From Peaks Fly Fishing – Sheffield tackle shop and guiding specialists. Discover the best flies for November to enhance your fishing experience.
November divides the fly angler’s world in two. On small stillwaters, rainbows remain hungry and chase buzzers and fry in cold, clear water. On the rivers, the trout season has closed and attention turns to grayling feeding deep on nymphs and shrimps. Both require precision and patience, but they demand completely different approaches. Here are a few of the best flies for November.
Stillwater Trout
The Late-Autumn Challenge
By November, water temperatures drop sharply and insect life slows down. Trout cruise more slowly, but they still feed steadily on buzzers, midges and the last of the fry in the margins. The key is depth control and subtle movement.
Best Stillwater Flies for November
- Micro Vicar Buzzers (black or olive, size 18–20) – Perfect for cold-weather midges. Fish them under a light indicator or bung, or suspend beneath a small FAB. Let them hang motionless and lift gently. Takes are often slow and deliberate.
- Diawl Bach Knotty Legs Super searching fly. Use two on a washing-line with a small booby or FAB on the point. Minimal retrieve. In cold water, slow and steady wins.
- Pin Fry Trout still hunt pin fry in November around weedbeds and inflows. Short, sharp pulls followed by pauses often trigger the take.
- Ressie Dink & Static Buzzer – When trout drop deeper, suspend buzzers or bloodworms at precise depths.
Stillwater Tactics
- Fish slow, deep and deliberate. Trout conserve energy in cold water.
- On bright days set flies deeper. On dull days fish may ride higher.
- Keep it simple. Buzzers, Diawls and small fry patterns cover most situations.
River Grayling
The Winter Season Begins
As the trout season ends, grayling come into their own. Crisp mornings, clear water and low sun reward technical nymphing and gentle precision. Grayling remain active even in near-freezing water, taking shrimps, caddis and small nymphs close to the bed.
Best River Flies for November
- Tungsten Collar Nymphs Slim, fast-sinking jigs in hare’s ear, olive or amber collar. Fish in pairs or trios for Euro nymphing or beneath a small indicator.
- Sawyer’s Killer Bug A timeless shrimp or caddis-grub impression that grayling eat with confidence in clear runs and steady glides.
- Freshwater Shrimp Ideal when fish are hugging the bottom. Dead-drift with occasional micro lifts to suggest movement.
River Tactics
- Euro nymphing – Short line, high rod angle and a near-vertical sighter help you read the tiniest take. Maintain contact from lead fly to rod tip.
- Indicator nymphing – In low light or slightly coloured water, a small indicator controls depth and shows subtle eats in chop.
- Presentation – Prioritise dead-drift. Reduce false casts. Every second your flies drift naturally is a chance to hook up.
Final Thoughts
November fishing rewards quiet persistence. Stillwaters demand patience and slow retrieves. Rivers reward rhythm and touch. Whether you are watching an indicator tremble or feeling the faint pluck of a trout on a buzzer, it’s a rewarding time of year to be out with a rod! Fancy a guided day? Check out our guided grayling sessions!
