Report Date:
http://www.shastatrout.comFishing Conditions
Flows are a bit high, which with the revised flow regime, has become the new norm. Water clarity is fair and improving making dry fly fishing possible. We are finding fish nymphing classic runs and slots prospecting with two fly rigs but attractor dries with droppers in pocket water and caddis in the evening have also brought some very fine fish to hand. Small patterns have been out fishing large ones but the larger specimens have preferred the bigger bites. Might consider trying a streamer?
This is an early season gem as spring hatches are terrific and come off sooner here than local sister rivers. All reaches are fishable, Pit 3 is probably the best as well as some reaches on Pit 4. Pit 5 can be particularly difficult at these flows. With the new flow regimen crowds are a thing of the past, but with the limited access, weekdays can fish better. The Pit is an excellent venue to round out your opening week successfully! We recommend scheduling one of our great local guides who know the river intimately as they have spent as much time on it as our biggest competitor's guides spend collectively.
Water Conditions
Flows are a bit above optimum, at the norm for the new flows and are reasonably clear. Storms can muddy tribs though in these conditions they should clear quickly. All reaches have been fishing though most anglers who have sampled the Pit recently had their best success on Pit 3 and Pit 4.
Flies
Standard prospecting with nymphs has produced the best. Prince Nymphs, PT's, Birdsnests, Rubberleg Stones, Golden Stones, Copper Johns and Yellow Sallies. Try mixing and matching, one large, one small, one dark, one light. Dry flies and droppers? Try large attractors with droppers fished in runs and slots then switch to small caddis or mayfly dries when the hatches get going and fish show. Pull a large streamer in olive or black and hang on. Might be a good plan to start your season here before the weekend opener!
Report Date:
We awoke this morning to a dusting of snow in Mt. Shasta after a week of unsettled weather. Though......