BY MIKE STEVENS
KERNVILLE – Air, water, anglers and trout are all cold in the Upper Kern River, but winter fishing for both wild and stocked trout has been de- cent,and the trophy-fish lamp was lit at least once in recent days. With multiple storm systems in the rear-view mirror, and regular stocking paired with wild rainbows well-suited to chilly water temps are making for a nice mix of biters in the Kern’s 20 Mile Section.
The weather has stabilized, and we are seeing steady action midday fishing with attractor nymphs and some of the standard winners, too,” said guide Rob Buhler of Kern River Fly Fishing in Kernville. “Fly selection is pretty much the same, and we are catching recently stocked fish mixed with more wild and holdover trout than were catching in January.”
According to staffers at the shop, nymphing with small bugs has been the ticket, and hatches of Blue Wing Olives have been consistent. They also recommended upping tippet size and swinging streamers in the deeper pools if the bite is slow.
