Where to Go Fly Fishing in Washington in November
Updated on November 3, 2025
It certainly looks like November out there with lots of rain, high rivers and gray skies. The good news is, there are still plenty of fly fishing opportunities out there for us fly flingers. Trout lakes can be great in November and most are still open until the end of the month, with many local favorites open all year long.
Also, steelhead are in the Columbia system rivers like the Deschutes, Grand Ronde, etc. Now is a great time to be on most of those rivers and the North Fork Stillaguamish is worth a look throughout the end of the month too.
Finally, there are plenty of coho still around in rivers like the Skagit, the main Stillaguamish and Skykomish. Yes, believe it or not, as of November 1, the Skykomish is actually open for salmon until the end of the month.
Steelhead
2025 brought an early and impressive number of fish into the Columbia system. Those returns died down quite a bit during our warm, low water period around August but then went up to average numbers in September, where they have remained. Overall, the number of steelhead entering the Columbia appears to be above average and anglers on rivers like the Deschutes, Grand Ronde, Clearwater, Snake, and John Day should all have good numbers of steelhead in them. We've had decent reports for the Ronde, Deschutes and Clearwater. November can be an excellent time to take a trip to these rivers where rain and blown out rivers usually isn't as much of an issue compared to here on the westside this time of year. Some really good fishing can happen, especially during warm weather periods, even into December.
The North Fork Stillaguamish is also open for steelhead throughout the end of November. the NF Stilly is already dropping into shape from our high water event on Nov 1, so the timing could be good over the next few days (if the current weather report holds true). Usually, it is a pretty light crowd this time of year and the dropping temps has the fish more likely to take the fly.
Salmon
There is plenty of opportunity left for coho in the rivers right now. The Skagit, main Stillaguamish, Skykomish, and rivers on the Olympic Peninsula would be the places to go on the local scene. This is a great time of year to swing flies for the coho with your favorite two-hander and see what grabs on. Flies in purple/pink, black, chartreuse, black/blue, and fuchsia can get hookups on all species. Remember that many rivers are only open to coho retention.
A beautiful rainbow poses for a quick photo before going back into the Yakima River on a cool but sunny fall day.
Trout Rivers
The Yakima River had a good bump in water height but is on the drop and should be fishing just fine at 825 ft3/sec right now. The Yak had a great October according to the reports we heard. It should still fish well into November until temperatures get so cold it sucks to be on the water. 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 mixed 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 angling pressure and actively feeding fish. Try white or black streamers in the slow water or small nymphs in the riffles and runs. Tiny Blue Wing Olive dry flies and nymphs, small scuds, and micro leeches in black should be in the angler's fly box right now. This is in addition to the the large streamers in white and black.
Trout Lakes
We have a few weeks left to hit lakes like Lenice, Nunnally, Dry Falls, and a few others. Lots of anglers pound 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. If you don't find activity shallow, start working deeper. We would recommend leeches on a full-sinking line in black or black/red. If that wasn't working, try a balanced leech in the same colors. If things get desperate, put a colorful blob or booby on the sinking line and see if that will save the day.
Pass Lake has had issues with toxic algae recently, and it appears to be still listed, but I have to wonder if that is due to the government shutdown. Not that many years ago, we'd be getting report after report of anglers whacking big fish stripping minnow patterns along the shoreline. We'll check it out and try and report back...
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.
Puget Sound Beaches
It has been pretty quiet the beach scene lately but PFF staffer, Maveryke just had a good morning a couple days ago around the Bainbridge Island area. Those cutthroat in the lower Puget Sound should be cruising and eating just fine right now if you need a quick fix and a few hours on a PNW beach is calling your name.
Where to Go Fly Fishing in Washington in November - Revised on November 3, 2025