Truckee River Fly Fishing Report
Updated: 1/1/2026
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: 399, Boca: 523, Farad: 561 (Click map for more options)
Water Temp: 38- 42°F
Clarity: Slightly off color, “steelhead green”
Best Time to Fish: Late Morning, mid afternoon
Overall Report:
What a difference a week makes! The river is in absolutely perfect condition, top to bottom.
The big flush with the rain, then snow has the Truckee in as good of shape as you can imagine. We usually don’t see flows like this until spring run-off. Pretty much everything is working as far as flies and techniques.
That said, dry fly fishing has been limited unless you get really lucky.
Don’t be afraid to fish any part of the river other than super fast riffles. The fish spread out with this recent push of water. The fish are happy!
Effective Techniques: How & Where
- Indicator nymphing: Depending on my clients, this has been the name of the game recently. Fish 2-3x with big to medium flies against the bank in slower water, deep slow runs & pools. The fish can see the small bugs, but why not give yourself a better chance? 12-16s have been my go-to’s this week.
- Euro nymphing: The Euro game has been great this week with the color of the river. It’s allowed us to get a bit closer to the fish without spooking them, unlike a few weeks ago. Heavy anchor flies or jigs and a dark tag end fly are the name of the game.
- Dry fly: Nope!
- Dry dropper: If you want on the slow edges, but you can’t adjust the dry fly depth. Stick with the indicator.
- Streamer/Trout Spey: Yes and yes! Look for consistent flows 2-5ft deep and fish the tailouts too.
Top Fly Patterns:
- Stoneflies: Rubberlegs in various dark colors, size 8-12. Winter stones in black, size 14-16.
- Perdigons/Euro: Anything black, brown, olive in size 14-18. Purple Duracell’s in 16 are working well too.
- Midges: Save them for clear water although have been working, sz 18.
- Mayflies: It’s fish them in 14-16s only. Stay away from the super small baetis with these conditions.
- 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:
Many fished have been pushed back into shallow tailouts. Don’t over look them! We got a really nice rainbow last night on a trout spey set up that was alllll the way in the back of the run!
Happy guests, happy guide!
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Little Truckee River
Flow CFS: 47
Water Temp: 42-54°F
Clarity: Clear
Best Time to Fish: All day, peak is mid-day for hatches
Overall Report:
It did get a little bump with the flows and dropped back to normal, almost immediately. It’s at 47 cfs and holding steady. It’s clear and fishable. I would assume with the next storm system coming, the dry fly bite should get really good.
I haven’t needed to fish over there since my last report, so I’m not sure how clear the road is. I would not go back there without 4-wheel drive, just to be safe.
At this point most browns are done spawning and off the redds but still keep an eye out for them as they are probably full of eggs.
Effective Techniques: How and Where
- Indicator nymphing: Most fish are coming on light indicator rigs with small indicators. 5 and 6X tippets are 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, midges and winter stones. 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.
- Streamer/Trout Spey: With winter flows, I’m doing very little streamer fishing. If I was, the smaller the better. I’d even give some leech patterns a try.
Top Fly Patterns:
- Stoneflies: Some guys are getting fish on your classic big stones, but smaller winter stones have been producing better. Have some size 14-16s with you, nymphs and adults.
- Perdigons/Euro: Anything black, brown, olive in size 14-18. Purple Duracell’s in 16 are working well too.
- Midges: A mix of larve, pupe and adults in size 18-22 have been putting fish in the net, especially above Boca through downtown Truckee. The dry fly fishing has been slow with the perfect weather.
- 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!
- 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.
A really nice streamer eating brown trout in prime winter conditions!
Final Guide Thoughts
I would take advantage of the Truckee asap! This is the time to find a giant. I can’t stress it enough, heavy tippet, attractor flies on the seams and hold on!
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!
PS- Did you catch Part 1 of our Fly Fishing the Truckee Winter series?
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