While the South Fork isn't as likely to swell up as the North Fork, it definitely isn't as angler friendly. In fact, much of the southern portion is only accessible to the dedicated outdoorsmen who are willing to ride in by horseback. But for those who make the trip, catching a golden trout, the state fish, is worth the effort.
"That's pretty special upstream," Kollenborn said. "There are no hindrances. No dams to speak of. Just the natural flow of the river and native species."
The Golden Trout Wilderness is opened to fishing from the last Saturday in April through November 15. Only artificial lures and barbless hooks may be used for all species.
"It's incredible up there," Jeans said. "I'd compare it to fishing in Alaska. There's big browns and Kern River Rainbows. It's totally different up there because the water stays cold all year long. The water could be 56 degrees there in July."
The Lower Kern, on the other hand, is just the opposite. Flows from the Sierra Nevada's southern-most river are largely dependent on releases from Isabella dam. Portions of the river are diverted to generate power at a trio of hydroelectric facilities and waters temperatures can soar to 70 degrees. So the river is far from wild, but it gives anglers a reliable flow for much of the year. In the spring, the Lower Kern gives fly-fishermen at chance at some feisty smallmouth bass. The lower stretches also produce largemouth, catfish, carp and are stocked with trout.
"It's a unique river because there are so many varieties of fish in there," said Clay Rutledge of Bob's Bait Bucket in Bakersfield (661-833-8657). "There's always a lot of holdover fish because it doesn't get fished as heavy outside of summer. It's not like the Sacramento River where people are lined up shoulder to shoulder. The fish are very a catchable down there. You're rarely going to hear of someone not getting their limit."
Another reason the Lower Kern is a favorite among Bakersfield anglers is the location. The entrance to the Kern River Canyon is located just 15 miles east of Bakersfield on Highway 178, making it a favorite summer destination for the Central Valley and Southern California. "You could head to the lower river and be fishing in 30 minutes, easy," Rutledge added. "That's the nice part. You don't have to go all the way up to catch fish." T
he lower river carries trout from the dam down to the mouth of the canyon, but is typically only stocked from the lake to Democrat Hot Springs. Largemouth and smallmouth regularly track light, bright-colored streamers just below the lake. And while Kern regulars are hesitant above giving away their secret spots on the lower river, limits can be found at Democrat and Hobo and Sandy flats. Fly-fishermen, who resort to nymphing the cool, slower-moving water below the Edison Flume Power Plant should have no problem limiting out in the early spring. Turn to dry flies in the evening if the appropriate hatch is present.
