Dry Fly Fishing the Missouri

The Missouri River from Holter Dam to the town of Cascade is a dry fly fishing paradise. And we believe it offers some of the best dry fly fishing east of the continental divide. This world class stretch of river offers prolific insect hatches, crystal clear water and some impressive trout numbers. Let’s take a closer look at dry fly fishing the Missouri River and provide some tips and information about this world- class fishery.

Hatches on the Missouri River

The Missouri River near Craig Montana is best known for its incredible insect hatches and pods of rising brown and rainbow trout. Some of the most notable dry fly fishing hatches include:

• Caddisflies: Caddisflies are prevalent on the Missouri River and can provide exciting dry fly action. Known for their distinctive tent-shaped wings and are found in various sizes, colors, and species. They typically hatch throughout the summer season, with peak activity occurring in the evenings.
• Blue-winged Olives: The Blue Winged Olive, or BWO, is another staple in the Missouri river. These small olive-colored mayflies hatch throughout the year, particularly during the spring and fall months.
• Grasshoppers / Terrestrials: During the summer months, grasshoppers become a significant food source for rainbow and brown trout in the Missouri River. Carrying a range of realistic hopper patterns can help entice large browns and rainbows. It can be thrilling watching a big trout break the surface and crush a hopper! Focus on fishing these flies near grassy banks, broken riffles and center river flats.
• Pale Morning Duns: PMD hatches can be abundant in the Missouri River and is one of my personal favorites. We start to see these bugs moving around in early July Be sure to have several different stages of the insect in your fly box, such as emergers, cripples and spinners.
• Midges: Midges are small flies. They are a vital food source for trout all year long. However, they are even more essential during winter and early spring. On the best days anglers can see blankets of these small insects on the waters surface.
• Tricos: Known for their massive swarms and big spinner falls can create a feeding frenzy among trout on the Missouri. Trico flies used for trout fishing are often small (20 to 22). They usually have a black or gray body and clear wings. This imitates the spent spinners that trout like to feed on. These small mayflies can provide some of the best and most frustrating dry fly fishing of the year. Once the spinner fall happens, pods of rising trout can be found scumming and gulping in the slicks. When a trico hatch goes off it can often look like the river banks are smoking with clouds of these small flies buzzing around.

Top Dry Fly Patterns for the Missouri River

Matching the hatch is not essential when dry fly fishing on the Missouri River but some cases require it. Make sure to have few of these Missouri river staples in your fly box.

Parachute Adams

• A variation of the classic Adams with a parachute hackle for added visibility and buoyancy
• Especially effective during mayfly hatches
• A proven profile for fooling picky Missouri River trout
• Pro tip: Darken a few parachute posts with a black Sharpie to improve visibility on high-glare days
• Proven sizes: #14–18

Pale Morning Dun Imitations

• Low-riding patterns are key during a PMD hatch
• Spinners, cripples, and emergers are must-haves
• Missouri River trout often key in on the cripple or spinner stage
• Go-to patterns: High-Vis Spinner, Trusty Rusty Spinner, Film Critic, Last Chance Cripple
• Sizes: #16–18

Caddis Patterns

• Low-riding caddis flies are consistent producers on the Missouri
• Proven patterns include the CDC Caddis, Corn-Fed Caddis, and X Caddis
• Sizes: #14–18

Gary LaFontaine’s Buzzball

• A small, scruffy fly that imitates midge clusters
• Can produce fish throughout the entire season
• Sizes: #16–18

Hoppers and Ants

• Low-riding terrestrials that are both fun and highly effective
• Deadly during the summer months
• Productive patterns: Morrish Hopper, Parachute Ant, small Chubbies
• Sizes: #8–12

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The Best Dry Fly Rods for the Missouri

Dry fly fishing the Missouri River requires precise and delicate presentations. A crisp 9-foot fly rod in a 5 weight is ideal for this application. I really like the Sage LL or the Orvis Helios F paired with reels with smooth drag systems and no startup inertia. This is important when using fine tippets with small flies. Missouri river trout are strong and will test your gear. A 12 foot tapered leader to 4X or 5X tippet is a good start for most situations. When fishing from a drift boat we’re fishing fly first so no reason to go any longer than 12 feet. ( Tips for Dry Fly Fishing Tips For the Missouri River)