Fly Fishing Report | Pyramid Lake and Truckee River | mid November 2023

Waiting for Winter has been worth it

While waiting for winter to start in Reno/Tahoe can often be a bit stressful, the long Fall season we have had this year has been simply awesome. Abundant water and stable weather has made for some amazing fishing conditions both in our local rivers and Pyramid Lake.

The brown trout in the Truckee River are in full spawn mode. It is fun to watch the antics and enthusiasm of these wild fish doing their thing. If you find a redd or group of redds you will certainly find fish working them. We do encourage anglers that want to continue to pursue wild fish in the Truckee to give them the space they need. This includes walking and angling upstream, through or downstream of any actively spawning fish. 

Truckee River

The Truckee is in fantastic shape through both Nevada and California. It seems flows have fully stabilized on the NV side following irrigation diversions and we now have settled into flow profiles that will remain until winter storms begin.

As mentioned abve the brown trout are in full spawn mode. Please give them a wide berth. In a couple weeks the browns should finish their spawn and disperse to their typical haunts. That is the time to get back after them and the streamer bite should pick back up and be good for quite a while.

Nymphing has been the primary tactic we have found to put fish in the net. ESN, indicator or even dry dropper have been a great approach. Often asked what flies to choose. Simply put, a thin bodied dark nymph. Some suggestions on flies that fit the bill. NEW Perdi Bomb, Perigon, French Nymph, Spanish Bullet, Quill Jig and Galloups Jig BWO 

NEW Perdi Bomb

As we progress in to Winter. It won’t take much for the Blue Winged Olive mayfly to begin hatching on the river. This often can be the best and most consistent dry fly fishing of the year. Conditions to look for are cloudy cool days that have a slight drizzle. You don’t need all of these conditions for a hatch to occur but look for some or all of these for a great time on the water.. The Baetis Cripple and the Pull Over BWO work great in a size 18. The Griffiths Gnat will work well as a dry when fish are keyed in on midges. 

Flies we Suggest: Spanish Bullet,Perdigon, Jig TNT’s, Psycho May, Galloup’s Jig BWO, Baetis Cripple, Pull Over BWO, Griffiths Gnat, Barely Legal, Cheech Leech, Sparkle Minnow, Dolly Llama

Pyramid Lake

Shore fishing at the lake has really picked up. Most days stripping flies has been the most productive but the indicator bite has been on and balanced leeches and baitfish under the indicator can put fish in the net.

The surface water temp should continue to drop with the changing season. This should disperse the baitfish near surface and push them deeper. It is possible to find good sized groups of LCT moving through a beach or point and the fishing will go nuts. As quickly as it goes crazy it will dry up and we are left wondering what just happened. Be ready, be in the water and take advantage of the chances you get. Stripping fly selection hasn’t changed much. We are mostly using Tui Chub or Perch Fry stripped fast also we have had success with Pyramid Lake Beetles, Booby, and Pyramid Lake Bugger. In low light conditions, try darker colors in either purple or black. As the sun comes out, switch over to brighter offerings in the white, chartreuse, or tan offering.

When you do go out with the indicator Balanced Leech and our new balanced baitfish the Jiggy Fat Minnow have been productive. The holo midge bite hasn’t been consistent but anglers committed to it will find a few fish. 

Flies We Suggest: Tui Chub, Perch Fry, Pyramid Lake Beetle, Booby, Pyramid Lake Bugger, Balanced Leech, Jiggy Fat Minnow, Holographic Midge

NEW Jiggy Fat Minnow

NEW/RETURNING PYRAMID PATCH HATS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!!!!

It has been a couple years since we offered the Pyramid Lake Patch Hat. We just got a new batch in with old and new colors. Check them out. There are a limited supply so get em while we got em!