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Last Updated August 19th, 2026

Truckee River Fishing Report

Current Water Conditions

Flows measuring 279 CFS out of Tahoe City, 282 CFS through the town of Truckee, 304 CFS in the Glenshire area, and 503 CFS near Farad. Flows are still really great for this time of the year and the watermaster is still releasing a good bit of water from Lake Tahoe into the Upper Truckee River. Rising water temperatures make fishing mid-day stressful for the fish, so the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are suggesting anglers to fish during the “hoot owl” periods of the day when water temperatures are their lowest. The hotter the water, the less oxygen there is for the fish. The appropriate times to fish are early in the mornings from 5:30am to 11:00am.                                  

Water Temperatures

Expect water temps to be in the low 60s°F at first light and ending up in the low 70s°F during the afternoon. Most of the colder water is below Boca reservoir. Always test water temperatures before fishing or check the gauges online. Fishing in the afternoon and evening is not recommended with the current water temperatures.

Hatches

Mostly nymphing in the mornings with stoneflies, tan and green caddis, pale morning dun nymphs, and small mayfly nymphs. Crawdads are still on the menu for the fish as well. Be on the lookout for grasshoppers this time of year too.

Effective Tactics

Nymphing in the mornings continues to be the most effective tactic this time of year. For anglers nymphing, focus on the faster pocket water and riffles and use a decent amount of weight to fish deep. This is where you fill find the most fish. With crawdads in their molting stage, anglers can also get some bites imitating various crawdad patterns. Dead drifting crawdad patterns under an indicator is a great technique right now. Grasshoppers are starting to become noticeable around the river as well, so a dry dropper setup could produce results too. Use something like a chubby chernobyl to float on top of the water and a small black nymph like a zebra midge for a dry dropper setup.

Catch Report

The bite is best from the Glenshire area through the canyon. Most of the colder water is below Boca. Almost all of the fish are done feeding by mid-morning with the high water temperatures. Small rainbows are the most common catch.

Fly Box Must-Haves

• Hares Ear Soft Hackle
• Haddon’s Dead Drift Crayfish Brown (#8)
• T.J. Hooker
• Chubby Chernobyl
• OCD Caddis
• Pale Morning Duns (#16-18)
• Zebra Midge
• Biot Epoxy Stone Golden (#10-14)
• Stone Daddy Light Golden (#10-12)
• Iron Sally
• Z-Wing Caddis
• Hogan’s Short Shank Caddis
• Missing Link Caddis
• E/C Caddis Tan (#14-16)
• Cutter’s E/C Caddis Tan (#16)
• Net Builder Caddis Green (#14)

Little Truckee River Fishing Report

Current Water Conditions

Flows on the Little Truckee have dropped quite a bit between Stampede and Boca and are currently at 45 CFS. With the water this low, fishing results can vary depending on the time of day. With the high outside temperatures, there are also some reports of algae starting to be seen in certain sections, which may dirty up the flies anglers are using. Because this is the only tailwater fishery in the area, it is very busy with foot traffic. Be sure to spread out and share the river.

Water Temperatures

With the tailwater release, the water temps don’t change much and are averaging in the mid 50s°F. Because the water is low though, water temperatures may vary in certain sections and could reach 58 to 60 degrees.

Hatches

Anglers will see a mix of pale morning duns and midges hatching in the mornings, along with some Caddis late in the evenings. Pale Morning Duns are the prominent hatch in the morning and early afternoon and anglers should try to imitate all stages of life for this bug - nymphs, emergers, and duns. Midges typically are hatching first thing in the morning.

Effective Tactics

Anglers can have success with both indicator nymphing or dry fly fishing on the Little Truckee River right now. Nymphing with an indicator in the deeper pools can produce good results. Fish are rising in the early morning and throughout the day, so a dry dropper setup could also produce results. Fishing with pale morning dun patterns in all of it’s life stages, midges, or caddis are working well. Size 18-20 flies are working best. A good presentation with 6x tippet and long leaders is a must on the Little Truckee River to increase your chances of bites.

Catch Report

With the lower water levels, a lot of the fish are hanging around the inlet to Boca Reservoir. This is so they can hide in the deeper water away from predators.

Fly Box Must-Haves

• Midges (#18-22)
• Pale Morning Duns in Pink and Yellow (#14-20)
• RS2 in Olive
• RS2 PMD Emerger
• Hare's Ear
• Para Pink
• Cutter’s E/C Caddis
• Net Builder Caddis
• Small San Juan Worms in Purple or Pink
• Flossy Worms
• T.J. Soft Spot in Pink
• Bird’s Nest (#16)
• Zebra Midges Black (#20)