Missouri River Fishing Report – July

July has arrived in full force, and  the river is fishing well. We’re solidly into our summer patterns now, and there’s something for just about every angler—from early risers chasing heads on the Trico spinner fall to afternoon prospectors rolling dries blind through the flats.

Flows, Temps, and River Conditions

Outflows from Holter Dam are currently holding steady around 3,800 CFS, and water temperatures are sitting in the low 60s. As we push deeper into the summer heat, keeping an eye on those water temps will be more important than ever with these lower flows. Once they start climbing toward 68–70 degrees, the stress on trout increases dramatically, so we’re encouraging everyone to make some small adjustments that make a big difference.

On the hottest days, No fish pictures, No hero shots, No extended handling. Crimp those barbs, wet your hands before handling, and if you can, upsize your tippet. It’s a small price to pay for keeping our trout healthy and strong through summer.

Missouri River Hatch Report:

Below Holter Dam, the Tricos have officially arrived. We’re seeing good spinner falls most mornings—especially on those glassy stretches that fish love to key in on. Pods of picky trout are rising in rhythm, and it’s the kind of technical dry fly game that can humble even the most seasoned angler. 

Caddis are  going strong, and they’ve been a consistent producer throughout the day.  We’re seeing excellent action on X-Caddis, CDC Caddis and Corn-Fed Caddis. Whether you’re posted up on a sipper or rolling blind through the riffles, caddis patterns are accounting for a lot of fish right now.

PMDs, on the other hand, are beginning to taper off. As we move further into July, the PMD will  take a back seat.

July Dry Fly Tactics

Dry fly fishing has been the highlight for many of us this month. We’ve had great success both targeting risers and prospecting. The best part? You don’t always need a target. Fishing blind with a well-placed caddis pattern has been producing steady action, particularly on the upper river and through the canyon stretches. Long drifts, and a little bit of cloud cover have kept the rods bent and our anglers happy. Long leaders, perfect drifts, and a low profile go a long way. Don’t forget to bring your patience. We have been enjoying the new Scientific Anglers clear tip fly line on our dry fly rods and feel it really helps on those bright days when the fish are extra skittish.

If you’re a dry fly purist, now’s the time to get out there. The morning Trico game leads right into mid-morning and early afternoon caddis work. 

Nymphing: Morning Glory

Mornings have been the ticket for nymphing. Fish are active and feeding in that first half of the day, but by early afternoon, the bite has slowed as the sun climbs and water warms. We’re finding fish in fast shelves, drop-offs, and anywhere there’s cold, oxygenated water.

Top nymphs right now include the Flying Zebra, Frenchies, Split Case PMDs, Purple Weight Flies, and good old-fashioned Zebras. Short leash rigs are producing in the shallows.  Adjust your depth and don’t be afraid to try something new. 

The Land of Giants

 The flows coming out of Hauser Dam have kept that stretch cold and very fishy, and anglers are being rewarded with large, aggressive rainbows that aren’t shy about inhaling a well-drifted bug. The last week the fish seem to be sitting shallow or suspended in the rip rap and deeper pools. The jet boat ride is always part of the fun up there, and when the fishing lines up, it’s a hard place to beat going into the dog days of summer.

Fish Care Reminders

It’s worth repeating: this is the time of year when fish care really matters. We all love a good photo, but let’s keep the trout in the water and let the net do the heavy lifting. If you’re guiding, talk to your clients about why we’re doing this. Most people understand when we take the time to explain it.

Pinch those barbs, keep your hands wet, and use tippet strong enough to get the fish in quickly. It’s all about giving these fish the best chance to recover and keep the population healthy through the warmest part of summer.

Final Thoughts

That’s your Missouri River Fishing Report for early July. We hope everyone has a safe, fun-filled Fourth of July and a month full of good drifts and great memories. The Missouri River is fishing well—top to bottom—and July is one of those months that reminds us why we love this place so much. Whether you’re here for the technical Trico game, the splashy caddis eats, or just a relaxing float with family and friends, there’s something special happening out here.