Great Falls Fishing Report 8.31.2017
I can’t believe August is over, but I’m not sad to be looking into September. Right now, it is still hot and smoky out there. One of these days, we will wake up to a cold front, with some rain, and the air will clear. Like most Montanans, I’m looking forward to that day.
The zone from the dam to Wolf Creek Bridge is arguably the best bet right now if you're looking for a weed-free drift. Mornings continue to provide the best fishing action of the day. Yesterday we were on the water early enough to beat the rush and right off the bat, the fish were eating steadily. They were split between a #16 Tan UV Czech and my favorite #20 Tufted Zebra.
You can take your pick of our nymphs by clicking here.
It was not long before more boats launched, and after the fish got floated and rowed over a few times, they got wary and fussy. Just like me, they are ready for a change.
We went with the nymph in the morning and terrestrials in the afternoon. While the action on foamies was limited, we did land the best fish of the day on top. It’s hard to beat the excitement of a big fish slurping down a highly visible dry fly.
While I did not witness a big Trico feed yesterday, I’ve heard reports of some great pods and great fishing in certain places. I did see a number of gray drakes hatching off the banks yesterday and saw some gray drake and Callibaetis spinners on the water. The Pseudos’ are also coming on, though most anglers ignore them. Dry-fly opportunities do exist outside the terrestrial fare, though most anglers choose to ride the hopper train.
A few savvy anglers are fishing up near the dam in the morning and then pulling off a lower river float in the afternoon. From Craig to Cascade, the river is wide open and if you are willing to work around the weeds, you can enjoy miles of solitude.
One of the best things about the Missouri River is all the easy bank access. If you are wading rather than floating, you’ve got lots of water to choose from. Other than the Bull Pasture access, most parking and FAS access points are empty and waiting for your visit. A shrewd wading angler can find some great fishing opportunities right now.
As we look into September, it’s hard not to be optimistic. There is a track record of goodness during the ninth month. Fishing is not bad right now, but we think it’s going to improve soon. As air and water temps moderate, the fish will start to chomp even harder. Nymphing will get more consistent and stronger, river-wide. Terrestrials will remain on the menu for the month and streamers will gain prominence. Go September!