The Truckee has dropped back into stable flows with cold and clear conditions this week after a few weeks of overly wet storms, which caused the river to periodically run high and off color. With a return to conditions similar to the month of December, LBS (Little Black Stuff) will be your best friend right now. 

 

Midges and baetis make up the bulk of this category, and we are fishing sizes 18-22 for both bugs. Using larger attractors is still a good move if fishing the bigger sections of river, I.E. from the Boca confluence down and do a good job of bringing attention to your smaller flies while still getting their fair share of eats. Look for some really slow, nearly featureless water right now. You will find fish in tailouts, bubble lines, slow moving seams off boulders, but will even find fish in what would be described as flatwater as well. This is often the biggest departure from summer fishing and where a lot of anglers used to trout fishing during the warmer months go wrong. Because of where these fish are sitting, using indicators to present your nymphs will be the most effective.

 

The streamer fishing this time of year can also be surprisingly fun, especially over the last few weeks when the river was up. Just make sure that you’re slowing down your presentation this time of year. Slow steady strips in slow water will be where you will find the best success with this method.