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
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. Water temperatures have dropped down to 36 degrees in the morning and warming up to 40 degrees in the afternoon. The river is down to 350 cfs and clear. Fishing on the upper Kern is slow at this time, but the Fish and Wild Life did stock hatchery fish in section #3 3 weeks ago for those anglers targeting stocked 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 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.
These are pictures from the Lower Kern Fly Fishing Clinic held on Sunday January 21, 2018
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.
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
https://kernriverflyshop.com/products/private-guided-fly-fishing-in-the-surf-half-day
The deal you have all been waiting for! Buy Now – Schedule Later! Purchase a Full-Day Guide Trip for 2018, enter Promo Code “GUIDEDEAL2018” upon checkout and receive $100 OFF! Only 25 “Guide Deal Specials” available to purchase! Hurry before they are gone! (3 Guide deals left)
Offer valid until January 26th! Tell a friend!
$100.00 off Full Day Guide Trip
If you feel that these reports are valuable to you and you would like to see them continue, 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. Water temperatures have dropped down to 38 degrees in the morning and warming up to 40 degrees in the afternoon. The river has raised up to 1000 cfs and is now down to 700 cfs and a little murky. Fishing on the upper Kern is slow at this time, but the Fish and Wild Life did stock hatchery fish in section #3 last week for those anglers targeting stocked fish.
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.
Lower Kern Fish caught on Saturday January 6, 2017 by the Southern Sierra Fly Fishers Club
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.
Beginner Clinic #1 “Trout Tactics” Saturday January 20, 2018
https://kernriverflyshop.com/t/beginner-clinics
Lower Kern River “Trout” Clinic – Sunday January 21, 2018- (2 spots left)
Click here for Lower Kern Clinic
Fly Casting Clinic Ventura Sunday January 14 , 2018 / 9am to 11am
Click here to register for a Fly Casting Clinic
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
The deal you have all been waiting for! Buy Now – Schedule Later! Purchase a Full-Day Guide Trip for 2018, enter Promo Code “GUIDEDEAL2018” upon checkout and receive $100 OFF! Only 25 “Guide Deal Specials” available to purchase! Hurry before they are gone! (7 Guide deals left)
Offer valid until January 26th! Tell a friend!
$100.00 off Full Day Guide Trip
Upper Kern 20 Mile Section
Flows on the 20 mile section are around 250 cfs and the river continues to fish world class as many rainbow are being caught up and down in this section. Water temps are starting around 45 degrees and warming up to about 52 degrees in the afternoon. Rainbows are very active in the afternoon. There is a BWO hatch at 1pm ish. Streamers are working well casting down and across and stripping back up stream in the seams. Below are some clients this week and some of their catches. A lot of first time fly fishers catching their first fish on a fly. Woo hoo!!!
Below are some links to flies we are using at this time on the upper Kern.
20 Mile Section Dry Fly Package
Lake Isabella – Fishing good for bass from the shore. Poppers!
Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – Fishing excellent for bass at this time.
4 Mile Wild Trout Section above Johnsondale Bridge- Fishing good!
South Fork of the Kern Some sections are fishing fantastic and some aren’t fishing very well.
Upcoming Clinics
Beginner Fly fishing in the Surf Clinic – Saturday November, 25, 2017
Click here for “Beginner Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic Packages”
Stoneflys Musical Events
Rockin River Beer and Music Festival Benefit Saturday October 21, 2017 Noon to 5pm@ Rivernook Campground Kernville CA – Flys go on @ 4pm https://www.kernvillebeerfest.com/
Discovery -Ventura Friday November 24, 2017 @7pm
Upper Kern 20 Mile Section
Flows on the 20 mile section are around 400 cfs 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 52 degrees and rainbows are very active. There is a major Dragonfly hatch around 1pm and a BWO hatch at the same time. Rainbows are becoming very active at this time. Streamers are working well casting down and across and stripping back up stream in the seams.
The CA Open was amazing!
More photos here! CA Open Photos and Videos
Here are the official results from the 1st Annual California Fly Fishing Open. 1st Place Deep Creek-NuCast Team, 2nd: Team Simms, 3rd: Southern Sierra Fly Fishers. The biggest fish was a 19 inch rainbow expertly caught by Dustin Sergent. It was a beautiful day as check in started at the Kern River Fly Shop at 8:00 After Team & group pictures, the participants were on their way. The river was in prime shape with flows at 420 cfs – perfect! Lots of trout were caught during the day with the above top 3 teams accounting for 83 trout. There were 13 teams participating and we had approx. 140 people attend the afternoon festivities. 15 vendors and Par Avion and the Stoneflys bands rocked the crowd. People enjoyed the fine BBQ and beverages. Thank you to everyone who attended.
Below are some links to flies we are using at this time.
20 Mile Section Dry Fly Package
Lake Isabella – Fishing good for bass from the shore.
4 Mile Wild Trout Section above Johnsondale Bridge- Fishing good!
Southfork of the Kern Some sections are fishing fantastic and some aren’t fishing very well.
FLY FISHING SMALL STREAMS OF THE KERN RIVER
Small Stream Clinic Tuesday June 27, 2017 Click here!
Small Stream Clinic Saturday July 1, 2017 Click here!
A great alternative to fly fishing the upper Kern is the small creeks that are flowing into the upper and southern forks of the Kern river. There are hundreds of miles of small creeks to explore in the southern Sierra. Here you can catch Golden, Brown, Brooke, Rainbow, and Golden/Rainbow trout hybrids. Get out your 2 or 3 wt fly rod and explore and discover some amazing fishing. The creeks and fish are healthy and doing well.
These small creeks are home to wild fish and are not stocked. Please use single barbless hooks when fishing these areas and practice catch and release techniques.
Learn more about “Catch and Release” here.
Flies to use on the small creeks – Click here Southern Sierra Dry Fly Package
Great rod to use on the small creeks is the new Redington Vice 3wt
Order a Redington Vice Fly Rod and you receive a 25.00 gift card from Redington
SOUTH FORK OF THE KERN
The south fork of the Kern is blown out and not fishing well at this time.
LAKE ISABELLA
Recent stocking in Lake Isabella of 5 to 10 pound trout has produced some nice fish this week in Kissack and Paradise Coves. These are leftovers from the Lake Isabella Fishing Derby in April. Look for these fish to be heading into the north and south forks of the Kern real soon.
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!
Fly Fishing For Lake Isabella Carp – Epic
UPPER KERN FLY FISHING REPORT
The Upper Kern River is definitely running strong at approximately 7,300 CFS. The upper Kern River is blown out and not fishing well.
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, try hitting up some of the smaller streams, creeks and tributaries running into the main Kern River or Little Kern.
We are once again offering our 4×4 trips for 2017!
Stay tuned for the dates or go to our website for more information.
Upper Kern Fly Fishing Report
The Upper Kern River is definitely running strong at approximately 6,000 CFS. The upper Kern River is blown out. Watch video below!
The small tributaries of the Upper Kern are open and fishable.
Lake Isabella
Recent stocking in Lake Isabella of 5 to 10 pound trout has produced some nice fish this week. These are leftovers from the Lake Isabella Fishing Derby. Look for these fish to be heading into the north and south forks of the Kern real soon.
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!
Lower Kern River
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!
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, Intermediate, Advanced 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.
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 3,300 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
