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Last Updated September 30th, 2026

Truckee River Fishing Report

Current Water Conditions

Truckee River flows have dropped a good bit throughout the River, but this is expected for this time of year. Flows are measuring around 75 CFS out of Tahoe City, 72 CFS through the town of Truckee, 90 CFS near Glenshire, and 490 CFS at Farad. Because of this, Glenshire to the stateline is the best section to fish. Mornings and evenings are the best times to fish with the fish biting more then, but anglers can get bites all day.                          

Water Temperatures

Water temperatures are transitioning to fall conditions with the colder nights and mornings finally here. Expect water temps to be in the mid to mid 50s°F at first light and ending up in the high 50s°F during the afternoons. Most of the colder water is below Boca to Farad.

Hatches

Blue winged olives and midges are the primary hatches right now. October Caddis should be starting to make their appearance soon, so be on the lookout for them. This is the last large hatch of the year. Crawdads are still out there, so fishing with some crawdad patterns can produce some bites.

Effective Tactics

Depending on where anglers are fishing, multiple tactics can provide some bites right now. With the water lower in the Glenshire area, the best method is going to be dry fly fishing. In sections with higher flows, nymphing during the morning hours continues to be the most productive tactic this time of year. Fish are starting to stage themselves in the slower water pockets. Nymphing with stoneflies and using blue winged olives or midges as a dropper is providing good results right now. Using enough weight to get your flies down into the deeper parts of these runs will be key to finding fish. Streamer fishing can also be good this time of year, especially in the canyon where bigger browns will be starting to feed more aggressively to fatten up for the winter. For anglers streamer fishing, be sure to use a lot of weight to get the fly deep.

Catch Report

The bite is best below the outflow of the Little Truckee River and from Floriston to the stateline. Mostly average size rainbows, with the occasional brown trout. As fishing conditions cool, the bigger fish should start to actively feed more during the transition from fall to winter.

Fly Box Must-Haves

• Stone Daddy Light Golden (#10-12)
• Pat’s Rubber Legs
• Biot Epoxy Stone Golden (#10-14)
• Zebra Midge
• Burke’s Bottom Roller
• Tungsten October Caddis
• Morrish October Caddis
• Z-Wing Caddis
• Hogan’s Short Shank Caddis
• Missing Link Caddis
• Cutter’s E/C Caddis Tan (#16)
• Orange Stimulator
• Hares Ear Soft Hackle
• Haddon’s Dead Drift Crayfish Brown (#8)
• T.J. Hooker
• Sculpins

Little Truckee River Fishing Report

Current Water Conditions

Flows on the Little Truckee River are low between Stampede and Boca and are currently running around 47 CFS. Fishing can be inconsistent with the lower flows that the river currently has. Browns should start their spawn soon here as well. With the current flows and browns spawning soon, it is recommended to give this fishery a break and fish elsewhere.

Water Temperatures

Water temps are averaging in the mid 50s°F.

Hatches

No hatch to report.

Effective Tactics

With the river running low and the browns spawning soon, river anglers should focus their efforts on the Truckee River instead.

Catch Report

With the lower flows, most of the fish are hanging around the inlet to Boca Reservoir. Fish the Truckee River instead for more bites.

Fly Box Must-Haves

• Midges (#18-22)
• Pale Morning Duns in Pink and Yellow (#16-20)
• RS2 in Olive
• 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)