How to Fish the Pit River's new flows with CalTrout

After CalTrout helped force the rewatering of the Pit River Powerhouse #3 stretch in the 1980s, one of California's best -- and toughest -- fisheries was born. Renowned for its difficult access and wading, the Pit River's PG&E-owned hydroelectric facilities recently came up for a FERC relicensing. CalTrout participated in the negotiations, and while higher flows were needed to protect trout from seasonal temperatures on Pit #4 and #5, the flows on Pit #3 ended up a little higher than we wanted.
Recently, a group of CalTrout employees and anglers visited Pit #3, #4 and #5 to survey the new flows, in part to inform the ongoing "adaptive management" process we insisted be part of agreement. In effect, it allows for flows to be revisited if the best available science tells us the relicensing goals aren't being met (including recreational use).
Shot by noted fly fishing filmmaker Mike E. Wier, this video is part documentary, part science, part fish porn, and all Pit River.

[@forestkan6653]

I was turned onto the Pit about five years ago. The guy at the local shop said that he stepped on a hornet’s nest, rattlesnake, and ran into poison oak on his first outing on the river, yet it still held true as his favorite river in California. My first time at the Pit was likewise humbling to say the least. Over the years, I’ve learned the tricks of surviving the pit; wade slow, fish every pocket, and bring a partner.
Every fall I make the drive to fish this legendary river. I’ve overtopped my waders countless times, broke the same rod three times in two different places, and bushwhacked through endless blackberry brambles. While the environment is extreme, the memories of the fish I’ve hooked and fought will live forever in my brain. If you haven’t fished the Pit, make plans. Buy a good wading staff and bring your big net. Start doing your squats now and get ready for a thrashing; it’s a great time.

[@joed.2283]

Great video. I LOVE the Pit. Thank you CalTrout for all your work. I have been a member for years and would encourage all who fish in California and/or who care about fish and the environment to become a member.

[@Piscatorialveteran]

Thanks Joe! Wow you’re such a great guy! JOE D, ohhh haha JODI WAS THE SMALL D WHO CAM OVER WHILE WE FOUGHT THEN CREEPED WITH THE WOMEN AND THEN YOU MORONS TREATED THE RETURNING SOLDIERS LIKE CRAP!! Screw your kind

[@lindler56]

Love this place....Grew up fishing this. Just out side my home town in north CA, fished it allot before they changed the water levels in the late 80s and you had to walk into dam at the beginning of the video,,, Nice fish in there.....

[@Mattogabu1]

How? very carefully! you will go swimming on the Pit, so make sure your gear is secure, all your pockets zipped, and your belt is very snug, or wet wade. Best way to catch fish on the Pit is short line nymphing under an indicator. Get close to where you think the fish are and high stick the run. set the hook on every little bump and you'll catch a lot of fish. I use 3x or 4x and horse the fish a little more than usual because they run for the rocks and fast water and will break you off.

[@EatShredSleep87]

Just curious, why would you use an indicator if you’re gonna be tight line nymphing or high sticking as you say?

[@geneticsgonemadd]

In the Process of Clearing some of the willow ...opening up a few of the Best spots on the pitt to fish ...
I live in Big Bend and am available to show you these hot spots !

[@rhysweston9426]

I was born and raised in Redding and The surrounding foothills. I just got my first fly rod and I’ll be fishing above pit seven. Any advice?

[@Frankov81]

I'm going camping and flyfishing up there this summer. Any tips on which campsites are the best to fish pit #3 or should I just stay at Burney Falls state park and drive down every day?

[@Mattogabu1]

Great video! was that Craig taking the bath?? I'm headed to the Pit this weekend....can't wait. If you guys are around let me know, perhaps we can fish a little or maybe drink a cold beer.

[@Piscatorialveteran]

Many situations where more water is bad. Too much washes out spawning beds

[@skypieper]

Still high flows with this drought?

[@Piscatorialveteran]

That river must have been amazing to fish back when the flows had been lower. Now its flows are too high to fish and its so dangerous.

[@Piscatorialveteran]

Dangerous ass river!!! Only real men fish here,
This ain’t no country gent chalk stream . Men only

[@thomasokeefe7744]

Algorithm for the fish

[@Piscatorialveteran]

Those big fish didn’t come from that river so just beleive me the water is always murky and fish aren’t big because of the dams

[@baybornbalkanbaby7277]

L 0 V E

[@Piscatorialveteran]

Should be titled “how to die in the worst river to fish ever “

[@Datacorrupter234]

cool atleast they can fish it. what joke