Forks of the Kernon Upper Kern River
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Upper Kern River
- 01Clear skies and 61°F weather creating comfortable fishing conditions.
- 02Peak October Caddis hatch activity, especially in late afternoons and evenings.
- 03Major to peak Blue Winged Olive (BWO) hatches, prominent on overcast days.
- 04Flows are likely stable or decreasing, indicating good water quality and accessibility.
- 05Targeting seams, eddies, and deeper pools where trout hold and actively feed.
What to tie on at Forks of the Kern
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Soft Hackle Wet (Partridge & Orange)
Effective for imitating emerging caddis pupae during active summer caddis hatches, good for swinging through runs.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Baetis Nymph
Blue-Winged Olive nymphs are highly active subsurface during their spring emergence, and this pattern is an excellent imitation.
Skwala Stonefly Dry
Skwala Stoneflies are actively hatching, and fish will be looking for these large adults on the surface.
Elk Hair Caddis
Active caddis hatch throughout summer, a universal and effective dry fly imitation.
Buy at AmazonMurray's Little Yellow Stonefly Dry
Golden Stoneflies are actively hatching in May on the Upper Kern, making this a prime dry fly imitation for rising trout.
Parachute BWO
Blue-Winged Olives are having major to active hatches, especially on overcast days, making this low-profile dry fly essential for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
Large stonefly nymphs are a critical food source in spring. This weighted pattern gets down to where fish are holding, imitating dislodged insects in potentially higher flows.
Buy at AmazonSkwala Stonefly nymph
Skwala stonefly nymphs are highly active subsurface before they hatch, making this an effective pattern to fish deep.
Stimulator (Orange)
Excellent large attractor and imitation of October Caddis adults or larger terrestrials in faster fall currents.
Buy at AmazonCalifornia season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.