A couple of times, I have mentioned places in California to catch really large trout. Unfortunately, most of them require walking or rappelling into impossible places. That’s sort of the nature of catching really big fish: If it were easy, everybody would do it.

Like everything else in life, there is an exception to almost every rule. The exception to the “Giant trout are impossible to catch” rule, the place where you stand a really good chance of catching a trout over 8 pounds, is a place called Pyramid Lake, and it lies just northeast of Reno.

Located on the huge Paiute Indian Reservation, Pyramid Lake is populated by Lahontan cutthroat trout that can grow to more than 40 pounds. I kid you not!

On a late winter day at Pyramid, 5-pound cutthroat trout are fairly common, and the biggest fish in any given day will usually be over 10 pounds. Think about that, 5- to 10-pound trout. Really!

You’ve heard the old adage that if it seems too good to be true, it usually is. Well, that's not the case here. The average angler stands a pretty good chance of catching a huge trout at Pyramid Lake.

The most productive method of catching Pyramid cuts is flyfishing by wading out from shore as far as possible and casting big woolly worms or wooly buggers on a fast-sinking line. Many anglers take a milk crate or a short stepladder out into waist-deep water to serve as a casting platform. You cast as far out into the lake as you can, wait a minute or so to let your line settle to the bottom, and then strip your line back toward you in short pulls.

Insulated neoprene waders are a must, as are long johns underneath and neoprene gloves to keep your fingers from freezing. It's great to take along an RV to get warm in. About the longest I can stand the cold at a time is half an hour, so I go back to the RV and stick my hands in a cup of boiling coffee to thaw them.

You must buy a special tribal fishing license, but you don't need a Nevada license as long as you only fish on Pyramid Lake. There are great hotel accommodations in the Reno-Sparks area, and after a hard day’s fishing, you can enjoy all of the amenities that go along with the area.

Note that the fishing regulations are fairly complicated because of some unusual size limits. Check with the tribal authorities at Sutcliff, where you can get your license. Actually, I recommend that you take lots of photos and release everything. That’s how you keep a great fishery.

If you want to make it easy on yourself, hire a local guide to show you the ropes. I contacted Mario Walther of the Reno Flyshop at 775-825-3474 and had a delightful chat, they will guide you and a buddy for a full day for $350 and teach you everything you need to know. Mario estimates that you’ll catch bunches of really large trout. Some of their anglers have caught and released trout over 10 pounds.

If you want a fish to hang on the wall, it’s now possible to take several photos and a few simple measurements and have a taxidermist make a beautiful mounted “trout” for your wall. Better still, your trophy trout gets released to spawn and pass on his wonderful genes. How's that for a happy ending?

Until next week, tight lines.

• Don Moyer is president and CEO of a consulting firm and has more than 20 years’ experience working with the outdoor recreation community, including anglers, hunters, backpackers, environmental groups and the public. He can be reached at don.moyer@gmail.com.