By Bruce Ajari ·
Fishing has been a big part of my life since I was a child. It is hard to believe that it has been 27 years since the first Kids Fishing Derby.
It was sponsored by the old Truckee Sports and Awards store that used to be next to the 7/11 store on Donner Pass Road. Owner Bob Tilton started the Derby in hopes of giving kids an avenue into the outdoors and staying out of trouble.
The year’s derby is on June 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Coldstream Pond behind Donner Memorial State Park. The derby is free for children 12 years and younger, and older kids are welcome to help the younger ones. Lunch will be available for sale by the Truckee Noon Rotary for everyone.
Many children that fish here locally can trace their roots back to this event. My own children both love to fish. My daughter has even begun a career in the sport. She is a fly-fishing guide with Confluence Outfitters near Redding, Ore. She has fond memories of fishing these events with her older brother.
My son loves to fish, as well. Now that he is doing more camping, he takes his rod along with him. He also has fond memories of the event.
Kids should bring their own gear for the event; limited gear will be available to use. Pre-register at Mountain Hardware and Sports in Truckee. Here are a few tips for the event:
- Make sure kids are well rested the night before.
- Arrive early to get a good spot to fish and park.
- Have plenty of snacks and liquids to stay hydrated.
- One of the most common problems that I see at events like this is not having an adequate amount of fishing line, or old line on the reel. Also, try 6-lb. test line and make sure the line isn’t old.
- A spool of lighter line than the main line is recommended for a leader along with some weights (split shot and egg sinkers are good), hooks (#8 to #12 are a good option) and simple baits (Berkeley Powerbait & salmon eggs).
FISHING REPORT
See Sightseeing for water levels.
Boca | Inflow is at 51 cfs and the outflow is 94 cfs. Powerbait, nightcrawlers and lures are all working. Fly-fishers have been catching some fish near the inlet with nymphs, streamers and dries.
Donner | Fishing has been fair to good. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait. Mackinaw fishing has been good. Fly-fishermen are catching some fish with streamers.
Lake Tahoe | Tributaries open to fishing only July 1-Sept. 3. Fishing has been fair to 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 51 cfs. The Little Truckee is running low for this time of year. Flows are dropping fast. Think small flies and long leaders on this water. Midges, Baetis, PMD and March Browns are beginning to show. Everything will be earlier this year so keep an eye out for those Green Drakes.
Martis Lake | Zero kill. Catch and Release only with barbless artificial lures or flies. Fishing is the best early in the season and again the fall. There are still a few nice fish in this lake that has severely declined. Smallmouth bass are now part of the fishery here.
Prosser | Fishing has been fair to good. Anglers using bait, lures and flies have all caught fish. Fly-fishermen have done well near the inlet areas.
Stampede | Fishing has been fair to good from shore. Nightcrawlers, Powerbait and lures have all produced from shore. Fly-fishermen have been doing well near the inlets with nymphs and streamers. The Kokanee fishing has been fair to good for those getting out. Smallmouth bass fishing has been fair.
Truckee River | The river is not flowing out of the lake at Tahoe City. The flows through Truckee are at 85 cfs. Flows are low through the town Truckee. Give the fish a break in this section and leave them alone. The flow from Boca downstream to the state line is running at 253 cfs. Best fishing will occur in the waters below where the Little Truckee enters the Truckee River below Boca Reservoir. This is special regulation, artificial only with barbless hook water. Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged in this section, but an angler may keep two fish with a minimum size of 14” during the trout season (last Saturday in April to Nov. 15). Hatches coming off include Baetis, March Browns PMDs, caddis and midges. Even a few Green Drakes have been observed.
Bruce is a long-time area fly-fisherman and past president of Tahoe Truckee Fly Fishers. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com to read more.
