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Nick Fiorini casts a fly at first light.

Appreciation for Pyramid

Catching a 10+ pound trout is an event many trout anglers only dream of experiencing. A handful of international destinations provide anglers with legitimate chances at achieving this benchmark, but perhaps the world’s best location lies just 50 minutes outside of Reno, NV.

We are in the middle of a true conservation success story at Pyramid Lake. In 1925, the world record cutthroat trout weighing 41 pounds was caught by John Skimmerhorn. Within 20 years, these Lahontan cutthroat were extinct from Pyramide Lake due to dams, water diversions and overfishing.

Debarbing hooks is a best-practice mandated by local fishing regulations at Pyramid Lake.
Anglers can begin fishing 1 hour before sunrise. Those who get up early and fight the cold weather are often rewarded with grabs before the sun comes up.
Golden hour gives a majestic vibe across Pyramid Lake.
You don't need a Nevada state fishing license at Pyramid Lake. The entire lake is on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation so you need a specific Tribal permit before fishing.

This fish has a deep cultural connection to the local Paiute Tribes… and it shows. Thanks to the hard work and strategic efforts by the Summit Lake Paiute Tribe, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and others, Lahontan cutthroat trout have been re-established and are growing to the astonishing sizes witnessed almost a century ago. Trout management practices, securing water flows, genetic testing, research, successfully operating hatcheries and implementing fish-friendly fishing regulations are all likely contributing to the growing health and success of these fish in Pyramid Lake.

Although they can be challenging to find, fool and land, the persistent and observant angler will eventually encounter fish over 10 pounds. Hang around with the crowds at Pyramid Lake long enough and you’ll probably see what a 20-pound trout looks like. Coming tight with one of the bigger fish is usually characterized by aggressive and easily identifiable headshakes that will bend an eight-weight in half.

One of the most effective catch and release practices is to keep trout wet when removing hooks and taking pictures.
Leech patterns are essential for success at certain times of the year.

This fishery can spoil anglers. We could easily be prone to taking these fish for granted or dismissing their significance due to their current availability and accessibility. This is a special fishery for many reasons, and hopefully we all can show our appreciation for a fly fishing experience that is unmatched throughout the world.

The use of barbless hooks, minimizing air exposure time after a catch, keeping fish wet as much as possible, minimizing our impact on the local habitat and shores and following the local fishing regulations allows us to contribute to, rather than impede, the ongoing success of these fish.

Laying eyes on one of these fish rolling at the end of your line is a sight you may never forget. As anglers, let’s do our small part to appreciate this opportunity and help it last for years to come.

Non-Pauite tribal members are only permitted to fish on the western shoreline. At 27 miles long, there is no shortage of beaches to fish.
The classic white and chartreuse popcorn beetle. Use it as a tag fly or fish a pair of them if the fish are on the strip bite.
Popcorn beetles are one of the most common flies used at Pyramid Lake. It probably doesn’t represent any specific food item, but serves as an attractor that often times gets the attention of cruising trout.
The landscapes at Pyramid Lake are easy to admire while waiting for fish. Just don’t miss the bite!
Ladders with a platform and chair provide anglers with some comfort during long days of fishing.
Fish can definitely be caught in calm fishing conditions, but a little wind and surface chop is often preferred.
The iconic pyramid at Pyramid lake glows when the sun hits it at certain times of the day.
Scooping up one of the first fish of the day.
Nick Fiorini does a quick lift of a double-digit fish out of the water. On this day we had slow fishing, but came tight on this one when exploring before dark.
Jess Tuchscherer holds a double digit trout that gave the typical aggressive headshakes after eating a leech.

Contributed By

Anthony Swentosky

A.J. has a lifelong passion for fly fishing and an innate curiosity for finding out what lives beneath the water’s surface. He’s an outdoor and fly fishing photographer, cinematographer and filmmaker based out of Bend, OR after recently moving from Jackson, WY.

Fly fishing photography and filmmaking started out as a hobby that allowed each day of fishing to be extended into the editing and sharing processes. He now creates photos and videos that attempt to convey emotion and the beauty of landscapes, rivers, lakes and the fish we chase in hopes of inspiring others to respect our fisheries and preserve them for the future.

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