Ready to hook into some of the biggest trout in the West? Our 5.5-hour guided trip on Pyramid Lake is your ticket to landing trophy Lahontan Cutthroat. Whether you're new to fishing or looking to sharpen your skills, Captain Brad's got you covered with easy-to-follow tips and all the gear you need. No experience? No problem. We'll have you casting like a champ in no time. By the end of the day, you'll be reeling in memories (and hopefully some lunkers) that'll have you itching to get back on the water.
Picture this: You're standing on the shore of Pyramid Lake, surrounded by Nevada's rugged high desert. The water stretches out like glass, broken only by the occasional splash of a cruising cutthroat. Captain Brad's at your side, showing you how to read the water and pick the perfect spot to cast. We keep things simple and fun, focusing on the basics that'll help you land fish. You'll learn the ins and outs of jigging and how to work a lure just right to entice those big trout. And the best part? It's all hands-on. No boring lectures here – we're all about getting you fishing from the get-go.
Alright, let's talk technique. We'll start with the basics of casting – how to load the rod, time your release, and get that lure right where you want it. Then we'll dive into jigging, the bread-and-butter method for tempting Pyramid's cutthroat. It's all about that subtle up-and-down motion, mimicking an injured baitfish. Captain Brad will show you how to vary your retrieve, from a slow drag to a quick pop, to figure out what the fish want on any given day. We use light tackle setups that are easy to handle, even for first-timers. And don't sweat the gear – we've got quality rods, reels, and a selection of proven lures all ready to go. Just bring your enthusiasm (and maybe a lucky hat), and we'll handle the rest.
Pyramid Lake isn't just another fishing hole – it's a bucket-list destination for trout fanatics. The Lahontan Cutthroat here are the stuff of legend, with some topping 20 pounds. But it's not just about size. These fish put up a fight that'll have your arms aching and your heart racing. And the setting? Pure Nevada beauty. Rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and water that shifts from deep blue to turquoise. Even when the fish aren't biting, the views alone are worth the trip. Plus, there's something special about learning to fish in a place with so much history and character. It's the kind of experience that turns first-timers into lifelong anglers.
Let's talk about the fish you're after – the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. These aren't your average stockers. We're talking about a subspecies that's been swimming these waters since the Ice Age. They're built like linebackers, with broad shoulders and powerful tails that can snap a line if you're not careful. The average catch might run 16-24 inches, but don't be surprised if you hook into something much bigger. These fish are known for their stunning colors – olive-bronze backs, silver sides, and those signature red-orange slashes under the jaw that give them their name. They're opportunistic feeders, which means they'll hit everything from small jigs to big streamers. The best time to target them? Late fall through early spring is prime time, when the water's cool and the fish are most active. But honestly, any day you can get out on Pyramid is a good day to chase cutthroat.
Look, we could go on all day about the thrill of fighting a big Lahontan Cutthroat or the jaw-dropping scenery of Pyramid Lake. But why read about it when you could be out there experiencing it firsthand? This trip is perfect for anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of lake fishing or anglers wanting to up their game with some local know-how. Captain Brad's got the skills to turn even the most butterfingers beginner into a competent caster by day's end. So what are you waiting for? Grab your spot on the boat, and let's go make some fishing memories on Pyramid Lake. The cutthroat are calling, and trust us – you don't want to miss this bite.
## Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus Clarkii) The Cutthroat Trout can vary widely in size, colorations, and even habitat selection. They can range in colors from gray, green, and also gold on the back. Most Cutthroat trout have an orange, red, or pink coloring that runs linear to their mandibles, hence the name "Cutthroat." The fish also have fresh and saltwater strains or subspecies, with some going from pacific coast tributaries to coast time waters, and are semi-anadromous. ## Cutthroat Trout Size Size can vary significantly from subspecies of the cutthroat trout, and at maturity can range from 6 to 40 inches depending on the subspecies and habitat and forage availability. For example, the coastal cutthroat trout ranges typically in the 2-5 pound range, While subspecies inhabiting large inland lakes can grow to 17 pounds 40 inches in length. While the fish inhabiting smaller bodies of water and streams and creeks may be in the 8 to 10-inch range. ## Cutthroat Trout Facts In the early 20th-century, fish hatcheries were built in the Yellowstone National Park to breed and stock the game fish in suitable waters where populations could be established. Between 1901 and 1953, 818 million cutthroat trout eggs were distributed from Yellowstone to hatcheries around the United States. There are also currently 14 recognized subspecies in total, and these subspecies are all native to separate and different geographical areas. ## Cutthroat Trout Distribution and HeatMap The cutthroat trout in all subspecies are found on the Pacific Northwest coast from British Columbia to northern California, the Great Basin, and the Cascade range as well as throughout the Rocky Mountains as far north as southern Alberta. Famous cutthroat trout water include Pyramid Lake, Nevada, the Colorado Rockies or the Weber River in Utah.  ## Cutthroat Trout Habitat The Oncorhynchus Clarkii live in bodies of water that are well oxygenated, clear, and cold, including moderately deep lakes and shallow rivers and streams with gravel or rocky bottoms. They like healthy rivers with clean water. Find the cutthroat anywhere they can hide like along vegetation, brush overhand and beaver dams. ## Cutthroat Trout Fishing Cutthroat trout are a popular game fish for anglers where they are found, particularly for anglers who enjoy fly fishing. Cutthroat trout love eating prey such as insect nymphs and larvae. Fly imitations for insects that are prevalent in the area and or currently hatching and in abundance are an excellent way to start if your fly fishing most fly fishermen know this as "matching the hatch." Along with matching the hatch, a good rod to use would be a 4 to 6 weight fly rod with a medium action in 8.5 to 9 feet of length. You can also catch cutthroat trout on spinning tackle too and lures like rooster tail spinners, and Mepps style spinners of smaller sizes are the right place to start. ## Fishing Lures There are tons of flies on the market that will work for catching these fish. Gold bead prince nymphs are an excellent example as well as stonefly imitations and flies like elk hair caddis fly imitations. Casting lures such as the Mepps spin flies and the famous Wordens rooster tails are hard to beat if you're not using a fly rod and stick to conventional tackle. ## The Trout Family Trout are members of the family Salmonidae, order Salmoniformes. The native trout family is closely related to salmon. A top fly fishing family of fish that are both tremendous game fish and tasty eating fish. Found in small streams, large rivers, and any trout stream with the right water temperature, aquatic insects, and clean water. The trout species is usually restricted to freshwater, though a few types migrate to the sea between spawnings. Members of the trout species include [Rainbow Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/rainbow-trout), [Brown Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/brown-trout), [Brook Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/brook-trout), [Lake Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/lake-trout), [Steelhead Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/steelhead), [Bull Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/bull-trout), [Cutthroat Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/cutthroat-trout), [Apache Trout](https://guidesly.com/fishing/fish-species/apache-trout) and several other smaller species.