Fall will be coming soon! Some leaves have already begun changing color. Our local waters and specifically the Truckee River have begun seasonal changes as well. As we transition into fall and then winter a few things happen that can make fishing truly incredible.
To kick things off our wild brown trout will begin their spawn. Spawning behavior is marked by aggressive trout building redds (nests) and fighting for position to breed. At the beginning of this period you can target the trout with larger streamers in hope of eliciting a territorial or aggressive strike.
As the spawn truly begins the trout will begin to disperse eggs into the river. This encourages excessive feeding from both rainbow, brown trout and whitefish. While it is tempting to target the fish sitting on their redds it is best to leave them alone and look for the fish downstream several hundred feet that will be queuing up for the eggs floating downstream. Eggs and large stoneflies are good patterns to use.
As the spawn winds down, fish will begin to pack on weight for the winter months and relocate to winter habitat. This period is defined by aggressive behavior in both consumption of calories and territorial aggressiveness. Streamers again are a great approach.
In the next few weeks look for a change in the location and behavior of our trout population. The browns will queue their spawn and rainbows will follow the browns to feed. This will have many trout leaving their summer holding and feeding water to areas more conducive to creating their redds. If you can’t find them in the water you have been all summer; look around, they are there.
For now, the trout are focused on crayfish, small nymphs, and Caddis patterns. The crayfish abundance will taper soon, but the fish will be looking for them even after they are gone. Mayfly patterns should be kept around #16-#20. A very effective pattern in the Fall is the Pearl & Orange jig in #16-#18. This fly has just enough flash and color to really find the fish’s interest. Lastly the caddis should be fished in a size #14-#16.
Flies we suggest: Pearl & Orange, OCD Caddis, TJ Hooker, Pats Rubber Leg, Emma Stone, Cray Z Emma, Lightning Bug, Hot Butt, Thin Mint, Pandemic PMD, Trout Bead, Truckee River Selection
Area Stillwaters
Some of our seasonal stillwaters are fishing ok. Seems to be good one day and not the next. With great weather season opening we have been getting out and having good days. Mostly deep water slip indicator fishing in water around 15-30 feet. Things should continue to improve and become more consistent and temps drop.
Flies we suggest: Holo Midge, Micro Holo Midge, Balanced Chub, Balanced Leech, Mini Jig Leech, Yankee Buzzer, Belly Ache Minnow, Red Eye Damsel
We have some openings for the East Walker River and Pyramid is just about to kick off!! As the year is ramping down we’re just ramping up, call and book today!