Happy New Year all! 2020 was one heck of a ride, with some good fishing throughout it.
The year is starting out with mostly fair weather throughout the next week or two, and a couple chances of rain and snow. Midday temperatures should be in the low 40s, dropping between 15 and 20 degrees at night.
Flows:
Tahoe City to Truckee: 74 cfs
Truckee to Boca: 114 cfs
Boca to Farad: 225 cfs
Farad to Stateline: 246 cfs
Flows have dropped a bit further since December, and with mostly sunny days approaching, fish will be extra skittish. As always, lightening up on tippet and using smaller flies is a good idea.
Our guides have been getting fish on mainly midges and baetis. The occasional hatch is occurring around 12-2pm, but the sunny weather in the forecast suggests nymphs. Attractor patterns like Pat’s Rubberlegs or Copper John’s will find fish, but the main winter dish for Truckee trout is the smaller bugs.
Midge patterns like the classic Zebra Midge and the Manhattan Midge have been effective lately, as well as the Slim Shady Baetis. For these bugs, try fishing them no larger than a size 18.
Fish are holding in the slow, deeper water, so be sure that your flies are fishing where they are! Trout can sit on the river bottom and feed, meaning we need to be getting right down there with them. If you’re flies snag up or tick bottom occasionally, try and keep fishing that depth.
Tight lines, and Happy New Year!
Ryan Rintala | Social Media @mattheronflyfishing
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