Current Conditions: The Missouri River is in prime mode right now with hatches of Blue Winged Olives, March Browns, caddis, and the occasional skwala. For wading anglers on the Missouri River flows are about as good as they get. For floating anglers the river is tailor-made right now for posting up on pods of rising trout. Mayflies, caddis, subsurface nymphs, and streamers are all catching fish right now. With fish counts well over several thousand fish per mile on this tailwater, anglers can typically find feeding trout every day of the year...and now is no exception as flows are consistent, hatches are really getting going, and fly fishing the Missouri River is a great option right now.
Throughout the day, trout are actively moving from holding to feeding lies on the Missouri River as they adjust to the current hatch. Before a hatch occurs trout will hold in deeper, slower runs. Missouri River trout prefer holding lies in river currents that are medium speed and not too slow. Deeper areas next to faster current are good places to focus with a tandem nymph rig. As a hatch develops trout may move to bankside structure or slide into shallower water. Anglers interested in fishing streamers can also find success on the Missouri River at the moment. As trout become more active in longer, deeper runs, swinging for trout with spey rods is increasingly popular as results can be good.
Trout populations on the Missouri River consist mostly of rainbow trout and many rainbows may still be in spawning mode so be cautious of targeting spawning fish on redds. Quickly land any hooked fish and release any fish that look to be in spawning mode.
Favorite Flies for Fly Fishing the Missouri River Right Now:
Little Green Machines in natural or olive in size 14 through 18
Zebra Midge in black, olive, or purple in sizes 14 through 18
Perdigons in fav color in size 14 through 18
Para PMXs in size 12 through 18....larger sizes for skwalas and smaller sizes for caddis
Blooms Para caddis in size 16
Scuds and sowbugs in various colors in size 10 to 18
Sculpzillas in black, olive, or purple in sizes 2 to 6
Home Invader in any contrasting color scheme in size 2 or 4
Sparkle Pupas (beadhead or not) in sizes 14 to 18
The Month Ahead:
As the weather warms in the coming weeks the fishing on the Missouri River only gets better. The peak of the rainbow trout spawn hits soon and more fish return to the river from the Dearborn River and Little Prickly Pear creek--the main spawning tributaries. The next month has the potential for some of the strongest BWO hatches of the year so dry fly anglers should be prepared to head to the river if the forecast calls for overcast, light rain, and little wind. Streamflows often remain consistent as well making for a recipe for consistency that anglers and trout enjoy.