Truckee River
The flows have dropped to summer levels and the fly fishing has been good to very good. We have been focussing on early morning time slots to beat the heat and the innertube hatch that usually starts around 11. We have found trout feeding on caddis and crayfish in the fast riffles or plunges into pools. By mid day fish have moved back to deeper water or to find cover from the high sun. We have been finding fish with Crayfish patterns like the Cray Z Emma and small nymphs, midge and small mayflies, BH Zebra Midge, Spanish Bullet and Pearl & Orange.
As you move upstream from Reno and into the Truckee River canyon you can find shaded cool water in the afternoon with consistent caddis hatches. Several evenings when the wind stays down the fish have been on the surface feeding until dark. A great way to beat the heat, is to get in some dry fly fishing while wet wading right before sunset.
Streamer fishing has been good in low light conditions in and around bank and channel structure. Structure can be overhanging vegetation along the banks and fallen trees that overhand the channel.
RFS Staff Tip: An often overlooked element of structure are areas of river bottom that have large (3-6 foot diameter) boulders. Fish can utilize the spaces between these boulders for safety while swimming up vertically to eat bugs and other fish. These areas are often off of the bank a ways. So deliver your fly across and down stream over half way across the channel. This will allow your presentation to “swim” over these areas. When the strike happens there is not denying it and it can be super fun.
Flies we suggest: Cray Z Emma, Emma Stone, Carot, Hot Butt, BH Zebra Midge, Spanish Bullet, Pearl & Orange, Olive Hot Spot, July Truckee River Selection
Area waters report
A lot of our local lakes are fishing well from float tubes and the like. Shore fishing has been difficult as the damsels aren’t hatching around the defined weed lines yet, keeping the trout in deeper water. Trout are rising in the mornings until about 9-10 am. Callibaetis and midge hatches are strong during that time. A size 14 Calibaetis and a 16 midge in both dry and nymphs should trick the fish as they head into deeper water.
Higher altitude lakes have started to pick up as the snow has left the shores and the trout are eating in their short feeding window. These lakes, though they can be a hike, are usually easier to fish. The lakes don’t support a lot of bug life, so the fish are eating just about anything they can get. I like fishing a small stimulator fly or twitching nymphs naked style focusing on fish that you can see or walking along the banks blind casting to drop offs and structure.
Carp fishing is an underrated and underutilized species to target this time of year. The warmer days make the fish more active in the morning when it is still cool. Carp are very spooky which can make them a fun and challenging fish to target. The key to carp is to drop your fly in their feeding lane allowing the fly to sink right in front of them. This will typically cause a strike as carp eye sight is not the best. We do offer carp trips if you’re interested in targeting a new species, also not a lot of fish fight as hard as carp do!!
Carp we suggest: Hybrid Squirmy Worm, Carp Worm, Carp Tickler, Living Damsel, Red Eye Damsel, BH Prince Nymph
MORE Fly Fishing Classes added to the Calendar
We have added our popular Fly Fishing 101 and 201 classes.
FF101 will introduce the new/beginner student to basic concepts to undestand gear (what and why), knots and casting stroke. This class is 1 hour and takes place at the Reno Fly Shop. All necessary equipment is provided.
FF201 builds upon our FF101 (required pre-requisite) and will pick up where that class leaves off. After a quick review of the basics the student will be exposed to the following topics;
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Review of to fly rods, reels and lines and their different applications
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Essential knots and rigging - with the opportunity to tie your own and which knot to use when.
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Fly selection and how these change seasonally and even through the day.
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Basic casting at a local park on the grass.
FF101 is required to take our FF201.