The Art of the Shallow Drift: Nymphing High-Elevation Rivers Before Winter

Precision beats power this time of year

On the Upper Gunnison, a good cast won’t save a bad drift. When flows drop and fish slide into slow seams, a soft entry and perfect line control matter more than distance or pattern. November nymphing is a finesse game: you’re not trying to cover the river - you’re trying to read its pulse.

Every subtle bubble, every seam edge tells you where the current slows just enough for a trout to sit and watch. That’s your strike zone - and you’ll only get one shot before they slide off.

Weight, distance, and touch

Most anglers over-weight late in the season. The trick is to go light - enough to reach depth, but not so much that your flies snag bottom. Try a single #4 split shot on a 9' 5x leader, with 18" of 6x to your dropper. Adjust your indicator depth until the flies tick bottom once every few drifts, not every cast.

Short drifts matter. In cold water, trout won’t chase. The best guides on the upper reach run 6- to 8-foot presentations, focusing on one seam instead of swinging for both banks. When your indicator slows unnaturally - set the hook.

Subtle mends, steady hands

If you’re mending like you’re casting a flag, you’re doing too much. Late-season water is glassy, and big mends scream “fake.” Use micro-mends - tiny wrist flicks that adjust drift angle without disturbing your flies. Keep tension light and your line mostly off the surface.

Pro trick: when fishing deep bends, try high-sticking a longer 10’ rod and stripping line manually rather than relying on your indicator. It’s ugly to watch but beautiful when it works.

Fly selection: simple and small

Forget the kitchen-sink approach. Two patterns do the heavy lifting right now:

• Lead Fly: #14 Pat’s Rubber Legs or #16 Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear.
• Dropper: #20-22 Zebra Midge, RS2, or Top Secret Midge.

Run that combo all day and adjust only depth, not pattern. Most missed fish this time of year come from presentation, not fly choice.

The nymph drift mindset

Think of each cast as a controlled experiment: depth, angle, speed. You’ll know you’ve got it right when your flies swing through the zone so naturally you almost forget they’re there - until your line stops dead.

Late-season nymphing isn’t glamorous, but it’s honest. And on the Upper Gunnison, it’s how you connect with trout that have seen every mistake and are still willing to forgive one perfect drift.

Need a Guide? Book Rigs Fly Fishing Near for the Black Canyon.