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Every year, as the air gets sharp and snow threatens the mountain peaks, fly anglers start packing up. Rods go in closets, boots dry out, and reels gather dust while everyone trades their waders for ski pants.
Big mistake.
Because November in Colorado might just be the best fly fishing month of the year — if you’ve got the grit (and hand warmers) to prove it.
The Myth of the Sleeping Trout
Let’s set the record straight: trout don’t hibernate. They eat all winter. They’re just not sprinting for their food anymore. Cold water slows their metabolism, not their appetite.
In fact, post-spawn browns and late-season rainbows are feeding steady on midges, BWOs, and the occasional unlucky sculpin. The fish are slower, but they’re predictable. The bite window shrinks, the crowds disappear, and what’s left are trout that feed with purpose.
Trout don’t vanish when it snows — they just get smarter.
Why November is the Sweet Spot
Here’s the dirty little secret: November sits in a perfect overlap of low pressure, stable flows, and prime tailwater conditions. The chaos of the spawn is over, summer crowds are gone, and the water is cold but clear.
The Blue, the Dream Stream, and the Fryingpan all stay open, and their fish are settling into rhythm. The nymph bite runs from late morning to mid-afternoon. BWOs show up on cloudy days. And with fewer people around, the trout are finally willing to make a few mistakes.
Best of all? You can actually find parking.
How to Fish When It’s Freezing
Fishing in November isn’t about endurance — it’s about efficiency. You’ve got a narrow window, and you need to make it count.
Here’s how to do it:
- Follow the sun. Fish late morning through early afternoon; shadows kill the bite.
- Use small flies, big precision. Midges and BWOs dominate; patterns like Mercury Black Beauty (#22–24) and RS2 Gray (#22) are key.
- Slow down your drift. Fish hug the bottom; weight up lightly and let your flies ride low.
- Check the forecast. Warm fronts mean better hatches — and less frozen tippet.
If your guides aren’t freezing yet, you’re not early enough.
Top November Flies
Dry: Parachute BWO #20–22, Griffith’s Gnat #24, CDC Midge #24
Nymph: RS2 Gray #22, WD-40 Brown #22–24, Mysis Shrimp #18–20 (tailwaters)
Streamer: Slumpbuster Olive #8, Mini Leech Black #10, Goldie #6
And yes — sometimes, the biggest fish of the season hit when your fingers barely work.
Where to Go in November
- Blue River – Silverthorne: Cold, clear, and technical — the perfect proving ground
- Dream Stream: Post-spawn browns and moody trout in low light.
- Colorado River – Kremmling: Cold, empty, and worth the drive.
- Arkansas River – Salida: Midday caddis, late brown runs, endless scenery.
External resource: USGS Colorado River Flow Data for real-time conditions.
Bonus: The Psychological Advantage
November fishing is mental warfare — and that’s the point. When the wind bites and your guides freeze, every fish feels earned. You’ll remember these trout longer than the ones you caught in July.
It’s not easy, but it’s honest.
Trout fishing in November is the difference between “I fish” and “I’m an angler.”
Final Word
So don’t box up the waders yet. Grab the gloves, fill a thermos, and hit the water while everyone else is waiting for ski season. The fish are still there — colder, sharper, hungrier.
You don’t need a crowd. You just need to show up
