Current Water Conditions

The Little Truckee River between Stampede and Boca is fishing well, with flows hovering around 146 CFS coming out of Stampede. The water is cold, clear, and very wadable—ideal for both dry fly and technical nymph setups. Despite the solid flows, stealth remains key due to the notoriously spooky nature of these fish.

Water Temperatures

Cold and consistent—expect mid-40s°F during the early day with slight warming in the afternoon sun. These cool temps keep fish active and opportunistic.

Hatches

Dry fly activity is picking up mid-to-late afternoon, with Blue Winged Olives (BWOs) making a reliable appearance. Skwala adults are lingering, and midges are coming off intermittently.

Effective Tactics

Stealth is everything here. For dry fly fishing, go with 10-12 ft 5x tapered leaders. Tightline nymphing with small indicators and minimal weight helps avoid dragging through the river slime. Long leaders, small flies, and careful wading are critical. Target slower water edges and bubble lines for sipping fish.

Catch Report

Anglers are reporting quality rainbows with a few browns mixed in, especially around structure and tailouts. Most success has come on nymph rigs in the morning, transitioning to dries as hatches come off later in the day.

Fly Box Must-Haves