The Might Missouri is our home water so we are a little bias, but I believe its the best blue ribbon rivers in Montana! Flowing through an extraordinary landscape of wide valleys, steep canyons and towering cottonwood trees. The Missouri River is much like a giant spring creek offering everything a fly angler could ever dream of. Teaming with wildlife, big fish, cold water and epic dry fly fishing. The Mo is a tailwater fishery, meaning the water flows out from a dam keeping the water clear and cold. The riverbed is a diverse ecosystem made up of gravel, weeds, rocks and sand. The Missouri is divided into two distinct sections as far as fly fishing goes. Each section has its own unique characteristics and offers a different fishing experience.
“The Land of Giants” Above Holter Dam
The upper section of the Missouri River runs from Hauser Dam down to upper Holter Lake. This stretch river definitely lives up to its name! The Land of Giants is home to incredibly large Rainbow and Brown trout. It is not uncommon to catch fish in the 22-24″ range with fish up to 30 inches on occasion. In addition, the Land of Giants provides anglers with opportunities at Kokanee salmon during the fall months. While their are some wadding opportunities this stretch of river is best fished by jet boat with a licensed captain.
Lower Missouri River-Below Holter Dam
The Lower river extends from Holter Dam down to Cascade, a distance of approximately 35 miles. The section near Wolf Creek is characterized by stunning scenery, shallow flats, long riffles and deep pools. The river flows through a broad valley, providing anglers with expansive views of the Big Belt mountains. Wolf Creek down stream to Craig has impressive trout populations boasting 7500 fish per mile. Craig is the epicenter of fly fishing on the Missouri river. Trout bums, fly shops, lodging and dinning make up this little trout town. A few miles below Craig begins the canyon stretch with stunning volcanic rock formations and towering cliffs. Once out of the canyon you’ll encounter half breed rapids flowing out to the wide open spaces to Cascade. Cascade another little trout town along the Missouri offering anglers everything they may need on and off the river .
