02/22/2025
The Tail - of the Big One that Got Away. . .
One of the best catches of fly fishing are the long term friendships of journeys along the way. I am fortunate enough to have many fly fishing buddies who reach out to share new adventures and fishing tales. Met fishing buddy Dave along the 2018 - 5 month/25 Rivers journey. Dave was camp host at a small state campground hidden and down a narrow dirt road located on the snake river. I planned this particular spot to stay for my birthday. Checking in with the host for my camp spot, I noticed the waders hanging out to dry and inquired of his knowledge for secret spots along the snake river. Long discussions ensued with experiences and an offering of hand made flies for this river that he spent tying in the evenings. As I scoured areas he had not yet fished, I was able to return the favors of secret spots that provided opportunities of the drug of the tug.
Since then we try to fish at least once a year. This year: trip-in’ at Pyramid Lake. Starting at 5:00 a.m. to make the hour drive, meet the guide to grab just the right spot before all others arrive (with a beautiful day and key fishing time for this lake we knew it would be crowded).
The day started with 45 degree water and watching the air temp gage go from 27 to 34 degrees by time we arrived (heat warmers on the wrist would be a must if there were going to be opportunities to wet the hands for photo ops). With the wind to our backs and hope of the sun to bring a little reprieve from the cold as it rose higher in the sky we trecked down to the lake shore.
Arriving at just the right time as we had secured our spot, we turned to the task at hand - how to land the legendary Lahontan Cutthroat of Pyramid Lake. And so it began, with a little bit of practice casting switch rods, we settled in with keen and watchful eyes as the waves and wind did their part to create the best fishing conditions of the excitement of testing one’s skills.
First up a 10 pound Lahontan beauty (approximately weight- as best as I could judge on the fight in). Next up - Dave’s turn, with a nice size 5 pounder. And to finish off the morning - my fight with a 20+ male Lahontan (stated by the guide who has guided there 7 years). Sooooo - where is the picture you ask? As I watched the indicator go under with a slow take and a straight up “statute of liberty” with the switch rod tip, the fight began- slow and steady are the strips, as that fish is in charge! Back and forth with several long fast runs, moving the butt of the rod into my gut for extra leverage as my arms is feeling the fight, finally getting closer to netting . . . the guide wades to deeper water with more excitement than me stating: “this is a fish of a lifetime - clearly a 20 pound + he yells”. In the meantime, I am being mindful not to muscle this fish for fear of breaking off. We see the fish roll on top of the water and as the guide begins the netting process hits the line and . . . SNAP . . . in slow motion we both watch the big boy roll out of the net and disappear!
As we both stood there looking at each other with great excitement and disappointment at the same time, he immediately apologizes for his rookie mistake and getting ahead of me and allowing me to bring the fish in closer for netting. The guide’s pure enjoyment and excitement of wanting to catch that fish for me overtook the moment. I was so thrilled for the entire experience and being able to see that fish - nothing else really mattered.
I am truly grateful for all my “drive by” and “drop in” fishing gals and guys, from young and old, newbies and lifers that I have the pleasure to serve and share fly fishing with. Thank you all for your passion and for the treasured “fishing tails” memories in beautiful places.
Pyramid Lake ✅ that’s a wrap for the day!
What’s your next adventure in fly fishing?
