Mid March Fly Fishing Report

Healthy Rainbow during a recent storm
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Reno Fly Shop

by Reno Fly Shop
3-21-2019
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Truckee River:

The Truckee River has jumped up a little bit from the last report and is above 2,000 CFS at the Reno gage. The river is a little off color with the increased flow due to recent rains and tributary contribution. The current storms should move through pretty quick so the river should drop back into great fishable conditions soon.

Fishing before this recent bump in flow has been good! Pick your spots well as higher water will consolidate fish into smaller areas. Fish are really focusing in on stoneflies, san juan worms, and bright attractor flies. Whether under an indicator or European style nymphing focusing on slower water usually located close to the banks and on the inside of turns in the river will locate trout. For some highwater tips on the Truckee look for an upcoming article by staff member Aden Breckner, or signup for our email list and have it delivered to your inbox.

Streamer fishing can be very good this time of year as the high water consolidates fish in softer water it also makes smaller fish easier to pick off for larger trout. When the river is off color, black or bright flies will perform best. You can also throw bigger patterns when the river is off color. Once the sediment settles in the river fishing a more natural, white or olive, pattern slowly will increase your odds of hooking into the larger fish.

Flies That We Suggest: Squirmy Wormy, San Juan Worm, Wire Worm, Stone fly, Double Bead Stone, Sculpzilla, Weirs Sculpin, Beldar Rubber Legs  

Pyramid Lake:

Good one day and tough the next seems to be the theme of recent days at Pyramid Lake. Water temperatures are reaching that 50 degree mark on less cloudy days. This is bringing the fish in close for a streamer bite in the late afternoon. Using a floating line with a smaller weighted streamer or balanced leech can be a fun effective way to target the rolling and active LCT.

Indicator fishing has been better in the morning and early afternoon, but fish are turning away from midges and balanced leeches once the water warms. This can be a fun and frustrating time of year as fish will visually slash at the surface, but are very difficult to target. My suggestion is to watch for certain areas where fish are more active and breaking the water surface. Sometimes this is in front of a rock, or off of a point. The key is to be observant as to where this activity is present. Cast into the area where you’ve noticed active fish, allow the flies to sink and retrieve quickly!

Flies We Suggest: Holo Midge (wine/copper, brown/copper, black/silver), Marabou Midge, Balanced Leech (peacock,diablo,olive), Cat Whisker Booby, Dirty Martini Booby, Spanish Olive Booby Midnight Cowboy, Pyramid Lake Beetle





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