Welcome 2012 & Unreported Fall 2011 Happenings

Well, here's hoping everyone had pleasant memories of 2011. I'm looking forward to 2012.

...Christmas ice-skating, some played hockey, on an unnamed lake with family in northern California, to be specific Weed CA.  This actually is a video wishing everyone Merry Christmas & Happy New Year..but I'm so techno-challenged I can't get it to download & play via the blog.

Fall of 2012 awarded us with great fly fishing...thanks to the previous year's tremendous snowfall. There were other non-ffing events I didn't report. Here are some...

Truckee River Day*, Ocober 16...the Little Truckee's Meadow section; one of the day's varied volunteer water-related projects throughout the Truckee area that day....

Planting willows for bank stabilization at the tail-out of Papa's Pool

The 3rd annual Gilligan's Rib BBQ competition; October 15. This year's winner was from Texas! In 2012 it will probably go international...good-time had by all.

    The first annual "give us back our rivers" Tahoe-Truckee Fly Fishers' FISH-IN...mid-November

Early November....pursuing Steelhead on the Trinity.

....and visiting friends in Redding

          Splitting Firewood for the winter...which hasn't arrived yet!!

*A personal gauge to see who helps out with "hands-on" projects on the local waters One of the three (3) prerequistes for being a fully commited GIVER...as opposed to being a total TAKER

ThanksGiving...on the Wrong Coast?

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Virginia with "extended family" at their second home on the shores of the Rappahannock river in the "Northern Neck" of Chesapeake Bay. Suffice it to says we ate lots of food, read books & magazines, hiked, watched lots of football, both college and the pros...overwhelmingly, did a lot of nothing......it was a perfect holiday.

Since we were surprise visitors for our friends' children, I did not have an option to check-out fly fishing opportunities available. I wanted to surprise my fly-fishng-fool "adopted" nephew with a guided trip on local waters...hoping we had a chance at in-shore Stripers.For sure, next year I'll bring some gear. This Large Mouth Bass was caught and released by Morgan Wells, a neighbor, it was encountered in a 10-12 acre pond a mile from where we stayed. The next day he got another one a bit smaller.

Here's a view from the back-deck, here we BBQ'd, had cocktails, read, relaxed and witnessed beautiful sunsets. The weather was perfect, in the 70's with mild breezes. We roasted hot-dogs and ate "smores" by the fire-pit in the evenings.

...of course we had to sample the local bounty; fresh oysters purchased from the local "waterman".

The "connection"; Karen and her long-time good buddy, Alston.

Our nephew (Alston's son), Ryan Johnson, Ally and their two children, Sage and Drake. The enclave  is called "Little Florida" because of similarities to the more southerly state.

Overdue Post...I'm Still Alive

Plus, I inadvertently deleted my post of October 16, 2011*....an E-Quickie Fishing Update.

Well, I'm still back in Virginia having had a wonderful extended Thanksgiving with close friends. We're right on the Rappahannock River...beachfront...one of the four (4) rivers of the "Northern Neck" of Chesapeake Bay. I was going to download some images, but, time is an issue since I'm using a computer that is being used constantly. When I get to California I may post some images of interest.

As for the fly fishing in the Truckee area, it remained productive prior to my departure. The flows on both the BT and LT were very friendly; all the way to the CA/NV stateline. Both the Browns & RainBows continued eating; sensing that winter is approaching so they are bulking-up and feeding aggressively. Streamers are duping the big guys and nymphing has been the most consistent method; producing Browns to 26" and RB's to 20". On the BT the lower flows above the Boca inflow, dry/droppers were fooling mostly RB's in the 8"-12" range with an occassional brown to 13".

.
Bugs being observed are BWO's, Little Olive Stones, October Caddisand micro-caddis. Producing flies have been attractor down-wings(#6-10), #14-18, "generics" (BHFBPT, HaresEars, Princes), David Foster's original Copper Jacket, size 12 and #18-22 midge larva & pupae (dark...as in black) or Flask-Back WD-40's trailing #14 Flesh Juans. Swinging October Caddis Pupae  some got tugs.

PLEASE, do not harass the Browns that are ON redds. Let them do their thing without being harassed. Some anglers don't seem to get that message. It remains the old "It is legal, but is it ethical?" question. I'm of the opinion there has to be a very high-profile discussion by fishery conservation groups about the ethics of fishing on, through and immediately below redds.

* an excerpt from the deleted post entitled "...the seasons, they are changing":

Yes indeed, the weather has changed and we're now starting to wear some of our winter clothing...or at least thinking about it.

We're experiencing progressinvely cooool mornings; as in  ice-in-the-guides...such as a friend just experienced if you get on the water tooooo early. And the fishing has been really pretty good and progressively gets even better.

Flies:  #20-22 Black Midge Pupa and Olive WD-40 Flashbacks, #18 FBPT, #18 Olive ParaDuns, #16 BHFBPT,  #14-16 Flesh Juans,#6-8 Orange Caddis Pupa

Netted Trout: RB's to 19" and Browns to 23". higher proportion of RB's on the BT, with an even mix between Browns & RB's on the LT.  The larger trout are more predictable on the LT.  The BT water produces better numbers, but smaller fish...thus far.

Most Consistant Method: Without question...from my first-hand experience with both clients & myself..indicator nymphing. Use two-fly rigs; big/small with the latter trailing. Anglers using streamers also, but "NetWork" reports seem to reinforce that the deep nymphing is producung the heavier tugs.

TRUCKEE TRIVIA # 6

Question #6:

What year did the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation complete the earthen-filled dam creating  Prosser Creek Reservoir?

Quickie E-Fishing Report #7

Acccording to the calendar and the weather, Fall is in the air. The mornings are dewy & evenings are brisk; with nighttime temperatures into the high-30's. Ground vegetation is drying & fallen pine-needles are forming soft mats on the forest floor. All, a precursor of the aspens, cottonwoods & alders turning gold.The "second season" has arrived.

The running waters are low, clear & cooling; the lake inlets' magnetic effects are gathering early migrants for the Browns upcoming spawn. Trout are are more eagerly eating our flies & there are few flyanglers on the local waters. The moving waters currently overshadow the lakes relative to the places of choice to cast the fly; although there is one particular unnamed lake or two (...or inlet, HINT). all types of water start to fish quite well now, through October, into Novemeber and/or until the snows progressively eliminate access.

A recent communication/fishing report to a client:

Q----How has it been for the past couple of weeks? Will the fishing be any good next weekend in Tahoe?

A----I’m not a clairvoyant & seldom with complete assuredly predict what is happening in advance, but fishing has been pretty decent the last three weeks and I feel it will continue. Admittedly I’d like to see more cloud-cover though. The days have been mild. The waters are low & clear but we’re catching trout on the big Truckee up to 17”. Most are 8”-12” wild rainbows & browns…90% being the former. Producing methods have been dry/dropper and indicator rigs; the latter being the most productive.

We’ve been working the water above Hirschdale all the way to Trout creek (low flows here but the trout are willing). I’m seriously thinking about using a 4 wt in the upper section because the fish are smallish, but very aggressive and feisty. They are eating small flies. The best fly has been a #18 BHFBPT, followed by #18 Micro-May or #16 Rubber-Legged Copper John…either trialing a #14 Flesh Juans while fishing deep or a #14 Stimulator in a dry/drop ser-up. I’m dropping the sub-surface fly under the Stimulator longer than normal; 24”-30”.

AM’s have been the best time and it slows in the early afternoon. As the sun fades the last 1-1/2 hours perks things up as far as willing trout. Leaving at 2PM I haven’t recorded a water temp of over 63…a decent temp. There are few aquatic in flight and the hoppers remain thick. But, if there is no wind…hasn’t been a lot…hoppers are not haphazardly landing in the water; so I haven’t used specific hopper patterns since there not always available.

As for the Little Truckee*….forgetaboutit!. I’m not taking any clients there right now because the water is way too low at 15-17 cfs. During a Bureau of Reclamation 6 year inspection it was noticed that a gasket was leaking or defective. They are working on it now. Until that is completed and the flows are increased I will not fish it or take clientsthere…the trout are really exposed to predators right now and that includ us!

Prior to thge ramp-down when it was 110 cfs there were sippers that moved to sized #22-24 Organza Spinners. Most were not hooked becuase of the tiny flies even though the gaps were opened (...off-set the points).

*NOTE: As of 9/23 the LT repairs are done an currently the flow is 157 cfs...good fishing flow. The BT remains a good choice in the AM. Few bugs are in flight and there remains few rising trout.

TRUCKEE TRIVIA #5...da Stumper Answer

OK, thought I'd step it up a bit and make the trivia a bit more challenging. Maybe it was too challenging.

ANSWER: 2.7 miles*

* from the San Francisco Fly Casting Club's printed "Brief History":


"...Since the Truckee River is  designated as a navigable river, the Club asks that those floating the the 2.7 miles of river respect the fact that the waters as designated "Fly Fishing Only---Catch & Release" and respect the fact that shorelines are the private property of the Club for use by members and guests. The Club supports a number of fishing-related groups and respectfully requests that same support in return."

Independence Lake Update

Surprisingly, my post on the Truckee River Watershed Council stakeholder's meeting in April has consistently shown as one of the top viewing posts on my blog...and that was five months ago. I'm guessing that the new land owner's purchase/policy of usage of the surrounding land around the lake, The Nature Conservancy, has piqued people's interest...pro and con. Below is a belated post on the TNC's current policy of ingress and egress, camping, boat rentals etc...

Fishing regulations:
No live bait, use of artificials required; all cutthroat trout must be released; limit five kokanee salmon or brook trout.

Camping:
Seven primitive walk-in campsites, with bear-proof food storagebox, picnic table and fire ring provided; no developed, piped water orgarbage service (pack it in, pack it out); first-come, first-served; $10 per night, maximum of six people per site.

Boat rentals available:
Three 14-foot aluminum boats with 10-horsepower 4-cycle outboards, $50 day, $25 half-day; eight kayaks, including two tandems, four pontoon float tubes, $20, $10.

Dogs:
OK on trails and in campsites, must be leashed.

Restrictions:
No watercraft permitted except for rentals, no hunting or firing guns, no campfires outside of designated rings at campsites, no smoking, firewood cutting, felt-soled waders or live bait.

How to get there:
From Truckee, take Highway 89 north for 15 miles to
turnoff marked "Independence Lake, Webber Lake, Jackson Meadow Reservoir."

Turn left and go 1.5 miles (on paved road) to junction (signed
"Independence Lake - 5 miles").

Turn left and drive 2 miles (becomes dirt,rough for some vehicles) to a fork (signed "Independence Lake - miles").

Take right fork and go 0.5 of a mile to another fork. Bear left and drive across a stream (if you do not drive across a stream just after taking this fork, you have taken the wrong fork), and continue to signed entrance road for Independence Lake Preserve. High-clearance vehicles required.

TRUCKEE TRIVIA #5

Question #5:

How many miles* of the Truckee River are within the private property boundries of the San Francisco Fly Fishing & Casting Club?

*,,,to a tenth of a mile

Quickie E-Fishing Report #6

This is a replica of a recent e-post (sans images and * comment) on a Bulletin Board:

The weather around Truckee has been pleasant with blue skies, sparse cloud cover and mild breezes. We are experiencing mid-summer fly fishing conditions(in late August!); most especially clear and warming waters. Plenty of bugs are available providing your timing is accurate; best approach being mornings and evening excursions, whether on moving or stillwaters.

The TRUCKEE RIVER has slowed a bit relative to the more productive angling we had during July and into early August.. The hackneyed reason... waters flirting with the higher 60's... by late afternoon, more significant in the upper river above Prosser inflow to Lake Tahoe; flowing at 278 cfs.

So, while angling in the "upper"river", it is best to seek cooler flows, whether you look for such at seepage springs and pocket-water surrounded by aerated whitewater. The other option is to explore the heavier currents below Prosser and Boca inflows; currently at 392 and 558 cfs, respectively. Overall, deep nymphing techniques will provide the most consistent angling; more so during the heat of the day. "Picking pockets" with dry-dropper methods works best in the AM and during the last light of the day.

Generic patterns in sizes 14-18 are suggested. There are lots of Spotted Sedges with a waning amount of Little Yellow Stones flying around (Hint: in the stream side bushes). Like-sized, dry, down winged patterns of the aforementioned get opportunistic grabs. Upwings such as Royal Wulffs and Humpies (I prefer ParaChute Humpies); any hair-wing attractors especially in the quicker flows.... Stimulators are good choices and do not hesitate to use an out-sized 10 or 12. The hoppers are thick now.

I must admit the most productive pattern I've used recently, with either deep-nymphing or as a dropper off of an indicator dry has been Matt "Gilligan" Koles' Gil's PMD Nymph. We have some great tyers in this area, even the well-known fly guru Andy Burk; but Gilligan's original patterns are fooling tons of trout in this area...and I do use Andy's patterns.


The Little Truckee is getting very low (139 cfs). There are both mayflies and caddis emerging...but very few heads showing, in the Meadow area. Now is the time of year I personally start using midges; as trailers during nymphing or dry-droppering.

It remains crowded with displays of poor angling etiquette; not to mention scammer guides who do not have USFS permits*. The smaller trout are making more of an appearance.

Kyle...Go Giants!

IMO, the larger ones have become very educated. Grade A spring-creek tactics...and skills...are required here. If not, do not venture here, you may become very frustrated.

*The below badge should be visibly displayed by a guide while operating/guiding commercially on Tahoe National Forest lands in the Truckee area. If not, they are suspect guides who are under-cutting USFS permitted guides who have lot more operating expenses because of 4%+ fees paid...'off the top'.Thus undercutting fee-wise permitted guides since they have less operating expenses (possibly no liability insurance). They're not complying with federal/state & county laws. IMO do not enable them.

Defintion #10 STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Stream of Consciousness:

A fly angling teaching method used when instructing beginners. It entails the instructor demonstrating/verbalizing actual fly fishing for about 10 minutes. While fishing, the instructor is explaining their thinking as to the why and what they're doing. The student is actually seeing and hearing the thought processes being used to fish.

Quickie E-Fishing Report #5

Yeah..."cut & paste" is efficient...

---Excerpts of my personal e-notes to others on LT:

*Yesterday---"...fished the lower meadow using a dry/dropper rig and landed ½ dozen of a dozen hooked and another 10 misses…all under 12”. Neither of us saw heads."

*"...4:30-& 7:30 and hooked two. Broke one-off on the take; it ate a dropper of dry/dropper rig on 5X..then landed a girthy, 19” RB on a SJ worm via lead and indicator"


*About a week ago when flows were 436CFS..."The flows are dropping slowly....mostly PMD’s and a couple of other mayflies are emerging in numbers at the latest start of 1:30. They are all dun-colored wings, but three different abdominal-colors, yellow, orange at 14-16 and olive at maybe a 12 (Flav??, it would be earlier than anticipated since Green Drakes have been seen as late as august 1st!)...I've received two reports of success with EC Cripples 14-18. There are caddis 18-20 flying around. IMO, The most consistent method that produces at this flow is  indicator nymphing (whether long-lining or short-lining). Search at top of runs or riffles, but be careful because there can be trout in the tail-outs, smooth water along the banks, seams & really obvious foam lines (the thinner the better). There are sight-fishing opportunities. Essentially soft water for the surface-film fishing and the deeper faster water & pools go sub-surface.


There is lot of moss so if you sub-surface two people who are not  skilled, you’ll be pulling moss all day

I personally have been using 6-7 #6 (I add; when in doubt add!) or up  to 5 #4’s…Flesh Juans trailing 14-18's. I have not been using small midges at these flows. An exception is having success with myself and/or clients during 3-4 sessions trailing 20-22's (yarn indicator not Thingabobber; I use the latter in the quicker flows with heavier weight).…it all gets down to the client’s skill level. The trout are there and they are eating top and bottom."

2---Quote from my post Keine Bulletin Boad on 7/10/11:

"I'm a firm believer in synthesizing information. Several contributors to this BB provide their take on what is happening in the Truckee area from a fly fishing perspective. All of it is helpful; so gather a bit of wisdom here & there and you'll get a pretty decent idea as to what is actually happening in the immediate Truckee area's waters"

3---My post on Keine's BB today:

"In the last three days the flow into the Truckee from the dam at Tahoe City has increased 180%; 60-171 cfs....The good news is that the stretch of water along state route #89 will have more water, but the caveat is the water-release is from the top of the lake which will be warmer than water-releases from bottom-release dams such as at Prosser and Boca dams. So bring your thermometer. AM and evenings are advised...ideally.

...But, fish are being duped during the day in pocket-water via "sticking & moving" with either nymphing or dry/dropper methods in the water upstream of the Boca inflow to Prosser Creek...cooler water at a nice fly-fishable mode of 290-300 cfs.

Lots of Spotted Sedges and Yellow Stones and personally unidentified mayflies. Generic patterns are sufficient.

The Little Truckee above Stampede Lake is a good "prospecting" play now in the Perazzo Meadows area. During the last week below Stampede dam there has been a 39% decrease in dam release to 239cfs. IMO, the trout really have not adjusted to the newer flows and feeding lies because of the ramp-downs. There are several mayflies and smallish caddis emerging and flitting around, swallows are working mid-day and the early appearances of dragonflies is occurring on their hunts for the mayfly emergers. Regretably there still remains few consistant snouts exposing themselves."

22 Pound Brown!!

Yes indeed; three weeks ago a guide-client of mine caught and released a 22 POUND Brown on the BT . Two people called  to congratulate me on such a horrendous guiding accomplishment. Yes, I am Da MAN..and this solidifies my enshrinement  in the California Fly Angling Guide Hall of Fame.

.....Problem is, it is not true; my client landed a 22 INCH Brown on the BT; interesting how the grapevine may distort the truth. Apparently he went into a local shop and mentioned his catch...and it morphed to unbelievable proportion as the info went through the local grapevine.

NOTE: The above 6 foot, wooden, brown sculpture was on a home in the tiny village of Via Manhuellas in southern Chile's Patagonia

TRUCKEE TRIVIA #4

Question:

Of the eight (8) "special regulation"* waters within one hour's drive of the town of Truckee; which water was the first CREEK to receive "C & R"*  regulations?

*long-time California fly anglers may still use the term WILD TROUT waters because that was the designation used by CA F&G in the 80's
 

Fauna, Flora & Fly Fishing Fun

Finally most waters in the Truckee Watershed basin are fly fishable & producing wild trout. Whether it is the BT, LT (although still high), small creeks and streams; the flows are fishable and water temps have reached the bottom-cusp-range to encourage bug emergences triggering trout feeding...at the surface. We've been streamer and nymph fishing for an extended amount of time this year; now we have better options for "head-hunting". During the last week we have sight-fished and raised trout to the surface via "prospecting the water". So, fly fishing is now in full-swing and will continue; providing great fly-angling through the normal "dog-days" of mid-August through September.

Anglers are now encountering unselective Brookies in the creeks and more finicky...larger...RainBows & Browns in the bigger water & lakes.

There have been multiple aqautic bug emergences from small BWO's and Caddis, to mid-sized PMD's, PED's & Mahogany Duns(?) to the large western Green Drakes and Golden StoneFlies. All of these bugs are about 5 weeks behind relative to their normal adult appearances. I've personally observed Green Drake adults throughout the area; from tiny brooks to the big Truckee. We have seen them during the day and at dusk.

As I've previously mentioned in this blog, wild flowers are profuse; even the native grasses are as high & healthy as I've witnessed during the 30-plus years since I bult my first home in Truckee.

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Above is merely a sampling, there are many others blooming...reds, yellows, lavenders...too numerous to photograph & post here.

The Last Big Bug of June

I spotted my season's first adult Golden StoneFly last Monday (7/11) on the BT.

Second Big Bug of June Confirmed!

I personally observed the 2nd Big Bug of June, the Western Green Drake on Thursday, July 7 on the LT. About 1/2 dozen were spotted there yesterday. So, they are present in the Truckee area.

The grapevine says adults are in the "Grand Canyon of the Truckee"...thus far not verified. Seining along the Glenshire-stretch of the BT reveals a healthy population of mature nymphs; some with bulbous wing-cases....The Drakes' emergence on the big river is behind their regular appearance which occurs as early as the 1st week of June to the last week of June....normally.  I'm speculating the late adult appearance is the result of the huge volumes of water & cooler water temps Mother Nature has provided this year. With the BT sloooowly receding in flow, we may experience an unusual JULY Green Drake hatch.

As for the 3rd Big Bug of June, the Golden Stonefly; personally I have not observed any. I've received one report of an adult sighting. Similar to the Drakes; mature, adult nymphs appear in the seinings.

"You Can't Always Get What You Want"

...for you older and newer generation Rolling Stones fans, OR you old guys may recall President Nixon saying in his re-election campaign of 1968; "I see the light at the end of the tunnel". This is the sentiment that most Truckee area fly anglers are feeling right now.

Yes, at this point in time, the snow-melt is decreasing, slowly. Progressively, as the water drops we have more water to fish and the fishing picks-up. The BT flow charts  along West River Street  show peak-flow at 610cfs, with the low point at 425 cfs. For this time of year the average is 300cfs; thus 140%-200% of normal flow; depending on when you're on the water. The heavier flows occur late in the afternoon, as clarity  becomes more turbid. The water temps have not reached the preferred 55-56 degrees yet. We're fly fishing above the Prosser Creek inflow; below there is serious combat wading. Personally, I consider it foolhardy & dangerous to even consider wading below the Boca inflow, it has been in the 1900-2000 cfs range...so forgretaboutit!!

There are three methods that will produce right now; "tight-lining", indicator nymphing or streamer fishing. Look for the "softer" water and current breaks. Most willing trout are dispersed...to the bank-side. Here, generally, they'll contend with less water velocity. There are few, if any rising trout; so go down using generic stonefly nymphs trailing a bright green or olive caddis larva patterns. Select your preferred Sculpin pattern (IMO the crawfish is over-sold/touted), and do your favorite "strip-tease."

Other good options right now are to fish the smaller tributary streams & creeks; both of which are clear/clearing and fishable..maybe still a bit too high, but very fishable. Also, lake inlets are producing.

Flora #1

This water-year is fueling a profuse wild flower explosion in the Truckee watershed basin. Thus far there has been 3-4 flowers I've never seen before. Below are a couple of images of a Camas Lily; a white one!?! I can only speculate that it is either an albino or rare mutation. If anyone can enlighten; I'm receptive.

a Flowing "Mea Culpa"!

My 5/10 and 6/1 posts; PEAKING & TREND LINES and ADJUSTED PROGNOSIS...SLIGHTLY, respectively, declared that the snow-melt was waning. I was wrong...oh so wrong! My crystal-ball whose accuracy I was touting...sheepishly...was not.

June 6 marked the start of this warm spell. The BT started raging from a wadeable 300 cfs to over 1000cfs along West River street in Truckee. The historical average for this period in this area has been 250-300 cfs; hence we're currently at 740; flowing at 240% of normal. The LT is now at 831cfs in the special reg area; the highest I can recollect at this time of year. Regardless of these challenging conditions; trout are being hooked & netted. The caveat is that the trout hooked at these flows are difficult to bring to the net. I'm thinking if you net 50% of those fish hooked that you're doing OK.
...for a real, not arms extended image:
One accuracy on my predictions is that now we fly fish the small creeks, streams and lake inlets....HINT!

TRUCKEE TRIVIA #3

Question #3:

Who was the first California licensed fly fishing guide in the Tahoe area? What year?

Be on the Lookout!

...for the first Big Bugs of June. With this warming trend the Flying Black Ants will appear, and disappear, just as quickly. They can be on the menu for as little of 1-2 days to 10 days. Don't leave home without your favorite pattern in your fly box.

Shad...A change of pace

What with all this unpredictable weather; on Sunday I decided to venture off the mountain in search of Shad on the American River. Two days before the flows at Nimbus Dam were ramped-up from 5000 to 7000cfs. In reality I know diddlysqaut about shad fishing ; having done it only twice before. So I relied on the advice of Al that the flow increase could slow things down a bit & make the shad more difficult to locate.

So I anticipated little in the way of fishing, but looked forward to visiting with a couple fly fishing buddies (we've been to Chilean Patagonia together)...catching-up with each others lives. I met Al Smatsky, who operates Excellent Adventures and Dan Mc Daniel (3-times president of the Northern California Council of the Federation of Fly Fishing) early in Sacramento and we went to the American river (I have not idea where the put-in was)"Geez Al get-off the phone, I need a net job here!"
Action wasn't as torrid as what I've heard of shad fishing; but we were getting solid tugs and landing a few. The skies were overcast and there was an occassional drizzle, but very minor.

There were wild yellow irises throughout our drift. At lunch I chance to get close and admire them...

We were using 7 and 8 weight rods and casting 250-400 grain 30' heads; both integrated lines and shooting-heads with shooting lines. Regardless ro their samllish size the shad still put up strong struggles and good bends in th rods.

Adjusted Prognosis...Slightly

Come on....it just stopped snowing in Truckee! This endless winter is getting to be a bit too much. Here's a image of my back deck & forest. As I mention in my 4/20 post (Quickie E-Fishing Report VI); "...keep in mind that spring mountain weather is unpredictable"...yes indeed.The locals have been out wetting a line and when the weather breaks a bit are finding fishable water & willing fish . This is the time of year is when we hook & net some hefty trout; not many but of quality . Fall is the other time we tag the larger trout.Actually, my crystal-ball has been pretty accurate. In my May 10 entry, Peaking & Trend Lines I predicted that we were a "...MINIMUM of 3 weeks out" for settling and improved fly fishing conditions. The flow trend-line remains steadily downward; so we're "...definitely in a waning period." relative to snow-melt.

This current blow may retard my previous predictions...not much...say one more week, so now let's say good times are as close as next week on the BT. Behind town and downstream to the Prosser Creek inflow; currently the flows are a manageable 346-360 cfs. near my preferred bench-march for wade-fishing of 300 cfs. The further upstream to Tahoe City, the less turbulent the flows; 68 cfs being released from the lake at Tahoe City. Below Prosser the flows are near 600 cfs and way too heavy below Boca inflow at 1450 cfs. The major caveat now is WATER TEMPERATURES; still below 50 degrees, we need a few up-ticks above that number for prime-time.
Per April 7th's More Snow?!!...Seasonal Prognosis; "Expect the hatches to be compressed and intense...but later than normal...late year for the BT...negatively impact the fishery (read:crowds) on the LT...BT big boys & girls will not be stung for a long while...down deep...plus is that the smaller streams will be fishable for an extended amount of time..." This latter excerpt was written close to two months ago and it still seems accurate. I guess my crystal-ball is functioning properly.

Lest We Forget...Memorial Day

Let's not forget what this week-end is all about. It is for honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice...their lives...for the freedoms we all enjoy today.

Take a moment to ponder and say a silent "thank you" for those that have proceeded us; those who stepped-up when their country called. Right or wrong...they went. I salute all military veterans and most especially today those who remain in our memories.

TRUCKEE TRIVA #2 Answer

Mickey Culter has the correct answer to TT QUESTION #2; Martis Lake.

Butter has guessed Sagehen creek, on the west-side of highway 89, up to UC Sagehen's Research Facility. The regulations there are ZERO kill, no bait and artifiicial barbless hooks only. My recollection is that Sagehen's special reg water was, chronologically, the 4th in the eight (8) special reg waters within 1 hour's drive from Truckee. I'm guessing the regs started in the mid-late'80's.

NOTE: For some reason Google is not allowing me to post this replying to the answers by Mickey & Butter...any help is solicited.

TRUCKEE TRIVIA # 2

There are eight (8) special regulation waters within one hour's drive of Truckee.

Question #2:

Of these, which body of water was the first to be designated for special regulations; alternately known Wild Trout or C & R water?

Bend Orgeon's ORVIS NorthWest Guide Rendezvous

During May 12-13 I attended the ORVIS Guide Rendezvous in Bend Oregon. I had never been there, although I've always wanted to fish the Deschutes river for its Redsides and the famous Salmon Fly hatch. I didn't fish, but want to return there again to fished the river.

After spending a night at Weed CA at my sister-in-law's we had a pleasant drive through southern Oregon via highway #97.

Sport Shop in Crescent Oregon

Tom Evenson leads a seminar at the Ameritel Hotel; topic being Internet marketing. Tom is ORVIS' western ELOG (Endorsed Lodges, Outfitters & Guides) director.

Jeff Putman demonstrating/instructing Spey rod techniques on the Deschutes river
"Hole" #2, one of 18 challenging tests on the Casting Course at the Old Mill area along the Deschutes river....ORVIS company store in the background. There was a 3-hole challenge event amongst the attendees.; suffice it to say I did not win any of the first 3 prizes...