Introduction

The Pit's only major drawback is the turf: access to its canyon is limited and it's difficult to wade around the boulders and slippery rocks.  Other than that, the river holds big trout (rainbows averaging 14") in scenic surroundings, and is not crowded.  Pocket water abounds, making the Pit ideal for nymphing.  However, dry fly fishermen also do well.  The Pit is loaded with insects.  Best areas to fish are below each of a series of dams.  Three blue ribbon trout streams enter the Pit: Fall River, Hat Creek, the McCloud River.  They combine to make the Pit a big river before it dumps into Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River.  From San Francisco, the river is a 6-hour drive north.  Closest fly shops are in Burney.

Pit River

Character

The Pit is divided into an upper and lower section by Lake Britton.  However, most of the good fishing is in the 30 miles of canyon below the lake, which is where we'll focus.  This section contains several dams/powerhouses, each creating a lake of sorts and a tailwater section.  The steady flows and water temperatures characteristic of tailwater, together with a high pH, create ideal conditions for insect life and large trout.  Combine this with abundant boulders and deep pocketwater, and you have some prime trout habitat.  The challenge lies in actually navigating the river.  In addition to coping with the boulders, you'll encounter a slimy river bottom and thick brush along the banks.  You'll need felt-tipped waders and a good deal of caution if you want to avoid taking a spill.  Patience is also key, as you will not be able to cover the same length of water as you would on other streams.  It is slow going, even grueling, and can be dangerous for those who fail to careful.  The best stretch is "Pit Reach Three" or the "Three Reach" -- the area from Lake Britton downstream to Pit No. 3 Powerhouse.  It has the easiest access of the 30 miles below the dam and is know for its high fish density.  This area has a minimum size limit of 18 inches, with fishing only with artificial lures and barbless hooks.  

Accessibility & Directions (get driving directions)

The "Three," "Four," and "Five" stretches (the areas above powerhouses 3, 4 and 5) below the dam are your best bets on the Pit and have varying degrees of accessibility.  The Three is most accessible, and can be reached by parking along the road at some points and hiking along the river at others.  A good starting point is at Lake Britton Dam, where you can take Pit Canyon road (accessed from route 89) down along the River.  Although the Pit Canyon road continues to parallel the river through Pit Four, access is sparse and more challenging.  In Pit Five, the road leaves the water altogether for several miles, returning at the town of Big Bend.  Pit Six and Seven are rarely fly-fished.

When & How to Fish

Most of the stretch below Lake Britton is open to fishing from the last Saturday in April through November 15.  The only exception is the water between Pit No. 7 dam and Shasta Lake, which is open year-round.  Summer is hot and sunny, with spring and fall cooler, more unpredictable, and more prone to rain or snow (click here for weather).  Seasons do not affect the flow, which is controlled at 150 cubic feet per second, although the water temperature can rise into the 70's in summer despite the stability offered by the dams' tailwater.  The first major hatches are the large (size 2 to 6) salmon flies and golden stoneflies from late April through early June.  Epeorus mayflies (little yellow mayflies) hatch in enormous quantities in late May, along with caddis.  Caddis remain throughout the summer, and are joined by small mayflies (tricos and baetis), midges and microcaddis.  In September, when the weather cools, the Isonychia's hatch.  Once this hatch winds down, giant October Caddis appear in October.  Check out the official regulations and The Fly Shop's fishing reports.