Fly fishing Report | Truckee River and Pyramid Lake | mid November

Nov 12, 2021 | FISHING REPORT, Pyramid Lake, Reno Fly Shop, Truckee River


The Truckee River and Pyramid Lake have settled down from our recent storms and are both fishing well. Neither are putting up great numbers as would be expected this time of year. But the lucky anglers that are getting out are being rewarded with some great fish. Looks like this weather pattern with us until the Thanksgiving holiday so get out there and enjoy it while the getting is good.


Truckee River

The big Truckee River has cleared up and flows are just above average flow at the downtown Reno gage. These flows, just over 400 cfs, are great levels to access some of the less fished spots on the river. The fish have more than enough water to move around but are concentrated in typical spots to be able to find.

Bugs have also been somewhat predictable for this time of year. Midge, stoneflies, baetis and the occasional October Caddis have been on the menu for the feeding trout. Temps are staying cool enough to have most of the fish we are finding in slower water (but not quite froggy winter water) and out of the faster riffles. A few of the recent cloudy days have allowed decent BWO hatches and some trout were looking up. This should continue to improve as winter settles in so don’t give up on the cloudy drizzly days. Especially out east where the winter can have some of the best dry fly fishing of the year on the Truckee River. 


NEW Shooting Line from Cortland the Cold Sink 8 has been a staff favorite through the Early Season at Pyramid

We have mostly transitioned from suggestive searching flies to more imitative patterns as the water has cleared. The streamer bite has been consistently inconsistent but well worth the effort when you do finally the combination of streamer and feeding trout.

Aden with a Trinity River steelhead

Flies we suggest: Ready Baetis, Psycho Mayfly, Zebra Midge, Pandemic Mayfly, Masked Marauder, CDC Pheasant Tail, Pullover BWO, Parachute Adams, D&D Olive/Yellow, Heisenberg Cowboy and Cheech Leech


Pyramid Lake

Things have been improving at Pyramid Lake since the significant rainfall a few weeks ago. Water clarity has improved and the new fresh water that fell on the lake and came in from the river and tributaries has mixed making much more favorable conditions for the trout to go on their bite. We are in that time in the season when we begin to transition from the Early Season to the Middle Season. This is typically when numbers will drop off and the bigger fish are caught more consistently.

Best conditions have been in unsettled weather or windy/wavey conditions. If that isn’t what is being served up when you are out there, don’t give up. Focus on low light conditions if you find calm conditions.

Dress for Success

Both the stripping and indicator bite have been equally good. You might have to experiment until you find what the fish are keying on. Swing by the shop and find out the day to day reports we have coming in from anglers.

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

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