The 2009 Crosby Fishing Lodge Derby winner Dan Pavlakis with his 13-pounds, 3.2 ounces (31.25 inches) Cutthroat Trout.Photo courtesy of www.crosbylodge.com

start stop back fwd

There is a two-weekend fishing derby waiting for you at Pyramid Lake, Nevada on the weekends of February 06-07 and February 13-14.
If you like to fish, and if you enter this annual derby, you'll have the chance to have fun fishing and also have a chance to win bragging rights and a very nice prize if you catch a trophy-sized Cutthroat Trout.

That annual, two-week derby is sponsored by Crosby Lodge, located at Sutcliffe on the west side of the lake.
So, with special thanks to Internet website www.crosbylodge.com, here is a whole bunch of information to help whet your appetite:

1. When is the Derby?

Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7, 2010

Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2010

2. What is the cost to enter?

This year's fee is $80.00

3. What are the prizes?

To be announced. (Prizes are based on the number of entrants)

4. How many Derby Board placements are there?

A total of 20 fish will be entered in this year's Derby

5. How do I sign up?

Check (if non-sufficient funds, you will be disqualified) or Money Order mailed to: Crosby Lodge, 30605 Sutcliffe, Reno, Nevada 89510

Credit Card by phone: (775) 476-0400

Print form from website and fax it to: (775) 476-0158

Or at Crosby Lodge at Sutcliffe on the west side of Pyramid Lake

6. When are the deadlines to sign up?

On or before the following dates:

Saturday, February 6, 2010 - 6:00 am to 12:00 noon

Saturday, February 13, 2010 - 6:00 am to 12:00 noon

7. What if I sign up after 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 6, 2010?

You cannot weigh in any fish until the following weekend, Feb. 13 & 14.

8. Do I have to fish both weekends?

No, you can fish and weigh in any time during the two weekend event as long as you are registered according to the above sign up rules.

9. How many fish can I enter in the Derby?

A total of two Lahontan Cutthroat Trout can be entered in the Derby.

Abiding by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe fishing regulations, only one fish over 24 inches can be kept per day.

If a larger fish is caught after two are placed on the Derby Board, either one can be bumped off and replaced with the larger fish.

All rules and regulations of The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe apply.

It is your responsibility to know and follow those rules (fishing licenses, boat permits and camping permits).

Barbless artificial lures only (NO LIVE BAIT).

10. Do I have to be present after the final weigh-in to win?

No.

11. What is the minimum size fish I can enter in the Derby?

24 inches, measured from the nose to the fork of the tail, abiding by the Pyramid Lake fisheries protocol.

12. Can I combine weights of two fish?

No, the heaviest individual fish places on the board.

13. What if two fish are brought in that weigh the same?

The first one weighed in places highest on the Board.

14. Do all my fishing partners need to be entered in the Derby?

All persons fishing together or accompanying a tournament participant either on boat or shore must also be a registered participant of the Crosby Lodge Presidents Day Fishing Derby.

15. Where is the official weigh-in?

Crosby Lodge.

16. When is the final weigh-in?

Sunday, February 14, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. sharp.

17. Can I get a refund due to weather or other unforeseen event?

No refunds allowed, we hold the Derby over two weekends to allow for a weather window.

18. What time will you be opening during the Derby?

The two weekends of the Derby, the Lodge will be open at 5:30 am.

19. Will there be any meals available to purchase during the Derby?

We will be offering breakfast, lunch & dinner in the Lodge.

A complimentary Tri-Tip dinner will be served for all registered applicants Saturday, February 13^th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

All non-registrants are welcome for only $10.00 (ages 12 and under $5.00).

20. Will there be any door prizes?

All registered Derby entrants will automatically be entered for the door prizes. The prizes will be awarded throughout the derby.

Remember you must be present to spin the wheel for your door prize.

21. Will you be having any raffle tickets on sale?

Yes, you can purchase tickets throughout the duration of the Derby.

22. What are the raffle prizes?

Camo Package, Fishing Chair, Fishing Trip for two in Ketchikan Alaska.

23. How much are the raffle tickets?

$5.00 each or 5 for $20.00.

24. Do I need to be present to win the raffle prize?

No, it will be announced after the Awards Ceremony.

25. When will the Awards Ceremony take place for the largest fish weighed-in?

After the final weigh-in at 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 14, 2010

So, now that I have your total attention regarding the Crosby Lodge Fishing Derby, here is some additional information from Don Q:

At Pyramid Lake, the limit is two per day: Two fish 17-20 inches in length or one fish 17-20 inches in length and one fish over 24 inches in length.

The length is measured from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail.

Cutthroat trout that are less than 17 inches in length or between 20-24 inches must be released unharmed. These are known as "Shakers."

Cutthroat 17-20 inches in length or over 24 inches are known as "Keepers."

You will be fishing on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation, and you will need to have a special Pyramid Lake fishing permit.

You do not need a Nevada fishing license or a Nevada Trout Stamp.

All rules and regulations of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe apply. It is your responsibility to know and follow those rules (slot limits, regulations, fishing licenses, boat permits, camping permits, etc.)

If you are not familiar with fishing at Pyramid Lake, the world record 41-pound Cutthroat came from Pyramid Lake in 1925. The Modern Day record is 24-pounds, 12-ounce (33.5 inches in length), caught on Feb. 27, 2005.

Here are some "Don Q" tips, if you've never fished at Pyramid Lake:

If you fly fish, try large, black or brown-colored Woolly Bugger or Woolly Worm flies.

If you jig, try large, black or purple-colored Marabou jigs.

If you spincast, try lures such as rainbow, Chartreuse/black dot or yellow/black dot-colored No. 2 TOR-P-DO lures.

If you troll, try the same TOR-P-DO lures as above, but in size No. 3, or with large Apex, Flatfish, Kwikfish or Rapala lures.

Finally:

My educated guess is that you will have to catch a very nice "Double Digit" (10 pounds or more) Cutthroat to be a top prize winner. And, if that should happen, be generous to the one (me!) who gave you all of this good information.

Good luck to you on either or both weekends at Pyramid Lake.

For information:

Call the Crosby Lodge at (775) 476-0400 or FAX at (775) 476-0158 or go to Internet website www.crosbylodge.com.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon that he can't tell you about my personal, all-time, best-ever success at Pyramid Lake.

If he grins and says, "Several years ago, Don and Elaine were spincasting lures while standing in the water in their chest waders, near Warrior Point. They stopped when they had each caught and released 25 cutthroat for a total of 50 fish for the day," he could be one of my regular fishing partners.