Kern Valley Canyon Connection Community Forums

I was just talking to a fishing buddy about our plans for the Opener. Starting in Bishop. He mentioned that the Kern will received a huge stocking for a Derby. I didnt believe him so I went to the DFG site.
Now I am torn between the Kern and the Eastern Side

Kern River Trout Fest to be Held on April 24
The Kern River Hatchery in Kernville will host its annual Trout Fest to coincide with the statewide trout opener, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. DFG will stock a minimum of an additional 10,000 pounds of trout into the Kern River just prior to the event.
“We are happy to be once again stocking the Kern River with trout,” said Marvin Waters, manager of the Kern River Hatchery. “In this community, opening day is a great cause for celebration.”
Admission to the Trout Fest and all related activities are free. This year’s highlights include a Trout Derby, with prizes awarded to the anglers who catch the three largest trout (measured by weight), all-ages basic fishing clinics held at 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m. and fly fishing clinics for varying skill levels to be held throughout the day.
Kids can feed the fish in the raceways and try their hands (literally) at catching a trout in the Greased Trout Pond. Art activities will run continuously, including gyotaku, the traditional Japanese art of fish printing.
Pan-frying and grilling demonstrations will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., featuring free recipes and samples of foil-wrapped barbecued trout.
The Fishing and Natural History Museum, sponsored by the Friends of the Kern River Hatchery, will be open all day for guests to peruse the many collections of native plants and animals in the area and an exhibit featuring fishing tackle used by early anglers.
DFG will also feature its mobile hatchery exhibit, which consists of hatchery planting trucks filled with fingerling California golden trout, California’s state fish.
The Kern River Hatchery is located at 14415 Sierra Highway in Kernville, across from Camp Owen, one mile north of the James Store.
“We hope everyone in the area has a chance to drop by to touch, feed and taste a rainbow trout,” said Saul McGarity, interim president of the Friends of the Kern River Hatchery. “Trout Fest is a lot of

Good news about stocking

What conditions have changed from a year ago that allows stocking now??

Great news about the trout about to be stocked. Are there any concerns being raised about the size and flow of the river at this time that may deter the stocking?
Just checked the stats and the flow is upwards of 1800 cf/s. Thats raging from what we experienced a month ago when it averaged 1000 cf/s for the weekend. still planning our second Kern trip of the year the weekend after next. No matter what we are looking forward to a great time. Any feedback?

Nag
V.P. Goofy Bastards Fishing Club
This is not a real club, we are just a bunch of goofy bastards

Wow! I couldn't believe those flow numbers so I grabed my flashlight and ran down to the beach to check it out. Sure enough it's flowing. It has been raining on and off since noon, 10pm now. Snow level is 3,500 feet and there is snow on all the peaks. Most of the rise has been in the last 12 hours. I expect this rise is due to a hard rain somewhere upslope and not from the spring melt. Don't expect flows to drop much below 1,500 this far into the season. Still plenty fishable. Some of my best fishing came close to 3,000 cfs when the lake fish moved up. Shore fishing is not an issue but wading definitely gets sketchy and should be approached with great caution.

Thanks for the update. We have also done well in high flows. Just have to find where the fish are.

Nag

I was out back when I saw the stock truck pull up across the river in frandy park at noon. He was towing a water trailer ad backed down to the water. They opened the valve and dumped the entire truckload of fish. Probably at least a thousand fish. First time I have seen them do that. Should make for some awesome fishing this weekend.

ALL I can say is AMEN.... I'm from the Ventura County and the DFG loves to stop planting the only waters I enjoy to fish. I'm not sure if anyone is aware of Fishing within the Ventura County but we used to have local small lakes and rivers stocked. Rose Valley to name one and San Ynez River... Apparently the 40+ dollars we spend on our fishing licenses aren't enough. When I heard that they were going to stop planting the Kern last year my heart dropped. This was going to leave me with the High Sierra's for fishing. Granted I go there 7-8 times a year but its no hop-skip-an-a-jump away!!! I'm heading up to Kern on sunday and I'm excited that I can finally fish some of my old spots. This will bring revenue back into Kern... The worst thing that ever happen to Kern was not stocking it... Who wants to Camp where you cant fishhhhhhhhh???!!! DFG should of thought about that one... I will take pictures since we all know fisherman are liars!

I went up to the Kern on Fri. about 2 PM. I manage three 12"ers. Got up sat .tried the same spot with 0 luck. From there I went up to fairview and fish my way back down to camp, right above the golden trout lodge, 0 luck, so I went just below camp and got six more, three of which went back. I talked to the ranger and he told me they were doing real good just above fairview at the day use area so, off I went, I got six more, three went back. We cooked up four for dinner and the rest are in the frig. The weather was real nice all weekend, though it did get real windy on the lake. I hope to go back up in three weeks and then again Fathers day weekend. The kids in the park were having a ball catching 9"ers all day long.