Pyramid Lake re-opens for cutthroat trout fishing on Oct. 1

Pyramid Lake, one of my favorite fishing locations is going to re-open on Oct. 1 for the start of its 2008-2009 Lahontan cutthroat trout fishing season, and I can hardly wait. I plan to do a lot of fishing this winter in my chest waders (with my wife Elaine) or from a boat (with my regular fishing partner Don Hettrick).

If you are a trout fisherman interested in the chance to catch an eye-popping, huge trout, here is some information just for you:

The lake:

Pyramid is a large desert lake that has roughly about the same surface size as Lake Tahoe, 20 miles long by 12 miles wide. The lake is one of two remnants (Walker Lake near Hawthorne being the other) of a vast pre-historic lake, once known as Lake Lahontan.

That monster-sized lake (8,500 square miles) once stretched from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, all the way east to the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, Utah.

To reach the lake:

Take U.S. 395 north from Carson City to the I-80 'Spaghetti Bowl" Interchange in Reno. From there, take I-80 east toward Sparks. Get off I-80 at the Pyramid Way Exit in Sparks. Then, take a combination of Pyramid Way and the Pyramid Lake Highway north for about 30 miles to the lake.

How to fish:

You can fish from shore or in chest waders or from a float tube; or you can troll, stillfish or jig from a canoe, kayak or boat.

Where to fish:

From shore: At this time of the year, try Monument Rocks, Warrior Point, Spider Point or Pelican Point, all on the northwest side of the lake.

In chest waders: At any of the above locations, plus you can try at Windless Bay or "The Nets," just south of Sutcliffe, if, and only if, The Nets area is open to fishing.

From a float tube: The same locations as with chest waders.

From a boat: Troll in front or north or south of Pelican Point for best results. Warrior Point is another good location.

If your boat is large enough, and only if it is large enough, travel across the lake to places such as "Hell's Kitchen," Anderson Bay, the Pyramid, Anahoe Island, etc.

However, be prepared to return to the boat launch, IMMEDIATELY, if the wind begins to blow.

Pyramid Lake is extremely dangerous and life-threatening for boaters when the wind is blowing.

Watch the "Pinnacles" at the far north end of the lake and if you see dust beginning to fly, head for home ASAP. Do not delay!

What to use:

If you fly fish, use large, black or brown-colored Woolly Bugger or Woolly Worm flies.

If you jig, use large, black or purple-colored Marabou jigs.

If you spincast, use rainbow, Chartreuse/black dot or yellow/black dot-colored No. 2 TOR-P-DO type lures.

If you troll, usethe larger No. 3 TOR-P-DO's in the above colors, or large Apex (pearl-colored), Flatfish, Kwikfish or Rapala lures.

What you'll catch:

Lahontan cutthroat trout, which can run up to 20 pounds or more!

Special regulations:

You must fish with artificial flies or lures only. That means no bait of any kind! So don't be tempted!

Barbless hooks only (Fishermen can crimp their barbs to comply with regulation).

Fishing within 500 feet of all docks is prohibited.

All boats using Pyramid Lake must have proof of current registration. Hull numbers cannot be less than 4" in height.

Limits:

There is a two-trout possession limit.

Cutthroat trout that are under 16 inches in length or between 19 and 24 inches in length must be release unharmed (these are known as "Shakers").

Anglers are encouraged to practice "airless" catch and release on the Shakers, which keeps the trout in the water, at all times, while trying to release it.

If you must take a fish out of the water, hold your breath when you do. Then, when you run out of air and have to take a big deep breath, put the fish back in the water, so it can also breathe.

You can keep two trout which are 16-19 inches in length or you can keep one trout 16-19 inches plus one trout over 24 inches (These are known as "Keepers").

Permits:

You will be fishing on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, and will need a special tribal fishing and boating permit. Last year, the cost was $10 for a one-day permit for either fishing or boating. Last year, the cost was $75 for an annual permit for either fishing or boating.

You do not need a Nevada fishing license or a Nevada Trout Stamp.

Fishing Charters:

Chris and Jeri Grellman of Hog Charters (775) 358-5199.

Jim Hartfiel of Just Rite Fishing at (775) 575-7850.

George Molino of Cutthroat Charters at (775) 476-0555.

For information:

Crosby's Lodge at Sutcliffe at (775) 476-0400.

Gilly Sporting Goods Store in Sparks at 358-6113.

Chris and Jeri Grellman of Hog Charters at 358-5199.

Jim Hartfiel of Just Rite Fishing at (775) 575-7850.

The Pyramid Lake Marina and RV Park at (775) 476-1156.

George or Carla Molino at the Pyramid Lake Store on the Pyramid Lake Highway at (775) 476-0555.

Finally:

Be advised that as of the time this column was written (Sept. 24), there was no confirmation on a number of proposed changes to the rules and regulations. Some of those could change the size limit, the permit fees and even create a new fishing license for youngsters.

Be sure to check with the ranger station at Pyramid Lake prior to going fishing.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon he can't tell you about the largest cutthroat ever caught at Pyramid Lake.

If he grins and says, "It weighed 41 pounds, it was caught in 1925 and it is the current world record," he could have been reading the list of Record Fish of Nevada.

Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal