The Complex Pyramid Lake
I just received my spring issue of California Fly Fisher magazine. Kudos again to you and Tracey for the polish and updates to the look and feel, as well as the quality of this publication.
A recent issue of the magazine shone the spotlight on Pyramid Lake and essentially “glorified” the story of this fishery and the recovery of the Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT) that inhabit the lake. The pieces within this issue were well-written and effectively accentuated the uniqueness of that place.
This spring issue now spotlights the Truckee River and highlights the fantastic rainbow and brown trout fishery that is there. Matt is indeed as good of person as anyone to try and break down some of the intimidation that the Truckee can present for anglers. Another great piece.
As a fourth-generation (by birth) Renoite, I need no explanation on the merits of the very cool home waters that sandwich my home. I learned to fish on the Truckee during a decade-long drought in which parts of the river dried up completely, and I spent my winters dragging wooly worms through the sand at Pyramid, back when the fishing was generally terrible.
Will the next issue of California Fly Fisher discuss the head-on collision course that these two amazing fisheries are on? Both have been highlighted … but while ignoring the giant elephant in the room for anglers in both recent issues. Perhaps the plan is in place for the two spotlights within these recent issues to set the stage for a follow-up piece on the brewing conflict in a future issue.
What is the future for both fisheries?
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has publicly stated that “full” recovery for LCTs is not possible with non-native rainbows and brown trout in the Truckee River “system.” The ability of rainbow trout to crossbreed with LCTs threatens the “pure” genetics of LCTs over time. Brown trout like … well, maybe prefer … to eat LCTs. Both rainbows and browns compete with LCTs for prime habitat and holding water within the “system.”
So, which fishery has more value?
Do anglers value restoration over angling opportunity?
Most local and visiting anglers I meet are unaware of the cataclysmic collision coming ahead in answering these questions. The elephant in my backyard and on my homewaters is only getting bigger each day.
I look forward to the next issue of California Fly Fisher magazine.
Darin M. Elmore
Reno, Nevada
Editor’s note:
Thank you for your letter—and for your long-standing connection to the waters of Pyramid Lake and the Truckee River. As someone rooted in that landscape, your perspective adds a powerful and personal lens to the ongoing conversation about these two iconic fisheries.
You’re right to point out the complex and pressing questions about native species recovery, the role of non-native trout, and what the future may hold for anglers and the fish alike. These are precisely the kinds of conversations we hope the magazine can help surface—nuanced, passionate, and informed by experience.
Your letter underscores the need for ongoing dialogue, which we hope to explore in future issues. Thank you for bringing attention to this critical topic.
The Editors
