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. Tricos are out, but not gangbusters and there are still a few caddis and PMDs 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. 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. The entire river from Wolf Creek down to Cascade is still fishing well with hatches of PMDs, caddis, and some early tricos. The entire river is going to be accessible and have plenty of great habitat for dry fly anglers, walk-and-wade anglers, and happy nymphers. When fishing the Missouri River always look for pods of fish in the usual areas during a PMD hatch--riffles, seams, and dropoffs near bankside structure. The Missouri near Craig and Wolf creek is a great option this time of year.
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 run their course by mid july. Tricos start showing up in late July. We tend to prefer other waters in the mid summer months but the trout are always there. As the weather warms in the coming weeks the fishing on the Missouri River only gets better with stronger hatches of caddis and PMDs. The Missouri is a tailwater and always produce. By this time of year the trout have seen a lot of flies and the river can see a lot of traffic. 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.
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.