Copyright 2011 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Kern River California
The North Fork of the Kern River, sometimes called the
Main Branch, starts from several small lakes in the high
Sierra Nevada Mountains. It begins in the Sequoia
National Park and flows through the Ino and Sequoia
National Forests and the Golden Trout Wilderness. The
Little Kern River joins the North Fork at what's called the
Forks of the Kern River. The North Fork flows into Lake
Isabella. Fly fishing the Kern River is usually a very
enjoyable and successful adventure.
The South Fork of the Kern River also drains from the
high Sierra Nevada Mountains and flows through the Ino
National Forest. It also flows into Lake Isabella. Fly
fishing the upper headwaters of the South Fork of the
Kern River is an unforgettable experience.
The tailwater section of the Kern River below Lake
Isabella and Isabella Dam, flows through a very rugged
canyon just south of the Greenhorn Mountains. This
section of the river is about eighty miles long. It's strictly
controlled by its releases and therefore the water
temperature and quality of the fishing is subject to
fluctuations depending on the releases of water from the
dam.
Above Lake Isabella, the North Fork of the Kern is
followed by Highway #155 for over 25 miles. It runs from
Kernville up to the Johnsondale Bridge. The North Fork
is heavily stocked with rainbow trout and also has a good
population of holdover trout.
Much of the South Fork is remote and requires traveling
in on horse back or by taking a long hike to fish much of
its waters. It stays very cold even during the Summer
and has big browns and rainbows. The South Fork of the
Kern is a designated wild trout stream above the
southern boundary of the South Sierra Wilderness.
Golden trout are present above Monache Meadows.
Seasons:
The general season is from the last Saturday in April
through November 15. Sections of the river is open to
fishing year-round.
Spring:
Springtime is great in the tailwater if the discharges are
reasonable. In the North and South Forks, the water is
cold and it's mostly nymph and streamer fishing.
Summer:
Summertime is the best time to fish the high Sierras.
Fall:
Fly fishing the Kern River during the early Fall can also
be very productive.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
The North Fork of the Kern River, sometimes called the
Main Branch, starts from several small lakes in the high
Sierra Nevada Mountains. It begins in the Sequoia
National Park and flows through the Ino and Sequoia
National Forests and the Golden Trout Wilderness. The
Little Kern River joins the North Fork at what's called the
Forks of the Kern River. The North Fork flows into Lake
Isabella. Fly fishing the Kern River is usually a very
enjoyable and successful adventure.
The South Fork of the Kern River also drains from the
high Sierra Nevada Mountains and flows through the Ino
National Forest. It also flows into Lake Isabella. Fly
fishing the upper headwaters of the South Fork of the
Kern River is an unforgettable experience.
The tailwater section of the Kern River below Lake
Isabella and Isabella Dam, flows through a very rugged
canyon just south of the Greenhorn Mountains. This
section of the river is about eighty miles long. It's strictly
controlled by its releases and therefore the water
temperature and quality of the fishing is subject to
fluctuations depending on the releases of water from the
dam.
Above Lake Isabella, the North Fork of the Kern is
followed by Highway #155 for over 25 miles. It runs from
Kernville up to the Johnsondale Bridge. The North Fork
is heavily stocked with rainbow trout and also has a good
population of holdover trout.
Much of the South Fork is remote and requires traveling
in on horse back or by taking a long hike to fish much of
its waters. It stays very cold even during the Summer
and has big browns and rainbows. The South Fork of the
Kern is a designated wild trout stream above the
southern boundary of the South Sierra Wilderness.
Golden trout are present above Monache Meadows.
Seasons:
The general season is from the last Saturday in April
through November 15. Sections of the river is open to
fishing year-round.
Spring:
Springtime is great in the tailwater if the discharges are
reasonable. In the North and South Forks, the water is
cold and it's mostly nymph and streamer fishing.
Summer:
Summertime is the best time to fish the high Sierras.
Fall:
Fly fishing the Kern River during the early Fall can also
be very productive.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
| Type of Stream Freestone and Tailwater Sections Species Rainbow Trout {Wild and Stocked) Golden Trout (Native) Brown Trout (Wild and Stocked) Size Large Location Westslope of the Southern Sierras Nearest Towns Bakersville Kernville Season Last Sat. of April through Nov. 15 Special Regulations: Golden Trout Wilderness open from last Saturday of April through November 15th. Barbless artificial only. Access: Easy to Difficult Depending on the Area Non-Resident License State of California Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart (Coming soon) Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies |
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Photo Courtesy of Stephen Lamb
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Kern River
California
California
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |