Missouri River Report 2.17.16

Missouri River trout like to eat. This time of year, they are hungry and they don’t have the volume nor the choices in February and March that they will have later on. Do the math. Your flies will get more attention from fish looking to eat this time of year, because they are not getting stuffed by nature. It’s almost not fair.

It always makes me chuckle when someone comes into the shop and says, "Is anyone catching fish yet?" "Only the guys who are fishing, I reply." There must be lots of folks under the impression that river fish hibernate during the winter. While their activity will slow during the coldest periods, they still want to eat. Do you stop eating when it gets cold out? Not likely. Chances are, you eat even more. Add in the fact that it really hasn't been winter for the past several weeks. The extended forecast is showing more spring like temps. When the water temps hit 36 degrees and above, it’s go time.

There have been some great reports of fish grabby on the streamer. One guy will come in saying all his fish were rainbows and another will say all his fish were browns. Location is often the factor, but sometimes it’s the fly. Browns tend to favor darker patterns of black, brown or olive with a moderate amount of flash. If you go all flash, try copper and gold. Rainbows love the flash, especially silver and rainbow (green, blue, pink, gold and silver) mixes or Silver and Gold.

It is starting to get midgy out there. The midge volume should continue to increase as we move into spring. Look for fish in the back channels, eddies and quiet waters. You can also find them lining up at the head of shelves or drop offs when the volume of bugs is up. They want to eat and they are not as picky now as they will get come summer time. Try a Buzz Ball, Griffiths, Pulsating Emerger, CDC Adult or even a tiny Adams.

The Nymphing game is steady and lots of flies are working. The pinks and the fire beads are strong. Any Scudly or Sowy bugs can find some takers. The zebras and the slender little mayflies are solid as well. Depth and placement is always the key in the winter time. Fish deep and slow in the morning and then move up to the heads of runs during the warmest part of the day.

It’s looking like we are on course for an early peak of trout fishing action again this year. If the warm weather trend continues without much moisture, expect to see low flows. That translates into warmer water and great fishing throughout late winter, spring and into early summer.