Fly Fishing Report | Truckee River and area Stillwaters | mid September 2021 | Water Bottle Giveaway

Sep 16, 2021 | FISHING REPORT, Reno Fly Shop, Stillwater, Truckee River

Overview

Low flow conditions persist and National Forests are reopening soon. This should be just in time to enjoy late summer and early fall fly fishing. The Truckee River has been mostly open (outside of the national forest areas) and fishing very well. Overnight temps have kept water temps in a good range and if you find water you can find the fish. Read details below.

The Pyramid Lake season opener is just two weeks out. We have the best Pyramid Lake fly selection anywhere. These are available in store and online. We also have an extensive selection of rod, reels and fly lines for your Pyramid Lake set up this year. To celebrate the opener we are offering a special promo in our online store. Read below for more info.


Truckee River 

As we said in the last report, the Federal Water Master has begun throttled down flows on the Truckee River. To maintain as much water as possible in the river TMWA and the irrigation companies have been asked to shut off the power and irrigation ditches. This has left us with 65cfs through the downtown gauge. Temperatures on the river are staying cool even with the lower water. A significant cold front is forecasted for next week and should further improve things.

A Truckee River all dressed up in Fall colors

Interestingly, the flow in the river varies depending on where you are. It doesn’t follow typical convention where water flow increases moving downstream. Because the cities of Reno and Sparks receive about 85% of the municipal water supply from the river you will find some reaches with water and some with virtually none. This is unfortunate and admittedly, unnecessary. There are more creative diversion and management options do divert water. Especially, as TMWA states, water quality and biology is a management priority.

Fishing in sections that have water has been really good with a lot of fish eager to eat with the cooler temps. The steamer bite has picked up, and nymphing has remained productive as well as Hopper/dry dropper.

Rich getting in some early morning ESN fishing

Our nymph choices have been about the same over the past several weeks. Smaller nymphs #16-#18 but the sweet spot is a size 16 Perdigon in olive or black. We have also have had good production on jigged steamers and mini leeches as well. My go to steamer size is just under 2 inches. This allows smaller fish to eat it, and is more attractive for the larger fish because a smaller steamer is less work to hunt and eat. 

Truckee River Flies We Suggest: Hot Spot, Perdigon Olive, Perdigon Black, Frenchie, Jig Assassin, Splitcase PMD, Parachute Madam X, Stimulator, Mini Leech Bellyache Minnow, Wooly Bugger, Truckee River Dozen 

We like them all, large and small

Local Stillwaters

The U.S. Forests that are closed due to fire management are scheduled for reopening on Sept. 17. This is tentative and it is strongly encouraged that you research and confirm the forest you are accessing is in fact open. Here is a good article on the closures . When many of our local reservoirs reopen, we anticipate that, colder shorter days will have moved the fish into shallow water for longer. They will retreat to deeper water later in the day but from sun up to 1-ish the fish will shallow feeding along structure like drop offs and weed lines. Suspending a couple of nymphs and midges along these areas will be productive, as will retrieving smaller streamers and woolly buggers. Just like for our river report these fish are starting to get into fat storage mode and will feed heavily until the winter comes. 

Stillwater Flies We Suggest: Red Eye Damsel, Bead Head Woolly Bugger, Gilled Nymph, Carot, Yankee Buzzer, Parachute Adams, Zebra Midge, Balanced Leech, Mini Leech


WATER BOTTLE GIVEAWAY WITH $100 PURCHASE FROM OUR ONLINE STORE

Are you getting ready for the Pyramid Lake opener (Oct 1)? We are and we thought it would be a good idea to help you prep with a special promotion in our online store.

With any $100 purchase you will get a FREE 32oz. Reno Fly Shop Nalgene water bottle ($20 value). These colorful, virtually indestructible bottles are a great thing to have in your kit, on and off the water. 5 different custom color combinations are available and will be added to your order upon shipping. Be sure to select the Promo coupon at “check out” to claim your water bottle.

If you are interested in purchasing another bottle or all of the colors check out this link!

Stay tuned for more Pyramid Lake content and special offers coming up as the season gets going!!!!

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