Snow Snow Snow!! Well the storms the past few days have certainly changed our season and water situation. Snow capped mountains are not only beautiful to behold, but a vast storage of water and future fishing opportunities. We are nearly through this first set of recent storms, with more on the way. As someone who depends on winter snowpack, this next series of storms looks very promising. This weekend it looks like we will have a short break before another system is moving towards the Sierra. It should be a great time to get out on the Truckee River or Pyramid Lake with the approaching storms.
Truckee River
Winter storms are always a welcome event. One thing that we look forward to every winter is Baetis hatch. This insect (also known as a blue winged olive) will hatch predominantly in the mid to late winter on overcast days where there is not too much wind. This hatch can be one the best times to have some dry fly fishing on the Truckee all year. Baetis can vary in size but they are usually small #16-#20. A great dry fly pattern for the winter Baetis is the Pull Over BWO.
Nymphing can slow as fish will begin to slink into slow deep water. They will also be less likely to move for flies so really take your time and cover water well. Your fly selection should be small and on the darker side, #18 and #20’s are a good choice until things warm up a few degrees.
Truckee River Flies We Suggest: Mini Leech Olive and Black, Pull Over BWO, French Nymph, Parachute Adams, Black BH Zebra Midge 18-20, Olive Psycho May, Ready Baetis, Hot Butt, Truckee River Dozen
Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake is heating up as our temperatures drop! These storms lining up in the Pacific will keep the fish active for the next several week. Try to fish the approaching storm and during the storm if possible. As the storm ends fishing can get tough as the barometer begins to rise.
The past week we are finding the LCT were moving into shallow water during the storms. We were marking them at 6’ and shallower but it seems as if they are spending a lot of time deeper, 10-15 feet.
The indicator bite has been the more productive method, but don’t count out the retrieve bite specially early and late. Fish this time of year tend to be more sporadic and do not school heavily. Look for windows of activity, and capitalize when the bite window opens for however long or short it might be. I like to change my depth every 30 minutes of inactivity, and always about a foot and a half at a time either up or down depending on my previous depths. When searching for fish under an indicator, try to err shallower than deeper. Trout will eat in the upward direction so try to pull them up to your fly.
We are well stocked in, arguably, the best Pyramid Lake fly selection available. Both online and in-store. Check out our great selection and availability.
Pyramid Lake Flies We Suggest: Boobies (Spanish Olive, Cat Whisker, Diablo), Pyramid Lake Beetle, Bellyache Minnow, Jans Tui-Chub, Balanced Leech, Holographic Midge, Pyramid Lake Fly Selection
Black/Copper 
49’er 
Albino Wino 
Brown/Red
New to fishing Pyramid Lake? Or, interested in exploring some new spots? Check out our recently released Pyramid Lake Beach Map. You will be able to find out a ton of information on location, physical condition and how best to fish it throughout the season. We plan this to be a living page on our website so user feedback and angler contribution is very much appreciated. Explore|Share|Fish
