Pyramid Lake to close Friday

Pyramid Lake will close on June 30 for its 1999-2000 Lahontan cutthroat trout fishing season. It will be closed for three months. Then, the 2000-2001 season will open on Oct. 1.

HOW TO GET THERE: Take U.S. 395 north from Carson City to I-80 in Reno. Then, take I-80 east to the Pyramid Way Exit in Sparks. Take Pyramid Way and the Pyramid Lake Highway north for about 30 miles to the lake.

HOW TO FISH: If you fly fish, use large, black or brown-colored Woolly Bugger or Woolly Worm flies. If you jig, use large, black or purple-colored Maribou jigs. If you spincast, use rainbow, Chartreuse/black dot or yellow/black dot-colored No. 2 TOR-P-DO lures.

If you troll, use the same colored TOR-P-DO lures as above, but in size No. 3, or troll with large frog-colored Flatfish or Kwikfish lures.

WHAT YOU'LL CATCH: Lahontan cutthroat trout, up to about 15 pounds. However, the majority of the trout will be under 16 inches in length or between 19 and 24 inches in length. These trout are known as "Shakers," and must be release unharmed.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS: You must fish with artificial flies or lures only, and there is a two-trout possession limit.

You can keep two trout 16-19 inches in length or you can keep one trout 16-19 inches plus one trout over 24 inches. These trout are known as "Keepers."

SPECIAL NOTE: You will be fishing on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, and you will need to have a special Pyramid Lake fishing permit.

The cost per person is $6 for a one-day permit or $32 for an annual permit. You do not need a Nevada fishing license or a Nevada Trout Stamp.

Those permits can be purchased at the Sierra Fly Shoppe in Carson City or at the small store just after you enter the Reservation on the Pyramid Lake Highway or at the Pyramid Lake Marina at Sutcliffe on the west side of the lake.

FINALLY, this will be your last weekend to enjoy the great Lahontan cutthroat trout fishing offered at Pyramid Lake for a period of three months.

Give it one last try for the 1999-2000 fishing season.

Heck, you just might catch one of those "double digit" Cutts.