If you are a registered Level 3 Learn to Fly Fish (LTFF) student, join us for two days of guided fishing (Sunday, March 26, and Monday, March 27) at Pyramid Lake in Nevada as we target native Lahontan cutthroat trout. This fish-out is open to 9 students, and we expect this fish-out to fill up quickly! Also, note the Sunday and Monday fishing days – our guide recommends this to avoid the crowds on Saturdays at the lake.
Location & Guides: Pyramid Lake is a desert lake that sits on the Paiute Tribe Reservation, approximately 35 miles northeast of Reno, Nevada. We will be using Rob Anderson's guide service. Rob has an excellent website, http://pyramidlakeflyfishing.com/group-and-club-outings/ where you can learn more about this location.
Fishing Technique & Suggested Gear: You will be fishing from platform stepladders set up in the lake to allow you to cast out over the drop-offs and to stay as much out of the water as possible (that lake water is cold!) The guides provide these ladders. This fishing is great fun since it is very social, and these fish are huge; some may go as much as 5-10 lbs or more!
For the best experience, we recommend that you come prepared to both indicator nymph fish and retrieve beetles and buggers since one may be more productive than the other at any particular time.
For Nymphing: we recommend a 6-8 wt single-handed fly rod with floating lines. Large, buoyant indicators (such as Thing-a-ma-bobbers or Air-Locks) and some heavy split shot if you are not using tungsten bead head flies. Nymphing is usually done with large (up to size 12) chironomids (midge larvae) in reddish patterns or with balanced leeches.
For Retrieving Beetles and Buggers: 7-8 wt single-handed fly rods with shooting heads of a fast or extra fast sink rate (Type 6 or T-14, to sink 6-7 ips). Two-handed switch rods that can be easily overhead-casted only will do (no Spey casts!) but are not particularly popular with our guides (there is little room between the ladder spacing for maneuvering the long rods). A stripping basket may be handy if you have an intermediate running line rather than a floating running line. Retrieved flies are special wooly bugger patterns and foam beetle patterns fished on a 2-fly rig.
Leaders: Long 2X-3X tapered leaders for nymphing or just straight tippet in 10-15 lb. works fine, especially for stripping/retrieving; 12 lb. fluorocarbon tippet may be best. Rob will have this tippet if you don't.
Flies: Your registration fee will include a selection of flies specifically for Pyramid Lake, recommended by Rob Anderson.
Other Gear: Bring your wading boots, chest waders, warm socks and undergarments (that lake water is cold!), fleeces, rain jacket, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, buff, and hat (bring a ski cap, in addition to a billed or brimmed hat)
Fish-out Expenses: Registration for the fish-out is $415, which covers the following:
- Two days of guided fishing
- Flies: The guides will be providing recommended flies for this trip.
- Meals at the lake: A light breakfast and a big lunch will be provided by the guides each day at the lake, as well as an assortment of beverages (no alcohol allowed! Tribal rules.).
Additional Expenses: The additional expenses that the student will need to cover for themselves include the following:
- Permits for two days: Refer to Rob's website (at the top of the site under "Trip Planning – Permits" to buy and print out a tribal fishing license before leaving home. Don't forget this! (And no, a Nevada fishing license is NOT required for fishing on the Indian reservation.)
- Transportation: We recommend 4-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles or carpooling with those that do since it is easy to get stuck in the soft sandy lakefront.
- All dinners or other food
- Lodging: Students will be responsible for their Saturday and Sunday nights lodging. The fish-out leader will share recommended options with the trip registrants.
- Guide gratuities
Other Logistics: We will start early each morning (5 AM). You will drive/carpool to the lake; the trip takes about 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your lodging. We will meet up with the guide, who will want us on the ladders by the first hint of daylight since this is when the bite is often the best.
After fishing, we recommend rinsing your fishing gear thoroughly since this lake is very alkaline and not much different than saltwater. Rinse your waders and boots thoroughly as soon as you get home for the same reason (and the fact that you always clean and dry them well before putting them away).
Fish-out Leader: Mike Nelson will lead this fish-out. He is a recent graduate of the LTFF Program. Mike is familiar with Pyramid Lake and has fished with some of our guides at Pyramid Lake and Montana. He will be your contact for planning, logistics, and any questions you might have about the trip. Mike will conduct a Zoom meeting with the registrants to share more about the lake and the trip's logistics.
Sign up for this opportunity now! EVERYONE has to try this at least once -- but beware; you might get hooked since these might be the biggest trout you'll ever catch. Fishing Pyramid Lake is truly a unique experience, unlike anything you'll do anywhere else, and those big fish are really FUN!
Contacts for further info:
Fish-out Leader: Mike Nelson (micnel@protonmail.com)
LTFF Program Leader: Bruce Greenwood (brucegre@pacbell.net)
Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds. If a student cannot attend for any reason, he/she may resell his slot (rod) to another LTFF member (by first pulling from the waitlist, if one exists). It is the sole responsibility of the student to manage this transaction.