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Listen to the Audio Overview
Why is this your most important month, not your last chance trip?
When most anglers pack it in, the trick is seeing what they don’t: in November, the rivers don’t go away, they change. Clarity spikes. Bugs shrink. Trout cave into deeper seams.
If you lean into the shift instead of fighting it, you’ll catch more fish- not fewer.
Why November matters
- Flow stabilises on many rivers after summer irrigation ends.
- Insects don’t stop - they just shrink to midges, small BWOs, scuds.
- Trout metabolism slows; they feed less often but with focus. A 90-minute window on a cold day can out-fish a full summer outing.
- Clearer water = more visible fish = less margin for error for you.
Core Survival Moves for November
1. Think Micro.
Small flies aren’t optional. They’re mandatory. Patterns down in #20-24 dominate. Access the list in “11 Tiny Flies That Crush Colorado Trout In November.” Rise Beyond Fly Fishing
Call-out: “Small flies remove suspicion.”
2. Prioritise Depth & Positioning.
Fish are holding deep or tight to structure. Drift accordingly. Reduced water speed often means shorter, slower drifts.
3. Timing > Mileage.
Mid-morning to early afternoon is your key window- it’s when water warms slightly, bugs hatch, fish move. Do not waste peak hours dragging through fat-fishing zones.
4. Clarity kills mistakes.
Ultra-clear water demands ultra-clean drifts. Long leader, fine tippet, minimal false casts, minimal splash.
5. Tailwaters & Canyons win.
When freestones start to drop, tailwaters (like the ones you just updated) hold the line. Consistent flows, steady temp, reliable holding water. Rise Beyond Fly Fishing
Tactical Checklist
- Leader: 9-10 ft, 4× or 5×
- Tippet: Use 6× for flies in size 22-24
- Rig: Two-fly rig (lead + dropper) works best
- Weight: Minimal- use what you need, no more
- Pack layers, hand-warmers, light wind gear
When Most Anglers Throw In The Towel
- After the first frost
- When the hatches “stop”
- When the surface looks dead for hours
If you leave then you’ll miss the fish that stay active.
As Rise Beyond says:
“Winter isn’t the off season. It’s when the real anglers come out to play.”
Final Word
Don’t let your best presentations wait until spring.
Right now, clarity is high, pressure is lower, and trout still eat when you align your presentation with their pacing.
Be smart. Be subtle. Outsmart the river- and you’ll walk away with more than most expect.
