Just got back from a 4 day trip to Burney McArthur State park. ON Friday morning I fished Pit 3 along the Delucchi trail below the siren. Had a very interesting day. Caught some beautiful fish, but man that river kicked my tail. I have bruises all over my body. I went down 3 times...and I mean full swimming feet up going for a 30 yard plus ride. The third time I was in full panic mode. I was fishing a tricky run full of fish and my indicator went down and when I set the hook I lost my footing, fell backwards and went completely under. When I came up I was holding to my fly line but the rod was gone, heading downstream at a great rate of knots. I went for about a 30 yard ride and when I eventually got a hold of a bed of grass and found my feet I was convinced I'd lost $600 of gear...or at the very least I'd get a 4 piece rod back in 12 pieces. I pulled on the line and right before I got to the backing the line became taut. I waded downstream another 20 yards and found the rod caught up in a streamside tree and it was intact! I pulled myself together and untangled the line and began to reel in the slack and I went taut again, FISH ON! a couple of minutes later I had a beautiful 16 inch Pit rainbow in hand.
Bad news I lost my tippet holder with tippet spools 7x thru 2 x...and my Brodin Phantom net. Not sure If I lost the net in the river or when I hauled myself out to dry out. If anyone finds it let me know.
The next few days I fished the evening hatch on Burney Creek with my six year old daughter. She caught her first fish on a fly, a beautiful 12 inch wild rainbow on a #20 mayfly....hooked it on my new Winston 3 weight (its first fish too) and it gave her a great fight. I thought she'd be psyched, but she was more upset about the two that got away!
Love that part of the world.
-- Edited by Bob Loblaw on Sunday 21st of July 2013 10:33:23 PM
That's a great story!! I am pretty sure most of us have had some similar experiences on the Pit, broken rods, twisted ankles, swimming for your life, camera lost, hat lost, etc... It is one rugged river with loads of big fish!! Glad to hear you retrieved your rod and reel, sorry to hear about the net... It is great your six year old daughter broke in your new rod!! It will have some good karma! Sounds like you have had a ton of fun fishing some great waters this year! You should write a blog about the fishing adventures of "Bob Loblaw" Keep up the reports, there are still tons of rivers and creeks to explore in this great state!
I've worn a bike helmet before when fishing the Pit. I've also gone swimming in the Pit more times than I can remember and broke my right wrist twice (opening day one year apart).
You get any poison oak this trip?
__________________
Winter eats heat the way darkness swallows light. The terrors of failed power and frozen stems are stymied with fire, smoke and white ash.
No poison oak, I don't think Im allergic. Lits of mosquito bites though. I think hhalf the attraction of the Pit is the adrenaline rush you getting wading it...the other half being those beautiful football fish. I think they are the best looking bows out there.
I've only fished it once but got off easy, just broke a rod and a finger (rod was cracked but didn't completely fail until the next day). I was fishing solo so I planned it so that I started heading back with enough time that if I had to be hopping with a twisted ankle or broken leg I'd be back to the car before sunset (i.e. left before the evening hatch). Seriously.
Did you catch any smallmouth bass? I got a few on woolly buggers when I was there. Can't wait to go back!
