Truckee River Fly Fishing Report
Updated: 5/31/2026
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: 388, Boca: 435, Farad 543: (Click map for more options)
Water Temp: 50-57°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, evenings are a bit slow still. Evenings are finally picking up as we speak with the water temps finally getting into great shape. There aren’t many evening hatches yet, but hopefully within a few weeks the late hatches will start appearing.
Overall Report:
After some springtime rains/snow/sleet last week that dropped air and water temps quite a bit, the bite finally turned on some the last few days. This is what we’ve all been waiting for!
We’re consistently seeing mid 50s water temps and the fish are responding just like they should…by feeding! We’re not quite to what I’d call prime time yet, but damn it’s close. I’d love to start seeing a few more bugs hatching before we get to that point.
There are some dry fly opportunities around and it’s getting better by the day. So keep the dry fly rod handy because you might get lucky and run into a pod of rising fish.
Fish are absolutely moving into summer water, so don’t be afraid to fish the fast stuff, especially if it’s got a few feet or more of water. They only water temps I’m not really fishing right now are shallow riffles but that should change soon if we keep getting some more warm days and more bugs.
Effective Techniques: How and Where
- Indicator nymphing: Like usual, we’re running into quite a fish with the bobber rigs. Above Boca 4x has been my go-to tippet size and in the canyon, 4-3x. Use split shot as needed and make sure you’re ticking the bottom.
- Euro nymphing: The Euro game has been great recently with fish moving into your classic summer water. As you may know, this technique is great for bubbly, pocket water. The fish haven’t been particularly picky on fly patterns in the fast stuff. Just get it down with a heavy anchor fly and make sure you drift is slow. Set anything, not just when you feel it! We’ll be doing a lot of Euro this summer, drop us a note if you’re looking to learn more about this effective technique.
- Dry fly: There’s some really good dry fly action if you hit the right place at the right time. The rest of the time it’s just “OK”, but that’s changing. There’s still lots of BWOs and March Browns around with a few PMDs in the mix. The good news is we’re seeing more by the day! Also keep the caddis selection on hand, it’s finally time. Green Drakes? Not yet, but soon.
- Dry dropper: Now we’re talking my language. For the next four months or so, this is one of my favorite ways to get fish on the Truckee River. A bug bushy dry fly with one or two heavy nymphs below it. If I’m fishing 3 feet of water or less, this is by far my go-to. It’s been working for weeks now and will only get better as summer starts.
- Streamer/Trout Spey: Although this is always on my mind, I really haven’t done much swinging with clients recently. But with the water temps now being perfect, it’s got to be getting good. We did get to really nice streamer fish the week though with all that crappy weather that passed through. Both streamers were brown and about 3 inches long.
Top Fly Patterns:
- Stoneflies: Rubberlegs in brown, coffe or rusty colors, and any attractor stoneflies you like to fish, size 8-12.
- Perdigons/Euro: Anything black, brown, olive in size 14-18. No real secrets here.
- Midges: Stick with the bigger flies, we’re really not fishing many midges right now.
- Mayflies: Fish your favorite size 14-18 mayflies to match BWO’s and March browns. PMDs are arriving, sz 16. Even some soft hackles are worth a shot.
- Caddis: We just started seeing some spring caddis this week. Tan caddis in 14-189 are hatching as we speak.
- 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!
- Crayfish: Tis the season! Dead drift, swing or strip. It’s time.
- Streamers: My streamers don’t change a lot throughout the year. If it’s 2-4 inches 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:
It’s time to step up your fast water game. The fish are there and they are eating if you get your flies in front of them. Euro and hopper-dropper are by far my favorite ways to fish this time of year. Don’t walk past anyway you think might be to fast, it’s not. Fish it with confidence and hold on!
One of two Rainbows we landed on a streamer the last few days.
Jay with a nice Truckee River rainbow on a hopper-dropper.
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Little Truckee River
Flow CFS: 441
Water Temp: 47-55°F
Clarity: Clear
Best Time to Fish: All day, peak is mid-day for hatches and dry flies.
Overall Report:
After having perfect flows for over a month, spring runoff continues to be in full force right now. The river is normal for this time of year, but it’s high! It’s been at 600 or so for week s now and it did finally drop a bit the last few days to 441.
As flows dropped, we did see a few more bugs flying around which is great to see. There really was no dry fly fishing to speak of at 600.
The main hatches are BWOs, March Browns and PMDs. I did see 3 skwalas over there the other day, but that was totally random. They are done for the season.
As you’d expect, concentrate on slow deep areas and any seams against slow water. The the fish will definitely start to move into the riffles more as flows drop for summer.
Although the high water has kept some anglers away, there’s still crowds around, especially at the upper parking lot. And heads up for the last remaining rainbows spawning.
Effective Techniques: How and Where
- Indicator nymphing: Most fish are coming on light indicator rigs with 4x-5x tippet being my go-to. If you run into some picky fish go down to 6x.
- Euro nymphing: I love doing the euro thing on the LT with high flows. It’s one of the best times of year to get close to these fish without spooking them.
- Dry Fly: The dry fly game is very limited because of the high water. Keep an eye out for sippers, but you may not see a lot of bugs in the air. Although like I mentioned, it is getting better. BWOs are your best bet with March Browns and PMDs now on the menu.
- Dry dropper: I haven’t done much dry dropper with clients recently on the LT compared to the big river but it’s always worth a shot.
- Streamer/Trout Spey: These are great flows for streamer and trout spey techniques on the LT right now. Maybe even the best of year. Definitely give it a go!
Top Fly Patterns:
- Stoneflies: I haven’t fished a lot of soneflies recently, but a nice rugglerleg or golden stone attractor can’t hurt.
- Perdigons/Euro: Anything black, brown, olive in size 14-18.
- Midges: Same as stones, I haven’t fished them much but the LT do always eat them. Keep it simple with some 18-20 zebras and you’re good to go.
- Mayflies: Like the Truckee, a mix of nymphs, emergers and adults in sizes 16-20. Any black, olive or brown nymph has been working well all through the system. As stated, BWOs, March Browns and PMDs are starting. Sz 16s are #1, 18s are your back up.
- Caddis: Not enough yet 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 especially in these flows.
- Streamers: Small patters like leeches and buggers.
Guide Insight:
Get the PMDs boxes ready! It’s almost time. Have a good mix of all life stages in size 16s.
Mike with Project Healing Waters landed a huge rainbow recently!
D’Arcy with a beautiful LT brown trout!
Fly Fishing Classes:
Our summer classes schedule is finally in full swing at Everline Resort. Drop us a note if you’re looking to imporve that cast, or give fly fishing a shot for the first time.
Our fun, easy, beginner friendly classes will run daily, not through the fall. Learn more HERE.
A fun family class this week on our pond at Everline!
Final Guide Thoughts
Now is the time! Both rivers are coming into shape and the crazy summer rush is right around the corner. But it’s not here yet.
I would take advantage of these next few weeks while you can…great fishing and less people!
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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