Summer conditions are fully underway on the Missouri River, bringing a mix of high-water challenges on one end and classic tailwater hatch transitions on the other. Below, Jonathan Miller of Montana Outdoor-Approved Capital Sports in Helena provides a detailed look at current conditions, flow rates, and the top-producing setups for the stretches from Toston to Canyon Ferry and Holter to Great Falls.
Missouri River (Toston to Canyon Ferry):
Unfortunately, with the river spiking up the fishing has been hard. If you can get into the slack water and side channels there is a good chance walleye are sitting there though. That is your line doesn’t get covered in gunk flowing down. Small paddle tail jigs are quite effective but if you can get into a real slow hole a drop shot works exceptionally well! Any bug looking plastic should do the trick.
Missouri River (Holter to Great Falls):
The PMD hatch is starting to wane fairly quickly. However I am hearing trico and caddis are still hitting for dries. I have noticed some hoppers finally showing up but I don’t think the fish have keyed in on them yet. Nymphing is still the safe bet. Sow bugs, hare’s ear, scuds and the like continue to be the staples. I have been getting reports of thick weeds showing up so keep that in mind if throwing a nymph. Flows look to still be low but not as bad as it was a month ago holding around 3900cfs at Craig.
Montana's outdoor week, in your inbox at 7am Friday.