Pyramid Lake 6/20 (Lotsa Pics)

The original plan was to go out on Sunday which had the better weather forecast but as I looked outside my window (Saturday morning) it was calm.  A quick change of plans was called for and I loaded up the Jeep and headed out to Pyramid Lake for one last try for some cutts before the season ended on June 30.  I decided for this last try to head out to the east side of the lake. The east side is much more primitive and rugged.  No paved roads and no camping so shouldn't be many power boats but also very few places to launch a kayak, most of the shore is just to steep.

As I reach the lake, the pelicans are soaring.


Anaho Island harbors one of the largest nesting colonies of white pelicans in North America.


The Pyramid, the namesake of the lake.


At the base of the Pyramid is the Stone Mother. Legend has it, her tears are what created the lake.


Here's the complete legend from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe (Their site is a little slow).
http://plpt.nsn.us/story.html

Red Bay, my destination and the water looks nice.


On the water.


I hook up the down rigger and start trolling at 20 ft.  Nothing, no hits and I'm not seeing anything on the fish finder. I reel up and there's an 18 inch cutt following the lure. He strikes and misses, I drop it down and another strike but another miss and he's out of here. I set back up and drop down to 45' but again nothing. I see a lure floating that's hooked up to some algae. I can't quite reach it with the DR running so I reel up. Dang, another fish following it up but no strikes. I grab my other pole thats rigged for jigging.  Drop the line down and start jigging and Wham, a nice 22" cutt.  As I'm bringing him in, there's another one swimming around next to him. I'm thinking I've found the secret, but alas that was the last fish for the rest of the day.

My only fish.


Thunder storm coming in (the angle is for artistic effect ).


Well they say in Nevada, if you don't like the weather just wait a while. I hop in the Jeep for an hour to wait out the weather and viola it's nice again.


A few other fisherman (blurred, again for artistic reasons).


Pyramid Lake tufa.


The reason for the name Red Bay.


Though I didn't catch many fish, I still had a great time, very relaxing and enjoyable, well it's getting late.

Here's a youtube video a coworker put together. It's a little slow in spots and a touch too long and no kayaks but it does show off the beauty and size of these fish.



If anyone is interest in going out to Pyramid Lake.  The season opens Oct 1, send me a PM or email.  Maybe we can get a group out.

Nice! Yes, kayaks would be way better than standing on a ladder... 

Great pics and awesome report! Congrats on the season-ending cuttie.

Makes me regret not getting up to Pyramid this week. Took the missus to Tahoe instead, which was beautiful though unproductive.

I'll send you a PM next time I'm in town.

Cool post, brings back a lot of memories.  I fished their a TON as a kid.  We lived in Reno and  my pops had that place wired.  We caught a lot of nice trout out of there.

Sweet buncha pics there. That's one place I've yet to try.

Awesome!!! Thanks for the report. And that's a great video too.

James