Truckee River
The Truckee River is flowing at 255 cfs through the downtown Reno gauge. River temps are getting down into low 30s overnight but still warming up into the afternoon enough to allow some increased bug activity. Even with the consistently clear skies and high pressure, BWOs have been hatching well later in the afternoon. A lot of these mayflies are around a size 14. I typically like to start by throwing a size smaller than the naturals as this will allow for some leeway when drifts are not perfect. Another dry fly tip is to focus on the rise forms of the trout. Really make sure that their mouths are breaking the surface in making a fly selection. At times trout will focus on the emerging insects even when adults are present. When eating the emerging insect the rise form will create a ripple on the water. This might be the opportunity to fish a double dry or dry dropper with the dropper being an unweighted small nymph like the WD-40 or Baetis Cripple. These flies will suspend in the surface film and allow you to watch the leading dry fly as an indicator of a strike. If you are interested in learning more about this tactic, swing by the shop and ask any of us for more details.
Nymphing has still been effective with small midge, baetis patterns, and attractor flies. Streamers are also a good technique this time of year. I like to focus on banks and shadow lines to target the larger trout in this way.
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
Not a lot of change at the lake. Higher pressure has still made fishing good one day and tough the next. Luckily, we are heading into a very good moon phase and we’re hoping for some weather soon. Future forecasts are in conflict about the next few weeks’ weather pattern, but it looks like some storms may be coming soon.
Balanced leeches have been the most effective fly still. Lighter colors leeches are my go to fly with a few takes on midges but we’re still a little early for the heavy midge bite with the surface temps well below 50 degrees. With the high sun and bluebird skies fish have been around 10 feet down. We have focused our time in the early morning and evening. During lower light conditions we have caught fish in as little as 6 feet of water.
Pyramid Lake Flies we Suggest: Balanced Leech, Holographic Midge, Pyramid Lake Fly Selection, Boobies (Spanish Olive, Cat Whisker, Diablo), Pyramid Lake Beetle, Bellyache Minnow, Jans Tui-Chub, Pyramid Lake Selection
NEW Fly Tying Tutorial and Fly Tying Kit for the Holographic Midge
Now is the time to start your prep for midge season at Pyramid Lake. Mike Anderson recently sat down at the vice to show his way to tie the Holographic Midge pattern which is simply our go-to pattern during the late portion of the season. Check out Mike’s video tutorial that gives you step-by-step instructions on tying your own
We have also put together a super convenient kit that delivers all of the materials to you to follow along and tie your own. We offer kits in all of the color variations we offer here in the shop so you can get creative and fine tune your box for the springtime.
