Two things we are excited about this Memorial Day Weekend include the sun and at the river.
The two stars of the show. And you.
You are a star too!
Missouri River Montana Fishing Report
Water levels are Dearborn 1120cfs and Little Prickly Pear 351cfs. The Missouri is running at a current level of 8670cfs with a water temperature of 54F. Right in the wheelhouse of trout favorite temperature. It is like our 68F. The trout love 54-58F. Perfect. Jump and run and fight hard do our trout.
The river below the Dearborn is off color. Is it fishable? Yes, sort of. Some are going down and scratching out a day. Others not so hot. You choose. The upper river is quite crowded so the lower may be an option for you. Depends on your game. Into the experience? Lower. Into body count? Upper. Half of both? Craig to Palace?
The Dearborn while floatable is not for fishing yet. We will keep you on top of the action here on the Headhunters Fly Fishing Blog.
Nymphs that Rule!
Flies that the trout like are all over the board. Talk to 10 different anglers and you will get 10 different outcomes. The flies and type that are so very popular this weekend and week ahead include narrow bodied mayfly nymphs like the Two Bit Hooker and the Brush Hog. Little Green Machine and his cousin the Red Headed Step Child. Indigo Children can work and Micro Mays, Peep Show’s, Angel Hair PT’s, and the like.
Midge Pupa still playing well at the dam and locales downriver. Fat ones, skinny ones, one’s you tied, one’s you stole from your fishing partner. Caddis Pupa playing a huge role as you drift downriver. Probably on the upper as well.
Had a feller in the store ask me why we would toss a caddis when he had not seen that many adult caddis in the Craig region. I simply reminded him that caddis, all insects, are living subsurface before they enter our atmosphere. So, the caddis are very active subsurface before the “hatch”. So bring your fly box full of caddis flies.
Dry Flies that we Love!
Caddis and other flies that are making a move include XCaddis, X2Caddis, Translucent Pupa, Stocking Wing, Goddard, CDC and Elk, AC Caddis, Buzzball, Adams, Ants of all kinds. We are nearly into a zone where many differing flies will get the job done. The difficult part is finding the fish. When you find then you can generally get them.
Stop and look for rising fish in normal rising fish locations. If you want to blind fish you certainly can get it done. Not a terrible idea. Bring couple
Baetis Spinners for the secret fly. Got it? Secret Fly is a BWO Spinner.
Streamer Fishing moving forward or deeper
Tips, intermediate tips, T-8 and more to get you to the zone where the fish are. The high and bright sun has not helped your streamer bite this last weekend. If you want to get out and get on it in the morning, that would help. If you want to get out and fish during the evening session you may get rewarded. Or not. But how will you know if you don’t go.
Flies that leave the store more frequently than others include the ever popular Dali Lama, Yellow Yummy, White Zonker, Ramp to Ramp, the leech is back, Gold-Diggers, White and Natural Sculpzilla’s. This game moves fast as you know so if you need up to the minute fly reports, come on by and check out the largest streamer selection in Craig.
The week ahead in Montana
Enjoy the rest of today as the worm week for most starts tomorrow. Rest and get ready for the coming weekend. Let us know how we can help. If you are coming to Montana and scheduled to fish another Montana river we may see you here in Craig. Craig is rolling and in full summer motion. All ahead full.
June is right around the corner and the bugs are happening. Get ready for a good one? One for the ages? Maybe. We will have to monitor the water levels closely and hope for the perfect storm.
[forecast]
See you in Craig this coming weekend. Or just come this week. Let us know how we can help with any questions, concerns, or info needs regarding Montana’s Missouri River.
