The following report is by CrossCurrents Fly Shop:
Current Flows: 4,100+
Weather Forecast: 80s to 90s all week
Hatch Report: Tricos, PMDs(Almost Done), CaddisLuckily for the Missouri River, we’re not on hoot owl restrictions quite yet. These low temps and weekend cloud cover have made things a bit better but we still have some major heat to contend with so remember to handle those fish with care! The fishing tends to slow down quite a bit in the afternoon so make sure you go early. Weekends are busy especially Saturdays with rec floaters. Sunday is the day to go if you just have to pick one weekend day.
Nymphs: Gold Weight Fly, Frenchie, Purple Weight Fly, Psycho May (Olive), Tung Tied PMD, Zebra Midge, Frenchie, Duracell
We’re doing a purple weight fly or Duracell and then dropping a green machine/frenchie/warrior perdition for the second fly. We’re basically doing zero weight but if you’re not getting hits try size 1 or B weight. Zirdles are for faster, more shallow water.
Let’s also talk about short leashing. It’s a technique you can start at any time of the day, it presents two small nymphs anywhere from six inches to three feet deep. 18 to 20 inches from the top fly to the bottom fly. What you’re trying to do is present the nymphs shallow and without spooking them.
Dry Flies: Hi-Vis Trico Spinner, Cluster Midge, Buzzball, Cornfed Caddis, Hi-Vis Rusty Spinner, Missing Link, Last Chance Cripple, D&D Cripple,
Let’s talk about timing: Folks are getting out between 7A and 8A. Around that time, columns of tricos can be seen all over the river and then the spinner fall happens around 9A. Those bugs will be drifting along the water for a couple hours. You’ll also see some spent caddis floating as well. It’s hit or miss out there. There’s days when everything is blanketed with spinners. Throwing clusters of tricos is money.
The hoppers/terrestrial game is beginning. In the afternoon, do a hopper dropper or some floating terrestrials with a dropper. It’s not prime quite yet but we’re almost there.
Streamers: Lil’ Kim, Thin Mint Sparkle Minnow, Bow River Bugger, Heisenberg (Bow), Sex Dungeon, Urchin Bugger
Not much streamer fishing happening, to low of water and the weeds make it impossible.
