Spring runoff with flows around 1200cfs. Only fished for about 2 hours before the rain in the canyon drove me off the river. 
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Had to be very careful wading in this type of water--it was a lot stronger and deeper than it looked. Lost quite a few fish, but they were small. I had a Rubber Legs and GTI tied on and was using a 12' euro nymphing leader. I was too chicken to try the 10' 3wt in this heavy water, so I took the Green Knight (5wt Winston).

First time fishing the Truckee during runoff with flows over 1000 cfs. I am kicking myself for not trying it earlier as the crowds were way down and the fishing was decent. Missed a lot of small fish.

A fish struck my sighter right at the palsa and ate it. I had to reattach a new one, which ended up being a waste of time because the rain really began to come down and I had to call it quits. Pleasant day despite being overcast. I have to cherish cool days like these before the summer heat which is around the corner.

​The water here was wider/flatter and the current was fast, but not as fast as the section I fished last week (below Murphy's). I used the Rubber legs again and had Egan's GTI caddis on the bottom. The GTI caught all the fish! Last week the fish couldn't resist the Rubber Legs, go figure.

​Caught quite a few small browns.

Pesky Canadian Goose spooked this entire run, that SOB! Kept flying upstream every 20 yards or so, then would repeat the process when I got close. It was a long, nice run, probably had a couple 5lb browns, beautifully spotted....

Last time that happened to me was on Penns Creek years ago, but that same goose did that to me multiple times - LOL - not to mention nearly giving me a heart attack one time, charging out of the tall grass to protect his nest. At least this guy only spooked one run for me, and didn't attack me. Maybe I will run into him next time.

​I had my 9’ 5wt and a little shorter leader this time (about 12’) which helped a lot. I also put on my cleats to my new boots which I forgot last time—tremendous help with wading and I didn’t fall in the river like I did last week.

​Great spots and colors. Some very healthy looking fish! 

I tried out the Jolly Kone in Bridgeport and it was decent, but the French fries were incredible, some of the best I have ever had. The Burger Barn next door let me down when I tried it a few years ago, but they might have had a bad day then. The Bishop Burger Barn down the road is the best burger place, ever....

I drove to Twin Lakes which is about 12 miles, to eat my grub from the Jolly Kone and to check out Robinson Creek as it was opening day, but it didn’t look like they stocked the creek. The lake was very beautiful. Lots of people on the shore plunking with their sons or grandsons as the lakes were rough with whitecaps.

End of April; Flows ~150cfs; Sunny, around 80 degrees.
Nymphs Used: Tri Color San Juan (12), Rubber Legs (8), Tungteaser (12)---The fish overwhelmingly took the Rubber Legs!

Weather was great and the flows were strangely low for this time of year. I tried out for the first time the lower California section of the East Walker, below Murphy's Pond (or what used to be the pond). I was surprised how narrow the river gets here, and how fast the water was moving. Wading was tough but not dangerous because the water was never deep. When the river gets over 200cfs, I would not recommend this section for both the quality of fishing, and for safety. 

Got quite a few small rainbows--they are definitely reproducing. Hopefully the river stays primarily a brown trout river, which is a rarity on the West Coast.

Just had to find the small areas of slower water when you could in the raging torrent.

One of the few flat sections where the river eases up a bit--these type of spots almost always have a trail through the jungle like brush to the trail or road. 

Some of the softer holding water was not so obvious. It takes a little trial and error to get the right drift through these small pockets.

Very nice to see all the healthy looking brown trout. I think the river has recovered from the drought, though in a few more years there will start to be good numbers of big dogs. I lost 2 that were probably around 16-17", and most of the browns were around 12-14". The biggest fish hang out in that mile or so below the dam (the Miracle Mile or Meadows Section).

Great day of fishing! Had a cold beer or two at the Bridgeport Inn afterwards.