Great Falls Fishing Report 12.27.17

Missouri River

Winter has set in and there have been a number of subzero days. Days when open water fishing made no sense. It never stays cold forever though, and early in the New Year, temps are warming into the fishable range again. Not much will change over the next few months, in terms of the fishing conditions, other than the comfort of anglers. Fish will be stationed near drop offs and shelves or cruising the deeper slower flows. Most days, the action will pick up around 11 a.m., and fall off by 3 p.m., or so. We will be watching for chinook winds to create winter warmth and open up fishable windows.

Trout Spey

Always a great activity during the winter months. Scandi or integrated floating lines and long leaders work great in the slower flows. Skagit heads with tips work best for dropping flies off shelves. The Montana Mini Intruder, Mini Dungeon, Kreelex, TFP Polar Minnow, Jawbreaker Tubes, BB Damsel Dragon Bugger, GB Bugger, OB Squirrel Leech, RL Thin Mint and Balanced Leeches are solid flies to fish of your switch/spey rods.

Suggested Nymphs

Pink Caviar Scud, Pink Ray’s, Pink Fire Bead Sow, Pink Poxyback Sow, Pink Soft Hackle Sow, Pink Firebead Soft Hackle Sow, Pink Crush, Mini Mo Czech, Rainbow Weight Fly, Pink Thunderbug, Rainbow Warrior, Tufted Zebra, TFP Mo Zebra, JuJubee Midge, TFP Zebra Midge, Tailwater Tiny, Tung Teaser, Gut Bomb Sow, Tailwater Sow, Rainbow Czechs, Worms, Eggs

Suggested Dries

Griffiths, Cluster Midge, CDC Midge Adult, Hanging Midge, Para Adams

Fly Tying Season and Events

Fly tiers are always welcome at our fly shop counter. Grab a stool, sit behind the fly-tying vice, and tie a fly or two. We’ve got two free fly-tying classes in January beginning the 8th and the 10th. These classes are three nights long on consecutive weeks, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Give us a shout if you’d like to sign up. Our next night at the Mighty Mo Brewing Company is January 16.