In the Truckee, Tahoe, Reno area or anywhere in the surrounding vicinity, I’m not sure there’s a better shot a monster trout than Pyramid Lake right now.  It’s been a banner season so far and the lake has been showing off some really large fish lately.  December has been great from the shore all over the lake as these fish are spread all over at the moment.

Pyramid Lake has been giving anglers quite a few presents in the form of double-digit cutthroats—that’s pounds, not inches. LOL. We love when someone calls to inquire about Pyramid, and we mention catching a few in the upper teens. They often say, "Those are nice sizes," and then we clarify, "That’s pounds, not inches," which completely blows them away.

It's also amusing when people confuse Pyramid Lake in California with Pyramid Lake in Nevada. No, we don’t have stripers, but we do have trout that are just as big, if not bigger, than the stripers at Pyramid Lake, California.

Fish are cruising the shorelines which makes it great for shore anglers. Do I need a ladder? No. Do I need waders? No.

We have had some good bite windows throughout the day.  If I was to focus on one I’d go for early morning to early afternoon. While we’ve had some early morning success, the most activity has been after it warms with that sun popping out a little bit. The bobber is always a tough one to beat as your flies are always “fishing”.  Balanced leeches in the normal blacks and greens early in the low light hours. But the real stars have been the bugs. Chironomids, midges, nymphs, scuds etc. It’s that time of the season where the baitfish are spread out and the bugs are clustered up. Great time to watch that bobber and soak up the scenery!

We say this every time: pay attention so you don't miss your takes, grabs, or strikes. All we’re trying to say is, be ready. That missed take could have been a 20-pounder. Leave the light tackle you usually use for trout at home. This week, we saw two anglers’ dreams crushed—yeah, 4-6 lb. test isn’t going to cut it. 10-15 lb. Seaguar Yellow Label fluorocarbon is the ticket.

For those who like to fish streamers, on sinking line or a shooting head type line like the airflo 40+ SR 5 with intermediate running line, I would use the midnight cowboy wooly worm as well as the Mike Sexton Boobie in chartruese and white. You can strip a boobie faster than the beetle without the fly rolling over on the retrieve. At times, I will put the rod under my arm and use a two hand fast retrieve. Cutts are like cats, they chase for fun then pounce on it.

Next month, in January, we have the Sheep Show in Reno, NV, mid-month to kick off the start of the busy season. It’s probably my favorite time of year to fish the lake, as the fish begin to school up and are full of energy. It’s go time at Pyramid Lake, and we’d love to have you join us. Pack your warm layers, grab your friends, and come on out! After all, you can’t catch ’em from the couch.

Happy Holidays from the entire team at Pyramid Fly Co!