Fishing the Mighty Kings River (East of Fresno, CA)

[@antiurbanizm]

the gravel road down from wishon is great but eats tires and overlooks the deepest canyon in the US. good to see the kings again. thanks dude.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

There is a lot to do and see in that area but to connect it all together takes you across roads that can be winding, sketchy, narrow, dirt or a combination of all of those!

[@GOyataFishing]

I caught some browns, bass and tons of rainbows a couple of years ago. Give it another go when it gets warmer, gorgeous fish!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Yeah, I've hit lots of good trout over the years throughout the area. I just couldn't get it going and when I did get a little action, couldn't get it into the net. There will be a next time!

[@FishFarts4Dinner]

Putting some miles on the new ride! I love your videos, you’re the man, keep it up!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Yes I am! That was why getting a dependable ride was so essential. I intend to maintain a brutal pace when it comes to traveling to create content!

[@carrie5471]

I live in Fresno. Thank you for sharing…..

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

There is great fishing all over there. I have clips for camping and fishing at Courtright Reservoir, BlackRock reservoir and Shaver Lake on my "variety" and "lakes and reservoirs" playlists. I'll be back up that way for more action. Thanks for tuning in.

[@Flies_the_limit]

Kings was tough this year. Upper kings past the 4th Bridge "Bailey bridge" used to be great trout fishing but this year didn't offer much. Lower kings "below pine flat dam" gets stocked but too many people for me. And both upper and lower are getting trashed by people. It's a shame. Used to be such an amazing spot. Btw yes garnet dike is nice but it's rough for 8 miles and then it's some hiking. The hardcores rappel down and fly fish the holes. I spent 6 days on kings in December during the snow storm and got beat down lol. Skunked and soaked.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

It didn't take me long to give up on that dirt road! I give you props for staying out there during those waves of storm fronts dropping snow. It was relentless! They've built so much everywhere around the mountains and throughout SoCal that people are everywhere now and a lot of them are horrible when it comes to respecting the environment. Watched the Eastern Sierra get flooded with people over the last decade or so. They've built quite a bit in the greater Fresno area as well. Greater Sacramento area, Reno, all exploding with heads!.

[@Flies_the_limit]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 Even the local areas I fish (I live in oakhurst CA) are getting flooded with poachers and others that just completely disrespect the area. It's frustrating. Just this past weekend I was out at a small local lake throwing some flies and about 7 people showed up just stood within 10 feet of me and started casting. Returned the following day they had left trash everywhere and even broke a private property fence to get to a spot they wanted! I guess I just don't understand. How can people behave that way in good conscious? Anyway fish on man love the videos!

[@mikemccarty2606]

Another great video Amani, thank you. Happy January fishing!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Thanks. Now that the snow has eased up, January fishing should be good.

[@evazkee7246]

Great campsites. Free.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

A lot of free sites out there. Just a heck of a drive to reach them! Kirch Flat campground out there has been free for decades but they were renovating it and I think they might start charging. Hope it's not a lot. Fees up at Blackrock now too.

[@monicahaydostian2858]

I'm a local from fresno nice to see your channel.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Cool. I have a few more clips for this area on my 'lakes and reservoirs' and 'variety' playlists. It is a long haul for me to get out there from Reno but I'll make it back out there! Glad you found my channel. There will be a lot more content to come.

[@another5961]

The upper Kings is tough water, notoriously picky fish.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Yes they are!

[@coughranjosh]

Wether you catch or not, I love your videos. I've had COVID the last two weeks but ready to hit it again.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Hope you recover quick. Looks like we'll all get it in the end. Sometimes you just can't get them into the net. This was one of those times!

[@CaptainCompassion1]

The Kings River below Pine Flat is one of the most stocked water in California.

[@CaptainCompassion1]

@Roger Rev According to the California stocking schedule they stocked it this and they are stocking it again next week. There must be some kind of story behind this.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Yeah, I've seen a lot of people fishing that campground area when I was driving in from that direction in years past. Never fished there myself.

[@jadensmith9060]

Just discovered your channel and I instantly subbed I am from Fresno and really enjoyed the video 👌

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. Glad you tuned in. I have my content organized on playlists and there is a lot of it. I have a few videos for fishing and camping around Fresno and there will be more to come in the future. Thanks for watching.

[@jeffjeff5845]

Such a cool looking place

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

So many rattlesnakes out there when it's hot. The Kings isn't that bad, but the canyon the North Fork flows down before it pours into the main river can be horrible! Super high alert!

[@georgefreeman6957]

nice video , i'm getting to see different trout holes out in the west

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I have a lot of options already up across my channel playlists and there will be a lot more content to come.

[@The-Sound-Explorer]

I love your videos, and you are very inspiring, but what sets you apart from the rest is how often you upload.. so regular and I just wish I could get out as often as you do! Awesome stuff.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Thank you. It took a while for me to be able to compress my work schedule down to 4 long shifts so I could have 3 days a week to produce content. So far, it's been worth it. Thanks for tuning in. A lot more content to come.

[@stanthefishermaniii5476]

I think this was the first video I’ve seen you not catch a fish . It was still really cool to see how the river was in that area .

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I get skunked like everybody else! Sometimes they just don't bite and others I simply can't set a hook!

[@stanthefishermaniii5476]

I’ve been getting skunked for over a week . I hooked into multiple steelhead and would lose them and get robbed for my bait every time in Sacramento . It would be cool if you made a video at lake Shasta . I just moved up here and can’t figure the fish out yet .

[@peterbedford2610]

Used to raft there in the late 70's. Great area

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I've been fishing in the Spring there after heavy snow years when that river is raging! Rafters going buy getting soaked by freezing water!

[@danbrent4618]

Beautifully filmed Amani! Some very informative videos! Thank you for taking us along! The Kings is a Sierra Gem, you should dry fly fish it in the Park in the summer! I would love to see you throw a Crawdad Pattern from the Shore of Lake Tahoe, would you do that for me, License video was outstanding. I would love for you to start throwing streamers with a sink tip. I can Tye you some articulated streamers and send them to you, Dan Brent

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I fly fish mostly in the backcountry. I have a lot on my 'backcountry lakes and creeks' playlist. I have some on my rivers playlist. Lake Tahoe, I love to chill and wait for those big boys to come to me for a battle on my small, light 5' rods!

[@danbrent4618]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 Thank you Amani for taking me along on your backcountry adventures, I enjoy all the videos! Dan Brent

[@CentralValleyAdventures]

Great video

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. Thanks for checking out the clip. I have more for that area on my 'lakes and Reservoirs' playlist if you haven't seen them and are interested. I might have a clip on my 'variety playlist' for Voyager Campground up at Courtright Reservoir as well.

[@coryb8432]

That looks like a great River for kayaking

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

If you like whitewater kayaking then this could be a good place to hit this spring if the snow starts falling again. They were working on Kirch Flat campground located right on the river on this trip but it should be open by the spring.

[@coryb8432]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 is that when the water is the fastest imagine it starts to dry out later in the summer?

[@sslurgio3431]

Great pools and sand bars for sun bathing up past rafting camps

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Could be a good year for rafting if the snow starts falling hard again.

[@sharkparty1027]

You should team up with Welking Vue. I have a feeling that you two would get along very well and catch fish.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Perhaps. I don't know who it is because all I watch on You Tube is 80's and 90's music and videos detailing stuff like "how to change a tail light"!

[@sslurgio3431]

You have to go at least 4 - 5 miles for awsome swimming areas

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Yeah, I wasn't feeling spending more time on the dirt road. I've heard the fishing gets good up the river a ways.

[@sslurgio3431]

There is a sand bar that has 2 feet deep water from bank to bank with deep 10 foot pools where fish get stuck..put on goggles and you see huge BASS

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Sounds interesting. That river seems like a cool place to swim with goggles. Clarity is awesome.

[@michaelorosco1436]

I like to fish in Winton Park, right where the river bends. Sometimes I use live worms on a 2 lead setup 14" apart, or a"Carolina Rig" setup. Then at the end of the park, where there's smoother water, I'll use a "Broken Back" silver minnow. I always leave with 3-5, 2lb, 14"+ Rainbow trout. YUMMY!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That's a respectable fish to leave with! That's some good eating. Thanks for checking out the clipo.

[@fishingtimeletsgo598]

You will get them next time👊🎣👍

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

It started getting good but time got me! Next time I'm out that way I'm going to start below that steel bridge and work my way downstream towards Pine Flat.

[@fishingtimeletsgo598]

@@wildernesswithamani1027 Looks like some good water, did you have the whole place to yourself👍

[@bozzhogg559]

Where is this at which part of pine flat exactly

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

This is well upstream from where the river connects with Pine flat. Once you hit Trimmer Recreation area, you have about 30 minutes of driving to go. It's way out there!

[@sslurgio3431]

Good for snorkeling

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Yes, I just commented on swimming with goggles. Snorkel even better!

[@johnpollard744]

No fish but great video.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. I just couldn't close the deal on any strike!

[@Memo-nd6fj]

sounds like you were limited on lures since you only mentioned a few. Did you try anything else that was not mentioned in your video?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

No, I didn't bring much. I came there to try jigs. I didn't have a heck of a lot of variety with me. I rarely do! Just look at the content on my 'rivers' playlist! I don't very much in my fly fishing either on my 'backcountry lakes and creeks' playlist. I typically have a lot of different presentation styles I go through for a limited amount of options depending on the situation. Usually I can make it work. This time, not so much!

[@noel3422]

Omg, this video and many others have made this river a dead river, the DFW does not stock above pine flat lake because "it is a blue ribbon trout fishery" and it was before u tube caused the massive party to start so now it is cool place to camp and grill food, in the past it was a place where 17" rainbow were always on the menu now it is dead.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I hadn't fish the thing in years. Can't Speak to how dead it is now. There's a lot of poaching way out there without a lot of law enforcement. I have over 600 videos across my channel playlists ranging from rivers to backcountry fishing, to lakes and reservoirs and I haven't seen the decline of any fishery I've fished multiple times over the years with tens of thousands of views. Yours is a common assumption people make from time to time in my comment section but I haven't seen it pan out anywhere. Of course there are more people in the mountains enjoying the resources these days. Thousands of homes are being built in the foothills all over the Sierra and the population in most urban centers across the State have exploded. I remember when the Eastern Sierra didn't have nearly as much traffic as it did after housing in SoCal exploded pushing out East. I have tons of Truckee River content on my rivers playlists going back a few years with tens of thousands of views and I catch more big trout in there as I ever did. With the rapid growth into the foothills both east and west of the greater Tahoe area and full time populations in places like Lake Tahoe, Verdi, and Truckee definitely brings more people into the mountains. Still I pull off and hit big trout in places like the West Walker right off the 395, East Carson. and Feather river system with regularity. I pull trout over 20" out of the Truckee River in downtown Sparks, NV. You could be right but the Kings River but it isn't the only river to have a bunch of clips up for it along with countless pictures up across other social media platforms. If that's the only river to be "dead" I might suggest it could be another issue or a combination of a lot of different factors.

[@deko9151]

I know the spots and I know the baits 😉 they call me trout master d. Gj amani

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Right on. If you are new to my channel, I have a lot of content across my channel playlists if you haven't seen most of it and are interested. Thanks for tuning in.

[@sslurgio3431]

It's known as rattlesnake canyon

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I know all about that! I have seen amazing rattlesnake situations up there!

[@jeffrysturgeon]

spinners !!!!!

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I'll have some next time. I just grabbed my barbless river bow and what ever was in there, that's what I used! Not exactly the mark of great preparation.

[@mikehang4249]

Can some one pin the location?

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Several miles upstream beyond Pine flat Reservoir.

[@evazkee7246]

No reservations needed

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

That's always nice.

[@wolverinex4243]

That river is not big.

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

Big enough for me.

[@donjon9709]

Thats what she said

[@707SLAYER]

Bigfoot central be carefull lol ...

[@wildernesswithamani1027]

I need to catch one!