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Truckee River Fishing Report | July 7, 2025

Report by Matt Heron
Matt Heron runs Matt Heron Fly Fishing and guides the Truckee River.
What is working right now

Truckee River flows are near perfect in early July 2025 at 250 to 600 CFS with great color. Water temps are climbing into the high 60s, so fish mornings and evenings and carry a thermometer. Hopper-dropper rigs are the main producer as grasshoppers show up. Size 16 caddis and size 16 PMDs are the top flies. Euro nymphing is kicking out fish in the bubbles.

What is the Truckee River fishing like right now?

Good, with the big caveat of rising water temps. Matt Heron reports flows are near perfect at 250 to 600 CFS with great color. Mornings have fished best and evenings have been good. It is mid-July, so the biggest factor is heat and protecting the fish.

What flies are working on the Truckee River in July?

Size 16 caddis and size 16 PMDs are the top producers, plus crayfish patterns and Pat's Rubber Legs. Hopper-dropper rigs are the main way anglers are getting fish now that grasshoppers have shown up. These are fly patterns rather than products we carry, so match them locally.

How should I rig for the Truckee River now?

Fish a hopper-dropper with a deep dropper, around 30 inches or less to your nymph, using a size 16 caddis or PMD. Euro nymphing is also kicking out plenty of fish as the trout transition into the faster bubble lines with the warmer water. Focus your effort mornings and evenings.

What are the water temperatures on the Truckee River?

Temps are hitting the high 60s, so hoot owl closures near 68 degrees are a real concern. Take temperatures throughout the day, in quicker water at least two feet down, and give the fish a break once it warms. Colder tributaries and the main river fish best early.

What is the outlook for the Truckee River?

Fishing stays good into September, but heat is the story until nights start cooling. The hopper-dropper game should hold. Nocturnal stoneflies may start popping in the next few weeks into August. Watch temps and fish mornings. Longer-term outlook was not specified in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Matt Heron): Flows are pretty much perfect throughout the entire river, anywhere from 250 to 600. As far as bugs go, size 16 caddis and size 16 PMDs are really what we're fishing the most of. Hopper-droppers are a really fun way to get into a fish. The biggie is watch those water temps. Mornings have been best, evenings have been pretty good.

Truckee River July 7, 2025 FAQ

What are the flows on the Truckee River in July?

Flows are near perfect at 250 to 600 CFS with great color throughout the entire river.

What flies are best on the Truckee River now?

Size 16 caddis and size 16 PMDs, plus crayfish and Pat's Rubber Legs, fished on hopper-dropper rigs.

Are hopper patterns working on the Truckee River?

Yes. Grasshoppers have shown up and fish are keying on hopper-dropper rigs, especially on windy days.

When should I fish the Truckee River in summer?

Mornings have been best and evenings good. Avoid the hottest part of the day and watch water temps.

How warm is the Truckee River right now?

Water temps are hitting the high 60s, close to the 68 degree hoot owl threshold. Carry a thermometer.

Is Euro nymphing working on the Truckee River?

Yes. Euro nymphing is kicking out plenty of fish as trout move into the faster bubble lines.

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    Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Guide Service on the upper Sacramento River and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Reach him at (530) 510-2925 to book a trip. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now The upper Sacramento River king salmon season opened August 1, 2026 at the world-famous Barge Hole near Anderson and Cottonwood. It was a slow opener with under a dozen fish caught, but Capt. Jeff Goodwin says prime fishing is only 2 to 3 weeks out. His go-to is back-bouncing Brad's KillerFish KF15 and KF16 plugs on 10 ounce weights, double-wrapped with fresh sardine and wild prawn. What is biting on the upper Sacramento River right now?King salmon are the target at the Barge Hole near Anderson and Cottonwood. August 1, 2026 was the official opener, and Capt. Jeff Goodwin called it a light, slow opener with fewer than a dozen fish caught. His daughter Gracie boxed the first fish. More salmon are arriving as the run builds. What technique is working for Sacramento River king salmon?Back-bouncing Brad's KillerFish KF15 and KF16 plugs on the bottom. Jeff runs 10 ounces of weight to reach bottom in the deep water, with 12 to 18 inch droppers and about a 48 inch leader. The lead gets the plugs down where the fish hold since they will not dive that deep alone. How do you wrap plugs for Sacramento River salmon?Double-wrap the plug with fresh sardine and a piece of wild-caught prawn. Jeff also wraps tuna and squid. Start with a loose wrap that keeps the hooks free so you do not tie them to the plug body, then add a couple of wraps on top. More bait draws more bites as long as it does not kill the action. How do you tune a Brad's KillerFish plug?Wrapping bait shifts the center of gravity, so a plug that ran straight can start leaning one way. The fix is the eye: if the plug swims to the right, turn the eye to the left. Test it beside the boat until it dives straight and dances side to side. Out of tune plugs will not get bit. What does massaging the plug mean?It means keeping continuous action on the plug so it never sits dead on the bottom. Pull up on the rod to make the plug dart to one side, then drop the tip so it flutters back. Salmon often hit on that flutter, so be ready for a hard, full-on strike that takes line right away. What is the guide's outlook for the Barge Hole?Jeff says the area is about 2 to 3 weeks out from really good fishing. August, September, and October are the prime months, and a late fall run from November through the end of December produces some of the biggest fish of the season. Eggs, boondogging, and hover fishing come later in the run. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): One of the favorite techniques for fishing out here in the Barge Hole is to back-bounce Brad's Killerfish. Today, we're using 15s and 16s as far as the size goes. We're running 12 to 18-inch droppers, and then about a 48-inch leader. We're using 10 ounces of weight today because we've got quite a bit of water, and we let out enough line to get down to the bottom. Sacramento River August 1, 2026 FAQ When did the upper Sacramento River salmon season open in 2026?The Barge Hole area opened August 1, 2026. Jeff notes his openers have always been July 16th and August 1st, though an open river does not mean the fishing is great yet. Where is the Barge Hole?On the upper Sacramento River near Anderson and Cottonwood, California, just below where Battle Creek dumps in. Salmon stack here and hold until the first October rains, then turn up Battle Creek to Coleman National Fish Hatchery. What weight do you use to back-bounce at the Barge Hole?Jeff ran 10 ounces of weight on opening day because there was quite a bit of water, letting out enough line to stay on the bottom. What leader and dropper lengths does Jeff Goodwin use?About 12 to 18 inch droppers and roughly a 48 inch leader, sometimes into the 50s. What baits do you wrap on Brad's KillerFish plugs?Fresh sardine and wild-caught prawn are the go-to, and Jeff also wraps tuna and squid. How do you know a plug is tuned correctly?Pull it up toward the bow of the boat. If it stays alongside the boat and dances side to side while diving straight, it is tuned. If it swims to the right, turn the eye to the left. When is the best salmon fishing on the upper Sacramento River?August, September, and October are prime, and a late fall run from November through the end of December brings some of the biggest fish. The opener itself was slow, about 2 to 3 weeks from really good fishing. Who guides the upper Sacramento River Barge Hole?Capt. Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Guide Service. Call or text (530) 510-2925 to book. Shop the Tackle Brad's KillerFish KF15 Brad's KillerFish KF16 Shop Capt. Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop River Salmon Gear

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