Summer Is A Hoot
We haven’t seen a cloud in 2 weeks around here but that’s looking to change at the beginning of next week. Monday we see a significant drop in overnight and daytime temps along with some scattered clouds in the afternoon that could trigger some events on the water. We hope this generates some feeding activity Monday and into the week.
Daytime temps have been hot lately and we’re carrying Hoot Owl Restrictions throughout this week. The change in weather is welcome but we still want to make sure fish live to play another day. Carry a thermometer and try to be off the river when water temps move to high. Keep your fish wet and don’t over play the fish. Focus on getting them to the net and released. It’s time to forgo the grip ‘n grin and let ‘em swim.
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
All Lake Tahoe Tributaries- Now open to catch and release fishing with barbless flies or lures. No bait.
East Fork Carson River: The river continues it’s seasonal drop through the Summer but the rate of drop should begin to steady at the end of this month. It’s been flowing recently about 125 CFS and we like this flow for big dries with emerging or larvae patterns sub surface. The river is full of trout food right now with caddis and stone casing around. You might not see anything rising as you approach your spot, but a well placed Chubby Chernobyl with a caddis-like jig (Various Duracells, Frenchies, Bird’s Nests, Caddis Pupa and a variety of perdigons) have been effective. A lot of reports of small wild fish at the usual turnouts and bridges. If you’re looking for the action, you’re going to have to work for it and hit the trail. Get out early and get rewarded. Primetime is hitting between 8AM and 11:30AM and water temps are too high in the afternoon. Hopefully the cooler days this coming week will move that time back but for now - Hoot Owl Afternoons.
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: If you’re looking for a river close to the basin and want to get out for a couple hours, the WC is it. It’s beautiful and a great place to “cut your teeth” with a fly rod. The meadow has been pounded but the fish are still there. They have seen every fly in the shop several times and you have to be stealthy or lucky to get the meadow fish to eat. Get off the beaten path and head up Blue Lakes Road or downstream of Sorenson’s. Again, the meadow and be a fun day, but there will also be a lot of hikes, birders, and anglers in the area.
Truckee River: Early on, early off is the name of game on the Truckee both because of water temps and that’s when the fish are eating. First thing in the morning fish the deeper/slower moving seams but as it warms up switch to the pocket water or even white water as the fish will move into these areas as the day heats up. Luckily the forecast is saying that the area will cool down about 10 degrees this coming week, which should help the fishing and extend our bite windows. Mid summer is my favorite time to swing soft hackles and caddis pupae which you can fish by either casting straight across river and let the current do the work, or at the end of your dead drift presentation let the flies go tight and “emerge” from the bottom of the river. Other summer flies include PMDs, midges, and grass hoppers.
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 Little Truckee currently sits at 160 CFS which I half jokingly call the “busy flow” as these flows are when most people flock to the river and the parking lots get full. If you find yourself out there on a busy day, check out the in-between pockets, cut banks, and weird stuff. It’s amazing where the big fish will sometimes find refuge. These zones are known for quality but not quantity so make a few good drifts and move on. If we ever get some cloud cover the PMD hatch should be quite strong, but on these bright sunny days the hatch has been average with a few fish rising during the peak window but most fish are being caught under the surface. Small and beadless PMD patterns, midges, frenchy’s are what should work best, but try different flies and “rest” the fish for 10-15 minutes to allow them to start feeding again while you change flies.
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: Full hoot owl conditions where the river is only safely fishable from first light to about noon when it hits ~70 degrees. Hopefully this cool down period that’s forecasted this week will help the river stay cooler and make the journey to the East Walker worth wile. If you do send the early morning adventure, try caddis, crawdads, and all the different blow torch/duracell jig variations.
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! Road is now open! Call for early season Sawmill Availability.
Fallen Leaf: Good numbers of Lahontan Cutthroat with the occasional brown/lake trout mixed in.
Lower Blue Lake - Road open to lower Blue
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 - Closed until September.
