Kern River Reality

[Calduke]

Is it worth a 3 hour drive to go fishing on the upper Kern??

[Gary C.]

I've been wondering the same thing. With the flows coming down and the overcast skys it seems like a perfect time to go. I have not read any great reports but the ones I've seen all had at least a few fish. I made a trip up to the South Fork a couple weeks ago and did just OK on a few few decent browns and Golden Hybrids.
Gary C.

[Calduke]

Thnks Gary.

does anyone have an opinion re fishing Rock Creek?

[Gary C.]

I read on the Rock Creek forum that someone was there and saw both the lake and creek get stocked this past week. Someone else relied that they were both on the DFG site to be stocked again next week. No one has reported on just how the fishing has been tho.
Gary C.

[admin]

It's a coin flip on whether the upper Kern will be worth the trip. Actually they have been catching some nice fish. Those that did had to work for them but, according to Primos they were nice size and color. Some say they are swimming up river from the cemetery area of the lake.

I can say for a fact that the lake has been worth a visit by some of the fish I've seen. Kids are doing a bang up job of hooking cats, crappie, and trout at the recent kids derby. There were also some good reports from the lower Kern recently.

Now the big question is, Is the trip worth... the gas. Prices seem to be going up every day and it's hard to even justify leaving the driveway at home. We've been promoting the area for going on 15 years, but we still won't lie to get people here. Hope some recent "bait and splash" trekkers post their own opinions for you. Join the fight to get the upper Kern taken off the stock ban list.

[Calduke]

Everyone - thanks for the input.

I guess I will give the Bishop area a 3-4 day run. I've been told that the Pleasant Valley Reservoir(PVR) can provide some good action. I've never been there, but, find the location on a map.
What is the best way to access the PVR and where along the reservoir is the preferred location to fish??

BTW - there was considerable concern from the Kernville business community about the negative impact on business due to the halting of the DFG stocking program. Has there been any noticeable downturn in the crowds? Was Memorial Day a disappointment??

Thanks for your help.

[Gary C.]

I believe that most people fish PVR at the inlet. I've never fished there but I've been told it's a fair walk.

[THansen]

Access to PVR is easy., if you come from the topside you can fish about 50 yards from the parking lot near the power plant. I would recommend walking in about 1/2 mile. This section if more of a river/stream setting. If you prefer to bait and wait, then keep heading down. About 3/4 mile down the river flattens out and it is a lake (PVR) It is about 3 miles from the power plant to the dam
If you come in from the bottom, you have to walk about 1/4 mile with some elevation gain. You are walking to the top of the dam. You can fish at the dam, lake type fishing or you can walk in for more lake fishing. I usually go in about 1 1/2 miles. I ride a bike in from the power plant.
There is an Edison service road that runs the entire length from the power plant to the dam. Getting down to the water requires some mountain goat. Alot of rocks in this area. I went there 3 times around the XMAS - New year vacation. it was wide open. i was told the winter bite is much better than the summer bite. From my experience, I would have to agres
I know there are some paths specifically for launching float tubes.

PVR has some rainbow, browns, perch and LMB. Not many bass but some. If you want some more remote wild fishing you can head up stream from the power plant and focus on the wild browns.

[Calduke]

THansen!! Thanks for all the useful info , great help and I appreciate your time

[admin]

Yes, Kernville and the rest of the valley business people are a little concerned. There's a lot of reasons to come to the valley but fishing is a year round draw. Not only businesses but many residents are in the fray also. We're mainly concerned that we're getting needlessly hammered by government at all turns. The once capable but now useless Dept. of Fish & Game refuse to turn in the report that would return the river to stocking immediately. The Forest Service attitude is either close it or charge more for it. They sure aren't taking care of it or improving it. All this belongs to the public so we're constantly fighting the arrogance of individual decision makers who have no accountability whatsoever. The day of the helpful/informative Ranger is long gone. Now they're just enforcement looking for fees and fines. The only thing they are remotely good for is fighting fires and most of that is done by fire crews like the Hot Shots.

Sad to see it come down to this in my lifetime. Sadder knowing that future generations are just SOL with their public lands.

The crowds were only slightly under par this year. I expected a lot more to go elsewhere but the campgrounds were packed. There were actually some nice catches up river, a couple of 4 lb trout were brought into Primo's for photos. Had to be a couple that were in deep holes or that swam up river from the lake. Catching above Kernville requires a lot of work but there are some available. They are stocking the river/lake near the cemetery and some are heading up river. There's been an increase in people fishing the sections straight out from the cemetery and they've been happy with results. Those that we're bragging about their catch are now yelling at the media to quit telling others about it.