Kern River

[metalkingdom]

Just got back from two days of casting practice (yeah right) on the Upper Kern.  Was hoping to beat the runoff, but it's too late.  Got one take the first evening - that's it.  That flow kicked my butt!!!  Guess I'll have to warm up somewheres else.

 

[Hunterbug]

The fish are still there and still have to eat, you just have to adjust your tactics for them. Try a dry with a dropper along the banks, I like a hopper and Phesant tail. Also, look for places where a small clear feeder stream comes in and that'll give you some clear water to fish. Another tactic is streamers, when the water is high and muddy a big shinney streamer is easier for the fish to see. Better luck next time.

 

[metalkingdom]

Thanks for the advice, but I tried all of that.  Fished several dry/dropper patterns, started where the clear feeder creek entered the river, and even tried a big, black woolly bugger for a few hours.  We're talkin' about a river with a very miniscule native population.  Almost all stockers.  That thing was pushin' too.  Wading that river was nearly impossible.  The power bait crew weren't even scoring.  Time to stop writing now - the excuses are starting to pile up.