An assortment of commonly used fishing flies. | Jeffrey Walters
Well, it looks like this year Mother Nature pulled a fast one on us here in the Kern River Valley. Here we were getting ready for winter, then it seemed to be put on hold for some reason. We are still having some chilly nights. However, the days have been incredible lately and that means better fishing.
Getting out on the Kern River these past couple of weeks has really provided some very good fishing. Not your typical November type of moving water experience to say the least. These past couple of days, the fishing has been very exciting for the brave souls willing to walk the river.
This type of weather requires the angler to get moving and hunt down their prey. Low water levels in slow-moving water offer plenty of hiding spots, and the right angler knows just how to get the job done. Sneaking up on their prey and making the right offering because with the low water levels, you may only get that one cast into a fish holding area before they get spooked.
Become the “ninja” when walking the river, take your time, be very observant and watch the water, see how it moves around the rocks and boulders, think like a fish. Walk slowly, sneaking up on those larger pools and make sure you don’t go stomping your way around because they can hear and feel that and will never come out. Watch the swirls on the water as the fish suck in those unlucky bugs flowing by.
This type of stealthy fishing takes time and must be learned. No “bait and wait” fishing here. Nothing wrong with that in most areas, however, here you really need to go out and get them. Even though most types of fishing will produce, this unusual weather brings out the insects like springtime. Covering sections of the river, making diving patterns into the water to lay eggs, buzzing your face and taking a bite here and there. This is where an experienced fly fisherman will prevail hands down.
Even if you don’t know how to fly fish, there are many types of flies that can be used with a regular spinning rig. The proven “fly and bubble” work well in this type of environment. The angler is not casting a fly line but instead is using a fly under a clear water-filled bobber. You can see many examples online and how effective this method is at fooling those bigger fish.
The most successful anglers out during this mild weather will be fly fisherman. The large amounts of insects that are out gives them a better chance of catching more fish. The lessons, techniques and observation used by most will also give them the upper hand. A skill that must be learned, refined and relearned again and again is what it takes to become successful on the water. So become like they are, copy their success patterns and you too will become successful this season.
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