Current Water Conditions

Flows on the Little Truckee River remain elevated but stable around 595 CFS between Boca and Stampede, with crystal-clear water. These high flows offer excellent sight-fishing opportunities but make for technical and challenging wading—use caution, especially near the willows and overbank sections.

Water Temperatures

Holding steady in the mid-50s°F—ideal for consistent trout activity and healthy hatch cycles.

Hatches

Expect active hatches from late morning through early afternoon. PMDs (Pale Morning Duns) are the standout, joined by Green Drakes, Blue-Winged Olives, and Caddis. Terrestrials like ants and beetles are beginning to show and can produce in slow water and grassy edges.

Effective Tactics

Tightline nymphing is your best bet in faster seams and pocket water—use 5x tippet, micro split shot, and subtle patterns like Juju Baetis or Zebra Midges. For hatch periods, switch to dry flies and target rising trout in tailouts and foam lines using long leaders and delicate presentations. PMDs and Green Drakes are especially effective. In slower margins or grassy banks, try terrestrials like ants or beetles. During the evening, swing small streamers or soft hackles near structure—browns may aggressively strike in low light. Keep a low profile, wade slowly, and cast deliberately. Precision matters here.

Catch Report

Anglers are reporting consistent hookups on both nymph and dry fly rigs. Rainbows and browns are averaging 14–17", with multiple reports of fish over 20" landed on dry flies during hatch windows. Most success is coming from carefully presented PMDs in slower seams and tightline nymphing in deeper runs. Evening streamer swings have also produced a few quality browns from undercut banks.

Fly Box Must-Haves

Juju Baetis (#18-20), Green Drakes (#12), Pheasant Tails (#16), Small Streamers, Pale Morning Duns (#14-16), Split-Case PMDs, Quigley's Blue Winged Olives, Zebra Midges (#20), San Juan Worms - In Tan Colors, Film Critics