Monday March 18th Missouri River Fishing Report
The river is open and the fishing is pretty good. And if you didn’t know, or notice…spring is scheduled to arrive next week.
If Mother Nature is on the same page as the calendar. Let’s hope.
Access issues will get better both on the shore side with the shelf ice melting away slowly and the boat ramps becoming clearer with the sun and warmer air temps this coming week.
A few bullets for you this Monday morning as I write the fishing report before heading to the river to guide. Our Winter Rates are about to disappear on the 1st of April, no fooling, is in full swing and the phone is ringing booking this summer and a few for the back end of the winter session.
- You can come later in the morning. Not an early show yet. Cold nights lengthen the time that you can sleep. The fish are sleepy too. The sun as the day proceeds helps the bite.
- PINK nymphs. BWO’s too. Zebra’s. Sows.
- Some flirting with subsurface midge patterns too. Is it too early to tie on a BWO subsurface pattern? Hmmm, they move toward the surface in a short month. They could be moving around down there?! Meaning they are down there. A common mistake anglers make is not thinking about
- Midge activity on the surface. Mostly random fish rising randomly. They are not too smart yet. But it is the type of thing that you gotta be, feel a bit lucky. The fish are not rising rhythmically. The are dancing like white guys right now. No rhyme or reason. But, they are out there so have that dry fly stick in the boat.
- Buy new fly lines in the spring. Headhunters is your FLY LINE SOURCE in Montana with well over 1000 fly lines in stock. We have what you need from RIO, Scientific Anglers, OPST, Airlfo, Orvis. Come in speak with our crack staff to get yourself lined out! Old fly lines suck. And they do not help you much as far as accuracy, comfort, fish to hand.
- The streamer anglers getting fish to bite! Black is the latest. Some flash too. See us in Craig for the best in streamer selections on the MO!
- Swingers. Yeah man. The slumber is over. They are awake donning the two hander and waking up the Missouri River trout. Lots in stock for the Trout Spey fellers. Try the ACR today. Then latest favorite shop staff rod is the Orvis Mission Trout Spey rod. Come in today for a demo. It will be your favorite new rod!
- Headhunters is clearly your information source. The fly shop that cares about keeping you in the Missouri River loop. Reading the rest is like only getting your
- Boat Ramps open-ish: Wolf Creek, Craig, Stickney Creek, Mid Canon? I would not use the remainder. If you get stuck, call a tow truck. The best math is to check before you go. Smart practices.
- Be careful out there. Winter conditions exist. Wade fishers gotta watch icebergs, larger pieces of shelf ice, and the snow on the banks. It can be difficult to get yourself out of the water with the snow on the banks! Plan your attack, and an exit strategy. Important. Dead anglers do not spend money at Headhunters.
- Headhunters open everyday @ 8am. Open later than the rest . Come by for a cup of coffee in the morning. Shuttles, fly lines, sunscreen, fishing licenses, warm hats, gloves, BUFF’s and the like.
- Happy Spring!
