Pit River Fly Fishing Guide Services
The Pit River is arguably one of the finest trout streams in California and definitely one of our favorites. Although it has a reputation for being unforgiving due to challenging wading conditions it can be a very enjoyable and rewarding spot to fish with year round potential. From it's source North East of Mt Lassen the Pit flows through a series of PG& E reservoirs and through some of California's most scenic, remote and rugged landscape. In between these impoundments the Pit flows through a canyon lined with evergreens and deciduous forest with boulder strewn runs with more pocket water and trout habitat than virtually any other river in California. Ultimately it flows into Lake Shasta and becomes the Lower Sacramento River. The Pit is home to a fantastic number if large football shaped rainbows that will test your skills and gear. Those who take the time to learn this river are often rewarded with solitude and some pretty phenomenal fishing.
Seasons on the Pit River
Regulations were changed a few years back to allow for year round fly fishing on the Pit. Although susceptible to heavy rains and changing waters levels, the Pit offers pretty good walk and wade potential and classic style pocket water fishing year round.
Spring
February - May. Late Winter and early Spring can be productive on the Pit as long as weather and run off levels cooperate. In February if weather and air temps are normal hatches of March Browns, Pale Morning Duns and even some smaller Caddis and Stoneflies become active on the Pit. This provides consistent opportunities throughout each day to fish nymphs and dries. On cloudy days hatches of Blue Wing Olives often make for memorable fishing in March, April and May.
Summer
June, July and August:
Summer on the Pit is one of our favorite times to fish here. There are opportunities to wet wade the super oxygenated pocket water makes for good holding water for fish wanting to keep cool and anglers alike. Salmon flies begin to hatch in May and into June and these large adult insects make for a big tasty morsel for trout and will bring even the largest Pit rainbows to the surface. Even when adults are not hatching fishing a stonefly nymph under an indicator or even a dry dropper setup can be very productive. Smaller stones like Yellow Sallies and even Caddis begin hatch during this time and make for some killer evening action.