TRUCKEE RIVER UPPER
As of today the Farad area is flowing in the 490 CFS. This is still a good volume to help maintain some good fishing. The recent rainstorms were a welcome relief and actually helped the fishing a bit. Although the caddis hatches are intermittent, there are still some evening rise opportunities in the right places. Search for the cascading pools and top of the riffles for evening rise opportunities. The section from Verdi to the Reno Fly Shop has been very productive! Again, the hatches are not heavy due to low water, but the fishing has been great in the morning and evening. All of the Reno Fly Shop staff have been fishing frequently and have been catching fish. Rainbows and browns are mainly caught while nymphing or fishing dry/dropper rigs. Caddis patterns and searching patterns have been the most productive. The big, buggy dries will bring up the occasional fish, so dust off the hopper patterns and get em wet! The flow in Reno is approximately 275 (7/24). Some of us who are streamer addicts are doing well on cloudy, rainy days by dead drifting crayfish patterns.
Dries: Missing Link Caddis #12-#14, Headlight Sallie #14, Charlie Boy #12
Nymphs: Psycho May PMD #12-#14, Micro May Glass Bead OLV #16, Z Wing Caddis
Streamer: Stanley Streamer Rainbow, Dead Drift Crayfish Tan and Olive
TRUCKEE RIVER LOWER
Spotty is the best description for the lower Truckee. From the Reno Fly Shop to East McCarran Bridge, fish are still grazing in the morning. Caddis hatches are the most prevalent and streamer fishing will produce for the committed. Below McCarran the fish are less active and finding the willing trout has been challenging. Fish the faster water and have the patience with the moss and you large browns and rainbows will take a fly. This is the time of year with temps and flows you might think about targeting carp. The carp is a RFS staff favorite and much more challenging and rewarding then many might think. A 20 pound fish is not out of the possibility and often you are sight fishing for them. Come into the shop and we can share some details on how to approach this great fishery. 263 CFS is today’s reading.
Dries: Snowshoe Caddis #12, Crippled Parachute BWO #14, Adams Superfly #16
Nymphs: 20 Incher, Carotene #12-#14, Birds Nest OLV #14
Streamer: Dirty Hippy, D’s Hover Mover
DAVIS LAKE
Fishing has been more challenging lately. Warmer surface temperatures have pushed the fish into deeper water. Those with the patience to get their nymphs deeper along drop offs and in the channels are still finding nice rainbows. Fish in areas where the creek channels converge, such as, Cow to Freeman or Freeman to Lightning. Intermediate lines to depths of 10 feet have been successful. Blood midge and other colored chrionomids are getting the most attention but don’t shy away from a double rig including a bugger and nymph or damsel/chrionomid. Surface activity has been limited to very early morning and just before sunset and the standard fare has been chrionomids.
Dries: Hex Cripple, Adult Damsel BLU, Thunder Thighs
Nymphs: Pickyfish Damsel, Brown Bomber, Partridge/Pheasant
Bugger/Leaches: Lake Dragon, Brunette Leech, Twin Lakes Special
FRENCHMAN’S RESERVOIR
Frenchman’s has very similar conditions to Davis. It is becoming more difficult to access certain areas due to weed beds and dwindling water however fishing has still been fair. Get into the deeper water where channels and ledges hit the 8’-10’ range. Sporadic caddis and midge hatch in the evening has a few noses poking up. When you find the fish, you will likely find several so go on the hunt and remember this is the time of year where diligence will make the difference.
Dries: Parachute Hopper, Foam Flying Ant, E/C Caddis
Nymphs: Nitro Caddis #14-#16, Yankee Buzzer Rootbeer #12, Sheep Creek #12
LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER
This little gem just keeps doing its thing! Great, at times challenging, dry fly fishing in the evening is getting attention from our Reno Fly Shop staff. Reports are very favorable with hatches to include Caddis, PMD’s, and rusty spinners (in eddy’s and tail outs). Current CFS is 48 and has been running this level since July 16th. This consistency has helped the hatches be more uniform and predictable making the LT experience one of the best in the area. Remember, the mosquitoes are voracious. Bring your favorite repellent.
Dries: Parachute Adams #16-#18, Hackle Stacker Pink #14
Nymphs: JuJu Baetis #18-#20, Birds Nest Tan #14, Swing Caddis