• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Trips and Rivers
    • The Land of the Giants
    • Fly Fishing the Missouri River
      • Jet Boat
      • Float
      • Walk and Wade Fishing Trips
      • Trout Spey
    • Dearborn River
      • Walk and Wade Fishing Trips
    • Clark Fork River
    • The Gallatin River
    • Big Blackfoot River
    • Casting Instruction
    • Walk | Wade Fishing Trips
  • Blog | Reports
orvis endorsed outfitter - Living Water Guide Service

Living Water Guides

Living Water Guides | Montana

  • Photos
  • Trip Planner
    • Let’s Plan Your Trip
    • Lodging
      • Hotels and Motels
      • Cabins and Vacation Rentals
      • Fly Fishing Lodges
      • Corporate Fly Fishing Packages
      • Public Land Camping
    • Meet Your Guide
    • Montana Fishing Licenses
    • Best Times to Fish
  • Rates
    • Pay Now
  • Contact
Home » Blog | Reports » Sow Bugs Below Holter Dam

Sow Bugs Below Holter Dam

outfitter - Jeff Lattig by Jeff Lattig on March 11, 2025
fly fishing wolf creek Montana

Sow bugs, or isopods, are small crustaceans that thrive in the cold, clear tailwater fisheries like the Missouri River. The Missouri, particularly the section below Holter Dam, is a classic tailwater trout fishery with an abundance of sow bugs. These little creatures make up a daily diet for trout, specifically in the upper stretches of the Missouri, where they are abundant in the river’s vegetation and along the rocky substrate. Sow bugs are a reliable protein source for trout year-round. Unlike other insects that have seasonal life cycles, sow bugs are available to rainbow and brown trout throughout the year. As a result, sow bug patterns below Holter Dam are a staple in many Missouri River guides’ nymph boxes.

The Best Sow Bug Patterns For the Missouri River

1. Ray Charles :The Ray Charles is perhaps the most well-known and effective sow bug pattern used on the Missouri River. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it a go-to choice for many anglers. This pattern typically uses a combination of scud dubbing or ostrich herl to create a realistic profile. It can be tied in various colors, with gray, tan, and pink being the most popular.

2. Firebead Sow Bug: The Fire bead Sow takes the traditional sow bug pattern and adds a bright pink or orange bead. A staple on the Missouri during the spring and fall months. This is a fly you should have in your box form form October – June.

3. The Tailwater Sow Bug – unweighted : A proven pattern on many western tailwaters, the tailwater sow bug pattern is probably one of the most popular sow patterns when fishing below Holter Dam. This fly, fished over the weed beds in the fall, can be incredibly effective.

4. Soft Hackle Sow Bug: The soft hackle sow is versatile and effective. This pattern helps imitate the subtle movement of a real sow bug. The CDC adds a lifelike quality, allowing it to move naturally, which can be enticing to selective trout.

5. Pederson’s Sow : A go-to fly when things get tough and the fish get picky, tied by Missouri River guide Matt Pederson. The Pederson’s sowbug features a tungsten bead to aid in the sink rate when deep nymphing.

Sow Bugs Below Holter Dam

Sow bug patterns below Holter Dam are a must-have in any Missouri River angler’s fly box. Their effectiveness and ability to imitate one of the river’s most abundant food sources make them a reliable choice. Whether nymphing with the classic Ray Charles or dredging with a firebead, these patterns are sure to bring success.

Category: Fishing News
outfitter - Jeff Lattig

About Jeff Lattig

Outfitter and USCG Captain.

Previous Post:Adipose drift boat- Missouri riverAdipose Drift Boat Review
Next Post:Fishing Below Hauser Dam: Exploring the Land of the Giants Streamer fishing the Land of the Giants

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Missouri River Fly Fishing Guides

orvis endorsed

Call (406) 465-1688

Outfitter # 53820

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 · Living Water Guides · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Heritage Marketing Group