Truckee River
With recent cold and wet storms the river has dropped in temperature dramatically. With water temperatures in the low 30’s fish are in such a slow metabolic rate that finding actively feeding fish is going to be difficult/rare. Focusing on deeper pools and slow runs will be important. Covering water effectively and at depth will be key to fishing until the water warms back up in to the high 30’s and low 40’s. Just last week we had water temps into the low 40s and the fishing was good for winter. I expect that amount of activity to return once we get some warmer days behind us.
Skwalla stoneflies are prolific in the system right now. They are a smaller stonefly when compared to the Golden Stonefly so you’ll want to fish sizes 10 to 6 to better imitate this specific food item. As always, when flows swing dramatically San Juan worms will be a very productive fly. Lastly, using attractor patterns can also entice a fish to bite as we are heading out of winter and into spring.
CURRENT TRUCKEE RIVER FLOW AT DOWNTOWN RENO GAGE
CURRENT TRUCKEE RIVER TEMPERATURE AT SPARKS GAGE
Flies That We Suggest: Perdigon Black #16, Zebra Midge, Micro May, Para Baetis, Moorish May Emerger, Para Adams, Squirmy Wormy, San Juan Worm, Wire Worm, (new fly) Cone Head Stonefly and (new fly) Double Bead Stonefly
Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake has been fishing very well during recent storms!
Fish are starting to spread out again and are not concentrated on either end of the lake. This has been really enjoyable as we are catching fish all over the lake and in new places that the high water has revealed to contain a deep drop off. Fish are keying in on midges pretty heavily, but I’m still using a balanced leech to start the day until/or unless the fish start eating only midges in which case I’ll run two midges. Look for rising air temperatures throughout the day and the next coming months to really trigger these massive midge hatches the the fish seem to key in on almost exclusively.
Retrieving on shallower beaches, or on days where wind and weather are very strong has been the key to getting fish on a slower day. Fish have been holding is a little deeper water when to lake is really tempestuous. This is not ideal for indicator fishing, but can be very effective and fun for days fish aren’t running close to shore.
Flies we suggest: Holographic Midge, Cat Whisker Booby, Dirty Martini Booby, Spanish Olive Booby, Midnight Cowboy, Balanced Leech (peacock, diablo, candian olive), Marabou Midge,
Pyramid Lake Beetle
THIRD THURSDAY HAPPY HOUR WITH MIKE ANDERSON
Join us February 21 for a Happy Hour here at the shop featuring Mike Anderson. Mike will be tying a couple of his favorite Pyramid Lake patterns that he shares with his clients and answering questions on Pyramid Lake and the Truckee River.
We will get going around 6. As always this is a low key fun event to get together over a couple of drinks and to catch up on what is happening.
Call or stop by the shop for more info. Details can also be found on our event calendar.