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Home » Blog | Reports

Blog | Reports

jumping rainbow trout

Streamer Fishing the Land of the Giants

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Located below Hauser Dam, this famed section of the Missouri River is just 30 minutes north of downtown Helena. It is known for its large brown and rainbow trout, with fish over the two-foot mark being very possible when casting large streamer flies. The scenery is spectacular, with towering cliffs, long deep pools, and rolling …

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Streamer fishing the Land of the Giants

Fishing Below Hauser Dam: Exploring the Land of the Giants 

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Fly fishing on the Missouri River offers anglers the opportunity to experience world-class fishing in one of Montana’s most picturesque landscapes. A coveted stretch of the Missouri River lies just below Hauser Dam, known as “The Land of the Giants.” This section is famous for its trophy trout and incredible scenery. Fishing below Hauser Dam …

Read moreFishing Below Hauser Dam: Exploring the Land of the Giants 
best fly rod for fishing montana

The Best Fly Rod for Fishing Montana

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Montana is truly blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, particularly when it comes to its rivers, lakes, and streams. Stretching across hundreds of miles, these waterways are the lifeblood of the state. Choosing the perfect fly rod for trout fishing in these pristine waters can often prove to be a challenging decision. With such …

Read moreThe Best Fly Rod for Fishing Montana
May Missouri River Fly Fishing Report 

May Missouri River Fly Fishing Report 

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

May on the Missouri River has delivered a true spring spectacle. With flows around 4,500 CFS and water temperature hovering around 50°F, the river is in great shape despite the steady rain that’s been falling across the region. The extra moisture has really helped things green up and will help to fill our reservoirs. May …

Read moreMay Missouri River Fly Fishing Report 
Pale Morning dun hatch - missouri river

Pale Morning Dun Hatch

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

The emergence of the Pale Morning Dun on the Missouri RIver can be a magical time. As a fly angler, one of the most exhilarating experiences is witnessing a hatch. The sight of mayflies emerging and fish rising to feed can be captivating and challenging. Many fly anglers eagerly anticipate the Pale Morning Dun hatch. …

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It’s Not All About the Numbers

It’s Not All About the Numbers

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Somewhere between the launch ramp and the takeout, the definition of a “successful” day on the water gets a little murky. For some, it’s a matter of numbers—how many fish hit the net, how many grip-and-grins were snapped. But for others, especially those of us who’ve spent a lifetime on the water, it’s something deeper, …

Read moreIt’s Not All About the Numbers
Missouri river caddis hatch - brown trout

Missouri River Caddis Hatch

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

From the month of May through Septmeber hard core dry fly anglers are either on the Missouri River or dreaming about it. Late spring is the beginning of dry fly season especially for those who love the Missouri river caddis hatch. The caddis hatch occurs every year when millions of caddis flies emerge from the …

Read moreMissouri River Caddis Hatch
Missouri River brown trout

Crayfish Patterns for the Missouri

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Crayfish play a vital role in the Missouri River’s food web. As both predator and prey, they sit right in the middle of the aquatic hierarchy. These clawed crustaceans consume plant matter, insects, small fish, and even other crayfish. In doing so, they help regulate populations of other aquatic organisms, promoting balance and biodiversity throughout …

Read moreCrayfish Patterns for the Missouri
Blue wing olive

Fishing the Blue Wing Olive Hatch

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

The Blue Wing Olive (BWO) is a member of the Baetis family, a common insect found in our beloved Missouri River. This small insect plays a big role in the food chain, serving as an important calorie source for brown and rainbow trout. Let’s explore the entomology, life cycle, and patterns for fishing the Blue …

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dry fly fishing the Missouri river from a drift boat

Holter Dam and the Missouri River

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

The construction of Holter Dam in the early 20th century has had a significant impact on the Mighty Missouri. Standing proud across the river, Holter Dam has not only played a pivotal role in hydroelectric power but has also become a cornerstone of Montana fly fishing. Holter Dam’s Impact on the Missouri River Controlling outflows …

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Pale Morning dun hatch - missouri river

Fishing Wolf Creek Montana

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

A hidden gem on the Missouri River. Tucked into a rugged crease of central Montana, just off I-15. Wolf Creek clingings to the banks of the Missouri River, between Helena and Great Falls. Wolf Creek might not grab your attention at first glance—but for those who know the Missouri River, this is a name that …

Read moreFishing Wolf Creek Montana
Missouri River Guide - living water

Fly Fishing in Craig Montana

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Nestled along the banks of the Missouri River, the small town of Craig, Montana, is more than just a dot on the map—it’s the gateway to one of the finest tailwater trout fisheries in the country. This blue-ribbon river boasts abundant wildlife, prolific insect hatches, and some of the hardest-working fishing guides in Montana. Fishing …

Read moreFly Fishing in Craig Montana
dry fly fishing the Missouri river from a drift boat

Fishing Guides: We all Started Somewhere

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

In the world of guiding, there’s a quiet current that runs through the community—one of pride, skill, stories, and yes, ego too. It’s a job that demands a lot. Early mornings. Long days. High expectations. And a never-ending pursuit of fish. But above all, guiding is a people’s job. And the truth is, the people …

Read moreFishing Guides: We all Started Somewhere
Spring Fishing - Missouri River

Spring Fishing on the Missouri River

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Spring on the Missouri, particularly the section below Holter Dam, is a time of transition. The river’s famed blue-ribbon section from Wolf Creek to Cascade comes to life, and the opportunity for exceptional fishing begins. The bitter cold days of winter give way to an energized fishery as water temperatures begin to rise. Brown and …

Read moreSpring Fishing on the Missouri River
fly fishing wolf creek Montana

Sow Bugs Below Holter Dam

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Sow bugs, or isopods, are small crustaceans that thrive in the cold, clear tailwater fisheries like the Missouri River. The Missouri, particularly the section below Holter Dam, is a classic tailwater trout fishery with an abundance of sow bugs. These little creatures make up a daily diet for trout, specifically in the upper stretches of …

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Adipose drift boat- Missouri river

Adipose Drift Boat Review

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Having owned a wide range of boats—including big center consoles, technical poling skiffs, jet boats, and drift boats—I recognize quality when I see it. As a full-time fishing outfitter and guide, my boats are more than just equipment; they’re my office and my livelihood. Adipose drift boats are built in Helena, Montana, by people who …

Read moreAdipose Drift Boat Review
Fly Fishing from a drift boat

Good vs. Great Fly Fishing Guides

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Good vs. Great Fly Fishing Guides: The Difference is in the Details Professional fly fishing guides are as diverse as the waters they navigate, from the vast flats of the Florida Keys to the technical tailwaters in Montana. While many guides can put clients on fish, the truly great ones elevate the experience far beyond …

Read moreGood vs. Great Fly Fishing Guides
orvis endorsed- living water

What is an Orvis Endorsed Outfitter?

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

For those passionate about fly fishing, the name Orvis is synonymous with quality, tradition, and a commitment to the outdoors. One of the hallmarks of their dedication to excellence in fly fishing is the Orvis Endorsed program. An Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Outfitter is a service that has been carefully selected to meet stringent standards …

Read moreWhat is an Orvis Endorsed Outfitter?
Insect hatches on the Missouri River- Craig MT

Insect Hatches on the Missouri River

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

The Missouri River’s cold, consistent flows below Holter and Hauser Dam create the perfect conditions for prolific hatches. From early spring through the dead of winter, the river provides anglers with a steady stream of dry fly opportunities, nymphing action, and even some exceptional streamer fishing. Understanding the seasonal hatches can make the difference between a …

Read moreInsect Hatches on the Missouri River
missouri river guides- montana

Orvis Helios 4

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

When it comes to fly fishing, precision, reliability, and durability matter most. Meet the Orvis Helios 4—the newest evolution of the acclaimed Helios series. It’s built to raise the bar in fly rod performance. Packed with advanced technology and crafted with care, the Helios 4 blends innovation and expertise into a single, high-performance tool. Helios …

Read moreOrvis Helios 4
fly fishing the Missouri river Montana

Winter Fishing on the Missouri River

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

As winter sets in over Craig Montana, many anglers stash away their rods and waders, retreating to the warmth of fly-tying benches and daydreaming about spring hatches. But for those willing to embrace the cold, the Missouri River system offers some of the most rewarding and peaceful fly fishing opportunities of the year. The crowds …

Read moreWinter Fishing on the Missouri River
Fly fishing the Missouri River

Best Times to Fly Fish the Missouri

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

A world-class fly fishing destination and home to some of the best fly fishing in Montana, just a short drive from Helena, is a year-round tailwater fishery. Beginning at Holter Dam and flowing through the trout towns of Wolf Creek, Craig, and finally to Cascade, this 35-mile stretch is characterized by deep pools, shallow flats, …

Read moreBest Times to Fly Fish the Missouri
Missouri River Rainbow trout

Stillwater Fly Fishing Montana’s Lakes

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

Montana’s reputation as a fly fishing paradise is often tied to its world-class rivers. But for the discerning angler, the state’s stillwater fisheries offer equally rewarding opportunities. Lakes and reservoirs such as Holter or Hebgen lake provide diverse habitats where trout grow fat on the abundant aquatic life. Success in these waters often hinges on …

Read moreStillwater Fly Fishing Montana’s Lakes
Adipose boat - fly fishing Missouri river

Short Leash Nymphing on the Missouri River

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig

While dry fly purists may focus on rising trout, nymphing—specifically short leash nymphing—offers an effective way to target trout before, during, and after a hatch in the shallows. Short leash nymphing on the Missouri River combines precision, adaptability, and an understanding of the river’s unique characteristics. Here’s a dive into the short leash program, complete …

Read moreShort Leash Nymphing on the Missouri River
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Missouri River Fly Fishing Guides

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