Fall is here, and this is our Missouri River fishing report for October. Flows out of Holter Dam are at 3,200 CFS with water temps at 60°F, and the Land of Giants is running 3,100 CFS out of Hauser Dam at 58°F. Pseudos are hatching, Baetis aren’t far behind, and the fish are starting to chase streamers. October is one of our favorite months on the river.
Missouri River Fishing Report Near Craig
Current Conditions Flows out of Holter Dam: 3,200 CFS | Water Temp: 60°F
The river has cooled off over the past week. Cooler water has the fish feeding longer through the day, and we’re no longer planning around the afternoon heat.
Boat and wade traffic is light. Most weekdays we’re seeing just a few trailers at the ramps, and we’ve had long stretches of water to ourselves. Yesterday we floated Dearborn to Prewett Creek and saw two boats all day.
What’s Hatching
- Psudos. The tiny mayfly that can make you crazy.
- Midges. Afternoons, especially in the flats and back eddies.
- Caddis Been seeing a few.
Flies That Are Working
Dries: Parachute adams and Orange chubby for prospecting.
Nymphs: Sow bugs, Scuds, Tailwater Tiny, small perdigons and pheasant tails in #16–18,
Streamers: Thin Mints, black Woolly Buggers, gold / silver Kreelex,
Land of Giants Report
Current Conditions Flows out of Hauser Dam: 3,100 CFS | Water Temp: 58°F
Fishing has been tough the past few weeks, with dirty water, very few bugs, and floating weeds. That’s starting to turn as the water cools.
How the summer went: PMDs and caddis through July, then strong Callibaetis hatches on the flats through August.
Right now: Fall has turned the canyon into streamer water. With water temps dropping, the fish are getting more aggressive and moving on bigger flies through the deeper runs and along the rock walls. We’re fishing floating lines over the remaining weed beds and intermediate sink tips on the drop-offs and faster runs below Hauser Dam. These fish should be leeching hard very soon.
Nymphing still produces, but for us, October is the time grab the 7-weights and hunt big fish that will eat a bigger fly.
The canyon is quiet this time of year. There are very few anglers around and plenty of wildlife: bighorn sheep, deer, waterfowl, and eagles.
For more on streamer fishing with big flies here, see our streamer guide for the Land of Giants.
October Fishing Forecast
Near Craig: Baetis should show up in the coming weeks, with the best fishing on gray days. Streamer fishing should get better as the water cools. Plan on dries in the afternoon and streamers early and late. We’re close to the 3,000 CFS minimum release, so flows should hold steady.
Land of Giants: October is a big-fish month in the canyon. The browns will stay aggressive on streamers, and the fishing tends to get better as the month goes on and the water cools.
Weather: It can swing from 60°F and sunny to a morning of snow in the same week. Bring layers, a rain shell, and warm gloves. Fishing usually starts once the air warms up mid-morning, so there’s no need for a dawn launch.
A note on the spawn: Brown trout spawn in October and November. Watch where you wade, stay off gravel beds, and leave fish on their redds alone.
Our next Missouri river fishing report will be in mid-October.
Book a Fall Trip
We have some October and November dates available on both the Missouri River near Craig and the Land of the Giants.
Plan your trip or call (406) 465-1688.
Missouri River Fly Fishing Report- September
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