The Streamer Eaters
The Fall weather is hear and cold mornings have given way to sunshine and low winds on most days with a few storms about. Look for this trend to continue into mid-November around the Basin and on the East Side. Take advantage of those overcast days and be on the river for some good hatches. On those high-pressure clear days we’re finding that the streamer set up has been the producer and coaxing big fish to grab the meat!
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: Traffic is light this time of year on the river which is great because it’s been fishing good. You don’t have to be on the river at the crack of dawn and in fact, the early evening has seen some callibaetis and midge hatches coming off. But the go to rigs are a streamer set up and a nymph rig with the small stuff. Small 18-20 perdigons, midges and 16-18 caddis patterns have worked great under an indicator. We’re finding big fish in the pocket water swinging and stripping streamers and the attack is fun to watch. Zebra mides size 18 and little bugs on the indicator and olive/white streamers have been producting. We’ve also had success dead-drifting balanced streamers under an indicator in tailouts.
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: Afternoon winds make it tough out here but the river was recently stocked so there are some fish in the meadow section. We’ve had the most action down below the canyon walls as you get closer to Woodfords. Euro-nymphing behind the big boulders or nymphing has been the most productive. Like most rivers to the south, we haven’t seen a ton of bugs flying so stick with the little bugs, squirmies, and small jig headed flies.
Truckee River: Flows are good and have been steady the last few weeks. Most of the action is East of the town of Truckee but with the light foot traffic on the river, we’ve had some grabby days in sections just south of the town. Get off the beaten patch though and work your way East to some of the exits. The weather is staying fairly consistent with a couple quick storms in the forecast. Tuesday of this coming weeks looks to bring some cloud cover and we night see something other than nymphing or streamer fishing happening on the river. Be ready with a dry fly rod and bring your size 18 - 22 boxes. Winds are going to slow things on this river come Tuesday evening and through Wednesday but it’s game on come Thursday through the weekend. (similar to the active day we had last week with all the rainbows and misting in the area. We’ve been having a lot of luck streamer fishing the edges lately and look for browns on the move. It’s spawning time so leave the shallows alone and mind the mating fish.
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: The LT has been pretty steady on flows and hopefully it gets a bump soon. Foot traffic has calmed since the Summer months and that’s great, but we’re not fishing it much. Maybe stand on the cliff near the upper sections and spot some rollers before walking down if you do venture out.
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: Perfect time of year to go for a hike up to a high altitude lake looking for wild fish that are eager to eat flies. All the normal lakes are fishing best from boats or float tubes as the fish have started to go deep during the sunny hours.
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.
