Missouri River Report 9.29.16

Is the Missouri River any good right now? How is the Missouri River fishing? Is the Missouri River any good yet? Have you been fishing at all?

Do you live in a cave? Sorry. I know people are busy. I know they have other important things that occupy their time away from work. I know not everyone goes fishing every spare moment they can get away with. My wife wishes I did not always have to go fishing, but it’s what I do.

So my answer? It’s good right now. The Missouri River is fishing well. Lots of people are saying it’s really good. I’ve been out a bunch. I might even be out right now.

If you like fall like I do, then just going fishing on any given day is worth it. The catching is always variable and subjective, but if you are a complete angler, you can find plenty of willing fish on any given day. By a complete angler, I mean an angler willing to move around and fish different stretches of river and willing to change tactics as the fishing dictates. Variability is what makes fishing fun. At least for me. I like to try different water and different tactics constantly. It’s how I keep learning and keep my fun level high. It’s fun when I go alone and explore. It’s fun when I go with friends and enjoy the ride. It’s fun when I guide and facilitate a great experience for my guests. For me, fly fishing is really fun.

Dry Flies

A few heads on midges in the morning, but it’s the afternoon mayflies that are the big show.

Donatello, DWG, TFP Cripple, Biot Comparadun, Improved Sparkle Dun, Tilted BWO

Nymphs

Many are working at multiple levels. As a general rule, fish deeper in the morning and shallower in the afternoon. As the mayflies get active, the fish move shallower and/or higher in the water column to feed most efficiently. If you have your flies in the right zone, they will eat them.

Tufted Zebra, Crust Nymph, High Def Baetis, Radiation Baetis, Tailwater Sow, Ray’s, Caddis Pupa

Streamers

Some days recently, they have been eating hard in the sun. Other days, they seem more active under lower light. There are always some players, but you never know their mood until you try them.

Kreelex, Coffee Sparkles, Complex Twist Buggers, Cheech Leech, Circus Peanut, Dungeon, Barley Legal

Two Handed

I never put my two handed rods away. Whether it’s swinging softies, skating dries or working streamers, there is always a use for the longer rod. They are even deadly for nymphing. The only place they don’t excel is short accurate casts to rising fish. When you choose to wade, the two hander is a really great tool.

Bald Eagle, Montana Intruder, Copperhead, Stinging Smolt, Kool Herc, Polar Minnow, Bandit, Partridge and Orange, Micro Beeley, October Caddis