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K K E E R N N
Friday, February 24, 2012
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R II V V E E R R
Serving the Kern River & Isabella Lake Communities
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PRESORTED Kernville Standard U.S. Postage PAID Permit 25
FREE
www.kernrivercourier.com Vol. 9 No. 3
weekend weather Friday high 69° Sunny Friday low 35° Mostly clear Saturday high 64° Sunny Saturday low 35° Mostly clear Sunday high 56° Sunny Sunday low 34° Partly cloudy
Out National Weather Service
Quarter Million Dollar Derby just days away Rex Emerson Special to the Courier With the lure of over $250,000 in prizes, the 23rd Annual Isabella Lake Fishing Derby is shaping up to be one of the best ever. The enthusiasm is growing for the 2012 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby, to be held on March 31, April 1, and April 2. Since the derby trout were delivered in early November, they are being fed three times daily by members of the Kern Valley Fish and Game Habitat Club along with other dedicated volunteers from the community. Half of these trout are supplied by the California Department of Fish and Game, and the DFG assists with the overseeing of the raising of these fish, they frequently weigh the fish, and provide fish rearing expertise and pathology services in case of disease outbreaks or other problems associated with the trout in the derby net pens. According to derby chairman, Fred Roach, "We want our participants to have the most exciting fishing experience possible." The number of "major" sponsors is set at ten, with each to sponsor a $10,000 tagged trout. In addition, the Kern River Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a trout worth $20,000. Adding even more to the anticipation, if the $20,000 Chamber of Commerce fish is caught while the lucky angler is wearing an "official" 2012 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby Tshirt or Hoodie, the prize will be doubled to $40,000. This year, the official derby apparel will be sold, while quantities last, at derby headquarters during the event. For the second year derby organizers will be offering a chance to win a fantastic fishing boat. This year's boat is a Lowe Fishing Machine 175; with a Mercury 90hp motor, additional upgrades include a trolling motor and a heavy duty deluxe trailer. This entire package, supplied by Galey's Marine Supply in Bakersfield, CA, is worth close to $30,000. The boat will be on display at the Central Valley Sportsman's Boat, RV and Outdoor Show on February 24, 25, and 26, at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield, CA. Boat drawing ticket prices are $20 for one and $100 for six. When asked about their involvement of this nationally recognized trout derby, Central Valley Sportsman's Boat RV and Outdoor Show organizers told us, "We are proud to be a
Inside
2 Keyesville returns to life 4 5 7
See Derby, Page 12 people
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Michael Batelaan/Kern River Courier Will Mangan stands in front of the Keyesville Mercantile building that is currently under restoration.
Plan your week ahead using the Courier Calendar.
Michael Batelaan Kern River Courier
Bodfish Bob cooks up a whole lot of spam.
If there’s a “Will,” there’s a way for restoring the old town of Keyesville. At least that is the dream of the new owner of the Old Keyesville town site. When I was introduced to new property owner Will Mangan, he said “I’m Will. Over the hill. Never works. Never will.” Will has had gold in his veins and a heart of gold for some time. Mangan has been prospecting for the past six years and feels very lucky to have found his place in Keyesville. He had already purchased a property in Weldon, when he happened to be in the real estate office just when the Old Keyesville listing was being input into the Multiple Listing Service. He couldn’t resist. Mangan purchased the 5-acre main Keyesville town site in October from the previous owner, Larry Mull. The property also borders the historic Walker Cabin and adjacent barn owned by the Bureau of Land Management. “My head told me ‘Don’t (buy the property,)’ but if I didn’t, I would regret it,” Mangan said. He not only fell in love with and bought the historic property, he fell in love with the 165-pound Rottweiler on the property also and insisted the dog stay as part of the deal. Mangan and his wife are from Huntington Beach where have they have operated a 90-plus bed drug, alcohol and eating disorder rehabilitation facility for women for the past several years. Mangan handled the day-to-day operations side of the business overseeing staffing and facilities. “It was my turn to be cut loose to work on my own interests,” he said. Mangan wants people to come up to Keyesville to ride horses, hike, bike and to have some fun by offering the public access to the restored historic buildings on his property and to the surrounding Special Recreation Management Area consisting of approximately 7,000 acres of BLM-managed land that is primarily ded-
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icated to non-motorized use - perhaps opening as early as the spring-summer of this year. His property includes what is now the main house, a combination of add-ons and additions connecting what were once the area’s first Post Office, small residence and the town’s assay office. In addition to the main house, the property also includes a blacksmith building and living quarters, one of the two town brothels, the mercantile building with living quarters, the town’s two-hole outhouse and a natural spring that feeds a small pond. Mangan also has claims to the Highgrader Mine, water rights as well as at least 10 other mining claims in the area.
Keyesville gold history
The historic mining area of Keyesville played a significant role in early western expansion, settlement and mineral exploitation in California and is now a Bureau of Land Management Special Recreation Management Area. It is located two miles northwest of the community of Lake Isabella, about one-quarter mile below State Route 155 and consists of approximately 7,000 acres of BLMmanaged land. The area is named for its historic mining town. To an area once occupied by the Tubatulabal Indians, Joseph R. Walker, led one of John C. Fremont’s expeditions over Walker Pass in 1834, earning him the honor of being one of the first white Americans enter Kern Valley. Placer gold was first discovered in the spring of 1854 near the Kern River by a Fremont exploration party and the Kern River gold rush began. By January 1855, the area was teeming with miners. But, even before this rush, lode gold had been discovered in the area and soon afterward, Captain
See Keyesville, Page 12 nature
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Columnist Mike Mencarini catches a bass.
More Comics, Fun & Games to put your mind and pencil to.
kern river water data: Wednesday 6 a.m. Storage, Isabella Reservoir 168,448 acre-feet Reservoir peak 361,709 acre-feet Pool maximum 568,075 acre-feet Pool safety limit 360,000 acre-feet Upper Kern Kern Inflow at Kernville 382 cfs (5-hr avg.) Lower Kern Outflow 391 cfs Borel Canal Outflow 360 cfs Data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cfs=cubic feet per second 1 cu.ft. = 7.48 U.S. gallons 1 ac.ft.= 325,851 U.S. gal.
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