Davis Creek
Fly fishing in Nevada · beginner · Best seasons: spring, summer
Target Species
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
About This Water
Carson Range stream in state park. Small stream fishing near Washoe Valley.
Fishing Recommendations
Davis Creek is a hidden gem tucked into the eastern slopes of the Carson Range, located within the Davis Creek Regional Park just south of Reno near Washoe Lake. While it is often overshadowed by the nearby Truckee River, Davis Creek offers a quintessential "small stream" mountain experience that rewards technical precision and a stealthy approach.
Here are my professional recommendations for fishing Davis Creek, Nevada.
🎣 Location Overview
Davis Creek is a small, high-gradient mountain stream that drains from the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada down toward the Washoe Valley. What makes this water special is its accessibility combined with its classic "pocket water" character.
The creek is characterized by clear, cold water, granite boulder gardens, small plunge pools, and overhanging willow brush. It feels much more remote than it actually is. Anglers love it because it offers a break from the heavy flows of the Truckee and provides an opportunity to fish light tackle (2-weight or 3-weight rods) in a beautiful alpine setting.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The primary residents are Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.
- Behavior: Because the creek is small and the water is crystal clear, these fish are incredibly "spooky." They have evolved to be wary of predators from above (birds and humans). They hold in the bubble lines at the head of pools or tucked tightly under undercut banks and overhanging vegetation.
- Feeding: These are opportunistic feeders. Due to the nutrient-poor nature of high-altitude granite streams, they cannot afford to be too picky, but they are easily frightened by poor presentations or heavy wading.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Optimal Seasons
- Spring (Late April – June): This is the prime window. As the lower elevation snow melts, the creek comes alive. Be mindful of peak runoff in May; if the water is chocolate milk, wait a week.
- Summer (July – Early September): This is the season for dry fly enthusiasts. The water levels drop, and the fish focus heavily on terrestrial insects falling from the brush.
Best Times of Day
- Early Morning: Best during mid-summer to beat the heat and catch the fish before the sun hits the water.
- Late Afternoon/Dusk: The "Golden Hour" often triggers a caddis hatch, leading to aggressive surface takes.
Prime Conditions
Overcast days are rare in Nevada, but they are "cheat codes" for Davis Creek. The lower light makes the fish feel secure, allowing them to move out of the shadows and into the main current to feed.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Dry Flies:
- Elk Hair Caddis (Size 14-18) – The gold standard here.
- Parachute Adams (Size 16-20) – For general mayfly imitations.
- Royal Wulff (Size 14-16) – High visibility in fast pocket water.
- Black Ants/Foam Beetles (Size 16) – Deadly in late summer.
- Nymphs:
- Bead-head Pheasant Tail (Size 16-18) – Mimics almost everything.
- Zebra Midge (Size 18-22) – Red or Black; effective in the deeper pools.
- Streamers:
- Small Woolly Buggers (Size 10-12) – Olive or black, fished through the deepest holes.
Effective Techniques
- Dry-Dropper Rig: This is the most effective way to fish Davis Creek. Use a buoyant dry fly (like a Stimulator) with a small nymph tied 12–18 inches below it. This allows you to cover two parts of the water column without a splashy indicator.
- Dapping: In heavily brushed-over areas, you may not be able to cast. Simply poke your rod tip through the willows and "dap" the fly on the surface.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "Ninja" Approach: Stay low. If you can see the fish, they have likely already seen you and won't eat. Wear drab colors (earth tones) and avoid standing on high rocks overlooking the pools.
- Fish Upstream: Always fish moving upstream. Trout face into the current; by approaching from behind them, you stay out of their primary field of vision.
- The Park Pond: Before heading up the creek, check out the small pond within Davis Creek Regional Park. It is frequently stocked with Rainbows and is a great place to warm up your casting or teach a beginner.
- Look for "Micro-Eddies": On a stream this small, even a rock the size of a toaster creates a soft spot behind it. Don't overlook any pocket of water deeper than 6 inches.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Access is easy through Davis Creek Regional Park (off US-395/I-580). There are well-maintained trails that follow the creek upstream. The further you hike away from the main picnic areas, the better the fishing gets.
- Regulations: A valid Nevada Fishing License is required. Check the NDOW (Nevada Department of Wildlife) website for the most current regulations regarding limits and tackle restrictions.
- Special Considerations:
- Bears & Mountain Lions: This is active wildlife territory. Carry bear spray and be aware of your surroundings.
- Wading: Waders are rarely necessary here; "wet wading" in quick-dry pants and wading boots is much more comfortable in the summer.
- Leave No Trace: This is a fragile ecosystem. Pack out all tippet scraps and trash.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | March, April, September, October | Late Morning/Afternoon | #18-22 | RS2 #18-22, Parachute Adams #18-22, Pheasant Tail #18-20 |
| Spotted Sedge Hydropsyche | caddis | June, July, August | Late Afternoon/Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #16, Peacock Caddis #16 |
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella excrucians | mayfly | June, July | Morning/Early Afternoon | #16-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, Hare's Ear Nymph #16, Split Case PMD #16-18 |
| Little Yellow Stonefly Isoperla | stonefly | June, July | Late Afternoon | #14-16 | Yellow Sally Dry #14-16, Iron Lotus #16, Little Yellow Sloan #14 |
| Midges Chironomidae | midge | January, February, March, December | Morning/All Day | #20-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-24, Top Secret Midge #20-22 |
| Terrestrials Formicidae / Orthoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | Afternoon | #10-16 | Dave's Hopper #12, Black Foam Ant #16-18, Parachute Beetle #14-16 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | April, May | Afternoon | #14-16 | Green Weenie #14-16, Cornfed Caddis #14, Holy Grail #16 |
| Trico Tricorythodes | mayfly | August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #22-24, Sunken Trico #22, Trico Dun #22 |