Trout Source

Introduction

The Truckee is a high Sierra freestone slicing through mountains and a canyon as it completes a long descent from Lake Tahoe to Reno and the Nevada dessert.  This scenic river's fish average 12 inches, with rainbows ranging up to 20 inches and browns up to 25 inches.  Californians call the Truckee a "technical" river that is difficult to fish, but in the author's opinion it is no more challenging than the average East Coast river or stream.  It just does not have the long glides where "kerplunking" indicator nymphing suffices.  The Truckee contains plenty of whitewater, and for that reason is popular with rafters and kayakers.   In between rapids are plenty of classic riffles and pools, and along the banks are boulders and trees. 

River Character and Access

There are many access points on the Truckee as it parallels highway 89 upon leaving Lake Tahoe, then interstate 80 once it hits the town of Truckee and makes its way down the mountains and through canyons to Reno, Nevada and finally Pyramid Lake.  The most desirable section is the 12-mile "middle section" from Trout Creek in the town of Truckee downstream to Gray Creek, which is 4 miles into the Grand Canyon of the Truckee.  This whole stretch parallels highway 80 (and railroad tracks most of the way, and even some old mining tracks), although some sections are more accessible than others.  In some cases you can park near the railroad tracks and hike up or down to suit your tastes. Turnoffs and local roads worth exploring in the middle section include Glenshire Road, Glenshire Bridge, Union Mills Bridge, Hirschdale Road, Boca Bridge, and the towns of Truckee, Glenshire, Floriston.  Feeder streams include Trout Creek, Prosser Creek, Juniper Creek and Martis Creek.  The Little Truckee River, which also offers good fishing (though mostly before mid-summer), enters below the canyon stretch.  California's Martis Creek Lake, with wild trout, is nearby.  Click here for directions to the town of Truckee, where there is plenty of lodging along with fly shops and guides.

 

Troutsource highly recommends the services of a local fly fishing guide.  We've listed the best ones below, and you can contact all of them at once using our e-mail form.  A guide can be the difference between getting skunked and catching 20 fish.   Remember, getting the right fly is only half the battle.  You need to know exactly where to put it, and how -- and this is where guides earn their money.   A customary tip is 15%.

When and How to Fish

The Truckee requires that you fly fish, not imitate bait fishermen with bobbers.  If you can do that, you can catch fish here (but that's no guarantee).  Beware that, because the river begins at roughly 5,000 feet in elevation, the air gets cold quickly in the evening.   The nearby hub town of Truckee is often the coldest town in the country in late summer and early fall.  Summers are warm and sunny, with a rare thunderstorm here and there.  The Tuckee's plethora of hatches begins in March and runs through late October.  Little Yellow Stoneflies, Blue-Winged Olives, Green Drakes, Sulphurs, March Browns, Golden Stones and numerous caddis and other mayfly species will fill the trout's stomach here.  Streamers can also be effective for the larger browns.  Despite the excellent fishing and proximity to Lake Tahoe and Reno, the Truckee is rarely crowded, and with a little effort you can beat whatever crowds you encounter.  In summer, you'll probably see more rafters and kayakers than fishermen.