EPIC 20+ Fish Day | Winter Fly Fishing on the Pit River

[@purpledrakefishing]

Great day! I have wanted to try out #4 or #5 for a while. Only have fished #3.

[@driftstone]

They're definitely worth a look. Thanks for watching :D

[@TroutFlies]

Maybe your best one yet! Great edit! Looked like a super fun day. Many more of those to come I'm sure. Now stay safe summitting Lassen.

[@driftstone]

Thanks man! I appreciate it!

[@jefffadden1896]

I used to go up with a group from a Tracy fly fishers at the end of September every year.We fish the pit 4 powerhouse run and the pit five reach. Pulled a lot of big football trout out of there. Have you ever fished iron Canyon reservoir there? I love that lake.

[@driftstone]

Yeah, lots of great water in both of those sections. I've never fished iron canyon, but it's always been on my mind. Where I live now, it's a bit of a haul to go around and get to it.

[@RosinFlyFishing]

Lunch time now that I see this! Can't wait ..

[@RosinFlyFishing]

Really curious how much weight in terms of shot or heavy beads you needed for that fast water?

[@driftstone]

If you look close, I'm usually casting into the soft seams immediately adjacent the fast water. That said, I usually run two nymphs with heavy tungsten beads. Often 2-3mm each. You can choose slim profiled stuff if you need sink faster too. Also have a flat leader instead of a tapered and using Fluorocarbon helps with sink rates too. You can also do a "tuck" cast where you basically slap the flies on the water to get them down. I usually don't start with that because it's more spooky.

[@Gbow17]

Nice vid Eric! Glad you were able to pick up a euro rod. I've watched your videos before it just seems like your casting motion is smoother but maybe I'm just imagining it. I think this is one of your best for sure. Keep them coming.

[@driftstone]

Thanks Gary, it's been fun learning to tight line and the new rod definitely helps.

[@familyflyties3913]

Awesome day! You know we love 20+ days, even 10+ days are outstanding. Nicely done, and some good video. Love the air shots. I have me a drone now, looking forward to learning how to use it for some aerial views.

[@driftstone]

That's so awesome that you've got a drone. It as a whole other world. I had no idea the valley was socked in with fog like that.

[@williamcooke6056]

Great stuff, Eric, awesome day! Please keep recapping, you put out a lot of good info! Thanks!

[@driftstone]

Thanks William, the recap is part of the routine and won't be going anywhere.

[@marcoverde9790]

Great fish and editing!

[@driftstone]

Thanks Marco, I appreciate it!

[@spendlessrecipe2022]

simply wonderful day for fishing, beautiful, pristine location

[@driftstone]

You're not wrong! Thanks for watching

[@byunique2]

Thanks for the epic catch! I do like the summaries at the end!

[@driftstone]

Thanks Brandon, I will be including them permanently.

[@tightliningmd]

Really great intro. That fog near trees is a gorgeous setting. Gotta be careful though, I will say I started digging deeper into drone/FAA regs, and flying near clouds or fog is a citable offense. I wanted to let you know, in case you didn't know. I am not trying to police you, but mention if you were unsure. Someone alerted me to some of the regs that I didn't know. Quite frankly it scared me to the point I considered not using the drone in fear of fines or not complying/knowing. Love you stuff, keep doing it. Just be careful out there!

[@driftstone]

No worries man, it's always good to be reminded of the rules. I think the issues with clouds and fog are your inability to maintain direct line of site with the drone. In the case here, I was parked above the fog and actually didn't know it was foggy until I got it in the air and never lost sight of it.

[@blackflycreations]

Amazing edit and beautiful scenery! I'll have to feel an epiphany before I plunge to deep into $ rod. They seem well priced. Glad you ripped lip! Also the end recaps are cool👍Take Care Eric! Steve at Black Fly

[@driftstone]

Thanks for the feedback on the recaps. Let me know if you have any questions about the Epiphany

[@Robertsitalia]

Love it when you can find those gold mines of a spot and the fish just keep coming in.

[@driftstone]

Yeah, it's extremely satisfying. The pit river is great if you want to catch a lot.

[@deltasportsman3355]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@driftstone]

Thanks Delta, thanks for watching :D

[@bucksnboils]

Cool video, now that you have been using them a while, how do you like those moonshine rods? I was thinking about trying them out.

[@driftstone]

I'm still a fan. I've struggled talking about rod because it's hard to subjectively talk about them. I feel like they're well made and I love the extra tip. I also love that you can order replacement rod sections without sending your rod in. I'd love to cast a Vesper to see how that feels. I've caught hundreds of fish on them, so they work 👍

[@The_Evergreen_Outdoorsman]

Great video! I have two moonshine rods and I love them! I can’t wait to see more of your videos. I also subscribed!

[@driftstone]

Thanks man, which two rods do you have. I've always been wondering if going up to the Vesper is worth it.

[@The_Evergreen_Outdoorsman]

@@driftstone I have the revival in a 5wt 8ft and the midnight special in a 3wt 9ft. The 3 wt is great for small trout streamers. An the revival can handle all sorts I caught my personal best large mouth on it (8 pounds) and it was able to turn and Handle it great! An I’ve heard nothing but great things about the vesper!

[@driftstone]

@@The_Evergreen_Outdoorsman Oh very cool. At the time I bought my drifter all the Midnights were sold out. I would love to cast a Vesper.

[@flowflyfishing2131]

Great video, I really like some of the cuts. It's amazing how much a difference a rod can make. My ESN is amazing.

[@driftstone]

I haven't cast anything in league with an ESN yet, but you're right. Having the right tools makes a huge difference.

[@sparkyaone]

Hairy green dredger? Where do you find these? Great video BTW

[@driftstone]

Um... it's kind of a pattern no one knows about and then I modified. I might try making a tying video one of these days because people ask about this one a lot. This is the original that I found at Sportsman's. www.riverswildflies.com/dredger-green-ice/ I tie mine on a jig hook with a single bead and instead of that black thorax, I'll use hare's mask or even CDC.

[@sparkyaone]

@@driftstone Thanks for the info! I always enjoy your videos and use them to get me fired up for my next trip.

[@driftstone]

That makes me happy. Hope the next trip is a great one

[@bssaassin1900]

Would love to fish the pit someday looks like an amazing numbers river with great scenery. Nothing like 15-16" wild bows in fast water. Big fish are awesome,but the medium size ones have more spunk.Tight lines yall!

[@driftstone]

Yeah, the pit is one of those rivers where if you expect a fish to be somewhere, it will likely be there.

[@bssaassin1900]

@@driftstone which pit were you fishing? There any browns in there?

[@driftstone]

@@bssaassin1900 this particular video was #5 It doesn't really matter, they all fish the same. I've heard others report of catching browns, but I've never done it.

[@bssaassin1900]

@@driftstone alot of rivers in california seem to be that way,more rainbows than browns. I love them both but I actually like the rainbows more. But then again those 25"+ browns are memorable fish and sometimes they leap and cartwheel like a rainbow. I mainly fish with spin gear but when I find suitable water and few obstacles behind me I'll break out the flyrod and sometimes get lucky. Small streams are much easier for a beginner flyfisher and often prettier scenery. California has some of the prettiest wild and remote streams i ever been to and they're often very steep and some effort to get down to.Panther martins or live bait (where legal)are my go to in larger rivers and deep pools with strong current.

[@daveschlom4033]

One of the most amazing fly fishing videos I have ever seen. Especially since I am interested in Euro nymphing. Really fun to watch and listen to your take. I know this is way after post but I LOVED it!

[@driftstone]

It's always been my hope that these videos stay evergreen. There's no reason this video is less relevant today than when I posted it. Euro nymphing is a very effective technique, especially in much of the water we have. I have a second rod I can lend to you if you'd like to give it a shot.

[@maksimzatsepilin3575]

You have a very beautiful nature. Hello from Russia!

[@driftstone]

Thanks for stopping by. You also have some amazing nature there in your neck of the woods!

[@Robertsitalia]

Dude your fly box is way more organized and better looking than mine haha. I try to organize them, and then they just eventually get put in wherever and it's a mess lol

[@driftstone]

You should see my other box 😂

[@mattsflytying2816]

Nice shoulders on those pit river rainbows

[@driftstone]

I agree, the Pit fish are so underrated.

[@drowsyflyfishing8728]

I’m not sure why I’m not subscribed yet but great video!! Nice editing!!!

[@drowsyflyfishing8728]

The trout look so good 😭😭👌👌 I need to catch me some bow river slabs too

[@driftstone]

@@drowsyflyfishing8728 Haha, you'll get there. Big rivers like the Bow are tough in my opinion. There's obvious structure to target. You'll get there. No worries about the sub, I don't think I've posted a video since you joined TroutFlies's discord.

[@cascadeflyfisher1489]

How are liking the epiphany?

[@driftstone]

So far I love it. I'd love to get my hands on some other Euro Rods and cast them to see how they compare.

[@435peyton435]

As always, great video Eric! For a guy getting started in Euronymphing, what rod would you recommend starting with?

[@driftstone]

I would say to use the rod you've got and build a long euro style leader just go fish. See if you like it. Then invest in a rod. I have only cast this one Euro rod, so I don't know that I have enough experience to recommend one over another. I know Orvis Clearwater has some good reviews. My brother has an Echo Carbon X and he likes it. And then you can spend a lot more money :D

[@Tripl3Point]

Awesome intro

[@driftstone]

Thanks Avery! 🔥

[@BusterBoyd801]

Hell yeah

[@driftstone]

Right on man :D

[@JUNationFishing]

What an epic trout fishing day! It appears that your voice near the end of the video is out of sync. Or maybe it's just me. Anyhow, great job! 👍🙏🎣⚒

[@byunique2]

Yup lip snyc issues!

[@driftstone]

Yeah, I'm having a technical problem with that. It plays back fine on my computer. I think I know the cause and I'll know for the next video to see if that fixes it.

[@David-uj2ms]

Nice video. Just a opinion... You don't have to touch every fish. I usually don't. Once you have caught alot of fish maybe you'll outgrow the practice. A video of a trout in a net will suffice over a grip and grin. Love the great content!

[@vanceregan9708]

Sweet day! Location?

[@driftstone]

If you explore Pit 5 you might find the trail.

[@vanceregan9708]

@@driftstone excellent, thanks

[@alankawahara1259]

Hi, Is the trailhead at Pit 5 before or after the Pit 5 dam? How far from the Pit 5 dam? Thx... great video!!! And great fishing...

[@driftstone]

Technically Pit 5 is all water between the Pit 5 dam and the Pit 6 Dam. If you do some exploring on 5, you can find it :D