The first week of February 2024 was fantastic on both the Truckee River and Pyramid Lake. With a scattering of storms rolling through the region, fishing conditions have changed day to day. The slightly warmer and overcast days have fared best on the river, while the downright nasty days have been best at Pyramid Lake. With a mix of sun and cloud cover for the coming weekend, it’s time to get out and fish!
We have availability for guided trips on both the Truckee River and Pyramid Lake through February. Fishing is just getting better and warmer storms are in the forecast, don’t miss out on prime time Pyramid Lake! March is almost booked out- so don’t miss your shot at a fish of a lifetime!
Truckee River
Early February on the Truckee River started out with some spectacular dry fly fishing. From now until mid-March, the Truckee River can have some solid hatches of Blue Winged Olive (BWO) mayflies. Additionally, midge hatches have occurred earlier in the day around 10am-12pm. For the Blue Winged Olive, carry a few patterns to present different life stages of the insect. The Baetis Cripple is a killer fly in the early stages of a hatch as it imitates a BWO that is “stuck in the shuck” as it attempts to hatch. Additionally, a fly like the Parachute Adams will fish as an adult BWO with a fully operational wing. When fishing the midge hatch earlier in the morning, the Parachute Adams in a small size also works great. If fish won’t take the Parachute, try switching over to either a Griffiths Gnat or a Pulsating Emerger.
Truckee River brown trout eat dry flies
Nymph fishing has been hit or miss. In sections where fish are eating off the surface, the nymphing has been tougher overall. Focus your nymph fishing in the time leading up to a hatch. This means you could try fishing a midge like the Hot Butt or the Zebra Midge from around 9am-11am; followed by a BWO nymph like the Micro Mayfly or the Spanish Bullet from 10am-1pm. Of course these windows can change significantly based on weather conditions. If the wind comes up in the afternoon, it can erase any surface activity and will likely push fish to feed subsurface again on nymphs.
Dave with a healthy winter brown trout
Flies we Suggest: Micro Mayfly, Spanish Bullet, Perdigon, Jig TNT’s, Psycho May, Galloup’s Jig BWO, Baetis Cripple, Pull Over BWO, Zebra Midge, Griffiths Gnat
Pyramid Lake
Colder storms have moved into our area for what feels like the first time this year. Colder temperatures have slowed fishing down a little bit, but the fish will acclimate quickly. We’ve been catching a lot of numbers recently with a few larger fish scattered in. Fish are getting into shallow water. A lot of the fish that we have been catching have been in 6’ of water.
Early morning at Pyramid Lake
That being said, the strip bite has been the best way to target the LCT. Your typical fair of boobies, beetles, and buggers, but with one caveat, the fish have been targeting either lighter flies or darker flies on a given day. Try both a dark and light fly- once you notice the fly color the fish are liking fish both flies the same color.
Max with a hefty LCT
The indicator bite has still been catching fish. Balanced leeches are fishing well, in the lighter colors like the previous On The Water report, but we are not far away from the midge bite really taking off. Darker midges (wine, black, brown, purple) have been working the best. Fish have been 5’-10’ down depending on the day and cloud cover.
Flies We Suggest: Holo Midge, Micro Midge, Balanced Leech, Pyramid Lake Beetle, Booby, Pyramid Lake Bugger
Cast One, Win One
The NEW Orvis Helios is available now at the Reno Fly Shop! Come in to the shop and cast the new Helios to enter our drawing for a FREE HELIOS OF YOUR CHOOSING. We have a select models available for purchase including the Helios D in 9′ 5wt and 9′ 8wt.
Winner will be announced at the IF4 event on March 9th at Revision Brewing. Swing by the shop, cast the rod, and provide contact information- its that simple.
IF4 March 9th @ Revision Brewing
Join us March 9th, 2024 at Revision Brewing for our viewing of The International Fly Fishing Film Festival and raffle. Tickets run $20 per entry and include a free Revision Beer with your purchase. This event sold out last year- so get your tickets soon! Event is 21+. Raffle tickets will be available for general raffle prizes- while the winner of the Cast One, Win One raffle will be announced! Tickets available in-store as well as online. CLICK HERE for tickets.
