Kern River Fly Fishing Report January 3, 2019 – Kern River Fly Fishing Reports

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

Casey with a nice wild fish caught in the 20 Mile Section January 3, 2019

The 20 mile section is fishing ok not great with the colder water. The river is very clear. Water temps are at 36 to 40 degrees and this section is flowing at 220 cfs. Rainbows are more active in the afternoon as water temps rise a few degrees. They are rising to small Midges and Mayflies around 2pm. BWO Emergers 26, Psycho Mays 20, Midges, WD-40’s at size 22-26 have been productive. 6x-7x tippet is advised as fish get even more picky as the Winter season progresses. Red Kern Emergers 18 are working well.

Upper Kern Flow Charts

Upper Kern River Wild Trout Section ( 4 miles above Johnsondale Bridge) Open Year Round – Catch and Release only!

No reports this week on this section. Most anglers are fishing the 20 mile section!

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

Lake Isabella
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 45 degrees. Smallies and Largemouth are not biting at this time! The lower Kern River from Democrat Dam to downstream to Hart Park is flowing around 210 cfs.

Lower Kern Flow Charts