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

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

Beginner Clinic Saturday September 2, 2017

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.

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.

For the latest and greatest updated reports, do not forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Kern River Fly Fishing Report February 1, 2017

Upper Kern Fly Fishing Report

Lower Kern is blown out.

Lake Isabella is looking beautiful. The lake is rising more and more everyday.

Kern River Fly Fishing Report December 24, 2016

Fly Fishing Report

Make sure to follow us on Instagram for fly fishing reports that are daily. https://www.instagram.com/kernriverflyshop/

20-Mile Section of the Kern (From Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge) Open Year round!

The 20 mile stretch is fishing well from our fly shop up to Hospital Flat. The water temperature is 42 degrees near Kernville and 39 degrees up river past Fairview Campground. Check the latest fly fishing reports videos below.

Click here for Bead Head Soft Hackle Kern Emergers

Temperatures are dropping down to the low 30s in the evening and mid 40s throughout the day. Great hatch in the evening of very small Midges and BWO’s. Here are some great imitations to look at.

Click here for Parachute Adams size 18-22 and Blue Wing Olive size 18 -22

Upper Kern River Flows

4 mile Wild Trout Section Open Year round! ( Above Johnsondale Bridge 4 miles) Special regulations- No BAIT OR BARBS on your hooks. Open Year round! Catch and Release only!

Lower Kern ( Below lake Isabella) fishing for trout is slow- Open Year Round!

World Class “Forks of the Kern” Fly Fishing Closed

South Fork of the Kern Closed!

Tributaries of the Southern Sierra – Closed

Lake Isabella- Open