Land of the Giants Fly Fishing – Podcast

I had a great time sitting down with Dave Stewart on the Wet Fly Swing Podcast to talk about one of my favorite subjects — the Missouri River and what makes the Land of the Giants section so special. We covered a lot of ground in this one, from winter fishing tactics to short leash nymphing the Mo to dry fly tips.

If you’re planning a trip out here or just want to dial in your Missouri River game, I hope this helps.

You can listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Apple Podcasts – Listen Here
Spotify – Listen Here

What We Covered

Here’s a quick breakdown of what Dave and I talked about:

• Winter fishing on the Missouri River below Holter Dam — why pink flies are the secret weapon, how to find slow deep water, and why winter can actually be one of the most peaceful times to be on the river.
• Dry fly fishing on the Mo — why it’s more technical than most western rivers, how to avoid a sloppy mend, and when to set the hook on a downstream presentation,
• Short leash nymphing — my favorite way to fish shallow water for big fish, and why some of the largest trout I’ve seen have come out of water less than a foot deep.
• The Land of the Giants — what makes this 3-4 mile stretch below Hauser Dam different from the lower river, how the jet boat works, and why the fish in this section run so large.
• Hopper season — late July through September targeting shallow, choppy water with grasshoppers.
• Top winter flies — pill popper, pink lightning bug, radiation baetis, thin mint, Griffith’s gnat.
• Helena as a base — breweries, great food, and 25 minutes to the Gates of the Mountains marina.

One thing I said in the episode that I really believe: drift is king on the Missouri River. You don’t always need to match the hatch exactly — you need to get the fly in the fish’s lane, on its cadence, and let it ride clean.

About the Land of the Giants

If you haven’t fished this section, it’s worth understanding what makes it unique. Below Hauser Dam, the river flows into Holter Reservoir — and the fish move between the two systems. They drop into the lake to feed on stillwater bugs like chironomids and callibaetis, then move back up into the river. That access to a rich stillwater food source is what pushes these fish to 20, 22, and even 24+ inches.

We run jet boats up from the Gates of the Mountains Marina, fish our way down through the canyon, then run back up and do it again. It’s a completely different experience from a drift boat float — and one I think every Missouri River angler should try at least once.

Only 50 guides are permitted to operate commercially on this section, which keeps the crowds manageable even during peak season.

Listen to the Full Episode

You can find the full episode with show notes and transcript on the Wet Fly Swing Podcast.

If you’ve got questions about the Missouri River, the Land of the Giants, or want to plan a trip, reach out — I’m happy to talk through it.

406-465-1688