With blue ribbon trout streams like Fall River, Hat Creek and McCloud River dumping into it, you know Pit River fly fishing has to be good.
While it can be tough to access in many areas, and even more difficult to wade once you get down to the boulder-laden river, Northern California's Pit River is everything the Hat, Fall and McCloud make it out to be.
Because the Pit is a challenge to navigate, a guide is a good idea your first time in hiking in.
For guide services or the latest information on the Pit, check in with the American Fly Fishing Company at 1-800-410-1222.
Check with the California Department of Fish and Game for the latest rules and regulations on the Pit River and neighboring fisheries.p>
Like nearby Hat Creek, the Pit River, oddly enough, is at its best below the dam that helps regulate its flows and water temperatures.
The stretch from Lake Britton to Big Bend is considered the blue-ribbon stretch, with the best access and fishing coming at the powerhouses where flows consistently run around 150 cfs during the general trout season.
Lake Britton actually separates the Pit into two distinct sections, the upper and lower.
The section that offer the best fly fishing comes on the 30-plus miles below the lake.
In terms of flies, the Pit’s rocky runs are a nymph fisherman’s dream.
Salmon flies and stoneflies start of come off from April to June.
The best dry fly fishing comes in late May and early June, with Mayflies and caddis leading to most of the action.
In the fall, tricos and baetics will start to creep in.
If navigating the Pit becomes too much of a chore, or water flows become too tough on the resident trout, there are plenty of other waters within casting range.
If you’re looking for a drastic change from freestone fishing, Lake Britton has a nice smallmouth bass and crappie bite if you have a float tube handy.
Shad, minnow patterns and Marabous are all you need here.
Just have to find yourself a remote, fishable spot up in the canyon somewhere.
Otherwise, check out one of the other fine trout waters in the Redding area.
There’s a reason Redding is listed on top 10 trout towns lists every year, one of the only West Coast towns to regularly make the lists.
If trout aren’t hitting on the Pit, there’s a good chance you’ll find some fish on the McCloud, Hat, Rall or Lower Sacramento.
If not, might be time to hang up the fly rod and pick up a sport that doesn’t include blue ribbon trout waters around every corner.
While it can be tough to access in many areas, and even more difficult to wade once you get down to the boulder-laden river, Northern California's Pit River is everything the Hat, Fall and McCloud make it out to be.
Because the Pit is a challenge to navigate, a guide is a good idea your first time in hiking in.
For guide services or the latest information on the Pit, check in with the American Fly Fishing Company at 1-800-410-1222.
Check with the California Department of Fish and Game for the latest rules and regulations on the Pit River and neighboring fisheries.p>
Where to Fish on Pit River
Like nearby Hat Creek, the Pit River, oddly enough, is at its best below the dam that helps regulate its flows and water temperatures.
The stretch from Lake Britton to Big Bend is considered the blue-ribbon stretch, with the best access and fishing coming at the powerhouses where flows consistently run around 150 cfs during the general trout season.
Lake Britton actually separates the Pit into two distinct sections, the upper and lower.
The section that offer the best fly fishing comes on the 30-plus miles below the lake.
Flies to use on Pit River
In terms of flies, the Pit’s rocky runs are a nymph fisherman’s dream.
Salmon flies and stoneflies start of come off from April to June.
The best dry fly fishing comes in late May and early June, with Mayflies and caddis leading to most of the action.
In the fall, tricos and baetics will start to creep in.
If navigating the Pit becomes too much of a chore, or water flows become too tough on the resident trout, there are plenty of other waters within casting range.
If you’re looking for a drastic change from freestone fishing, Lake Britton has a nice smallmouth bass and crappie bite if you have a float tube handy.
Shad, minnow patterns and Marabous are all you need here.
Just have to find yourself a remote, fishable spot up in the canyon somewhere.
Otherwise, check out one of the other fine trout waters in the Redding area.
There’s a reason Redding is listed on top 10 trout towns lists every year, one of the only West Coast towns to regularly make the lists.
If trout aren’t hitting on the Pit, there’s a good chance you’ll find some fish on the McCloud, Hat, Rall or Lower Sacramento.
If not, might be time to hang up the fly rod and pick up a sport that doesn’t include blue ribbon trout waters around every corner.
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