Right now the Pit River is fishing fair to good

Pit River - CA (Modoc County)


by The Fly Shop
8-22-2011
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Current River Conditions:
Water color is good and the fishing has been fair to good. Expect to contend with higher, faster water. Anglers fishing heavy SSG split shot under large indicators are doing best. The fish are starting to approve of the Isonychia nymph, a dark nymph about a #10 that hatches at night, long after legal trout fishing ends. So, the rainbows will still key on imitations during the day! Best flies are going to be #6-8 Pat's brown rubber legs, #10-12 black A.P.s, #12-16 Prince Nymphs.

Click here for up to date flow on Pit 4

Some changes have occurred over the past two years. All anglers should be aware of the new increased flows in Pit reaches 3, 4, 5. Pit 3 now has a minimum flow of 280 to 350 cfs which is up from 150 cfs. Pit 4 now has a minimum flow between 350 and 450 cfs which is up from 150 cfs. Below Pit 5, minimum flows are between 350 and 450 cfs which is up from 100 cfs. Be smart, be cautious and think about where you are wading. The old favorite run is now chest deep and full of swift water. When you go, look for a new spot to fish. They are there. Lots of new spots.

The Fly Shop's ? Tips:
Be ready for tough wading conditions when fishing this river, especially with higher flows scheduled from now on. Flat ground DOES NOT exist here! A wading staff is is necessary for most anglers. Move slow, and keep solid footing while in the water. (But just in case... pack some dry clothes, snake kit and don't forget to dry out your fly-box at the end of the day!). To get the hook ups, knowing where and when is everything. Try mid day and fish the slower water, were you can find it. Look for glides in between big frothy riffles. High-stick and short line nymphing techniques are the key to finding the biggest rainbows on this river. Have plenty of SSG split shot in your vest pocket. Feed lots of line and go for long drag free drifts, using an indicator and suspending flies 4 - 6 feet deep, in the long smooth glides between boulders, and there is no shortage of boulders!

River Fact:
The Pit, the Klamath and the Columbia are the only three rivers in the U.S. that cross the Cascade Range.

Flies:

Dries:
• Elk Hair Caddis Tan #12-16
• Yellow Stimulator #8-16
• Mayfly Cripples #12-16

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• GB Black A.P. #10-12
• Micro Mayflies #14-18
• Red Copper Johns #16-18
• San Juan GB Worm
• Pat's Brown Rubberleg #6-8
• BH Half Flashback PT #12-20
• Olive Zaddis #14-16
• Amber Wing Prince #14-18
• Iron Sally #14-16
• Lightning Bug #16
• GB Bird's Nest #10-16
• Olive Fox's Poopah #14-16

Streamers/Leeches:
• Beaded Lite Bright Bugger
• Zack's Swimming Leech
• Dead Drift Crayfish






8-17-2011
Current River Conditions: Water conditions are warm near Iron Gate, pushing fish down stream, about 100 miles at least! Flows...... Read More