Today's Read
Missouri River is fishing around midges and blue-winged olives. Start with the patterns below and adjust only after fish show you something different.
Craig, Montana
Best Flies For Missouri River
Think small and clean: midges, BWOs, and sowbugs are the deal, with technical nymphing early and more dry-fly potential when the light softens.
Bugs & Best Matches
What's active
Fish this
Midges, size 18-22, morning and low-light periods
Zebra Midge black or red, size 18-20, nymph; Midge Cluster, size 18-22, dry
Blue-winged olives, size 18-20, midday through afternoon
Split Back BWO, size 18-20, nymph; CDC BWO Dun, size 18-20, dry
Sowbug and scud food base, size 14-18, all day subsurface
Tailwater Sowbug, size 14-18, nymph
General subsurface
RS2 gray or olive, size 18-22, emerger
How To Fish These Flies
- Start with a long, light indicator setup and enough split shot to keep small bugs in the lower third of the column.
- Fish flats, shallow shelves, and the slow seam next to bucket water rather than pounding only the obvious banks.
- When heads appear, lengthen the leader, get downstream, and make the first drift count. Missouri fish do not forgive sloppy line.
Current Conditions
FlowTailwater flows are usually stable enough to keep fish in predictable buckets, shelves, and seams.
Water TempCold but steady tailwater temperatures keep fish active even when the weather swings.
WeatherCloud cover usually improves olive activity. Bright calm afternoons can make fish visibly selective.
Rating8/10
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