That Phil Varmint is Full of $4!#
Here we are at the end of February and we’re staring at what could be the biggest storm for precipitation and snowpack of the year. I can no longer trust that Punxsutawney Phil character any more. The rivers have been on fire the last couple weeks and we see no reason not to be on the river this week before Friday’s big storm surge.
East Fork Carson River: As you are aware, the entirety of the river is under Winter regulations and catch & release, barbless, artificial is the only game. On the final day of the trout season back in November, DFW stocked the river with quality fish, and those fish have been healthy and spreading out throughout the system from above Monitor gate down through to the boarder. We’ve also seen some nice 14-16” wild fish in the net in recent days. Seems they know the angler patterns and come out to play with the catch and release crews. With the river running clear, you still need some stealth to approach these fish who are surviving the Bald Eagles in the area, and the angler fights and now they are eating the good food in the system, building muscle fighting flows, and are presenting a fun fight to chancing anglers. The upper sections well above Hangman’s Bridge have been the most productive this Winter, however we’re starting to see fish spread out and those making the pilgrimage down to and below the Markleeville confluence are finding the river is fishing great, and less footprints. Flies to try are size 16-20 small baetis/blue wing olive nymphs such as TNT Baetis, Shotglass Baetis, WD-40s, dark olive perdigons, and RS2s. I know you want flash bugs in your box, but through the black stuff. And oh yea, Zerbra midges size 18 still work and should be in your top 5 nymphs and somewhere at the bottom of your nymph rig at all times. Yea, yea, it’s worm season and we’re throwing tan and red variations with some weight to get them down in the buckets. Don’t forget to swing the tail-out. Flow Chart
West Fork Carson River: Again following Winter regs, the river is now catch and release, barbless, artificial until the last Saturday in April. The best sections going right now are the tougher to wade sections, be careful as these areas from the end of the meadow, down through Desolation Resort have seen a lot of snow in February, shaded and slippery. Smaller size 18-20 midges, baetis, and thin flossy worms have been gamers here. And if you’re driving 88 and have some time to bridge hop, punch some trails in the snow and be rewarded with fish holding in these larger, slower buckets in the meadow.
Truckee River: Truckee has been game-on during this current weather pattern and should continue that form through Thursday. Looks like we’re starting to see some early spawning trout and the fish are eating accordingly. If you are seeing fish in shallow runs, or known beds, stay out of there way and fish somewhere else. In order to maintain this special fishery with increased angling pressure, we all need to take our part in protecting the spawning fish and their redds. Fish in the buckets and they’ll still eat whatever pattern you want to throw to match the spawn. Flies to fish are small caddis, midges, and Blue Wing Olive Nymphs. If you are out there on a cloudy, windless day, start paying attention to the calm tailouts and look for rising fish eating Blue Wing Olive Duns. Flow Chart
Little Truckee River: It’s been a consistent and good Winter on this little stretch. Mind the spawning Brown Trout and their Redds. Avoid fishing any calm, shallow water or walking through these areas. That being said, each day there is normally a Blue Wing Olive hatch sometime between 11am-2pm. With the fishing pressure that the river is having, look for fish holding in unlikely water - maybe send that drift into the tailout a bit further, or off the main bucket. Fishing a 3wt or 4wt rod with a presentation focused dry fly line and long (11 ft +) leader with a small single dry fly can be an absolute blast on the Little Truckee. We also like trailing that dry with a little emerger of a different pattern. Double your efforts with 2 flies and presentations to see what’s more productive. The window of feeding fish will be short, but worth the effort. Flow Chart
East Walker River: California remains closedd through end of April but the Nevada side remains open and has been fishing well with flows between 90 - 50 cfs over the last couple weeks. We’re not seeing the usual big fish opportunities, but lots of average size, good fighting fish on nymps and streamers. Small sculpins up against banks or dead drifted close (under) the willows if you’re throwing streamers. You’re typical midge, baetis and small caddis pupa bugs for nymphing. Flow Chart
Stillwater Options: Pyramid Lake is game on from shore! If you’re looking for opportunities and big, slow, stocked ‘dinosaurs’, now is the time. No, we kid. This is a beautiful fishery and a bucketlist fishery for stillwater anglers - it’s time to get after it.
Hot Lakes:
Sawmill Lake - BOOK NOW for 2024 season!
Pyramid Lake - Shore bite is on and it’s go time with midges
Red Lake - Ice fishing near the dam has been productive
Caple’s Lake- Ice fishing has been good along the damn by the resort and through the rocks off the resort point
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
Heenan Lake - Closed
