Fly-fishing is generally best in the spring and late fall. Dunn recommends Woolly Worms in all the darker colors.

The water is still quite cold in June. Fly-anglers should concentrate on the shallows and keep an eye out for mayflies.

"Chironomids and midges should work well," said Joe Doucette, an NDOW spokesman who was fishing northeastern Nevada long before anglers from outside the area began to realize its potential.

He also recommends fishing with leech patterns and Woolly Buggers in blood, black, brown and olive variations. Tie them with sparkle down the sides because the water can be a little murky.

"Use a medium sink-tip line to get the fly down in the water," he said.

On the west side of Wildhorse, there is a place where an underwater hot spring feeds into the reservoir. Doucette said anglers should fish the area where the hot water meets the cold. Another spot to try is on the southeast side of the reservoir where Hot Creek feeds into the lake.

These spots might also give up a bucketmouth or two. Shore-anglers generally find success with worms, eggs, corn, PowerBait and lures.

Wildhorse was first created in 1937 when the Owyhee River was impounded to store water for irrigation.

Adventuresome anglers could often find success on the river below the dam, Dunn said. "The fishing is good all summer long, and some of the biggest fish come from this area. I'm talking fish in the 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-pound range."

Because Wildhorse Reservoir is located on lands administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and leased to the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, anglers can expect to pay a fee for overnight camping, though the reservoir is open to the public.

Another camping option is the Wild Horse State Recreation Area, which offers full amenities all year.

Incidentally, Dunn said, three additional reservoirs on the reservation can give Wildhorse anglers a convenient change of pace -- for a small fee.

SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR
About 75 miles south of Wildhorse, just minutes from downtown Elko, lies the second member of our trout-fishing Triple Crown.

This prolific trout fishery is located along the western slope of the beautifully rugged Ruby Mountains, known simply as "The Rubies" to locals.

South Fork Reservoir was created when the dam of the same name was completed on the South Fork of the Humboldt River in 1988.

It covers 1,650 surface acres when full and despite its youth, has already won the attention of the pickiest of anglers as well as those just looking to have a good time.

To date, the largest trout taken at South Fork include a 29.2-inch, 11-pound, 3-ounce brown; a 27.5-inch, 9-pound, 2-ounce rainbow; and a rainbow-cutthroat hybrid that measured in at 25.5 inches and weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces.

All three were taken by local fishermen. What do you use to catch fish that size?

"We use a lot of PowerBait up here," said Jerry Stager, a retired guide who spent years putting anglers on Nevada's big trout.

"Just about any color will work, but my favorite is the rainbow."