Late summer on the Truckee River presents a unique opportunity that many anglers overlook: fishing with mouse patterns during the warm summer nights. Warm dark evenings are ideal conditions to allow mice to come out in big numbers. Combine this with brown trout growing aggressive before fall, mouse flies can produce some of the most explosive strikes of the season.
The Truckee's healthy population of large brown trout makes it ideal for mouse fishing. These predatory fish, often holding in pocket water and deep pools during the day, become active hunters as darkness falls. The combination of cooler water temperatures in the evening and these small rodents falling into the water creates perfect conditions for this exciting technique.
Timing and Tactics
The magic hours typically begin around dusk and extend well into darkness. Focus on areas with overhanging vegetation, fallen logs, and deep banks where mice might naturally fall or swim across. Cast your mouse pattern close to structure and let it create a wake as you strip it across the surface. It is surprising how shallow brown trout will be during the night hours. Oftentimes they hunt in water no deeper than 4’. When presenting a mouse, make sure to fish water that you’d typically walk through during the day. The shallow areas of the river hold large food items such as baitfish, crayfish, and mice at night.
Fly Selection
Mouse presentations like the Mousey McMouseface, Morrish Mouse, and the Hair Mouse work well on the Truckee. Dark colors – black and brown – tend to be most effective. Size matters less than profile and movement, though patterns in the 2-6 inch range typically produce best results.
Essential Considerations
Late Summer flows on the Truckee can be lower and clearer than spring conditions, making stealth crucial. Use heavier tippet (0X-2X) to handle the aggressive strikes and potential structure. A headlamp is essential for safety, but use it sparingly to avoid spooking fish.
Mouse fishing the Truckee in August and September offers an unique alternative to more traditional fly fishing. While not always productive in terms of numbers, the quality of fish and excitement factor make it an unforgettable experience for adventurous anglers willing to fish the margins of darkness.
Moon phase is often discussed when planning an outing. While there are mixed opinions, it seems from experience that the most productive time to fish at night is around a new moon. There is little to no light at this time and fish seem to be more willing to eat a surface presentation. In times where the moon is near or in full phase, it is surprisingly well lit outside and you may cast shadows into the water. Fish can still eat mice, but your best bet is going during or near a new moon.
Thoughts on Safety
Fly fishing at night presents unique opportunities and challenges. Here are a few suggestions we have on safety that will make your night adventure more successful (and less painful!).
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Take a buddy. This is the time to reach out and grab that fishy friend that will stay up late with you. If you can't convince someone to go, let someone know when and where you will be. Darkness does interesting things to balance and depth perception. Having a buddy there to help spot hazards when fighting a fish and to net a fish is invaluable.
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Wear glasses (can we say this again?). This is less obvious but critically important. If you don't wear clear prescription glasses we encourage you to wear clear safety glasses. You will be casting quite a bit and if conditions are right (very dark) you will be essentially blind casting. You most likely won't be able to see your fly and will be required to cast by "feel". Not seeing your fly while casting will not allow you to duck in the event of an errant cast. Fishing barbless, especially at night, is a wise choice when fishing mice.
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Bring a headlamp. A headlamp will allow you to carry your rod, a wading staff or other gear and not have to worry about carrying a flashlight. Most good headlamps have a dimmer and red light option. These are both great features. A red light option is a great way to protect your eyes from being "blown out" by bright white light. The recovery time to see once your headlamp is turned off is significantly reduced when using the red light option as much as possible.
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Pick a spot you know. Select a section of the river you know intimately. Break this water down piece by piece. Being thorough in water you’re familiar with will increase your odds of success significantly. Its better to fish 100 yards of river well than a half mile you are unfamiliar with.
HAVE FUN!!!