Fly Fishing Report | Pyramid Lake and Truckee River | late December 2020

Dec 31, 2020 | FISHING REPORT, Pyramid Lake, Reno Fly Shop, Truckee River

Pyramid Lake

Fishing this week has been on and off. I believe this is due to a waxing to full moon and also fast moving storms that have pushed through our area. Fortunately, we have a few storms lined up in the new year, and this consistently should really increase the bite out at the lake. 

Matt with a tank on a calm day.

We have been focusing mostly on the indicator bite, but we have had some very productive days retrieving Boobies when the indicator bite is slow. White or black or both colors have been working for the Booby and dark Balanced Leeches are still my go to fly for the indicator, though the midge bite should begin to increase in the near future. 

Flies we suggest: Boobies (Spanish Olive, Cat Whisker, Diablo), Pyramid Lake Beetle, Bellyache Minnow, Jans Tui-Chub, Balanced Leech, Holographic Midge 


Truckee River 

Not a lot has changed for the Truckee River. The river  is at 210 CFS through the downtown gauge. We have a few storms rolling in through the area over the next couple of weeks. This can really help out the dry fly fishing as overcast days promote the hatching of blue winged olives. A size 18-16 Parachute Adams or Pullover BWO imitation has worked well. 

You really want to focus your fishing around 11 to just before dark as this is when the water is at it’s warmest and the fish are most active. 

Drifting small dark nymphs (20-16) has been the most productive. Focus on slow water or slow water seams with the occasional passes through faster runs depending on the trouts activity level. Overcast days have produced some Blue Winged Olive hatches with fish happily rising to them. 

Truckee River Flies We Suggest: Spanish Bullet, Quill Jig, Hot Spot, CDC Red Tag, Zebra Midge, Ready Baetis, Carot, Hot Butt, Pullover BWO, Micro Mayfly


This is the last fly fishing report for 2020. Everyone at the Reno Fly Shop want to thank you for spending time with us, supporting the shop and following all of our different content. The support has been amazing and very much appreciated. To state the obvious, this has been a challenging year. One that we have had to adapt and change in ways that we did not anticipate one year ago. With all of the difficulties many opportunities have been shown as well. The most of which is the great connection we have had the chance to make with so many of you, our customers. And for that, we are truly grateful.

Happy New Year and we hope it is fun and safe for everyone. Stay connected.

Reno Fly Shop Staff and Guides

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