One of Nevada's greatest fly fishing opportunities is it's small creeks. Nevada has, literately, hundreds of small fishable creeks ranging from single digit CFS flows to 50 CFS or more. Some are popular, like Desert Creek near Smith Valley where George Delich caught the Nevada record Grayling, Kingston Creek in the Toiyabes, or Tabor Creek in Elko County. Many, many more are unknown, hidden waters, flowing out of Nevada's numerous mountain ranges, most to warm to sustain fish or disappearing completely on the valley floors. All of these creeks, famous or not, are well worth the time spent finding and fishing them and all have their own unique character and charm.

Finding Creeks

    Most of the small streams in Nevada are in the northern portion of the state. The number and quality diminish greatly as you head south of Tonopah and US 6. Not to say their are no gems in southern Nevada, they're just harder to locate. Most small creeks are born high in Nevada's mountains, flowing from springs and fed by limited snow pack. Most are too small and too warm to sustain trout in the valleys, if they make it there at all. Some streams actually go underground, their limited water soaked up by the thirsty desert floor. Only the biggest creeks with the most consistent water sources make it at lower elevations.

    The trick then, is to look high for the best opportunities. Topo maps are the small creek fisherman's best friend. USGS 7 1/2 minute maps are great but the 15 minute versions cover much more area. Other maps, such as DeLorme's Nevada Atlas and Gazetteer and The Nevada Map Atlas, can provide good quick reference of the entire state and are great for those winter arm chair adventures. All these maps are available at local sporting goods stores and the USGS and Nevada Map Atlas can be had from the Nevada Department of Transportation, 1263 South Stewart St., Carson City, NV 89712.

    Once you have your maps look for creeks fed from high elevations, or in rare cases from small lakes or reservoirs. Creeks that flow into reservoirs are also good bets since fish are bound to have move from the lake into the stream. Creeks with multiple tributaries or source springs are also good bets. If your looking in the DeLorme's atlas, look for the fish symbols, although not even half the good water is denoted on their maps with the symbols. Another good source of information is the Nevada Department of Wildlife, 1100 Valley Rd., Reno NV 89512, Phone:(775) 687-1500. They can put you in contact with a biologist from the region your interested in that can probably tell you what streams hold fish and what type and size they are likely to be. Finding them on your own, however, is a fun and rewarding challenge.

Hints on where to look

    I won't give you any specific streams or even mountain ranges in most cases, the creeks are very sensitive to pressure. I can't urge catch and release enough in these small waters. Here are the most likely places you will find quality streams.

	Elko County
	The Sierras
	Mountain ranges around Austin
	White Pine County
	Any mountain ranges with peaks above 8000'

    Look in these areas and will find that small streams are plentiful. Finding the best waters and the bigger fish, however, takes time spent fishing and exploring, which beats map reading any day.

Techniques

    Technique is what determines success or failure on small streams.  While at times fly selection can be important, usually a stealthy approach and well presented fly will catch fish.  Walking directly to the bank to cast your fly will guarantee two things:  You will see fish, as the dart away, and you won't catch any.  Patience is the key to this sort of fishing.

    Always hold back from the bank and observe.  Look for rises or shadows, anything to indicate fish are there.  Failing that, look for likely holding water such as rocks, undercut banks or fallen logs.  When fish, or fishy spots, are found decide how to fish them before you move forward.  Choose your casting location, a spot that affords you some protection from the fishes vision.  Decide what cast you might use to best reach the fish, keeping in mind obstructions and how best not to line the fish.  Remember, the better planned your presentation, the better shot you have at the fish.  When your ready to move up to cast move slow, step lightly and keep low.  You may only get one or two casts before the fish spooks.

    Not every situation requires this level of preparation and stealth, but using it even on the easy fish keeps you in practice for the hard ones.  Who knows, patience may earn you that special fish that we know lives in these streams, the infamous 16 incher!

    Two other techniques are worth mentioning:  dapping and the slingshot.  Dapping is basically dangling your fly on or in the water.  Just let out enough line to keep it from slipping back through the guides, poke your rod over a boulder or around a tree and bounce your fly on the surface or just under.  Great when you can't cast or even get to the water.

    The slingshot is also simple.  Take the fly in your line hand, hold the line tight against the grip with your rod hand, and pull back on the fly until the rod is loaded.  Point the rod grip toward the target and let go of the fly.  Your fly should shoot right to the spot you aimed at.  A good trick for getting under low branches or into a "tunnel" of brush.

    A word on wading: Don't.  Unless it is absolutely necessary, you should never wade.  These small streams don't hide your movement like a larger river can.  The noise and pressure waves you generate make you a seem like bull in a china shop.  Additionally, these small streams have limited habitat and tromping through them can do damage that may take years to repair.

Equipment

    While any rod will do the shorter and lighter the better.  I prefer a 3 wt. 7 1/2 foot rod with a light graphite reel.  You can get away with an inexpensive reel since you will rarely play a fish with it.  Most fish can be handled by hand.  Some say that a long rod is in order for snaking it through branches and brush, but you'll curse the extra foot or so when you try to cast.  If a 7 or 8 footer won't reach, either stretch or move on.

    I always try to keep my flies simple.  Attractor dries, simple nymphs, small streamers and some terrestrials.  Carry a good size selection and maybe three colors.  My favorites are olive, black and tan, maybe a gray in the dries.  With these you should be able to match about 95% of the natural you will encounter.  

Good Luck!