Big Hole River
Bighorn River
Bitterroot River
Bitterroot River, East Fork
Bitterroot River, West Fork
Blackfoot River
Lower Clark Fork River
Clark Fork River
Middle Fork Flathead River
North Fork Flathead River
Flint Creek
Gallatin River
Georgetown Lake
Kootenai River
Madison River, Between Quake Lake and Ennis
Madison River, Below Ennis Lake
Rock Creek
Yellowstone River
| Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby: |
|---|
| Blue Damsel Lodge |
| Fins & Feathers |
| PRO Outfitters |
| Montana Hunting and Fishing Adventures |
Water flow: 9210 CFS (normally 6210 CFS)
Visibility: 50 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 44 Degrees F
Water condition: Stained
Best time of day to fish: Late Morning thru Evening
Best stretch: Dam to Craig
Best access point: Below Holter Dam, Wolf Creek Bridge, Craig, Stickney, Mid-Canon, Mountain Palace, Prewett Creek
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Midges
Fish species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Whitefish
Fishing season: Early Spring
Nearest airport: Helena, Great Falls
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 4X Tippet
Best fly fishing rod: 9' 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: WF Trout Fly Line
Best sinking fly line: Clear Sink Tip Fly Line
One of the largest and most easily accessed rivers in Montana is the Missouri River. The mighty MO' is certainly a trout factory! Three reservoirs in a row make this tailwater fishery have a constant water flow and stable temperatures from day to day. Amazingly fertile, with prolific hatches of mayflies, caddis, and midges, the Missouri is a 365 day river. You'll see fish rising just about every day of the ...
The classic double Nymph set up (make sure you add split shot) is the way to catch the most fish on the MO at this time of year but it's not the only way. We LOVE swinging streamers on our two-handed rods! (You can do the same with a single-handed rod as well if you haven't stepped up on bought a Switch or Trout Spey set up yet. -FYI- we can get you set up well for this fun way to fly fish!)
Summer is right around the corner. We are still seeing thick midge hatches when the wind is calm. We are also starting to see a lot more BWO on the top, and fish are looking up. The most successful time to fish for rising fish is when we get some cloud cover, and the wind is mild. Nymph set ups have still been the most productive method on the 'Mo right now, with fire bead sow bugs being the hot fly. Baetis nymphs, such as the Green Machine, have also been working well. Open Tying every Saturday in our downtown Helena shop! Come on down, bring a vise (or demo a new one) and hang out, shoot the breeze, twist up a few flies -we'll show you some cool patterns, drink some delicious Firetower Coffee Roasters coffee and snack on sweet treats that Larry "The Urban Legend" provides! It's a good time!
