Pitt River Fishing Gear

The Pitt River is a unique glacier fed river, it has large runs of all five Pacific Salmon species and ocean going Steelhead and Bull Trout combined with local and transient Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout. Our fishing can be divided into 4 distinct seasons. Each one of these seasons sees different water conditions and fish species.

Fly Rod and Lines

5-6 Weight Single Handed Rod with a Floating Line with Maxima tippet 6-12lb

7-8 Weight Single Handed Rod with a F/S and a Type 5-6 sink tip with Maxima tippet 12-20lb

7-9 Weight Spey Rod with a F/S and a Type 5-6 sink tip with Maxima tippet 12-20lb

The 5-6 Weight Rod with a floating line is used for nymphing single eggs on a strike indicator, but we do get surface

rising fish and will fish or wake dry flies. The 7-9 Weight Rod is set up for streamer fishing

We are primarily a fly fishing lodge and our guides teach many people to fly fish every year. But if you are so inclined

we do have a few people who prefer to spin fish.

Spin Fishing

Spoons are not provided by the lodge so if you wish to spoon fish, please bring your own spoons. We have spinning rods available but spoons not included. Gibbs Koho Blue Illusion 35/45 is the spoon of choice, also Copper Koho 35/45 for Coho salmon.

Please note that the Pitt River is catch and release only using a single barbless hook only.

Seasons, Fish and Flies

Spring (May - July)

Steelhead to 18 lbs, Bull Trout to 12 lbs, Rainbow Trout to 5 lbs, Cutthroat Trout to 4 lbs.

Flies: Large weighted baitfish patterns some black and olive colors. Blue string leaches, intruders, Gorman Eggs,

Minnow Patterns, Egg Sucking Leeches. A small selection of medium sized dry flies.

Summer (July - September)

Bull Trout to 12 lbs, Rainbow Trout to 5 lbs, Cutthroat Trout to 4 lbs.

Flies: Weighted Motor Oil colored Leech for the Sockeye, large weighted baitfish patterns some black and olive colors. Blue string leaches, intruders, Gorman Eggs, Minnow Patterns, Egg Sucking Leeches. A small selection of medium sized dry flies.

Fall (September - December)

Bull Trout to 8 lbs, Rainbow Trout to 5 lbs, Cutthroat Trout to 4 lbs.

Flies: Flashier flies such as Christmas Trees or other large flashy bait fish patterns work well for the Coho, weighted Motor Oil colored Leech, large weighted baitfish patterns some black, orange red and chartreuse. Blue string leaches, intruders, Gorman Eggs, Minnow Patterns, Egg Sucking Leeches. A small selection of medium sized dry flies

Winter (January - April)

Steelhead 18 lbs, Bull Trout to 8 lbs, Rainbow Trout to 5 lbs, Cutthroat Trout to 4 lbs.

Flies: Spey Flies in assorted colors especially Black, Orange and Blue, Gorman Eggs, Minnow Patterns, Egg Sucking Leeches, Leeches.