The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Hey has anyone ever fished the lower kings river? Thinking of checking it out sometime in the next few weeks and wouldn't mind a little advice. Not much info on line.

Sammy,

I have never fished it out of the park, but I think there is a rough access up from Pine Flat Dam. It is probably still before run off gets serious, so excess water ought not to be a problem.

I am sure some of the Kings River Boys could chip in some info.....

Hello Sammy,
It's been thirty years if it's been a day since I fished the Lower Kings above Pine Flat, back when I had knees. I recall that it's a long, long drive around the lake and up the river. We fished at a place called Garnet Dike, and I suppose it's on a Forest Service map, but Google Earth doesn't show it. We also backpacked up the narrow trail a ways and camped at Garlic Creek, or maybe it was Onion Creek. This is deep down in the canyon, and you don't get much sunlight except at midday. I caught about the biggest fish of my life there, a squawfish as long as your arm, and many trout. We had plenty of solitude, I'll tell you that. We went there one October and got caught in an overnight, drenching rain, the four of us in a plastic tube tent. Oh, it was a riot, you bet. I also took one of my favorite photographs there. There are probably plenty of board members with more recent experience than I, but I say, go there, fish it, the place is well off the beaten path.

Anglerboy

Sammy,

I grew up in that area and fished the Lower Kings many times, it has been several years since I have been back. There was a large restoration project done and they continue to put trophy fish in there. Last time I fished it I caught a 5 lb. rainbow and from what I hear there are fish that are over 10 lbs being caught. Streamers are the way to go for big fish, but I use standard nymphs in size 12-16 range. It usually has great caddis and if you catch a hatch, dries are the way to go. The Upper Kings by Garnet dike is a long drive and unless you know the area or catch it on a good day it is very tough fishing. There is a public park called Avocado Lake on the lower kings that has a great stretch of river behind it. There used to be reports on this site, but you have to register for it first, http://www.kernriverflyfishing.com/. Herb Bauer's sporting goods in Fresno is also a good place on information on the river.

Well we went on thursday and it was awful. The flows seemed high, although i haven't checked yet. One of the locals said it's definitely up. There was a few caddis hatching here and there and a few march browns coming off. We fished by avocado lake. Not one bite, not even a nibble. Sun was very bright, and the wading was extremely tough. The fish weren't interested in anything. We did see one random rise, but it was across the river. Anyways seems like some fishy water, but just one of those days.

also, the river banks are a mess. Gang tags all over the trees (sureno type stuff) The dirty central cal gang bangers tagging where they know they won't get caught. You can pick up trash while your there, but if you don't just STOP, you'll never fish.
I fit what i could in my bag and pockets.

It took us about 3 hours to get there from san jose, which makes it not really day trip worthy... especially when the season opens and we can hit the stan for the same amount of driving. I'll be back though cuz i can't stand getting skunked