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Truckee River Fishing Report | June 30, 2025

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

Fishing is good on the Truckee River in early July 2025. A bump in flows from Tahoe City to Boca added water and a little color, spreading the trout out and making them less picky. Water temps run from the low 50s to low 60s, so fish early mornings and evenings. Subsurface tactics win: hopper-droppers, Euro nymphing, and bobber rigs with a size 16 caddis or PMD.

How is the Truckee River fishing right now?

Fishing is still good. A bump in flows from Tahoe City to Boca added more water and a bit of color, which spread the fish out and relaxed them. Water temps run low 50s to low 60s. Mornings produce best, evenings have picked up, and late afternoons have slowed.

What flies are working on the Truckee River?

Every size of caddis is out, but a size 16 caddis emerger up top or a size 16 caddis pupa below the surface are go-tos. Size 16 PMDs are still around. For big fish, throw a Pats rubber legs attractor with a size 16 caddis or PMD behind it, plus crayfish patterns.

What techniques are catching Truckee River trout?

Subsurface tactics are producing by far. Fish hopper-droppers, Euro nymph, and run bobber rigs, all of which put flies under the water. Dry fly fishing has been so-so, good only if you time it right. Dead drift, swing, or strip crayfish for the bigger fish keying on them.

When is the best time of day to fish the Truckee River?

Focus on early mornings and evenings, when water temps are coolest and fish are most active. The morning bite has been better, evenings have picked up, and afternoons have slowed now that it is July. Keep an eye on temps as the day warms.

How is the Little Truckee River fishing?

Flows on the Little Truckee have dropped a bit, but there is nothing to worry about with dangerously low flows. Fish are starting to move up into riffles rather than only sitting in deep, slow runs, since that water is very cold. Fish the whole river.

Watch the full report

From the report (Matt Heron): They bumped flows a little bit in the last week and a half, so we are seeing a bit more water from Tahoe City to Boca. That bump added a little color to the water, so the fish are not nearly as picky. We are still seeing water temperatures from low 50s to low 60s. Most of our fish are coming on hopper droppers, Euro nymphing, and bobber fishing. A size 16 caddis fly emerger is your go-to if you are seeing fish on top.

Truckee River June 30, 2025 FAQ

What are the Truckee River flows doing right now?

Flows from Tahoe City to Boca bumped up in the last week and a half, adding water and a little color. The Little Truckee has dropped a bit but is not dangerously low.

What is the water temperature on the Truckee River?

Water temps range from the low 50s to the low 60s depending on location and time of day, with mornings and evenings coolest.

What is the best fly for the Truckee River right now?

If forced to pick one, a size 16 caddis emerger up top or a size 16 caddis pupa below the surface. Size 16 PMDs and Pats rubber legs also produce.

Is dry fly fishing good on the Truckee River?

It has been so-so. Bug activity dropped a bit, but if you time it right it can be really good. Subsurface tactics are producing more consistently.

Should I fish crayfish patterns on the Truckee?

Yes. There are crayfish everywhere this time of year, and big fish are keying on them. Dead drift, swing, or strip a crayfish pattern.

Where else is fishing well near the Truckee River?

The Middle Fork of the Feather, just north, has really good mornings, with tougher afternoons and a bit better dry fly activity.

Who guides the Truckee River?

Matt Heron of Matt Heron Fly Fishing.

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