Copyright 2011 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Truckee River California
The 120 mile long Truckee River flows from Lake Tahoe
in California through a section of the High Sierra Nevada
to terminate in Pyramid Lake. Strategies for fly fishing
the Truckee River in California varies depending on the
section of the river your fishing. It's generally divided into
three sections that are quite different.
The first section runs from Lake Tahoe to Trout Creek. It
is heavily stocked and follows the California general trout
fishing season. This section also receives water from
several tributary streams. The upper section generally
stays clear when the lower sections of the river are
muddy. It's also a popular white-water rafting area and in
the Summer you have to fish early in the day to prevent
being constantly interrupted by rafters. The lower end of
this section is easily accessible from highway #89 and
more moderate in decline.
Section two runs from Trout Creek to the discharge from
Boca Reservoir, or the Little Truckee River. Most of this
section is a designated Wild Trout stream. Fly fishing the
Truckee River in this section is considered the best
choice by most serious anglers. The river has a good
population of both rainbows and browns. Except for two
fish over 15 inches that may be taken, regulation are
"Catch and Release" and "Barbless hooks only". The
lower end of this section, from Prosser Creek to the Little
Truckee River confluence, has cooler water during the
hot Summer and is preferred over the upper part during
the warm part of the season.
The third section runs from the Boca tailwater
confluence to the Nevada state line. This section
generally has larger trout but it's more difficult to fish.
The water is deeper and ranges from difficult to
impossible to wade. Access is also limited.
The Truckee River was once the home of the Lahontan
Cutthroat. The state has started a program to
reintroduce these trout and hopefully there will be a
viable fishery for them in the future.
The Truckee River has excellent hatches of mayflies,
caddisflies and stoneflies. Dry fly fishing can be great in
some areas but much of the river is best fished with
nymphs and streamers..
Seasons:
The general trout season is from the last Saturday in
April through November 15.
Spring:
Springtime is usually tough fishing conditions but it
depends on the discharges of the associated tailwaters
and tributaries.
Summer:
Summertime is the best time to fish the high Sierras. Just
after runoff ends through the Summer is the best period
of time.
Fall:
Fly fishing the Truckee River during the early Fall can
also be productive.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
The 120 mile long Truckee River flows from Lake Tahoe
in California through a section of the High Sierra Nevada
to terminate in Pyramid Lake. Strategies for fly fishing
the Truckee River in California varies depending on the
section of the river your fishing. It's generally divided into
three sections that are quite different.
The first section runs from Lake Tahoe to Trout Creek. It
is heavily stocked and follows the California general trout
fishing season. This section also receives water from
several tributary streams. The upper section generally
stays clear when the lower sections of the river are
muddy. It's also a popular white-water rafting area and in
the Summer you have to fish early in the day to prevent
being constantly interrupted by rafters. The lower end of
this section is easily accessible from highway #89 and
more moderate in decline.
Section two runs from Trout Creek to the discharge from
Boca Reservoir, or the Little Truckee River. Most of this
section is a designated Wild Trout stream. Fly fishing the
Truckee River in this section is considered the best
choice by most serious anglers. The river has a good
population of both rainbows and browns. Except for two
fish over 15 inches that may be taken, regulation are
"Catch and Release" and "Barbless hooks only". The
lower end of this section, from Prosser Creek to the Little
Truckee River confluence, has cooler water during the
hot Summer and is preferred over the upper part during
the warm part of the season.
The third section runs from the Boca tailwater
confluence to the Nevada state line. This section
generally has larger trout but it's more difficult to fish.
The water is deeper and ranges from difficult to
impossible to wade. Access is also limited.
The Truckee River was once the home of the Lahontan
Cutthroat. The state has started a program to
reintroduce these trout and hopefully there will be a
viable fishery for them in the future.
The Truckee River has excellent hatches of mayflies,
caddisflies and stoneflies. Dry fly fishing can be great in
some areas but much of the river is best fished with
nymphs and streamers..
Seasons:
The general trout season is from the last Saturday in
April through November 15.
Spring:
Springtime is usually tough fishing conditions but it
depends on the discharges of the associated tailwaters
and tributaries.
Summer:
Summertime is the best time to fish the high Sierras. Just
after runoff ends through the Summer is the best period
of time.
Fall:
Fly fishing the Truckee River during the early Fall can
also be productive.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Rainbow Trout {Wild and Stocked) Brown Trout (Wild and Stocked) Size Varies from Small to Large Location Eastern Sierras Nearest Towns Truckee Season Last Sat. of April through Nov. 15 Special Regulations: Catch and Release section that requires barbless artificial only. Access: Easy to Difficult Depending on the Area Non-Resident License State of California Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart (Coming soon) Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies USGS Realtime Streamflow Data: |
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Photo Courtesy of Stephen Lamb
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Truckee
River
California
River
California
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |