Fall River

CITY

La Pine

NOAA

Accuweather

TWC

HATCH

NYMPH/
LARVA

PUPA/
EMERGER

DUN/
ADULT

EGG-
LAYER

Blue-winged olive

Midge

A winter fly-fishing mainstay, Fall River is open from its source to above the falls (about four miles). This whole section can produce trout, but the hatchery and springs areas offer the best access, especially once there is snow on the ground. When the weather turns frigid--which may or may not happen in November--trout will migrate up the river and the headwaters section is the best place to seek them because the water is warmer there.

You'll find hatches of blue-winged olives, midges, some mahogany duns (early in the month), and a small, dark caddis. Use a Sparkle Dun, Baetis Cripple, or Parachute Baetis for the first one, a Griffiths Gnat or Sprout Midge for the middle one, and a size 16 dark Elk Hair Caddis for the latter.

Tan San Juan Worms can be effective in the Fall River.

Be prepared for fussy fish. They see lots of anglers all year, so you'll need a 6X or 7X tippet, a 60-foot cast, and a downstream presentation when fishing a dry fly.

For more on November tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report.