Current Conditions:
Fall is finally here on the Missouri River, even though it may feel like summer for the next few weeks. Water temps really haven't hit the magic mark for Blue Winged Olives just yet as it is still hovering around 60 degrees F. It needs to drop below 56 degrees F for the hatch to really happen and get dry fly anglers excited and with this warm weather we are at least a few weeks out for BWOs on the Mo. To learn more about the Blue-Winged Olive mayfly, be sure to read our latest blog: The Mayfly You Need to Know: Catch More Fish by Understanding Blue-Winged Olives.
October caddis are bumping around. This hatch is not the consistent for fall on the October but it is worth having a few caddis in your box in case you get the urge. October caddis do not hatch in great numbers but they are large enough adult fly that if a trout is hungry enough they will rise to a well presented fly. And hungry trout on the Mo in fall happens often enough that being prepared with some October caddis is never a bad idea.
Even if BWOs are still on their summer vacation, the tandem nymph game is heating up for sure on the Mighty Mo at the moment. The weeds of summer are still there but not as bad and getting better every day. A good drift these days is much easier to come by than in summer. The best rigs are two small mayfly nymphs fished in about 4 to 6 feet deep water in medium current. Fly selection isn't as important as presentation and fishing the right water...isn't that mostly always the case on the Mo---it's not what you are using it is how you are using it! See below for the list of best flies to use right now.
Streamer anglers haven't really hit their groove yet as not all of the weed growth has washed away. Fish are still being caught with streamers and large flies on the Missouri River but the best action has cleary been with sink-tip lines or even full sinking lines in the deeper, slower holes to find those aggressive brown trout who are just holding out for water temps to drop to cue them into spawning season.
Do it yourself wading anglers will find plenty of accessible water and options for good fishing. Floating anglers and those anglers on guided fly fishing trips will find it very nice to have a boat to help cover more water.
Favorite Flies for Fly Fishing the Missouri River Right Now:
Your favorite BWO or pseudocleon nymphs in appropriate sizes.
Almost Dun in BWO is sizes 16-20
Trico adults and spinners in size 20
Para Adams in sizes 16-20
Purple Haze in sizes 16-20
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
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
October caddis dries in sizes 8-12. A Bloom's Hi-Vis in a size 8 is good choice.
The Month Ahead:
We did get a minor cold front come through the Missouri River canyon a little over a week ago, but it really didn't get that cold---daytime highs did not dip much below 60. We need that daytime high to drop into the 40s for the Blue Winged Olives to really kick start into hatching. When that happens hordes of Blue-Winged Olives will be seen on the surface and hungry trout will be very happy. Typically by the third week or so of September the Missouri River has consistently strong hatches of Blue Winged Olives...but not yet. It will happen in the month ahead, just not sure when. Those hatches begin around 10/11 AM and last until 3/4 PM. Additionally, after the first cold front passes, the amount of available terrestrials available to trout dwindles as well. Trout on the Missouri River will eat hopper patterns well into September, but most anglers find better success with tandem nymph rigs using Blue Winged Olive and October caddis patterns.
Things for streamer anglers will definitely improve in the next month. As the Missouri River's large population of wild brown trout grow aggressive as spawning season approaches, using a variety of streamers is successful. These fish can be targeted in many of the Missouri's prime trout habitats--steep drop-offs along canyon walls, the tailouts after long shelfs and riffles, and in the variety of buckets and holes throughout many of the Missouri's long runs.
Right now the Missouri River is fishing well, but it is also just primed for some gonzo-good dry fly fishing here any day.