After retirement, native tells love of fishing in the Kern River
By Rex Hinkey
I have been asked if I could write a column about fishing on the Kern River. My first thought was, I’m not qualified to do that. However, I got to thinking about it and figured I’d give it a shot.
My grandpa, Jack Hinkey, first came to the Kern River to go fishing in 1939, with his old fishing pole, wicker creel and Converse tennis shoes.
Back then, the fishing was phenomenal, with stringers full of large native Rainbow Trout. He enjoyed fishing so much that he brought his family to live in Kernville in 1945 and was the barber for many years.
Dad worked for Edison during the dam construction, and we lived in Old Kernville. The youngest I remember fishing on the river was as a 4- or 5-year-old while camping at what we called “The Sucker Hole.” You all know it as “Ant Canyon.” I’ve been “hooked on fishing” ever since.
Over the years, I have fished this river day after day, and I must say, I prefer “catching” over “fishing.”
Fishing is a great time to forget about the worries of the world and just be one with the river. The Kern River has a spirit about her that is very healing.
When I retired in 2012, I moved back to my hometown and fished it every day for almost two years.
Our wild and scenic Kern is one of the best fishing rivers in the world. Whether you are a fly-fishing person, bait caster or spinner, it’s the perfect river for it all.
From the Johnsondale Bridge to the lake, the river is stocked with hatchery trout, and the closer you get to the bridge, you might even land a wild trout.
The five-mile trail above the bridge is a selected fisheries area where no bait is allowed, only barbless hooks and artificial lures. This area offers not only a great hike and beautiful scenery but great fishing, where you might score a native Kern River Rainbow Trout and even a German Brown or two.
I’m not a creek or a lake fisherman, but the creeks in the high-country offer some of the best fly fishing around these parts.
Fishing is a very personal adventure, and I would recommend it to anyone. If you go, I encourage you to follow the fishing regulations, especially above the Johnsdale Bridge and high county. With the amount of fishing pressure on our Kern River, follow the rules to protect the fisheries. And, who knows, maybe you’ll catch the elusive “Bodfish.”
Ya never know.
Full of fish of varying year classes, the River Heddon has a good breeding population of native brown trout, a large amount of caddis and other invertebrate life.
From the National Trust car park, walk down the riverside paths to the beach, get in and carefully wade up, picking pockets and chutes all the way while exploring the larger deeper pools.
Please note that this is fly fishing and catch & release only. Please also use barbless or de-barbed hooks.
Fishing at Heddon Valley costs £12 per day.
Fishing can be purchased through the Fish Pass app where you will need to pre pay for tokens, valued at £3 each in blocks of 5 tokens. Meatpossible: chapter 1.5 download free. full. If you have some left over after fishing they will stay safe on your account untill you want to fish again.
With over 30 other venues accross the West Country from £6 to £15 a day, why not give another river a go? You'll find all their details in the app.
Under 18s can fish for just 2 tokens when accompanied by a full paying adult.
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For more information about Fish Pass: Linea the game download offline.
Fish Pass User Guide (PDF / 4.9MB) download
An Environment Agency Rod License is required by law to fish. They can be purchased online or from post offices by the day, week or year. Children under 13 do not need a licence. Licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free but you’ll still need to get a junior licence.
Please visit https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences
Just Fishing: River Valley Veterinary Clinic
After a day of fishing, you can also head to the Hunters Inn for a meal, a pint or an overnight stay. Every penny you spend allows us to continue the important land and wildlife conservation work that we do here in Heddon Valley.