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If in the beginning before all the forests in California
were designed and built to work in perfect harmony with all
the rivers and streams. A lone fly fisher was asked to build
the perfect trout-regenerating habitat; it would almost certainly
end up looking, tasting, and smelling like this crown jewel
in the California Wild Trout Utopian Crown! This special
trout fishery exists within the thirty or so miles that the
Pit meanders, divided into five separate reaches. The distance
between each dam and powerhouse is about 7-14 miles of fishable
water. It is the uniqueness of the constant flows managed
at around 200 feet per second. Exceptional clarity, steady
temperatures create near perfect regenerating conditions.
This water with its PH balance and thriving insect populations
in concert with the alchemy that has blessed this ecosystem.
This water is near perfect in reference to regenerating and
self-sustaining. An argument continues as to why the state
often stocks many local lakes and rivers, which are lacking
in basic self-sustaining base line elements. This water could
easily pass as the benchmark to which all sustaining rivers
ought to be measured! That said, it can also be fragile and
susceptible to very low water releases by accident or natural
causes. The odds on predicting California drought years are
slim to none.
The great news is moments of unbelievable fly fishing
bliss await those who know the holly grail. The grail consists
of basic stealth; nymphing, stalk techniques with long
tippets and tiny bugs. Moving like an Egret on medication
as your waders barely move water and your shadow is safely
out of the way. If you can throw fifty foot casts into
three-foot circles over and over. If you can understand
the most minute temperature change and surface film current
structure? You will catch ten to 20 very healthy big trout
and experience a once in a lifetime trip because, you're
an expert
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CLICK FOR MAP
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So
You call your self a pretty good deep nympher?
If you're into deep diving nymph work and learning the
many weight systems from split shot to sink tip lines that
drop faster then you can react and able to position your
nymph three inches from the bottom? Or on the more gentle
hand, dry fly atmosphere is your dream come true very late
or very early or within a hatch. Throwing in all directions
with shattered fractured lighting, this kind of atmosphere
can get quite sublime when all the elements in concert
with hatchs going off almost all the time. This is such
a nutrient rich place, you will be slapping midge;, damsels,
bees, and ants off your face all day. It is not just the
hatch that fuels this engine. It is the water flow and
light shadow effects, the invisible challenges only savvy
fly fishers with many miles under their waders can relate
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Beginner
fly fishers tread easy here and watch and learn as legions
of seasoned masters of the air ballet have sampling the air
before you. In fact a three day session with a good guide
teacher here can prepare a novice to successfully fly fish
wet or dry anywhere in the world! If you're the kind of beginner
who wants to start near the top in regard to difficulty,
then grab your map and find the " Perfect Pit " Here, there
are no excuses for not understanding the wild natural behavior
and uncanny wariness of trout. You will have to move about
carefully, try to at times when it is very late or early
to throw well back of river edge. Staying out of water and
becoming the hunter who possesses the gossamer thin thread
with the irresistible meal! These trout have seen the best
come and go and beat most of them over and over.
Before you head for the "Perfect Pit", better spend some
time working on your wading technique with a sound staff
and keeping your balance and paying attention. Many have
paid difficult prices underestimating the treacherous nature
of even a shallow running river of three to four feet?
In April and may take along Salmon flies and Golden Stones.
Later in the hot summer months bring tiny midges and tricos,
spinners. Late fall is dark nymphs and big flies bouncing
off rocks and ledges. The river edges here are special
and filled with big hiding educated fish that can be fooled
with well tied and worked ants, bees, spiders, rubber legged
concoctions, yellow humpy's, black AP Nymphs, Beaded Prince
Nymphs, sofa pillow type flies, all the Caddis family.
Fly rods 2/4 weight for thrills, if you can can cast then
well? Weights 5/6 if your still learning how to throw consistent
60-foot lines in moderate wind? Season as in most of California,
last Saturday in April till mid November. Remember the
Pit is also the perfect nymphing river and you can sharpen
your technique on the shoreline. Learn how to short line
your nymph, letting it drop just under the end of your
rod is a skill in its self. Special near perfect nymphing
opportunities for those that know how. Bring along a good
assortment of wolly buggers and exotic streamers, this
is the place for them when atmosphere is just right?
Access
Take Hiway # 89 west about ten miles north of Burney
to access below Lake Britton Dam. This begins an area of
about 30 miles worth of different reaches or access areas.
The areas of both Pit #4 & #5 have much water to explore.
The Pit Canyon Road that goes from Lake Britton Dam to
Pit #5 Dam continuing on to little town of Big Bend, runs
near river and is catch and release prime area. There are
over 15 miles of really prime area, so access here is not
impossible. If you hire a local guide for one day and then
spend the next two on the water, you will be well rewarded.
Maps and local fly patterns can bought in the town of Burney.
Remember catch and release and make sure you release carefully,
respectfully.
Locals frown on non-residents not observing standard
fly fisher common sense and streamside respect. If you
come upon a fellow fly fisher enjoying his or her stretch
blissfully ignoring you, move along and find your own area,
even if the splash of a just caught three pounder has cemented
your feet! You will come across many such scenes depending
on time of year and water flows. On the road to Pit #4
powerhouse, those who like to hike can climb down steep
ridges to the water. Best to tell someone where you're
going and about how long you'll be gone when fly fishing
new areas. This river is fairly cut and dry, but weather
can change in a flash late fall. Come prepared according
to the season and brush up on all your deep nymphing techniques
and strike indicator preferences. Better bring a camera
and take a few notes, school begins the moment you see
this perfect river.
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