The Missouri River near Wolf Creek and Craig is a legit option right now. Flows are ideal for walking and wading with all the various public access points. Floating anglers have the entire run of the river from Holter down to Cascade....so it really depends on what is your fancy right now on the Mo: nymphing the deeper runs with tandem nymph rigs, head hunting for fish eating Blue Winged Olive mayflies, or covering water prospecting with streamers or October caddis. The entire reach is fishing well so there really isn't a perfect place to be right now...what matters is if you can go, you should go because the fish on the Mo are looking up for dry flies and chasing streamers.
The Upper river above Canyon Ferry is improving as well as trout from the lake move up into the river. It's a low numbers game fishery up there, but there are no doubt some nice trout to contend with. Nymphing a large zonker trailed by a basic smaller attractor is a good bet. It is also a nice option to bring a dry fly rod along to keep an eye out for big rainbows sipping on baetis dries if you are lucky. The carp are still in the river but the carp fishing is getting tough as water temps drop.
The Month Ahead:
Fall is in the air for sure on the Missouri these days. The weeds are almost gone, or will be gone soon, so expect to get back to clean water and for the streamer game to be legit again. The nymphing is always good and the Blue Winged Olive hatches should be strong. The Missouri River is a very consistent tailwater and always produces in October. 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 as well.
Where to Find Trout on the Missouri:
Before a hatch occurs trout will hold in deeper 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
Long Term Missouri River Forecast
The Missouri near Craig can produce some good winter wade fishing but it is a big and windy river to float in the winter months. Standard fair like a pink sow bug trailed by a midge larva is a good option.
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