Truckee/Tahoe Fly Fishing Report

Matt Koles reports on 12.29.2015

Cold is the word this week.

After a very cold weekend we have warmed a bit. Not much, but enough to melt some of the anchor ice/ shelf ice, along the Truckee River. Kinda feel sorry for anyone that tried to fish the river this last weekend, just way to cold. Things have warmed a bit and afternoon sunshine should thaw things out and get some fish moving around. December and January our are two coldest months around these parts, some spots on the river receive very little sunshine, if any during December. Look for some nice sunny spots, probably not some of the canyon stretches of the river to fish. Flows are good, low, but fairly typical for December. Next week looks we well have a more zonal flow/ Pacific Jet Stream undercutting high pressure over Canada. That should mean warmer temps, and maybe higher snow elevations, which in turn will add volume to the river. I imagine this is the last time we will see the river in the 100-200 cfs range for a long time. The whole river has water in it, and I think everyone knows the drill in the winter by now.

The Little Truckee River has snow on the road. You will need a 4wd truck is you plan to make it out. Lowered Subaru’s are not going to cut it.

It is cold out at Pyramid Lake too. Winter in the high desert is un-forgiving. Be prepared and dress in layers and you will have fun. Nymphing big copper johns under the bobber, or stripping in buggers and beetles are all working. Sometimes first and last light is the best in winter if there’s no action on the lake, wind, chop, cloud cover. If you come out for a trip to Pyramid Lake, spend a few days. One day the fishing may be poor, and the next very good. It’s hard to predict the lake, but the more you go, the better your chances are. There is always big fish being caught at the lake, everyday.