Truckee River Big River Long On Tolerence and Grace

Many decades of constant impact from human encroachment have made life difficult, yet in no way diminished the spirit of the Truckee River that runs from lake Tahoe through the town of Truckee.. After spending three days fly fishing from the edge of town onward past Glenshire Road and down toward Reno Nevada, I was pleasantly surprised at the diversity of hatches and the clarity of the river that runs often very close to towns and major hiways. Many splendid moments watching otters, beavers, deer, on two occasions Mountain Lion tracks were observered and a variety of birds. I waded the river early mornings until rafters arrived before ten. I wanted to witness first hand the impact on fly fishers attempting to share a river that belongs to all of us. I think it can be done, if one is possessed with the natural spiritual grounding of a 150 year old monk perhaps!

I failed miserably when just as a brace of rafters came bounding around the bend a nice trout had hit my grass hopper as the bright colored splashing boats came within five feet of the area. I quickly realized the ancient spirit of this grand old river has been under constant siege from encroaching development, freeways packed with never ending pollution and noise, homes and farms often built too close to the rivers edge for safe waste management. Man made diversion dam’s, towns that expel and manage a great deal of waste, endless months of boaters, rafters, fly fishers, swimmers and various industries such as farmers, ranchers who possess unlimited water rights as is the case all over California.

Truckee River is not much different then many other California rivers like the Sacramento and Merced rivers that exist near large populations and attempt to coexist with the demands of all who have vested interests be they animal, fish, bird, people, atmosphere. In my mind the Truckee seems to be holding up quite well thanks to the help of an active community who welcome fly fishers, nature lovers.Local fly shops, hardware stores and people like Jenny Franklin account manager at Switchback Public relations ( 530 ) 550–2252 and the local Chamber Of Commerce offered much kind assistance in understanding Truckee California. Truckee is best represented by the average smiling citizen taking time to explain where native trout might be hiding! Fine restaurants, slow easy pace and scenic Truckee River fly fishing only three hours from San Francisco and not far from Lake Tahoe. Exciting fly action and a little town of ten thousand souls who welcome sportsmen and take pretty good care of their river. I did amateur water tests near town, one mile downstream and about ten miles out. PH balance, evidence of untreated run off and evidence of insecticide was not as prevalent as I suspected. My amateur observations along with on sight river time gave me an over view of this grand ribbon of cold water. Of course local farmers, ranchers, sportsmen can all do more in protecting this river by being ever vigilant! I saw no refuge or litter of any kind and many animals came and went happily even though deer season will open before long....

My usual set up for the Truckee is 12 feet of leader, ten foot or more #6 tippet. Up top a Grasshopper with three feet of tippet tied to either a Prince Nymph or an emerger pattern on the dropper tied to the turn of the hopper hook. Other flies that worked are stimulater caddis type patterns, sparkle winged spinner tricos, and of course the little yellow stones that everyone seems to be packing. If you have ugly black ants or spiders life can get interesting on the Truckee, after tying on my own grasshopper and a dropper with a Copper John, it was go time baby....

It was fun dodging very healthy barking dogs near town looking for places to get a fly wet? They do take good care of their canines as I failed to get away from a tail wagging Black Lab and a little terrier who followed me around. Working out past Glenshire Road near Hiway # 267 near an overpass I found several good runs and ripples to play in. Wading is easy and many parking places exist all over this popular area not far from town. The weather was perfect, river clear and pretty. On the first morning while working my red tailed black midge along a slick under some brush, a nice trout hit and yanked my whole setup into a low hanging branch and he was just a memory... By noon I had mixed it up with several healthy trout and had a wonderful morning even with rafters in my face by 9:45am each morning. Dry fly action occurred either very early before seven or late in the last hour or so before dark as is the usual situation in most trout habitats. I did notice my assembly of mostly size 18 flies were just a tad small in the fast water sections. The old tried and true mosquito ( mutant red tailed devil!) was hit early and late.( Creative bench tiers can work a bit of magic!)

Access to this river is its most cherished attribute, though sections are set aside for private clubs, the majority of the river can be fly fished. A twelve mile section deemed a wild trout sanctuary is great step in keeping the river fly fisher friendly! Truckee River runs from lake Tahoe to Pyramid lake completing an 88 mile journey of piscatorial good will... The area known as the upper Truckee bordering Hiway 89 is planted by fish and game. The area near Squaw Creek has many good runs with resident wild browns in the 18-20 inch class. Those who like to camp out can find three camp grounds including Donner Memorial State Park. If one drives to the end of the valley and makes a right turn off Hiway 89, look for the Donner Creek/culvert bridge where a nice pool exists and many wonderful hatches can be observed. Make no mistake, this fly fishing is not easy, one has to keep moving and changing flies as hatches occur and if your not too shy ask smiling locals where to drown your bugs. Mid week early or late depending on time of year can be peaceful and productive, those fly fishers who can overcome the onslaught of happy rafters will fair much better! Of course prime fly working time is usually early or late so our friends the rafters will not go home with bright colored flies stuck to their expensive floating toys...

Six golden rules when working Truckee River

1. Keep moving and never take your eye of continues hatches.

2. Bring along many flies including caddis and attractors, ants, spiders, golden stones, green drakes, creative bench work applys on this river.

3.As happens on most trout waters early and late action usually best.

4. Learn how to work little stone flies, mosquitos in thin surface film type slicks and under brush and vegatation near shoreline.

5. Be prepared to deal with our rafter brothers from around 10am till 3pm during their season!

6. Stop by or call Mountain Hardware Sports Store. Buds Hardware can also point you in the right direction ( 530)-587-3177. PS. Bring along a good supply of quality dog biscuits for your new four footed fly friends.....

The town of Truckee is one of my favorite places to visit any time of year. This trip I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express on 10527 Coldstream Rd. Jon Borden was a perfect host and the hotel is very nice and close to much fly action. Many other quality hotels exist like Richardson House, Lock Loven Lodge and others. Those who relish tents and brisk morning coffee can find camp grounds at Donner State Park ( 800) 444-7275, Silver Creek, or Goose Meadows

Truckee restaurants will keep you well fed and cozy there Pilgrims, check out The Passage Truckee Hotel ( 530) 587-7619, Ponderosa Deli ( 530)- 567-3555, and Truckee Bagel Company ( 530) - 582-1852. If you really want the current low down my brother sister bug throwers contact the Truckee Chamber (530)-587-2757 as mentioned because they have the answers and exceptional good will.

One last thought avid water waders and bug chasers, stop and spend a few moments with any Truckee resident of any age and experience what kindness still exists in this crazy world and feel what it means to be treated well by strangers and their trusty canines. In my mind it is the people of Truckee that make the trip well worth it, a wonderful place to visit..... Thanks again Jenny and Jon.

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“ ADVENTURES OF FLETCHER QUILL “