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Bob Seeger's song, Against the Wind, played over and over in my head this past weekend during the morning session of fishing on Nevada's Pyramid Lake. Pyramid Lake lies entirely on the Paiute Indian Reservation northeast of the Reno/Sparks area.
As you know this large lake is know for both its legendary Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and the winds that can cause havoc for sportsmen. While at least a couple of us had been in much windier conditions; it was a very interesting trip.
We were out there on an outing with a group of fishermen and one woman from the North Lake Tahoe Kiwanis in Tahoe City. A group of nine headed out to the lake after a quick breakfast stop in Reno. The weather was cold, but appeared as though it was going to be a very nice day.
We stopped at the Pyramid Lake Store for our tribal fishing permits. This done, we then headed to our first fishing spot. Upon arriving there we were greeted with a flat lake. Within the next ten minutes while we were beginning to set-up our gear, we noticed a slight breeze. The slight breeze became a moderate wind and then a pretty significant one that was blowing directly into us.
Over half the members were either beginning or totally new to the sport. Those of you familiar with fly fishing know that wind is probably one of the most difficult things to accommodate when you are a fly fisher. An experienced fly fisher can usually cope with the wind, but to a neophyte it is really tough.
Those learning to cast struggled with their lighter sink tip lines during the morning as well as with the waves hitting them while they stood on the traditional Pyramid Lake ladder set-ups. Fish were caught during the first couple of hours in the morning and two of the anglers even caught their first Pyramid fish! Several of us were also knocked off of our ladders by the waves.
After a consultation amongst the veteran anglers in the group; we decided that we would break for lunch and move to another location that would be a little more favorable to those who were beginners. Unfortunately, a couple of our anglers had to duck out due to either work or family commitments.
After the move and lunch; we began fishing in our new location that had considerably less wind. The wind was even coming from a more favorable direction for right handed casters, quartering slightly left to right. The lefty in our party even did not mind. I heard him exclaim on his first cast, "That's twice the distance I got this morning!"
Unfortunately, the first location was a bust. After nearly an hour, the only things that were pulling back were the bottom or the occasional weed. Discouraged, but not beaten; we moved once again.
The new spot did not improve our fishing much. A few more fish were caught, but at the end of the day; the fish had definitely gotten the upper hand. Nonetheless it was a great day.
After changing out of our waders, we were entertained by Jason Wolther, Kiwanis Vice-President, and his girlfriend Rachel. The two of them can be heard at the Cal Neva Circle Bar Lounge this coming Saturday and elsewhere around the lake in the coming month. If you get the chance to hear them perform, you will not be disappointed.
The entertainment at the lake was a first for me. It was a great day of fishing with good company and great entertainment! Even the club president, Jim Donnell, made an appearance doing a flyby in his plane while we were lined up in the lake in the morning.
Thanks for a great time! You were a terrific group of fly fishers and an even greater group of friends.
The 2005 season for streams and Martis Lake came to a close on Tuesday, November 15th. The following waters lakes a now the only ones open.
Boca - (23,000) Acre Feet) Inflow is at 34 cfs and the outflow is 42 cfs. Overall fishing has been fair to good. Fish have been caught with minnow imitating lures, and flasher combination rigs. Most anglers are fishing from shore using nightcrawlers or Powerbait. Fly fishermen near the inlet have experienced fair to good action. Nymphs and streamers have accounted for most of the fish caught although some fish have been caught on dry flies and emergers.
Donner - Fishing has been fair to good for mackinaw. A combination of jigging and trolling has been successful. Shore fishermen near the launch ramp have had fair success. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait. Fly fishermen have taken a few fish mostly with streamers.
Lake Tahoe Š At 6223.89 on 11/13/2005 (Lake Level 6223.00) Fishing has been good for mackinaw. A guide is highly recommended if you are fishing for mackinaw for the first time. Toplining and shore fishing is fair. Most shore fishermen use inflated nightcrawlers.
As you know this large lake is know for both its legendary Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and the winds that can cause havoc for sportsmen. While at least a couple of us had been in much windier conditions; it was a very interesting trip.
We were out there on an outing with a group of fishermen and one woman from the North Lake Tahoe Kiwanis in Tahoe City. A group of nine headed out to the lake after a quick breakfast stop in Reno. The weather was cold, but appeared as though it was going to be a very nice day.
We stopped at the Pyramid Lake Store for our tribal fishing permits. This done, we then headed to our first fishing spot. Upon arriving there we were greeted with a flat lake. Within the next ten minutes while we were beginning to set-up our gear, we noticed a slight breeze. The slight breeze became a moderate wind and then a pretty significant one that was blowing directly into us.
Over half the members were either beginning or totally new to the sport. Those of you familiar with fly fishing know that wind is probably one of the most difficult things to accommodate when you are a fly fisher. An experienced fly fisher can usually cope with the wind, but to a neophyte it is really tough.
Those learning to cast struggled with their lighter sink tip lines during the morning as well as with the waves hitting them while they stood on the traditional Pyramid Lake ladder set-ups. Fish were caught during the first couple of hours in the morning and two of the anglers even caught their first Pyramid fish! Several of us were also knocked off of our ladders by the waves.
After a consultation amongst the veteran anglers in the group; we decided that we would break for lunch and move to another location that would be a little more favorable to those who were beginners. Unfortunately, a couple of our anglers had to duck out due to either work or family commitments.
After the move and lunch; we began fishing in our new location that had considerably less wind. The wind was even coming from a more favorable direction for right handed casters, quartering slightly left to right. The lefty in our party even did not mind. I heard him exclaim on his first cast, "That's twice the distance I got this morning!"
Unfortunately, the first location was a bust. After nearly an hour, the only things that were pulling back were the bottom or the occasional weed. Discouraged, but not beaten; we moved once again.
The new spot did not improve our fishing much. A few more fish were caught, but at the end of the day; the fish had definitely gotten the upper hand. Nonetheless it was a great day.
After changing out of our waders, we were entertained by Jason Wolther, Kiwanis Vice-President, and his girlfriend Rachel. The two of them can be heard at the Cal Neva Circle Bar Lounge this coming Saturday and elsewhere around the lake in the coming month. If you get the chance to hear them perform, you will not be disappointed.
The entertainment at the lake was a first for me. It was a great day of fishing with good company and great entertainment! Even the club president, Jim Donnell, made an appearance doing a flyby in his plane while we were lined up in the lake in the morning.
Thanks for a great time! You were a terrific group of fly fishers and an even greater group of friends.
The 2005 season for streams and Martis Lake came to a close on Tuesday, November 15th. The following waters lakes a now the only ones open.
Boca - (23,000) Acre Feet) Inflow is at 34 cfs and the outflow is 42 cfs. Overall fishing has been fair to good. Fish have been caught with minnow imitating lures, and flasher combination rigs. Most anglers are fishing from shore using nightcrawlers or Powerbait. Fly fishermen near the inlet have experienced fair to good action. Nymphs and streamers have accounted for most of the fish caught although some fish have been caught on dry flies and emergers.
Donner - Fishing has been fair to good for mackinaw. A combination of jigging and trolling has been successful. Shore fishermen near the launch ramp have had fair success. Nightcrawlers and Powerbait seem to be the main bait. Fly fishermen have taken a few fish mostly with streamers.
Lake Tahoe Š At 6223.89 on 11/13/2005 (Lake Level 6223.00) Fishing has been good for mackinaw. A guide is highly recommended if you are fishing for mackinaw for the first time. Toplining and shore fishing is fair. Most shore fishermen use inflated nightcrawlers.
