Devan S.

I know nothing about this but Garrison Dam tailrace has come up multiple times as a must hit spot for big walleyes. Apparent big trout as an incidental catch. Releases tend to be big water but there is abundant bank access no idea how good it is.

Videos on youtube occasionally show people catching them on docks so maybe it is DIY possible but I don't know. Never really looked into doing it DIY but have thought about a guide a time or 2.

Is there something here different than say Beaver and/or Arkansas river? I want one on the fly in either Beaver or NFOW but that is really local day trip type stuff.

For the last couple years I have taken a long weekend trip to Pyramid Lake. I enjoy this trip for many reasons: Chance at a giant Easy to get too-Proximity to airport plus other amenities Easy to DIY Tons of lodging options I'm trying to come up with some other options that are similarly DIY and have a small starter list but thought I would throw is out and see what others have. I'm really looking for things I cannot do locally unless its just miles better somewhere else: -Ice fishing-little more difficult due to equipment but rental houses and gear make it possible and I've done similar before. -Havasu red ear. Probably not a DIY but a guide trip I am guessing. If anyone has tips to make it DIY I'm all ears. -Everglades-Difficult to DIY need a canoe likely. A bit of danger. -Miami/South Florida canal fishing-Seems to be reasonable -Pike/Musky trips? -Oddball species that might be fun?

I'd add there's several miles at any water level of productive water at dam site through the scuba park.

I believe he passed away back in early 2023.

I don't overly care about snow one way or the other. The biggest downside of snow is the mud afterwards. It's only day 2 and I am 100% over it.

I have really struggled with what to do for 2025. I just have almost zero motivation to fish.....I don't have any problem getting out of the local box and doing some travelling and fishing but locally I've just lost motivation. I have multiple National Park trips scheduled with the wife and kids but none that I really have an opportunity or desire to fish on. I think 2025 may just be a get the mojo back year.

I'm hoping to drop down to Ft. Smith or Ozark at least a couple times in the coming months. Hopefully to find a sauger(would like a biggun) but at this point I'd take any fish.

Update on 2024 goals-Likely Final Tally. 1. Utah and Wyoming Cutt-slams, complete Montana for WNTC-Completed both UT/WY, also finished MT and NV along with finally completing Eagle Lake and Northern CA. 2. 1 Arkansas master angler fish. I really want this to be Walleye (9lbs) but we will see. Still no Walleye or Trout but did check off Crappie this year. 3. 10lb Pyramid lake Cutty. Close but no cigar.

If you go back to Austin....its only ~1 hour to Canyon Lake Dam.....there you can catch real "trout"

No ladders for us. We primarily spin fished so we could cast really far compared to fly rod. On shallow beaches they use the ladders to get out from bank but mostly to just get up above the waves and water. The cold zaps you fast. We stuck to the sandy beaches where there was a drop closer to bank. All our fish came right off the drop off about 20-30 feet in front of us. Friday and Monday was empty. Saturday and Sunday were busy at the popular spots that are quick/easy walk from a parking spot. Might be 10-15 people in the "good" spots lined up like a trout park. The deal is the lake is huge with miles of shoreline to fish. There is always spots to fish away from people.

Flew out to Reno on Friday and flew home today. Pyramid lake is becoming an itch I want to try and scratch on a yearly basis. Mostly because its is a 180 degree about face from anything around these parts. Big fish, ladders, cold, big wind, waves, big water nothing locally comes remotely close. Original plan was to land Friday mid morning, drive to Eagle Lake, Ca and fish at the latest until Saturday morning. About this time last year, I was at Eagle Lake and had to settle for a stocked Eagle Lake Rainbow within the native drainage. This would make my 4th trip to Eagle Lake so nothing is guaranteed. Landed Friday to blowing snow and high winds. Temps in Reno were hovering in the mid-30's. Eagle lake sits at 5100 elevation and you have to traverse a pass to get there on marginal roads. We made a game time decisions to head toward Pyramid and fish the conditions. Got to Blockhouse. Big wind blowing right across the drop out in front of the point. Big 1/2oz black HD zig zigs. Big waves crashing into shore spitting sleet and snow. Disclaimer, I had a college roommate fish with me. Has fished before but not a fisherman...beginners luck was strong. First 30 minutes he catches this. Really a short fight for this size fish. My net weighs 2lb on the dot and I brought the biggest net that fits in my checked bag....and it really isn't big enough. It wasn't long and I was catching. I had a yearly goal for a 10lber and this would be the closest I would get. Fish was between 8 and 9 lbs. Did not get exact weight never let the scale settle out perfect-knew it wasn't 10lb and moved on. Caught 2 this size back to back...this one is by far prettier. Friday was the pick day for catching.....Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were much nicer weather and better for fishing. Most fish around this size.....not a numbers game. Quality > Quantity We did fish Eagle Lake.....I will save you all the drama and headache but finally caught an Eagle Lake Rainbow. Its a beautiful lake and area but I think I'll be fine never seeing it again.

Musky on the fly...sweet!

Thanks @Al Agnew this was my concern when I watch videos it seems as if the whole use an outfitter is 95% of the game. Because I want to see and do as much as possibly shacking up in a single location seems boring-Daily flights out seem prohibitively expensive for a week long trip. Maybe someday but not now. Is there places that would just do say short notice day guide trips vs. full blown packages on some of the big name rivers?