FISHING REPORT – August 25, 2016
Main Truckee River
Lake Tahoe to Prosser Creek Confluence
Rivers flows near the town of Truckee have begun to drop as Lake Tahoe approaches its natural rim. Water is being released from Prosser Reservoir, water flows improve significant below this confluence Overnight lows are helping a ton with water temps but they are still creeping up in the afternoons. It would be a good idea to only fish early mornings, or late evenings through this reach. Take a thermometer with you and please consider giving the fish a rest when the temperatures reach 68 degrees and higher.
CURRENT TRUCKEE RIVER FLOWS AT GAGE NEAR TOWN OF TRUCKEE (ABOVE PROSSER CREEK CONF.)
Little Truckee River Confluence to City of Reno
Flows from Boca Reservoir are remaining typical for this time of year. Temps are good and fishing has been pretty solid early morning and later in the afternoon through sunset. Things can slow down in mid afternoon which is typical during the Dog Days of Summer.
Midges are common early morning transitioning into Caddis and Crayfish in the late morning as fish begin to move off of the morning hatch. Focus on highly oxygenated moving water for your best chance to find fish. When fishing Crayfish target areas where riffles are dumping into pools. Also try to keep you Caddis flies moving through the drift to best represent these very active swimmers. The trout want to chase these bugs down and your success will hinge on giving the trout what they want. You can hear Ralph Cutter suggest how to fish Caddis and Crayfish on Episode 19 of the Reno Fly Shop Podcast.
We have seen a bunch of Stonefly shucks on rocks during recent guide trips. The trout will be all over these big bugs as they try to fatten up for winter. Prepare for the fish to slow down on the Crayfish bite in the coming weeks and transition onto the Stonefly and October Caddis.
CURRENT TRUCKEE RIVER FLOWS AT GAGE NEAR FARAD (BELOW LT CONFLUENCE)
Flies: Pheasant Tail #14 and #16, Biot Epoxy Stone, Copper Johns #16 and #18, E/C Caddis, Missing Link #12 and #14, Bellyache Minnow, Bead Head Olive Wooly Bugger, G6 Caddis, Dead Drift Crayfish and the Skipper Stone.
City of Sparks downstream to the Reservation Boundary
Now is the time to break out the Pyramid Lake rod and chase down some Carp. They will be found tailing along the edges and if you put the drop onto them carefully you can be rewarded with a huge fish. Common Carp and Mirror Carp can be found. Try to cast to feeding fish. The Carp that are basking and or napping are not worth the time and will only become wary and even more cautious when spooked. For some suggestions on flies and tactics listen to a RFS Podcast Classic with Darin Elmore.
Flies: D’s Hoover Mover, Carp Tickler, Pest Control and the Rusty Backstabber
Lake Davis and Frenchman’s Reservoir
Surface water temps at Lake Davis and Frenchman’s are still pretty high and we suggest giving it some time to cool. Cool evenings and afternoon winds will make quick work of this task and Lake Davis should shape up very soon. We are hoping for great Fall fishing with good levels and access from the boat ramp this should be a great time. If you are in the Lake Davis area we suggest that you fish early in the morning and then into deep water as the day progresses. Early morning hatches of Midge, Callibaetis and terrestrials, then switching to streamers or chironomids under an indicator are the preferred methods to fish these lakes in late summer. As you make your Fall fishing plans consider booking a trip with our good friend Jon Baiocchi of Baiocchi Troutfitters at Lake Davis
Flies: Balanced Leech Canadian Olive and Diablo, Wiggle Tail, Red Eye Damsel, Sheep Creek Special, CDC Comparadun, Flying Ant, SST Leech, Blood Midge, Patient Midge and the Red Eye Midge.
Marlette and Hobart Reservoirs
This is the time of the year to try and get away from the heat. Heading up to 8000 feet is an effective way to accomplish this goal. Both of these fisheries are producing great fish, mostly of top, but sub surface is always a good way to get into these fish. Fishing should slow mid-day but will pick up again later in the evening as it begins to cool off again.
Flies: Balanced Leech, CDC Callibaetis Comparadun, Parachute Ant, Chirono-Cone, Yankee Buzzer, Gee Leech and the SST Leech