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Kern River Fly Fishing Report- November 20, 2018

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge)

The 20 mile section has been fishing well in this cooler Fall weather. Fly anglers have been doing well nymphing deep with dry droppers or under an indicator. Water temps are at 50-55°F and this section is running at 190 cfs and very clear. BWO Emergers, Psycho Mays, Midges, WD-40’s  at size 22-26 have been productive. 6x-7x tippet is advised as fish get even more picky as the season progresses.

 

Upper Kern Flow Charts

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

Upper Kern River Wild Trout Section (above Johnsondale Bridge)

Anglers are reporting doing well nymphing deep under an indicator and using size 18-20 Pheasant Tail variations and size 20-22 WD-40’s. Stripping olive wooley buggers have also been productive. Remember that this section of the Kern is Catch and Release from November 15 to the last Saturday of April.

California Creekin– The season for Creekin in the Southern Sierra is now closed.

Lake Isabella
Top water bass fishing is solid on poppers in the morning and evening. Water level in the lake is at 83,200 acre feet, the ideal Low Pool level by the Army Corps for dam repairs and will remain at this level until next year.

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – The Lower Kern River from Isabella dam down to democrat is flowing around 200 cfs. Water temperatures down here are 70 degrees. Smallies and Largemouth are solid! The lower Kern River from Democrat Dam to downstream to Hart Park is flowing around 240 cfs.

Lower Kern Flow Charts

 

Private Guiding in the Surf

Tuesday, November 20, 2018| 8AM- 12PM|Ventura, CA

Wednesday, November 21, 2018| 8AM- 12PM|Ventura, CA

Friday, November 23, 2018| 8AM- 12PM|Ventura, CA

BOOK TRIP

 

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic

Saturday, November 24, 2018| 8AM- 12PM|Ventura, CA

Saturday, December 15, 2018| 8AM- 12PM| Ventura, CA

REGISTER

New Stoneflys Music Video “With You”

 

Kern River Fly Fishing Report July 26, 2018

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge)

Consistent storms in the backcountry has kept the Kern running murky and fluctuating between 800 and 500 cfs. The storms, however, have helped kept water temperatures down to 68-70 degrees. Again, fish early in the morning with bright attractors like the Kern Candy, Tungsten Teddy and flashy streamers.

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

Lake Isabella
Fly Fishing for Carp, Crappie, Bass and Catfish in the lake at this time is okay with water temps at 70. Muddy waters from the Kern are making anglers seek other waters to fish.

Check out Alexa with her first fish on the fly.

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 is 70 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.

Check out our California Creekin shirts!

Check out our TOP 3 selling hats! Get them before we are sold out!

Shop Hats

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!

Check out our latest 4×4 adventure!


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 July 16, 2018

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge) The Upper Kern shot up to 800cfs over the weekend with muddy waters coming down from a series of thunderstorms in the backcountry and making fishing and wading difficult. Water temperature is very warm at 70-75 degrees. Fish early in the morning with bright attractors like the Kern Candy and Tungsten Teddy. Swing flashy streamers in softer water closer to the bank. Use heavier leaders and tippet from 4x-2x to bring fish in quicker especially in this hot weather.

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

Lake Isabella
Flats have receded a good mile from its highest shoreline in May. Fly Fishing for Carp, Crappie, Bass and Catfish in the lake at this time is okay with water temps at 73. Carp can still be caught clooping in the morning. Muddy waters from the Kern are making anglers seek other waters to fish.

Check out Justin from BHA with a stringer of crappie over the weekend.

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 is 70 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.

Check out our California Creekin shirts!

 

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!

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 May 25, 2018

Upper Kern holding @ 900- 1000 CFS- River Clear

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge) The upper Kern is flowing between 900 to 1000 CFS and diminishing. Water temperature is 55 to 60 degrees and clear. Anglers are starting to “trunk it” as the days get warmer.  Fly Fishing is excellent as the river drops everyday and trout 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

These Clooping Carp below were taking our Ant patterns off the surface! Click the link below!

https://kernriverflyshop.com/t/terrestrials?page=2

 

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

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

 

 Kern River Fly Shop Logo Hats are back in stock in various colors!

https://kernriverflyshop.com/products

 

 

Clinics

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

 

Click here to register for the clinic $75.00

In the video below Guy Jeans has his students in Ventura fishing the holes and structure for Surf Perch.

 

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 May 2, 2018

Upper Kern Down to 1100 cfs with Colder Weather

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop) The upper Kern is fl;owing at 1100/1200 CFS Water temperature is 55 to 60 degrees.For those of you targeting hatchery fish, the DFW stocked 3 to 6 pound rainbows in the upper Kern twenty mile section this week. Should be a fun time for kids and their families this spring. Fish are hitting streamers casting down stream and across and then stripping them back. They are also hitting BH Flashback Peasant Tail Nymphs size 18/20 Look for Yellow Sallies to be hatching around 2pm

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

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 . Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked another 5,000 pounds  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.

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.

Register here. https://ssffclub.org/

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – The Lower Kern River from Isabella dam down to democrat is fishing good. Water temperatures down here are 60 degrees and bass are getting active. The lower Kern River from Democrat Dam to downstream to Hart Park is fishing better now.

Lower Kern Flow Charts

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

 

Clinics

Beginner Clinic #1 Sunday May 20, 2018/ 8am/ Kernville  Register Here
Learn how to fly fish for “Carp Clinic”  Saturday May 5, 2018 / 8am/ Kern River Fly Shop Register Here
The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” Saturday May 12, 2018 Ventura CA

Click here to register for the clinic $75.00

In the video below Guy Jeans talks about surf structure and where to find fish in the surf.

 

 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 January 2, 2018

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. Water temperatures have dropped down to 40 degrees in the morning and warming up to 44 degrees in the afternoon. The fishing is slow early in the morning in this section, but turns on later in the day, around 2pm. A slight BWO hatch occurs around this time and Rainbows are looking up in some areas. Nymphing or using a dry dropper rig during the other times is producing a fish here and there.

Matt Vaughn with a nice rainbow on the upper Kern December 25, 2017
Casey Greybehl on the Lower Kern today.

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – Water temperatures down here are 5 to 10 degrees warmer The DFW stocked the lower river recently and fly fishers have been doing well on hatchery fish in this section. The lower Kern has been fishing slow for bass at this time from lake Isabella dam to Bakersfield/Oildale.

Lake Isabella – Ok for Trout, fishing slow for bass and carp

4 Mile Wild Trout Section above Johnsondale Bridge is open year round- Fishing has been fair to slow in this section. On November 15, the wild trout section became catch and release only with barbless hooks. No bait is allowed in this section all year long.

South Fork of the Kern is closed until the last Saturday in April
All tributaries in Tulare County are closed until the last Saturday in April.

Upcoming Clinics

Beginner Clinic #1 “Trout Tactics” Saturday January 20, 2018

https://kernriverflyshop.com/t/beginner-clinics

Lower Kern River “Trout” Clinic – Sunday January 21, 2018

Click here for Lower Kern Clinic

Fly Casting Clinic Bakersfield CA – Saturday January 6, 2018 / 9am to 11am

Fly Casting Clinic Ventura Sunday January 14 , 2018  / 9am to 11am

Click here to register for a Fly Casting Clinic

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinics

Intro to Fly Fishing the Surf in Ventura– Sunday January 7, 2018 / 9am to 11am

Intro to Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic in Ventura Saturday January 13, 2018 / 8am to 11am

Intro to Fly Fishing the Surf in Pismo – Sunday February 11, 2018 / 8am to 11am

https://kernriverflyshop.com/t/fly-fishing-in-the-surf-clinics

Kern River Fly Fishing Report December 12, 2017

 

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. Water temperatures have dropped down to 40 degrees in the morning and warming up to 44 degrees in the afternoon. The fishing is slow early in the morning in this section, but turns on later in the day, around 2pm. A slight BWO hatch occurs around this time and Rainbows are looking up in some areas. Nymphing  or using a dry dropper rig during the other times is producing a fish here and there. Please check out the video below.

 

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – Water temperatures down here are 5 to 10 degrees warmer The DFW stocked the lower river recently and fly fishers have been doing well on hatchery fish in this section. The lower Kern has been fishing fair for bass at this time from lake Isabella dam to Bakersfield/Oildale.
Lake Isabella – Ok for Trout, fishing slow for bass and carp
4 Mile Wild Trout Section above Johnsondale Bridge is open year round- Fishing has been fair to slow in this section. On November 15, the wild trout section became catch and release only with barbless hooks. No bait is allowed in this section all year long.
South Fork of the Kern is closed until the last Saturday in April
All tributaries in Tulare County are closed until the last Saturday in April.

Upcoming Clinics

Beginner Clinic #1 “Trout Tactics”

https://kernriverflyshop.com/t/beginner-clinics

Fly Casting Clinic Bakersfield CA – Saturday January 6, 2018 / 9am to 11am

Fly Casting Clinic Fresno CA – Sunday January 7, 2018 / 9am to 11am

Fly Casting Clinic Ventura Sunday January 14 , 2018  / 9am to 11am

Click here to register for a Fly Casting Clinic

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinics

Intro to Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic in Ventura Saturday January 13, 2018 / 8am to 11am

Intro to Fly Fishing the Surf in Pismo – Sunday February 11, 2018 / 8am to 11am

https://kernriverflyshop.com/t/fly-fishing-in-the-surf-clinics

Holiday Gift Ideas

Guide Service on the Kern River or in the California Surf!

https://www.kernriverflyfishing.com/guide-service.html

Gift Cards

Kern River Fly Shop Gift Cards

https://kernriverflyshop.com/products/gift-card

Hats

https://kernriverflyshop.com/t/hats

Special Holiday Gift Package

https://kernriverflyshop.com/t/specials

 

 

Kern River Fly Fishing Report August 25, 2017

Upper Kern 20 Mile Section

Flows on the 20 mile section are dropping every day and the river continues to fish world class as many rainbow are being caught up and down in this section. This is the time to start fly fishing this section as water temps are holding around 60 degrees and rainbows are very active. There is a PMD Mayfly hatch around 7:30pm in this section and the fish are very aggressive at this time. Streamers are working well casting down and across and stripping back up stream in the seams. Below are some links to flies we are using at this time.

20 Mile Section Nymph Package

20 Mile Section Dry Fly Package

20 Mile Mega Fly Selection

A recent stomach pump sample from a fish in the 20 Mile Section of the upper Kern River

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – Blown Out

4 Mile Wild Trout Section above Johnsondale Bridge- Fishing good, but be careful wading in this section.

Southfork of the Kern Some sections are fishing fantastic and some aren’t fishing very well.

The southern Sierra small creeks continue to fish very well.

Small Stream Clinic Friday September 1, 2017

Register for the Small Stream Clinic Click Here

Beginner Clinic Saturday September 2, 2017

Register for the Beginner Clinic #1 Click Here!

Register for the Beginner Clinic #1 Rod Combo with Free Class Here!

 

 

 

Kern River Fly Fishing Report March 25, 2017

Upper Kern Fly Fishing Report

Anglers! With the large amount of rain and snow pack we have received over the past couple of months, the Upper Kern River is definitely running strong at approximately 3,100 CFS.  Over the past couple of weeks, the question we have been asked the most is: When is the Upper Kern going to be safe for fishing? While this is a difficult question to answer, we are looking at mid-June, closer to July, August and September. In the past, these have been difficult months to fish due to the low water levels, but Mother Nature has changed the forecast drastically.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT RIVER FLOW CHART

While we do not recommend fishing the Upper Kern in these conditions with the flows so high, there are the few that will not take no for an answer. If you must fish,  stay out of the water and fish along the banks with heavily weighted nymphs and a sinking leader. Who knows, you may land one of those great trophy trout or as     Mr. Humphreys did a couple of weeks ago, a Native Sacramento Pikeminnow.

Penn State's Fly-Fishing Legend, Joe Humphreys.
Penn State’s Fly-Fishing Legend, Joe Humphreys, on the Upper Kern River with a Native Sacramento Pikeminnow.

Lake Isabella

With the Upper and Lower Kern pushing the limits with record breaking flows, we are fortunate enough to have an alternative location to fish: Lake Isabella.  With the massive influx of water, which we have not had in the lake since May of 2007, these conditions are bound to create a healthy habitat and grounds for the fish to become extremely active. At the present time, here you will come across trout, bass, crappie and even carp, which are a challenge to land on the fly!

Come see us at Kern River Fly Shop and we will get you set up with some bass and crappie flies.  Or, CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN ONLINE ORDER and we will pick them out for you. Oh, and do not forget your float tube! If you do not have one, don’t worry! We have some at the shop for purchase or rental!

Guy getting into some Crappie on Lake Isabella.
Guy getting into some Crappie on Lake Isabella.
Having a good time in Bakersfield!
Having a good time in Bakersfield!

Lower Kern

Stay far, far away from the Lower Kern, unless you are an extreme kayaker. The flows are around 5,000 CFS and extremely dangerous at this time.

Forks of the Kern

With the current flows and forecasted run off, it is going to be a couple of months before we can even access the Forks. In the meantime and after April 30th, try hitting up some of the smaller streams, creeks and tributaries running into the main Kern River.

Guy Jeans School of Fly Fishing

Come check out our new Guy Jeans School of Fly Fishing education center, which is conveniently located next to Kern River Fly Shop. Here you will find a separate area solely dedicated to teaching. This is where we hold a portion of our Beginner, Advanced, Intermediate and guide training courses.

Looking to advance your skills or learn how to fly fish? Check out our options and schedule at CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR A CLASS NOW!

Guy Jeans Fly Fishing Guide Service

Introducing our new online booking system for Guy Jeans Fly Fishing Guide Service. Whether you are interested in an Extended Full-Day Guide Trip to the Forks of the Kern, a Full-Day Float Trip on the Lower Kern for bass, or a Half-Day Beginner Package, we have many options available for you and your guests. Pick the date and book it now before it is too late!  BOOK A GUIDE TRIP NOW.

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