A new year is upon us, and most of us are hitting the reset button in an effort to better ourselves. Run a marathon, lose 15 pounds or fly fish a certain numbers of days this year. We all do it and can get stuck on where to begin.
Fly fishing is one of those unique hobbies that I believe people can really master, but most of us want too quickly to get results rather than spending the time to refine skills and ultimately allow ourselves to be more successful. Tiger Woods didn’t become arguably the best golfer ever by just playing 18 holes every day. He spent hours on the range perfecting his craft so that when it was time to play he was prepared. Fly fishing is a sport, like golf, that can be practiced. Ultimately, making the experience more enjoyable. We can help. Our guides and instructors are here to teach you whatever you want to learn and get you prepared for that New Years resolution.
Truckee River
The Truckee River is flowing 255-260 cfs through the downtown gauge. This is a great flow for winter. Fishing has been an effort of searching for one or two quality fish per day. Pretty typical for this time of the year with the cooler water smaller fish do not eat daily and we are left searching for the big friends out on the hunt. Sometimes foregoing food for days at a time. Larger fish need to eat almost daily to maintain their size and thus make themselves more available.
Nymphing deeper slower water has worked well, but it can be quite common for actively feeding fish to move into shallow slower water to feed as they can warm up from a sunny day.
Streamers can be effective this time of year too as the larger fish will stack up along the banks in the shallower water. They will have a deep drop close by in order to hide if needed. Finally, with your streamer swing the tailors of pools before moving down river. It is possible you will find fish looking for baitfish and insect downstream movement in these areas.
Still waiting on the BWO hatches and Skwala hatches. They’re not too far away.
Flies: BH Zebra Midge #18-#20 red and black, Ready Baetis, Micro May, Hot Butt, Parachute Adams, Griffiths Gnat, Pull Over BWO, Baetis Cripple, Mini Leech Olive and Black, December Truckee River Dozen
Pyramid Lake
Pyramid lake has continued to be good one day and difficult the next. Again, like above, quality fish is the goal this time of year in the Middle portion of the season. The indicator bite has been best with lighter colored balanced leeches. White and olive have been my go to with a few grabs on brown as well. Surface temps are 44 degrees in the morning and on warm days the lake is getting up to 46F. Not a bad temperature for trout, but a surface temp closer to 50F is ideal and when the cutthroat should really start being active.
Start stocking up on midges too. Typically, the end of January and early February the trout will start focusing on these plentiful invertebrates, and by March it should be double midge rigs!
We’re getting excited for the spring and we are booking up quickly for the prime time at pyramid lake (end of January- end of March) grab some friends and let’s make some memories.
Pyramid Lake Flies we Suggest: Mini Jig Leech, Boobies (Spanish Olive, Cat Whisker, Diablo), Pyramid Lake Beetle, Bellyache Minnow, Jans Tui-Chub, Balanced Leech, Holographic Midge, Pyramid Lake Fly Selection
