The Pit River Video: What’s It Really Like At The New Flows?
The Pit River Video: What’s It Really Like At The New Flows?
Mike Wier Video Showcases the “New” Pit River
After CalTrout helped force the rewatering of the Pit River Powerhouse #3 stretch in 1986, one of California’s best — and toughest — fisheries was born.
Pit River California – CalTrout from California Trout on Vimeo.
Renowned for its difficult access and exhausting wading, the Pit River’s PG&E-owned hydroelectric facilities recently came up for a FERC relicensing, which resulted in new (and higher) flows. Studies showed higher flows were needed to protect trout from too-high summer temperatures on Pit #4 and #5 reaches, though unfortunately, flows on Pit #3 ended up higher than we recommended.
Recently, a group of CalTrout staff 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 the FERC relicensing. In effect, adaptive management allows for flows to be revisited if the best available science tells us the relicensing goals aren’t being met (including recreational use).
Clearly, the Pit River is not easy to wade or fish (it never has been), though equally clearly it’s filled with trout. CalTrout is continuing to work on this issue.
Shot by noted fly fishing filmmaker Mike E. Wier, this video is part documentary, part science, part fish porn, and all Pit River.
More On The Pit River
- The facts about the Pit River relicensing process (and the new flows)
- PG&E adds new flow gage to Pit River #3
- To see longtime fly fishing guide Art Teter’s take on the “new” Pit River, click here
10 Comments
[…] more information on the CalTrout site (if you want to learn more about the FERC relicensing and CalTrout’s thinking on the new, […]
The video was excellent and seemed honest because it said it was not for the faint of heart. I might get up the courage with a proper guide to try some easy spots.
Great video guys. Thanks for all the effort to make it happen.
Really well done–great to see Curtis and Craig out there representing.
Great Video. The Pit is a great river and I look forward to fishing the new and challenging flows!
Great job, guys! Don’t know that these old legs will take the punishment that river can dish out, but it sure is tempting to try. Haven’t been in it for years. Next year!!
Pat
Thank you Cal Trout anf FFF for doing an incredible job of guaranteeing water in the Pit River drainage for years to come.I know that the process must have been difficult with all the entities that you had to negotiate with. I have been fishing the Pit for 12 years and it is better than it has ever been! The fishery is healthy as evidenced with the # of fingerlings seen as well as the # of Large Fish hooked and sometimes landed. I have been flyfishing for 25+ years and this IS THE BEST FISHING (IMHO) in the State of California and maybe in the West. I know that the wading has become more difficult but I’m OK with that. It just means that there are less of us on the river. Thansk for a job well done!
Thank you for all you do for flyfishing in California. I am new at flyfishing and enjoy the information you send and all your efforts. At my age (79) the river might be a little much for me, but others will enjoy what you have done.
The Pit is almost Home water for a group of us, and we have discovered the new flows are not that difficult and have produced beautiful, more healthy, hefty rainbows. ( We have photos).
The Pit has always been difficult to access and wade, and the new flows make it more difficult now, but if you remain aggressive but careful, your bones and health will remain intact.
What we find discouraging is the “gentrification” program along the river, with painted parking slots, asphalted camping sites, etc. We have lost some of the true rugged personality of the Pit.
Cal,
We agree, too much development. This is largely an effort led by the Forest Service to make recreational ‘improvements’ paid for by PG&E through the relicensing process.
We pushed back on some measures (foot bridges across the river for example). But I have noticed once you get down into the canyon the wildness remains.