Truckee River Fly Fishing Report
Updated: 3/18/2026
This week’s fly fishing report covers the Truckee River (CA), Little Truckee River, Truckee River (Nevada Side). Conditions are reported from the perspective of 20-year Truckee guide Matt Heron and his veteran guide staff. Focused on water temps, flows, and proven seasonal tactics.
Truckee River (California Side)
Flows CFS: In town: 626, Boca: 716, Farad: 775 (Click map for more options)
Water Temp: 39- 45°F
Clarity: Gin clear from Tahoe to Truckee. Clear near downtown Truckee to Boca. Slightly off color in a good way from Boca through the canyon.
Best Time to Fish: Late Morning, mid afternoon, late evening bit is slow.
Overall Report:
Although the river is quite high for this time of year, it’s in absolutely perfect condition, top to bottom. Truthfully, we’d even love a bit more color.
Although most fish continue to hold in deeper, slower water as you’d expect for this time of year. There are definitely some fish to be found in medium speed water too, so it’s worth a few casts if it looks “fishy”. I wouldn’t spend a ton of time in fast pocket water even though there may be a handful of fish in there.
Nymphing has been the name of the game with most of our fish coming on bobber and Euro rigs. That said, dry dropper rigs really kicked off the last few weeks. My favorite! See below for more details.
Dry fly fishing has picked up some with winter stones, some Skwalas, some march browns and BWOs.
To be blunt, the skiing sucks, but the fishing doesn’t. It’s time to get on the water!
Effective Techniques: How & Where
- Indicator nymphing: Depending on my clients, this has been the name of the game recently. Fish 3-4x with big to medium flies against the bank in slower water, deep slow runs & pools. Don’t be afraid to smaller bugs above Boca in the clear water, and maybe go slightly bigger below where there’s some color. 12-18s have been my go-to’s this week….like usual.
- Euro nymphing: The Euro game has been great recently, especially below Boca where the water has some color. Going back to how clear the water is above Boca, use some stealth with the Euro rods. Don’t get to close and spook them! Heavy anchor flies or jigs and a dark tag end fly are the name of the game.
- Dry fly: There’s some dry fly action if you hit the right place at the right time. It’s a mix of all our spring bugs right now. Skwalas, winter stones, BWOs, midges and a few early March Browns. It’s all happening!
- Dry dropper: A bushy Skwala pattern with two heavy nymphs below it is a really good option right now.
- Streamer/Trout Spey: The spey and streamer game has really picked up this week with water temps finally hitting the mid 40s. Give it a go early and late in the day, some clouds around won’t hurt either.
Top Fly Patterns:
- Stoneflies: Rubberlegs and olive Skwala stonefly patterns, size 8-12. Winter stones in black, size 14-16.
- Perdigons/Euro: Anything black, brown, olive in size 14-18. Purple Duracell’s and Carrots in 16 are working well too.
- Midges: Stick with the bigger stuff. Not a midge game right now.
- Mayflies: Fish your favorite size 14-18 mayflies to match BWO’s and March browns.
- Caddis: Not enough to put any time into.
- Eggs and worms: It’s always a good idea in the winter to have a selection of both in a few different colors with high water!
- Streamers: My streamers don’t change a lot throughout the year. If it’s 2-4inchs long with natural brown, olive, black or grey color tones, it’s hard to beat. Some of my trout Spey set ups include size 14 soft hackles too.
Truckee River Guide Tip:
Keep an eye out for after Skwalas and don’t be afraid to blind cast them even if you don’t see noses. The fish are looking for their first big bugs since fall.
A really nice spring bow in the caynon stretch.
The last snow of the season tends to bring out really colored up bows!
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Little Truckee River
Flow CFS: 132
Water Temp: 40-46°F
Clarity: Clear
Best Time to Fish: All day, peak is mid-day for hatches
Overall Report:
After having normal winter flows since the late fall, we got a nice bump a few weeks ago and the fish have really responded! Flows could not be any better for this time of year. We usually only see this much water a few times of year during pre and post runoff.
We’re seeing hatches mid day as you’d expect with BWO’s, some Skwalas and lots of winter stones.
That said, the word is out and it’s starting to get busy up there. If you don’t mind other anglers around, this is a great choice for some quality rainbows with few browns in the mix.
Effective Techniques: How and Where
- Indicator nymphing: Most fish are coming on light indicator rigs with small indicators. 5 and 6X tippet is the norm.
- Euro nymphing: There are some guys doing the Euro thing out there. Just make sure you don’t spook the fish by getting too close. And make sure your anchor fly isn’t too heavy with all the slime and algae.
- Dry Fly: There have been some consistent hatches on the LT with baetis, winter stones and Skwalas if you get lucky. Fish the longest leader you can cast with 6-7X. Make sure your presentation is perfect.
- Dry dropper: You can fish some light dry-dropper rigs if you see fish feeding in the riffles. It’s a great way to nymph and not spook them with a bobber. This is been a really effective technique the last few weeks for our clients.
- Streamer/Trout Spey: Even with the bump in flows, we’re doing very little with our clients. If I was though, the smaller the better as far as streamer size. I’d even give some leech patterns a try and cloudy days.
Top Fly Patterns:
- Stoneflies: Smaller winter stones have been producing better than the big Skwalas. Have some size 14-16s Winter stones with you, nymphs and adults. And size 10 Skwalas.
- Perdigons/Euro: Anything black, brown, olive in size 14-18.
- Midges: A mix of larve, pupe and adults in size 18-22 have been putting fish in the net but they are keying in on BWOs winter stones more.
- Mayflies: Like the Truckee, a mix of nymphs, emergers and adults in sizes 18-22. Any black, olive or brown nymph has been working well all through the system. Fish them in riffles, runs and pools. Everywhere! Not many March Browns on the LT yet.
- Caddis: Not enough to put any time into.
- Eggs and worms: It’s always a good idea in the winter to have a selection of both in a few different colors.
- Streamers: Small patters like leeches and buggers.
Guide Insight:
This is a technical spring creek-style fishery, especially with winter flows. Stealth, light tippet, and perfect drifts matter more than fly selection. Some rainbows have started building redds. Please leave spawning fish alone and don’t walk near the beds.
Fat fish eat little flies!
A size 18 BWO nymph fooled this large LT bow!
Final Guide Thoughts
I would take advantage of spring fishing asap! It’s one of my favorite times to be out there. The crowds aren’t out of hand (yet) and you can run into some really nice fish. Maybe even on a dry!
If you’re visiting Truckee or Lake Tahoe, a guided trip can dramatically shorten the learning curve. Guided trips, private lessons and winter specific clinics are available.
Drop Lu and I a note HERE. We’re happy to point you in the right direction!
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