Hook Ups

The proposed Hike Dates: 9 Sept. to 27 Sept. (19 days), The setup/car shuttle will be done on 8 September. Hike capacity, 5
The Route: The hike will start in Kings Canyon National Park from Cedar Grove (Hwy. 180) at 5,500 ft. We will proceed east up Bubb Creek to the King - Kern Divide. An alternate entry might be made from the east side out of Independence, CA (Hwy. 395). After topping a 13,000 ft pass into Sequoia National Park, we will explore the rarely-visited high altitude lakes of the Upper Kern Basin. We will then hike south down the Kern River visiting Kern River Hot Springs along the way. The hike will exit Kern Canyon at Hole in the Earth returning to the road at Jerky Meadow Trailhead. Total distance is about 60 miles. A car shuttle is required, unless we can find a helpful driver to drop us off at the north end.
If you have even more time, the hike ends near the Golden Trout Wilderness and the lower Kern River.
Fishing: Fishing is reported to be good to excellent at the deeper lakes in the Upper Kern Basin. Reports are sparse because very few people visit this area, mostly mountaineers. Fishing on the upper Kern River is legendary. The lakes are well away from the Pacific Crest Trail, but stock and crowds may be found along the river, especially as we cross the High Sierra Trail or near the lower end. Kern River water flows should be moderate to low, but temperatures will be cool in the upper reaches.
You will need to very carefully select the fishing gear you will carry. If your pack is too heavy, you won't have as much fun. Two rods and reels would be the maximum advised. I will be carrying a 9' 4 pc. 5 weight fly rod and a 7' 6" backpackers spinning rig for the lakes.
Notes About the Hike: This will be a very strenuous hike with 7,500 feet of altitude gain in the first few days. Participants must be in good shape and have extensive experience backpacking in wilderness areas. Significant portions of the hike and camping will be at altitudes over 10,000 ft. Major portions of the hike will be off trail using compass and map to navigate. You must be able to be self-sufficient and confident that you can survive if accidentally separated from the rest of the group.
We will not need mountaineering equipment, but lightweight crampons might be carried by those who want to explore the very highest lakes.
The daily average distance is just over 3 miles, but fishing/rest days mean some days the hike will be 8 to 10 miles, especially along the Kern River where the trail is flat and downhill. I expect we will fish even on hike days when we spot a very promising stretch of river.
You must have very lightweight backpacking gear in good repair. Participants will be expected to carry about 20 pounds of communal food and gear. Participants need to carry individual first aid and survival gear. Topo maps of the area are recommended.
Since bears are part of the ecosystem, bear-resistant food containers will be required. The recommended food container for this trip is a Bearikade Expedition. These can be rented at the website: www.wild-ideas.net. Participants could opt to use a couple of smaller food containers, but with a weight penalty. You are responsible for providing a bear-resistant container for all food you carry. You may also want to carry bear spray canisters and know how to use them.
Dinners will be communal freeze-dried food. Catching fish to supplement freeze dried rations is expected. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are individually supplied. High energy, light weight snacks, including dried fruit is recommended.
Expect cool to cold nights and warm days trending to very hot in the southern reaches of the Kern Canyon. High winds may occur at the pass and upper basin. Rain, and possible snow, hail, etc. may occur. Water is available over the entire route, but filtering is required where stock is used.
For more information, contact Dennis P. Davie by email: A HREF="MAILTO: dendavie@cruzio.com">dendavie@cruzio.com or call 831-566-7447.
Dennis P. Davie has been hiking and fishing since he was 7 years old. He has backpacked extensively in the Sierra Nevada, Trinity Alps, Marble Mountains, Cascade volcanoes, Canadian Rockies and the Southwest. He was a member of the Stanford Alpine Club in the 1970's. He has rock climbing, winter camping and cross-country skiing experience. He is a member of the Santa Cruz Flyfishers and has been fly fishing for about 1 year.

Ever have the desire to go to Guatemala and catch Sailfish and Dorado on the fly? Then read on. Patrick Totaro, a pioneer member of SCFF, is planning a trip to Sailfish Bay Lodge the last half of March, 2010, and is looking for someone to go with him. He has done this twice before and knows the ropes. The costs are about $6,000. If you would like more information, please call him at 786-9479 or 246-1798.

Just off the coast of Belize is Turneffe Island. It is one of the largest coral atolls in the Atlantic and part of the second largest barrier reef system in the world. Turneffe ("Turn-if") is also one of the top saltwater fly fishing destinations where the warm (75-80 degrees!) shallow waters of the reef are home to the prime objective of our adventure, Albula vulpes, the Pacific Bonefish. In fact, Belize is widely known as the "bonefish capitol of the world." And on Turneffe Atoll, large schools of bonefish (often over 100 fish!) cruise over the shallow inner reef, the "flats," foraging for shrimp, crabs and other tasty morsels in their diet. The thrilling adventure of learning to spot, approach, catch and land these "torpedoes of the reef" is why we're here! Believe us, when you hook your first bonefish, you'll understand why we use the term "thrilling." But Turneffe Flats is famous for more than just bonefish; it is one of the few places in the world where opportunities abound for anglers to bag the elusive "Grand Slam," landing a bonefish, a tarpon, and a permit - all in a single day.
Your hosts for this one-of-a-kind fly fishing adventure are two of Red's key staff: Doug Pendleton, Head Instructor, and Nanci Lambert, Travel Coordinator. As a former marine biologist in Hawaii, Doug is uniquely qualified to lead this tropical fly fishing adventure. Nanci is a seasoned fly angler and a professional travel manager, so you know your travel arrangements will be seamless (check our Doug and Nanci's backgrounds at "Guides" at www.redsflyshop.com).

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