By Bruce Ajari ·
The Truckee River ·
Warm, summer weather means that our local waterways are heating up.
Trout are most comfortable in a temperature range of mid-50 to about 64 degrees. When water temperatures exceed this upper limit, it becomes increasingly important for anglers that practice catch-and-release to be aware of this situation.
As water temperatures get above 64 degrees, water does not support as much oxygen. As a result, when an angler catches a fish in warm water, the fish are stressed to a point of exhaustion. Anglers need to take extra time in reviving fish that our caught.
There are a number of studies on hooking mortality and the effect of water temperatures. They point out that hooking mortality greatly increases as water temperatures rise. Even fish that seem to swim away fine, may later die, according to these studies.
Practicing catch-and-release fly-fishing is generally a good policy. However, there comes a time in every season when a prudent angler should consider other options and not put any additional stress on the fishery.
Warm water species such as bass and carp are other species that are available for fly-fishing anglers are alternatives. Some of our local lakes have smallmouth bass and even carp. There also are a number of good largemouth bass opportunities within a short drive.
Another option is take a hike or drive into the high country to fish cooler waters. Taking a short hike into the back country will get you into cooler water temperatures where you can still fish and not worry so much about the fish surviving the encounter.
We often drive to a few of these higher elevation lakes and will take along our float-tubes to fish. Fishing can be quite productive and provides another great alternative to the high water temperatures in local waters.
Anglers should always carry a thermometer to know the water temperatures. In the spring, it helps to know when the water temperature gets above 50 degrees when the fish will be more active. In the summer, it is crucial to know when the temperatures exceed the mid-60s.
The Truckee River temperatures are already exceeding temperatures in the mid-60s in the afternoon. The Little Truckee River usually runs cool since the water comes out of the bottom of Stampede Reservoir. These temperatures can get warm as the flows drop, which may be the case this year. These waters also happen to experience the most angling pressure in our area.
We don’t often think about ethics in fishing, but limiting fishing to warm water species or high country alternatives is the ethical thing to do when we experience warm water temperatures. Sometimes doing the right thing means not fishing.
FISHING REPORT (See Sightseeing for water levels.)
Boca | Inflow is at 65 cfs and the outflow is 224 cfs. Try powerbait or nightcrawlers. Throwing lures from shore has been working. Fly-fishers have been catching some fish near the inlet, mostly nymphing and with streamers.
Donner Lake | Fishing has been good. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the bait of choice. Mackinaw and Kokanee fishing has been fair. Fly-fishermen are catching some fish with streamers.
Lake Tahoe | The Lake within 300 feet of a tributary is closed. Tributaries are open July 1 to Sept. 30. 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 now at a 65 cfs. Fishing has been fair to good. Keep an eye on the flows here. Try a dry dropper rig here. PMD’s have been the top producer of late.
Martis Lake | Zero kill. Catch and Release only with barbless artificial lures or flies. Some small cutthroats and an occasional large brown or rainbow can still be caught here. Smallmouth bass have been introduced in this water. It is probably too warm for fishing now; wait until fall to give this spot a try.
Prosser | The lake is fishing fair to good. Powerbait and nightcrawlers are the best bait. Lure and fly-fishermen are taking some fish from shore and near the inlets. Smallmouth Bass fishing is fair to good.
Stampede | Stampede continues to drop. Fishing has been fair to good from shore. Kokanee fishing has been good. Mackinaw fishing has been good. Smallmouth bass fishing is fair to good.
Truckee River | The flow through Truckee is at 222 cfs as of July 13. Fishing has been good. Keep an eye on the flows. Fish have been caught on nymphs, emergers, dries and streamers. The water flows seem to be stabilizing. Caddisflies and Little Yellow Stones are the main attractions right now. Your best bet is to nymph or streamer fish at these flows unless you see an active surface-feeding fish.
Other Waters | Davis and Frenchman have been fair to good. The damsel hatch is slowing down. Carry some adult damsels with you now. Fish are being caught on blood midge patterns and Callibaetis imitations. Streamers fished deep can be productive.
Bruce is a long-time area fly-fisherman and past president of Tahoe Truckee Fly Fishers.
