Raccoon River

Flow now

Raccoon River at 63rd Street at Des Moines, IA, 5 mi from the river.

4,500cfsat build, Nov 12, 11 AM MT

The typical week here, from 10 years of record: 252 cfs to 1,560 cfs, around 587 cfs.

Also gauged at Walnut Creek at Des Moines, IA: 32 cfs, Nov 12.

The season, November

Usually workable this week. Pick your window and fish it well.

• Midgessizes 18 to 22
• Small eggs and worms
• Pheasant tail and zebra midge nymphsunder an indicator

Typical for the week over 10 years: 252 to 1,560 cfs. Running 4,500 cfs today, above that range. Flows are not forecast; check the gauge the day before.

Brown Trout are spawning (October to December). Stay off clean, light-coloured gravel in riffle tails and pool tailouts, and leave paired fish alone.

Brook Trout are spawning (September to November). Stay off clean, light-coloured gravel in riffle tails and pool tailouts, and leave paired fish alone.

Mountain Whitefish are spawning (October to December). The egg bite behind spawning whitefish is the best winter nymphing of the year: an egg pattern below the riffles.

• Flows swing a lot this week most years. Carry both a heavy nymph rig and a dry-dropper and let the gauge decide.
• Egg patterns in the runs below the spawning gravel, never on it.

Written by the app's rules engine from the calendar, the gauge record and the snowpack, not by hand, so it says only what the data says. The weather for the week comes with the app.

Fly shops on this water

• Rod & Rivet Des MoinesWebsite