Summer Mode in Truckee

Lot of consecutive warm and breezy afternoons. The BT has receded, we're seeing more airborne bugs throughout the day...and at times, intense, evening caddis emergences, thick flights of Little Yellow StoneFlies and sparse mating-swarms of Sulfurs (?). 

Middle Truckee water-temps range 51-59. Picking-pockets within boulder gardens temps a lot of feisty (read smallish 7"-10" RainBows). The largest I've witnessed is an 18" RB which ate an #18 Black/Red Zebra Midge, it was stationed at the riffle-inflow of a deep-pool. I've netted RB's to 16 inches; via a #16 PMD Hackle-Stacker. I've heard of a19" trout eating PMD emergers, at dusk (below image)...But, no first-hand nor grapevine Browns; most especially those of out-sized proportions.

Magic-Time on the Truckee's "Toilet Bowl"

As you proceed downstream below either Prosser or Boca dams; you'll  experience two things; heavier flows AND cooler water-temps, 1-3 less. The aforementioned is enlightened angling strategy as we progress into the heat of late-summer to early fall-time.

Don't forget you'll encounter lots of commercial rafting below the inflow at Boca. They are legally permitted to enter the main river at the Boca dam's inflow of the LT no earlier than 10 AM and off the water no later than 5PM; at Floristan only. During the entire trip from Boca to Floristan; the rafters can not disembark.

Water-temps are not an issue on the Little Tricky (LT); being a bottom-release tail-water. My last reading of the inflow from the dam was 46; it should remain in 44-46 degree range...warming as it meanders through meadow,  "canyon water" and into Boca.

Fooling one at "The Willow"

Last Saturday, Stampede looked like it was dampening the spillway. It was ramped-down to "I-don't- like" 70cfs for about two weeks (my preference is 125-250); dropped quickly to 50 cfs and immediately to its current 126cfs...I like it! During an up-ramp my go-to sub-surface, searching, terminal-rig entails  a #14 FleshJuan ... trailing anything small; #18-22 Black Zebras, JuJu Baetis,  Rubber-Legged Red Copper Johns.

As for the bugs?...the usual suspects for mid-summer: BWOs, PMDs and Western Green Drakes.

LT BWO...Be aware of a "masking hatch"

Late-morning to mid-afternoons are your best opportunities for the mayfly emergences. Thus far, unfortunately, the hatches and corresponding surface-feeding has been less spectacular than I've anticipated. Overall, bring your "A-Game" or be humbled here.

HINT: Stillwaters

                                             Yeah!!!..a collector hat