Flows are steady. With the weather getting colder the fishing is slowing down, but fish are still being caught. There are essentially three sections to the upper Kern, above Lake Isabella. There is the section from the lake up to the lower power plant, the section from the power plant to Fairview Dam, and the section above Fairview Dam. They take water out at Fairview Dam and pipe it down to the lower power plant. The upper section can be broken down into two sections. Above Fairview Dam up to Johnsondale Bridge the fishing regulations are standard. Above the Bridge is the wild trout section with special regulations. This is helping to produce some very good fishing for wild trout when the conditions are right. The road leaves the river at the bridge so some walking is required to get to the fish. Once the river flow drops and the water clears should see good surface activity at times on Adams, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, and Stmulators, sizes 16 and smaller. Nymphing can be productive all year using bead heads such as Pheasant Tail, Gold Ribbed Hares Ear, Prince, Tiger Midge, Zebra Midge, and Copper Johns, sizes 14 to 18. Good source of information is the Kern River Troutfitters - www.kernriverflyfishing.com. They have a number of new patterns that are very productive on the Kern, and elsewhere. Also, Flip Chemnitzer's flies for the Kern produce. These include the Phyliss Fly, sizes 12 and 14, (which can be fished dry or wet), the Double Gray (dry fly), and the nymphs of Flip's Bag, Kern Blackie, and Bead Head Kern Blackie. This water is open all year. You can get a recorded message on flow rates by calling (760) 376-8821 or 1-877-537-6356.