Here at the Reno Fly Shop we are committed to providing the highest quality retail and guiding experience to you and our community. With all of the reactions and directives surrounding COVID-19 and local governments initiatives to quell the spread of the virus, we have evolved our means to provide you with the gear and experiences you desire. We will continue our retail operations with online and phone ordering. Free Shipping on all orders over $25 dollars. Additionally you will receive a gift certificate of $25 on orders over $100.
We have arrived at these adaptations with deep consideration, recognition and sensitivity to the information available to us at this time. We will continue to review and monitor this fluid situation and will adapt our operations accordingly. Please be patient to any changes we implement and know that we will continue to do our part in maintaining a level of service to you, as well as, doing our part to flatten the curve of the expanding pandemic.
If and when you get out to the water. Please do so safely and observe all recommended precautions and physical distancing between others. Be safe and have fun.
Jim Litchfield and Mike Anderson
Truckee River
The flow of the Truckee River has increased nearly three fold from our last report. The Downtown Reno gauge is sitting at 660 cfs at the time of this report. We saw the river turn to chocolate milk for a few days after the initial push of water but it has cleared to good clarity and continues to get better, and fishing well! You may have to adjust where you fish, 600+ cfs is a strong flow, but with more water comes more food and the fish are responding according. Skwalla stoneflies, BWO’s, and Caddis hatches are occuring on most days, and even if the trout aren’t rising they certainly are feeding sub-surface. Look for additional storms and warming weather to bump flows from day to day. The river may become dirty with flow bumps.
With the increased flow, fish are sitting in fast to moderate speed water. This has prompted us to pivot back to European Style Nymphing methods as getting to depth is key. We’re focusing on the afternoon bite, allowing the water to warm a bit and waiting for the hatches to begin. With all the activity and food in the water steamer fishing has already proven to be an effective technique. Especially when water clarity is not ideal. Focus on presentation and depth and the trout are sure to follow.
Flies we suggest: Spanish Bullet, Quill Jig, Hot Spot, Zebra Midge, Baetis Nymphs, Carot, The Ticket, Parachute Adams, Parachute Olive, Psycho May BWO, ID Theft, Sculpzilla, Weirs Sculpin
Area Lakes and Reservoirs
Many of our area lakes and reservoirs are open and fishing very well. The very light winter we have had has largely kept these ice free and fishing well from a float tube, raft or from the banks.
Many of your Pyramid Lake techniques and flies can be used here in that the trout behavior is largely the same in these cold winterlike conditions. As things warm up you will have great success adapting to more localized insect focussed diet but for now Balanced Leech and Holographic Midge can put a good number of fish in the net.
Here is one of our classic podcast episodes with Phil Rowley. In it we review some of the tactics and technques that work on many of our area stillwaters. If you make it out please let us know how it goes by tagging us on your social media posts or dropping us a message. Good luck!!!
CLICK HERE FOR PHIL’S STILLWATER LEADER FORMULA
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