Spring 2013
Free
Kern Angler Kern River & Isabella Lake fishing guide
www.kernrivercourier.com No. 6
Catch 2013: Will you catch the big one? $250,000 in prizes offered
What’s Inside
Michael Batelaan Kern Angler
Michael Batelaan/Kern Angler Check please - David Gil is one the three $10,000 winners from the 2012 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby. The check was so big that fish sponsor California Land Management staff had to help him hold it up for the photo.
Fishing Derby April 20, 21 & 22 2013
Happy Camping
Derby trout-less without them
Kern Angler
Mike Mencarini Kern Angler
Campgrounds in the Valley and the shoreline around Isabella Lake are controlled by the U.S. Forest Service. As of spring 2010, camping fees are in effect in most campgrounds. Check with the Forest Service offices for details. Also, as a reminder, camping in one spot is limited to 14 days out of a 30-day period. For more camping information, visit the U.S. Forest Service’s offices in Lake Isabella or Kernville. The telephone numbers for the U.S. Forest Service’s offices in Kernville and Lake Isabella are (760) 376-3781 and (760) 379-5646.
Almost a quarter century old, the Isabella Lake Fishing Derby has for years offered a quarter of a million dollars in catchabletagged trout. In the last few years, the Isabella Derby has mushroomed into what some are calling the biggest amateur trout derby in the world. Now there are at least ten $10,000 trout, two $500 trout, a $250 trout, three $200 trout, plus one that could be worth $40,000. The Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the derby, will have a trout valued at $20,000, but if the registered angler who catches that trout is wearing an official Isabella Lake Fishing Derby
shirt or hoodie at the time of the catch, the value of the prize doubles to $40,000. Purchase your shirt or hoodie early, because derby shirts will be in limited supply. The 2013 derby, to be held April 20 through April 22, will feature a quarter of a million dollars in prizes and have many contests and prize categories and multiple national sponsors. This year’s Derby major sponsors are Berkley, Shakespeare and Budweiser. There are at least 60 local merchants sponsoring $100 to $500 trout. In addition, a fully-equipped Lowe Suncruiser pontoon boat with motor and trailer will be raffled off, from the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Galey’s Marine Supply in Bakersfield. You must be registered in the derby to
See Derby Page 6
2
Twenty three years of Derby data and upper Kern River map.
3 4 7
Identify the fish of the Kern River drainage with the Isabella Lake fish finder. Isabella Lake map with campgrounds, lake features.
All you need to know about camping and boating in the Kern Valley.
Trout corps of volunteers California Department of Fish and Game delivers the young trout. There are 5 to 7 of these youngsters If you and the other to a pound. They are then outdoor lovers with put on a feeding program whom you share space of three times a day; with, are experiencing a seven days a week until a case of cabin-fever, I week prior to the start of have just the cure. It is a the derby. The volunteer three day fishing and feeders are very dedicatcamping event that has ed to raising these been held on fish; they have to be Isabella Lake for the past 23 years. Without them (the volunteers) it like mail carriers for they do this regardThe official name would be the trout-less derby. less of the weather. for the event is the 24th Annual - Mencarini They are a hearty bunch. Isabella Lake In case you hadFishing Derby. This fishing derby is and shows what a group n't figured it out yet, these the largest amateur trout of volunteers who care trout are the main attracfishing contest in the for their community can tion. Without them it would be the trout-less country, with a possible accomplish. As the derby cash payout of a quarter The work begins in derby. of a million dollars early November and approaches the day ($250,000). For the price December for this year's before the start, the feedof a movie with the fami- event. The nets are fitted ers have had several days ly, you can enter your to their temporary off, and the logistics of family in the Derby for homes (the pens) at the arranging the boats and three days of fishing fun. end of the docks at boat captains along with This is a major event in French Gulch Marina. western United States, Shortly thereafter, the See Trout Page 6 with more than 6,000 anglers fishing for those top prized trout, some worth $20,000 or more. There are lots of trout worth $50 to a $1,000. The dates for the 2013 Derby are April 20, 21, and ending on 22nd. This event requires so many who do so much,
“
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Michael Batelann/Kern Angler Top feeders - A meal of trout pellets is served up to the Derby trout being housed raised in cage at French Gulch Marina. More than 33 volunteers have been feeding the trout three times a day, rain or shine, seven days a week.
Page 2 Kern Angler
Kern River & Isabella Lake fishing guide
www.kernrivercourier.com Spring 2013
Kern Angler
Upper Kern River
The Kern Angler is a special edition produced by the Kern River Courier
Reproduction policies The entire contents of the Kern Angler are copyrighted ©2013 by Kern River Courier. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
Publisher Michael Batelaan
To Black Rock
To Johnsondale South Creek Limestone
Limestone Joes Diner
mile 20
Bombs Away • Roads End
k ree C s bia o T
Pack sadd le Cr Fairview eek • Fairview • Calkins Flat • Chamise Flat
190
Salmon Creek
Satan’s Slot mile 14 Salmon Falls
north
mile 12 Gold Ledge
• Towns 190
Roads & Highways
miles
0
mile 10
• Springhill • Corral Creek
Campgrounds
Sock-em-dog
• Day Use
190
• Other Interests mile 8 Hospital Flat River, Streams & Creeks • Chico Flat Rapids Fender Bender
Three-day prize total
2012: 2011: 2010: 2009: 2008: 2007: 2006: 2005: 2004: 2003: 2002: 2001:
47,850*** $26,590* $75,810**** $30,640** $6,510 $13,230 $25,140* $10,360 $14,280 $10,700 $ 8,870 $ 2,330
155 191 258 182 116 253 311 224 275 208 183 44
• Riverkern
mile 2
• Kernville Fish Hatchery Ewings
Kernville •
E-mail address: office@kernrivercourier.com Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and by appointment. ©2013 Kern Angler/Kern River Courier All Rights Reserved.
Data Tagged fish caught
Three-day prize total
2000: 1999: 1998: 1997: 1996: 1995: 1994: 1993: 1992: 1991: 1990:
$ 6,920 $ 9,500 $15,380 $ 6,500 $ 4,020 $15,000 $23,000* $ 8,860 $13,600 $ 8,910 $ 6,160
148 269 305 138 85 250 247 104 235 303 348
*One $10,000, **Two $10,000, ***Three $10,000 and ****Six $10,000 fish caught during the derby three-day weekend.
Total entries: 2012: 2011: 2010: 2009: 2008: 2007:
6,294 6,735 6,547 8,820 5,082 4,608
2006: 2005: 2004: 2003: 2002: 2001:
3,906 3,835 3,289 2,643 3,473 3,833
call
2000: 1999: 1998: 1997: 1996: 1995:
4,702 4,191 4,898 4,080 5,021 5,800
1994: 1993: 1992: 1991: 1990:
3,790 5,355 4,315 3,014 4,704
411 9-1-1
■ Ambulance ■ Fire ■ Law Enforcement ■ Search & Rescue ■ Lake Patrol ■ Forest Service
Sheriff/CHP Substation
mile 4
To Wofford Heights
Tagged fish caught
Emergencies
Headquarters Cannell Cre ek
Q
Phone: 760-376-2860 Fax: 760-376-2862
Kern River Valley
• Thunderbird Camp 3 mile 6 • Halfway
ek un Cre Bull R KR3 Powerhouse
(next to the WH Post Office)
Fishing Derby historical
Enterance
mile 16
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1145 Wofford Heights, CA 93285 Office: 6392B Wofford Blvd. Wofford Heights
Advertising policies Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertising at any time. Cancellations or rejection shall not preclude payment on similar advertising previously run. The Kern River Courier is not liable for errors in copy or an advertisement beyond the cost of the actual space occupied by the error. Publisher reserves the right to place the word “advertise-
Fairview Dam
mile 18
Contributing writer Mike Mencarini Photographers Michael Batelaan Ad Production Michael Batelaan Advertising Sales Valerie Minoux, Sara Wakeman Business Office Sara Wakeman
Brush Creek
ment” on any ad copy that appears to resemble editorial matter.
7046 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella Weekdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. business calls only, 760-549-2100
Kern County Fire Stations Kernville Station 76 11018 Kernville Road Kernville business calls only, 760-376-2219 Lake Isabella Station 72 4500 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella business calls only, 760-379-2626 Southlake Station 71 9000 Navajo Ave. Weldon business calls only, 760-378-3055
Kern Valley Hospital Emergency Department McCray & Laurel Mountain Mesa 760-379-2681
Recreation information U.S. Forest Service Isabella Lake office: 4875 Ponderosa Drive. 760-379-5646 Kernville office: 105 Whitney Rd. 760-376-3781 (around the corner from the museum) Closed weekends.
General infomation Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce 6404 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella (across from Senior Center) Local: 760-379-5236 Toll Free: 866-KRV4FUN Kernville Chamber of Commerce 11447 Kernville Rd. Kernville (corner Sierra Way & Kernville Roads) Local: 760-376-2629 Toll Free: 866-KERNVILLE
Spring 2013 www.kernrivercourier.com
Fish finder:
Kern River & Isabella Lake fishing guide
A quick identification guide
Game fish of the Kern River and Isabella Lake Rainbow Trout Lateral band on the sides is reddish to violet. Quite silvery except on the back. No small red spots on the sides.
Brown Trout Dark brown or olive brown on the back, shading to golden brown on the sides and white or yellow on the belly.
Little Kern Golden Trout Highly colored with distinctive shades of red and yellow on lower sides and belly.
Large Mouth Bass Upper jaw extends past a vertical line drawn through rear margin of eye. Dorsal fin deeply notched compared to small mouth bass.
Small Mouth Bass Dark vertical barring on sides. Upper jaw does not extend to rear margin of eye and dorsal fin not deeply notched.
Black Crappie Silvery with irregular dark green or black mottling. Length of dorsal find about equal to front of dorsal fin to eye.
Blue Gill Dark spot at rear base of dorsal fin, vertical bars on sides, body very deep and compressed, mouth small, pectoral fins long, pointed.
Red Ear Sunfish Opercular lobe stiff, with broad red or orange margin below and behind. Gill rakers short and stout. Pectoral fins long and pointed.
Channel Catfish Small irregular spots on sides. Tail deeply forked, with pointed lobes. 24 to 29 rays on anal fin. Narrower head than white catfish.
Black Bullhead Fin membranes usually black. Pectoral spine weakly barbed on rear edge. Tail squarish and is not deeply forked.
Kokanee Salmon Has elongated, torpedo shaped body, bluntly pointed snout. Typical coloration is bright red with a pale green head.
Carp Body ranges from brassy green to golden to silver. Humped appearance, large scales. Long dorsal fin.
Kern Angler Page 3
Profile
Isabella Lake Mike Mencarini Kern Angler
Prior to the construction of Lake Isabella, the lake bed as we now know it was a gold rush town known as Whiskey Flats. In the early part of the 1900's, the town prospered and the name was changed to Kernville. The Kern River flowed just on the outskirts of town, all the way to Bakersfield. As the city of Bakersfield grew as an agricultural community, the need for water increased. In the late 1940's, the Army Corps of Engineers developed plans to create an artificial lake. The area best suited was where the town of Kernville and Old Isabella then stood. Beginning in the late 1940's, some homes and businesses were moved to what is now Kernville just a few miles up the road and Lake Isabella a couple of miles below the new lake. Everything else was dynamited and razed. When the construction of the Main Dam and the Auxiliary Dam were finished in 1953, there was California's largest man made lake, 568,075 acre-feet at full pool. Lake Isabella’s renown for its huge
bass, with many fish hitting the teens on the scales. With an abundance of shad, crappie, bluegill and the periodic stocking of trout, Isabella bass have plenty of food to grow them big. Some say that Isabella could produce the next California record bass. Whether fishing from shore or from a boat, Isabella trout are easily caught. The lake has a great fishery for trout, as the Department of Fish and Game and the Chamber of Commerce annually stock thousands of pounds of beautiful rainbows in Isabella. Trout in the 4 to 6 pound class are not uncommon. Isabella features a year round crappie bite with both white and black species in the lake. In the spring when the lake water level begins to raise, large schools of crappie can be found in the submerged willows of the North and South Forks of the lake. The Kern River Valley is a sportsman's paradise with great year round fishing and hunting with a mix of hiking, camping, biking, rafting and an airport for those who have a small plane. There are plenty of accommodations to fit everyone's needs and budget.
Please don’t drink & drive!... Call the local
T AXI 1-760-376-2227
Fishing Derby Discount
500Off
$
Any fare of $20 or more
Kern River Valley Local & Out of Town Service
Page 6 Kern Angler
Kern River & Isabella Lake year-round fishing guide
www.kernrivercourier.com Spring 2013
Derby, Continued from page 1
Lower Kern River To Southlake
Isabella Lake To Kernville
178 Auxillary Dam
155 Main Dam Main Dam
• Lake Isabella
Slippery Rock •
Pea r
l Ha
north
rbo
rD
rive
mile 2
Keyesville Bridge
• Towns Roads & Highways
190 miles
Chamber of Commerce office at 6416 Lake Isabella Blvd. until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17. Beginning Friday, April 19, Derby headquarters moves to the Moose Lodge at 6732 Lake Isabella Blvd. You can also register by mail to KRVCC, P.O. Box 567, Lake Isabella CA 93240 or go online to isabellafishingderby.com until 4 p.m. April 17.
Trout, Continued from page 1
• Keyesville South
Keyesville •
win almost all of the prizes. Derby registration closes at 7 a.m. sharp on Saturday, April 20. Once that time has passed, it is too late. When the derby begins, there are no more registrations accepted. Derby registration costs only $20 for an individual and a bargain price of $45 for a five-person family and only $5 more for each additional child. Tickets for the boat are $20 each or six for $100. In-person pre-registration will be held at the Kern River Valley
mile 4
the fish handlers takes center stage. The boats are fitted with aerated tanks for the planting of the trout to all parts of the lake. The day prior to the start, the handlers will net a pre-determined amount of trout for the stocking of non tagged fish. Once the planting is done, each boat captain will be issued an envelope with a set number of tags, each boat will have a person responsible for physically reconciling each tag to its place on the tag information form, also on every boat there is a netter, a tagger, and an official
observer who matches approximately the fish's size so it corresponds to the tag number for reference. After all the fish designated to be tagged and released are stocked, the outdoor part of the event is done. If you were wondering, no one has any idea which tags are worth what. As anyone can see, this is a huge responsibility and this does not include all the volunteers who start their jobs once the derby has started or for that matter the pre-registration. This event has but one goal, for everyone to just have a great time.
0 Ol nR d
• Other Interests River, Streams & Creeks Rapids
WWW.SOUTHERN-SIERRA.COM
yo an nC
• Day Use
Borel Powerhouse Q Sandy Flat mile 6
er
Campgrounds
dK
Unimproved Road
Miracle Hot Springs •
178
Lilly Canyon
Hobo
mile 8
760-376-4485 Visit us on your smart phone
White Maiden’s Walkway
Welcome Back
Returning Fishermen
mile 10
Our Fishing Forum has renewed it’s active exchange now that stocking has resumed. Join the Discussions, Ask questions, Share info & concerns.
Rd
Gree nhor n Cre ek
mile
12 Old
Ke
rn
Delonegh a Creek
Ca ny on
Royal Flush
•
Delonega Hot Springs
Sycamore Creek mile 14
Delonegha Bridge reek Mill C
Horseshoe Falls
China Gardens • mile 16
178
Pin Ball • mile 18 Diversion Dam
•
Democrat Picnic /Day Use Area Democrat Hot Springs
KERN VALLEY CANYON CONNECTION THE LONGEST EXISTING KERN RIVER VALLEY
COMMUNITY FORUMS
BOARD RECENTLY UPDATED & STILL PROVIDING VISITOR, FISHING & HUNTING INFO / DISCUSSIONS SERVING THOUSANDS SINCE 1995! Everything You Need to Impress The World... In One Location
760-376-2177
No Obligation Quotes & Answers Always Shop Before You Invest!
To Bakersfield Check it Yourself... Just Google, Yahoo or Bing ~ Kern Valley
Spring 2013 www.kernrivercourier.com
Kern River & Isabella Lake fishing guide
Kern Angler Page 7
Lake Safety Dos and Don'ts Kern Angler
Here are some Dos and Don'ts, that might help make your Derby experience be a most pleasent one and keep you out of deep Doo, Doo. ■ Do make sure that you are properly registered prior to the morning of the opening. ■ Do follow all of the Derby regulations. ■ Do follow all of the California fishing regulations. ■ Do follow the Forest Service regulations, and last but not least, ■ Do follow the regulations of the Lake Patrol. That will cover the Derby, the state, the feds, and the county. That's a big to do list. ■ Don't let your dog use your neighbor's property to mark its territory. ■ Don't let your children go unsupervised because there are dangers around the lake shore. ■ Don't play your music louder than
is necessary, being able to hear it in your camp area only is perfect. ■ Don't leave unattended fishing gear cast in the lake for long periods of time. Reel them up and leave them in the holders to save your spot. Unattended lines could cause someone to loose a tagged fish in a tangle of lines. ■ Don't park your vehicle in a way that would prevent someone the ability to access their vehicle; emergencies do occur. ■ Don't get intoxicated. It may change your attitude, or worse, it could get you arrested. ■ Don't leave any trash lying around your camp as the wind will move it, and when you are packing to leave, please take all your trash to a dumpster (they will be provided for this purpose) or home. Your effort will be greatly appreciated. ■ Do have a great time and a safe drive home. Good luck.
If you brought your boat to Isabella Lake, you’ll need a permit for it. ■ Boat permits must be purchased, according to the Kern County Parks and Recreation Department, which licenses boats on the lake and patrols the surface of the lake with a Boat Patrol vessel. ■ Regulations must be strictly followed. Citations may be issued to those violating boating regulations. ■ Permits are available at any marina and at several convenience stores in the area including Isabella Supermarket and Crossroads Shell in
Lake Isabella, James Sierra Gateway Markets in Southlake and Kernville. ■ Unmarked underwater hazards, such as submerged fencing (particularly near and around canals), tree snags, rock outcroppings, sand bars and rock islands appear and disappear with Isabella's ever-changing water level. ■ Be aware that Isabella Lake has sudden winds that come up that can gust to 60 mph. When in doubt, get off the lake! ■ Keep in mind that the law limits boating to the daytime: one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Boating Regulations ■ Speed Limit is 5 mph (no wake) within 200 feet of shore, within 100 feet of swimmers (other than waterskiers), near docks, marinas or within South Fork Wildlife Area. ■ Alcohol or drug use is illegal while operating a boat and is a felony if such use causes death or serious injury. Conviction may bring a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. ■ Boat operators must be at least 16 years old. Each person aboard must have US Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device; water skiers and personal watercraft riders must wear PFDs at all times. ■ A tow boat must qualify to hold at least 3 people, including an observer at least 12 years old, capable of rescu-
ing an injured waterskier. The observer must raise a red flag whenever a line is out or a skier is preparing to ski or a skier is down. ■ The Right-of-Way rules apply to everyone on the water, including windsurfers. As with driving a car, passing is on the right, yielding at a crossing gives the go-ahead to the vessel on the right and overtaking another vessel requires a wide berth. Anchored and sailing vessels usually have the right-of-way. ■ Waterskiers, personal watercraft riders and windsurfers often seek the calmer waters near the Auxiliary Dam. They may reach speeds from 35-70 mph, posing a hazard to each other as well as to boaters. It is best to simply avoid congestion.
Rainbow for the Rainbow A Power Bait buffet of every color in the rainbow is sure to attact one of the same with worms and salmon caviar on the side.
What to do when the fish are not biting Kern Angler
If the fish just aren’t biting, here’s some things to try. Sometimes the sluggish have to be coerced. ■ Change your bait. The only way to catch a fish is to use the right bait. If all your neighbors are using salmon eggs, use stinkbait. It’s like an advertising sales campaign. When responses starts to flounder, take a look at your offer. Are you giving your prospect an incentive to bite? Or are you simply saying, “Here is my product or service. Let me know if you want it.” ■ Change your tackle. Inexperienced fishermen often use hooks and line that are too heavy. Try a lighter approach. ■ Go where the fish are. Fishermen go back to the same spot again and again because they have success there. Ask
the marina or bait shop owners where there’s a good spot. There are lots of bait shops in the area and they’re all willing to help you find the right spot. ■ Cast your line in new waters. When your fishing spot goes dry, it’s time to move to a different spot. Cautious testing can reveal a hot spot. If it doesn’t pan out, try yet another one. ■ Fish when the fish are hungry. Timing is everything. The most successful fishermen cast their lines at the crack of dawn when the fish are hungry and more apt to bite. Resist the urge to have that extra cup of coffee and get out there. ■ Be patient – and persistent. A successful fisherman may cast his line and reel it in a dozen times before a fish will bite. It’s patience and persistence that brings in a limit at the end of the day.
Cheryl’s Diner 28 years serving the Kern River Valley
Cheryl Borthick Voted 2010 Kern County Small Business Person of the Year
Friday Night: All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry! Saturday Night: All-You-Can-Eat Ribs or Spaghetti!
Camping
Happy
Special use free and fee camping should be plentiful all around the lake during the fishing derby. For camping information see www.reserveamerica.com or contact 1-877-444-6777. ■ Notice: Individuals will be cited for camping in areas normally closed to camping unless otherwise posted.
2013 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby $100 Trout Sponsor
The Isabella Lake Fishing Derby is one sure way to catch some fish, a sunburn and some zzzzzz’s.
Michael Batelaan Kern Angler
Isabella Lake boating information Kern Angler
Shore thing
• Daily Specials • Breakfast Served All Day • • Home Style Desserts • Seasonal Patio Dining • Open 6:00am • Dinner 5:00pm till Close • Breakfast Served all Day
11030 Kernville Road, Kernville 760-376-6131
Your Lumber, Masonry, Hardware, Paint, Tool & Plant Nursery Place Hardware
L&M LUMBER INC. 4700 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella 760-379-4631 Monday through Friday 7:00 to 6:00 Saturday & Sunday 8:00 to 5:00 Ace Rental - Ace Contractor Center
Satisfaction Guarantee: Your Satisfaction is our goal... We Guarantee! Note: L&M Lumber is not responsible for printing errors. Some merchandise may be subject to stock on hand. L&M Lumber however will make every effort to honor most out of stock items with a rain-check.
Kern River & Isabella Lake fishing guide
Looking for a home away from home? Look no further!
We currently have mobilehomes for sale and monthly RV spaces for rent. Call or stop by today! Every campsite is equipped with water and electric (most include sewer)... no generators here! Our downtown location is easy and convenient for our guests to explore the restaurants and shops. Come visit us today to take a look around and book your next vacation to the Kern River Valley!
www.campkernville.com “Now Taking Online Reservations”
www.kernrivercourier.com Spring 2013
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Full Hook-Ups Shaded Campsites 30/50 Amp Service Tents Welcome Table & Fire Ring/Grill Hot Showers (Included) Air Compressor Station Dump Station Ice & Firewood For Sale Laundry Available Year Round Camping RV Storage
24 Sirretta Street Kernville, CA 760-376-2345
N
Sirretta St
Page 8 Kern Angler
Camp Kernville ■
Circle Kernville Road Park
■ Ewings Bridge