Truckee River by Aden Breckner

Fly fishing on the Truckee River has been good over the last few weeks. Looking forward, flows are expected to increase on a daily basis as we enter spring runoff. Flows at the Reno gauge are just above 1,000 cfs as of this writing. With increasing flows, we will turn towards high water tactics. 

Fish get pushed up near the bank this time of year. You are looking for soft edges and protected water where fish can find relief from big flows. Inside bends are a great place to start looking for fish. Nymph and streamer fishing are the two favored techniques during this time. When nymphing, ESN setups can be effective since you are often fishing short drifts in close quarters. With decreased water clarity, fish can often be found in water as shallow as 12 inches. Adjusting weight and leader length are crucial to success this time of year. In some spots you may need a heavy rig to get down quickly; while other spots may require a light rig to suspend over submerged grass and debris. The Squirminator will be a hot fly over the next couple weeks since the banks will be submerged. Stoneflies like the TJ Hooker are also a good bet. If water clarity improves (changes day to day), try fishing standby patterns like a size 14 Carot or a Fire Starter in the same size.

Streamer fishing will be the quickest way to find “the one”. Many anglers look forward to spring runoff as the largest fish in the river get pushed to the bank and become catchable. Streamers should be large and flashy in most cases. Flies like the Articulated Trout Slider or Barely Legal are great options.

The following articles discuss high water tactics relating to the Truckee River but can be applied to most of our regional streams. 

• 5 Tips for Fly Fishing High Water
• Spring High Water and Your Best Approach to Big Trout

Flies we Suggest: Squirmy Worm, Squirminator, Tunghead Stone, TJ Hooker, Firestarter, Carot, Jigged CDC PT, Articulated Trout Slider, Kreelex, Barely Legal