dry fly

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 5.18.15

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Thew weather went into a shitty wet and cold yet normal May pattern this last week. Will it remain the same this coming week? Only Mother Nature knows.

The weatherman has some insights too…maybe.

We saw the value of kick ass rain gear this last week though. Gore-Tex does the best job. Period. SIMMS gear heads did stay dry. SIMMS was here BBQ’ing along with Montana Fly Co and we thank them for their participation the Caddis Festival and Drift Boat Drive-In.

How much did it rain here in Craig? Rainfall for the previous 3 days at the Dearborn measured 2.66 inches. In Wolf Creek the measurement was 1.7 inches. Look at the results here. Did it affect the current situation and future situation of summer flows? Maybe. Maybe not.

While May and June are the 2 wettest months in Montana where upon we receive over half of our yearly precipitation, it generally does not affect the summer flow outcomes. Does it hurt? No, we like it. It greens up the joint too.

Will it fill the reservoir faster, or get us to the magic 97% fill goal? No, I do not think so. But it will add a bit of water for our summer ahead. We are currently at the 84%+ level. Need `13% to get to the last week in June fill goal.

Check out the inflows at Toston below. Will this help? Oh yeah. But the same statement is valid here too. Probably too little too late. But if the rain continues to fall from the sky, it could alter the path a bit.

USGS.06054500.06.00060..20150511.20150518.log.0.p50
On the Rise at Toston

The Dearborn looks like it has topped out at 695 cfs, up from below 200 cfs before the rain storm and the Pear is at 209 cfs up from about 50 cfs.

Are the feeder creeks blowing mud into the main stem of the Missouri? Yep. Pretty muddy and off color on Sunday. What will today bring? Some settling will occur but it may take a few days. Get out your dirt snake box and have at ‘er.

Check with the shop on our Missouri River Hotline 877-DRY-FLYS. We got your back and give us a shout for any river questions or stop in for a shuttle on your way out.

The water temps have dropped right out of the 50’s and will remain that way for a few days until the sun shines yet again. Current water temps at 48F and water flows at 4400 cfs. They have risen as well and if you add LPP and the Dearborn add another grand onto that figure.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 5.18.15

It is the date that Mount St. Helens blew in 1980. If you are interested in history, and for our Washington readers.

Here in Craig all is well. Nymphing very good to great. Keeping your hands warm enough to grasp the rod int eh north winds has been tough, but good fishing always keeps you warmer. All of the regular spring players will work. The slender bodied mayfly stuff will work for 3 mayfly species this week.

March Browns, BWO’s and PMD nymphs are on the menu. Close what you like and try it. If that don’t work, change it up. And keep in mind that before we see more Caddis on the surface they are in the mix subsurface. Just like the PMD mention above you need to remember that the life cycle previous to the adult stage we and you and most love so dearly begins under the surface a year before we see the dun..

Pay attention to depths and be willing to adjust accordingly. Those who practice static fishing behaviors…are happy with the results I guess, or they would change. Remember that bugs move into secondary shelf lanes when moving towards the surface. Smart fish follow that model. So do smart anglers.

Dry fly fishing? Good. Search and Ye shall find. Ask the Ninch, or Sara, or Braden, or Dewey, or who ever you may be standing next to and we can outline a reach that will fit your needs.

Again two of the Mayfly Brothers will get you some takes. MB’s and BWO’s are the hero’s in this story. Caddis are on the back burner until warmer temps return.

Streamer anglers love the shitty weather. Chuck and duck. Strip and set. Most of us love May for the bigger fish on the bigger fly. Small and boring streamer patterns have been getting it done. Remember it is all about the flash.

That is the latest from the river as we know it. Guides out daily, lodging in any one of our over 20 strong options, the best fly selection, the only SIMMS dealer on the river, Headhunters Logo Wear, shop open daily @ 7am.

 

New Breed Chicks Rule Later Summer Edition

New Breed Chicks Rule Later Summer Edition

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Sunny Hodge on today’s New Breed Chicks Rule.

Headhunters Guide Jared Edens put the boat in position for Sunny to get the job done. Nice work Sunny.

New Breed Chicks do rule as these two beauties were caught on the dry fly.

Cool. Very cool.

Want to make your own New Breed memories. Bring your wife or girlfriend or daughter for a fly fishing trip to central Montana.

Even better, leave the boys at home and come out on your won.

Cool. Very cool.

New Breed Chicks do Rule here on the fabulous fishy Missouri River.

New Breed Chicks Rule Later Summer Edition

Missouri River trico fishing video

Dead Flies Don’t Swim – Video

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/101744402″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Dead Flies Don’t Swim is a short video shot last week in our backyard. Mark and I love the Trico hatch, and this season it’s been better than it has in years. We thought we’d go out and gather a few clips with the help of shop guys Braden Lewis and John Ewald. Mark shares some of his thoughts on this famous Missouri River hatch. Video or not, it’s nice to get out early in the morning with friends.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Missouri River Monday Fishing Report

Missouri River Monday Fishing Report

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Monday on Montana’s Missouri River and all is well. The flows are hovering around 8000cfs and the water temps are 43.5F.

The bugs are here and more are hatching daily. The dry fly weather is suspect as the air temps are rising and while we did not have an early Spring it seems to have shown up now. 73F for a high today. We like that.

Some water will come from the mid level melting that will surely occur the next few days. We will see some water come through the Dearborn, not much from the LPP. Stickney and Sheep Creek are usually unaffected.

The bugs though. They are excited about the warmer weather. We should see continued improvement in the hatch volume as the next few weeks come to pass.

Missouri River Monday Fishing Report

The nymphing the last few days has been difficult. You may see rosy reports elsewhere, but they may be seeing fishing through Easter colored glasses. While it has not been red, or even white hot, the fishing is good enough to keep the net wet. Are we catching them at our normal rate? No. Still pretty good compared to other rivers when they drop off the chart. We are catching some, not a ton.

Many of the Rainbows are on the spawn, some are out of the river, some are just not interested in pink flies. They are busy procreating. More trout is good. Good times man.

The streamer bite continues to be slow. While a few fellers are catching a few not he bigger bugs, it is not super duper streamer fishing. Deep and slow is the ticket if you want to go that route. Tips, sink rates, weighted flies…see your local fly shop for more information.

Dry flies? Yes. Cluster midges, single midge, Buzzballs, RS2’s, BWO Cripples, BWO emerges, CDC Midges, para Adams, Smoke Jumpers, Nymen’s Crips, Harrop patterns. We got them all and the trout are ready for action. More daily. More and more tip we can make an honest afternoon out of dry fly fishing. Soon.

The flows should remain stable for a while. We are still monitoring the inflows, Canyon Ferry is 71% full and holding at that level-ish for the last ten days. We will see how the water managers play their hand. They are looking for normal water levels this summer.

[forecast]

Call the shop for lodging this spring, for $300 Guide Trips through the end of the month, summertime guide trips and lodging, any gear you may need, to chat with a top level fly shop staffer, or just to see if we think the wind will blow. We are here 7 days a week for shuttles, flies, info, coffee, new SIMMS shirts, sunblock, Buff’s, sungloves, or even Smith or Costa sunglasses.

Open daily @ 8am.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 4.11.14

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Friday, Friday, Friday.

We are really close to the weekend. And the fishing is heating up. Literally.

The water temps are moving upwards and the fish are jumping upwards as well.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 

Water Temps have moved above the magical 40F mark. The flows are reaching toward the 7K level. Will find out more of what may possibly happen in the future as we will report our findings from the Missouri River Advisory Committee meeting today.

The fishing is getting better. Still not all that terrific in the streamer department but that will change as the month progresses. Flashy, Brown, and some white patterns are in the conversation. Check out the best streamer selection in the tri-county area next time you are in Craig at the Streamer HQ. We got an amazing array of streamer lines for your low, mid, or deep water streamer fantasies.

Nymphing good to great on any given day. The regular array of spring flies will do the trick. Worms have been red hot with Firebeads and all shades of pink bringing up the majority of the fish to hand. Midges of course are finding their way into the water and BWO flies are making more sense every day.

Most are 6′-7′ from split to bobber and using about the size of a B or a BB or a string of 4’s. Mix and match for indicator nymphing success.

Dries? Skwala anglers are getting a few a day. Fish them in the Skwala Method you dig and cross your fingers. Or clean your fly lines because casting and placement is damn important.

Midges are in play too. Have seen some actual rising fish the last couple days. A few more in the evening too. Come late and look for some heads.

Missouri River Weekend Weather

[forecast]

Cooler by the looks of it. Dress warmly for the weekend weather as the midges will be hatching and our green stones too. Warmer next week and we will continue with the spring weather. Warmer please.

The westside guides have been crossing the divide as they are blown. We are not never blown and we are open for any thing and any information and any lodging requests. Your favorite out of area fly shop is open daily at 8am.

Shuttles, fly rods, rental waders, all kinds of killer flies, information, demo rods, Adipose Boatworks Flow rental boats, warm clothing, summer T’s, Headhunters Logo Wear, and free hot coffee.

See you in Craig this weekend. Stop in and say hello.

 

Missoiuri RIver Montana Fishing Images

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 3.23.14

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Looks like a better week coming at us. We are moving from snow and 30’s to sun and 40’s to rain and 50’s.

You like apples?

Tumultuous and wonderful all in the same breath.

Fishing? Good. Folks wandering around in all reaches of the Missouri and finding success. Where is your favorite run? You can pick and choose.

You like the lower? Do it. You like the Dam? Do that. You like the shadows of the canyon? Get in there.

Your best bet is your best bet.

Sunday and all is well. Continued anglers crawling out of their winter caves and finding Craig Montana as their temporary fishing release daily. Some come for the weekend. Some come for the week.

Just one question.

When you comin’?

The weather is the key for you comfort. If you don’t like Montana in the winter or the spring…don’t come.

If you like trout fishing before the pressure increases then come now.

We have cabins, guides, and a spot for you.

Check out the forecast and plan accordingly.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 3.23.14

For those who fish here is the latest on the latest…Nymphing heating up as the water temps reach to the 37F mark., Seems like every one degree higher the mercury creeps the fish just get hotter. And in such chilly watery conditions. 37F is good. 38F is better. How abotu 40F. Watch out.

Next thing you know there will be baetis littering the surface of Mother Mo.

You may want to come for that. In the mean time we are waiting for the Midge Explosion 2014. Not here yet. Damnit. Maybe this week. Maybe. We’ll let you know about two days after it happens…that is when it will register. The first day can be an anomaly and those who are here get first whack at them. Just how it goes man.

So how goes your addiction. Are you ready to come, or will you wait for the BWO’s? The Midge? The Skwala? The Caddis in May? Or are you a PMD man?

Everybody has their weakness.

If you happen to be on your way, in your car, following this blog closely then you should be aware of the current conditions.

[forecast]

Water temps are in the 37F range and will move upwards this week. A couple strong temps days in the hi 50’s will move it more rapidly. But in time. Anything worthwhile is worth waiting for. Patience.

Still not too fantastic a dry fly bite. Although they are near the surface in some slack ass backwater areas. You can toss it out and wait. Some trout may find it attractive, edible. Start looking more this week. It really is about time. The mid month mark is generally the front end. Some years it comes early, earlier. But in reality not by much. Too cold, the water temps this winter.

Swingers are attaching tips and getting a bit deeper. Come in for suggestions and reminders that the water is a bit deeper. Careful wading to some of those islands you have become comfortable visiting. Be aware the water is up. Flows are 6340cfs at press time.

Tributaries are clean and clear and no problems there.

Shuttles daily, shop open at 8am, free coffee, don’t mind our construction we are always open for you the Missouri River angler.

Thanks for your support the previous 6 years. We appreciate you as a customer. Come by and say hello.