Zunino Reservoir
Fly fishing in Nevada · intermediate · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout
About This Water
Elko County reservoir with quality trout. Scenic mountain backdrop.
Fishing Recommendations
Tight lines! As your guide for the high desert waters of the Silver State, I’m happy to break down one of the most productive—yet often overlooked—stillwater fisheries in Elko County: Zunino Reservoir (locally known as Jiggs Reservoir).
Nestled at the foot of the stunning Ruby Mountains, Zunino is a classic Great Basin reservoir. It’s a place where the wind can howl, the sunsets are legendary, and the trout grow thick and powerful on a diet of rich aquatic insects.
🎣 Location Overview
Zunino Reservoir is a high-desert impoundment located about 35 miles south of Elko, Nevada. What makes this water special is its productivity; despite the harsh surrounding environment, the reservoir is nutrient-rich, supporting a massive biomass of invertebrates.
The water characteristics are typical of a shallow desert lake: it features extensive weed beds, silt bottoms, and relatively shallow depths (averaging 10–15 feet when full). Anglers love it because it offers a "big fish" potential without the crowds of more famous western waters. When the water levels are stable, the growth rates of the trout here are exceptional.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Species: Primarily Rainbow Trout. The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) stocks this water regularly, but "holdover" fish can reach impressive sizes (18–22 inches).
Behavior:
- The Weed Bed Connection: Rainbows here are highly oriented toward the submerged vegetation. They cruise the edges of weed lines looking for snails, damselfly nymphs, and scuds.
- Cruising Patterns: Unlike river trout, these fish are constantly on the move. They patrol "beats" along the shoreline drop-offs.
- Feeding: They are opportunistic but can become selective during specific hatches (notably Callibaetis and Midges).
📅 Best Times to Fish
Optimal Seasons
- Spring (Late March – May): This is prime time. As the ice melts and the water warms into the 50s, the trout become extremely active in the shallows.
- Fall (September – November): As temperatures drop, trout move back into the shallows to gorge themselves before winter. This is when you'll find the most aggressive streamer bites.
- Summer (June – August): Fishing can be good early in the morning, but the reservoir can get weedy and warm. Mid-summer often requires a float tube or kayak to reach deeper, cooler water.
Best Times of Day
- Dawn and Dusk: The "Magic Hour" is real here. The wind usually dies down, and the fish rise to midge or caddis hatches.
- Overcast Days: In the high desert, bright sun can push fish deep. A "cloudy with a light chop" day is perfect for stripping streamers.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Chironomids (Midges): Sizes 12–18 in black/silver, red (Bloodworms), or olive.
- Damselfly Nymphs: Size 10–14 in Marabou Olive. This is a staple in early summer.
- Scuds: Size 14–16 in Olive or Pink. The reservoir is crawling with these.
- Balanced Leeches: Size 8–12 in Bruised (Purple/Black) or Olive.
- Dry Flies: Parachute Adams (14–18) or Callibaetis Sparkle Duns (14–16).
Effective Techniques
- The "Indicator Rig": Suspend a Balanced Leech or a Chironomid 12 inches off the bottom (or just above the weeds). This is the most consistent producer.
- The Slow Strip: Using an intermediate sinking line, cast an olive damselfly nymph or woolly bugger toward the weed edges and use a very slow, rhythmic retrieve.
- Static Nymphing: If you see fish rising but can't match the hatch, a Griffith’s Gnat or a tiny Midge Pupa suspended just inches below the surface can be deadly.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Bring a Watercraft: While shore fishing is possible near the dam, Zunino is best fished from a float tube, pontoon, or kayak. This allows you to stay on the outside of the weed line and cast back toward the shore.
- Watch the Wind: The Ruby Valley is notorious for wind. If the "Nevada Breeze" kicks up, focus on the windward shore. The wind pushes insects and plankton into the bank, and the trout follow the food.
- The "Jiggs Twitch": When fishing leeches, don't just strip. Give your rod tip tiny, 1-inch twitches. This mimics the undulating motion of a natural leech or swimming nymph.
- Focus on the Dam: The deepest water is usually near the dam. During the heat of the day, fish will congregate here for the thermal refuge.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Access is generally good via Jiggs Road (Hwy 228). The road is paved most of the way, but the final turn-off to the reservoir can be washboarded dirt. In wet conditions, it can get muddy—4WD is recommended but not always necessary in dry weather.
- Water Levels: Crucial Note: Zunino is an irrigation reservoir. In drought years, it can be drawn down significantly. Always check the NDOW Fishing Report or local shops in Elko (like South Fork Outfitters) for current water levels before making the drive.
- Regulations: A valid Nevada Fishing License is required. Check current NDOW regulations for bag limits, though most serious fly anglers here practice Catch and Release to preserve the trophy potential.
- Amenities: This is a primitive site. There is a vault toilet and some basic camping spots, but no running water or electricity. Pack in, pack out.
Guide’s Final Word: Zunino is a "patience" fishery. You might go an hour without a hit, and then hook three 20-inch Rainbows in twenty minutes. Stay mobile, watch the weed lines, and keep your fly in the water!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chironomids Chironomidae | midge | April, May, June, September, October | All Day | #12-22 | Zebra Midge #16-20, Ice Cream Cone #12-16, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Callibaetis Callibaetis spp. | mayfly | June, July, August, September | Late Morning/Early Afternoon | #12-16 | Parachute Adams #14-16, Callibaetis Spinner #14-16, Hare's Ear Nymph #12-16 |
| Damselfly Enallagma spp. | other | June, July | Midday | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel Nymph #10-14, Adult Damsel #12-14 |
| Scud Gammarus spp. | other | April, May, September, October | All Day | #12-16 | Ray Charles #14-16, Flashback Scud #12-16 |
| Water Boatman Corixidae | other | September, October | Afternoon | #14-18 | Water Boatman #14-18, Prince Nymph #14-18 |
| Grasshoppers Acrididae | terrestrial | July, August, September | Late Morning/Afternoon | #8-12 | Hopper Juan #10-12, Dave's Hopper #8-12, Parachute Hopper #10-14 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Ceraclea spp. | caddis | July, August | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, LaFontaine's Emerger #14-16 |
| Backswimmers Notonectidae | other | September, October | All Day | #10-14 | Backswimmer #12-14, Olive Woolly Bugger #10-12 |