Truckee River Fly Fishing Report
Updated: 6/19/2026
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: 322, Boca: 702, Farad 744: (Click map for more options)
Water Temp: 58-68°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: Mornings until about 3pm or so. Late afternoons temps are getting pretty warm and the bite is slowing down. Evenings are finally picking up as we speak with hatches. The Glenshire stretch was 67 degrees at 9pm this week. Evening hatches have finally started throughout the entire river, typical for mid June.
Overall Report:
The flows actually went up a bit the last few weeks since my last report. The water situation in all our lakes is really good right now considering how bad the winter was. Thank God for the previous 3 seasons of water storage.
That said, starting today the Truckee River will be dropping 25 cfs, every other day, until the Farad gauge in the canyon hits 540 around July 1st. So that means the next two weeks will be the most water we’ll see the rest of the season. Get it while you can!
After that, we’ll be in normal summer flows, still great for trying to trick a few Truckee fish during your vacation.
Dry fly fishing has picked up quite a bit since my last report. We’re seeing morning hatches of caddis, a few lingering BWO’s, Yellow Sallies and PMDs. There’s a few Green Drakes around if you get lucky. There seems to be more of them on the Little Truckee River right now. See below.
We’re also seeing the occasional Golden Stone, but there’s not a lot around yet.
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. With the warm weather this week, don’t overlook the shallow riffles too, especially when you start to see bugs around. The fish with transition into the faster water as bug appear.
Effective Techniques: How and Where
- Indicator nymphing: Like usual, we’re running into quite a fish with the bobber rigs. Above Boca 5-4x 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. If there’s bugs hathcing, you can lighten up a bit.
- 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. PMDs, Caddis and Yellow Sallies are king right now. And we’re seeing more by the day! There’s a few Green Drakes around, but not a lot. Some years they go off, some, not so much. Hopefully it’s still going to happen.
- 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 flows and conditions solidify.
- Streamer/Trout Spey: Although this is always on my mind, I really haven’t done much swinging with clients recently. But with the bugs in full swing, light tips and soft hackles are the name of the game!
Top Fly Patterns:
- Stoneflies: Rubberlegs in brown, coffee or rusty colors, and any attractor stoneflies you like to fish, size 8-12. The Yellow Sallies are popping too, have a mix of sz 16 nymphs and adults, especially in the evenings.
- Perdigons/Euro: Anything black, brown, olive in size 14-18. No real secrets here. Don’t overlink flies you’re fishing in fast bubbles. All our guides fish different flies, they all work.
- Midges: Stick with the bigger flies, we’re really not fishing many midges right now. Maybe worth a shot in the mornings if the bite is slow.
- Mayflies: Fish your favorite size 16 PMDs. There’s a few lingering sz 18 BWOs around, too. Even some soft hackles are worth a shot.
- Caddis: Tis the season! Tan caddis in 14-18s are hatching as we speak. Fish a mix of larve, pupe, emergers and adults depending on if you’re seeing a hatch. Caddis are our summer go-to!
- 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/Spey: 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 stock up on your crayfish selection. The fish are about to load up on their big meals for the season, don’t miss it. Euro and bobber presentations seem to be the way to go.
What a Brown trout!
Lynn finds the good ones every year with us!
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Little Truckee River
Flow CFS: 315
Water Temp: 50-57°F
Clarity: Clear
Best Time to Fish: All day, peak is mid-day for hatches and dry flies. The evening hatches are getting go too. It could go off any day!
Overall Report:
After having perfect flows for over a month, spring runoff continues to be noticeable in mid June. We’re typically seeing flows under 200 cfs by this time. It’s still very fishable, but a big higher than normal.
Hatches have been hit or miss because of it. Caddis, PMDs and Green Drakes are around, but there appears to be no rhyme or reason to when they are actually hatching. That said, late morning, pushing lunch time, or evenings are a good call.
As you’d expect, concentrate on slow,deep areas and any seams against fast water. The the fish will definitely start to move into the riffles more as flows drop for summer which could be any day now.
Although the high water has kept some anglers away, there’s still crowds around, especially at the upper parking lot.
Effective Techniques: How and Where
- Indicator nymphing: Most fish are coming on light indicator rigs with 5-4x 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: As noted above, the dry fly game is very limited because of the higher 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. We’re still getting few dry fly eats a day over there.
- 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. And don’t forget your sz 16 Yellow Sallies.
- 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. PMDs 16, sz 18 BWOs and Green Drakes in 10s and 12s. If you really know your bugs Flavs are around in 14-16s. Think of a smaller Green Drake!
- Caddis: Sz 14-18 olive and tan is all you need the next few months. Larve, pupe, emergers and adults.
- 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:
Fish are starting to move into shallow, fast water, much like the Truckee with all the bugs around. to walk past any riffles without making few casts.
Lynn with what might be our brown of the year so far🤯
Keith waited year 5 months to get a day on the Little Truckee River and made it count!
Fly Fishing Classes:
Our summer classes schedule is finally in full swing at Everline Resort. Drop us a note if you’re looking to improve 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.
Our instructors are cranking out classes everyday in the summer. Get in on the action!
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.
Did this Truckee River fly fishing report help? Have questions? Drop Lu and I a note HERE. We’re happy to point you in the right direction!
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