Fly Fishing Report for late September 2017

Sep 29, 2017 | FISHING REPORT

Todays fishing report was prepared by our in-house guides, Mike Anderson and Matthew Needs. These guys spend a lot of time on the water with clients and refining their own skills. If you would like to learn a bunch about our local waters and to spend a day with one of these great guys give us a call at the shop soon to get onto their guiding calendars.


Truckee River and Tributaries

 

Water temperatures are cooling down very quickly with freezing temperatures in the early mornings and highs barely breaking the mid 60’s in the upper watershed. Fish have really begun to move around and can be found in slower runs and tailouts of pools. Cooler temperatures mean that fish are beginning to become more active in the late morning all the way through the evening. Slowly swinging or retrieving streamers in the morning before the sun is on the water can be very effective, increasing the speed of your retrieve in the afternoon through evening as the water warms can bring great strikes.

Current Flow Conditions on the Truckee River at the Farad Gage

Nymphing is still the most effective way to fish the Truckee River. Focus on seams and slower runs and they lead into pools. Using ESN techniques will get your flies down quickly into the strike zone as variable depths can provide a challenging drift for indicator rigs. Use heavily weighted flies or split shot to help you reach your depth quickly.

Current Flow Conditions on the Truckee River in Downtown Reno

Flies we suggest: Quill Jig #12 #14 #16, Psycho May #16 #14, Dead Drift Crayfish, Sculpzilla white and natural, Weir Sculpin, Articulated Trout Slider, Cheech Leech, Pheasant tail #14, Mercer’s Biot Epoxy Stone

Brian sneaking in a long lunchbreak in downtown Reno


Frenchmen’s Reservoir and Lake Davis

Fishing has really begun to pick up here as the surface temps have dropped significantly. This drop in temperatures will prolong the amount of time that fish will feed in shallower water. Floating, hover, and intermediate sink lines are perfect for this time of year.

High sun could put the fish into deeper water as they retreat to deeper water where light penetration gradually declines. This depth will change depending on fish behavior and daily sun strength, but 10 feet is a good place to start. Fly selection has not changed much from the last report. Focusing on leech or attractor streamers early and around vegetation is a fun and productive way to fish. Switching to midges with or without an indicator as streamer effectiveness declines will prolong fishing success. Dry fly possibilities exist early and late in the day with Callibaetis and midge dries size 16 to 20.

Flies that we suggest: Sheep Creek Special, Gee Leech olive, peacock, chartreuse, and blood purple, Yankee Buzzer, Chironocone, Gilled Nymph, CDC Comparadun Callibaetis and Damsel Nymphs


Pyramid Lake

Just a few days now before the opener!! Water temperatures are continuing to drop, but bait balls and rolling trout have been seen from shore. On a few scouting trips, we have seen trout close to the surface feeding in the afternoon which is a great sign!

The quiet before the storm!

Using a float tube can be very effective early in the season, but may not be necessary if these fish are willing to venture into shallow warm water to feed. We have seen some algae blooms as is normal for this time of year. They are short lived and should hopefully not effect fishing.

Looking forward to a great season!! The guide calendar is filling up with a few dates available before things begin to get really cold. Call today to set up a day to come fishing with Mike.

Flies that we suggest for the opener: Wooly worms in white, chartreuse and midnight cowboy, Jan’s Tui Chub, the Bellyache Minnow and Boobies Cat Whisker, Spanish Olive and the NEW hot pattern Dirty Martini.

Good luck
Mike Anderson and Matthew Needs


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