Current River Conditions:
Pro Guide Mike Parker shared a good report with us a few days ago. He caugh a few nice rainbows throwing nymph patterns like #6 Pat''s Rubber Legs and Red Copper Johns in #14-16. Basically, Pit #3 has the best water conditions and fshing. Pit #4, #5 are fair with high water due to run-off. Look for the fishing report on the Pit to get better and better through the next few weeks.

Best Trout Fly Patterns:
Most any fly with brown to dark colors and legs in #6-8. Consider the Sexy Souka, Rubber Legs, Shafer's 3-D. Smaller nymphs like #14-16 Pheasant Tail Nymphs, #14-16 CB Bird's Nests, #14 Micro Mayflies and #16 Red Copper Johns. Select a few flies from the list below and you will get into rainbow trout on the Pit River!

Get Tough, Durable Boots For Wading The Pit River

Try swinging and stripping brown or gray colored buggers, crayfish patterns and leeches and various wet flies on a type 6 sink tip.

Bring a wading staff and a personal floatation device! The Pit River is a tough river to wade!

NOTE:
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.

Up to date Pit River flows:
Pit #3 Flows
Pit #4 Flows
Pit #5 Flows

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. The Pit River rainbows will eat all day most of the time. These feisty fish can be found holding in fast bubbly water and in slower, smooth flowing water as well. High-stick and short line nymphing techniques are the key to finding the biggest rainbows on this river. Have plenty of BB, AAA and SSG split shot in your vest pocket. Feed lots of line and go for long drag free drifts, using an indicator and suspending flies 3 - 6 feet deep, in the long smooth glides between boulders and broken riffles. An there is no shortage of boulders, riffles, runs and pockets.

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

Fly Patterns:

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

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Mercer's Dark Stone #8-12
• Black Bird's Nest #10-16
• Dark Lord
• Sexy Souka
• Micro Mayflies #14-18
• Red Copper Johns #16-18
• Zebra John #16-18
• Pat's Brown Rubberleg #6-8
• Mercer's Hellgrammite
• Little Olive Sloan
• Zack's Thurmanator Stone
• BH Pheasant Tail #12-20
• Amber Wing Prince #14-18
• GB Bird's Nest #10-16

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

Fly Fishing Gear:

Our Recommendations:
• Simms Wading Boots
• Chota Wading Boots
• Scott A4 Fly Rod 4-5wt
• Sage 99 Fly Rod 4-5wt
• Ross Reels
• Nautilus Reels
• Scientific Anglers GPX Line
• Simms Waders
• The Fly Shop Wader
• Patagonia Waders