Full report from Mountain Hardware and Sports

Big Truckee: Flows have come up a bit through town but with water being drawn off the top of Tahoe water temps have risen. Caddis hatches have stabilized now on the Big T. Unlike Mayflies, one should skate or dance there Caddis dries a bit as Caddisflies are fast emergers. With the windy conditions over the past week or so it seems surface action has been minimal. Other hatches include PMD's in the late mornings, Little Yellow Stones, PED's and the occasional Green Drake emergence in the evenings with the Caddis. Rolling big Stoneflies during the day with imitations of Mayfly crawlers and Caddis Pupa behind them can be effective. Look to fish the pocketwater and riffles more now and utilize your high sticking technique. The flying Carpenter ants have gone for the time being but there is a lot of ant activity along the rivers edge so don't discount the use of these patterns. Crashing one of these tasty morsels over an area that is seeing a lot of ant activity can bring on a splashy rise that will get your pulse up! To have success on our rivers one should note that it's necessary to have good repeated drifts! Nymphing will consist of large primary flies such as Pat's Rubberlegs, Buggers, large Copper Johns(reds!), Prince Nymphs, large Caddis pupa and Stonefly imitations trailed behind 16-18 inches with Caddis, PMD, PED, Midge and General nymphs such as Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears, and Birds Nests in sizes 14-18. Gilligan and a few others have spotted adult Green Drakes but numbers have been limited to say the least. Fish this pattern more down toward State line where flows are bigger. Also, streamer fishing is a good option now. Sculpin imitations have been the best. Streamer fishing will be best in the wee hours of morning now or into dusk. Soft hackle imitations of Caddis and Mayfly's work well when fish are feeding just under the surface. If the California side of the Truckee is getting you flustered maybe a trip to the Nevada side will turn your luck around. Caution! If you do fish the Truckee in Nevada please be aware that New Zealand Mudsnails have been found in sections of water there so please clean your shoes and gear accordingly to avoid aquatic hitch hikers! Study the water and turn rocks and see what is going on, also seine for what is in the drift. Little things like this and slowing your approach to the river’s edge will greatly increase your chances of being successful. Again, make sure your box is stocked with every conceivable stage of bugs that are present now!

Little Truckee: Flows have stabilized here for the moment so fishing should be more consistent. I still here grumblings from anglers who recently fished here that they haven't caught any fish or very few. All I have to say is that the LT and the Big T are difficult to fish and that going out once or twice will not yield great results. You have to put in your time or get a guided trip to understand these areas. Mind you that the winter was the driest in about 100 years and that the trout here saw angling pressure almost all winter. The fish here are just educated. A great spot to start here is at the inlet as there are a lot of fish stuffed in here but as the flows go so will the fish! Get out here now because when the flows drop to the mid 100's it will be back to the usual light tippets and stealthy approach that this tailwater is famous for. Main hatches here will consist of Midges, BWO's-Baetis Mayflies, small stoneflies and now PMD's. Also, aquatic worms are ever present so the use of a San Juan worm can be very effective. One can expect to utilize tippet and leader in the 4x,5x,6x range leaning more towards the 5x, 6x range.