Thin, Cold and Spawning
The Sierra just welcomed in jack frost and we’re seeing air temps drop leading to colder water temps. The leaves have turned and we’re back in our waders for the Fall/Winter season. That means spawns are on and fish are fattening up on bait fish emergers and caddis. It might not be a numbers game but streamers are in play getting stripped or swung through deeper water. While we’re seeing less bugs on the water this week after a decent October Caddis and small caddis hatches in October, fish can take big swipes at a big streamer or big bugger. We’ve got some weather in the forecast ranging from overcast skies to some precipitation. Check your weather apps and head to the river - until the snow flies, the usual beats will have some anglers on them. As always - you get rewarded for walking the extra mile or two to find new fish.
TROUT REGULATIONS CHANGE NOV. 16 for some of your favorite Sierra Rivers. See below for seasonal regulations
East Fork Carson River: October was pretty fun on the river with less crowds and the game stick of choice has been a 4wt with a dry/dropper rig. While it wasn’t the strongest October Caddis hatches, the wilds have still been coming up for the orange or yellow chubbies. We’ve also been seeing some golden stone casings and the rainbows have been aggressive for a tungsten yellow sally or a tungsten golden stone pattern. There are a lot of green caddis larvae in the river so look for caddis to continue to be a strong bug for anglers. The flows are thin running around 51 CFS near Markleeville. Fish will be concentrated around feeding zones - work the edges where water is being pushed toward or big fish hunt in those deeper slow back eddies. Throw flies around the feeder tributaries. We’re finding fish on the dropper with the standard caddis patterns and worms. Frenchies, Duracell Jigs, Quilldigons, Spanish Perdigons and other perdigon patterns. Worms are dark red to brown.
East Carson River Fishing Regulations:(starting Nov. 16th)
Above Hangman’s Bridge: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial - NO BAIT. Zero Bag limit.
Below Hangman’s Bridge: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial - NO BAIT. Zero Bag limit.
Truckee River: The Truckee has been fishing great. No need to rush out at daybreak anymore - give the river some time to get some sunlight on it and wake up. Larger fish have moved up river and the spawns have been happening. Please be aware of spawning fish. White fish spawn is also on and big browns love to chew on eggs. If you’re lucky enough to see eggs floating by make note of the color and act accordingly. Don’t over-wade the river right now. Fish can be in some skinny, slow moving spots where they can catch food getting spit out of the seam. Small bugs have been producing big fish so dive into the 20s and 22s.
Truckee River Fishing Regulations:(starting Nov. 16th)
Below Lake Tahoe Dam:(All Year) Closed for 1000’ below Lake Tahoe Dam. Catch & Release Barbless Artificial - NO BAIT. Zero Bag limit.
Trout Creek to Mouth of Prosser Creek: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial. Zero Bag limit.
Prosser Creek to NV Stateline: Catch & Release Barbless Artificial. Zero Bag limit.
Little Truckee River: People love this river because it’s beautiful and loaded with quality fish. Parking lots are busy when the wind is calm but brave the elements or go late and you can have the river to yourself. Please be aware of spawning fish and stay away from the redds. Flows are prime at 230-250 CFS so look for the fish in the usual places. BWOs can be seen hatching at different times throughout the day but let the sun get a bit higher in the sky for the bugs to pop. Try smaller tippet, and more moderate action rods to protect that tippet. Unweighted nymphs and/or emergers should also fool the educated trout if presented right.
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: TOO LOW - WAIT UNTIL FLOWS COME BACK UP. The East Walker has gotten some much needed attention from the stocker truck. There are several medium sized browns in the California sections and several larger fish have moved back up into the mile after the reservoir flipped and the big fish kill earlier this Summer. We’re still seeing cray patterns and caddis be the most effective droppers and a well drifted chubby or stimulator can coax a big fish out from the cut bank. Streamers dead drifted or stripped close to the cuts can draw out active fish as well. But as stated - please fish elsewhere until flows come back up.
East Walker River Fishing Regulations:(starting Nov. 16th)
Below Bridgeport Reservoir to Nevada Stateline: Only artificial lures may be used. Minimum size limit: 18 inches total length. 2 Fish Bag Limit
Stillwater Options: Pyramid shore bite is heating up in the early season. Let’s hope it sticks around this year. For your other stillwater options, float tubes, small boats, and sinking lines will be working better the next few months, with opportunity for the bank angler in the mornings and evenings. Calibaetis, midges, and random terrestrials will wind up in the water if you want to try dry flies, but leeches and wooly buggers are the safe choice if no fish are rising.
Hot Lakes:
Bridgeport Reservoir: No Report. But always try a float tube with a sinking line around the damn for big browns.
Sawmill Lake - BOOK NOW November has been awesome at the lake. Shore bite has picked up in the AM and PM but still fishing good all day. This lake is private - contact the shop for bookings.
Pyramid Lake - It’s been a busy and active season to start from float tubes or boats. With cooler temps the fish are starting to be seen and caught from the ladders or rocks. The last couple weeks has had some good action, but activity cooled this past weekend. Look for it to pick back up the next week with a series of storms and weather in the forecast.
Lower Blue Lake - Fish from float tubes or the dam
Caple’s Lake- Big lake with big fish. Do you fish inlets? We do.
Tahoe - Not a numbers game but when we fish Tahoe we are looking for that fish of a lifetime
Heenan Lake - Closes Nov. 30th. Open for catch and release angling and float tubes with sinking lines or jig bombs under an bobber. Winds have been wicked so stay safe out there kickers.
