Truckee River Fishing Report | February 2026
The report at a glance
Depth
Subsurface on nymph rigs; dry-fly bite starting on the Nevada side
Presentation
In the colored canyon water, nymph 2X and 3X with eggs and size 14 to 16 Baetis. Above Boca where it is gin clear, drop to 4X, 5X and 6X with flies down to 18s, 20s and 22s. Rubber legs work as an attractor.
Lures and baits
Eggs, Baetis nymphs and worms across the system. Rubber legs and gaudy stoneflies as attractors. Winter stoneflies have not fully popped yet but fish eat the pattern occasionally.
Water clarity
Some color in the canyon; gin clear above Boca and the Little Truckee.
Water level
Little Truckee running normal flows around 47 CFS, high 40s.
Advice for this week
Match tippet and fly size to the water. Go heavier and bigger in the colored canyon, and light and tiny up in the clear Little Truckee. Show them something not everyone is showing.
Next week
Weather moving in should get the Baetis hatching and push the dry-fly bite, especially on the Nevada side. The Middle Fork of the Feather is also fishing well on the nymph.
The Truckee River is producing rainbows and browns as winter shifts toward spring. Down in the canyon the water has color, so fish 2X and 3X nymphing rigs with eggs and size 14 to 16 Baetis. Above Boca on the gin-clear Little Truckee, drop to 5X and 6X with tiny flies, size 18 to 22. The Nevada-side dry-fly fishing is starting to get good.
What is biting on the Truckee River right now?
A solid mix of rainbows and browns. Catch America guide Matt Heron reports a good morning in the canyon, a midday lull, then fish picking up again in the early afternoon. The water has a little color down low, which lets you fish heavier tippet.
What flies are working on the Truckee River?
Eggs and Baetis are the go-to. Fish any color of egg and Baetis in sizes 14 and 16 down in the canyon. Above Boca on the Little Truckee, still eggs, Baetis, and worms, but go smaller. A big gaudy stonefly or rubber legs works occasionally as an attractor.
What tippet should you use on the Truckee?
In the colored canyon water, fish 2X and 3X, maybe a little 4X, with most fish hooked on 3X so you can go heavier. Above the Little Truckee, where it is lower and gin clear, drop to 4X and 5X, and 5X to 6X for nymphing.
Where is the dry-fly fishing best on the Truckee?
The Nevada side of the Truckee, where dry-fly fishing is starting to get good as it usually does in February. Sunny weather is less ideal for Baetis hatches, but incoming weather later in the week should get the bugs popping.
What is the outlook for the Truckee system?
Matt is looking forward to weather moving in to trigger Baetis hatches and better dry-fly fishing. The Middle Fork of the Feather to the north is fishing really well on nymphing floats. These fly patterns are not Catch America products, so we name them without shop links.
Watch the full report
Truckee River February 2026 FAQ
Eggs and Baetis in sizes 14 to 16 in the canyon, and smaller flies, size 18 to 22, on the clear Little Truckee.
2X and 3X, maybe a little 4X, with most fish coming on 3X.
Around 47 CFS, in the high 40s, which is totally normal for this time of year.
The Nevada side, which is starting to get good in February.
The Middle Fork of the Feather to the north is fishing really well on nymphing floats.
Matt Heron of Matt Heron Fly Fishing.
