PYRAMID!!!! I'm so excited I think I might dirty my drawers!!!!

[BigFishallday]

99% probability I'm headed out March 25-28th.... I have butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it.  The plans are laid, I just have to finalize reservations!  Check out these fish... Antero can bite by arse.

These are all from the last few months:

http://www.crosbylodge.com/fishing/catch_wk/09_10_catch_wk/09_10%20catchwk%20index.html

And check out the fishing log, scroll to the bottom, every day they're getting 10lbers...

http://www.crosbylodge.com/fishing/catch_wk/09_10_catch_wk/2009-2010%20fishing%20log.htm

And some more:

http://www.azflyfishing.net/thewall/?p=144

OH. MY. GOODNESS.          

[Gudfshn3]

Man....looks like I need to start savin up some $$ and get my tail out there!!!  I had no idea that many fish of that size were caught so frequently!!!  Hope you catch a TANK man......and please pay attention to me saying "catch" and not "SNAG!!!!" 

So whats takin you out there?!!?.....or is it just to fish?

[BigFishallday]

I hear a few years back they stocked some fish from the original strain of Lahontans that inhabited the lake before the 1930's when they were considered extinct. They have been restocking fish from surrounding drainages for years, but just a few years back they started stocking the pure strain originals...these fish historically went to 40+ lbs.

Yeah, yeah... I'm the master SNANGLER.  Ok.. True. The only 10lb trout I've ever caught I caught dishonerably.  Ha. Ha. Ha.  When I return the story may be different entirely.  U.T.F.C. 2 - Redemption.  (For those that don't get my acronyms... Ultimate Trout Fighting Championship 2)... Even though Rene will probably catch a bigger one.

The only thing taking me out there is the chance for HONOR and GLORY!!!!!!

[NMFISHN]

I had no ides the crowds got like that up there. Doesn't sound very appealing standing on a  ladder with a bunch of guys flinginng flies around you. Some big fish still, like i told ya BFAD, if I wasn't getting married this year I would go.

[BigFishallday]

The only reason you have to fish off a ladder with a bunch of guys flinging flies around you is if you want to.  Like any fishery, there are the popular areas... the pics you're seeing are the "Nets" beaches, which are to Pyramid what Texas Hole is to the Juan... if you want seclusion, you don't have to go far to find it... this lake is 12+ miles long by 5 miles wide... do the math, that's about 40 miles of shoreline amigo, and there's fish everywhere.

EDIT.. correction... 26 miles long by 4-11 miles wide... if you average the width at 7.5 miles, the lake covers almost 200 SQUARE MILES... that's more surface area than all the water in New Mexico combined!!!!!  And... NEARLY 70 MILES of shoreline... I think solitude will be a non-issue if desired.

[Key]

Goodluck BFAD....those trout are fishes of a lifetime for sure! 

What made you decide to pull the trigger and head out there?  Not only will I enjoy another classic BFAD report, but I'd be curious to hear a cost breakdown once you come back....(lodging, travel, etc).  I, myself, have been thinking about that lake now for awhile, but I can never justify the time and cost with the family....but I have never known anyone to actually go out there, so Im curious.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[Choctaw]

Muy Grande Amigo Muy Grande!   

[capnlee]

While you are out there you need to teach those guys from azflyfishing a thing or two about stiffarming.  I don't think I've ever seen such widespread gumbyitis in my life!

[Rad]

There is a small chance i can go lol. I will send you a pm and we can talk about it!

[BigFishallday]

Key.... I have been reading about and researching this fishery for years, and I've never had the resources or time to make it happen.  It just so happens that now I have both, so I figured what the heck, I only live once, and I may not get the chance again down the road... you never know. 

Regarding the cost...

Plane tickets for two with two weeks +/- notice...... $700
Renting an SUV from Enterprise.......                       $184
Thurs, Fri night stay at Crosby's on the lake..........   $129
3 days of fishing permits @9.00/day for 2 people.......$54
Lodging in Reno Sat night...........                           $70
Food allowance, $30.00/day/person..........              $240
Gas allowance, figuring 80 miles round trip from Reno
to the lake and 80mi/day at the lake.....................  $70.00
2 Disposable step ladders at Home Depot in
Spanish Springs...will give away on departure..........  $80.00
Misc... (flies, booze, etc)........                               $100.00

Total........                                                          $1630.00 +/-

For 2 and a half days of fishing at one of the best trophy trout fisheries in the US, and a real shot at a 14-15lb Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, a fish that can only be caught in one place in the entire world.  I booked the flights on SW Airlines, the car rental came at a corporate rate thanks to a discount through my employer.  Booked the lodging directly w/Crosby's and via hotels.com, Got some tips on the ladders by calling local shops and the Ranger station.

I had thought of doing this trip spartan style...Driving out solo and camping... I could have pulled that off for under $600 for a week.  But Rene wanted to come, and I wanted her to be there, so the chips fell where they fell and I had to pony up to make it happen over a 4 day span. The luxury of flying / rental car / staying in a warm hotel room is the bulk of the cost. 

Capn'lee, I'll be sure to show 'em how it's done... I may have to invent some type of ladder-based stiff arm as well.

Rad, wish you coulda made it man, maybe next year.  Sounds like next year may be better for a few people.  I'll scout this sucker and maybe next year we can put together a group thing to cut down the costs???? FE invades Pyramid??? Sounds good to me. 

[Rad]

I will be looking forward to the report! Wish i could make it. Next year for sure! It would be a blast if we can get a bunch of fe members down there at one time!

[BigFishallday]

YOU GUYS ARE NEVER GONNA BELIEVE IT!!!! I took my first step into the 21st century today and went DIGITAL!  No more waiting to develop film for this fisherman.  No more wondering if I got a good shot or not.  In fact, no more being restricted to taking pictures of fish above water... I can go to them and get them smiling from below the surface!

Just ordered the BRAND NEW Olympus Tough 6020... not the original, and now old model, the 6000....The latest and greatest... 14 MegaPixels. Waterproof to 14ft. Drop it on concrete from 6ft, no prob. Good to 14 degrees F.  HD Movie capability. 1GB built in memory. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

I decided it was time, and I want some good pics of this trip.  Check out the cam if you're interested.  I bought it from from J&R (google it) online for $299, paid another $75 for an extra battery a 4GB memory card, and a wall charger.  Free shipping, no tax.  I'll let you guys know how it is once I get to use it.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1496&page=specs

[Manuel]

Sweet Man!! This sounds like a great trip and now you have a nice toy to capture it with.

Plus this is a good idea to empty your pockets and bank account before the wife gets her mitts on them! LOL!!!!! 

[TIROIUIT]

Wow I have never heard of that lake but I am now jealous of what you may experience up there with those cutts'. I sure hope you come back with some crazy pictures man. That is one report I cant wait for! Didn't know there was a place where 10 pounders were so plentiful. Good luck!!!!

[BigFishallday]

ME: