Truckee River Fly Fishing Report

Matt Heron reports on 3.30.17

It’s hard to think of a better month of fishing than we had this March. The consistently high water has given the water one of the best flushes it’s had since the 2010-11 season and it’s not even close to over yet.
In my eleven years of guiding the Truckee, I’ve never seen our big browns eat like they have been recently. The off color water has caused them to let their guard down a bit and they seem to be eating almost anything if you can get it in their face.
That said, if you haven’t fished the Truckee recently it’s not at all the same river you remember. We’ve been fishing flows from 3,000 to 5,000 cfs for over a month now (300-600 is the norm).  We’re fishing with a lot of weight to get down, and concentrating on the soft edges. It’s a double whammy for soft water right now. Cold winter water temps have them in slow water, and the flood has the pushed to the sides. Find slow water and you’ll find fish.
The Little Truckee is still having some access issues with the snow. Flows there have averaged 700-1300cfs. This is huge for pre run-off over there. It will be exciting to see what the scouring does to the new Trout Unlimited project site. These are the flows it needed to seal the deal on the project.
We’ve gotten fish on everything from worms and eggs, to your classic bugs such as rubberlegs, skwalas, baetis and march browns. The streamer fishing has been hit or miss from week to week but worth a try. Dry fly fishing has been non existent.
We’re fully expecting April to be another banner month for us. 

Contact us anytime at mattheronflyfishing@gmail.com or at 518.225.6587.

Matt