Fly Fishing Report & Forecast - November 7, 2024
I'm running very late on getting this November report out but better late than never. With the mild weather we've had this fall, it feels like we've had an extended fly fishing season in western Washington and the greater Seattle area. There are lots of fly fishing opportunities for anglers right now and most rivers and lakes are in great shape. Here are some great fly fishing trip ideas and I hope you're able to get out on the water and find a few fish in November.
Steelhead
This year has been an exciting return to good steelhead numbers for most of Washington and the PNW. From British Columbia to the Columbia River, steelhead returns have been much better this year than in recent years. November is a great, great time to head to rives like the Grand Ronde or Deschutes. Yes, I know everyone goes in October. Maybe take a warming weather trend in November or even December and see how it goes? There will be lots less anglers and maybe even a fish or two still around. (wink)
Other rivers are certainly on the steelhead watch list as well. This includes the Methow, John Day, Klickitat, and Cowlitz among others. Until more rain comes, these rivers are still low and clear. Small traditional summer steelhead flies and a floating line or light sink tip line will have you swinging for steel. Fish flies from size 3 to size 8 with long, light leaders when the water is clear.
Salmon
In our part of the state, it is a great time to do a coho and chum salmon combo trip. Swing flies in purple, black, pink, blue, chartreuse and any other color you feel could be the magic sauce for the day. Chums appear to be returning in okay numbers after being netted to nearly non-existence in the late 2000's in rivers like the Snohomish and Skagit systems. Breaking out the two-hander and swinging broad runs will usually hook a fish or two. Picking apart smaller pieces of water with a single-hand rod can be a ton of fun as well. Smaller, weighted flies like the Deep Six Salmon can be great for this. For chums, I like to cast perpendicular to the river's current and let the fly sink and dead drift. Then, let the line come tight and softly swing the fly down and across. When the fly gets to the hang-down, begin a slow retrieve. Often, when chums hit the fly, it feels like a snag for the first second or two. Then, that snag slowly begins to move and the next thing you know, you're looking to see how much backing you have left!
Trout Rivers
The Yakima River is still kicking out some great trout fishing and will continue to do so until temperatures get so cold it sucks to be on the water. Water temps should be around the mid-40's now. This time of year, fish small BWO nymphs and dries. October Caddis are still in the game. Other flies to have on hand would be the Two Tone Squirminator, Mini Loop Sculpin and Dolly Llama - Olive/White.
We've heard a few great reports on Rocky Ford in the last couple weeks. Usually, fall can be the best time of the year to fish the Ford, with less fish and actively feeding fish. Try white or black streamers in the slow water or small nymphs in the riffles and runs.
Trout Lakes
We have a few weeks left to hit lakes like Lenice, Nunnally, Dry Falls, and a few others. Everyone packs into these lakes in the spring but fall can be even more amazing as those fish put the feed bag on to get ready for a cold winter. Plus, hardly anyone is there!
On the west side, Lone Lake has produced some really happy anglers lately. Black leeches fished shallow can be a good game plan in the late fall on Lone.
Pass Lake has been quiet lately in our store. I know there was some issues with algae again, but those should be long gone now.
Goodwin is another lake more guys should try. Lake Martha (Warm Springs), Lake Ki, and others should all be fishing pretty well while water temperatures remain decent.