Pyramid Lake is in great shape, and with another wimpy winter it is about a month ahead of schedule. The fishing has been extremely good, especially if there is wind blowing in your face on that particular beach you are fishing.

That's the key to fishing this ancient lake; an east wind, clouds, and periods of low light really produce. When you have conditions like that, the fishing can be good all day. Bluebird days and little wind require first light dawn patrols, and the last few magic hours of evening.

With our days getting longer you have to choose which part of the day you want to approach. The evening bite is great for locals who get off work and can get in a few hours of Pyramid bliss to end their day.

I network with many guides who work Pyramid, and other hard core locals; the last week was off the charts silly good! Many big pilot peak strain fish have been caught and released up to 20 pounds. I'm excited about this fishery and wondering who will get the first 30 pound post millennium cutthroat. That's going to be quite the badge of honor for one lucky angler.

Tactics for the upcoming weeks would include presenting flies under an indicator and getting your flies near the bottom off the drop off, your flies should be about 9-12 feet down below your bobber. A two fly rig is best, with a dropper of about two feet below the first fly. Effective flies have been Maholo nymphs in black, red, and wine. Other productive flies have been the Maholo midge in wine, and balanced leeches in olive. For stripping a 350 grain 24 foot sink tip floating line combo is best.

Every day is different with the speed and pauses of the strip, an angler must vary the retrieves until the golden strip is found. Effective flies for this rig include the Midnight Cowboy bugger, purple Wooly Buggers, white/chartreuse Tadpoles, and the foam Pyramid beetle in white/chartreuse. Having to rods rigged up is best, that way you can switch from stripping to indicator fishing in seconds. Fish move around on this vast lake, if you're not catching, move to another location.

In April I have a 2 day guided trip with Pyramid Lake Fly Fishing guide service and some very close guests of mine, let it be known I cannot wait! I hope to break my personal best of 8 pounds, I know it can be done, just have to get my fly in front of that 30 pounder! Now is the time to fish Pyramid Lake, home of the ancient trout, and the place to catch a trophy trout of a lifetime.

Jon Baiocchi has been fly fishing and tying flies since 1972 and is a California licensed fly fishing guide, published author, educator, innovative tier and public speaker has given fly fishing presentations to clubs and expos around the state. Jon operates Baiocchi's Troutfitters guide service in Northeastern California where he has a reputation as a hard working guide who has been trained by some of fly fishing's best known master anglers. He can be reached at BaiocchisTroutfitters.com.