, general regulations.
Stillwater Options: Pyramid has been it’s usual busy self. But still, those big weather days are the ticket. Most anglers will flee to Crosby’s or a trailer - if you’ve got the sand to stay on the ladder or rocks, you have shots at what have become massive fish. On average, it hasn’t been a numbers game any given day but we’re seeing a lot of 14 - 20 lbs fish. Catch and Release principles and a pumping hatchery have made this a great option for a grip and grin with a fish of a lifetime. For your other stillwater options, float tubes, small boats, and sinking lines will be working better the next few months, with opportunity for the bank angler in the mornings and evenings. Don’t be scared to break the routine out here. We have a handful of reports of slip indicator rigs from a kayak or tube producing fish. The shop is loaded with beetles, chironomids and leaches for this lake.
Hot Lakes:
Bridgeport Reservoir: Closed
Sawmill Lake - Closed until May. Reach out about season and mini passes for the 2025 season.
Pyramid Lake - Shore bite picking up especially on stormy days, look for 10-15 MPH wind and cloudy conditions. Lots of big fish caught this year, get out there!
Lower Blue Lake - Roads closed
Caple’s Lake- Big lake with big fish. Do you fish inlets? We do. A lot of ice but watch the edges with the past weeks warmer temps.
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
Heenan Lake - Closed until September.
