If you’re nymphing the Missouri River and you don’t have scud patterns in your box, you’re missing one of the most consistent producers on the water. These little freshwater shrimp don’t get the attention that PMDs or Caddis do, but they’re in the river every single day of the year, and the trout know it. …
I hear this question a lot: how much should I tip my guide? It’s a fair one, and most people genuinely want to get it right. Great guides don’t just know where the fish are, they coach your cast, read the water, tie on the right flies, and make sure you’re in the right place …
The Blue Wing Olive or BWO, is one of the most important insects on the Missouri River. Small, prolific, and incredibly effective at bringing big trout to the surface, the BWO hatch is something every dry fly angler should experience at least once. This guide covers the entomology, timing, fly patterns, and presentation tips you …
The Science and Ethics Behind Better Trout Care If you’ve fished with us, you know about barbless hooks. It’s how we prefer to fish, and it’s how we ask our clients to fish. Some anglers push back at first, worried they’ll lose fish. But after a day on the water, most come around. They realize …
A Month-by-Month Trout Spey Guide While the Missouri River is a world-class fishery year-round, there’s a second season that runs from October through May, one that most visiting anglers never experience. Swing season. For those who’ve felt the electric grab of a big brown or rainbow crushing a swung fly, it’s the season they plan …
Dry fly fishing the Missouri River is technical work. The fish here see a lot of pressure, the water is gin-clear, and a sloppy presentation gets refused every time. When it’s working — fish up, flies down, drift clean — there’s nothing better. These are the tips we cover with clients before we even push …
The Missouri River from Holter Dam to the town of Cascade is a dry fly fishing paradise – and in our opinion, it offers some of the best dry fly fishing east of the Continental Divide. This world-class stretch of water is defined by prolific insect hatches, crystal-clear flows, and some of the most technical …
Fly fishing from a drift boat is a different game than wade fishing and most anglers figure that out about ten minutes into their first float. The platform is moving, the water is changing, and the window to make a good presentation is shorter than you think. Done right, it’s one of the most efficient …
When most anglers think of the Missouri River near Helena, they picture cold, clear tailwater, long drift boat runs, and technical dry fly fishing below Holter Dam. But tucked just upstream lies one of Montana’s most overlooked fisheries — Holter Lake. For anglers willing to trade current seams for open water, this 4,800-acre reservoir offers …
The Missouri River below Hauser Dam consistently produces trophy trout exceeding 24 inches , some of Montana’s largest wild fish. What makes this four-mile stretch so productive? Understanding the unique conditions that create this fishery helps anglers appreciate why this section deserves its legendary reputation. The Tailwater Advantage Tailwater fisheries like the Missouri River below …
Tucked into a rugged crease of central Montana, just off I-15, Wolf Creek clings 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 carries weight. This is the start …
Head hunting for trout separates good Missouri River anglers from great ones. The concept is simple: find a rising fish, determine what it’s eating, and make a perfect cast. The execution? That’s where most anglers struggle. Clear water means trout see everything – your fly, your leader, your mistakes. Success requires observation, patience, and technical …
The Missouri has long riffles, consistent flows, and trout that will absolutely eat a swung fly — but only if you put the right pattern in the right zone. Fly selection and sink tip depth matter as much as the cast here. Get those two things dialed and this river will spoil you. These are …
Montana is world-renowned for its breathtaking scenery, vast wilderness, and legendary fly fishing. With crystal-clear rivers and streams flowing through rugged landscapes, the state has become a top destination for anglers from around the globe. When it comes to fly fishing in Montana, two of the most popular approaches are wade fishing and drift boat …
If you’re fishing the Missouri River below Holter Dam and you don’t have sow bugs in your box, you’re leaving fish on the table. Simple as that. Sow bugs — isopods — live in the Missouri year-round. They don’t hatch, they don’t migrate, and they don’t disappear in August. They crawl through the weeds and …
The Missouri River below Hauser Dam holds some of Montana’s largest brown trout—aggressive, predatory fish that willingly attack large streamers. While many anglers focus on nymphing or dry flies, streamer fishing targets the river’s apex predators: browns exceeding 24 inches that feed primarily on baitfish, sculpins, and other trout. Understanding advanced streamer techniques, proper gear, …
The Missouri River is known among fly fishermen as one of the best dry fly rivers in the west. Among the many hatches that draw anglers to its banks, the Trico hatch on the Missouri River stands out as a particularly captivating event. From late July through September, the Missouri River transforms into a technical …
Crayfish are one of the most overlooked fly fishing opportunities on the Missouri River — and one of the most effective for targeting large browns and rainbows. From late spring through summer, trout actively hunt crayfish across the rocky riffles and deep structure throughout the river. If you’re not fishing crayfish patterns, you’re leaving some …
Practice for a Better Fly Fishing I’ve guided a lot of first-timers. And one thing I see over and over is someone showing up to the river with brand new gear, a great attitude, and casting mechanics they haven’t touched since last September. By 10am they’re frustrated. By noon I’m coaching more than guiding. Not …
3 Essential Safety Items Guest post by Stephanie Witham, Montana backcountry guide and angler There’s a certain type of fly fisher who craves solitude—the kind that involves strapping on a backpack, hiking up a mountain to an alpine lake, or bouncing down dirt roads to a remote stream. You trek for miles through gin-clear water, …
Hoot owl restrictions in Montana refer to fishing regulations put in place during times of high water temperatures. These regulations are designed to protect fish when they are most vulnerable to stress due to low oxygen levels and they’re named after the time of day when owls are most active. When restrictions are in effect, …
Fly fishing in warm water conditions is something every angler in Montana will eventually face — and how you handle it matters. The Missouri River below Holter Dam is a tailwater, which means it runs cold and consistent most of the year. That’s one of the things that makes it fish so well. But even …
Traveling with fly fishing rods can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for any angler. On one hand, there’s the anticipation of exploring new waters, chasing elusive fish, and experiencing the thrill of the catch. On the other hand, there’s the challenge of transporting delicate gear safely and ensuring it arrives intact at your destination. Let’s …
Every year, sometime around late May, something shifts on the Missouri River. The water warms, the evenings get longer, and suddenly the surface comes alive. Millions of caddisflies begin emerging from the river, and the trout, big browns and rainbows that spent the winter feeding deep — start looking up. For those of us who …
