Take Advantage of it…
We’re finding ourselves in one of those warm, high-pressure Januarys that can be our favorite fly fishing opportunity of the year. Low crowds, feeding fish, easy drifts. The only downside is the shorter fishing window with the best fishing happening in the warmest parts of the day, so think 1PM-4PM. Subsurface is king but if you choose your spot wisely, you may find some BWO or midges hatching along with rising trout. The dedicated streamer guy may turn a fish or two this time of year as well. Beyond the local rivers, Pyramid Lake is always an option in the heart of winter but January is also a great time for NorCal steelhead only a few hours away (American River, Feather River).
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: Perfect winter flow with feeding trout is turning the E. Fork into our go-to option to keep it close to South Lake. Good reports coming from the roadside easy access runs as well as the hike-in section below Hangman’s bridge. Look for the deep, slow stuff and dredge your multi nymph, split shot rig as close to the bottom as you can. The fish will be lethargic but still eating so just gotta get those flys to them. Black Pat’s rubberlegs, worm patterns, eggs/beads, duracell jigs, and decently sized (14 or 16) zebra midges have all been working for us. Stop by the shop and we might give you some of our favorite holes to check out.
East and West Carson River Fishing Regulations:
Whole river to Nevada state borders catch and release, artificial, barbless.
Truckee River: Strong reports from the Truckee as the warmer weather has been stirring up the BWOs and midges and the trout have responded in kind. Attractor blow torches and duracell jigs, size 18 BWO nymphs, and the junk rig (worms, eggs, mopflies) have been working for us. Look for the slow stuff next to fast stuff. The fish will be in the slow, using the fast as a food conveyor belt to deliver their winter morsels. Generally the lower elevation sections of river (Canyon to Reno and beyond) will be a few degrees warmer so we tend to gravitate downriver. The Cali stuff can fish well too, especially during these high pressure, warm days. Stop by the shop and we can go over some winter rigs to get those flies deep and catch those 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: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial only. Zero Bag limit.
Little Truckee River: Fishable but might be interesting getting to the river as they don’t maintain the road past the Boca Reservoir dam. Some guys snowshoe or ski into the river so a chance at a multi-sport day!
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: Only open in Nevada but low flow conditions likely until March. Generally not worth the travel for 20 CFS conditions. Guys may have success but we prefer fisheries that are a little less fish in a barrel.
East Walker River Fishing Regulations:
Nevada: Elbow to California Boarder, catch and release, artificial, single hook, barbless.
California: Closed
Pyramid Lake: Patience pays off during these pressure systems with the successful anglers taking few breaks and having a positive mentality that a fish will cruise by their fly any moment. Don’t miss your chances and fish early to give yourself the best bite window. Chironomids working best, leeches will work with wind chop. Some calm day tips are to downsize your tippet and indicator, increase the distance between your fly line and indicator, and use smaller flies.
Heenan Lake: Heenan Lake is closed for the season.
Hot Lakes:
Pyramid Lake: Worlds largest cutthroat!
Sawmill Lake - Closed for the season.
Caple’s Lake- Throwing a streamer or balanced leech from the dam may be worth it!
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
