According to the House of Fly‘s latest fishing report, “opportunity and hoppertunity” is alive and well on the Missouri River below Holter Dam, where flows are holding steady around 4,340 CFS and the weather feels like Montana showing off—50 degrees at sunrise, climbing into the 90s by afternoon, with light winds and a sweet stretch of 70s and 80s ahead. Water temps sit at 64 degrees, and after surviving the summer scorch, the trout are still healthy, strong, and ready to play. Mornings already carry that hint of fall chill, which means better days are coming.
On the fishing front, nymphing has been solid, especially up near the dam on the grass flats where rainbows are loving the Zebra. Short-leash a Zirdle, Zonker, or Worm with your favorite nymph, or roll a hopper/dropper from WC to Cascade—you’ll find fish, weeds and all. Big browns have been making cameos in the net lately, and odds are that trend keeps rolling. Dry-fly fans still have options too: Tricos are hanging in, Callibaetis spinners keep pods happy through early afternoon, and there are enough caddis and micro mayflies to stay busy. Toss in hoppers, ants, and beetles, and the surface menu is set. Streamers aren’t seeing much love right now, but if you can keep one clean, brace yourself for explosive eats in skinny water—rainbows are fired up on bigger snacks, and the browns are shifting into pre-spawn mode.
Feature photo via House of Fly
