Kern River Fly Fishing Report February 6, 2019

The view this afternoon from my deck looking south towards Lake Isabella.

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

The 20 mile section is fishing poor with the recent rain and runoff causing the river to cloud up a bit. The upper river is starting to clear as I write. Check out the video above from today on the river. Water temperature above town is 38 degrees and flows are around 500 cfs. We are at 130% of normal snowpack already. It’s gonna be a great year.

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. The small creeks will reopen on the last Saturday of April.

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. Fishing has been slow for most.

Lower Kern River below Isabella Lake – The Lower Kern River from Isabella dam down to democrat is flowing around 100 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 120 cfs. Check out the video above for a visual.

Lower Kern Flow Charts

4 x 4 Adventure Fly Fishing Trips

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Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic

Monday, February 18, 2019| 8AM- 3pm | Kernville, CA

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Beginner Clinic #1

Sunday , February 17, 2019 / 8AM – 12PM / Kernville, CA

or Saturday March 23, 2019 / 8AM – 12PM / Kernville CA

or Saturday March 23, 2019 / 1PM – 5PM / Kernville CA

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Fly Fish the Surf Clinic – Ventura

Saturday March 2, 2019 / 8AM – 11AM / Ventura, CA

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April 5 -14, 2019

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Guy Jeans Speaking Engagements on the Kern River:

Wednesday February 27, 2019 7pm – Deep Creek Fly Fishers in Riverside CA

Thursday February 28, 2019 7pm – Long Beach Casting Club in Long Beach CA

Next performances are:

Friday March 1, 2019 in Ojai , CA @7pm Ojai Underground Exchange

Friday April 19, 2019 in Morro Bay, CA @ 8pm The Siren w Ska Legends “Let’s GO Bowling”.

**Stoneflys** are:
**Skabone Stan – Trombone** (Pato Banton, Crucial DBC), **Karl Hunter**– **Sax** ( Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), **Dave Price** –**Sax** (Don Henley, Lion I’s, Papa Nata), **Robert Rachelli** **– Drums** (Lion I’s, Papa Nata), **Guy Jeans – Vocals/Keyboards**( Lion I’s, Papa Nata), **Kevin Miller – Trumpet**( Ska Daddyz), **Fili Landeros** -Keyboards( After the Smoke, Rising Son), **Tk – Bass** (Lion I’s), **Bernie Larsen – Guitar**( Jackson Brown, Mellisa Ethridge) .

Kern River Fly Fishing Report December 18, 2018

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

Nice brown trout caught by Chase S. near Powerhouse 3

The 20 mile section is the same as last week and has been fishing very good. 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 270 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

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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April 4 -14, 2019

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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 April 10 , 2018

Upper Kern Blows Out Again at 6000 CFS , Lake Isabella Crappie Bite Hot!!! Lower Kern OK

Upper Kern River 20 Mile Section (north of Kern River Fly Shop) The upper Kern is blown out at this time 2500 cfs, but you should be able to fish it in a couple days or by this weekend. 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. Before the blowout we had some great days fishing the March Brown Mayfly hatch. Fish were rising very consistently in the afternoons.

Here is a video of Devin right before the storm hit on April 3, 2018.

Lake Isabella

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

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 January 9, 2018

Upper Kern River fishing slow- Lower Kern River fishing good!

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

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

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

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

Click here for more info!

Guide Deal 2018

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

Click here to purchase!

Kern River Fly Fishing Report October 10, 2017

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 Nymph Package

20 Mile Section Dry Fly Package

20 Mile Mega Fly Selection

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.

Beginner Class #1 learning to fly cast for the first time.

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

Kern River Fly Fishing Report May 25, 2017

FLY FISHING SMALL STREAMS OF THE KERN

A great alternative to fly fishing the upper Kern is the small creeks that are flowing into the upper river. 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. Check out the video and pictures below.

SMALL STREAM CLINIC – JUNE 11, 2017 KERNVILLE CA – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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

UPPER KERN FLY FISHING REPORT

The Upper Kern River is definitely running strong at approximately 8,000 CFS. The upper Kern River is blown out and not fishing well.

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!

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.

New for 2017

GUY JEANS PRIVATE LAKE BASS TRIPS

Imagine big bass eating big flies off the surface! Life is good !Epic!

Click here for more info Guy Jeans Private Lake Bass Trips

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? CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR SELECTION OF CLINICS AND CLASSES

UPCOMING SCHEDULED CLASSES

SMALL STREAM CLINIC – JUNE 11, 2017 KERNVILLE CA – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

BEGINNER FLY FISHING CLINIC NO.1 – JUNE 25, 2017 KERNVILLE CA – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

BEGINNER FLY FISHING CLINIC NO.2 – JUNE 25, 2017 KERNVILLE CA – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

LEARN TO FLY FISH THE SURF- JULY 8, 2017 / PISMO CA CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

OCTOBER 25, 2017 THROUGH NOVEMBER 3, 2017 – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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 May 4, 2017

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.

Laur with her first Carp on the fly! — Laura with her first Carp 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

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

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

Kern River Fly Fishing Report – January 8, 2017

All creeks and tributaries in the Southern Sierra are blown out at this time. The upper river peaked out at 15,000 cfs last night and it’s now down to 7000 cfs today. This is a lot of water.

Clinics and Classes

Fly fishing the Surf Class in Ventura CA – Sunday January 15, 2017 @8am

Fly Fishing in the Surf New Year Special- This will be offered 1 time only for the class on Sunday January 15, 2017 – while supplies last .

You can also just take the class for $75.00

Click here for more information and to register for the surf class special.

Beginner Fly Fishing Class in Kernville Ca- Sunday January 22, 2017

$ 75.00 Beginner Fly Fishing Class Only- Click Here

$219.95 Beginner Fly Fishing Rod and Reel Combo with Free Class- Click Here

More Events!!!!

2017 Guide Training School February 3- 12, 2017

Click here for more information.

4 x 4 Adventure Fly Fishing Trips

Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic

Beginner Clinic #1

Fly Fish the Surf Clinic – Ventura

Guy Jeans Speaking Engagements on the Kern River:

Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic

Beginner Clinic #1

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 Blows Out Again at 6000 CFS , Lake Isabella Crappie Bite Hot!!! Lower Kern OK

Learn how to fly fish for “Carp Clinic” with Guy Jeans

Clinics

The next “Fly Fishing the Surf Clinic” Ventura

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

Lower Kern DVD- Back in Stock

Upcoming Clinics

Fly Fishing the Surf Clinics

Guide Deal 2018

New for 2017

UPCOMING SCHEDULED CLASSES

BEGINNER FLY FISHING CLINIC NO.1 – JUNE 25, 2017 KERNVILLE CA – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

BEGINNER FLY FISHING CLINIC NO.2 – JUNE 25, 2017 KERNVILLE CA – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER