I might be in Tahoe City this weekend and the budget isn't happy enough to rent skis or buy lift tickets. Would the Truckee be worth fishing this time of year? If not, then I might hit the Yuba or the American. I know my way around the Truckee during the summer but have never tried winter fly fishing in snow country.
I know 2 guides in Tahoe and have had this conversation with both of them. I don't have specific info right not but I'd say go for it. Let me email one of them and see if I can get any specifics and I'll, post again.
isnt there hella snow up there right now? ive never fished the truckee but heard great things about the top water in the spring and summer months. are thos "great things" true stories?
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UDyaz, like Putah it's considered a "technical" water. I've seen big fish but haven't caught or hooked into anything extraordinary, I'm hoping to change that though.
Hey Packrat I am thinking about checking out Donner lake this weekend, If you talk to your guide friends can you ask about the ice around the lake. Caught a mack from shore in November 7Lbs it was quite a supprise.
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Talked to my guide buddy last night. He's been down in Chile/Patagonia and does not have any current info on the Truckee. He said he'll ask around but probably won't have any info until next week, too late for you. Try it anyway.....
I don't have any first hand knowledge on how the truckee is fishing now, but winter fishing is winter fishing. More inportant to look at time of year and water temps. then what river you'll be fishing. Small fly's, sparse hatches, probably midges and mayflys. I would be prepared for tough fishing.
here is some hands on winter truckee info for ya. hope it helps. first off make sure u atleast double layer your legs and socks your legs and feet will get cold fast, second dont for get to bring some streamers, big fat ugly streamers, the uglier the better. there are big fish in the system right now and u might need to give them something worth eating. if u have a 10ft 5 or 6 wt thats they way i would go. the flows below the town of truckee are right around 80cfs, at boca is 200, floriston is 220, i would try glenshire area first, easy access from the road, lots of fish in the area, and with the flow there will be some nice water to fish, also try where prosser creek (35cfs) is flowing into truckee, look it up on google maps, there is a road that goes down to it as well, u have to drive to hirshdale turn around head back to truckee just before the top of the hill there is a dirt road that goes down to it. that area fishes really nice. and also below boca damn, throw some big streamers with lots of weight or a t-14 sink tip to get down deep, fish just under the rail road bridge below boca damn, there are some mosters in that deep whole. then fish from there down to where the river flows under 80. no need to be the early bird but dont be late either u could miss out on a hatch, especially with the warmer weather we have been having. in the past u will see a bwo hatch between 11 and 2 depending on temps.
here are some bugs to try....golden stones 6-10, copper johns 16-18, PTs 16-18, beatis and midges 18-22 and mighty mites in green size 18-20 for streamers... mccunes sculpin, silveys sculpin leech, dont go up there without a meat whistle in brown and black, and also barr's gold bead bouface.
hope this helps. good luck
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Brian, Dr, and Packrat, thanks for all the info. This would have been perfect, but unfortunately my plans completely changed when that plane crashed in East Palo Alto, my long term tenant and neighbor was one of the passengers. I'll be staying close to home for a bit until things get sorted out.
For what it's worth, call an old friend or family member, talk to a neighbor, and appreciate the people around you because you never know when the good ones will suddenly be gone for good. I'll be back out fishing soon though, in fact I think I'll be hitting it harder than ever. Tight lines.
how about early april? i was planning on going to the owens, but it seems they bumped up the flows, and it is making the river unfishable. the little truckee was my third choice, but i was wondering how the little truckee is during that time of the year.
Its going to be a big spring runoff year this year. April, May, and early June might be a bust for many rivers this year. Just have to wait and see. I don't usually hit the upper owens till july, Which is my alltime favorite river.
Streamingbeast....I'd watch the Lower O flows, as they may drop in the next couple of weeks. This 385 cfs may be a "flush" for the river that's temporary. There's always the EW.
