Game On! Tailwater Time
We are about 6 weeks early around here in the Sierra so just pretend we’re in a normal years May. The heat wave has jumpstarted runoff on our freestone rivers, but the tailwaters have been fishing really well. I’ve never seen so many trucks in the Little Truckee parking lots in February but who can blame everyone for wanting to fish and not ski. It also means our spring bugs are starting early and we’re seeing Skwala hatches with some mixed march browns along with the normal baetis hatches midday. This next week is looking warm for March - so runoff will continue to be strong on the un-dammed rivers but break out the sunscreen and head to your favorite tailwater - it’s Spring Break so it looks to be busy out there. Keep reading to read where we’re fishing.
Lake Tahoe Tributaries are closed until Saturday preceding Memorial Day (May 23rd). Please do not fish the Upper Truckee/Taylor Creek/Trout Creek/Ward Creek/Blackwood Creek, etc.
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: The river is starting its full-blown run-off and is about 1000 CFS. The bad news is that it will be pretty tough to fish the next week or two, but the good news is that once it’s settled runoff will be over and should fish really good until late summer. If you do head out, think Pat’s Rubber Legs and worm patterns which should work in the slow water. The fish are around but limited to the slow edges - if you’re standing in the river you’re probably standing on the fish. A close by option is the West Carson which has been fishing pretty good if you’re willing to cover some water. The slower Pocket water around Woodfords or the meadows above Hope Valley have been producing some fish with euro or high-sticking heavy nymphs. Streamers are also in play with these flows and can be a lot of fun - it’s what we’re using primarily right now.
East and West Carson River Fishing Regulations:
Whole river to Nevada state borders catch and release, artificial, barbless.
Truckee River: The Truckee has seen steady flows and clear water, albeit a little high. Bugs are hatching around 11:00 am and continue until about 2 PM, with the sporadic Skwala flying past. Fishing around the canyon and down into and east of Reno has been more productive for us and we’re getting dirty by fishing an egg or worm followed by a baetis or midge. A few skwalas are around so dry casting a big dry with a dropper can work as well. The skwalas are not fully out but they’re right around the corner. Look for fish holding in pockets behind structure likes rocks or edges where the seams are very visible - think very slow water meeting very fast water. Work all around the structure - the “pillow” in front of rocks, edges on the sides of the rocks or the soft water directly behind them. Spring spawn is coming soon so keep an eye out for redds on the river. If you need a 45 second tutorial on identifying trout spawning habitat (redds) click this YouTube link. Eggs, Weighted San Juan Worms and small baetis like a Little Amigo or Zebra Midges have been productive.
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: Busy most days but the fishing has been decent and flows are pretty much perfect for crossing and wading. If you find yourself out there on a busy day, try to avoid to heavily fished areas if other anglers are already there and try to catch one of the migratory rainbows on their way up in random, slow stuff behind rocks and cutbanks. It’s amazing where fish can hold this time of year. Baetis hatch is waning but they are still coming off around midday. Tis the season for worms, eggs, and midges.
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: If you’ve been paying attention, we’ve been putting in some bendo time on this river and it’s fishing well (in Nevada of course). Flows are between 100 and 150 cfs which is pretty much perfect. This river is notorious for variable flows this time of year so check the chart before you go! There are fish throughout the river with action in medium fast water that you can swing streamers through, or also in the typical buckets with a well placed nymph rig up tight with the willows and bank brush. A lot of baetis out and spinners clumping up around the waders around midday. The zebra midge and other small dark baetis have been productive, all under an indicator or Skwala dry to a dropper. There is not a ton of skwalas out yet but you can still get fish to look up. The streamer has been A-game for sure and big fish are going after all kinds of colors. The main parking lot and above to the private water has been the most impacted but head down stream and the water is clear and less foot traffic.
East Walker River Fishing Regulations:
Nevada: Elbow to California Boarder, catch and release, artificial, single hook, barbless.
California: Closed
Pyramid Lake: Some solid fish taken last week up here and they are really colored up. Strip beetles with a wooly trailer or sink midges under a bobber and enjoy the few. Better reports from the boats than the ladders but ‘tis the season.
Heenan Lake: Heenan Lake is closed for the season.
Hot Lakes:
Indian Creek Reservoir: Game on! Float it or bank it!
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. We fish it quite a bit, so if you want to the goods, stop by the shop and we’ll share the coordinates.
