Truckee River Fishing Report | October 22, 2025
The report at a glance
Presentation
Fish dry flies when the weather turns, using size 16 to 18 Baetis, mahogany duns, or caddis; a size 18 mayfly is a strong call on the upper river. Run 4X to 5X tippet in the gin-clear water. Eggs, crayfish, and worms are also drawing bites.
Lures and baits
Small mayfly and caddis dry flies (size 16 to 18)
Egg patterns
Crayfish and worm presentations
Other techniques
Nymphing eggs, crayfish, and worms as the egg bite ramps up
Water clarity
Gin-clear, low and slow winter flows
Water level
Truckee running low around 400 to 450 CFS; Little Truckee holding flows in the 50s
Weather
Temperatures in the 50s all day
Advice for this week
Matt Heron says time your trip to cloudy or wet weather for the best dry-fly action. Keep tippet light and stealthy on the clear, low water. Watch for browns on redds and leave them alone.
What is changing
Flows dropped into low, slow, gin-clear winter mode early; the egg bite is starting as browns move toward the spawn.
Next week
Weather moving in should push the bugs and the bite. The egg bite is only getting stronger into the fall. The resort ponds stay a solid option for a mellow day.
The Truckee and Little Truckee are running low, slow, and gin-clear in late October 2025, on winter flows around 400 to 450 cfs. Fish size 16 to 18 Baetis, Mahogany Duns, and Caddis on 4X to 5X tippet, especially a size 18 mayfly. Browns are pre-spawn, so watch for redds. The egg bite has started, and worms and crayfish are producing too.
How is the Truckee River fishing right now?
Low, slow, and gin-clear on winter flows, but fishable. Matt Heron reports the Truckee above Boca through downtown to the lake dropped to winter flows a couple weeks ago. A size 18 mayfly gives you a really good chance at fish. Temperatures are in the 50s all day, which is close to prime.
What flies are working on the Truckee?
Fish size 16 to 18 Baetis, Mahogany Duns, and Caddis, with a size 18 mayfly a strong bet on the Truckee. Use 4X to 5X tippet in the gin-clear, low water. The egg bite has started, and worms and crayfish are also producing. These are general fly patterns, not Catch America products.
How is the Little Truckee fishing?
Flows are still hanging strong in the 50s, which is good for fall. Baetis, caddisflies, and midges are around, though hatches have been so-so. Get over there for the dry-fly bite when the weather sours, on cloudy, rainy, or snowy days, which tends to bring fish up.
What about the brown trout spawn on the Truckee?
It is fall, so browns are pre-spawn. Matt has not heard of many fish on redds yet, but if you see them, especially on the Little Truckee, let them do their thing and do not harass them. The pre-spawn timing is also why the egg bite is turning on.
Where else can beginners fish near Truckee?
Matt is still running classes on the ponds at Everline Resort, where the bite has been good on dry flies and nymphs. It is a great end-of-year option for beginner or intermediate anglers, especially when the rivers are quiet. Exact pond stocking details were not specified in this report.
Watch the full report
Truckee River October 22, 2025 FAQ
Size 16 to 18 Baetis, Mahogany Duns, and Caddis, with a size 18 mayfly a strong choice.
Winter flows, roughly 400 to 450 cfs, low, slow, and gin-clear.
4X to 5X, because the water is low and gin-clear.
They are pre-spawn. Watch for fish on redds and do not harass them.
Yes, the egg bite has started, and worms and crayfish are also producing.
Flows are in the 50s with Baetis, caddis, and midges around, though hatches are so-so.
