Missouri River Montana Mid-March Fly Fishing Tips
More snow on the horizon as I look at the weather report currently forecasting snow Tuesday and Wednesday. A couple inches today and tomorrow. I’d rather not be anywhere else if those damn midge get really rolling and noses appear! But, the snow will delay us a bit here coupled with the wind.
Some ideas for you this week, weekend, next week fishing the Mo. As we always suggest here on this fishy blog you should change things up often. Or at least once a year? Do something outside of your comfort zone. It’ll be good for all involved.
Headhunters Fly Shop Hot March Tips
- Fish a different stretch. The entire river is fishing well. While the lower end is ice free, as it has been for a while, the fishing reports have been hit and miss. Some midge down there and that strange termite bug is around too. Roll the dice and get on down there.
- Lots fishing from Holter Dam and WC. How about Craig for a put in. Fish to any of the 4 boat ramps with in 6 miles. Or go big and steamer fish it all the way to Mountain Palace.
- Steamer fishers have been having some luck. Not strong all day long though. Do swim winter streamer fishing. New to you? Cast until your arm hurts, then change disciplines.
- Water levels at 4000K. Dry lines for streamers or a lighter sink tip. An intermediate will get you through the day just fine.
- Water temps in the cellar. Cold. That is a sign of spring. It can stall, but very rarely does it head back down the scale when it breaks free of that 34.5F level. The fish get hotter as it moves toward the spring and summer arenas.
- Nymphers are finding consistency in the last week. That is a good sign too. We believe that when you tie on the bobber you should be able to figure out the bite. Well, maybe that has leveled out as well for the spring.
- Midges good above Wolf Creek Bridge for evening dry fly fishing. That is your best bet for the dry fly game.
- Flies that leave at a rapid rate include the Clouser family, Arnold’s Sculpin, R2R, all kinds of cool buggers we have in the bins, Hot Eye Kreelex, the Skiddish family, and some smaller whitefish patterns along with yellow stuff too. But, black leeches have been good for a time. Nymphs is still the pink deal with midges really hot, mayfly patterns gaining momentum daily. Dry flies include all the clusters and single midge patterns. Buzzballs, Griffith’s, CDC Hanging Midge, Bunny Dun winged single midge patterns, and the ever popular Adams. Take a good hard look at our midge area for some jewels you may need for your Missouri River season!
- If you cannot find the fish nymphing it may be a depth issue. Braden Lewis, guide at HH, said that this week they had to move the indicator a few times up and down to find the zone. So keep that in mind. Do not be afraid to move the bobber, the split shot, or change flies if your shit ain’t working. Gotta keep it moving forward if you like to use the net often.
- Look for stale winter water. Cold water temps mean cold trout that do not move too much for flies, food.
- Guide trips out a few days this week and we will see the spring weather put a few boats in the driveway every morning.
- Izaaks’ opening next week March 23rd We are excited for that!
- The remainder of the food ops opening this spring. Spoke with the cats at the Craig Tap House. Really could not get a hard opening date. The local food truck, Montana Red’s changing names moving inside, will be open inside the this summer. Construction happening now.
- Mo River Eats, Kelli Wilson, opening her lunch operation March 23rd. The best in the biz here locally, Kelli provides the lunches at Headhunters for the guide trips daily. We LOVE KELLI and thank her for the hard work and tireless thankless job she does daily!
Headhunters open daily at 8am. Look us up for shuttles, flies, coffee, lodging, information, rental boats, the best in fly line selection on the river, your Trout Spey resource in all of Montana, and all things fishing on Montana’s Missouri River.
Enjoy your weekend!
