Posted ByMatt on September 20, 2004 at 00:36:53:
We decided to head back to the Upper Kern above the bridge again on Saturday. We hit the same spot as 2 weeks ago, about a half a mile upstream from the Johnsondale Bridge. Parking lot was full, as was the river just above the bridge. Lots of hikers along the trail as well, but only saw a couple of people fishing. Weather was cool, air temp at the river at 4:00 was 72 degrees. Water temp was 62 degreees, clear and running well. A layer of high clouds began to thicken, and it actually looked like it might rain by about 5:30. We did not get rained on however. I decided to try a few techniques that I don't employ very often if at all. I tied up a couple of Olive Matukas for some streamer action, and stopped to see Raquel and picked up a few Kern Emergers, and Bird's Nest's to try the "dry and dropper". I usually avoid the dry and dropper because I can never seem to deliver both flies successfully to the water. Sad to say, but no pictures, as we did not do very well. I started with the Matuka, and fished it for about 20 minutes, with no action at all. Switched to the Madame X and Kern Emerger, and actually got a couple of hits on the MX. Could not connect however. Then I switched the dropper to the Bird's Nest. I landed a small rainbow ( 9") on the MX soon after. Then a little while later, I got an even smaller one, about 7", on the Bird's Nest. A couple more missed hits on the MX, and that was it. Time to go. Karen fared even worse...a couple of hits on the MX, and one hit on a Wooly Bugger, none landed. The fishing should definitely perk up here soon, not nearly as many people on the water. All in all though, a nice day, tried some neglected techniques, and had a good hike with Karen and Reese. Matt