Kern River Fishing Report - The Mighty Kern

Date

Thursday, 7 Apr, 2016

Water Clarity

Moderately Clear

Angler Traffic

Low

Fish Caught

4-8 fish

Report

The Kern can be a tricky piece of water, every trip up there is a unique adventure for sure!

Due to recent rain/snow, the wild trout section above the bridge was too cold for fishing, hovering in the low 40's. We checked a few trusty spots on the 20 mile stretch heading back to Kernville. No luck. Water temps mid 40's.

Stopped in Kernville to visit our friends Guy and Kimberly Jeans, owners of the Kern River Fly Shop. Guy is a guide, and a great guy, who knows the river like no one else. With some intel in hand we headed down to the lower Kern, below Lake Isabella. We fished a nice pool right above a series of rapids. Wading can be sketchy on the Kern and this was one of those spots where you do not want to want to fall, trust me. Crossed the river right above the rapids, fast moving murky water, belly deep, and slick rocks. Made it across and fished the pool, maybe 40 yards long, from the far bank. Caught 8 fish between three of us, drifting nymphs was the ticket.

Another adventure at the Kern. Truck got stuck in sand, caught some fish, saw a great band and drank some great beer at Kern River Brewing with good friends. We will be back again and again!

Start Time:

9:15 AM

End Time:

6:15 AM

Flies

Nymphs

Name	Size	Details
BWO Emereger	22+	Olive WD40
Serendipity	20 22+
FB Pheasant tail	16

Fishing Water Report

Kern River Fishing Report

The North Fork and South Fork of the Kern Wild and Scenic River is located within a four-hour drive of more than one-third of the population of southern California. With its range ... moreof elevation, topography and vegetation, it offers a broad spectrum of recreation opportunities for all seasons of the year. Principal outdoor recreation activities include fishing, hiking, camping and whitewater boating.

The North Fork flows through Sequoia National Park and the Sequoia National Forest, past post-pile formations, spiked-granite protrusions and sharp rock ledges. The North Fork Kern River canyon within the Golden Trout Wilderness may be the longest, linear glacially-sculpted valley in the world. It contains regionally unique features referred to as Kernbuts and Kerncols. These rounded to elongated (parallel to the axis of the canyon) granitic knobs (Kernbuts) and the depressions between them (Kerncols) were first identified and named in the Kern Canyon.

The North Fork River corridor also includes regionally uncommon wetland habitat at Kern Lakes and the alkaline seep at the Forks of the Kern. The wetland habitat contains several uncommon aquatic and marsh species; the alkaline seep also supports several uncommon plants. The river's deep pool habitat supports a population of wild trout and also vividly colored hybrid trout.

The South Fork Kern River flows through a diverse landscape, including whitewater, waterfalls, large granite outcrops interspersed with open areas and open meadows with extensive vistas. The segment in the Dome Land Wilderness flows by numerous granitic domes and through a rugged and steep granitic gorge where whitewater rapids are common.

With a gradient of 30 feet per mile, the North Fork Kern is one of the steepest and wildest whitewater rivers in North America. The Forks Run is a nearly continuous series of Class IV and V rapids and waterfalls. The Upper Kern is a popular stretch of river for whitewater boating, camping and fishing. The Lower Kern runs 32 miles from Isabella Dam to the canyon mouth above Bakersfield, California.

Game Fish Opportunities: