October Missouri River Fishing Report 10.5.24
Better. Getting better most everyday. The weather is not helping though. Warm, sunny, albeit with light winds for the next ten days.
The new October, is November. Headed that way for a number, a number of years.
Seeing more on top daily. Lots? nope. A few. Catchable? Yes. First cast is the best cast. Or the second, is second best. They commonly do not eat on our 32nd best drift.
Some caddis around. Localized mega Psuedo hatches will trigger a few to select top water flies. Adams, baby BWO cripples and emergers, 14-16 tan caddis resting in the film.
Tiny droppers from the caddis or medium sized mayfly floating pattern can yield fish in the net. Little Green Machines, Two Bit Hookers, small Pearl Lightening Bug, Zebra’s, tiny PT’s, a plethora of tiny dark chocolate or licorice flavored Euro-Glazed beadheads, unweighted Sow Bugs, etcetera.
Fun times with the dry dropper in regards to our current water levels. Truly.
Double dry OK as well.
Single dry skittering? Can you skitter? This author needs some more water time with the aforementioned technique. More time. Yes, and a wrist/elbow massage post session.
Strippers not screaming as loud this past week. Some good reports, with mostly tougher outcomes than last week. When clouds dominate the Big Sky, we will see the turn again. My suggestion for those who want to find a few on the streamer rod…I encourage to go deep. Find the deep green troughs and see what is in there. Some forethought about sink tips, T-11 or T-?, fly weights, leader roles, and attack point will reward wet nets.
Swingers? No report from this author. See a few out there. More in the store. Stop in for the best in the Two Handed gear on the Mo. Info too. A heavy dose of demo gear available as well. Just ask.
Nymphers getting along well. Rockstar status for the nymph bite? No. Enough trout to hand to keep most anglers quite happy. Certainly. We, Mo River anglers, are jaded. We live and fish here on the Missouri River. Consistent bite is part of the story. Not all, but we are fortunate to have a bundle of trout in the waters as well. So, not on fire, but quite good/acceptable. Cooler water temps coupled with seasonable weather patterns will encourage traditional Missouri River outcomes.
Rental Boats, CraigLodging.com, professional tenured fishing guides, Best Flies Under the Big Sky, the coolest little fly shop in downtown Craig Montana, open daily at 7am.
3 Comments.
Just a note of remembrance to John Gierach who died yesterday…his stories and words depicted the romance of fishing small dry-flies with Bamboo Rods, especially in dreary, cold, and snow/sleet filled landscapes set within the intimate confines of a valley given birth by a stream providing refuge to moving jewels and those fortunate individuals who were and are desperatly lookiing for something society, money, and success COULDNT fill…he wrote of bwos mixed with friendship, laughter, failures, and small successes born of fooling the objects of his desires…. And he helped teach me that standing in a river dreaming and acting in unison, And quietly sitting on a bank awaiting what most would never understand or enjoy….that others were doing daily, living out with the clearest of intentions, that which my soul has yearned for since I first set foot in Montana…I wanted badly to meet him, to let him know the comfort and joy hi stories brought to me, that his words gave me hope that perhaps a better more simple and peaceful life might be possible
RIP John.
Very well said, JGG. John Gierach was a master storyteller. I challenge anyone to read one his books w/o laughing out loud at least once. John Gierach is included in a short list of my favorites: JG, Thomas McGuane, Jim Harrison, John Volker and Scott Waldie. Man…we lost a good one. Rest in peace, John.