Last Cast Legends: Colorado Rivers That Fish Best When Everyone Else Packs Up

The nights are colder, the crowds are gone, and the only thing rising more than the trout are your doubts about getting out of bed. But here’s the truth: November might be the most underrated month in Colorado fly fishing.

The fish aren’t spooky. The hatches are light but consistent. And the rivers — oh, the rivers — finally feel like they belong to you again.

If you’re the kind of angler who refuses to hang it up, these are your last cast legends.

1. The Blue River – Silverthorne to Green Mountain

The Blue’s tailwater flow keeps the temperature steady and the fish active long after most streams start freezing over. Below the dam, midges, eggs, and small Baetis patterns keep rainbows feeding hard through November.

• Best Flies: Mercury Black Beauty #22–24, WD-40 Olive #22, Eggstacy Egg #14
• Tip: Light tippet and small indicators make all the difference in the low flows.
• Access: The Silverthorne stretch fishes hot mid-day; Green Mountain offers bigger, quieter water downstream.

2. The Arkansas River – Buena Vista to Salida

While the guides winterize their boats, locals quietly stack fish numbers. Flows hold steady near 400 CFS, the canyon glows gold, and trout still crush small nymphs and emergers.

• Best Flies: Juju Baetis #20, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail #18, Sparkle Wing RS2 #20
• Tip: Fish 10 AM – 3 PM, and focus on sunny tailouts where trout soak up warmth.
• Access: Browns Canyon for solitude, Hecla Junction for easy wading and numbers.

3. The South Platte – Deckers Section

Deckers in November is like your favorite dive bar on a Tuesday — quiet, reliable, and surprisingly good. Water temps stay ideal, and fish key on midges and micro-Baetis.

• Best Flies: Manhattan Midge #22, Foam Wing Emerger #20, Two-Bit Hooker #18
• Tip: Long leaders (10–12 ft) and subtle presentations win every time.
• Access: Lower Deckers and Trumbull stretches are clear and lightly pressured.

4. The Yampa River – Below Stagecoach

Tailwater magic continues here when Steamboat starts to frost. Constant flows and warmer release water make the Stagecoach section one of the most consistent winter starters in the state.

• Best Flies: Sparkle Wing RS2 #22, Black Beauty #24, Mysis Shrimp #18
• Tip: Watch for mid-day risers on cloud cover days — tiny midges can draw surprising surface takes.
• Access: Tailwater parking below the dam; small section but rich with big fish potential.

5. The Eagle River – Minturn to Gypsum

Cold, yes — but clear and alive. The Eagle stays productive well into late November thanks to groundwater influence and steady flows. Trout slide into slower winter lanes, but they’ll eat nymphs and small streamers all day.

• Best Flies: Rainbow Warrior #18, Juju Baetis #20, Mini Leech #12 (olive)
• Tip: Swing or drift — both work when water clarity stays high.
• Access: Minturn for smaller water, Gypsum for more room to roam.

How to Fish Late Fall Like a Legend

• Sleep in — the bite doesn’t start until the frost melts.
• Use 5X–6X tippet; cold water is clear water.
• Small bugs, natural colors, slow drifts.
• Bring gloves and a plan to unhook trout fast.
• Don’t step on redds; browns are finishing their spawn.
• And most importantly — don’t listen to anyone who says the season’s over.