[7 Waves]

Going to be staying on the Kern River over Memorial Day Weekend and haven't done much river fishing (fished plenty of backcountry lakes and creeks with fly & bubble). Any advice as to how to rig up for the Kern? Will be first time in that area, looking forward to it. Thanks in advance for any help. 7W

This post edited by 7 Waves 05/12/2008

 

[Baja Dreamer]

There are many ways to rig for the Kern. It depends on what you want to do. Perhaps the most common method is the old "fish finder" set up. This invloves using a sliding sinker, (1/8 to 3/8 ounce), up the main line and then using a small snap swivel or barrel swivel as a stop. The leader, (18" - 24" long), is attached to the swivel and the hook should match what ever you intend to use for bait. Dough baits like Power Bait or Zeke's, need a small treble hook. The mistake most folks make is using one that is too large. A #16 or even a #18 is fine for this. Just use enough bait to barely cover the hook. My favorite is the florescent red Power bait. If you are using worms or salmon eggs, adjust the type and size of your hooks accordingly. If you like drifting your bait for fish rather than fishing it in place, all you need do is tie your hook to the end of your main line, (I recomend 4 lb. line for this and often use 2 lb. myself.), and a small split shot or two the same distance above the hook. I can't necessarily tell you the size of the split shot as that will depend entirely on the current. Crickets are also an effective bait on the Kern and can be drifted with the split shot, or if you are seeing rising fish, drift them on top by flyling them or using a small cork bobber. I make my own bobbers from leftover wine corks and use a salmon egg hook for the crickets. If you like the greater challenge of catching trout on artificial lures as I do, remember one word..........gold! Spinners and spoons can be very effective on the Kern but for me at least, gold has been the most productive color. My favorite lure is a 501 or 502 Super Duper, but I have also caught fish on little gold Kastmasters and other spoons, as well as many makes of spinners so long as they had a gold blade. With the heavier flows this timew of year due to high country melt off, you will want to have a few heavier lures that will get down to the fish in the deeper runs. There are also many good fly fishing oppotunities and this time of year, gold beadhead nymphs should produce fairly well. You might try your casting bubble with these. In many spots along the river, it isn't practical to fish a rod longer than 5 1/2' because of the brush. A short rod also makes it easier to travel up and down stream along the bank. If you will fly fish, waders are a must to have any real fun whit it, also because of the brush. Most of the river below the Johnsondale bridge is easily accessable from the road. To fish above the bridge, you need to park at the bridge and take the walking bridge across the river and the steps down to the trail. This is where the wild section of the river begins and upstream of the bridge it is lures with barbless hooks only! The trail isn't too bad, (If you have kids, just keep and eye on how close they get to the edge in some spots.), and the fishing can be very good up there. Where will you be staying? Hope this helped! FISH HARD!

This post edited by Baja Dreamer 05/12/2008

 

[7 Waves]

Great reply, very helpful indeed, many thanks.

I also like fishing artificials, so I'll probably give the super duper and kastmasters a try, along with the straight tie fish finder. At least I have all the ingredients for those approaches, except for the crickets, but there are a few in the garage lately that could join in the fun.

Usually we like to do some backpacking or car camping this time of year but we are feeling like having it easier this year so we got reservations at Kern River Golden Trout Resort (http://www.goldentroutresort.com/).

We'll probably try to day trip over to the Kennedy Meadows area too. Saw your report posted, looks like you and the girls had a wonderful time there. Thanks for sharing. We'll see how we do in a couple weeks.

Thanks again for the tips.

 

[Baja Dreamer]

Yeah, the Kern River Golden Trout Resort looks like a first class place alright. And it's far enough upstream from Kernville that you have access to a good portion of the river without having toO drive to far. The folks at the resort should be up on the latest fishing info but in case they aren't, try the James Store in Kernville. You'll drive by it in Kernville on the right hand side as you drive up to the resort. They also have all the bait,(Including crickets!), lures, and locally tied flies there. And since you read my report, if you decide to try a day trip to Kennedy Meadows, you know you'll need to find out about the road over the top at Sherman pass before starting out. It may still be closed on the back side. If the road over Sherman pass is open, it's a whole bunch shorter trip than what we ended up doing as well as being a prettier drive. For a lot of fun with the artificials, you might want to consider the wild section above the Johnsondale bridge. Take a day pack with a lunch and some water. About two miles up there is a waterfall where Dry Meadow Creek runs into the river that should be running pretty good right now. It's a great place to have lunch and there is usually a good length calm section above the falls which usually holds a few trout and is also good for a dip and wading. The trail isn't too bad and there are plenty of places to fish along this run. There are a couple of sections of the trail where you have to watch your step, but nothing serious. The whole length of this section is four miles to the point where the trail turns east to meet the Rincon trail. If you will have children with you, watch them closely around the river as the flow is up from the melt off. They don't call it the "Killer Kern" for nothing. Good luck to you! FISH HARD!

This post edited by Baja Dreamer 05/13/2008

 

[Marley]

EXCELLENT reply and advice, Chris! The only other thing that I would carry would be a small, white Rooster Tail (or two).

 

[rubble]

EXCELLENT reply and advice, Chris! The only other thing that I would carry would be a small, white Rooster Tail (or two).

As well as the smallest Panther Martins in Black w/Red or Yellow spots you can find.......... Good Luck....

 

[ChannelIslands]

EXCELLENT reply and advice, Chris! The only other thing that I would carry would be a small, white Rooster Tail (or two).

Ditto! Great info Chris. I like to use black and yellow vibra roosters. They work great for me! I prefer to walk down the river casting into every promising hole. Look for the slow, deep water next to the fast moving water. The fish tend to rest in the slow areas eating stuff that floats by. When the fish are being picky on the spinners I switch to salmon eggs! As Chris said light line too. Be carefull not to lose too many set ups. Low water exposes alot of junk. Last time I was there was in Nov and it was pretty low. Good Luck! Chris

This post edited by ChannelIslands 05/14/2008

 

[Baja Dreamer]

EXCELLENT reply and advice, Chris! The only other thing that I would carry would be a small, white Rooster Tail (or two).

As well as the smallest Panther Martins in Black w/Red or Yellow spots you can find.......... Good Luck....

I like to use black and yellow vibra roosters. They work great for me!

Thanks for the kind comments guys!

These are all good choices as well, and sticking with something you have confidence in will generally help you to fish better.



One other thing that I have hesitated to mention is that for anyone who intends to fish the river above the Johnsondale bridge, if you have one available and are so inclined, carry a gun with you.

I told friends and customers for years that if they were going to fish there, they should carry a firearm with them becuase of the mountain lions that inhabit that portion of the canyon. I used to hunt squirrels there quite a bit and had seen the cat tracks in the snow along the trail many times.

They all thought I was nuts.................until a local young woman was attacked and severely mauled about a mile from the parking area. Her two male companions saved her by throwing rocks and stabbing the cat with a knife.

The story I got was that the DFG brought in a government hunter who tracked and killed the cat which was found to be emaciated. The DFG officers said that the cat only attacked the woman because it was starving. The hunter informed them that the reason that this cat was so starved was that there were probably two or three other cats in that canyon that weren't letting this one eat!!! [email protected]

BE CAREFUL!

The fishing there can be wonderful, but keep a watchful eye out at all times. I rarely trout fish off of the hard road in the national forest anymore without carrying a gun.


FISH HARD!

 

[Hithard]

EXCELLENT reply and advice, Chris! The only other thing that I would carry would be a small, white Rooster Tail (or two).

As well as the smallest Panther Martins in Black w/Red or Yellow spots you can find.......... Good Luck....

I like to use black and yellow vibra roosters. They work great for me!

Thanks for the kind comments guys!

These are all good choices as well, and sticking with something you have confidence in will generally help you to fish better.



One other thing that I have hesitated to mention is that for anyone who intends to fish the river above the Johnsondale bridge, if you have one available and are so inclined, carry a gun with you.

I told friends and customers for years that if they were going to fish there, they should carry a firearm with them becuase of the mountain lions that inhabit that portion of the canyon. I used to hunt squirrels there quite a bit and had seen the cat tracks in the snow along the trail many times.

They all thought I was nuts.................until a local young woman was attacked and severely mauled about a mile from the parking area. Her two male companions saved her by throwing rocks and stabbing the cat with a knife.

The story I got was that the DFG brought in a government hunter who tracked and killed the cat which was found to be emaciated. The DFG officers said that the cat only attacked the woman because it was starving. The hunter informed them that the reason that this cat was so starved was that there were probably two or three other cats in that canyon that weren't letting this one eat!!! [email protected]

BE CAREFUL!

The fishing there can be wonderful, but keep a watchful eye out at all times. I rarely trout fish off of the hard road in the national forest anymore without carrying a gun.


FISH HARD!

I agree with that statement. I'd add be attentive to where you are, some areas don't allow firearms. North of the bridge back towards Johnsondale can get pretty remote and I've been in there wondering why in the hell I left my gun in the truck.

I also agree that there are areas where if you are hiking along the river with kids you need to be very attentive.

 

[Baja Dreamer]

I agree with that statement. I'd add be attentive to where you are, some areas don't allow firearms. North of the bridge back towards Johnsondale can get pretty remote and I've been in there wondering why in the hell I left my gun in the truck.

I also agree that there are areas where if you are hiking along the river with kids you need to be very attentive.

To the best of my knowledge it is legal to carry a firearm anywhere on public land in the national forest. It would have to be since it is all open to hunting. (Except inside the campgounds.) In fact if memory serves me correctly and they haven't changed this recently, it is legal to carry concealed while you are in the act of fishing according to state law.

And yeah, along the river you ALWAYS need to watch the kids, especially the little ones. And on the trail upstream from the bridge, there are places where there are steep drop offs down to the river, but they are OK even for kids if you take your time and watch your step.


FISH HARD!

 

[7 Waves]

Great advice overall and very appreciative of the fishing tips. I did want to thank you for recognizing the dangerous mix of kids and fast moving water. We won't be taking any kids along this time but will be mindful ourselves. I know the Kern has a reputation of being dangerous, and flows are predicted to be high and peaking at the end of the month.

Also about the firearms, I think you are correct that they are okay in National Forests but I believe in any designated Wilderness Areas that they are restricted.

 

[Hithard]

I agree with that statement. I'd add be attentive to where you are, some areas don't allow firearms. North of the bridge back towards Johnsondale can get pretty remote and I've been in there wondering why in the hell I left my gun in the truck.

I also agree that there are areas where if you are hiking along the river with kids you need to be very attentive.

To the best of my knowledge it is legal to carry a firearm anywhere on public land in the national forest. It would have to be since it is all open to hunting. (Except inside the campgounds.) In fact if memory serves me correctly and they haven't changed this recently, it is legal to carry concealed while you are in the act of fishing according to state law.

And yeah, along the river you ALWAYS need to watch the kids, especially the little ones. And on the trail upstream from the bridge, there are places where there are steep drop offs down to the river, but they are OK even for kids if you take your time and watch your step.


FISH HARD!

And in the picnic areas, on the roads, etc...Just wanted to be clear it wasn't the wild west.

 

[Baja Dreamer]

Also about the firearms, I think you are correct that they are okay in National Forests but I believe in any designated Wilderness Areas that they are restricted.

Nope, that's not correct. You can still hunt in the wilderness areas so guns are allowed, you just have to walk into most of those places. I've carried a gun plain sight in the Golden Trout Wilderness, (A rifle on a pack.), walking in from the Loyd Meadows trail head and going down to the crossing at the Forks Of The Kern, and not been hasseled at all by the rangers or anyone else. (Go figure! ) Deer zone X-10 includes Monache Meadows which is accessable by vehicle and is heavily hunted during both the regular season and the late G-38 season. Monache Meadows is also inside of the Golden Trout Wilderness. It would make it hard to hunt there if they didn't allow guns. FISH HARD!

This post edited by Baja Dreamer 05/15/2008

 

[Baja Dreamer]

And in the picnic areas, on the roads, etc...Just wanted to be clear it wasn't the wild west.

Well of course not on the roads or in the picnic areas, or around the campgrounds either, although during deer season many folks do so in and around the campgrounds and no one complains. (Go figure! )

And parts of this area ARE still like the old west! 8*

One of my favorite things used to be behind the counter in McNally's General Store. (I think it's still in there but I forgot to look when we stopped there.) It's a bumper sticker that tells the entire attitude of the locals. It says:

"We don't give a damn how they do it in L.A.!" 8):tu:




(Actually the folks up there are generally pretty friendly and helpful! )


FISH HARD!

 

[Hithard]

Its funny as I wrote that I thought, its not entirely true. Back in the day my old man would walk around with his super blackhawk in this old leather holster, and I think...its just like the wild west. I've seen some real yahoos up there and just didn't want to promote everyone walking around out there with firearms.

BTW not an arguement, more of an aside, in order to carry legally in the wilderness zone don't you have to be hunting or fishing? Without a hunting license, fishing license and pole I think that I remember reading somewhere you could have an issue.

 

[7 Waves]

Seems to be some gray area on the gun thing in designated Wilderness Areas. I called a couple National Forest Service ranger stations and both confirmed that guns are not allowed in Wilderness Areas. However, in looking at a NFS web site on Shooting Sports it says:

"The only regulations specific to use of weapons imposed by the Forest Service is that you cannot discharge a weapon within 150 yards of any structure/development or occupied area, within or into a cave, across or on a road or body of water, or in any manner that endangers a person.   You also cannot use any tracer or incendiary ammunition.  Forest Service regulations require that you also comply with all State laws regarding the use of firearms while hunting. 
 
If you are planning on visiting a designated Wilderness Area, the Regional Forester or Forest Supervisor has the option to implement a special local order which additionally prohibits the mere possession of a firearm within that Wilderness Area.   So you should contact the Forest Supervisor's office to find out whether such a restriction has been imposed."

Didn't find anything that says guns are not allowed in Wilderness Areas. Looks like you had it right, but then again depends on who you ask.

 

[Baja Dreamer]

re: "Gray Area"? I Don't Think So!

Seems to be some gray area on the gun thing in designated Wilderness Areas. I called a couple National Forest Service ranger stations and both confirmed that guns are not allowed in Wilderness Areas. However, in looking at a NFS web site on Shooting Sports it says: "The only regulations specific to use of weapons imposed by the Forest Service is that you cannot discharge a weapon within 150 yards of any structure/development or occupied area, within or into a cave, across or on a road or body of water, or in any manner that endangers a person. You also cannot use any tracer or incendiary ammunition. Forest Service regulations require that you also comply with all State laws regarding the use of firearms while hunting.

Those are also in the basic hunting regs for the state. All of that is correct, except that guns are not allowed in wilderness areas. The rangers by and large are a bunch of tree hugging green weenies who don't like guns or hunting. The NFS rangers have been known to make an occasional informational "mistake" because of this. @( But there is NO "gray area" concerning gun possesion or carry in a National Forest wilderness area! Here is the ?end all? to this. I just got off the phone with Brian Adams of the Cannell Medows Ranger District which oversees this area. Mr. Adams is a law enforcement officer with the National Forest Service and is stationed at Cannell Meadows. He can be reached at (760) 376-3781. I asked Mr. Adams about the gun question and he told me that there is absolutely NO kind of restriction on carrying a gun in a wilderness area or anywhere else in the NATIONAL FOREST. The place you cannot carry or posses a gun is in a wilderness area or anywhere else in a NATIONAL PARK! I was already pretty certain of this because I've hunted and fished that entire area quite a bit. But I checked because I didn?t want anyone getting into trouble on just my say so. At any rate, the NFS rangers you talked to are either sadly misinformed as to the regulations in their area, or they are simply lying through their teeth for a hidden agenda. I?ll leave it to you to decide which.

If you are planning on visiting a designated Wilderness Area, the Regional Forester or Forest Supervisor has the option to implement a special local order which additionally prohibits the mere possession of a firearm within that Wilderness Area. So you should contact the Forest Supervisor's office to find out whether such a restriction has been imposed." Didn't find anything that says guns are not allowed in Wilderness Areas. Looks like you had it right, but then again depends on who you ask.

And you won?t find anything either. I also don?t know about that special local order BS either. That is just another deceptive tactic IMO. If there were such a ?special local order? in effect, it would have to be clearly posted at the informational kiosk or similar structure at all ingress points to the wilderness area just like special fire restrictions, etc. If it isn?t clearly posted, it doesn?t exist. This is no different than when the rockfish regs were being changed so often by the DFG. Until the landings recieved paperwork on the reg changes, there were none. Also, don't forget that you need a permit to enter a designated wilderness area. They are available at the NFS office nearest you! FISH HARD!

This post edited by Baja Dreamer 05/15/2008