Truckee River
The Truckee River fly fishing report for mid January 2026 shows dramatic shifts in flow due to the holiday storms that rolled through the West Coast. Current Truckee River flows have fluctuated, and targeting the times with lower flow below 800 cfs at the Reno gauge is your best bet for winter fly fishing near Reno. Fish have been keying largely on attractor fly patterns with the off-color water conditions following a storm. Bright attractor patterns like the Squirminator are great for grabbing a trout's attention in low-clarity winter conditions.
For nymph fishing on the Truckee River, especially when representing other aquatic insects like mayflies, try using a Firestarter, Duracell, or Hot Cheek nymph. When water clarity is good, opt for more natural nymph patterns in smaller sizes, #16. When clarity is not as good, move to a #14 nymph for better visibility.
The river has already returned to a blue-green hue through downtown Reno, and Truckee River trout fishing has been much more productive as of late. The forecast shows a high-pressure weather system over the next 10 days that should stabilize river conditions. If this weather holds, it is possible we see a return of Blue Winged Olive (BWO) hatches, which can be fished both subsurface and on dry flies.
January and February can surprisingly offer some of the best dry fly fishing on the Truckee River all year. While you will see BWO activity through town and up onto the California side, we typically target this hatch east of Reno, where conditions are often more consistent.
When targeting rising trout, it is critical that you read the water carefully. Simply slow down as you approach the river and observe what is happening. Identifying actively feeding fish will help you hook and land a higher number of trout. Slow pools, tailouts, and recirculating currents and eddies are excellent places to start when dry fly fishing in winter.
When fishing a dry, it is best to size down to a 5x tippet and run a total leader length of 10–12 feet. This longer leader helps reduce drag and allows your fly to dead-drift naturally for longer. Recommended BWO dry flies include the Baetis Cripple, Pullover BWO, Purple Haze, and the classic Parachute Adams. Sizes 14–18 are your best bet during this hatch.
Flies we suggest for the Truckee River: Duracell, French Nymph, Fire Starter, BH Zebra Midge, Pullover BWO, Purple Haze, Baetis Cripple, Parachute Adams, Squirminator, Hot Cheek
Pyramid Lake
The Pyramid Lake fly fishing report for mid January 2026 has been very strong to begin the new year. Pyramid Lake trout fishing benefited from storms over the holiday, which encouraged fish into the shallows and resulted in a high number of actively feeding Lahontan cutthroat trout. Both the strip bite and indicator bite at Pyramid Lake have been productive on any given day. Depending on the beach structure and water depth you are fishing, you will want to adjust your approach.
On cloudy winter days at Pyramid Lake, shallow and sandy beaches are a good bet when fishing with a sinking fly line. Flies that incorporate foam, such as the Mopcorn Beetle or Tadpole, can be paired with traditional Pyramid Lake patterns like the Midnight Cowboy or Martini Olive Pyramid Lake Bugger. With cold winter water temperatures, slowing down your retrieve is key. Adding slight pauses between strips gives trout more time to commit to the fly. Vary your retrieve cadence throughout the day to dial in the most effective Pyramid Lake stripping technique.
The indicator bite at Pyramid Lake has remained strong and continues to be a preferred method for many anglers during the winter fly fishing season. Fish are eating both Balanced Leech patterns and Holo Midges. If the lake is wavy, try fishing a Balanced Leech on the bottom fly of your setup, as wave action adds extra movement. Size 6 Balanced Leeches are a solid choice on windy days. While color preferences change daily, Midnight Cowboy and Peacock color variations remain consistently reliable.
The Midge bite is going strong and should only improve as we move toward February and March. As with Balanced Leeches, Midge patterns fish well in a range of sizes depending on conditions. On wavy days, sizes 8–10 are effective since trout can locate them more easily in turbid water. On calm days, Micro Holo Midges in size 12 have performed well. This time of year is ideal for experimenting with indicator depth and fly spacing.
On flat calm days, anglers have also found success fishing midge patterns all the way down to size 18. The Zebra Midge in Black/Silver or Red/Copper can be effective in these conditions, though landing large Pyramid Lake trout on a small hook can be challenging. Other patterns like the Duracell or Hot Cheek nymphs in sizes 12–16 remain excellent winter attractor flies when fish are less selective.
Pyramid Lake flies we suggest; Balanced Leech, Micro Midge, Holographic Midge, Duracell, Hot Cheek, BH Zebra Midge, Pyramid Lake Bugger, Booby Fly
We have recently reloaded our used fly fishing gear inventory, available in-store and online at Reno Fly Shop. We currently have a strong selection of used and Open Box fly rods and reels, all marked down significantly and in new or lightly used condition. This is a great opportunity to refresh your Pyramid Lake or Truckee River setup ahead of your next trip or adventure vacation.
There are some truly unique finds in this batch, including one-of-a-kind items, prototypes, and hard-to-find gear, available while supplies last.
If you’re interested in trading in fly fishing gear, check out how the process works on our website, fill out the trade submission form, or swing by the shop to chat with our team.
RE-UP PROGRAM
USED RODS
USED REELS
Here are some fun examples of what is available. There are plenty more on our website.
