We could not be more excited about going into our 5th year of fly fish guiding Pyramid Lake. With the addition of a new boat and additional Captain, Lacey’s Guide Service will be offering our fly fishing guide service with 3 boats (the only fleet on the Lake). The synergy of having 3 Captains on the water will certainly help us locate schools of fish quicker and deliver our clients a better experience.
The month of October delivered exactly what we were hoping for – we guided over 90 trips and got a big SURPISE – “THE FISH ARE GETTING BIGGER” and the fish were in a different spots than usual. We started to see this trend at the end of the season last year in June (which btw – June was AMAZING) and were prepared to successfully guide it accordingly.
The Pilot Peak strain of Lahontan Cutthroat Trout did not disappoint – we landed numerous fish over 20 LBS and overall production of fish was fantastic. Additionally, we started to notice that the Summit Strain of fish were also increasing in Size – landing several of them in excess of 15 LBS.
Why October 2024 Was a Standout Month for Pyramid Lake Fishing
While Pyramid Lake has long been known for its fall and spring fly fishing opportunities, October 2024 stood out as an exceptional month due to a combination of environmental factors and angling strategies.
- Ideal Water Temperatures – The cooling temperatures of early fall brought the Lahontan cutthroat trout into shallower waters, making them more accessible to fly anglers.
- Active Feeding Behavior – Due to a successful spawning season and an abundance of Tui chub and other baitfish, the trout were aggressively feeding, leading to more frequent and explosive strikes.
- Stable Weather Conditions – Unlike previous years where sudden temperature fluctuations and wind patterns made fishing inconsistent, this October saw stable conditions that allowed for prolonged feeding windows.
- Boat Access to Key Locations – While shore fishing remained effective, anglers fishing from boats had unparalleled access to deeper drop-offs where large trout were staging before moving toward the shallows.
Lacey’s Guide Service: Delivering an Exceptional Experience in October
Among the many guiding services available, Lacey’s Guide Service stood out in October 2024 for providing clients with one of the best fly fishing experiences at Pyramid Lake. The combination of expert knowledge, personalized service, and access to the lake’s most productive areas made every trip memorable.
Why Lacey’s Guide Service Was the Best Choice for October Fly Fishing
- Unmatched Local Expertise
The guides at Lacey’s have an intimate knowledge of Pyramid Lake’s seasonal fish movements. In October, they expertly positioned their clients in the most productive areas, such as the South End, where aggressive feeding behavior was at its peak. - Exclusive Access to Prime Fishing Locations
While many anglers fished the traditional hotspots, Lacey’s guided boat trips provided exclusive access to lesser-pressured waters, where cutthroat trout were staging in deeper areas before moving shallower. This gave clients a competitive edge over shore anglers. - Mastery of the Dangle Technique
Lacey’s guides taught and refined the dangle technique, which proved to be one of the most effective methods for enticing Pyramid Lake’s trophy trout. Their hands-on coaching helped both novice and experienced anglers maximize their chances of hooking into massive fish. - Premium Gear and Custom-Tied Flies
Clients fishing with Lacey’s Guide Service were provided with top-of-the-line fly rods, reels, and custom-tied flies that closely imitated the Tui chub and leeches abundant in the lake during October. The guides ensured every angler had the perfect setup for success. - Perfectly Timed Trips for Peak Fishing Windows
October’s stable weather and prolonged feeding windows meant that timing was everything. Lacey’s guides knew when to be on the water and adjusted schedules to match peak trout activity, ensuring clients were fishing at the most productive times. - Personalized Instruction & Customer Experience
What truly set Lacey’s Guide Service apart was their commitment to customer satisfaction. Their guides tailored each trip to their clients’ skill levels, providing hands-on instruction, helping fine-tune casting techniques, and ensuring that every angler left with not just fish stories, but improved fly fishing skills.
The South End of the Lake Outperformed Hell’s Kitchen
Traditionally, areas like Hell’s Kitchen have been known to produce high catch rates, but in October 2024, the South End of the lake proved to be the hotspot for fly anglers.
Why Did the South End Outperform Other Areas?
- Baitfish Concentration – Large schools of Bait Balls Tui chub were holding near the South End, drawing in aggressive trout in search of an easy meal.
- Less Angling Pressure – Many anglers still focused on traditional hotspots, leaving the South End with lower fishing pressure, allowing trout to be more willing to take flies.
- Stable Water Temperatures – Slightly warmer water temperatures on the South End created a more favorable environment for active feeding behavior compared to Hell’s Kitchen, where colder currents may have slowed fish activity.
Thanks to their deep knowledge of these changing conditions, Lacey’s Guide Service strategically placed their clients in these prime locations, leading to higher success rates and more trophy fish landed.
Why is the Dangle Technique So Effective at Pyramid Lake?
- Mimics Natural Prey Movements – Lahontan cutthroat trout are opportunistic feeders, and a fly that lingers in the water column mimics a wounded baitfish, an easy target.
- Utilizes Fish Suspended in the Water Column – In October, trout were frequently suspending at mid-depths, making the dangle technique an ideal method to keep flies in their feeding lanes.
- Increases Strike Rates During Slower Bite Periods – Even when trout were less aggressive, the dangle technique proved effective, as fish could inspect the fly before committing to a strike.
Lacey’s guides mastered this technique and ensured that their clients not only learned it but executed it to perfection, leading to multiple trophy fish days on the water.
Conclusion: Why October 2024 was so Amazing
The combination of ideal water temperatures, aggressive feeding behavior, and the effectiveness of the dangle technique made October 2024 an exceptional month for fly fishing at Pyramid Lake. With the South End producing the best action and Lacey’s Guide Service providing expert guidance, those who booked a trip were rewarded with some of the best fishing seen in years.
As Pyramid Lake continues to offer world-class fly fishing opportunities, October remains a prime time for anglers to target massive Lahontan cutthroat trout. If this past season was any indication, future October outings with Lacey’s Guide Service are sure to be unforgettable experiences for those seeking to land their trophy fish. Book Your Trip Now.
We can’t wait to see what November brings!
He is a United States Coast Guard Boat Captain and is now in his 4th year of fly fish guiding from a boat at Pyramid Lake.
Hans has learned throughout the years of guiding that the best way to navigate through the water to ensure every day on the lake is something to remember! “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” This is the core foundation of his company, Lacey’s Guide Service.