Truckee River Fly Fishing Report
Updated: 1/29/2026
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: 228, Boca: 452, Farad: 497 (Click map for more options)
Water Temp: 35- 40°F
Clarity: Clear near downtown Truckee to Lake Tahoe. Slightly off color in a good way from Boca through the canyon.
Best Time to Fish: Late Morning, mid afternoon
Overall Report:
The river continues to be in absolutely perfect condition, top to bottom.
I can’t lie, not a lot has changed since last week other than the flows dropping back into more “normal” conditions for winter. We were spoiled the first half of January with some color and more water. We’ll take icing on the cake anytime we can get it!
The fish continue to hold in deeper, slower water as you’d expect for this time of year. There are defitiley some fish to be found in medium speed water too, so worth a few casts if it looks “fishy”.
Nymphing has been the name of the game with most of our fish coming on bobber and Euro rigs. See below for more details.
Dry fly fishing has been limited unless you get really lucky.
The fish are still happy, time to get after it!
Also, don’t miss our 4 part winter series to help you catch more fish on the Truckee!
Effective Techniques: How & Where
- Indicator nymphing: Depending on my clients, this has been the name of the game recently. Fish 3-4xx 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.
- Euro nymphing: The Euro game has been great this week with the color of the river. 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: Some from 12-2pm if you get lucky on baetis and midges. There’s aren’t many winter stones around.
- 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: The slight drop in temps slowed down the streamer bite some. But should pick up again later this week. Look for consistent flows 2-5ft deep, boulder fields, and fish the tailouts too.
Top Fly Patterns:
- Stoneflies: Rubberlegs and dark stonefly patterns 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 above Boca through town, sz 18.There have been some early afternoon hatches.
- Mayflies: It’s fish them in 14-18s only.
- 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:
Some of the eats are soft, set everything! We’ve definitely missed a few good shots this week with clients being late.
Our boy Mark S. with a stunner!
After years of chasing bonefish together, Sia A. and I finally fished the Truckee!
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Little Truckee River
Flow CFS: 47.5
Water Temp: 38-42°F
Clarity: Clear
Best Time to Fish: All day, peak is mid-day for hatches
Overall Report:
We’re at classic winter flows, 47 cfs, and holding steady. It’s clear and fishable. I don’t see any of this chaghing in the forseeable future. Unfortunately we have no weather on the way to change the flows.
I haven’t fished over there more than a day or two since my last report, so I’m not sure how clear the road is. But I have been talking to guys daily who have been fishing it. I would not go back there without 4-wheel drive, just to be safe. The last mile between the middle and upper lot where pretty sketchy.
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 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 on the LT. I prefer it on the Big T this time of year more. If I was though, the smaller the better as far as streamer size. 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.
- Midges: A mix of larve, pupe and adults in size 18-22 have been putting fish in the net.
- 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.
Richard K. was back in town this week and stuck great fish on both rivers!
Final Guide Thoughts
I would take advantage of winter fishing asap! It’s one of my favorite times to be out there. The crowds aren’t out of hand and you can run into some really nice fish.
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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