Kern River Fly Fishing Forum - Rockhouse basin South Kern

tormenta New Member I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 1	Rockhouse basin South Kern Mar 25^th, 2012, 1:38pm Hi guys: Years ago we used to fish in Rock House basin before it was wilderness and you actually drive there. I was interested in fishing there again. I was wondering where would be the easiest, shortest way to hike in? Thanks
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Wildman

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Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern
Reply #1 - Mar 25^th, 2012, 4:22pm

Welcome back! I think you set a record for being a member and waiting over 2000 days before posting.

I gotta ask....why now after six years?

I can't help you with pertinent info into Rockhouse although I believe there is no "easy" way in and out...only an "easier" way in and out. Perhaps someone else will be able to help out with your first post and request for information.

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xRunr

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Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern
Reply #2 - Mar 26^th, 2012, 8:54am

Funny, I have long wanted to return to Rockhouse too. I last fished
there just before I got into fly fishing and would love to go back with
flyrod in hand. A buddy of mine hiked in the old jeep trail last summer
and the trail is pretty much gone. Hiked thru the brush most of the way.
I think its 3+ miles, downhill, as you likely already know. If you make
the trip, be sure to post a report.

Rick

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"If you don't do it this year, you'll be another year older when you do" Warren Miller

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ChrisC Platinum Member SSFFC Fashion Director Livin' the dream Posts: 1600 Gender:	Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern Reply #3 - Mar 26^th, 2012, 10:06am The trails all suck, and the hike out is brutal by the time the water level comes down enough to be able to fish it because it's usually June or July and super hot and a long uphill slog the whole way. Chris P.S. I love run-on sentences!
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Richard_Cullip

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Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern
Reply #4 - Mar 26^th, 2012, 10:36am

Quote from xRunr on Mar 26^th, 2012, 8:54am:

Funny, I have long wanted to return to Rockhouse too. I last fished
there just before I got into fly fishing and would love to go back with
flyrod in hand. A buddy of mine hiked in the old jeep trail last summer
and the trail is pretty much gone. Hiked thru the brush most of the way.
I think its 3+ miles, downhill, as you likely already know. If you make
the trip, be sure to post a report.

Rick

I hiked the old road shortly after they closed it to vehicles. It was an easy stroll downhill to the river but seemed at least three times longer when I walked back out. I ran out of water on the hike out and suffered enough that I considered laying down and dying as an attractive alternative to finishing the hike Wink

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xRunr

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Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern
Reply #5 - Mar 26^th, 2012, 10:52am

Quote from Richard_Cullip on Mar 26^th, 2012, 10:36am:

Quote from xRunr on Mar 26^th, 2012, 8:54am:

Funny, I have long wanted to return to Rockhouse too. I last fished
there just before I got into fly fishing and would love to go back with
flyrod in hand. A buddy of mine hiked in the old jeep trail last summer
and the trail is pretty much gone. Hiked thru the brush most of the way.
I think its 3+ miles, downhill, as you likely already know. If you make
the trip, be sure to post a report.

Rick

I hiked the old road shortly after they closed it to vehicles. It was an easy stroll downhill to the river but seemed at least three times longer when I walked back out. I ran out of water on the hike out and suffered enough that I considered laying down and dying as an attractive alternative to finishing the hike Wink

I'm sorry, but your response cracked me up. Only because I think most of us have had
a similar experience. My buddy's friend felt the same way you did on their hike out.
Glad you survived and live to fish another day. Cool

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"If you don't do it this year, you'll be another year older when you do" Warren Miller

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TECH Platinum Member one more cast Posts: 1124 Gender:	Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern Reply #6 - Mar 26^th, 2012, 1:42pm Be carful you may end up in a haunted shanty town 7 miles+ in down a canyon with a 12 pack in your hand wondering where the south fork is. Also watch out for the 600-7000lb black bear.
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Brian R

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Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern
Reply #7 - Mar 27^th, 2012, 2:26pm

I too used to drive that Jeep road and the trail down is easy and a B coming back out. No one mentioned the rattlesnakes. During the hotter part of the summer they are everywhere. I hun t and fish that area. You can also come down from Kennedy. It is longer but you can fish all the way down. Don't expect the 22" plus browns that used to be there all the time. They are gone. I haven't seen anything of that size since 1979. The latest snow and cooler weather should make the hike nice as soon as the season opens for the area. But I would not do this trip after May 15th. Too many issues with Bears and snakes. It has changed a lot. Feel free to PM me if you want.

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TECH Platinum Member one more cast Posts: 1124 Gender:	Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern Reply #8 - Mar 27^th, 2012, 8:32pm There are a buttload of snakes and they are more agressive then anywhere else Ive been to. Ive been there 3 times and see bears every time. Its wild and awsome. Just a Pain getting out like the guys are saying.
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fishinXJ

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Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern
Reply #9 - Mar 27^th, 2012, 8:58pm

Quote from TECH on Mar 26^th, 2012, 1:42pm:

Be carful you may end up in a haunted shanty town 7 miles+ in down a canyon with a 12 pack in your hand wondering where the south fork is. Also watch out for the 600-7000lb black bear.

Epic trip report!

Late June or Early July when a cold spell hits! Good fishing and a survivable hike out. This year will be different since there's not much snow. Snakes make good stew Wink

shane

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Cast It Forward!

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John Harper Silver Member Posts: 131	Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern Reply #10 - Mar 28^th, 2012, 7:58am Wow, I was just thinking about a trip there this season. Missed the last trip the members made. With the lower snow levels, the river should drop earlier than last year's flood. What's a decent flow for good fishing? John
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Brian R Platinum Member Love to Hunt and Fish with the kids Posts: 1179 Gender:	Re: Rockhouse basin South Kern Reply #11 - Mar 29^th, 2012, 3:19pm Decent flows are below 80cfs. Anything above that if your above or below Kennedy is tough. But can still be done. But if its up I stay home. Just 35 plus years of going tells me. If you go way up to 8500 plus feet and are willing to walk it is different. Shane knows what I mean.
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