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Founded in 1947, the Pasadena Casting Club is a group of fly fishing enthusiasts dedicated to the art of angling and casting, conservation, education, catch and release philosophy, and camaraderie through Club meetings, outings and events.
HomeOctober 2012

Fly Fishing Nevada's Pyramid Lake

with Ernie Gulley
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 11, 2012





Not too far from southern California is one of this country’s most popular stillwater trout fisheries. Pyramid Lake is in Nevada, 45 minutes northeast of Reno, on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indian Reservation. This lake is world famous for huge Lahontan cutthroat trout that average 20 to 22 inches long, with trout being caught that weigh 15 to 20 pounds every year. To locals, a big trout is anything more than eight pounds.



22 miles long by 12 miles wide, Pyramid Lake is the home of the rather odd-looking technique of ladder fishing, where fishermen cast from tall ladders partially submerged in the lake bottom. This method will be discussed in detail, as well as the interesting history of the Lahontan trout and how the Paiute Indians have done such a fantastic job of sustaining this great fishery. Successfully fishing Pyramid Lake requires an entirely different approach to fly fishing. Tackle specifics and rigging will be covered, including some of the most recent developments in indicator fishing for these giant trout. The weather at Pyramid Lake is often less than ideal, and factors into the methods, tackle, and other gear necessary for an enjoyable trip.

Due to a scheduling quirk, our expert speaker is guide Ernie Gulley, who gave us a very well received program on Crowley Lake just this last April. Ernie impressed our members with a most thorough and passionate presentation, and we are very happy to see him back so soon. Born in Southern California, Ernie started fishing with his dad as soon as he could walk. Lake fishing had a special attraction for Ernie, which continues to this day. Ernie is the 2007 winner of the “Double Haul in the Fall” tournament at Crowley, and has placed second in the 2008 and 2009 “Stillwater Classic” team division. Now a resident of Riverside, Ernie has been an instructor of fly tying and stillwater fishing at the Deep Creek Fly Fishers, and is a past president of the High Desert Fly Fishers. 

The October meeting is a must if you ever want to target the monster Lahontan trout of Pyramid Lake. Join us this Thursday evening, October 11th, at 7:30 p.m. at the San Marino Masonic Lodge, 3130 Huntington Drive, San Marino, 91108.


Seymour Singer