By Bruce Ajari ·
Above, the low Alder Creek arm of Prosser Reservoir ·
We are entering the fall season and the effects of the drought have our streams and reservoirs in a sad state of affairs. Fall is typically one of the best times of the year for anglers.
It is spawning season for a number of species.Brook, Lake and Brown Trout all spawn during the fall. In addition, Kokanee Salmon (a landlocked Sockeye Salmon) also spawn in the fall. This year, they will be met with challenging conditions. Low flows for this time of year are sure to greet this generation of fish making it difficult for successful spawning.
Right now, if nothing changes, it appears that Lake Tahoe will drop below its natural rim sometime around the end of September, according to the Federal Watermaster. This means that water will cease to flow into the Truckee River from Tahoe City to Truckee. This will mean dire conditions for fish in this section.
The Truckee River from Truckee should have better flows due to releases from Donner Lake. As a result, this section of river should be fishing well in the fall.
Other area reservoirs are near all-time lows. Boca, Prosser and Stampede Reservoirs fishing should remain good despite low levels. The remaining fish in these reservoirs will be concentrated into a smaller area, so anglers should have better luck finding them.
The Little Truckee River flowing out of Stampede into Boca Reservoir should have low flows. As a result, fishing should be more challenging. The low level will require stealth, long leaders and precise casting to be successful.
Since the streams will have significantly lower flows, reservoirs and lakes should provide the angler with the best angling opportunities this fall.
Many of us typically concentrate on stillwater fishing during the fall season. Fish can be found cruising in shallow water during this period and anglers can have great success catching them.
Both local lakes and reservoirs and others such as Davis and Frenchman provide great opportunities for anglers. Davis Lake in particular has seemed to return to its former self. Anglers are again catching good numbers and some sizeable trout.
Frenchman Reservoir also is a great destination fairly close to our area. Fishing here can be quite good during the fall. Though it does not produce the average size of fish that Davis does, it can produce some good numbers.
Fishing lakes and reservoirs during the fall can be done from the shore. While many anglers still use boats, pontoon boats or float tubes, we tend to wade fish lakes because the fish are typically in shallow water during this season due to the cooler water temperatures.
We find that we can be equally successful from shore, so we can get by with some minimal gear. If fly-fishing from shore, I would recommend using a stripping basket.
This helps you keep your line clean and prevents line from catching on objects along the shoreline that tend to impede your casts.
Some find the use of a stripping basket cumbersome. It does take some getting used to, but it helps with the aforementioned issues.
This fall promises to be one of the most challenging ones that we have seen in some time due to the low water. Let’s hope that the winter brings us the needed precipitation to fill our local waters.
FISHING REPORT
(For water levels visit troa.net)
Boca | Inflow is at 41 cfs and the outflow is 84 cfs. Fishing has been fair. Most anglers have been using powerbait or nightcrawlers. Throwing lures from shore can also be productive. Fly anglers are doing fair near the inlet with nymph and streamers.
Donner | Fishing has been fair. Shore fishing has been fair. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait. Fly-fishermen are catching some fish with streamers.
Lake Tahoe | Fishing has been good for mackinaw. A guide is highly recommended if you are fishing for mackinaw for the first time. Toplining and shore fishing is fair. Most shore fishermen use inflated nightcrawlers.
Little Truckee River | The flow is at 41 cfs. Keep an eye on water temperatures here at these low flows. Fishing is tougher at these levels. A dry dropper rig works well in these conditions.
Martis Lake | Zero kill, catch and release only with barbless hooks. The water should start to be fishable soon with cooler nights. Small cutthroats and a few large browns are available here. Smallmouth bass also are in this impoundment.
Prosser | Fishing has been fair. Most anglers are using powerbait or nightcrawlers. Fish are being caught in deeper water. Smallmouth bass fishing has slowed down.
Stampede | Stampede fishing has been fair. Shore fishermen have found action fair. Most are using nightcrawlers or Powerbait. Fly-fishermen are using a combination of nymphs and streamers with fair success. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair.
Truckee River | The upper section from Tahoe City to River Ranch flow is 45 cfs and through Truckee at 75 cfs. Some water is now being released out of Donner Lake. Keep an eye on the water temperatures. There is a voluntary closure on fishing the river by local industry fly fishers and regular anglers.
Other Waters | Davis and Frenchman have been fishing fair. Cooler nights should start bringing fish into the shallows soon. Blood midge and Callibaetis mayflies are the hatches most prevalent right now. Imitate these and you have a chance.
Bruce is a long-time area fly-fisherman and past president of Tahoe Truckee Fly Fishers.
