Missouri River Report 7.22.16
Current flows on the Missouri River are 4200cfs. Water temps below Holter have been running from 62 upwards toward 65 degrees. We are in the middle of summer and it’s hot out there. It can be somewhat difficult to nail down the best flies or approach for successful angling. My best tip is to go early, go late or fish on both sides of the day and seek shade in the middle. Another key is an icy cooler full of hydration and an open mind.
Want to know how the river is doing? Check out most current river flows and temperatures here
One of the most common questions I get in the fly shop is:
"What fly is working on the Missouri River right now?"
As I am writing this, a guy came in and asked me precisely that question. I started laughing and then apologized and explained.
"I can give you a simple one fly answer."
"They are eating Pheasant Tails."
I’m not lying. You can almost always catch a fish on a Pheasant Tail of some size or derivative. You could fish a size #16 and drop a #20 or #22 off the back. If you want an easy answer and an easy choice, let’s grab some Pheasant Tails. Of course, I could pick 50 other flies and be equally truthful in my response.
Another common question that we hear daily:
"What’s hatching on the Missouri right now?"
"Do you want the short answer or the long one?"
The short one is, "Trico’s are hatching."
The long one goes something like this.
"Trico’s are hatching." "Midges are hatching." "A variety of Caddis including but not limited to Glossosoma, Rhyacophilia, Grannom and Nectopsyche are hatching". "PMD’s and PED’s are hatching." "Depending on where you are, you might see a Flav, or a Hex, or some tiny Olives, or Green Drakes or Callibaetis, or Damsels or Craneflies." There are also some terrestrials out including ants, hoppers and beetles. You can almost always find some fish eating scuds, sow bugs and annelids.
By the time I get to Craneflies, the questioner is usually blanked out and needs to be brought back in with a question or two of my own.
"What time of day are you fishing?"
In the morning, you have a great opportunity to fish the Trico Spinner fall. They usually get busy around 9:00 a.m. Be looking from 8:30 to 10 to be safe. Spinner patterns of choice include the Chubby Trico, The Organza Trico, The Clear Wing Trico and the Poly Wing Spinner. Cluster Midges and Buzzballs are also popular larger targets or good sighter flies.
Want to try out some flies? Check out our fly selection here
Mid-day fishing is going is going to be hot and likely low on the productivity level. Blind fishing a dry dropper rig or double dry rig can pull up a fish or two. Try a Purple Haze or Outrigger Caddis with a tiny PT or Midge dropper. Or fish double dries.
Caddis are the evening’s big event. Some nights are better than others. After the sun is off the water and as long as you can still see, caddis are where it’s at.
If you’ve got 5 minutes, I can ask you some questions and break my replies down into digestible bits.
If you’ve got 10 minutes or more, we can go deeper and even talk presentations. I’m here to help you make the right choices. I want you headed out the door armed with good flies and the confidence and knowledge to use them.
Heading out to the river? Gear up on the latest fly equipment here