The Pit River has produced some good fishing but the snow makes access difficult

Pit River - CA (Modoc County)


by The Fly Shop
12-15-2013
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Current River Conditions: Snowy conditions will make access difficult. You can expect to find patches of snow on the ground along the Pit River. The Pit River has been producing good fishing, but it's a winter fishing experience. Expect to find access to the river challenging at times due to snow.

Seems like the best bite is late morning through the afternoon. Anglers throwing bugs like #6-8 brown or black rubber legs, #10-12 black APs, #14-16 pheasant tail nymphs and just about any nymph that is small and dark in color will get the fish to eat.

Make sure you go prepared when fishing this stream during the winter months. It's very remote on the Pit. Have tire chains, shovel, extra blankets/sleeping bag and warm clothes.

Bring the wading staff! We highly recommend wearing a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) too. The Pit River is a demanding river to wade thanks to slippery, bowling-ball like boulders and rocks. Keeps the crowds down!

The Fly Shop's?? Tips: A good fly selection consists of #6-8 brown or black rubber legs, #14-16 Pheasant Tail Nymphs, #18 Zebra Midges or any dark midge for that matter. When fishing indicators suspending #14-16 nymphs, don't put the flies so deep that your hitting bottom every drift. Put the flies up where the fish can see them. Show the rainbows a fly enough times and they will come to it. A #14-16 Pheasant Tail Nymph is a very consistent fly on the Pit. Under a medium sized indicator, fish a #6-8 Pat's rubber Legs and a #14 pheasant tail nymph or #14-16 prince nymph. Mercer's #16 black Micro-Mayfly is another great fly. High-stick and short line angling techniques are very, very effective on this stream.

Be ready for supremely tough wading conditions when fishing the Pit. Flat ground DOES NOT exist here! A wading staff really makes a difference for every angler who fishes here. Pack some dry clothes, snake kit and don't forget to dry out your fly-box at the end of the day! 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.

Road Conditions:
Expect chain controls on HWY 299. Lots of snow fell on the Pit today. Bring chains. Call 1-800.427.7623 for up to date Northern California Road Conditions.

Water Flows:
Pit #3 Flows
Pit #4 Flows
Pit #5 Flows

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:

• Adams #14-18
• Elk Hair Caddis - Tan #12-16
• Mayfly Cripples - #12-16
• Yellow Stimulator #8-16

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Dark Lords #12-16
• Zebra Midge #18
• Zack's Pseudo May
• Deceptive Cray
• Sexy Souka - #6
• BH Hellgrammite #6
• Mercer's Poxyback Dark Stone #6
• Copperback Stone Black #6
• GB Black A.P. - #10-12
• Micro Mayflies - #14-18
• Red Copper Johns - #16-18
• Zebra John - #16-18
• Pat's Brown Rubberleg - #6-8
• Amber Wing Prince - #14-18
• GB Bird's Nest #10-16

Streamers/Leeches:
• Beaded Lite Brite Bugger - #6
• Zack's Swimming Leech - #8

Fly Fishing Gear:
• The Fly Shop's?? Landing Nets
• Pit River Hardwood Wading Staff
• Simms?? Headwater Stockingfoot Waders




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