Upper Kern Flows

[nickname]

Has anyone recently been to the upper Kern, Forks of the Kern (is it crossable there now?) , and hopefully anywhere between Kern Flat and Grasshopper Flat recently? I'm planning a trip early next month and finding flows in that area are quite difficult. It's difficult to determine what's going on up there based on the Dreamflows charts. Thanks for any assistance.

[maverick]

Hi Nickname,

Welcome to HST!

Ranger says there is no safe crossing of the Kern between Kern Flat and Grasshopper Flat, he said there is a stock bridge above Kern Flat heading to the Hell Hole area.
If you need more detail call 559-539-2607.

[Ultrajen]

I was up by seven tea cups a month ago and the water was really high and fast I could send you pictures of the river if that helps

[limpingcrab]

Last time I went there, last year, it was at 210 and I have in my fishing notes that a bit lower would make wading easier. That same gauge is at 344 right now so I'd guess it would be hard to find a good crossing without just swimming a slow section.

That's all conjecture but I can do one better in a few days. I'll be fishing from grasshopper flat up to the park boundary this weekend and will try to remember to report back. If you'll be fishing maybe I can add some info from my notes as well

[limpingcrab]

Just got back from one night at Grasshopper Flat and one night by Kern Lake. It was higher than my previous visits but I was able to find places to cross at or just above knee deep pretty easily. Or, at least somewhere to cross at least ever 1/4 mile or so.

Fishing was great upon arrival, then the wind and cold snap caught up to us and it slowed waaaaay down. 27 fish in under three hours the evening I arrived, then only 7 the next day, then none the morning I left