Hot out there today. 100F today, 100F tomorrow.
But, next week we see some rain and cooler times in the mid 70’s! Hooray.
No river restrictions by the state on the Mighty Mo. Most anglers off the river about lunch time, as stated above. Too hot for th trout, too hot for th humans. We are employing off early for both parties most days.
Nymphers are tossing the Zirdle Bug. Headhunters has them, lots of them, the right Zirdle for your trout fishing day. Zirdles and caddis pupa’s and mayfly nymphal patters are the key to success. Darker mayflies along with darker caddis pupa’s. Not too deep at 3′-4′. Shorter? Not so much as the water and sun have kept them deeper in the shade, the cooler eater zones.
Weeds? Oh yeah. We got ’em. On a scale of 1-10, remembering that we, locals and long time anglers in late summer, are used to this malady in August and early September; I’d call them a 5. Not too many floating islands as we sometimes can endure. Below Half Breed Rapids they magically disappear. Some are floating int eh canyon and behind with success. The upper river is clear, below the dam. Below Craig many do not like their odds. But the traffic picks up in the mid canyon regions and beyond.
Learn the snap off trick for the Mo. It is not the whirly-gig round-a-bout deal that the Bighorn anglers use. We use the tension, surface tension, or adhesion of the water, to pull off the weeds attached to your fly, your other fly, or your split shot. You gotta get the other end of the line moving through the water column first, and as it nears the surface, back cast and haul at the same moment snapping/pulling the weeds from the flies and the split shot. A learned behavior. Ask any long timer from the Mo, and they will certainly show you.
Dry fly anglers are seeking Trico spinners. Clusters, singles, emergers…but mostly clusters are the key. A shorter window of opportunity that we desire. Some days, the dry fly bite is done by noon. Other days earlier. And occasionally, afternoon as well. But the focus should be determined at the boat ramp. Those who try to get a few, nymphing, before they try the dry, are lost. Get on it early and stay focused. Caddis flies? Yes, Downwinged spents and/or adults are good. Great some days. Again, stay on task. PMD spinners are a trout favorite here on the Mo. For decades the Rusty Spinner has been the Guide’s Secret Fly. Although, it has never been a secret, really. PMD’s should still, meaning the spinner category, be in the mix.
Remember: Dead Flies Don’t Swim.
If you need explanation on this statement above, find a dry fly fishing mentor.
Streamer anglers secretly sticking a few pigs. Fish at down, or before, and keep stripping. Headhunters is your Streamer Source in Craig Montana. Best Flies Under the Big Sky.
Swingers? See again in October, or late September. Inside bends with fewer weeds if you gotta toss the two-hander. Scandi for sure. Or get deep with a crayfish pattern? Or…
Shop open daily early, 6am. Get your flies and shuttles before the rest open.
1 Comment.
Thanks Mark for some great insight and practical tips for August on the Missouri – ie methods and timing during the day given the August heat – can be challenging. Gotta be one of the tougher months to fish this river.