Kayak Fishing on the Pit River

The Pit River is one of the premier fly fishing rivers in California for Rainbow Trout. The canyon area of this river has always been difficult to access, because of rugged terrain and private property issues. Once one is on the river, the Federal Government gives recreational users the right to use the river up to the high water mark.

The latest re-licensing of the Pit River Hydroelectric system put certain requirements into place.

1. Higher river flows. The old regime was 150 cfs (cubic feet per second). The new requirement is a minimum of 450 cfs and in the Pit 5 area the average flows are 520-550 cfs.

2. Campgrounds and access points. Pacific Gas and Electric has completed the campgrounds and access points on the Pit 4 section. See an earlier article I wrote. The link is below. I notice that they have installed a restroom and parking lot at the kayak boat removal point above the Pit 4 Powerhouse.

The good news is that Pacific Gas and Electric is currently building a campground and boat launch below the Pit 5 Dam. The campsite is on a bluff overlooking the river, deep in the woods, and there is a road to a smooth part of the river that will make launching a kayak, swimming and wading easy and enjoyable. The campground access road is just before the Pit 5 Dam.

The Pit 5 section enjoys many rapids, chutes and drops. While the Pit 4 section takes 12 miles to drop 400 feet in elevation, the Pit 5 section drops 400 feet in just 3.5 miles. At the lower flows, tubing the river was a favorite for the children. At the current flows it is very gnarly, with helmets, flotation vests and shoes required. The surface speed is between 5 and 7 mph with many large boulders as obstacles. Wading the river is impossible.

This brings up the idea of fresh water kayak fishing. The Pit River rainbow trout's favorite haunts are in front of rocks in the whitewater. When hooked, the fish immediately swim downstream into the fastest currents. The only way to get to where the fish lay is by kayak or float tube and to land the fish one has to be able to go downstream with them. These fish are excellent fighters and chasing them through rapids is Exciting! The Pit River has been opened to year round catch and release fishing (with single barbless hooks, artificial lures). and a limit of five fish during normal fishing season. Check the California Fish and Game Manual.

This news article is brought to you by SELF-ESTEEM - where latest news are our top priority.