Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Matt Koles, Gilligan’s Guide Service

This has been a long time coming. Over two months since I’ve done a fishing report on the Truckee River. That was the last day I guided the river, it was marginal then, and that was in California. In Nevada the water was staggering low over the last three months, some fished it, most didn’t. If you were one that didn’t fish the river during those hard times we had at the end of summer and fall, I commend you, you did the right thing. I think myself and fellow Truckee River anglers got the word out. Right now the river is in good shape. I’m not saying we are out of the woods, but compared to the flows we had in the river over the last few months, and compared to historical winter flows, we are in good shape. As I write this, the river is around 200 cfs here in the Hirsch, little higher in the canyons, lower through Reno and higher again East of Sparks through the Nature Conservancy. With more precip on the way today and tomorrow I’m guessing the river will come up at least another 100 cfs maybe more depending how much liquid makes it’s way over the crest. Those would be good flows and actually make the river floatable again for me. The big question is if the Truckee River is ok to fish again. I’d say positively yes at these flows. I went out for a few hours today, few hours the other day, stuck some fish and they look and fought great. Felt great, and at first a little strange. One thing I am worried about is that most of the flow, at least half, is coming out of Boca right now, not from rain and snow. We all know how low Boca is and I’m not sure how long these flows can hold out unless we continue to get some big Pacific storms. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

For the next couple months, we’ll say to the end of January, I’m offering a discounted rate on guide trips to get you guys stoked on the Truckee River again (flows permitting of course). Figure it’d be like having 75% of the mountain open if I were a ski resort, discounted lift tickets so to speak. In case you don’t know, the Truckee River is a great winter time fishery, hell it often times fishes better in winter than it does in the summer. If we get some more flows, I’ll put the drift boat in and float you for the same price. Guide trips always include flies, usually shit that I’ve tied myself and no one else has seen, plus you get to hang out with Elliot, World’s No 1 fishing dog. $225.00 for a half day, 1-2 people, and $325.00 for a full day, 1-2 people. Come up and get stoked on the T again!