Game On! Tailwater Time
We are about 6 weeks early around here in the Sierra and with runoff happening on our freestone rivers, the tailwaters have been fishing really well. I’ve never seen so many trucks in the Little Truckee parking lots in Fegruary but was what it was with the early season. It also means bugs are starting early and we’re seeing Skwala hatches around in addition to the baetis that have been coming off. 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.
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. Last week we saw the flows get down to low 500s and the edges were actually fishing pretty good. Pat’s Rubber Legs were the winner in the slow water. The fish are around but limited to the slow edges - if you’re wading out you’re probably standing on the fish. The graph has started it’s climb so unless you’re walking long distances between small pockets of slow edge water, you might want to find somewhere else. The West Carson has actually been fishing pretty good if you’re willing to get out of Hope Valley. Pocket water around Woodfords or above Hope Valley have seen some action with euro or high-sticking 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.
Run-off is ramping up and we are seeing an early primetime on this river - a bit similar to 2022 but where the dog days of Summer are going to be thin and warm. As you can see our run-off spikes are nearly a month early. Let’s hope for some steady precipitation through April and May to keep things going.
East and West Carson River Fishing Regulations:
Whole river to Nevada state borders catch and release, artificial, barbless.
Truckee River: The Truckee has been seen steady flows and clear water has been in the forecast. Spring spawn is right around the corner here and look for the water to continue to clear up after our rains and run off from end of February. Fishing around stateline and down into and a east of Reno has been more productive for us fishing eggs & worms primarily. While we’ve seen evidence of skwalas coming off, it hasn’t quite happened yet but it’s right around the corner. Look for fish holding in pockets behind structure likes rocks or edges where the seems 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: My goodness - we like this river too but not when it’s crowded. There was a great skwala hatch at the end of February before the flow drop and the secret got out quick. The flows are down to nothing now so avoid this river until flows come back up.
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 at 115 cfs and been holding there. 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 as well eggs all under an indicator or Skwala dry to a dropper. There is not a tone of skwala action 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.
