Missouri River Fly Fishing Report – July, 2026

Flows out of Holter Dam are sitting at 3,320 CFS, water temps at 59 degrees. The Missouri is fishing well from holter dam to pelican point, and the trico game is the big show.

We had some good moisture early in the week that bumped the river up a touch. We’re back to stable flows now, and conditions are lining up for a great stretch of summer fishing.

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Tricos, Caddis, and a Few PMDs

The trico hatch has been the highlight, with fish up and feeding from top to bottom of the river most mornings. Caddis have been a solid producer as well, and we’re still seeing a few PMDs mixed in for good measure.

Most of the boat and wade traffic has stayed up river this week. We’ve had the stretch from Mid Cannon down to Pelican Point to ourselves the past few days. If you’re looking for some room to fish, launch early or launch late. The river is a ghost town after 6pm.

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Hoppers, Ants, and Prospecting with Caddis

Terrestrials are starting to earn their keep. Hoppers and ants along the banks and skinny water flats have been drawing some topwater eats. Prospecting with a caddis patterns has been a great way to spend the day between trico windows. Cover water, work the shallows, and don’t be afraid to put a big dry in front of a pod of trico eaters.

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Nymphing Below Holter

The folks running the bobber are picking up fish on Zebra Midges, Flying Zebras, weight flies, and Zirdles. Hunting that the faster broken water. A zirdle to a frenchie or little perdigon is solid rig to start the morning before the trico game gets going.

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Guide Tips for Early July

— Keep an eye on water temps as we move deeper into July. Read more about fishing in warmer water here.

— Handle fish with care and keep that time out of the water short.

— Fish barbless. It cuts down handling time and gets fish back in the water faster.

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What to Expect Going Forward

We’re heading into a busy stretch on the river. The trico hatch should hold strong through the morning hours, with caddis filling in the rest of the day. Watch those water temps as July heats up, and treat every fish with care.