As they say...the Mo is the Mo is the Mo...and it is consistently consistent right now for those that know where to fish it...and that is the riffles, the clearer water from the Dam to Craig, and the lower river down to Cascade if you want a big fish. Flows on the MO are around 3500 CFS which is a great level for late summer. The riffles are long and pronounced that is where the fish are going to be hanging out and feeding.
Weed growth is thick but that hasn't stopped the fish from feeding. The lower river has more weeds than the upper sections, but less people. Tricos are out, but not gangbusters, and there are still a few caddis and mayflies that are bringing some pods of fish to the surface, but not like it was during the primo of the prime during mid-June through early July. Better dry fly fishing near the dam these days than down low. Get out there early if you're head hunting. Right now the weekends can be pretty busy with beer and bikini floaters to escape the heat, but if you go early or go late you will miss most of that crowd. Nymph fishing is always productive on the seams and in some of the riffles. Crayfish and worms are getting some attention lately as well as small nymphs. The entire river from Wolf Creek down to Cascade is still fishing pretty well despite the weeds, with hatches of some morning tricos, and a few caddis. The entire river is going to be accessible and have plenty of great habitat for dry fly anglers, walk-and-wade anglers, and floating nymphers.
When fishing the Missouri River always look for pods of fish in the usual areas during hatches--riffles, seams, and dropoffs near bankside structure. The Missouri near Craig and Wolf creek is a great option this time of year, especially for dry fly anglers willing to get out on the water early.
Where to Find Trout on the Missouri:
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. Throughout the day, trout are actively moving from holding to feeding lies on the Missouri River as they adjust to the current hatch. 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 and the results can be well worth it.
Favorite Flies for Fly Fishing the Missouri River Right Now:
Parachute trico duns in sizes 18-22
Hi-Vis trico spinners in sizes 18-22
Para Adams in PMD in sizes 18-22
PMD Sparkle duns in sizes 14 to 22
Captive duns in PWO in sizes 14 to 22
Blooms Hi-Vis caddis in sizes 12-18
CDC caddis in sizes 12-18
Crime Scene caddis in sizes 12-18
Beadhead Pheasant Tail nymphs in flashback and natural in sizes 12 to 20
Firebead SJ wormies in sizes 10-18
Buzzballs in size 20-22
Little Green Machines in natural or olive in size 18-22
Zebra Midge in black, olive, or purple in sizes 18-22
Tungteasers in black, grey, or red in size 18-22
Jujubee midges in black and purple in size 18-22
Scuds and sowbugs in various colors in size 16 to 22
Sculpzillas in black, olive, or purple in sizes 2 to 6
Home Invader in any contrasting color scheme in size 2 or 4
The Month Ahead:
The nymphing is always good and terrestrial fishing is often an option once the aquatic hatches have run their course. The Missouri is a very consistent tailwater and always produces in September. By this time of year the trout have seen a lot of flies and the river has seen a lot of traffic but things will start slowing down. By late summer the trico hatch still brings trout to the surface. This is a bucket list river for many anglers and even though we prefer to fish it in the early summer a day on the Mo is always memorable. This month, keep an eye out for more aquatic hatches bringing fish to the surface. Baby BWO's aka pseudocleoens will be present in the afternoons this month, and the Missouri usually sees some October Caddis in September. Prospecting with a hopper in the afternoons can also get some looks. Select areas on the Missouri also see some callibaetis hatches and it's worth trying one of those patterns if you find the bugs.
Long Term Missouri River Forecast
The Missouri is a tailwater and always produces. This is a bucket list river for many anglers and even though we prefer to fish it in the early summer a day on the Mo is always memorable.