Missouri River - Below Holter Dam | Montana Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions

We have some cooler weather out there but the water temps are still in the 40's and fish are active. Bundle up with lots of layers and always bring a full set of extra clothes in the boat (or even in the car). That way if you slip and fall in, you'll have a margin of safety as you can get out of your wet stuff and into dry and warm gear.

Fishing Report Last Updated:

11 / 25 / 2018

Choose A Different River Here

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

Fishing Conditions

Fly Fishing Missouri River is currently Good

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby:
Blue Damsel Lodge
Fins & Feathers
PRO Outfitters
Montana Hunting and Fishing Adventures

Water flow: 4450 (normally 4500)

Visibility: 50 inches

Water temperature at mid-day: 42 Degrees F

Water condition: Clear

Best time of day to fish: Late Morning thru Evening

Best stretch: Craig-Mid

Best access point: Holter Dam, Wolf Creek Bridge, Craig, Dearborn

Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:

Midges

Fish species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Whitefish

Fishing season: Fall

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

Fly Name:	Fly Color:	Fly Size(s):
Griffith's Gnat		#18- #22
Black Gnat		#18- #22
I Can See It Midge Fly		#18-#20
Adams Parachute Dry Fly		#16-#20
Bead Body Scud	Gray, Pink, Olive	#16-#18
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer	Black, Olive, Brown	#4-#8

Skittish Smolt	White, Brown	#6
Green Machines	Black, PT, Olive	#16-#20
Zebra Midge	Green, Black, Red	#18-#20
Doc's Articulator	Goldie, Smelt, Purple	#6

Missouri, Below Holter Dam Description

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 ...

Techniques & Tips

Nymphing of course is a great way to get into numbers of fish but Fall and early Winter is also a prime time for streamers and even for dries. The weeds have thinned out so stripping or swinging streamers is fun instating of frustrating. There are noses showing to Midges in the afternoons. Deep or Short-Leash Nymphing are the way to go when you don't see many noses and you want to go down after them.

7-Day Forecast

Looks like the week starting Cyber Monday will be in the low 40's! That means you should fish during the day and then buy something online at CrossCurrents.com! Just sayin'!! Sign up for on of our Fly Tying Classes this Winter in our Helena shop. Call or stop by our Downtown Helena Store for more info or to put your name down for a class! 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!