There is no better motivation to pack up your bike with a couple of buddies and head out for some camping and fishing than a pandemic. 

On a Sunday afternoon we decided that a day to overpack was needed and we would head out early Tuesday. Here is the part where you tear through your garage pulling out camping gear that you will never need and deciding how to strap it to your bike.

After a few weather checks I realized it was going to be warm and dry so I could toss half my gear back into a box in the garage where it belongs. Of course it did end up raining but it was only for about an hour or so mid day. 

Fortunately for us Ricky B decided to come in his Tacoma so we agreed that a large cooler and some folding chairs would be necessary, being that sitting around and drinking beer would be most of our evenings goals. You have to do something while the fish is cooking!

We rode up Highway 5 from Los Angeles through the Grapevine to Highway 99 towards Bakersfield. It was a pretty mellow at 7am with not a lot cars and very little wind. The 5 to the 99 to the178 was the route and it was fairly easy. It was about 2 hours before we got to the mouth of the river off the 178.

Thats where the road turns into a canyon for about 25 minutes. The river is on your left snd its hard not to stare at it while you’re eating up beautiful turns. Once out of the canyon there are rolling hills for a while and some EPIC scenery. We stopped in Bodfish for some supplies and then flew past Lake Isabella towards the upper river.

We found a great campsite at Rivernook Campground right off the river and a small creek. It was one of the few places that allowed campfires at the time and  the people that worked there were great.  

We never really fished at camp but decided that up river towards the dam there was an enticing road and some beautiful scenery. The next 5-10 miles we found some really incredible places to cast out and enjoy the day. 

We shot into town (a whole 5 minutes away) for some beers and burgers at the brewery one night. There wasn’t much open being that there is a pandemic and all.

Overall the trip was a huge success even though we went up with no reservations. Rivernook was a great campground with bathrooms, a store and showers which we didn’t use, and very family friendly. The staff there in the office were great. In fact while there I booked a spot to go back with my family a few weeks later. The river will be a bit lower but warmer water possibly? 

The tips-

Take the trip even if it seems last minute.

Pack light, you wont use half of that stuff and there are decent stores nearby if you really need something.

Take your time and enjoy the road.

Talk to the locals. They have all the best info, can be helpful and very interesting to say the least.

James

When James isn’t working, surfing or riding he is content to hang out with his family, making them laugh till they pee and baking a mean artisanal sourdough batard.