Pick your spots
School is out. Summer is upon us and the Sierras are feeling the traffic. This early season is one of our favorite times to avoid the crowds and hit the backcountry. Go explore! The primary watersheds are going to be busy and the early bird gets the worm. The bite really isn’t until mid-morning but get your drifts in before the parking lots fill up. The weather and hatches had the fish in a frenzy last week and we don’t see any reason this should change. As the rivers clear up, fish are going to be more easily spooked with a busy rod waved over the water. Make your attacks from downstream and avoid heavy feet when walking above those cut banks - otherwise they’ll never come out and play.
East Carson River:
Flows have dropped to ~215 CFS and dropping. Still seeing some large Cutthroat Trout in the runs above Hangman’s Bridge but we’re also seeing them mixed in the wild trout sections downstream from the bridge. Put your walking boots on and make the hike - you’ll get rewarded. There are a couple caddis variations coming off and we’re seeing the the action pick up in the mid-morning. Nymph and Dry-Dropper rigs are producing.
Truckee River:
Similar to last week but more traffic. To avoid the masses, head East. The buckets are going to see a lot of flies. Look for some pocket water where fish could be holding and run your dropper rig working close to far before ripping a streamer around the rocks and through moving water where temps can be a little cooler. Summer time hatches have begun as we are seeing caddis and PMDs, and even the occasional green drake come off. Midges in the morning before the midday hatches are also producing some fish.
Little Truckee River:
Still crowded but fishing good, and perfect weather with flows at ~110 CFS out of Stampede Reservoir. With all the traffic on this river, stay patient, pick your hole and watch the water for 5 minutes before casting. This will give you an opportunity to find some sippers. PMDs are here and the green drakes are hatching (especially on those overcast days) so bring the dry fly rod and toss some dries. A standard dry with an emerger tied 18” off the bend of the hook is what I would begin my day with out there.
East Walker River:
The warm weather is hear and we need to keep an eye on water temps. A general rule of thumb is anything between 64 degrees and 68 degrees minimize time fighting the fish by using strong tippet and a 5 or 6 weight rod. Once the fish is landed, keep them in the water! Fish early in the morning. Water temps above 68 degrees decreases the chance of recovery for the fish so time to call it a day. If you are still in the fishing mood, go throw a balanced leech out at Bridgeport Reservoir near the dam and potentially catch a large brown or even a carp.
Stillwater Options:
The road up to lower Blue Lakes has opened and the road to upper blue lakes is scheduled to open soon which should result in some great fishing at Blue lakes themselves and some of the surrounding lakes. If you are trying to save some money by not driving as much, Baron Lake at Tahoe Paradise park has been fishing great, but please remember these fish are not free so consider donating to the Fish fund and buying a parking pass to help with future fish stockings.
Hot Lakes:
Boca Reservoir
Sawmill Lake - BOOK NOW!
Lake Baron -Stocked!
Bridgeport Reservoir - Big Browns near the dam.
Silver Lake
Caple’s Lake
Tahoe
