As the SSFF club prepares for its upcoming trip to Pyramid Lake, we feel that it is important to reflect and marvel at the miracle of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout’s recovery. Fly fishing is poetic and often goes best without words, but this recovery story is always a good tale to tell.

It is almost criminal to try and summarize this tale, but it goes something like this: Settlers arrived to the west, fish were over-harvested, other species were introduced, water was diverted, and native fish declined. A dam helped prevent spawning migration seal this fate for both the trout and the Cui-ui. That story is not unique to Pyramid Lake. Now, fast forward many decades, and curious biologists, far from the fish’s ancestral home, find a “mystery fish”. The fish turns out to be the Pyramid Lake species that was “coffee canned” into the region. Upon re-introduction to Pyramid Lake, the fish comes back with a vengeance and is now secure enough to be available for sportfishing (catch and release regulations in place). As has been the case with the Paiute Cutthroat’s rediscovery, moving fish species around willy nilly in days of yore actually saved the species. A long, strange trip it has been for this species but one that is on an encouraging path to end well. LCTs are currently being re-introduced to Lake Tahoe - another one of their historic waters, and closer to Pyramid Lake, the dam that has prevented their spawning migrations has been modified with the hopes of permitting fish passage. Truthfully, this is a rabbit hole very much worth exploring, and this entry from Fishwest is a stellar summary and worth the read.

So, please take into appreciation the story behind this fish and also note the other species in the lake, be they endemic or not. They all play a role in the food chain, not to mention, in the case of the Cui-ui, an essential part of the heritage and diet of the Washoe peoples. We strongly suggest a visit to the hatchery on the reservation (not far from Pyramid) - it is very much worth a visit.

Please respect the Tribe and its land as you venture towards Pyramid Lake, bundle up and tight lines!

More about the club’s Pyramid Lake trip HERE.

Photos courtesy of Carole and Randy

Coffee Canned Cutthroat