Current Water Conditions

The Truckee is fishing excellent this week, especially for anglers who beat the crowds in the early mornings. Flows remain steady and healthy—around 300 CFS at Tahoe City, 335 CFS through Truckee, and just under 543 CFS at Farad—keeping the canyon stretch in perfect shape. Mornings are crisp, trout are active, and water clarity is ideal. With warmer temps expected this weekend, keep a thermometer handy just in case, but overall temperature hasn’t been a factor with the colder nights the region has seen lately.                                               

Water Temperatures

Starting in the low 60s°F at first light, climbing to 65–68°F by mid-afternoon. Best action comes before lunch, tapering as the water warms. The Glenshire area is averaging about 64°F, while water flowing through the canyon averages around 62°F.

Hatches

PMDs remain strong mid-morning (around 10am), evening caddis hatches kick off after 6pm, and midges provide steady action at dawn. Hoppers are also abundant right now, making them an excellent food choice for the fish.

Effective Tactics

Tightline nymphing in riffles and seams, fishing crawdad patterns in faster water, and dry-dropper combos on 5x leaders are productive. Streamers in the canyon are moving big browns, especially during low-light windows. The best fishing window is between 6am and 2pm.

Catch Report

Rainbows and browns in the 12–16” range are steady from Glenshire to Hirschdale, while canyon pools are producing some browns approaching 20”. Early mornings and evenings deliver the best topwater action.

Fly Box Must-Haves

Caddis Emergers (#16), Green Rockworms (#16), Squirmy Worms (#16), Elk Hair Caddis (#16), E/C Caddis (#12-14), Pheasant Tails (#14-18), Beadless Pheasant Tails (#16), Split Case PMDs (#16), Brown San Juan Worms (#12), Juju Baetis (#18), Crawdad Patterns in Various Colors, Streamers (Sculpzillas and Conehead Mullers)