Current Water Conditions

Flows on the Little Truckee have dropped quite a bit between Stampede and Boca and are currently at 45 CFS. With the water this low, fishing results can vary depending on the time of day. With the high outside temperatures, there are also some reports of algae starting to be seen in certain sections, which may dirty up the flies anglers are using. Because this is the only tailwater fishery in the area, it is very busy with foot traffic. Be sure to spread out and share the river.

Water Temperatures

With the tailwater release, the water temps don’t change much and are averaging in the mid 50s°F. Because the water is low though, water temperatures may vary in certain sections and could reach 58 to 60 degrees.

Hatches

Anglers will see a mix of pale morning duns and midges hatching in the mornings, along with some Caddis late in the evenings. Pale Morning Duns are the prominent hatch in the morning and early afternoon and anglers should try to imitate all stages of life for this bug - nymphs, emergers, and duns. Midges typically are hatching first thing in the morning.

Effective Tactics

Anglers can have success with both indicator nymphing or dry fly fishing on the Little Truckee River right now. Nymphing with an indicator in the deeper pools can produce good results. Fish are rising in the early morning and throughout the day, so a dry dropper setup could also produce results. Fishing with pale morning dun patterns in all of it’s life stages, midges, or caddis are working well. Size 18-20 flies are working best. A good presentation with 6x tippet and long leaders is a must on the Little Truckee River to increase your chances of bites.

Catch Report

With the lower water levels, a lot of the fish are hanging around the inlet to Boca Reservoir. This is so they can hide in the deeper water away from predators.

Fly Box Must-Haves

• Midges (#18-22)
• Pale Morning Duns in Pink and Yellow (#14-20)
• RS2 in Olive
• RS2 PMD Emerger
• Hare's Ear
• Para Pink
• Cutter’s E/C Caddis
• Net Builder Caddis
• Small San Juan Worms in Purple or Pink
• Flossy Worms
• T.J. Soft Spot in Pink
• Bird’s Nest (#16)
• Zebra Midges Black