Pyramid Lk (NV) 3/31 and Stampede Res. 4/1

Fished Pyramid Lk Paiute Reservation n. of Reno for about 6 hrs. yesterday out of Sutcliffe, NV.  I caught one 19" Lahontan Cutthroat (F-J7  Fire Tiger Rapala) and my buddy caught one 22" (using a Hot Shot).   We were both toplining.  We saw a lot of fish being caught by the guys fishing from the wading stands and float tubes using flies.  Conditions:  water 51, air about 65, 20% clouds mostly clear, wind 0-2 mph. 
Here's the shocker!  $9 (count 'em 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 bucks! to launch a kayak- same for all boats  and $10 for a permit to fish.). That was an expensive drive to get to pay those fees on top of it. If you go, pay the fees; the rangers in pick-ups and boats are out and checking everyone and the penalties start at $150 and go up. We were checked (and we were legal).

Today we fished Stampede Res. (nr. Truckee) from 10:15-12:30.  I caught a nice 5.4 lb Mackinaw near the dam by the exposed island (now a pennisula).  I was trolling a F-J 13 Brown Trout Rapala 12' deep and a setback of 175'.  conditions:  water 43, air mid-50's (?), mostly overcast (80%), wind calm for first hour then out of the W at 6-12 mph.  Boaters reported mostly no fish, but one had one fish, and another reported 7 Macs and 1 large SM Bass (I saw the very nice filet - they cleaned it at the boat ramp in the lake - totally uncool to trash the lake).
I wanted to stay longer, but my buddy needed to get home. 
Tom

 Thanks for the pyramid report. That lake makes me feel like im fishing on mars.
I got financially raped on that res. too. They came out and charged me for every kayak stacked on my car, and we got charged for a fire permits along with the camping fees. Still was a great place and shrouded by creepy stories of ghosts and alot of mysterious deaths. great fresh water surfing too.

Thanks for the report Tom.
20$ before you touch water?  OUCH!!  I thought I would never see a launch/fish fee that high.It must look nice.

thanks for the details.....where is the pics of the 5lb. MACK??

Adam, sorry no photos.  Here's the whining story:  After about 5 min. of playing the fish in, my buddy who was about 100 yds. away paddled over for a look (I told him it felt pretty big - my biggest to date are 11# and 14# and it felt like at least 10#.)   He asked if I needed help (The only help I'll ever need on my kayak is with a dino or when I have my heart attack.).   I had a camera (a water proof drug store type where I was planning to scan and post) and I asked him to take some photos.  I tossed it to him and he took one with the rod bent down.  I asked him to keep snapping, but he was insisting on wanting to net it for me.  I told him to leave it alone that I would net it as part of the challenge and catch.  Then as I was bringing it into the kayak  he was complaining about his problem with treble hooks and  nets, hooking the gills on fish to be released, etc.,etc. After I got the hook out I weighed then released it quickly and asked him for the camera.  He says, "Oh crap I forgot to take the pictures."  Great!  Then he was anxious to get home by 4 p.m. so we quit after 2 hours.  I would have stayed until 4.  I was fully confident there was another waiting for me to hook up.  It makes me re-think this whole trip.  I'll take my own photos if/when I go with him again.  I'll at least try to post the one shot if the scan method works. Sorry.
Tom

You have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!  that's so funny!  those disposable water cameras are good,but you got to get up very close when out of the water or the pic. will come out like you were far away. it also works very good under the water on a good sunlit target.

  Adam,
 a picture of pyramid lake. If you havnt been here its worth the trip.

Theres a cool little hot springs on the (NW?) end!