PAST MISSOURI RIVER FISHING REPORTS 2024
January 4, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: CFS/4500
Temperature: 35 Degrees below Holter Dam
Annual Slay Day: We had a crew out fishing on January 1st. Fish were caught on a variety of nymphs including the Tailwater Charlie, Mo Zebra, UV Tungsten Sow, Bubble Yum, Pill Popper and some egg patterns. All winter-time standby flies. A fair number of midges were present. Hopefully we will see enough to bring up some heads later this winter.
Quite a few anglers have been fishing in the past month. Most are wading, but a few are still floating. Currently, all the boat landings are snow and ice free.
Trout Spey: Now is prime time for swinging. Buggers like the Thin Mint are always on the menu along with Balanced Leeches in dark colors. The Foxxy Clouser, Flare-A-Bou, Trout Spey Bugger, Trout Spey Intruder, Montana Intruder, Mini Montana Intruder, Bald Eagle, Pocket Rocket and many more will find connections. As fish tank up, Scandi set ups with leechy tung head flies will work for fishing the soft inside zones. Swing Skagit tips for streamers over the buckets, deeper runs and shelves. T-8 tips in 5/5 and 10’ or the OPST tips in the Riffle (S2/3), Run (S4 or S6) and Bucket (S9) Series will cover all bases.
Dry: A few midges out there. Not much dry fly action to speak of.
Nymph: Running longer leaders with split shot is the winter norm. Sow Bugs are the primary standby imitation throughout the winter months. Some are fishing their sow behind a worm. Others drop a Zebra Midge off their sow bug. Running a double sow bug rig with beaded and non-beaded versions is also popular. If you want to get technical, anglers find success short leashing midges (flies 2-3' under Palsa Tab indicators) in the slow edges, channels and back waters.
Streamers: Smaller weighted streamers like Flash N’Grabs, Flare-A-Bou, Chicago Overcoat, and the She Demon Bugger will provide action. Cold water slows things down. Whether you choose a floating line or a sink tip, get them deep and move them slowly.
January 10, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: CFS/5440
Temperature: 35 Degrees below Holter Dam
Winter has finally arrived, and we are focused on fly tying for destination saltwater trips as well as stocking the boxes for the Montana season ahead. We had a fly tying social at Elevation 3330 last night and helped Terry get ready for Belize. We also taught a few patrons how to tie some new fly patterns.
People often ask how the Missouri River fishes in the winter. My response is that it is always good if the weather is tolerable. Fish eat all year round when food is available, and food is plentiful on the MO all winter long. Think Sow Bugs, Midges and Minnows. If the weather allows you to fish, the fish will be biting.
Trout Spey: Now is prime time for swinging. Buggers like the Thin Mint are always on the menu along with Balanced Leeches in dark colors. The Foxxy Clouser, Flare-A-Bou, Trout Spey Bugger, Trout Spey Intruder, Montana Intruder, Mini Montana Intruder, Bald Eagle, Pocket Rocket and many more will find connections. As fish tank up, Scandi set ups with leechy tung head flies will work for fishing the soft inside zones. Swing Skagit tips with streamers over the buckets, deeper runs and shelves. T-8 tips in 5/5 and 10’ or the OPST tips in the Riffle (S2/3), Run (S4 or S6) and Bucket (S9) Series will cover all bases.
Dry: A few midges out there. Not much dry fly action to speak of.
Nymph: Running longer leaders with split shot is the norm. Sow Bugs are the primary standby imitation throughout the winter months. Some are fishing their sow behind a worm. Others drop a Zebra Midge off their sow bug. Running a double sow bug rig with beaded and non-beaded versions is also popular. If you want to get technical, anglers find success short leashing midges (flies 2-3' under Palsa Tab indicators) in the slow edges, channels and back waters.
Streamers: Smaller weighted streamers like Flash N’Grabs, Flare-A-Bou, Chicago Overcoat, Jig Thin Mint and the She Demon Bugger will provide action. Cold water slows things down. Whether you choose a floating line or a sink tip, get them down and move them slowly.
January 17, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: CFS/5240
Temperature: 33 Degrees below Holter Dam
We are deep in a cold period. The river is mostly frozen from Great Falls to above Mountain Palace. Shelf ice runs all the way to Holter Dam. Boat landings are now ice and snow covered. It looks like it will be warming up this weekend, but if you venture out, be careful.
Trout Spey: Now is prime time for swinging. Buggers like the Thin Mint are always on the menu along with Balanced Leeches in dark colors. The Foxxy Clouser, Flare-A-Bou, Trout Spey Bugger, Trout Spey Intruder, Montana Intruder, Mini Montana Intruder, Bald Eagle, Pocket Rocket and many more will find connections. As fish tank up, Scandi set ups with leechy tung head flies will work for fishing the soft inside zones. Swing Skagit tips with streamers over the buckets, deeper runs and shelves. T-8 tips in 5/5 and 10’ or the OPST tips in the Riffle (S2/3), Run (S4 or S6) and Bucket (S9) Series will cover all bases.
Dry: A few midges out there. Not much dry fly action to speak of.
Nymph: Running longer leaders with split shot is the norm. Sow Bugs are the primary standby imitation throughout the winter months. Some are fishing their sow behind a worm. Others drop a Zebra Midge off their sow bug. Running a double sow bug rig with beaded and non-beaded versions is also popular. If you want to get technical, anglers find success short leashing midges (flies 2-3' under Palsa Tab indicators) in the slow edges, channels and back waters.
Streamers: Smaller weighted streamers like Flash N’Grabs, Flare-A-Bou, Chicago Overcoat, Jig Thin Mint and the She Demon Bugger will provide action. Cold water slows things down. Whether you choose a floating line or a sink tip, get them down and move them slowly
January 24, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: CFS/4500
Temperature: 33 Degrees below Holter Dam
Flows have been dropped and the daily high temps have moved up as much as 80 degrees from earlier lows. My vehicle registered 50 degrees by Prewit Creek on Sunday. Daily highs for the next week are projected to remain in the 40–50-degree range. The river is icy cold and still ice locked in the lower canyon, but very fishable from Holter Dam to the Mid Canon reach. These temps will keep chiseling away at the ice and lower reaches should be fishable soon. For now, it is best to focus up high and if you are wading, keep an eye upstream for floating ice. I enjoyed a fantastic session of swinging flies on Sunday in spring like temps and without wind. I had my chosen run all to myself and a couple eagles who wistfully watched me releasing healthy rainbows and one feisty brown.
Trout Spey: I found some success swinging with a Skagit head and an intermediate tip, but the fish were in slow enough water, that I was still dragging bottom in spots. I switched to an integrated Scandi line with a 13’ leader and my swing was better, and the catch rate improved. One of the keys to success with the Scandi set up is fishing a fly with enough weight to hover above the bottom. If you want the fly to get deeper, keep your rod lined up with the line on the water. If you need to elevate the fly, you can mend up our downstream to tension the leader and lift the fly. Often lifting the fly in a jigging motion will trigger a bite. Sometimes, the fish will also eat the fly when you release tension and allow the fly to drop. It is a fun process selling the fly and figuring out what it takes to trigger the bite. My favorite flies are balanced leeches and small minnow imitations like the Fly Project Bam Bam. If the fish get plucky and are hard to hook, you can try dropping a soft hackle or unweighted micro leech off the weighted fly. That will often seal the deal.
Dry: A fair number of midges out there and a few fish paying attention.
Nymph: Running longer leaders with split shot is the norm. Sow Bugs are the primary standby imitation throughout the winter months. Some are fishing their sow behind a worm. Others drop a Zebra Midge off their sow bug. Running a double sow bug rig with beaded and non-beaded versions is also popular. If you want to get technical, anglers find success short leashing midges (flies 2-3' under Palsa Tab indicators) in the slow edges, channels and back waters.
Streamers: Smaller weighted streamers like Flash N’Grabs, Flare-A-Bou, Chicago Overcoat, Jig Thin Mint and the She Demon Bugger will provide action. Cold water slows things down. Whether you choose a floating line or a sink tip, get them down and move them slowly.
There is a rare opportunity for excellent winter fishing right now. If you need any help dialing in your set ups and approach, we are here to help you.
Tight Lines!
MARCH
March 6, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: CFS/3700
Temperature: 34 Degrees below Holter Dam
Trout Spey: March is prime time for swinging. Pre-spawn Rainbows are grouping up in the upper river and getting competitive. If you find a run stacked with fish, the bites can be steady. In the Canyon and lower reaches, hungry browns are on the hunt for protein packed meals. They often hit hard and take to the air like steelhead. Who does not love that?
Skagit heads with tips from intermediate to T-11 work great for covering water from flats, to buckets and deep shelves. Don’t be afraid to change tip density and fly weight. You’ve got to get in front of them. On some broad runs with consistent depth, I will also choose an integrated Scandi line with a 13’ leader. One of the keys to success with the Scandi set up is fishing a fly with enough weight to hover above the bottom. If you want the fly to get deeper, keep your rod lined up with the line on the water. If you need to elevate the fly, you can mend up our downstream to tension the leader and lift the fly. Often lifting the fly in a jigging motion will trigger a bite. Sometimes, the fish will also eat the fly when you release tension and allow the fly to drop. It is a fun process selling the fly and figuring out what it takes to trigger the bite. My favorite flies are balanced leeches and small minnow imitations like the Fly Project Bam Bam and Flare-A-Bou. If the fish get plucky and are hard to hook, you can try dropping a soft hackle or unweighted micro leech off the weighted fly. That will often seal the deal.
Dry: Midges are out there and fish paying attention. If you get lucky with clouds and calm conditions, fish will get busy chomping emergers, adults and clusters.
Nymph: Running longer leaders with split shot is the norm. Sow Bugs will remain a standby for weeks to come. Some fish their their sow behind a worm. Others drop a Zebra Midge off their sow bug. Running a double sow bug rig with beaded and non-beaded versions is also popular. If you want to get technical, anglers find success short leashing midges (flies 2-3' under Palsa Tab indicators) in the slow edges, channels and back waters.
Streamers: Smaller weighted streamers like Flash N’Grabs, Flare-A-Bou, Chicago Overcoat, Jig Thin Mint and the She Demon Bugger will provide action. Cold water slows things down. Whether you choose a floating line or a sink tip, get them down and move them slowly. As we get deeper into March, don’t be afraid to start playing with larger flies. Browns will be more and more aggressive toward big meals as the month goes on.
Tight Lines!
March 12, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: CFS/3800
Temperature: 35+ Degrees below Holter Dam
The season is here. Ice is out or going out on the reservoirs and our water temps will begin a steady trend upwards. Many rainbows will begin staging to spawn, while others will begin to put on the feed bag as their metabolisms tick upwards. Browns get feisty in the afternoons when flows warm up a degree or two.
If you want to have some fun playing with larger trout, now is the time to hit the lakes for cruising fish on the front side of their spawning maturity. Holter, Upper Holter, Nilan, Willow Creek and Bynum to name a few will be excellent over the next six weeks.
Ice Out: Balanced leeches under indicators are the name of the game when the wind is blowing enough to create good wave action. When waters are calm, chironomids and #14-16 jig nymphs work better. Don’t be afraid to take off the indicator and cast and retrieve leeches, minnow imitations and nymphs either. There is always some combination of fly and technique that will get the fish chomping.
Trout Spey: It is prime time to swing streamers before the hatches get underway. If enough midges are out and you want to go lighter, consider swinging small soft hackles when you see fish working on top.
Dry: If you get lucky with clouds and calm conditions during the day, fish will get busy chomping emergers, adults and clusters. Otherwise, the midges will often come out as the sun begins to drop in the evening, creating a magic hour.
Nymph: Sow Bugs, Midges, Worms, Eggs
Streamers: Flash N’Grabs, Flare-A-Bou, Chicago Overcoat, Jig Thin Mint and the She Demon Bugger will provide action. Cold water slows things down. Whether you choose a floating line or a sink tip, get them down and move them slowly. As we get deeper into March, don’t be afraid to start playing with larger flies. Browns will be more and more aggressive toward big meals as the month goes on.
Tight Lines!
March 20, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: CFS/3820
Temperature: 37+ Degrees below Holter Dam
The weather was here and lots of folks took advantage of spring temps this past week. A couple afternoons topped out at 70 degrees. Ice is out or going out on the reservoirs and our water temps have begin a steady trend upwards. Of course, we have a cold front with winter weather expected for this coming weekend. That will slow things down for a brief time.
Ice Out: Balanced leeches under indicators are the name of the game when the wind is blowing enough to create good wave action. When waters are calm, chironomids and #14-16 jig nymphs work better. Don’t be afraid to take off the indicator and cast and retrieve leeches, minnow imitations and nymphs either. There is always some combination of fly and technique that will get the fish chomping.
Trout Spey: It is prime time to swing streamers before the hatches get underway. If enough midges are out and you want to go lighter, consider swinging small soft hackles when you see fish working on top. Otherwise, buggers, balanced leeches and squirrels are steady producers. Sometimes the fish will get chompy on the bling and flashy flies like the Flash N’ Grab and Montana Intruder will illicit some solid grabs.
Dry: Midges are the name of the game. If you get lucky with clouds and calm conditions during the day, fish will get busy chomping emergers, adults and clusters. Otherwise, the midges will often come out as the sun begins to drop in the evening, creating a magic hour.
Nymph: Sow Bugs, Midges, Worms, Eggs
Streamers: Flash N’Grabs, Flare-A-Bou, Chicago Overcoat, Jig Thin Mint and the She Demon Bugger will provide action. Cold water slows things down. Whether you choose a floating line or a sink tip, get them down and move them slowly. As we get deeper into March, don’t be afraid to start playing with larger flies. Browns will be more and more aggressive toward big meals as the month goes on.
The Trout Shop is open daily from 8-5.
Tight Lines!
March 27, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: CFS/3460
Temperature: 37+ Degrees below Holter Dam
Things are changing as spring begins to make its influence felt. Lots of rainbows are on the spawn, and not interested in eating. Please respect them in shallow water and do not wade in the obvious redds along the edges in faster flows. Focus on the smoother softer waters where non spawning rainbows and browns are feasting on midges. This is arguably one of the best times to dry fly fish the MO. The fish eating on top are not hard to feed with single adult midges and/or cluster midges. You can also short leash zebra midges a few inches to a couple feet down.
This is also prime time to streamer fish for brown trout. There are no weeds to contend with and with many of the rainbows out of the picture, the browns are easy to target and will likely see your fly. Almost any size or style of streamer will produce. The key is that color, flash or lack of flash preferences can change, so try a few options. Retrieve speeds should not be too quick yet either as waters are still cold. Slow in the morning and faster as the day goes on is good general practice.
Location: Holter, Upper Holter, Nilan, Willow Creek, Reservation Lakes
Ice out time is now and the big lake fish are cruising the shorelines. When the wind is blowing, send a balanced leech under and indicator out into the waves and let the waves make it dance. You can also cast and retrieve buggers and minnow streamers. If the wind drops, it is time to slowly retrieve nymphs or fish a nymph or chironomid under a small indicator. Just be aware that casting continually over calm waters will spook the fish. Be stealthy, and you will be rewarded.
The Trout Shop is open daily 8-5, ready to help you with flies, gear, information, shuttles and coffee.
Tight Lines!
April 5, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: CFS/3620
Temperature: 39+ Degrees below Holter Dam
You should have been here yesterday. And the day before. But tomorrow will probably be good as well. Water at the dam is just two degrees from BWO’s. Temps down river have already topped 42 degrees and a few mayflies are coming off. Expect a major showing any day in the next week or so. Lots of midges have had the fish up for weeks. Even when the sun is shining. Nymphing has been best in the morning on the brighter days. Streamer fishing has been solid when the clouds are dimming the sunlight. Many rainbows are on the spawn, but those that are not have been eating dries well. When the BWO’s join the midges, it’s going to be awesome. The browns are eating everything from midges to articulated streamers.
Location: Holter, Upper Holter, Nilan, Willow Creek, Reservation Lakes
Lake fishing is in full swing for shoreline cruisers. Great reports have been coming from Holter, Upper Holter, Nilan and Willow Creek Reservoirs. Balanced Leeches are the go to when the wind has some surface chop rolling. If it glasses out, try stripping #14-16 Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns or Hares Ear Nymphs. Hanging Chironomids under indicators near the surface also produces well at times.
Location: The Trout Shop
Spring is here with a mix of weather, but the fishing can be great regardless. We are currently open from 8-5 daily. Give us a call or stop in for all your needs.
Tight Lines!
April 18, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: 3690 CFS
Temperature: 40+ Degrees below Holter Dam
Yesterday the water temps moved into the 43-44 degree range and the BWO’s really kicked off. Fish were acting like sharks in some reaches of the river. Last night we got some snow and the river temp dropped. It will be interesting to see how that affects the hatch going forward. Expect emergences to be a bit random and likely later in the day. Once we begin warming up through the week, the hatches should begin to time more consistently in early afternoon.
Sow bugs and BWO nymphs are king under the surface. Fish deep in the morning and consider shortening up later in the day. Some fish are stationed in very shallow water where they have been feeding on midges. Now they will be chasing more BWO’s.
Streamer fishing has been hit and miss depending on the day, the sun, the clouds, the reach of river, and the anglers. The next month or so is a great time to be hunting for those larger browns. When they are switched on, pulling the big flies is the way to go.
Many of our rainbows are still locked into spawning mode. As we move into May, water will warm and many of the fish who are distracted right now will be hungry. Expect fishing to continue to get better in the weeks ahead.
Conditions are very fluid this time of year. Epic one day and challenging the next. Weather is the big wildcard. If you need up to the minute details, please call us for daily updates.
Location: Holter/Upper Holter Lake and any reservoirs along the Rocky Mountain Front
Rainbow fishing has been fantastic this spring. Lots of fish are accessable near the boat landings and along the shore. Its often a social scene where the fishing is best, but it can be fun nonetheless. If you have a boat, you can find solitude cruising the shorelines or anchoring and casting in locations away from the shoreline access points. We are loaded with balanced leeches, chironomids and other nymphs the fish will eat.
The Trout Shop is open daily 8-5, ready to help you with flies, gear, information, shuttles, coffee, ice, drinks, breakfast sandwiches and river lunches.
April 25, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: 3340 CFS
Temperature: 45+ Degrees below Holter Dam
Mayfly season has arrived. BWO’s are hatching daily. Nymphs are getting it done all day, Soft Hackles, emergers, cripples and duns are all in play during the hatch windows. Spinner falls might get attention also. Lots of bug stages are in play. Midges are still prolific at times and get the fish up early and late most days. A few March Browns have been spotted. We will soon see if this hatch comes to fruition.
Sow bugs and BWO nymphs remain staples down below, with a few folks rolling some larger Mayfly nymphs. Streamer fishing is always in play, especially on the darker days, but with low clear water and bugs, the fish are busy eating the small stuff.
The outlook is for continued great fishing with more and more post spawn rainbows adding into the mix.
May 2, 2024
Location: Missouri River
Flows: 3340 CFS
Temperature: 45+ Degrees below Holter Dam
Mayfly season has arrived. BWO’s are hatching daily. Nymphs are getting it done all day, Soft Hackles, emergers, cripples and duns are all in play during the hatch windows. Spinner falls might get attention also. Lots of bug stages are in play. Midges are still prolific at times and get the fish up early and late most days. A few March Browns have been spotted. We will soon see if this hatch comes to fruition.
Sow bugs and BWO nymphs remain staples down below, with a few folks rolling some larger Mayfly nymphs. Streamer fishing is always in play, especially on the darker days, but with low clear water and bugs, the fish are busy eating the small stuff.
The outlook is for continued great fishing with more and more post spawn rainbows adding into the mix.
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