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NF and Marble Fork Kaweah River
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| Suggested Flies for NF and Lower Marble Fork Kaweah River: Southern Sierra Hatch Selection | |||
Other Local Favorites: Dry Flies: | Nymph Flies: | ||
Directions: Access to the Kaweah River is by Hwy 198 from Visalia. Hwy 198 takes you into Sequoia National Park with access to both the Marble Fork and Middle Fork of the Kaweah. The Marble Fork can be reached from Potwisha Campground or by heading toward Giant Forest, about 15 miles ( a steep climb, many switchbacks). Turn north toward Crystal Cave, go 2 miles; parking on north side of river. The North Fork is accessed just north of the town of Three Rivers along North Fork Drive. | ||
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Notes:
The name, Kaweah, is derived from a local tribe known as the Gawia. Within the Yokuts language, Gawia means crow or raven’s cry. Settlers coming into the area during the mid-1800’s mispronounced the “G” in Gawia with a “K”. The tribe was so named because they were reportedly known to be a loud and rowdy group of people, like a flock of crows. The Kaweah River system contains both Browns and Rainbows. Generally these fish average 10-12″ but the size is often dependent upon water flow, particularly during drought years. The Kaweah and it’s tributaries are open year-round to angling with a 5 fish daily limit, 10 in possession. Sequoia National Park RegulationsAll waters within the Sequoia National park are designated Catch & Release only with a 0 limit on Rainbows and 5 fish limit on Browns. This restriction applies to waters below 9000′ elevation. Artificial lures and flies with barbless hooks are required. Generally the water is clear which requires stealth and good presentation. The best fishing is within the Park. The Dept. of Fish and Game used to plant the lower reaches of the Kaweah river, outside the park, with about 4,000 rainbows each spring and summer. The program was discontinued due to water temperatures getting too warm for a self-sustaining population. The waters below the park boundaries are dominated by bass, crappie, and bluegill. North Fork KaweahJust above the town of Three Rivers, the North Fork Kaweah converges with the Main Kaweah. The North Fork Kaweah road follows the North Fork through the community of Kaweah and up to Yucca Creek. This road is paved until just past the ruins of Advance. Advance is an interesting site as it was built during the 1880’s by a Utopian Socialist cult called the Kaweah Colony. Their primary income was timber cutting and they built sawmills and a road along the North Fork Kaweah to transport timber to Three Rivers. The colony also built a road, called the Colony Mill Trail to the Sequoia groves now known as the General’s Grove. Prior to the naming of the General Sherman tree, the Kaweah Colonists had named the tree in honor of Karl Marx. The Sequoia National Park was created in 1890 and most of the Kaweah Colony members were arrested for illegal cutting of timber. The Colony was soon dispersed. A lot of the area along the North Fork Kaweah road is private property but the BLM has 2,200 acres in the area providing river access at Paradise, Advance, and Cherry Falls. This area is heavily used by rafters and bathers. DFG has planted Rainbows in the early Summer around the community of Kaweah at an elevation of 1000′. DFG plants have been cancelled within this area due to high water temperatures. Some Browns can be found within the pools above Advance at an elevation of 1500′ and continue upstream to Yucca Creek (ele. 2000′). Above Yucca Creek, some Brookies can be encountered as well as Browns, up to Eshrom Creek (elevation 2400′). Marble ForkThe Marble Fork of the Kaweah is within the Sequoia National Park. It is considered to be a tributary of the Middle Fork but is often identified as just Marble Fork. Survey results from the State of California show that most of the fish are Browns and Rainbows in the 6-10 inch class with a few larger browns. The Marble Fork starts at Potwisha Campground where the fork converges with the Middle Fork Kaweah at about 2300 feet. The river is a freestone stream up to Marble Falls which is 3 miles upstream at 4500 feet. Best access of this section is just above the small dam upriver from Potwisha campground. Fish mostly the pools. Access can be difficult as you proceed up the slot canyon. A trail from Potwisha will meet with the river at the falls. The canyon narrows and access from the Marble Falls Trail is treacherous. Above Marble Falls, the river goes another 2 miles up to 5200 feet where the river crosses the road to Crystal Cave and another 4 miles further to the General’s Highway at Lodgepole Campground at 6600′. The river crossing of Crystal Cave Road is another good access spot to go either upstream or downstream. There is a parking area just north of the bridge. This section is also a freestone stream but more boulders and gravel than the section below Marble Falls. The gradient is also less steep until you get past Sherman Creek confluence. The next crossing of the Marble Fork is the General’s Hwy at Lodgepole. However the middle section of the Marble Fork between Sherman Creek and the General’s Hwy bridge is very steep and treacherous. Middle Fork KaweahThe Middle Fork is accessed by Highway 198 for 3.25 miles which follows the Kaweah River from the Ash Mountain Park Entrance (ele: 2100 feet) to Hospital Rock (ele: 2850 feet). Much of this section is heavily used by river rafters during the Spring after flows are manageable. During the early Summer, before hot temps kick-in, the water is fishable for Rainbows in the 7-10″ class and some Browns 8-14″ within the deeper pools. Potwisha Campground has 42 sites and is heavily used by river bathers. The fishing is better some distance from the campground. Access to the river can be from a parking area along the river next to the campground. The river is a freestone stream with a number of deep pools. Some areas have slick granitic bedrock, other areas have gravel deposits. Overall, insect activity is minimal due to the scouring nature of the the runoff during the early Spring. Middle Fork Kaweah TrailThe Middle Fork Kaweah Trail from Buckeye Flat Campground will allow you to follow the Middle Fork at an elevation about 200 to 500′ above the river. There is a dirt road on the left prior to reaching Buckeye Flat Campground that will take you to the trailhead. The trailhead has room for nine or so vehicles with bear boxes available. The trail reaches Panther Creek within 3 miles. This area has a number of campsites available. However, there is no access to the river from this trail as the canyon walls are steep and dangerous. Best access to the river is from the footbridge that is just upstream from Buckeye Flat Campground. Buckeye Campground has 28 sites with easy access to the river. Better fishing is away from the campground. The river within this section is a freestone stream but the streambed is scoured by the heavy runoff during the Spring and early Summer and insect activity is poor. Once the stream levels are low enough to allow access, there are many pools that hold fish. However, temperatures quickly become too warm by mid-summer and this section is not fishable until early Fall. | ||
Fishing RegulationsNorth Fork, Marble Fork, and Middle Fork Kaweah River: From the last Saturday in April through November 15, 5 trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water. Kaweah River and tributaries (Tulare Co.).: From the last Saturday in April through November 15, 5 trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water. Other Rivers and Streams: From the last Saturday in April through November 15, 5 trout daily bag limit, 10 trout in possession; and, from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April, 0 trout bag limit, artificial lures with barbless hooks only and trout must be released unharmed and not removed from the water. Other Lakes within this area: Open all year. No restrictions. 5 trout per day. 10 trout in possession.
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Above Yucca Creek, the North Fork Kaweah Trail follows the North Fork Kaweah another 7 miles within the Sequoia National Park but access to the river is very difficult as the trail is 200 to 500′ elevation above the river.