Golden Trout – Kern River Fly Fishing Reports

Kern River Fly Fishing Report January 3, 2019

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

Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic

Saturday, January 5, 2019| 8AM- 4pm | Kernville, CA

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Beginner Clinic #1

Saturday , January 26, 2019 / 8AM – 12PM / Kernville, CA

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Fly Fish the Surf Clinic – Ventura

Saturday January 12, 2019 / 8AM – 11AM / Ventura, CA

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April 4 -14, 2019

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New Kern River Fly Shop Hoodies now in stock!

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Kern River Fly Fishing Report December 2, 2018

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

The 20 mile section has been fishing very good and the river is clear . Rainbows are more active in the afternoon and rising to small Midges and Mayflies around 1pm. Water temps are at 44 to 50 degrees and this section is flowing at 190 cfs. BWO Emergers, Psycho Mays, Trico’s Midges, WD-40’s at size 22-26 have been productive. 6x-7x tippet is advised as fish get even more picky as the Fall/Winter season progresses. Red Kern Emergers 12-18 are working well.

Upper Kern Flow Charts

Upper Kern River Wild Trout Section ( 4 miles above Johnsondale Bridge) Open Year Round

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. Water temps up here are a few degrees cooler and 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.

New Embroidered Kern River Fly Shop Hats in stock!

Click here to order!

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 50 degrees. Smallies and Largemouth are slowing down! The lower Kern River from Democrat Dam to downstream to Hart Park is flowing around 240 cfs.

Lower Kern Flow Charts

Beginner Clinic #1

Saturday December 8, 2018 | 8AM – 12pm | Kernville CA

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Clinic Only – Click Here

Fly Rod Combo Package and Free Clinic – Click Here

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic

Saturday, December 15, 2018| 8AM- 11AM | Ventura, CA

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Kern River Fly Fishing Report November 26, 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. Rainbows are more active in the afternoon and rising to small Midges and Mayflies around 1pm. Water temps are at 48 to 50 degrees and this section is flowing at 190 cfs and very clear. BWO Emergers, Psycho Mays, Trico’s Midges, WD-40’s at size 22-26 have been productive. 6x-7x tippet is advised as fish get even more picky as the Fall/Winter season progresses.

This is a recent stomach sample!

Upper Kern Flow Charts

Upper Kern River Wild Trout Section ( 4 miles above Johnsondale Bridge)

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

New Embroidered Kern River Fly Shop Hats in stock!

Click here to order!

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 54 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

Beginner Clinic #1

Saturday December 8, 2018 | 8AM – 12pm | Kernville CA

REGISTER Below

Clinic Only – Click Here

Fly Rod Combo Package and Free Clinic – Click Here

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic

Saturday, December 15, 2018| 8AM- 11AM | Ventura, CA

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Bill Darbee with some recent catches in the surf Pismo and Ventura!

Kern River Fly Fishing Report October 3, 2018

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

The 20 mile section has been fishing excellent with all the summer crowds gone and perfect conditions. Fly anglers have been doing well with various techniques including both nymphing and dry fly fishing. Water temps are at a nice 55-60°F and this section is running at 160 cfs and very clear. Soft hackle Kern Emergers, Flash Back Pheasant tails and smaller Stonefly nymphs have been very productive as well as Stimulators and October Caddis type flies.

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.

California Creekin– The season for Creekin in the Southern Sierra is slowly coming to a close.

Lake Isabella
Fly Fishing for Crappie and Catfish in the lake at this time is okay with water temps at 70°F. 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. Steady carp bite in the AM and quite good, especially if you are on a PFD.

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – The Lower Kern River from Isabella dam down to democrat is flowing around 300cfs. 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 at 300 cfs.

Lower Kern Flow Charts

Beginner Fly Fishing #2 Clinic

Sunday, October 14, 2018 | 8:00 AM | Kernville, CA

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Beginner Fly Fishing Clinic #1

Saturday, October 27, 2018 | 8:00 AM | Kernville, CA

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Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic

Saturday, October 28, 2018 | 8:00 AM | Kernville, CA

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Guide Training School

November 7, 2018- November 16, 2018 | Kernville, CA

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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

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!

Kern River Fly Fishing Report February 13, 2018

Dry Flies, Skwalas and a few fish in the Southern Sierra with continued warm weather and no snow.

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 350 cfs and clear. Fishing on the upper Kern is ok at this time, but a few fish are getting active and a few fly anglers have caught them. A Skwala Stonefly hatch got fish looking up on the upper this last weekend. The Fish and Wild Life is stocking hatchery fish in section #2 #3 this week 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. The DFW stocked the lower river last 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.

BOOK A TRIP – CLICK HERE

Clinics

Beginner Clinic #1 – Saturday February 24, 2018

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

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

Fun Times at the “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” in Pismo CA

Kern River Fly fishing Report 2-6-18

Southern Sierra fly fishing turns on with the warmer air and water temperature in the Kern Valley

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. Water temperatures came up the last few days to 52 degrees in the morning and warming up to 55 degrees in the afternoon. The river is down to 350 cfs and clear. Fishing on the upper Kern is ok at this time, but a few fish are getting active and a few fly anglers have caught them. See below! A Skwala Stonefly hatch has started on the upper Kern as well as a few BWO’s. The Fish and Wild Life did stock hatchery fish in section #2 #3 this last week and will continue this week and the following week for those of you chasing hatchery fish.

Jon hart from the Southern Sierra Fly fishers Club hooked up on the upper Kern Sunday. photos by Sergio M.

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. The DFW stocked the lower river recently and fly fishers have been doing well on hatchery fish in this section. The lower kern from Democrat Dam to stream 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.

Democrat Take out!

A Lower Kern Trout caught this last weekend.

Celine B with a fly caught Lake Isabella pig yesterday!

Put this on your calendars!

Upcoming Clinics

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinics

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 January 30, 2018

The upper Kern River is fishing better with the warm weather while the Lower Kern River remains good!

Guy Jeans

https://youtu.be/3-fP54VuCWE

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. 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.

Below are some BWO’s from a stomach pump on the lower Kern

Lower Kern DVD- Back in Stock

Click here for Lower Kern DVD

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 poor 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

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinics

Intro to Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic in Ventura Saturday February 3, 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

Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic

Beginner Clinic #1

Fly Fish the Surf Clinic – Ventura

Beginner Clinic #1

REGISTER Below

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic

Beginner Clinic #1

REGISTER Below

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic

Beginner Fly Fishing #2 Clinic

Beginner Fly Fishing Clinic #1

Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic

Guide Training School

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 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

Dry Flies, Skwalas and a few fish in the Southern Sierra with continued warm weather and no snow.

Clinics

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” Ventura

Saturday March 31, 2018

Fun Times at the “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” in Pismo CA

Southern Sierra fly fishing turns on with the warmer air and water temperature in the Kern Valley

Upcoming Clinics

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinics

Lower Kern DVD- Back in Stock

Upcoming Clinics

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinics