The Kings river can be broken down into three different areas:

• The lower Kings which flows out of Pine Flat Reservoir.
• The upper Kings (a 20 mile section between Pine Flat and the confluence of the South and Middle Forks)
• The Cedar Grove section on the upper south fork in Kings Canyon National Park.

The 20 mile stretch of the upper Kings river above Pine Flat is special regulation trophy trout water. It is also one of the most beautiful rivers in the west. The fishing begins here in mid to late February with some heavy BWO (#18 - 20) hatches and Golden Stone flies (#12 - 14). Depending on the weather, March also announces the arrival of the largest May fly of the year, the March Brown (#12). The "Salmonfly" also starts to show itself in April. This is the largest Stonefly of the year, but unfortunately the heaviest emergence of these Stoneflies tends to be when the river waters are on the rise due to the spring snow melt. Summer and fall are great times to be on the upper Kings. The flows have resided from the spring runoff and with the water levels getting back to normal there are numerous small Mayfly hatches and some great Caddis activity. August and September can be very hot on this section of the river.  Daytime highs reach 100º F. This is a great time to be wet-wading the pocket water areas early and taking the hot afternoons off to wait for the evening hatches.

The Cedar Grove area on the upper South Fork offers some great fishing, especially for the beginning fly-fisher. July - October is the best time to visit this area. A very healthy wild trout population of Browns and Rainbows will readily rise to properly presented dry flies. The trout are smaller here than those downstream, but their large numbers make the Cedar Grove area a great place to spend a day or two.

Click here for rate information.