Kern River Fly Fishing Report – Kern River Fly Fishing Reports

Kern River Fly Fishing Report July 8, 2018

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge) The upper Kern is flowing between 200 to 300CFS. Water temperature is 65 degrees and clear with many wet wading to stay cool in the hot weather. Fly Fishing is excellent at first light and during the evening. Big fish are still moving into the upper river from Lake Isabella in search of cooler water. We are still seeing hatches of Yellow Sallies and Callibaetis Mayflies with trout keying in on smaller imitations like the size 16 Yellow Stimulator and size 20 BWO. Swinging streamers down and across as well as Attractor patterns such as GloBugs, San Juan Worms and Kern Candies are especially productive during the hotter parts of the day. Nymphing Stoneflys, FBPT’s and midges under an indicator is still also very productive.

Here are first time fly fishers Sara and Pat with trout on FBPT

Check out the upper Kern 20 mile section fly packages- Click Here

Upper Kern Wild Trout Section is fishing Excellent!

Lake Isabella
Flats have receded a good mile from its highest shoreline in May. Fly Fishing for Carp, Crappie and Bass in the lake at this time is okay. Carp can still be caught clooping in the morning.

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – The Lower Kern River from Isabella dam down to democrat is flowing around 1400cfs. Fishing is not recommended at this time. Water temperatures down here are 60 degrees and bass are active. The lower Kern River from Democrat Dam to downstream to Hart Park is flowing at 1400 cfs as well. Be careful if you go fishing down here.

Lower Kern Flow Charts

California Creekin– The creeks of the Southern Sierra are fishing excellent at this time with dry flies. If you like catching wild trout in small streams, you might explore these beautiful waters.

Upcoming Fly Fishing Clinics

FLY FISHING THE SURF- VENTURA
Saturday, July 14, 2018

Click here to register for the class

Private Guided Fly Fishing in the Surf

Guy will be available for a half-day private guided fly fishing trip in Ventura on the following dates:

Wednesday, July 11, 2018. 8AM-12PM
Thursday, July 12, 2018. 8AM-12PM
Friday, July 13, 2018. 8AM-12PM

Click here to book

Check out some of the pictures from our 4×4 Trip into the Golden Trout Wilderness

There are still a couple of spots left for you and your buddies to join in on all the fun!

4 x 4 Adventure Trip Dates – Click Here!

August 21- 23 2018 3 spots left

September 5-7 2018 2 spots left

All other trips have sold out!

Kern River Fly Fishing Report- June 28, 2018

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge) The upper Kern is flowing between 500 to 600 CFS. Water temperature is 60 degrees and clear. Anglers are starting to “trunk it” as the days get warmer. Fly Fishing is still excellent and trout have become very active. Big fish have started to move into the upper river from Lake Isabella and double digit fish are being caught. We are still seeing hatches of Yellow Sallies and Pale Morning Duns and a great imitation for the Yellow Sallie is a size 16 Yellow Stimulator . Fish are keying in on darker patterns as the season progresses. You can also swing some streamers down and across and do well. All fly fishing techniques are catching fish at this time.

Check out the upper Kern 20 mile section fly packages- Click Here

Check out these fish being caught during the evening hatch!

Upper Kern Wild Trout Section is fishing Excellent!

Here is a quick report from Shop Employee Celine:

Finally made the trip to the Wild Trout Section with @jhartftw and boy was it amazing! It took some planning and some sweating with our packs, but it was all worth it. The dry fly action in the morning and the evening was unbelievable! They seemed to be keen on lighter mayfly patterns instead of darker ones compared to the 20 mile section. Nymphing emergers in the hot afternoon worked best, especially on the swing. Water temps held at 60 in the morning and warmed up to 64 throughout the day. Still A LOT of water coming down from Mt. Whitney which made wading very limited. Please remember to crimp down your barbs regardless of regulation and practice Leave No Trace Ethics so everyone can enjoy this very healthy fishery!

Make sure you follow her on Instagram @fishshootbrew to keep up with daily fly shop shenanigans!

Lake Isabella

Flats have receded a good mile from its highest shoreline in May. Fly Fishing for Carp, Crappie and Bass in the lake at this time is okay. Carp can still be caught clooping in the morning. Check out these Carp Flies https://kernriverflyshop.com/t/carp-flies

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – The Lower Kern River from Isabella dam down to democrat is flowing around 1600cfs. Fishing is not recommended at this time. Water temperatures down here are 60 degrees and bass are active. The lower Kern River from Democrat Dam to downstream to Hart Park is flowing at 1500 cfs as well. Be careful if you go fishing down here.

Lower Kern Flow Charts

California Creekin- The creeks of the Southern Sierra are fishing excellent at this time with dry flies. If you like catching wild trout in small streams, you might explore these beautiful waters.

If you feel that these reports are valuable to you, please click the donate button below and make a donation of any amount you think is equal to the amount of information you are getting each week.

Thank you so much,

Guy Jeans

Che out our Kern River Fly Shop apparel!

https://kernriverflyshop.com/apparel

CLINICS

BEGINNER FLY FISHING CLASS
Saturday, July 7, 2018 in Kernville, CA

Click here to register for the class

4 x 4 Adventure Trip Dates – Click Here!

June 21- 23 2018 Sold Out!

June 25- 27 2018 Sold Out!

July 23- 25 2018 2 spots left

July 27- 29 2018 2 spots left

August 21- 23 2018 3 spots left

August 24- 26 2018 6 spots left

September 5-7 2018 2 spots left

September 9 – 11 2018 4 spots left

Kern River Fly Fishing Report June 6, 2018

Upper Kern goes up to @ 1200 CFS- River Clear

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge) The upper Kern is flowing between 1200 to 1300 CFS. Water temperature is 60 degrees and clear. Anglers are starting to “trunk it” as the days get warmer. Fly Fishing is still excellent and trout have become very active. Big fish have started to move into the upper river from Lake Isabella and double digit fish are being caught. We are seeing hatches of Yellow Sallies and Pale Morning Duns and a great imitation for the Yellow Sallie is a size 16 Yellow Stimulator . You can also swing some streamers down and across and do well. All fly fishing techniques are catching fish at this time.

Check out the upper Kern 20 mile section fly packages- Click Here

Upper Kern Wild Trout Section is fishing Excellent!

Lake Isabella

Fly Fishing for Carp, Crappie and Bass in the lake at this time is very good.Carp fly fishing is again top notch right now for those of you who love to fly fish for Carp. Check out these Carp Flies https://kernriverflyshop.com/t/carp-flies

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – The Lower Kern River from Isabella dam down to democrat is flowing around 1800cfs. Fishing is not recommended at this time. Water temperatures down here are 60 degrees and bass are active. The lower Kern River from Democrat Dam to downstream to Hart Park is flowing at 1800 cfs as well. Be careful if you go fishing down here.

Lower Kern Flow Charts

Thank you so much,

Guy Jeans

Kern River Fly Fishing Report May 14, 2018

Upper Kern holding @ 1200 CFS- River Clear

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop) The upper Kern is flowing at 1200 CFS Water temperature is 55 to 60 degrees. Be careful and cautious wading as the river is still up and dangerous. You can still have fun fishing the back eddies and slower runs. Big fish have started to move into the upper river from Lake Isabella and double digit fish are being caught. Check out the picture below of the giant trout caught last week. We are seeing hatches of Yellow Sallies and a great imitation is a size 16 Yellow Stimulator . You can also swing some streamers down and across and do well.

Check out the upper Kern 20 mile section fly packages- Click Here

Big fish are coming into the upper Kern!

Lake Isabella

Fly Fishing for Crappie and Bass in the lake at this time is very good.

Carp fly fishing is again top notch right now for those of you who love to fly fish for Carp. Dont forget about the Fly Fishing Carp Fest May 19 and registering at the website below.

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – The Lower Kern River from Isabella dam down to democrat is flowing around 1000cfs. Fishing is not recommended at this time. Water temperatures down here are 60 degrees and bass are active. The lower Kern River from Democrat Dam to downstream to Hart Park is flowing at 1000 cfs as well. Be careful if you go fishing down here.

Lower Kern Flow Charts

Thank you so much,

Guy Jeans

Kern River Fly Fishing Report April 17, 2018

New 4 x 4 Adventure Trip Dates – Click Here!

June 21- 23 2018 Sold Out!

June 25- 27 2018 Sold Out!

July 23- 25 2018 2 spots left

July 27- 29 2018 2 spots left

August 21- 23 2018 6 spots left

August 24- 26 2018 6 spots left

September 5-7 2018 3 spots left

September 9 – 11 2018 4 spots left

Upper Kern comes down to fishable levels – Lake Isabella Bass/ Crappie Rockin and Lower Kern Bass come alive!

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop) The upper Kern is 1100/1200 CFS For those of you targeting hatchery fish, the DFW will be stocking many trout in the upper Kern and tributaries in the next few weeks. Many of those fish are trophy fish. Should be a fun time for kids and their families this spring. Fish are hitting streamers casting down stream and across and then stripping back. They are also hitting Pheasant Tail Nymphs size 18/20 Look for March Browns to be hatching around 2pm as well as Pteronarcys californicas around 5pm

Lake Isabella

There are some SERIOUS numbers of Trout in the lake! The Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce stocked around 10,000 pounds of Trout on Monday. Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked another 5,000 pounds Monday. AND….5000lbs of Nebraska Tailwalkers ranging from 5-15 lbs are officially IN THE LAKE…!!!! Those that aren’t caught go up the river!

Fly Fishing for Crappie in the lake at this time is very good. I believe a world record Crappie on the fly will come out of the lake this year. All we have to beat is 14 inches and Ive seen many over that over the years. Tony Click has a 17 inch Crappie mounted in his office from the lake.

Joseph with his first ever fish on a fly.

Carp fly fishing is again top notch right now for those of you who love to fly fish for Carp. Jon and Celine below are having a good time right now. Jon caught his on a Tenkara rod. Dont forget about the Fly Fishing Carp Fest May 19 and registering at the website below.

Learn how to fly fish for “Carp Clinic” with Guy Jeans

Saturday May 5, 2018 / 8am/ Kern River Fly Shop

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – The Lower Kern River from Isabella dam down to democrat is fishing good. Water temperatures down here are 58 degrees and bass are getting active. The lower Kern River from Democrat Dam to downstream to Hart Park is fishing better now. The lower Kern has been fishing ok for bass at this time from lake Isabella dam to Bakersfield/Oildale but should get good as soon as it gets warm. Cfs is 400

Lower Kern Flow Charts

Thank you so much,

Guy Jeans

Kern River Fly Fishing Report April 10 , 2018

Upper Kern Blows Out Again at 6000 CFS , Lake Isabella Crappie Bite Hot!!! Lower Kern OK

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop) The upper Kern is blown out at this time 2500 cfs, but you should be able to fish it in a couple days or by this weekend. For those of you targeting hatchery fish, the DFW will be stocking many trout in the upper Kern and tributaries in the next few weeks. Many of those fish are trophy fish. Should be a fun time for kids and their families this spring. Before the blowout we had some great days fishing the March Brown Mayfly hatch. Fish were rising very consistently in the afternoons.

Here is a video of Devin right before the storm hit on April 3, 2018.

Lake Isabella

Carp fly fishing is again top notch right now for those of you who love to fly fish for Carp. Jon and Celine below are having a good time right now. Jon caught his on a Tenkara rod. Dont forget about the Fly Fishing Carp Fest May 19 and registering at the website below.

Learn how to fly fish for “Carp Clinic” with Guy Jeans

Saturday May 5, 2018 / 8am/ Kern River Fly Shop

Thank you so much,

Guy Jeans

Kern River Fly Fishing Report March 23, 2018

Upper Kern Blows Out at 4000 CFS, Lower Kern Remains Hot and Lake Isabella Rockin!

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop) The upper Kern is blown out at this time, but you should be able to fish it in a couple days as it is dropping fast.

Here is a video of Elli Jeans right before the storm hit on March 20, 2018.

Lake Isabella Report below is Courtesy of Matt Freeman from Freeman’s Lakeside Realty

There are some SERIOUS numbers of Trout in the lake! The Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce stocked around 10,000 Trout on Monday. Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked another 5,000 Monday. AND….5000lbs of Nebraska Tailwalkers ranging from 5-15 lbs are officially IN THE LAKE…!!!! Those that aren’t caught go up the river!

Let the games begin! The 2018 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby is gonna ROCK!

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – Blue Wing olive hatch around 2pm and fish are coming up in certain sections of the lower Kern. Water temperatures down here are 47-48 degrees. The lower kern from Democrat Dam to downstream to Hart Park is fishing better now. The lower Kern has been fishing ok for bass at this time from lake Isabella dam to Bakersfield/Oildale but should get good as soon as it gets warm.

If you feel that these reports are valuable to you, please click the donate button below and make a donation of any amount you think is equal to the amount of information you are getting each week.

Thank you so much,

Guy Jeans

Kern River Fly Fishing Report March 14, 2018

Upper Kern Comes Alive and Lower Kern Remains Excellent!

Upper Kern 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop)The upper Kern River from Lake Isabella north to 4 miles past the Johnsondale bridge( wild trout section) remains open to fly fishing all year. The river came up to 750 cfs and is now on its way back down from the recent rains . Fishing on the upper Kern has turned on with the water temps at 46 degrees. Wild fish continue to produce in the 20 mile section. The Fish and Wild Life stocked 850 pounds of hatchery fish along the upper Kern in section #6 #5, #4, today for those of you chasing hatchery fish. Trophy fish were also stocked!

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – Blue Wing olive hatch around 2pm and fish are coming up in certain sections of the lower Kern. Water temperatures down here are 47-48 degrees. The lower kern from Democrat Dam to downstream to the next powerhouse is muddy. The lower Kern has been fishing slow for bass at this time from lake Isabella dam to Bakersfield/Oildale but should pick up as soon as it gets warm.

If you feel that these reports are valuable to you, please click the donate button below and make a donation of any amount you think is equal to the amount of information you are getting each week.

Thank you so much,

Guy Jeans

Kern River Fly Fishing Report February 27, 2018

Upper Kern Cold Fishing Best Mid Day, Lower Kern the Place To Be!

If you feel that these reports are valuable to you, please click the donate button below and make a donation of any amount you think is equal to the amount of information you are getting each week.

Thank you so much,

Guy Jeans

Upper Kern 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop)The upper Kern River from Lake Isabella north to 4 miles past the Johnsondale bridge( wild trout section) remains open to fly fishing all year. The river is down to 270 cfs and clear. Fishing on the upper Kern is ok at this time from the Powerhouse down to the lake, and a few local anglers are doing well on wild fish above this area. Water temps dropped to 34-36 degrees and this means that trout get lethargic and harder to catch. The Fish and Wild Life stocked hatchery fish in section #5, #4, and #3 last week for Whiskey Flats days and will continue the following week for those of you chasing hatchery fish.

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – Blue Wing olive hatch around 2pm and fish are coming up in certain sections of the lower Kern. Water temperatures down here are 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the upper. The DFW stocked the lower river last week and this week and fly fishers have been doing well on hatchery fish in this section. The lower kern from Democrat Dam to downstream to the next powerhouse is muddy. The lower Kern has been fishing slow for bass at this time from lake Isabella dam to Bakersfield/Oildale.

Lake Isabella

New 4 x 4 Adventure Trip Dates – Click Here!

Book a guide trip- Click here!

Clinics

Beginner Clinic #1 – Saturday March 24, 2018

Click here to register for the Clinic #1 only! $75.00

Click here for Clinic #1 Fly Rod Combo =$220.00 + Free Clinic

Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic – Sunday March 25, 2018

Click here for the full day Intermediate Clinic $225.00

Beginner Clinic #1 Students Saturday February 24. 2018

8 year old Addison is going to be someone to watch in the future fly fishing world!

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinics” Morro Bay and Ventura

Saturday March 17, 2018 Morro Bay

Saturday March 31, 2018 Ventura

Click here to register for the clinic $75.00

We will be at the Fred Hall Shows in Bakersfield March 2-4, 2018

and Long Beach March 7- 11, 2018 Come see us for some special deals on rods!

Kern River Fly Fishing Report February 20, 2018

Where do you want to fish in the Southern Sierra? Water temps drop on the upper Kern, while Lower Kern remains steady.

If you feel that these reports are valuable to you, please click the donate button below and make a donation of any amount you think is equal to the amount of information you are getting each week.

Thank you so much,

Guy Jeans

Upper Kern 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop)The upper Kern River from Lake Isabella north to 4 miles past the Johnsondale bridge( wild trout section) remains open to fly fishing all year. The river is down to 250 cfs and clear. Fishing on the upper Kern is ok at this time from the Powerhouse down to the lake, and a few local anglers are doing well on wild fish above this area. Water temps dropped to 34-36 degrees and this means that trout get lethargic and harder to catch. The Fish and Wild Life stocked hatchery fish in section #5, #4, and #3 last week for Whiskey Flats days and will continue the following week for those of you chasing hatchery fish.

Lower Kern Rainbow caught by Rick Diffine

Lake Isabella

New 4 x 4 Adventure Trip Dates – Click Here!

Book a guide trip- Click here!

Clinics

Beginner Clinic #1 – Saturday February 24, 2018 Sold Out

Beginner Clinic #1 – Saturday March 24, 2018

Click here to register for the Clinic #1 only! $75.00

Click here for Clinic #1 Fly Rod Combo =$220.00 + Free Clinic

Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic – Sunday February 25, 2018 Sold Out

Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic – Sunday March 25, 2018

Click here for the full day Intermediate Clinic $225.00

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” Ventura

Saturday March 31, 2018

Click here to register for the clinic $75.00

We will be at the Fred Hall Shows in Bakersfield March 2-4, 2018

and Long Beach March 7- 11, 2018 Come see us for some special deals on rods!

Upcoming Fly Fishing Clinics

Private Guided Fly Fishing in the Surf

Check out some of the pictures from our 4×4 Trip into the Golden Trout Wilderness

Upper Kern Wild Trout Section is fishing Excellent!

Upper Kern goes up to @ 1200 CFS- River Clear

Upper Kern Wild Trout Section is fishing Excellent!

Clinics

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic”

Saturday June 16, 2018 in pISMO ca

Clinics

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic”

Saturday June 16, 2018 in pISMO ca

Upper Kern holding @ 1200 CFS- River Clear

Clinics

Beginner Clinic #1 Sunday May 20, 2018/ 8am/ Kernville Register Here

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinics” Saturday May 26, 2018 IN Ventura CA and Saturday June 16, 2018 in pISMOca

Upper Kern comes down to fishable levels – Lake Isabella Bass/ Crappie Rockin and Lower Kern Bass come alive!

Learn how to fly fish for “Carp Clinic” with Guy Jeans

Saturday May 5, 2018 / 8am/ Kern River Fly Shop

Clinics

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” Saturday May 12, 2018 Ventura

Upper Kern Blows Out Again at 6000 CFS , Lake Isabella Crappie Bite Hot!!! Lower Kern OK

Learn how to fly fish for “Carp Clinic” with Guy Jeans

Clinics

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” Ventura

Saturday May 12, 2018 Ventura

Upper Kern Blows Out at 4000 CFS, Lower Kern Remains Hot and Lake Isabella Rockin!

Clinics

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” Ventura

Saturday March 31, 2018 Ventura

Upper Kern Comes Alive and Lower Kern Remains Excellent!

Clinics

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” Ventura

Saturday March 31, 2018 Ventura

Upper Kern Cold Fishing Best Mid Day, Lower Kern the Place To Be!

Clinics

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinics” Morro Bay and Ventura

Saturday March 17, 2018 Morro Bay

Saturday March 31, 2018 Ventura

Where do you want to fish in the Southern Sierra? Water temps drop on the upper Kern, while Lower Kern remains steady.

Clinics

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” Ventura

Saturday March 31, 2018