November Fly Fishing Overview
The winds of winter are in the air as we move into the home stretch of the 2019 Montana fly fishing season. And what a season it has been. Our anglers have enjoyed some of the best dry fly fishing in recent memory on their Montana fly fishing trips. Our Montana fly fishing guides enjoyed a great season filled with time spent on the water with so many great people. We are looking to closing our season out strong with a great end-of October and November.
It has been a cold and snowy Fall so far in Montana. While it has made for generally favorable conditions for great hatches of BWOs and a good streamer bite, we did miss the normal Fall weather this year. Very few days that were sunny and 60 degrees. But that is just how it goes in Montana. Some years you get fall, some years you get a late summer, this year we got winter. Will the trend of cooler temps and snow continue into November? Who knows! But our guides are prepared for whatever lays in store and excited to share our love for fly fishing in Montana with anglers, regardless of conditions.
As for the fly fishing, anglers can expect good fishing on most of our area rivers through the end of the month. For years, we have had a big group of anglers that fish over Thanksgiving week. We have fished all over the state and seen every condition imaginable. One common thread: lots of fun regardless.
November 2019 Fly Fishing Trips
Our guides will be found spending most of their time on the Missouri River, the Yellowstone River, and the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks through the month of October. These fisheries are generally the most reliable late season options. Hatches of BWOs and Midges will remain strong through the early part of the month, but taper off if temperatures drop. Last year we enjoyed great dry fly fishing on Thanksgiving day on the Missouri River on a cold but calm and sunny day. Looking forward to more of the same this year.
Anglers looking for targeting trophy trout on our rivers will find streamer fishing to be the best bet through the month of November. This means giving up quantity of fish, in favor of quality of fish. Streamer anglers wanting to net the largest of Montana brown trout have to be willing to commit to long days, filled with lots of casting, and through all conditions.
What to Expect in November
We are often asked by anglers if November is a good month to fly fish in Montana. Our answer? For the right angler absolutely. Anglers can count on empty rivers, a good bite, and fun days on the water. Are there the best hatches, catch rates, or conditions we get? Nope. Hatches are often unpredictable, catch rates aren’t nearly as high as the spring and summer months, and conditions are often tough. But there may very well be no better time for anglers that appreciate the little things: hard fighting trout, incredible scenery, complete solitude, and the hunt for wild trout.
If you are interested in a November fly fishing trip to Montana, give us a shout anytime to talk fishing. Bookings are also starting to roll in for 2020, if you have dates in mind or want to try and hit the best hatches, contact us today to plan your next Montana fly fishing trip with the Montana Angling Company. See you on the water soon!
