Pit River Fishing next week. Any advice?

[WinterrunRon]

I'm going to fish the Pit River next week for a couple of days. One of the rivers on my "hit list" for this year.

Apparently not as popular as others due to being boulder-laden, slippery, tough wading and all that, but sounds like my kind of stream. Any personal, first hand experiences that could make my trip more enjoyable than just showing up and heading out blind would be appreciated.

A nice campground, stretches of river not to be passed up, areas to avoid, other stops I should make/things I should see or visit while in the area, etc.

Of course, if you want to go with me or meet up there and fish together, feel free. I'll be heading up late next week, no solid plans on departure/arrival as yet.

Ron

[bigtj]

Bring lots of water. And look out for stinging nettle, it's much more likely to get you than a rattlesnake.

The fishing is usually pretty easy dropper-dry with something bushy around a #12 for the dry and a shiny little nymph about #12 or #14 24" below the dry will get the job done.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Ron,

This is my favorite trout stream, anywhere.

I just heard from a real expert fly fisher, Dr Jack Palmer of Davis, CA that the Pit River was fishing very well right now.

I would use #14 dark nymphs like the Shafer 3D, the Bead Head Prince with rubber legs or the Black AP on 3x or 4x fluorocarbon tippet. Most use two flies.

You want to fish in the fast water, under the white bubbles/foam where there is the most oxygen.

We to drive up to Redding and take Hwy 299 east to the Big Bend turn off, on the left. After a windy trip down hill you will come to the little town of Big Bend and the Big Bend Store.

If you go back a few hundred yards you will see a road to the left that goes upstream past the PSEA camp and the Henderson Spring Ranch.

We like to drive into the "Deep Creek camp ground" if the road is open.

You can make camp there and fish up and down the river for miles.

Some wade wet in the Pit.

There are really big Rainbow trout at the top over every big lakey pool.


http://www.kiene.com/reports/streams/pitriver.shtm

[mk4]

Bring a wading stick.

There are numerous established rough campsites along the river. Just pick one that is next to a good spot on the river.

[mark]

Bring a helmet.

Seriously though, take it slow with the wading. I usually fish it in the warmer months so what I do immediately after arriving is to take an intentional swim. I know I am going to fall in at least 3 times more, so I figure I might as well just get it over with.

I guess you could consider it a "sacrifice" to the pit fishing gods.

Anyhow, I also find that those waterproof fly boxes are a big help on the pit as well because of the aforementioned swimming.

Pit is known for its awesome pocket water tight line nymphing and for good reason. However, don't be afraid to try a dry, usually to the far banks underneath the vegetation will get strikes. Small black nymphs worked best for me, AP's, black copper johns, black micro mayflies, gordon princes. Size 16 probably my fav.

Dries...... stimmy's

Have fun!!

[WinterrunRon]

Gentlemen,

Awesome... thanks for all the advice. I feel I'm prepared.

I think I'll be heading up the 4th, which is
Wednesday, and fish through Friday, possibly Saturday morning, if anyone wants to meet up and camp/fish together. Otherwise, I'll plan on making friends with those already there!

Guess I better break down and add that wading stick to my checklist of items to bring for this river. I'm really resisiting. It feels just like the moment when you realize you need to wear reading glasses!

Ron

[Adam Grace]

The wading is challenging at time but not as difficult as some people make it out to be. If you can catch your balance relatively well you'll be fine. Like most people have said bring a wading stick, not that you'll have to used it all the time but you will definitely need to used it. I found that if I shuffled and dragged me feet over and around the boulders that I could wade efficiently without the use of my wading stick, most of the time.

I have not experienced good dry fly fishing but I have heard of many reports of good dry fly fishing. Dark nymphs, like Bill suggested, have worked well for me. I did well with a black copper john type of fly that I tied myself.

Good luck with your trip.

[bigtj]

The main reason I fish dropper-dry up there isn't because I'm trying to catch fish on dries, it's that long-line nymphing with an indicator is a sure fire way to lose lots and lots of flies! I find the fish agressive and since they'll move for stuff, I lose a lot less flies with a dropper-dry rig and thus spend a lot more time fishing, which means more fish.

By the way did I mention it's hot down there? Like I said bring tons of water. Like a gallon a day. And find some shade (preferably w/ out poison oak or rattlesnakes) and take a nap during the middle of the day, the mornings and evenings are the most pleasant time of day to be on the water.

Have fun,

-John

[WinterrunRon]

More great advice, fellas. Thanks!

[WinterrunRon]

Just checked the weather for later this week and it's going to be over 100 degrees in Burney for a couple of days. I planned on fishing the Pit River later this week but, ummm, shouldn't it be about a million degrees in Pit River Canyon if it's over 100 degrees in Burney? BTW, Redding will be a balmy 106, 113, 110, 107, 106 during the week. But I hear it's a dry heat.

I hate... let me repeat... I hate the heat! Can't stand it. But it may be that the short, intense heat wave brings on a hatch and provides for the best fishing of the year? In that case, maybe I could tolerate a bit of heat.

A song comes to mind... "Should I stay or should I go now?"

Any thoughts/advice from past experiences?

Ron

[Notch]

I have done very well on the Pit despite warm water temps and intense heat. Pit River rainbows are savage and can tolerate water temps over 70*. The trout are always there and during intense heat are usually easier to find. The very fast, oxygenated water is the only refuge for a trout in warm weater so they should be stacked in there. Also, the water warms as it goes downstream from Lake Britton, so I would concentrate your fishing in the first few miles below the dam on Pit 3. Midday can be intense out there in the heat so I would fish early and late and take a nap in between or check out Hat Creek around Cassel. Good luck out there.

[fallriverfish]

"Pit river fish are savage and can tolerate temps over 70 degress" that is one of the stupidest things I have read on this board. That is just not true. The reason the fish stack in the bubblers is they are starving for oxygen because of the warmer temps. If you are gonna fish warm(er) water for trout (geez something doesn't make sense about that statement) make sure you reef them in quickly and release them quickly.

When water temps are over 65 degrees you might want to reconsider the water you are fishing. There are alot of reaches in the pit that stay cool all year long and there are some (PIT 1 and LOWER 5) that get real warm real fast. Any gaper can fish the bubblers and stick fish so try to be responsible and fish temps suited for catch and release.

Billy Downs
7 years of guiding the pit and over 12 fishing it.

[dtp916]

Stop global whining and just go out and catch some damn Pit River bows. Who cares if its hot - wet wade, and go for a swim during midday if you can find a spot where the current is slow.

I wanna see some pics :D

[David Lee]

:roll: :roll: :roll:

Fishing for Trout in water w/ temps over the high 60's is like using a 4 wt. and light tippet for Shad ..... not a good idea .

You will kill most you catch . Rainbows can survive water temps to the low 70's , Browns a little higher , but a prolonged fight WILL waste 'em .

I love the Pit , it's my favorite Trout stream , but I don't fish it between July and mid-September . Ever .

Just my opinion .....

David

[fallriverfish]

Thanks for the second Mr. Lee.

I can't see the connection between global whining and taking care of a wild trout fishery. James I hope your parents didn't have to pay too much for you to form that opinion.

[David Lee]

Guys -

This one is just short of getting too personal , let's not start slapping each other around . Please .

Now back to fishing info .....

The only way to really be sure you aren't going to be killing those fish is to carry a thermometer and use it - there are tributaries that drop the temps in the main-stem Pit a few degrees , as well as quite a few springs . Take some time and scout-out areas that are cooler .

Hope this helps .

David :)

[jbird]

David

This really is a good topic that everyone should have some knowledge on. What temp reading would you look for as a reasonable temperature.

I always thought if I wet waded in close to my crotch and got a lump in my throat and stammered quickly back to shallow water, its probably below 65 or so and fishable :shock: :D . But still much caution should be used in fighting and releasing.

Jay

[David Lee]

Happy Independence Day Jay !!

I'm FAR from being anything close to an 'expert' on this subject .... but I try to learn as much as possible about the fish I chase , lest I hurt them more than need be (right - first peta-type schmuck that pipes in about how cruel we are can go suck eggs , if you please) .

Different species have different needs - different strains within the same species also can have different needs , or comfort zones , if you like . A Brown from , say , the Owens , has a lower heat tolorance than a Brown from the Firehole . Same for a Summer Steelhead from the Eel as opposed to a Rainbow from the Sacramento .

If you take a Rainbow in 66 degree Pit river water , as long as the fish has enough oxygen it should be O.K. - take that same Trout , stick him on a 5X tippet and play him for 10 minutes - the results will not be good for the Trout .

I avoid any Trout fishing in waters above about 65 degrees .

There are plenty of good thermometers out there for little $$$ - buy one , read as much as you can about fish biology , and have a conscience . ALL fishing is blood sport but you can bend the odds in a fishes favor if you think .

David

[dtp916]

:lol: :lol: :lol: I wasn't even talking to you, fallriverfish. There is NO connection to whining and taking care of a wild fishery...My parents never contributed a dime to my education, thank you. Someone is sour today, geez.

What I'm saying is go out there and rip lips, bring em in fast and get more. 8)

[fallriverfish]

Happy Fourth of July. Sorry for gettin pinched James I thought you were calling me a global whiner. It is frustrating to see dead fish at the bottom of your favorite buckets. This is an important message to get out to everyone. Oh yeah its 102 in Burney as we speak. I am going hexing should be off the hook. No pun intended.
Ciao amigos

[dtp916]

No sweat, Billy. :)