Peppermint Falls Ranch Featured in California Fly Fisher’s Spotlight on the Forks of the Kern

We’re honored to share that Peppermint Falls Ranch was featured in California Fly Fisher’s 2025 article spotlighting the Forks of the Kern—one of California’s most iconic and hard-to-reach fly fishing destinations.

For over two decades, author and angler Tim Huckaby has explored this stretch of the Upper Kern River with a fly rod in hand and a deep respect for the rugged beauty of the Golden Trout Wilderness. His latest piece is part technical guide, part personal reflection, and part tribute to a river that demands both skill and stamina.

For most, reaching the wild section of the Upper Kern means hauling gear deep into the backcountry and camping overnight in remote terrain. But as Tim Huckaby writes in California Fly Fisher, Peppermint Falls Ranch offers something different: an experience that feels both rare and refreshingly accessible:

“You can drive to within a short hike of the river while staying in relative luxury at the same time. It’s called Peppermint Falls Ranch (PFR). This 5-mile by 5-mile swath of land, which includes two full miles of Peppermint Creek teeming with wild trout and waterfalls, is privately owned. It has been developed with cabins on site and a private paved road that gets within striking distance of the river—a 20-minute hike on a well-groomed trail down to the river. The ranch opened after a huge amount of renovation in the spring of 2025. It is located in the wild section of the Upper Kern River about 10 miles downstream from the confluence of the Kern and the Little Kern Rivers.

There are huge stretches of the wild section of the Kern River I have yet to get to. In November of 2024, the good folks at PFR invited me to the property. While there, I fished the wild section of the Kern in the canyon at the end of the season. A stretch that has rarely been fished … ever. And oh man, did I stick ‘em. I fished a stretch of the Kern that I have been trying to get to, and failed, for over 20 years. The short hike to the river meant I didn’t have to carry a backpack—and I slept in bed at night! You can even day trip in a helicopter right from PFR to the upper reaches of the Kern to fly fish.

Peppermint Falls Ranch is a wonderful way to experience the Upper Kern River. I encourage you to check it out. And if you do, I’d be happy to guide you!”

Redefining Access to the Forks of the Kern

To be included in a piece like this is a true honor. The article covers everything from native trout species and seasonal tactics to water flows and river access. But what stands out most is the reverence Tim brings to the place itself.

At Peppermint Falls Ranch, we’ve worked carefully to protect that same sense of wildness while opening up a way to experience it more comfortably. 

Guests can stay in newly renovated cabins with modern amenities and explore stretches of river that remain virtually untouched. The luxury ranch is located about ten miles downstream from the confluence of the Kern and Little Kern Rivers, nestled inside a landscape that has long been protected by its own remoteness. In the evenings, guests return to cabins built with fly fishers in mind: boot dryers by the door, rod holders on the porch, tie stations ready, and a hot tub just steps away.

Our guides bring years of experience not only with this river, but with tailoring each outing to the person in front of them. First-time anglers will find patient, thoughtful instruction—starting with casting technique, river approach, and confidence-building spots with calmer water. For more experienced guests, the day may include tactical approaches to high-gradient pools, nuanced adjustments in presentation, or reaching sections of river that aren’t easily accessed without local insight.

Each of our fly fishing packages offers a different level of support and access, but all are designed with simplicity in mind. From gear prep to lunch by the water, every detail is taken care of so you can stay present in the experience.

You’ll be fishing for native species—including the legendary Kern River Rainbow—in an environment that feels wild, but never lacking. Our solar-powered luxury cabins feature modern heating and cooling systems, private decks, and floor-to-ceiling windows that open to views of the surrounding peaks. Every part of the property is intentionally designed to be quiet, grounded, and deeply restorative.

Whether you’re here to challenge yourself, reconnect, or simply breathe in the stillness of the canyon, Peppermint Falls Ranch offers a rare combination of access, comfort, and a sense of place that stays with you.

Read the full feature in California Fly Fisher here.

To inquire about availability or learn more about our fly fishing packages, please contact our team directly.