missouri river fishing report

3690 CFS @ Holter - It's PMD time up on the Missouri, and we're ready for it. The bugs are out in great numbers, and fish will be keying in on those PMD emergers and cripples. Be sure to have a good selection of different patterns and sizes, as experimenting with what's working can lead to more fish. And, as always, make your first presentation count. These dry-fly fish don't reward sloppy casting or poor presentations.

Recommended Flies:

Bifocal Emerger, PMD #16
Film Critic PMD #16
Last Chance Cripple, PMD #16
TB Split Case PMD #16
TB UV Sowbug, Pink #14

3370 CFS @ Holter - The Mighty Mo is a great option right now. The flows have remained relatively stable, although low, and the fishing has been quite steady. PMDs have started hatching in small numbers, but the PMD nymphs have been getting crushed sub-surface. Dry-fly action is sporadic, but will be picking up in the near future. 

Recommended Flies:

3730 CFS @ Holter - The Dearborn's recent blowout pushed a bunch of mud into the river below the confluence. Fishing from the dam down to Mid Canon has been best, with most of the fish coming on nymphs. Worms and sowbugs have been productive, along with PMD and BWO nymphs. There hasn't been too much dry-fly action, but streamers have been, and continue to be, a good option this time of year. 

Recommended Flies: 

Cotton Candy Pink #12

Yum Yum Pink #16

Firebead Sowbug Grey #16

EZ Caddis Tan #16

Splitcase PMD #16

3670 CFS @ Holter - The Missouri continues to fish well but the options are a bit more limited with the recent blowout of the Dearborn creating a dirty river below. Above there, the nymphing has been most consistent with small pink or grey stuff. Caddis and PMDs are around but not in great numbers and dry fly fishing has been spotty.

Recommended Flies:

Cotton Candy Pink #12
Yum Yum Pink #16
Firebead Sowbug Grey #16
EZ Caddis Tan #16
Splitcase PMD #16

3950 CFS @ Holter - The Missouri is fishing great right now. All sorts of streamers have been picking up excellent fish and the nymphing has been super productive with sowbugs and midges. BWOs, caddis, March browns, and midges have all been hatching for the dry-fly anglers. Hard to find a better option at the moment in the vicinity. 

Recommended Flies: 

TB Sowbug, Rainbow #14

Pill Popper #16

Zebra Midge, Black #16-18

Last Chance Cripple, BWO #18

March Brown #12

JR's Streamer #6

3640 CFS below Holter - The Missouri River flows have been holding steady, which means good things for the fishing. Anglers have been picking up fish on nymphs consistently, with BWO nymphs, sowbugs, and caddis pupa. Fish are rising to BWO dry flies and march browns on the lower river. We expect to see a nice caddis hatch with this warmer weather.

Recommended Flies:

Film Critic BWO #18
Para Hi-viz Emerger Olive #16
SH Sowbug Pink #16
Petrified Pupa Olive #14
Mongrel Meat Black #1