Missouri River Fly Fishing Report – May 2026

The Missouri River fly fishing report for May 2026 opens strong.

River at 3,250 CFS, water temps at 49°F, and fish looking up.

Conditions are excellent.

At 3,250 CFS the river is sitting lower than we’d like for this time of year, and we still have time for more precipitation. Anything can happen, remember June 2022?

May Bug Life on the Missouri River

The dry fly is running the show. Afternoons are where you want to be, especially under cloud cover, and the fish are cooperative from Wolf Creek down through the canyon.

Blue-Winged Olives are doing what BWO’s do, epic hatches this past week, mats of them in the slicks and back eddies. The 401K Baetis, Rusty Spinner, clusters and Para Adams are all getting it done. Fish long leaders, earn your drifts, and pick a fish. These fish are looking up, and they’ll eat a good presentation.

The story this month is caddis. The canyon section from Spite Hill down the caddis have put on a show. If you haven’t floated the canyon in May, make this the year to do it. Late afternoon into the evening is prime, fish the seams, hunt heads, and stay late. A tan Corn-Fed Caddis or X Caddis in size 16–18 is hard to beat.

Nymphing holds throughout the day. Sowbugs, scuds, worms, Little Green Machine, Micro May, Two Bits, and small Pheasant Tail variations are a reliable starting point. As the afternoon hatches develop, shorten up and move to the shallower flats, scum lines, and slicks,that’s where the fish are positioning to eat.

Streamers have been secondary and we haven’t pushed them hard with how fantastic the dry fly fishing has been.

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Guide Tips for May

Tip #1 — Low, clear water means spooky fish. Slow down, sit down, lengthen your leader, and make your first cast count.

Tip #2 — Start later. The caddis and BWO action in the afternoon is the best story on the river right now.

Tip #3 — Be kind, respect the wade angler, have fun!

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What to Expect Going Forward

The second half of May should see the caddis push continue to build with BWOs holding strong. Water temps are sitting at 49°F, bugs are active, fish are healthy, and the Missouri River is fishing well from top to bottom. May always delivers, this year is no exception.

If you want to be on the water during the best dry fly conditions of the early season, now is the time. Contact us to book your trip.