Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2026

22 2026 Scenic 395 Kern River Reward yourself with a visit to the fascinating history of the Kern River Valley Museum and grounds View our over 12,000 square feet of historic artifacts, natural history and rotating local displays and exhibits. Free admission Thursday through Saturday 10am to 4pm As participation grew, orga- nizers refined how the derby operated, placing a strong em- phasis on fairness. Fish were spread throughout the lake rather than released in a single location, a practice intended to give both shoreline anglers and boaters an equal chance. “If you disperse them, you give more people a chance,” McKinney said. “There are more fishermen than anything else.” Clark said those years also brought lessons that helped modernize the derby. “That told us we had to evolve,” he said. “This can’t be one-size-fits-all.” Despite its size today, the derby remains entirely volun- teer-run. Adult entry is $50 and cov- ers all three days of fishing, while youth entry remains lower to encourage younger anglers and families. “We want this to be some- thing families can do togeth- er,” Clark said. “Not just dad out fishing.” That family focus is visible throughout derby weekend, from early-morning launches to shoreline fishing spots filled with multi-generation groups. Clark said many participants have been attending for de- cades. “There are people I see every year who brought their kids,” he said. “Now they’re bringing their grandkids.” “That’s the magic of it,” Mckinney said “people still come back.” The derby is traditionally held the weekend before Eas- ter, a schedule chosen to align with school breaks and spring fishing conditions. The timing also encourages visitors to extend their stay and explore the surrounding communities, trails, and lake access points. Asked where the derby will be five or ten years from now, Clark said its future will depend on the anglers them- selves. “The anglers are going to dictate that,” he said. “Our job is to listen and figure out how to make it happen.” For McKinney, the reason the derby has lasted more than three decades is clear. “This thing has lasted be- cause of the community,” he said. More information, including rules, schedules, and regis- tration details, is available at https://www.kernrivervalley. com/isabellalakefishingderby. Continued from Page 21 Derby By Catherine Stachowiak Kern Valley Sun In a secluded forest, you may be surprised to find that the best-kept secret fireworks show has become the hottest thing around. Well, we all know that fireworks are hot. Yet this fireworks display is totally free. So what could be hotter? Free fireworks spectaculars have largely become a thing of the past. Yet, that’s not the case in the Kern River Valley of Kern County, located in the Sequoia National Forest, at Lake Isabella. And this com- munity is inviting you to visit the tourist attraction. The community hosts its Fireworks Show annually on the Saturday closest to Independence Day. It just so happens that this year’s July 4 is on a Saturday. Depending on the clouds and moon, it is best to arrive at the lake before 9 p.m. Despite the fact that the show is in the forest, because the fireworks are launched from a safer location and explode over a large lake, authorities have allowed the show annually, even though it is during wildfire season. The Forest Service has crews on hand during the show to ensure fires don’t start. “There’s always a concern when there’s a chance of starting a forest fire,” said the organizer for the show, busi- ness owner Steve Spradlin. “But they seem to think that Engineer’s Point, where we have the launch site, is safe for the community and safe for the forest. “We have the perfect loca- tion for that shoot. And it’s been made better by the dam construction. We’ve gained some height and certainly a more level playing field to use as a launch site. It’s the perfect Lake Isabella July Fourth Fireworks Show an unexpected delight See Fireworks on Page 26 Event organizers set up the fireworks to make sure viewers have a blast during a previous Lake Isabella July Fourth Fireworks Show. Photo by Patrick Ray, Kern Valley Sun