"NOT" Sucker Free Sunday (Kern River)

[Lipripper93561]

Hit up the mouth of the kern river, right before it spills into the lake. The water level is super low compared to a few weeks ago when I was last there. It was a short walk to the spot, but the spot was gone. Did a little walking to find this hole.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4920417189_b01ca6f030_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4920417189/)

My brother got into the first fish on this little run, it was a nice size trout, jumped about 2 feet into the air before it spit the hook.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4920403573_6a301cbab2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4920403573/)

We were using nightcrawlers, cut in half, with a single split shot on a larger than recomended circle hook, barb crimped down. I hate gut hooking trout, since I release all that I can, so I use a larger hook and have a better success with corner of the mouth hookups. Out of about 18 trout, we might have had 3 that did not fully recover. Slayed the trout, some nicer units...then put the hurt on the school of sucker fish in this pool. Of course I release those too......up in the bushes for the birds and coyotes. I've heard stories of these guys putting the hurt on trout fingerlings, and having caught a couple on spinnerbaits, I'm sure they do. The wind was howling, but the fishing was good.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4921015512_43e7ce803a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4921015512/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4921010916_670f0678fe_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4921010916/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4921010916_670f0678fe_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4921010916/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4920409963_08b2b3688d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4920409963/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4921011994_6dac5380a4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4921011994/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4921179756_be880fd845_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4921179756/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4921178326_049c662e91_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/41382124@N06/4921178326/)

A few of the fish looked pretty beat up, the rear sides of the fish were scratched, maybe from making spawing beds? Beautiful colors on most of the fish, the red colors were bright, brighter than I've ever seen before. Good luck

[Fishin Magician]

Looks like an awesome day. Fishing has been great for those willing to move around. Those suckers sure do pull hard. Worst part is that for the first few seconds you think you have a monster trout till you realize something just isn't right.

[adiablo420]

been wanting to hit the kern badd. been having problems with my truck .... thanks for the motivation...

[Lunker1979]

Nice job....never fished the Kern, I'll have to try it one day. Thanks for the report!

[Lipripper93561]

Looks like an awesome day. Fishing has been great for those willing to move around. Those suckers sure do pull hard. Worst part is that for the first few seconds you think you have a monster trout till you realize something just isn't right.

Theres nothing like the drag screaming and then seeing that flash of "gold"......wishing it was a trout. Did you ever get into that spawn run? If so, I have to see some pictures..... I missed it. Think I was two weeks late on the run.

[gletemfeelsteelgary]

damn sweet....summertime trout....

nice work there buddy...

Nice healthy feesh !

Congrats !

betta get ur stripea' skills warmed up cuz I think striper fest is comin round the pike !

: ) Gary

[Lipripper93561]

Got the boat fired up last weekend, had to drain the old gas first, running like a champ. And finally have vehicle that can tow it up the grapevine....let me know the date of the tourney so I can turn in my trophy.......

[fishinone]

Nice catch.

That sucker looked big. That will get you going.

It's been a long time since I drifted a nightcrawler in river.

[Skaguy04]

Yea, the water level is dropping and dropping fast. I was at the Kern last week and it was flowing abound 260 cfs. Flowing a little better from powerhouse down.
Those suckers fight pretty good though.
WTG guys!