Fishing Report

Written by Lost Coast Outfitters

Filed under

Frtruckee, frtruckeeriver, Truckee River

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Jan 21, 2025

Written by Lost Coast Outfitters

Matt "Gilligan" Koles reports on January 18th, 2025

Cold nights, warm afternoons on the Truckee River.

Upper teens in Truckee at night, 40's in the afternoons.

Lets look at that... When it's really cold at night, that's really going to lower the water temps. That will put the fish in the very slow water--"frog water" as we like to say. You will have to poke them in the nose with your flies. I would not start early, rather later in the day. Look for water that's about 3-5 feet deep. Slow walking pace water. If and when it warms up during the day, you can fish riffles and tops of runs, as the water will warm and fish will move up, looking for food.

In Reno, it's a bit warmer and you will find more active fish, usually. Key word is usually.

Out east on the lower Truckee River, East of Reno, it will be much warmer than any other section.

Lets look at that... This is where you will have your best consistent winter angling opportunities. Why? Well, it's warmer. Look for some of the best dry fly fishing on the entire river to happen down there shortly. Probably about the the next 10 days. That and the streamer fishing is what really floats my boat.

That's the report for the weather we're having right now. If we get big, wet storms that can change everything. The Truckee River fishes like a steelhead river. You get the rain, you get the fish. End of January for that?

Written by Lost Coast Outfitters

Filed under

Frtruckee, frtruckeeriver, Little Truckee, Truckee River

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Dec 16, 2024

Written by Lost Coast Outfitters

Matt Heron Reports on December 16th, 2024

As I write this report, it’s finally white in Truckee. This weekend’s storm brought the first significant snowfall of the season. We’re fully expecting the fish and the bugs to react well to this low pressure for the rest of the week and beyond as winter storm season begins.

FLOWS: Flows throughout the entire system are perfect for this time of year. From Truckee to Boca, we saw a nice little push of water this week giving the Truckee River a much needed flush. It’s holding steady around 137cfs as of today.

The same in the canyon section of the Truckee River, below Boca to the NV border. Down in Farad, flows are 444cfs, again, perfect in my opinion. Fishing in the canyon this time of year can be a great excuse to get away from people too. Generally, most winter tourists stay up near town. Don’t be afraid to hike a bit to get away from the crowds.

FLIES: Although I was up north for most of the weather, our guides reported good baetis hatches on both rivers once the clouds rolled in earlier this week. This isn’t surprising if you’ve ever read any of my winter reports.

Always have a good selection of sz 18-22 baetis patterns in nymphs, emergers, cripples and duns. You simply can’t go wrong, even if there’s no hatch.

Midges are always a good bet too. No secrets here, have a bunch of 18-24s (smaller flies for up higher on the river where it’s low and clear), larvae, pupae and adults. Any variations of zebra midges and adults will be fine.

Slightly bigger bugs may include winter stones, worms, eggs and rubberlegs. Have a good mix with these options will put you in a position to catch any fish on the river right now.

And don’t overlook the streamer thing too. I’m a big fan of dead drifting them anytime during the winter, or even slow stripping them on cloudy, or “crappy” days. The fish will chase occasionally, even with cold water.

TECHNIQUES: It’s a bit of everything right now, but we’re getting a lot of fish on indicator or Euro rigs. No surprise there. Really focus your attention on deeper, slower runs. Fish the bottom and add weight and adjust that indicator as needed.

As you’d assume, if any winter noses show themselves with baetis or midges, it’s game on! There are very few anglers tossing dries right now and it’s always good to be prepared for the winter hatch.

If you really want to “swing for the fences”, don’t be afraid to strip or swing streamers. I typically downsize them to three inches or less when the water is clear and cold. This can be an underutilized technique in the winter to try and get a big fish.

Other Local Options-

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: I’ll keep this short and sweet. Flows are up for this time of year and the fish don’t mind at all. There’s no question that the Little Truckee has seen the best dry fly fishing in the area. To those in the know, that’s not a surprise. Baetis, midges, worms and eggs are the ticket. Sound familiar?

The only negative is the number of people. It’s great fishing, but you’ll more than likely be dealing with some crowds. Remember, the road back there doesn’t get plowed. Be prepared, if you get stuck, or don’t risk it at all.

TRUCKEE RIVER NV SIDE: We’re still cranking out floats consistently on the NV side and man has the fishing been good! If you hit it right, it can be a mix of size and numbers with the conditions we’re looking at right now. Walk and wade trips are going well too, but don’t overlook a float this time of year.

Lastly, it’s not too late to get that last minute gift certificate for the angler in your life that has everything!

Drop us a note HERE and we’ll get you set up for the holidays.

If you’re looking to get our with one of our amazing guides, let us know, we’d love to show you around!

Written by Lost Coast Outfitters

Filed under

Frtruckee, frtruckeeriver, Truckee River

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Dec 16, 2024

Written by Lost Coast Outfitters

Matt "Gilligan" Koles Reports on December 16th, 2024

Finally getting some snow in Tahoe

It's stacked up for mid-December. Not much down here in Hirschdale, but we usually don't get too much anyways.

Flows are still great on the Truckee River, and the Winter fly fishing is good. Good all up and down the river. If you fish the Ca side, remember, lows will be very cold at night. You should wait till it warms a bit and trouts get a bit active.

If you're down on the Reno side, you can get going at a normal fishing time, still be cold, but not Truckee cold.

Nymph in the frog water, streamer fish in the frog water. That is the key.

We have a good month or so, but then we'll have some great dry fly fishing down in the desert on the river. Not so much right now anywhere, unless you get lucky.

Written by Lost Coast Outfitters

Filed under

Frtruckee, frtruckeeriver, Truckee River

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Nov 15, 2024

Written by Lost Coast Outfitters

Matt "Gilligan" Koles Reports on Nov. 10th, 2024

Looks a little more like winter, and less like fall for the rest of the month, on the Truckee River. Good, because that'll kick the streamer fishing into high gear.

That's mainly how I like to fish when the water gets cold--going for big post-spawn brown trout. They like a big meal. Sure, anyone can peg an egg in the winter and catch fish, trust me, I've done my share, but learning how to catch fish on streamers is the way to go.

I do a lot of trips out east on the lower Truckee River in Nevada. Through the Nature Conservancy / McCarren Ranch areas. Good winter fishing. Best from a raft, but there's tons of wading access too.

Of course, there's good fishing on the CA side too, but going down into some of those canyons in the winter is a cold proposition. Right around here, in Hirschdale, is some of the best winter fishing.

The Nature Conservancy has spent over 30 million dollars restoring the river to original habitat. It's really a cool place, from Lockwood to Derby Dam.

You can fish steamers any old way you want--sinking line with lighter streamers, or floating line with heavier streamers. If you know me, I like the jig streamers on a floating line.

Happy hunting

Truckee streamflow at Boca

Little Truckee streamflow above Boca

Truckee streamflow forecast

Hirschdale weather forecast

Written by Lost Coast Outfitters

Filed under

Feather River, frmffeather, Frtruckee, frtruckeeriver, Truckee River

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Nov 15, 2024

Written by Lost Coast Outfitters

Matt Heron Reports on November 8th, 2024

We are back in business! If you know me well, you know that with few exceptions, October and November are my two favorite months of the year.

Well so far this year, October was really good and November is shaping up to be even better. Flows and temps on both rivers are absolutely perfect. After hosting a week in BC (report coming), flows increased on the Truckee and Little Truckee River while I was gone.

Temps are anywhere from mid to high 40s, through mid 50s. Absolutely perfect for the fall.

Flows from the Lake Tahoe to Boca are ranging from 100cfs to 160cfs, while the canyon from Boca to NV is perfect at 450cfs.

Our guides are reporting really good numbers of fish on both rivers, some big fish in the mix, and more browns than usual. A classic Truckee River report for this time of year.

The bugs right now are everything you’d expect. We’re getting fish on a mix of 18-20 BWOs/Baetis (by far the go-to), sz 18 caddis, sz 16 Mahogany Duns, crayfish, eggs, sz 18-22 midges and San Juan worms. No real secrets right now!

Dry fly fishing has been hit or miss on the Truckee, more miss if you made me pick. The Little Truckee has been kicking out way more dry fly eats, but you have to deal with quite a few other anglers. Pros and cons, you know the drill.

And lets not forget it’s fall. If you’re up here with any kind of weather rolling through, get the streamer rods out and hold on!

Other Local Waters

NV Side, Truckee River: Our NV guides are reporting some of the best numbers of the entire season as we speak. Although walk and wade trips have been good, covering a lot of water in our float trips has produced the most fish by far.

Sz 18-22 midges and sz 20-22 baetis have been the ticket down there. It’s always good to have an egg or rubberleg attractor as your point fly too. Streamers are a good bet too if there’s weather.

There’s even been some afternoon dry fly action if you get lucky.

Middle Fork, Feather River: Like the NV side of the Truckee, numbers have been really good up there the last few weeks. If you’re looking for less pressured fish and are OK with not running into a two-footer, this may be the option for you.

Fish are eating a little bit of everything up there right now, including small buggers and streamers, Pheasant Tails and BWOs/Baetis. Hatches have been sparse but there’s always a chance to find a few fish on top, especially mid day. The 10-3pm bite window has been the ticket.

Truckee River streamflow at Boca

Little Truckee streamflow above Boca

Truckee River flow forecast

Weather forecast for Hirschdale, CA

Written by LCO Staff

Filed under

Fishingreport, Frtruckee, frtruckeeriver, Little Truckee, Northern California, Truckee River

LCO Reports 6/30/24: The Truckee and Little Truckee

Jul 04, 2024

Written by LCO Staff

The Little Truckee

With hot temperatures affecting Northern California, most bug activity on the Little Truckee will be in the mornings and evenings. Cash and Owen from LCO fished it mid-morning and observed PMDs, baetis, midges, and some caddis. Despite the presence of adult bugs, the fish seemed to be wary to eat on top. As such, nymphing on a dry dropper or tight line rig will produce fish during the sunny hours. Use small mayfly and caddis nymphs on light tippet, but make sure to keep your eyes out for rising fish.

The nymphs that produced the best were homemade PMD patterns in sizes 16 and 18 with small tungsten beads. For action on top, consider fishing a Hackle Stacker PMD or an olive Sparkle Dun.

Flows were prime at 2500 cfs, but the crowds were thick. Be prepared to hike to find spots that haven't been taken, and consider fishing transition water that most anglers discount.

The Truckee

The Truckee is also in perfect shape, and it offers the opportunity to get away from crowds. Indicator nymphing in the remote canyon section worked well for Owen and Cash. Try using a size 14 caddis pattern like Gil's G6 Caddis. PMD and drake nymphs worked well too.

Look out for hatches in the morning and evening. Yellow Sallies, Drakes, Caddis, and PMDs were abundant in the evening, and fish started taking emergers on the swing around 6 pm.

Be careful of land boundaries in the canyon section. An uninformed landowner hassled Owen and Cash while they were within the Tahoe National Forest, but his comments served as a reminder that anglers need to know where they stand.

Written by LCO Staff

Filed under

frtruckeeriver, Northern California, Truckee River

Gilligan's Guide Service 6/11 Fishing Report: The Truckee River

Jun 14, 2024

Written by LCO Staff

Gilligan's Guide Service

Flows are steadily coming down on the Truckee River and the fishing is very good.

Bugs of every kind are out. PMDs, stoneflies, green drakes, caddis, and a whole smorgasbord of bugs are on the menu. Nymphing with any of the mentioned patterns should get you on some fish. I doubt you’ll see any fish rising during the bright sun of the day. Evenings are another deal now; you’ll see caddis, pale evening duns, and if you get lucky a green drake hatch.

It will mainly be a nymphing program from here on out. Tight line nymphing is the bread and butter here on the Truckee River, or "Euro" as they now like to call it. That’s how I guide and teach. Taking off the bobber will open up a whole new world for you. These trout are in the slots and faster water, and that is the key to catching these fish.

Written by LCO Staff

Filed under

Fishingreport, frtruckeeriver, Little Truckee, Northern California, Truckee River

Matt "Gilligan" Koles Reports 05/29/24: Truckee Snapshot

May 30, 2024

Written by LCO Staff

Matt "Gilligan" Koles Reports 05/29/24: Truckee Snapshot

Truckee Snapshot:

Flows are still up on the Truckee River.

Not too big, but for a lot of folks, hard to manage. Look for soft water trout can get out of current. Anywhere along the edges. Soft flat bank water. They are not in the middle of the river. Weathers perfect, and there’s fish to be caught.

Bugs are coming out too. You can nymph with just about anything right now, and they’ll eat it. Drakes, stones, caddis, etc. The warmer the weather gets, the more bugs we’ll see. Thing is you’ll see them, but you won’t see the fish, They’ll all be sub-surface. That’s the Truckee.

Cheers,

Matt "Gilligan" Koles

775.351.6665

www.gilligansguideservice.com

Written by LCO Staff

Filed under

Feather River, Fishingreport, frmffeather, FRNFYUBA, frnorthernsierra, frnorthforkyuba, Frtruckee, frtruckeeriver, frYuba, fryubariver, Little Truckee, North Fork Yuba River, Truckee River

Matt Heron Reports 05/29/24: Truckee River Area

May 29, 2024

Written by LCO Staff

Matt Heron Reports 05/29/24: Truckee River Area

Truckee River Area:

Again, not a lot to report as far as changes to the river this week. We’re continuing to see a Yo-Yo pattern with snowmelt and the flows.

Not surprisingly, last week’s drop in flows stopped once it warmed up again. Through town and above Boca we’re seeing swings from 650-750cfs. Below Boca, Canyon flows are from 1200-1400 on average. These are very fishable flows for down there, but make sure you’re fishing the slow water along the edges and banks. Water temps are still around the mid-40s and fish have yet to consistently move into faster water.

Depending on what report you read last from me, it may or may not have included Carpenter Ants. Last week they totally disappeared, this week they are back again. So, make sure you have a half dozen with you to fish as single dry, or even a dry dropper.

We are continuing to see afternoon Baetis and March Brown hatches. That said, Blue Wings are out 50:1 to the March Browns. If you get lucky, you’ll find the occasional fish on top, but there’s not many. Another reason to have some big Carpenter Ants around to blind cast. Rubberlegs with a baetis dropper are the ticket.

We’ve continued to get a few fish on swung soft hackles and small leech patterns. It’s been super fun for our clients that have committed to it!

Those 50-degree water temps are right around the corner, it’s time to start stocking that box up with PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones and Crayfish. Prime summer conditions will be here before we know it!

Quick Reports…

NV Side, Truckee River

The NV side continues to fish very well though runoff. The water should be dropping more by the week and our regular guests are gearing up for streamer time down there. Same bugs as the C.A. but start looking for PMD adults too. June and early July can kick out some of the best browns of the year if your streamer game is on point. Read a bit more HERE.

Middle Fork, Feather River

The MF continues to fish well this week and should for quite a while. Our guides are consistently getting our guests into fish from 10-17 inches. It’s been a good mix of indicator fishing and dry flies. You could even say it’s prime time!

BWOs, Yellow Sallies and Caddis are all on the menu. Most dry fly action has been in the afternoon.

Sawmill Lake

Sawmill Lake has started out with a bang this year. Like years past, the early season bite is pumping out some really big fish, full of “piss and vinegar” as my dad says. Bobbers, stripping and some dry fly opportunities are all on the menu this time of year.

Daily Classes

Our summer classes are open for the year and fishing has been fantastic. Our private, stocked pond is full of beautiful rainbows and our students are catching fish every day. If you or anyone you know is looking to improve their cast, or practice their fish fighting skills, you can learn more HERE.

Feel free to drop Lu and a note if you're looking to get in on the action with one of our amazing guides or instructors this summer. Spots won't last long, especially once the hatches get going!

Matt Heron Fly Fishing

School and Outfitter

Truckee, Lake Tahoe, Olympic Valley

518-225-6587

http://mattheronflyfishing.com/

Written by LCO Staff

Filed under

Fishingreport, Frtruckee, frtruckeeriver, Northern California, Truckee River

Northern California Fishing Report, Truckee River

May 09, 2024

Written by LCO Staff

Matt Heron Reports on 5.8.2024

Truckee River: After an unusual run of three weeks on the road, it was great to get on the Truckee again, and boy did it deliver.

While I was gone, I chatted with our guides quite a bit, keeping up with conditions and our clients fish stories. But what I wasn't prepared for was how clear the river was going to be when I got back.

Although the Truckee is running high, it's really clear, especially above the Boca confluence in the mornings.

If it wasn't so high, you could damn near sight fish!

With the clarity, the usual attractors of eggs and worms for mid May haven't really produced this week, but mayflies have.

Nymphs in 14, 16 & 18s will catch about any fish in the River right now...above Boca. There are Baetis and March Browns hatching, and tons of pre season PMD Nymphs around. And with the clean water, almost all our fish have been on 4x.

Below Boca things are a little more "normal" for mid may. The Little Truckee is cranking in water, and a decent amount of color in the canyon.

We were getting fish a bit more regularly on eggs and worms w 3x, and the same nymphs listed above. Rubberlegs aren't a bad idea either.

Things are only going to get better from here out and Carpenter Ants should be just around the corner.

And for what it's worth, afternoon water temps are 46 just after lunch.

If you're looking to unlock a few secrets on the Truckee this year, drop us a note. Our guides would love to show you around our backyard.

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Posts & Pages

Fishing Report

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

LCO Reports 6/30/24: The Truckee and Little Truckee

Gilligan's Guide Service 6/11 Fishing Report: The Truckee River

Matt "Gilligan" Koles Reports 05/29/24: Truckee Snapshot

Matt Heron Reports 05/29/24: Truckee River Area

Northern California Fishing Report, Truckee River

Matt Heron Reports on 5.8.2024