Floating the Kern River and Finding Cooler Summer Water
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
When summer heat settles into the Kern River Valley, fly fishing becomes a game of temperature management. As air temperatures in Kernville push into the 90s and occasionally break 100 degrees, the river responds. For anglers, this means adjusting your schedule, rethinking your locations, and sometimes, changing how you access the water.
In his latest fishing report, Guy Jeans tackles these summer conditions head-on, sharing a report from the water while floating the Kern in a two-man raft.
Beating the Heat: Timing and Location
The most critical piece of advice for summer fishing on the Kern is simple: fish early. Guy recommends getting on the water at first light and wrapping up by 10:00 AM. During these early hours, the water is at its coolest—around 70 degrees in the sections near town—and the fish are much more active and willing to feed. By the middle of the day, water temperatures in the Kernville area can climb into the 65 to 70-degree range, which is tough on the trout and slows the fishing down significantly.
If you want to fish later into the day, or if you simply prefer cooler water, the strategy is to head upriver. The Kern River extends for another 50 miles past the Johnsondale Bridge, and as you gain elevation, the water temperatures drop. Guy notes that if you hike into these upper sections, you can find water temperatures in the low 60s, which provides excellent summer fishing conditions.
Just remember, if you are heading above the Johnsondale Bridge, you are entering a special regulation area. It is your responsibility to know and follow the rules, and game wardens actively patrol the area to ensure the fishery is protected.
Floating the Kern River
While much of the Kern is accessed by wading, floating the river offers a completely different perspective and allows you to reach water that rarely sees pressure. In the video, Guy is fishing from an Outcast Pac 1200, a two-man raft that he has used on the river for 25 years.
He points out a crucial detail about floating the Kern: this is not drift boat water. The Kern is known for its steep gradients and gnarly Class IV and V rapids. Drift boats simply do not work here. Small, maneuverable rafts are the only safe way to navigate the river, and even then, it is highly technical. Guy strongly recommends that anyone looking to float the Kern goes with someone who knows the river intimately, as the water can be challenging and safety is always the priority.
If you are interested in experiencing the river this way, Kern River Fly Shop offers single-person floats, which are an incredible way to explore the canyon and fish untouched water.
Understanding Summer Flows
Flows on the Kern River are heavily influenced by the powerhouse operations, which means the water volume can change dramatically depending on where you launch.
Where Guy is floating in the video, the flows are around 350 CFS, which is perfect for a small raft. However, if you head to the low-flow section—basically from the Kernville powerhouse upriver—the flows drop significantly to around 140 CFS. This lower volume makes for excellent, safe wading.
If you drive further upriver, above the Fairview Dam, the flows jump back up into the 350 to 360 CFS range. Understanding this section-by-section breakdown helps you choose the right water for whether you plan to wade or float.
River Section | Approximate Flow | Best Access Method |
Above Fairview Dam | ~350 - 360 CFS | Wading (with caution) or Floating |
Low-Flow Section (Above Powerhouse) | ~140 CFS | Wading |
Below Powerhouse | ~350 CFS | Floating or Wading (edges) |
The Stack Mend and the Swing
From a tactical standpoint, Guy demonstrates a highly effective technique for fishing deeper runs: the stack mend.
Using a 9-foot, 3-weight Sage R8 rod paired with a Rio line, he fishes a dry fly with two droppers attached to a 9-foot leader. When casting into a deeper drop-off, he throws a stack mend—essentially feeding extra slack line into the drift right after the cast. This allows the nymphs to sink faster and deeper into the strike zone without being dragged unnaturally by the current.
As the drift comes to an end, he lets the flies swing through the current. Just like in previous reports, this "on the swing" presentation proves deadly, triggering a solid strike from a beautiful Kern River rainbow. He also notes the importance of using barbless hooks, which makes releasing fish quick and easy, especially when you are fishing from a boat without a net.
If you are planning a summer trip to the Kern, stop by Kern River Fly Shop in Kernville. Whether you need to check the latest water temperatures, pick up some barbless flies, or ask about the low-flow wading sections, local knowledge is your best asset. You can shop flies and gear online before you arrive, or book a guided Kern River fly fishing trip—including a float trip—to see the river from a new perspective.
If you want to dial in your mending and rigging, check out the shop’s fly fishing school and clinics. And to make sure you never miss a report, join the Kern River Fly Shop email list for updates on conditions, fly recommendations, and local news.
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