Photo By Ron Sinfelt
March 19, 2014
By Brian Strickland
South Fork The Silver State is not the first place you think of when it comes to doubled-over rods and screaming reels, but if giant cutthroat trout and largemouth bass are on your agenda this spring, then you might consider what these two high desert jewels have to offer.
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March & April Named for the triangular rock formation jetting up off its eastern banks, Pyramid Lake is easily touted as Nevada's top trout reservoir. Replenished yearly by fresh snow melt from the Sierra Nevada range, Pyramid's water boasts some of the largest cutthroat trout in the entire west. In fact, the current state record was caught in February of 2005, and it tipped the scales a whopping 24 pounds 12 ounces.
Pyramid is only open from the beginning of October to the end of June; and although just about any time can be good, it's hard to beat what the month of March and April has to offer if a Lahontan Cutthroat trout is on your to-do list. This is when the waters warm and the resident hogs begin cruising the shallows looking for a place to spawn. Not only will you have the opportunity to catch good numbers of fish, but you do stand a chance of hooking one weighing double-digit proportions.
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The most popular areas for wade anglers are located on the west and southern sides of the lake, with the more notable areas being Indian Heads, Wine Beach, Block House, Sand Hole, Pelican and Warrior point, Dago and Howards. Fly fishing anglers should use sinking tip line and have a good supply of #2 to #10 Leeches and Woolly Buggers in both bright and dark colors. Don't forget your sinking fly line either. Rod and reel aficionados should have a good supply of spoons and spinners in both half and 7/8 ounce.
April & May
Located in Nevada's northeast region, South Fork offers anglers nearly 1,800 surface acres in which to play. Although it sets in the shadow of other Nevada large and smallmouth bass notables, South Fork's catch rates are solid and production is excellent. This bass factory spits out 16 to 18 inchers with ease, and ones tipping the scales in the 4 to 6 pound range are common in the spring.
Largemouth are found in weed beds and flooded willows throughout the lake, with one of the best spots is the weed beds west of Jet Ski Beach. When fishing rocky points and shoreline cover, you can also expect to catch South Fork's hard-fighting bronzebacks as well. Their numbers are abundant and their pull is strong.
Spring time means spawning bass, shallow water and cover. Soft jerk baits, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits will turn some heads, and if the water is clear sight fishing can be good. Don't expect to keep any bass however, because all bass caught prior to July 1st must be released.
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T-REIGN TETHER www.t-reignoutdoor.com
Anglers like their tools close by. And it's even better if it's connected to you so it doesn't go in the drink. T-Reign retractable gear tethers hold onto your pliers, hemostats or landing net. Several size options. Carabiner connects to D-ring, belt loop or strap, or use the stainless steel clip on belt or pack.
Suzuki DF15A/20A EFI www.suzukimarine.com
MSRP: $3,329/$3,738.
Suzuki's two new four-stroke, two-cylinder portable outboards have a compression reduction system for easier starting. The 20hp tiller model weighs 97 pounds the eletric-start model weighs 106 pounds. Single overhead cam, four-valve engine with Suzuki's Lean Burn Control and bat-tery-less electronic fuel injection. Built for running in skinny water, both motors come with five tilt pin positions and 15- or 20-inch shaft. SCATTER RAP www.rapala.com
MSRP, $8.99.
Rapala is hoping the new Scatter Rap Series lures and their 'evasive action ' will be as popular as the original 'wounded minnow ' style action that the company is famous for. The new lure has a 'Scatter Lip ' that creates an evasive, erratic, aggressive sweep-ing action. Ideal for multispecies gamefish, the Scatter Rap Series is available in 14-16 classic and new color patterns. Baits 5- to 9-feet deep. GEAR GRABBAR www.geargrabbar.com
MSRP, $18.95 per pair.
The original Gear Grabbar is a unique way to hold lures and tools at the ready in boats. But the new Lure Hangar is a step beyond. This is a 12- by 16 1/2-inch plate,m ade to mount on your gunwhale, that holds 16 or more lures. There's enough room for a selection of jig, plugs, topwaters or whatever other baits you want to hang. HONDA OUTBOARD www.marine.honda.com MSRP, $24,025.
Honda Marine's BF250 outboard is a 24-valve 3.6-liter V6 that uses varia-ble valve timing and lift electronic control (VTEC). Programmed fuel injection delivers the precise amount of fuel and air to each cylinder for easy starts and instant throttle re-sponse. 20-, 25- and 30-inch shaft models. TACKLE TOTE VEST www.fishandhunt.com MSRP, $19.99.
If you wade when you fish, Fish-N-Hunt Pro Gear designed a Tackle Tote Vest that to keep gear accessible but dry when you're standing in deeper waters. It's adjustable, sturdy, has lots of pockets and a modest pricetag. FLEX 'N GO TACKLE SATCHEL www.planoMolding.com
MSRP, $24.99-$29.99.
On-the-go anglers will find a lot to like in Plano's new Flex 'N Go Tack-le Satchel. It features adjustable built-in storage with a deep bin on one side and framework for the pair of swap-pable Plano 3600 StowAway boxes on the other, each Stowaway held with a flexible strap. CABELA'S RAINGEAR www.cabelas.com Jackets MSRP, $249.99-$269;
Bibs, $229.99-$249.99.
Cabela's Guidewear raingear now comes in four distinct series. Bass Angler (pictured) jackets and bibs are built with the tournament bass angler in mind. Xtreme parkas and bibs will help anglers fishing Northern lakes and rivers. Tidal jackets and pants offer lightweight, waterproof and breathable protection. River Runner jackets are perfect for wading anglers. BERKLEY JAR BAIT FOLDER www.berkley-fishing.com
MSRP, $14.99-$19.99.
Anglers who use jar baits know it's a pain to carry more than a few. Berk-ley now has two Jar Bait Folders to keep the baits at hand and make them easy to transport. Model 1170 holds 10 jars. Model 1490 holds 16. Both have various pockets and a D-ring for pliers. BERKLEY TRILENE XL www.berkley-fishing.com
Berkley says they've improved a classic. New Trilene XL lines are now 10 percent stronger 20 percent more flexibility then they had been. Knot strength has also improved, said the company. Trilene XL has been around since 1972.
AV MICRO www.Aquavu.com
MSRP, $299.
The new AV Micro is a complete underwater camera system that is the same size as a smart phone. On the boat or off the dock, use it to see where fish are hanging out. 3 1/2-inch diagonal display. Built-in rechargea-ble lithium ion batteries. SMITHWICK ROGUE www.smithwick-lures.com
MSRP, $6.99.
Smithwick Rogue's has been a stand-ard in bass-anglers' tackle boxes for years. Now they've got a new twist on the famous jerkbait. The
Perfect 10 Rogue has a new lip de-sign, to get deeper, quicker than other jerkbaits. SIMMS WEATHER GEAR www.simmsfishing.com
MSRP, jacket $349, bibs $299.
Simms designed its Contender Gore-Tex jacket and bibs for anglers who need reliability when they are motor-ing on the water at 70 mph in rain and wind. Waterproof and breathable. Cuffs are water tight and adjustable.