The stretch from Tahoe City downstream towards Truckee is a favorite section for recreational floaters on everything from air mattresses to water wings, and most fly fishermen stay away from it during the daylight hours. With all of the recreational traffic and the gin clear water, the trout are very difficult to find although I have done well in the very early morning and late evenings.

An option that you might consider if you want to float is the section of the Truckee East of Reno. There is an access at Mustang (Exit 23 off I-80) and you can float the river to US Parkway (Exit 32), a stretch of about nine miles. While the aesthetics of this stretch of the river are not much, there are some very large Browns and Rainbows that call this their home. Part of the float is through the McCarren Ranch where the Nature Conservancy has done an outstanding job of restoring the river. A one day license is $18.00 and additional days can be added for $7.00. There can be some good hatches along here but most of the fishing is with streamers if you're looking for the big fish.