Not much has changed since last weeks Truckee River Report, but it’s still worth a look.

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It was hard to imagine that winter fishing on the Truckee could get any better after an amazing January. But it did. The first week of February brought us low pressure, rain, snow, sleet and anything else you can imagine. And boy did it pay off.

Although the mountains above 7500ft. got a lot of much needed snow, Truckee stayed relatively wet with lots of rain and very little snow as far as accumulation goes. Not ideal, but after two months of the region being dry, anything helps.

The Truckee River even got a huge push of water, a much needed “flush” if you will. The river peaked between 1,000 and 1,700 cfs last week and got pretty muddy for a day or two. As it should, it dropped and cleared to “fishable” visibility pretty quickly. Just the way we like it.

A few rainy-day rainbows for a couple of our regulars!

Here are a few more details on conditions…

Flows: Water levels have stayed up from downtown Truckee to Boca and have hovered around 600-500 most of the week. We’re at 482 as we speak. Normal winter flows, pre storm were 100-250 most of the winter. So bring your high water rigs the rest of this week.

Flows in the canyon are slightly higher at 624. They have been a bit higher than that most of the week leading up today. Flows prior to this week were around 400 or so. So, in reality, the canyon has only come up a bit and is in great shape.

Flies: We’ve gotten fish on just about everything this week, not unusual for water that has been slightly off color. Baetis 18-20s, rubberlegs 10-12s, leeches (any size), midges 18-20s, eggs and worms.

TECHNIQUES:

Nymphing: Not secrets here, bobber and Euro techniques are putting the most fish in the net this time of year. If the water has any color, you don’t need to fish anything lighter than 4X. Go heavy or go home.

Gordy with a great, sunny morning bow!

Dry Fly: There was some scattered dry fly fishing before the storm, but that mostly went away. That said the midge hatches were really good and should come back into shape. Keep an eye on BWOs and maybe an early skwala or two.

Trout Spey: Swinging was a bit slow this week, the water was cold, and the fish didn’t want to move much to eat. That said I recently left town for a bit, and I can guarantee it turned on a bit with the water color. I’d be tossing small streamers and hold on!

Streamers: Again, cold water had the streamer bite on the slow side, but don’t overlook big meals in the winter months. Use 10 or 12 pound and fish the edges, drop offs, or even dead drift one. Trust me.

What’s Next?: March and skwalas will be here before we know it. One of my favorite times of year to get a big fish on a dry. Don’t miss out!

Looking for a Truckee River guide this winter or spring? Drop Lu and I a message. We’d love to set you up for an unforgettable day on the river.

-Matt

The post Truckee River Fly Fishing Report: February 9th, 2025 appeared first on Truckee River Fly Fishing Guide | Matt Heron Fly Fishing.

FLOWS: Flows throughout the entire system are perfect for this time of year. From Truckee to Boca, we saw a nice little push of water this week giving the Truckee River a much needed flush. It’s holding steady around 137cfs as of today.

The same in the canyon section of the Truckee River, below Boca to the NV border. Down in Farad, flows are 444cfs, again, perfect in my opinion. Fishing in the canyon this time of year can be a great excuse to get away from people too. Generally, most winter tourists stay up near town. Don’t be afraid to hike a bit to get away from the crowds.

FLIES: Although I was up north for most of the weather, our guides reported good baetis hatches on both rivers once the clouds rolled in earlier this week. This isn’t surprising if you’ve ever read any of my winter reports.

Always have a good selection of sz 18-22 baetis patterns in nymphs, emergers, cripples and duns. You simply can’t go wrong even if there’s no hatch.

Midges are always a good bet too. No secrets here, have a bunch of 18-24s (smaller flies for up higher on the river where it’s low and clear), larve, pupe and adults. Any variations of zebra midges and adults will be fine.

Slightly bigger bugs may include winter stones, worms, eggs and rubberlegs. Have a good mix with these options will put you in a position to catch any fish on the river right now.

And don’t overlook the streamer thing too. I’m a big fan of dead drifting them anytime during the winter, or even slow stripping them on cloudy, or “crappy” days. The fish will chase occasionally even with cold water.

TECHNIQUES: It’s a bit of everything right now, but we’re getting a lot of fish on indicator or Euro rigs. No surprise there. Really fucus your attention on deeper, slower runs. Fish the bottom and add weight and adjust that indicator as needed.

As you’d assume, if any winter noses show themselves with baeits or midges, it’s game on! There are very few anglers tossing dries right now and it’s always good to be prepared for the winter hatch.

If you really want to “swing for the fences” don’t be afraid to strip or swing streamers. I typically downsize them to three inches or less when the water is clear and cold. This can be an underutilized technique in the winter to try and get a big fish.

Other Local Options-

LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER: I’ll keep this short and sweet. Flows are up for this time of year and the fish don’t mind at all. There’s no question that the Little Truckee has seen the best dry fly fishing in the area. To those in the know, that’s not a surprise. Baetis, midges, worms and eggs are the ticket. Sound familiar?

The only negative is the number of people. It’s great fishing, but you’ll more than likely be dealing with some crowds. Remember, the road back there doesn’t get plowed. Be prepared if you get stuck, or don’t risk it at all.

TRUCKEE RIVER NV SIDE: We’re still cranking out floats consistently on the NV side and man has the fishing been good! If you hit it right, it can be a mix of size and numbers with the conditions we’re looking at right now. Walk and wade trips are going well too, but don’t overlook a float this time of year.

Lastly, it’s not to late to get that last minute gift certificate for the angler in your life that has everything!

Drop us a note HERE and we’ll get you set up for the holidays.

If you’re looking to get our with one of our amazing guides, let us know, we’d love to show you around!

The post Truckee River Fly Fishing Report- December 16, 2024 appeared first on Truckee River Fly Fishing Guide | Matt Heron Fly Fishing.

Well so far this year, October was really good and November is shaping up to be even better. Flows and temps on both rivers are absolutely perfect. After hosting a week in BC (report coming), flows increased on the Truckee and Little Truckee River while I was gone.

Temps are anywhere from mid to high 40s, through mid 50s. Absolutely perfect for the fall.

Flows from the Lake Tahoe to Boca are ranging from 100cfs to 160cfs, while the canyon from Boca to NV is perfect at 450cfs.

Our guides are reporting really good numbers of fish on both rivers, some big fish in the mix, and more browns than usual. A classic Truckee River report for this time of year.

The bugs right now are everything you’d expect. We’re getting fish on a mix of 18-20 BWOs/Baetis (by far the go-to), sz 18 caddis, sz 16 Mahogany Duns, crayfish, eggs, sz 18-22 midges and San Juan worms. No real secrets right now!

Dry fly fishing has been hit or miss on the Truckee, more miss if you made me pick. The Little Truckee has been kicking out way more dry fly eats, but you have to deal with quite a few other anglers. Pros and cons, you know the drill.

And lets not forget it’s fall. If you’re up here with any kind of weather rolling through, get the streamer rods out and hold on!

Other Local Waters

NV Side, Truckee River: Our NV guides are reporting some of the best numbers of the entire season as we speak. Although walk and wade trips have been good, covering a lot of water in our float trips has produced the most fish by far.

Sz 18-22 midges and sz 20-22 baetis have been the ticket down there. It’s always good to have an egg or rubberleg attractor as your point fly too. Streamers are a good bet too if there’s weather.

There’s even been some afternoon dry fly action if you get lucky.

Middle Fork, Feather River: Like the NV side of the Truckee, numbers have been really good up there the last few weeks. If you’re looking for less pressured fish and are OK with not running into a two-footer, this may be the option for you.

Fish are eating a little bit of everything up there right now, including small buggers and streamers, Pheasant Tails and BWOs/Baetis. Hatches have been sparse but there’s always a chance to find a few fish on top, especially mid day. The 10-3pm bite window has been the ticket.

Daily Classes: Once November hits, we never know when when the pond will be drained for the season. That said, we’re still cranking out classes until they do. And fishing is still really good! Shoot us a note if you want one more casting lesson before the snow flies.

To put it lightly, it’s going off on the Truckee right now! Drop Lu and I a note to get out with one of our fantastic guides. We’d love to show you around during one of our favorite times of year.

The post Truckee River Fly Fishing Report: November 8th, 2024 appeared first on Truckee River Fly Fishing Guide | Matt Heron Fly Fishing.

And as good as this report is, the outlook for fall is looking even better. We should get a bump in flows, just as the weather starts to turn. Fingers crossed, it could go off!!

FLOWS AND CONDITIONS:

From Lake Tahoe, downstream to Boca, it’s low and clear. To be honest it’s like winter conditions, except with perfect water temps.

The watermaster shut the flows off a few weeks ago more than we expected. Thankfully, conditions are still good, just a bit lower than what we’re used to seeing in September.

Our guides have been downsizing everything since the drop. 5x and 4x are the norm up there and fluorocarbon if you have it!

Fish are still in everything from the deep runs, to fast pocket water. There’s even some sight fishing to be had if you want to try.

Below Boca, through the canyon, to Nevada, flows are absolutely perfect. Even a little higher than what we’re used to because of releases out of Boca. Although they did drop a sliver this week as you can see.

This stretch is where we’re seeing bigger fish on average being caught…and missed. Damn we missed some giants the last few weeks!

Higher up stream, the fish are in all kinds of water; fast, slow, deep, shallow. But, the big ones are still parked in the fastest water you can image, or on the seams next to it.

TECHNIQUES & FLIES:

We’re fishing similar techniques on the Truckee River, top to bottom. It’s been a mix of bobbers, Euro and hopper dropper.

If you made me pick one technique to produce the most fish, it would be Euro; the hopper dropper, 2nd.

Point and anchor flies have been a mix of crayfish, stoneflies and small streamers. Fish are trying to pack the pounds on as the temps drop. Both are big caloric sources this time of year.

Tag end and dropper flies have been a mix of sz 14-18 tan and olive caddis, sz 16 mahogany duns, 18-20 baetis, sz 18 midges and some sz 12 October caddis.

I’d fully expect the baetis to starting going off on both Truckee and Little Truckee Rivers as soon as we starting getting fall rain and snow storms. Hopefully by mid October.

OTHER LOCAL OPTIONS:

NV Side Truckee- The NV side has been fishing really well the last few weeks, especially with the pre spawn browns. The flies will be about the same as the CA side, only difference being you can fish heavier tippet. 3x and 4x is the go-to for most of our guides right now.

MF Feather River- Our guides are reporting great fishing conditions up north if you want to get away from the crowds. It’s hard to beat the small stream atmosphere that the Middle Fork gives off.

Hopper droppers are working but slowing down some. The guys are reporting most fish being caught on Euro gear in the fast water, and bobbers in the slow. Don’t be afraid to try some leeches too.

DAILY CLASSES- Fishing is about as good as it gets right now on the pond. Don’t hesitate jumping in a class before the weather changes for good!

Shoot us a call anytime to get you set up this fall, or just to ask questions about our programs. We’ll make sure you have an unforgettable day on the water!

-Matt and Lu

The post Truckee River Fly Fishing Report: October 2nd, 2024 appeared first on Truckee River Fly Fishing Guide | Matt Heron Fly Fishing.

FLOWS- First things first, the flows are still really good throughout the entire river, Lake Tahoe all the way to Nevada.

Track more flows on the map HERE.

TEMPS- I’m not gong to say Hoot Owl closures are a thing of the past, but Truckee River water temps are in pretty good shape. Morning temps are anywhere from high 50s to 60ish in the morning and going up very slowly throughout the day. Lunch time temps are about 62 and not really pushing 68 until around 5-6pm, if at all.

Please still fish with a thermometer, but thankfully things are looking up for fall.

BUGS- We’re not seeing a lot of dry fly action this week but there are a few opportunities if you get lucky. From a dry fly standpoint there is a decent morning midge hatch and some rusty PMD spinners around before lunch with the occasional fish looking up for them. That said, almost all top water action right now is on hoppers, no surprise there. There are still TONS of hoppers around after 10am.

Most fish are being landed on nymphing on Euro set ups, bobbers and hopper droppers.

We’re fishing a mix of light and dark colored Perdigons sz.14-16, soft hackles sz 16, rubberlegs sz. 10-16, crayfish and worms. All the normal nymphs are working, Baetis sz. 18s, PMDs sz. 16s, caddis sz. 14-16 (tan and olive) and some black leeches.

With it being August, you’d think the bite would be one fire super early in the morning, truth is the bite is a bit delayed for some reason right now. It seems to be picking up around 8-9am. Makes no sense, but it’s true. The freaking Truckee haha.

OTHER OPTIONS-

Truckee River Nevada Side- Walk & wade haven really good since it cooled off. Dry dropper and Euro have been the go-to of oir guides down there. Fish are starting to chase the streamer again but that should get better as water cools down. Hopefully we can start running float trips in a few weeks.

Sawmill Lake- The lake is fishing well when you don’t hit it during a wind storm like we did this week. We made the most of it and landed fish stripping nymphs to cruisers, under bobbers, got a few dry fly eats and even some fish casting streamers from the boat.

POND CLASSES- The beetle bite has been really good on our ponds the last few weeks for our classes, especially in the mornings. Sight fishing has been the name of the game with some bobber fishing mixed in.

HOPPER-DROPPER ONLY TRIPS- I do have a few options for hopper dropper only trips if you’re an intermediate caster or better, and a single angler. Drop me a note and I’ll fill you on this opportunity. Spots are very limited.

All that said, fall is just around the corner and we may even get some snow at elevation his weekend. The bugs and fishing is about to go off! It’s time to start thinking about your fall fishing plans the Truckee River and Little Truckee is a good place to start.

Drop Lu and I note to get something on the books. As many of you know the fall fills fast and spots will not last!

-Matt Heron

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We had a bit of a scare with water temperatures and Hoot Owl closures, but after four or five days of clouds, rainstorms and cooler evening temperatures, it appears the Truckee River is back on track after two great snow years.

Don’t get me wrong, keep fishing with that thermometer and call it quits at 68 degrees. Depending on where you are on the river, it’s not a bad idea to start checking from lunch time on.

Flows for mid-July are just about perfect throughout the entire system right now. From downtown Truckee to Boca is about 325 cfs, below Boca in the Canyon is running at 618. Can’t beat it.

Read all flows HERE.

Now on to Truckee River fishing report.

Things are looking pretty good out there from a bug, and catching standpoint. No surprises most fish our guides are landing on the Truckee are in the 8-16” range. Typical for summer conditions. When the water is clear, daily bright sun, and the lack of clouds, the big fish can be hard to find. But they are there, you just need to put your time in.

All our summer bugs are popping right now. Most fish are being caught subsurface on a mix of sz 14-18 caddis larve and pupe, sz 16 PMDs, sz 18 baetis, sz 12 golden stones, sz 16 yellow sallies and crayfish, crayfish and crayfish. Hint, hint.

There are even a few green drakes around still if you get lucky. Sz 10s and 12s.

In a nutshell, the actual fly pattern may not matter as much as the location and the drift. Look for fish spots and fish them hard. Fish are in the shallow riffles, deep riffles, pocket water and some traditional looking “honey holes”. Fish it all!

Since my last report, Truckee has also had an unusual number of grasshoppers around. And when I say unusual amount, I mean the most anyone has ever seen! They are freaking everywhere. In town, the river, the woods, it’s crazy. So, have your hopper dropper rigs ready!

Other Local Opportunities:

Middle Fork Feather River– The MF is pretty much shut down for the summer season. The lower elevation and summer temps have put that little gem on hold until we get closer for fall and cooler temps.

Nevada Side, Truckee River- It’s gotten a little skinny for float trips this time of year, but our walk and wade options are still going strong. Morning half day trips have been the way to go, with some really nice adults being caught!

Daily Classes: Well, like each July the weeds have bloomed in the pond, but the fishing is still really good! Our morning and evening beginners’ classes are still kicking out fish consistently with a mix of dry fly and hopper-droppers being the go-to.

Fall Fishing: My favorite time of year is just around the corner. Don’t overlook getting on the books now. Lower air and water temps, less people and big fish are all in play. October and November will be here before we know it!!

Looking to get on the water? Drop Lu and a note. We’d love to get you set up with one of our fantastic guides and show you around our amazing back yard!

The post Truckee River Fly Fishing Report: July 18th, 2024 appeared first on Truckee River Fly Fishing Guide | Matt Heron Fly Fishing.

I’ll start with a Truckee fishing report and end with Hoot Owl closure updates.

Wow, what a difference a few weeks makes. We thought last week was warm, but were we wrong. It got even hotter! The high for today as I write this it supposed to be 97. That’s pretty ridiculous for Truckee the first week of July.

The good news is morning water temps on the Truckee are holding in there and the fish are still eating!

Most fish this week are being landed on mix of Hopper-Droppers, Euro nymphing the pocket water and the occasional dry fly fish on a caddis or mayfly.

The hatches we saw a few weeks ago have slowed down quite a bit, maybe even a lot depending on where you are on the river.

The bugs we are seeing are a mix of sz 14-18 caddis, some PMds in 16s, some golden stones in 12s, and Yellow Sallies in 16s. If you want to blind cast a sz. 10 Green Drake, there are still a few fish looking up for them!

That said, Hoppers with deep droppers have been really good to our guides this week and should get even better as more hoppers show up for the summer. I would suspend one or two flies at least 30” down and hold on. The dropper bite has been good with a few fish eating the hopper.

Euro has also been excellent too. Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. Get down fast and fish them. Trust me.

Fish this week have varied in size, but like most summers there’s a lot of fish in the 8-14” range. With a few fish 16-20” being landed. As some of you know, it can be numbers, not size this time of year.

Flows: 

Flows above and below Boca are starting to stable and looking more like summer conditions by the day. From town to Boca is at 381 cfs., Farad in the canyon is dropping by the day, 744 cfs.

See all flies HERE.

Hoot Owl Closures:

Unfortunately, it’s that time of year already where we need to take a serious look at water temps and protecting our fish. Ridiculous to think about since we still have snow left!

Please fish with a thermometer and consider getting off the water once the water temps hit 65-68 degrees. This is nothing new, Hoot Owls have been happening for as long as I can remember and it’s the best way to protect fish once dissolved oxygen levels dip.

Above Boca we’re seeing it hit that temperature anywhere from 11-3pm. This basically means that late afternoon and evening fishing is off limits from Boca upstream to Lake Tahoe.

With releases coming out of Boca, the water temps are a bit better but still fish with a thermometer through the canyon. I’d check every 30-60 minutes or so to be safe.

Daily Classes:

Classes are still going strong on our pond at Everline Resort. Definitely drop us a note if you’re looking to get in on the action. Class fish are being caught with a mix of dries and hopper droppers depending on the time of day.

Justin and his son with a few nice class fish! Thanks Ethan W.

Even with the heat, we’re still cranking this time of year and getting into fish daily. Drop Lu a note if you want to fish this summer. We’d love to get you out there!

The post Truckee River Fly Fishing Report: July 6th, 2024 appeared first on Truckee River Fly Fishing Guide | Matt Heron Fly Fishing.

Things are rolling on the Truckee River right now and conditions are almost as good as they can get.

Flows are a big higher than usual for the third week of June, but water temperatures (most of the day) and clarity could not be any better.

Depending on where you are the time of day, temperatures are anywhere from low 50s to low 60s most of the day. The wind from last week definitely did its job and stirred up Lake Tahoe a bit. That brought river temperatures down, in a good way.

That said, late afternoon and evening temps did hit 68 degrees this week according to our guide Jay Clark on Glenshire Dr. This means pack a thermometer and call it quits around 67-68 degrees. Hoot Owl river closers have started. Spread the word!!

Temps in the canyon, below Boca are better late becuase of the releases on the Lower Little Truckee. If you’re going to fish late, head down low.

Flows from town to Boca are still on a dropping trend (462 cfs), as they have been for weeks. The flows from Boca through the canyon (1,120 cfs) pumped a bit this week when they started dumping Boca Reservoir. The lake is pretty damn full. It’s been a while, definitely a sight for sore eyes.

See all flows HERE.

Bugs, bugs and more bugs. They are all popping on the Truckee River right now.

Where to even start…Green Drakes in Sz 10, PMDs in 16s, Caddis in 14-18s, BWO’s in 18s, Yellow Sallies in 16s, Golden Stones in 10’s, Midges in 20s, Crayfish in 6-10s, something similar to March Browns in a 16…did I forget anything?!!

Oh yeah, hopper-droppers. Don’t leave home without them! Or even Green Drake-droppers.

It’s all happening right now. Have your nymphs, larvae, pupas, emergers, adults and spinners ready to go when you get here. Who the hell knows what you’re going to run into.

We had a one trip this week where my guest landed fish on bobbers, Euro, dries, Hopper-Dropper and Trout Spey. Whey I say it’s all happening right now; I mean it’s all happening!

Quick Reports:

NV Side Truckee River- Not much has changed down there. Our daily float trips are going well and nymphing has been the name of the game. Our crew is running into some fish on streamers and dries. As you can imagine, it’s the same fly list as above on the CA side.

Daily Classes- Our beginner’s classes are still going well and pond temperatures are holding strong to start the season, even with the warm weather. Some really nice rainbows are being landed each day by our students. Drop us a note if you’re looking to tune up that casting stroke!

Sawmill Lake- Sawmill continues to kick out some big rainbows for our guests this season. It’s been a mix of walk and wade from shore (sight fishing or w bobbers) and boat fishing. Most fish are being caught subsurface, but the dry fly thing is very possible if you hit it right.

Middle Fork, Feather River- This little gem continues to throw down good numbers of fish each day for our guests. It’s been some of the more consistent dry fly fishing in the area recently and PMDs, Caddis and hopper-droppers are by far been the go-to on our trips.

If you’re interested in getting out with one of amazing guides, drop Lu a note. She’d love to make your vacation one to remember!

The post Truckee River Fly Fishing Report: June 22nd, 2024 appeared first on Truckee River Fly Fishing Guide | Matt Heron Fly Fishing.

I know you all like quick vids too, so here’s today’s.

Overall it was mostly small to medium sized fish, but we did land one we won’t soon forget.

Hope you enjoy it. It was pretty damn good out there!

The post Truckee River Fly Fishing Report: Quick Vid. June 7th appeared first on Truckee River Fly Fishing Guide | Matt Heron Fly Fishing.