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.