Location: Missouri River

Flows: CFS/3460

Temperature: 37+ Degrees below Holter Dam

Things are changing as spring begins to make its influence felt. Lots of rainbows are on the spawn, and not interested in eating. Please respect them in shallow water and do not wade in the obvious redds along the edges in faster flows. Focus on the smoother softer waters where non spawning rainbows and browns are feasting on midges. This is arguably one of the best times to dry fly fish the MO. The fish eating on top are not hard to feed with single adult midges and/or cluster midges. You can also short leash zebra midges a few inches to a couple feet down.

This is also prime time to streamer fish for brown trout. There are no weeds to contend with and with many of the rainbows out of the picture, the browns are easy to target and will likely see your fly. Almost any size or style of streamer will produce.  The key is that color, flash or lack of flash preferences can change, so try a few options. Retrieve speeds should not be too quick yet either as waters are still cold. Slow in the morning and faster as the day goes on is good general practice.

Location:  Holter, Upper Holter, Nilan, Willow Creek, Reservation Lakes

Ice out time is now and the big lake fish are cruising the shorelines.  When the wind is blowing, send a balanced leech under and indicator out into the waves and let the waves make it dance.  You can also cast and retrieve buggers and minnow streamers.  If the wind drops, it is time to slowly retrieve nymphs or fish a nymph or chironomid under a small indicator.  Just be aware that casting continually over calm waters will spook the fish.  Be stealthy, and you will be rewarded.

The Trout Shop is open daily 8-5, ready to help you with flies, gear, information, shuttles and coffee.

Tight Lines!

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