Truckee River
The Truckee River is holding steady and 340 cfs, but temperatures are fluctuating quite a bit. Some days have been better than others, but the fish have been steady in water that is a walking pace and slower. Fish are putting on weight for the winter and are eating well in the afternoons and evenings when things start to warm up. We have been focusing on smaller baetis patterns and attractor flies in an #14-18. Streamer fishing has been ok but has slowed from the peak earlier this Fall. Some days we are moving a few fish with white or olive streamers, and other days fish are focused solely on nymphs.
European Style Nymphing is still suggested tactic for the Truckee River, but with fish moving into slower deeper water indicator nymphing has been very productive as well. Afternoon hatches have not been uncommon especially from midday until sunset due to clear warmer days but could change with a few storms with cooler temps in the forecast. On warmer days the mayflies are pale evening duns and on cooler days they are blue winged olives. Finding longer glides at the end of a run can produce actively rising fish during strong hatches.
Flies we suggest: Carot, Spanish Bullet, Quill Jig, Hot Spot, CDC Red Tag, Hot Cheek, Mylar Prince, The One, Para Adams, The Ticket, Psycho May BWO
Pyramid Lake
Morning fishing from shore has been fairly productive with indicators and balanced leeches and retrieving wooly buggers and booby flies. After the morning rush, fishing from shore cools off considerably. The LCT will move into deeper water, but most of the active fish are below 50’, too deep to effectively employ a fly line even with heavy flies. Not to mention the effects of catching fish at that depth and bringing them to the surface can be hazardous to the trout. We released a podcast episode with Nancy Vucinich from the Pyramid Lake Fisheries a while back and in it we discuss the hazards of catching trout at depth and some of the suggested handling methods to minimize negative impacts to the fish.
Try focusing on the deeper beaches and drop offs when the fishing gets slow. Schools are coming by sporadically throughout the day. The Lake is still turning-over. With continued cold weather and some wind it should flip quickly and fishing from shore should pick up dramatically.
Flies We Suggest: Boobies (Martini Olive, Cat Whisker, Diablo), Pyramid Lake Beetle, Bellyache Minnow, Jans Tui-Chub, Balanced Leech, Holographic Midge