Ground Hog Day came and went last week and while he saw his shadow that portends for continued winter; it certainly doesn’t look like it with the weather we have had over the past several weeks. Bluebird conditions have persisted since early January and we have eagerly awaited a return to winter. Maybe the gopher actually knows something as there is weather pattern change forecasted for next week and into the beginning of March.
Even with the distractingly nice weather the fishing has been solid. Pyramid Lake is performing as would be expected in the combination of mid-winter temps and high pressure. Good at one beach and slow at the other. The river has been the performer as of late. Fish are eating well and showing the girth.
Truckee River
The Truckee river is flowing at 250 cfs through the downtown gauge that is well below the median for this time of year (400 cfs). The river is in really good shape as the weather has kept the river temperatures above freezing at night and ending the day in the low 40’s. The trout have responded to the increased temperatures and they are feeding heavily and are putting on weight. Midge, baetis, and Skwala stoneflies are the main feed right now. We are fishing mostly subsurface as we have not had a lot of the cloud cover that brings the blue winged olives to the surface. One the warmer afternoons we have found surface feeding fish along foam lines and tucked up into quieter eddies. Fortunately, nymphing and streamer fishing has been very effective.
As always with winter fishing using attractor patterns like worms and eggs can be very effective as well. The trout are still holding in slower water, but on these warmer days they have pushed into faster water then you may be expecting. I really like to focus on seams and if you can find an eddy or slow pool with flow alongside it you’ve hit the jackpot.
Truckee River Flies We Suggest: Baetis Cripple, Pull Over BWO, French Nymph, Parachute Adams, Black BH Zebra Midge 18-20, Olive Psycho May, Ready Baetis, Drunk and Disorderly, Truckee River Dozen
Pyramid Lake
Fishing has changed quite a bit out at the lake. We are seeing the typical transition the LCT make every year where they begin to focus heavily on midges and begin to make their way into shallow water to feed. With the high pressure and blue-bird weather, fishing has been inconsistent. Some days have great numbers, others are producing few fish but good quality, and still others are producing zero fish.
When the cutthroat get shallow like they do this time of year they tend into one of two personality types. The first personality is the cruiser. This fish will swim along the drop off opportunistically picking off food. The second personality is the chaser. This fish is on the hunt looking to pounce on whatever moves. We will fish under an indicator with two midges for the cruiser, anywhere from 4-9 feet down, tending more towards the down side than deep. For the chaser, we will strip sinking lines with boobies and burgers. We tend to fish a light colored booby fly and a dark bugger or a dark booby and dark bugger. Strip speed can make or break your day for these chasing fish. Don’t get stuck using only one way. Experiment with your retrieve until you find the correct timing.
Pyramid Lake Flies we Suggest: Holographic Midge, 49er Pyramid Lake Fly Selection, Boobies Spanish Olive, Cat Whisker, Dark Lord, Pyramid Lake Beetle, Midnight Cowboy, Martini Olive
Happy Hour with Mike Anderson, Aden Breckner and Matt Cullen – FAQ on Pyramid Lake and the Truckee River
We are excited to re-start our Happy Hour Series. This event will be in-person at the shop with a panel of your favorite Reno Fly Shop staff.
Mike, Aden and Matt will be able to discuss the most FAQ we get here in the shop on Pyramid Lake and the Truckee River. But they will be prepared for any topic that might come up.
Happy Hour and Q&A
When: February 17th @ 6:00
Where: Here at the Reno Fly Shop
What it is: Panel discussion on FAQ Mike Anderson, Aden Breckner and Matt Cullen.
What to bring: This is a FREE event that will start about 6:00ish and go to about 8:30 here at the shop. We suggest you bring a drink if you would like one and questions/comments for the guys.