Current Water Conditions

The Truckee River is in excellent shape as we move into the third week of June. Flows are holding steady and fishable across the system: ~75 CFS out of Tahoe City, ~230 CFS through Truckee, and ~1,100 CFS near Farad. These are great conditions for both access and food distribution. Water clarity remains high, and mornings offer the best visibility for sight fishing. Exercise caution when wading the faster sections—flows are healthy and moving quickly.     

Water Temperatures

Temperatures are hovering in the mid-50s°F, making for ideal trout feeding windows from mid-morning to late evening.

Hatches

This week brings classic early summer bug life. Expect strong Caddis hatches in the evenings and a growing presence of Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) and Yellow Sallies from mid-morning through early afternoon. Green Drakes—a highlight of the season—are also beginning to pop, particularly in lower stretches.

Effective Tactics

Nymphing remains the most productive approach on the Truckee River, especially using indicator rigs with heavy flies like Pat’s Rubber Legs, San Juan Worms, and Pheasant Tails to reach trout in faster water. Tightline and euro nymphing are also effective in soft edges and pocket water, particularly where flows slow down around structure. Dry fly opportunities are increasing—try Pale Morning Duns or Caddis during mid-morning and evening hatches, and keep an eye out for Green Drakes in the lower sections. Streamer fishing with Sculpzillas or crayfish patterns can move bigger browns during the afternoon when fish are most aggressive.

Catch Report

Anglers continue to hook solid numbers of rainbows and browns in the 14–22” range. Productive areas include seam lines below Glenshire and structure-rich water near Hirschdale. Streamer anglers are moving the biggest fish in deeper pools and shaded cut banks.

Fly Box Must-Haves

Adult Yellow Sallies, Split Case PMDs, Tungsten Drowned Ants (#14), Elk Hair Caddis, E/C Caddis, Caddis Pupae and Adult Caddis, Green Drake Cripples (#10-12), Foam Flying Ants, Pat's Rubber Legs, Small Streamers-Sculpzillas and Conehead Mullers, Crayfish Patterns, Pheasant Tails (#14)