Truckee River Fly Fishing Report
Updated: 7/25/2026
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: 313, Boca: 505, Farad 555: (Click map for more options)
Water Temp: 58-69°F
Clarity: Gin clear from Tahoe to Truckee. Clear near downtown Truckee to Boca. From Boca to the NV there’s a little bit of “greenish” tin from the Little Truckee. This is perfectly normal and perfect for this time of year.
Best Time to Fish: Mornings. End of story LOL. Afternoons temps are getting pretty warm and the bite is slowing down. Especially after 3pm. I would consider not fishing at all after 3pm or so. The water is getting warm and the bite is really slowing down. Espcially above Boca. The temps are slightly lower in the canyon if you’re looking to fish the evenings.
Overall Report:
The flows from town to Boca are slightly higher than normal for the second half of summer, the river really is in great shape. Can’t complain! The water storage in all our lakes continues to be really good right now considering how bad the winter was. Boca and Tahoe are really full and Prosser & Stampeede are looking good too!
That said, expectations are key. The dog days of summer are officially here. Consistent air temps are in the 80s to low 90s are the norm now and that shouldn’t change through summer. We see this every year, it’s normal, but it does make the fish a little lipped, especially later in the day.
Overall as a guide team we’re still getting into fish and showing our guests a great time, we’re just working a little harder!
Dry fly fishing is basically non existent unless you get lucky and find the occasional fish eating caddis or some PMDs.
Fishing a golden stone dry, or hopper with a dropper or two is your best best for getting fish on top right now.
Fish are absolutely in summer water now, 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 hatching, you can lighten up a bit. Use a crayfish or rubberleg attractor.
- *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: The dry fly bite has really slowed this month since water temps have gone up. That said, there’s some caddis around throughout the day, a few PMDs and yellow sallies, and the occasional Golden Stone.
- *Dry dropper: Now we’re talking my language. Through summer into September, this is one of my favorite ways to get fish on the Truckee River. A bug bushy dry fly or hopper 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 a month now and will only get better, as we’re seeing more grass hoppers by the day!
- 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. We did have some weather roll though the last few weeks in the mornings and it really turned on the streamer bite, which was supper fun for some of our lucky guests.
*TOP TECHNIQUE
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 if you’re below Boca.
- Perdigons/Euro: Anything black, brown, olive in size 14-16. No real secrets here. Don’t overlink flies you’re fishing in fast bubbles. All our guides fish different flies, they all work. Just get it in front of them!
- 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. You’ll actually see quite a few around early in the day, but no fish eating the adults.
- 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 and will be into fall. 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: We’re not fishing them much, but they are always good to have on you.
- 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:
No charge here from my last report! 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.
The kids always get the good ones! A beautiful rainbow form the canyon.
A really nice, streamer eating rainbow during a recent rain storm!
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Little Truckee River
Flow CFS: 105
Water Temp: 50-59°F
Clarity: Clear
Best Time to Fish: It’s an all day game over there right now. You just have to pick and choose how many people you want around you. Mid day is busy.
Overall Report:
Good lord the flows are great for this time of year, nearly 40% higher than the average…in a good way!
Our mid day PMDs and Green Drakes have slowed some in the last few weeks. But they are still your best chance at getting fish on dries. You usually start seeing them late morning or lunch time. When this happens, don’t over look nymphing light rigs in the riffles too. Even if you don’t see fish!
Now that we’re in better summer flows from my last report, the fish have spread out all over the river. Shallow fast riffles to deep slow runs, the fish are everywhere!
With the crowds this time of year at the upper parking lot, don’t be afraid to explore other sections. The whole river has fish, walk a bit and you’ll find them.
If you like to sight fish, it’s go time!
Effective Techniques: How and Where
- Indicator nymphing: Most fish are coming on light indicator rigs with 5-5.5x tippet being my go-to. If you run into some picky fish go down to 6x. I know that sounds crazy for nymphing to big fish, but they are educated.
- Euro nymphing: Light euro rigs have been kicking some really nice fish the last month for us. Fish 5-6x with small flies and you’re good to go.
- Dry Fly: Peak dry fly fishing has slowed some the last few weeks. But there are definitely opportunities if you keep walking. Have a good selection of PMDs and Green Drakes. Maybe some Caddis and Yellow Sallies if you’re there in the evening.
- Dry dropper: I’m throwing dry droppers with my guests if I run into picky fish in shallow water. A small PMD or Drake with a 6x dropper is hard to beat for these educated fish.
- Streamer/Trout Spey: I’m not using streamers at all right now. The fish are keyed in on the small stuff. If you really want to chuck some meat around, shoot for low light conditions.
Top Fly Patterns:
- Stoneflies: I haven’t fished a lot of stoneflies recently on the LT, but a 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. this almost never changes!
- 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 (a few around) 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, but we’re really not fishing them much.
- Streamers: Small patterns like leeches and buggers.
Guide Insight:
If you’re sight fishing, walk slowly and looking for flashes of feeding fish. They are literally everywhere. Take your time and slow down, especially if you’re not seeing them.
20 inch rainbows even get the guides excited!
Long time guest of MHFF, Christine, with a picture perfect rainbow!
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 kids classes are as fun as it gets!
Final Guide Thoughts
If there was a time to get some help on the Truckee, it’s during the Dog Days when fishing slows a bit.
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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