Friday Fishing Report Missouri River Montana
2900cfs, low. Probably for the winter.
Temps 47.5F. Falling a degree every two and a half days. Once below 40F, we consider winter fishing techniques, norms, etc.
Pretty nice out there. Not many craft on the water. Swingers out there in longer runs. Gotta get out beyond the weed banks, shelves, and into clear and clean waters. Nymphers glued to the sow and some smaller mayfly stuff as well. Short for the time being, but soon back into the winter program with a pink something or other and a Zebra, sow, worm, or another pink pattern.
Headhunters open daily for the winter. All 7 days, all day long. Shuttles daily. Boat rentals, guides, and of course winter rental properties in Craig and beyond. Craig Trout Camp has the properties you love both in the winter and the summer sessions.
Remember to check out CraigFlyShop.com for all of your seasonal shopping needs. Seasonal for the summer, flies and such, seasonal for the winter including the holiday period like Christmas.
Just Add Vise Kits on SUPER SALE still and you could absolutely give these killer kits directed at the Mo for all of your fishing friends! And SAVE some MONEY!
Fishing has not been lights out, stellar, or even fantastic the last couple months. Or really since late July. Nymphing has certainly been the star of the show. As it always is, for catch rates. Some like to catch a lot, others like to enjoy the day and are not tied to numbers. If you are still in the catch as many s you can mode, then tie on the bobber with a couple pink flavored sow bugs and beads and such.
The streamer bite has been tepid at best. Some days better than others, but that is fishing, always. We are spoiled here on the Mo with the high catch rates fishing with a guide, or local fishermen and women that have the nymph lanes and depths figured out. The dry fly action this fall has been good enough, during the afternoon periods. Adams and cripples for me, this author. Midge Clusters moving forward. An an aside, the Adams, in most sizes and flavors, is a winner for the top sided anglers. A great fly to drag a small midge, soft hackle, or emerger behind. 6″ to 24″. Lots of ways to do this technique. All include drag free drifts.
A note to anglers who have not fished here a ton. It is your drift man, that counts. When you get the fly moving the same speed as the current, or surroundings, then you can look at your fly selection. The fly pattern does not matter if you are not presenting the fly in the proper manner. Fly choice is important, yes. But those who Balme the fly at all times, ought to look in the mirror. More often.
And maybe snow in the next couple weeks. Not holding my breath. Maybe winter will greet us in the month ahead. Fall certainly did not give us seasonal temps or conditions. A warm and windy month(s) possibly behind us? Well, not until the next couple weeks pass. More of the same ahead of us according to the forecasters.
Shop open daily. Call of rinfo too. We are at the helm helping anger 364 days year. The Trout Hotline is 406-235-3447 ext 2 for a live update, with a real person. Try it. Do it.
Enjoy your Friday and the weekend ahead. If in Craig, stop by and save so dough, say hello, and get some last minute info before heading to the river.
