A good winter season has dropped life saving precipitation in California. Earlier this month Lake Tahoe reached over a foot above its natural rim for the first time in three years. That means the Truckee River is once again spilling from it’s main source and flowing strong all the way to Pyramid Lake.
Climate change has equated to warmer winters so much of this year’s precipitation fell as rain and warmer temperatures overall kept the snow melting and flows up in the river even through the dead of winter. The fish have now had about seven months of good healthy flows and cold water. We even had a good spring run off and high flows to clean the river up a bit. This has allowed the fish to spread out and start making their way back into the upper stretches of the river and into the normal haunts. Flows have now cleared up and stabilized. The bugs are abundant and the fish have been harvesting them.
If you’ve been to the Truckee every year and seen the cycles of the river, it feels like visiting an old friend who’s been sick and is now healthy again. Water in the Tahoe City reach is more then a welcome sight. Cold clean water trickling in from all sides of the main stem feels like normal times again. The fish are back up into the pockets all the way up to the town of Truckee.
I floated the river for the first time in 3 years last week. It felt great to be gliding along on the cold clear water again and casting line into beautiful riffles and deep pools. Most of the usual bugs were active and we saw Caddis, Beaits, Brown Drakes, Yellow Sallies and even a few Golden Stones. Fishing remains good from Glenshire Drive all the way down to Stateline. The Verdi stretch of Nevada also held up pretty well and is fishing good. Below Reno however took more of a hit. Temperatures in that reach were just too high and many of those fish had to move up river or perished. It will take a little time for that far east water to rebound.
If you’re heading to the Tahoe area, the Truckee is worth a stop. Just remember to tread lightly and be respectful of other angler’s space. The River is catch and release with single barbless hooks all the way from Truckee to Stateline. If you see people poaching fish or using bait be sure to politely let them know the regulations or call the local warden at 1(888) 334-CAlTip (2247).
Michael E. Wier
I floated the river for the first time in 3 years last week. It felt great to be gliding along on the cold clear water again and casting line into beautiful riffles and deep pools. Most of the usual bugs were active and we saw caddis, beatis, brown drakes, yellow sallies and even a few golden stones. Fishing remains good from Glenshire Drive all the way down to Stateline.