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Missouri River - July 3rd, 2008
supplied by: The Trout Shop
RECORDED: 
84 °
FISHING: Great
Bugs are ample on all sections of the river. The right ones; PMD's and Caddis for the most part. Mosquitoes are not your friends. When the conditions are right, you'll see heads up in the slack water most of the day. Clouds may have aided the surface action over the last few days. We had a couple of wicked storms. Dry fly fishing was pretty good. Slack water and surface feeding fish will be a little harder to find now that flows have been bumped from 11,000 cfs to 12,100 cfs. Will they keep coming up like they have been for the last few days? The fish, that is. The Dearborn is blown, but will likely recover quickly. Little Prickly Pear is less blown. The Missouri is clear and changing character once again.
River flows continue to be an issue. Wading isn't an option. Lock into a boat or a guide. If it were only ....... It will be soon (we think). Warm temperatures and rain were helping to keep river inflows around 14,500 cfs. Toston's hydro chart shows a typical snowmelt pattern - up in the day and down at night. There's still an above average snowpack feeding the flows. Overnight on Wednesday however, inflows took a significant drop. If the trend continues, you could see a corresponding drop in flows below Holter Dam. Canyon Ferry's flood pool is still slowly filling. Reduced inflows and increased outflows will help to reduce the pressure. The government doesn't want the lake to get too full for fear of of the unknown. Flood prevention dictates riverflow management. There's some fisheries management and power production concerns influencing river management behind the scenes as well.
It's an awesome deal. We're still talking about too much water in July. The Missouri will not rest this year. Fishing remains great.
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Missouri River - June 27th, 2008
supplied by: The Trout Shop
RECORDED: 
83 °
FISHING: Great
Weather holds the key to riverflows. Missouri River inflows and the subsequent fill rate of Canyon Ferry Lake will dictate the flows below Holter Dam. With the lake being full, the 3-vertical feet flood pool is filling. During the last high water episode facing the Missouri, the Army Corps of Engineers used 1-1/2 feet of the pool. Rumor has it that they will do so again. After that?
Some of the pressure appears to be fading. Flows coming into the system are declining despite Hebgen lake being full. A few days ago, flows coming into Hebgen exceeded outflows by 1,000 cfs. Local streams, such as the Dearborn River, have proven that they are on their way down for the summer. At 400 cfs it's perfect. You may not have much time left to enjoy this adventure. It's been fairly warm. It's suppose to be hot over the weekend. In Big Sky, it will be 80°. Missouri River flows will likely be stable over the weekend.The Missouri below Holter Dam dropped 500 cfs Friday to 10,900 cfs. We were expecting an increase in flows, if anything. It will be interesting to see what happens on Monday.
Fishing is good to great with nymphs and streamers. The browns are settling into their usual haunts. Dry flies are starting to sell. The lower river is busy especially at dark. Water temperature below Holter Dam: 58° and noticeably warmer in Cascade. There are plenty of bugs especially on the lower river. Too bad you can't wade fish. Traffic has declined a little bit. That won't last long.
12" inch rainbows are 12" in girth. They are full of worms, scuds, and nymphs. We have over 1300 rainbows per mile that were over 17" at the beginning of the year. Imagine what they will be when the runoff stops (and they really start eating dries). Patience is a virtue. Have you made your plans yet?
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Missouri River - June 24th, 2008
supplied by: Montana TroutWranglers
RECORDED:
80 °
FISHING: Great
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The flows have finally dropped below 10,000 cfs. There is still too much water to do much wading so fishing from a boat is the name of the game. There have been very limited dry fly opportunities. Nymphing with an indicator and long leaders will be your best technique to catch fish. Try tying on assorted caddis nymphs, SJ worms, and scuds have all been successful.
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Missouri River - June 18th, 2008
supplied by: The Trout Shop
RECORDED: 
78 °
FISHING: Great
As expected, the Bureau of Reclamation cut the flows on Wednesday to 11,200 cfs. Filling Canyon Ferry Reservoir is a river management priority. Incoming flows at Toston are not as strong as expected (but are increasing). With the cut in flows, Canyon Ferry Lake is filling once again. At the present fill rate, it will take about two weeks to fill. Then what?
The river changed character Wednesday. It's not quite as mighty. Fishing reports were very good. Dry flies aren't flying out of the fly bins, but bank sippers are not unusual and deserving of attention. Both Caddis and PMD's are making the surface. We don't expect a dry fly bonanza at the present flows, but you should bring your 4 weight. You never know.
The Dearborn River is in prime shape right now. Flows are inching up with the warm weather. There's a bunch of snow to feed the Dearborn's drainage system. You'll have ample opportunity to float and fish this gem in 2008. You can thank Mother Nature. She has been very kind to us this year.
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Missouri River - June 11th, 2008
supplied by: The Trout Shop
RECORDED: 
50 °
FISHING: Good
Crazy, the weather, the fishing, and the management of the river. While we are being doused with over 12" of very (super) wet snow, the Bureau of Reclamation is reducing flows coming out of Holter Dam. By Thursday morning, we'll see a 1200 cfs drop. Stuart went skiing at Bridger Bowl outside of Bozeman Wednesday morning. Go figure. The Bureau of Reclamation feels that high flows will subside by June 20. Hmmmmm..... we'll have to wait and see on that one. There are no guarantees. Get ready. PMD's and Caddis are going to be here in full force soon.
Big fish continue to be the story. You're not getting them on top, but you are getting them. Bright orange San Juan worms simply work. Sorry. Won't it be nice to park your tungsten scuds and weight flies? Before long, it will be PMD and Caddis dries. We got the flushing flows we wanted. The bugs should go wild when the river reaches the magic level (which is?). While winter continues to hang in there, the earth continues to tilt. Spring will come June 20th. We're not sure when summer will arrive.
The regional deluge we received Wednesday will give way by Friday. Perhaps we'll get a week of spring before summer arrives. Flows coming out of Little Prickly Pear and the Dearborn River are on the rise and could produce silty conditions once again. Don't put your streamers away quite yet. With any luck, the Missouri's tributaries will purge themselves for the last time this year. Think sunshine.
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Missouri River - June 7th, 2008
supplied by: The Trout Shop
RECORDED:
58 °
FISHING: Good
Flows.......the ever present topic of discussion. Here's what we know. At the present fill rate, Canyon Ferry Lake will be full in about 10 days - 14 days. Flows coming into Canyon Ferry Lake appear to have stabilized at 18,800 cfs. It's cold and cooler temperatures in the low to mid 50's are in the forecast for the next 10 days. Flows driven by snow melt going into Canyon Ferry Lake may slow temporarily. When it warms up or rains, something else could happen. Rain is in and out of the forecast for the next ten days. Flows coming out of Holter Dam are 14,900 cfs and have been stable for 48 hours. The Missouri's temperature is stuck at 51°. A couple more degrees will be beneficial. It's very green outside and people are catching fish, big fish (most of them trout). You can fish the river from Holter Dam to Cascade. As you move downstream, flows increase with the tributaries' input. Not many people are venturing below Prewett Creek. Those fishing the silt with streamers below the Dearborn River are not complaining. Nor are the vast majority of nymphers. Dry fly only guys will have a tough go of it. The Dearborn River is running at 990 cfs and on the verge of clearing. So is Little Prickly Pear Creek. The Missouri's trout are very happy. While they are working hard to stay in place, they are energized by the abundant food sources scooped up by the impressive current. Technically, we are getting flushing flows. If the lake fills and the flows continue to stay above the current 14,900 cfs, we could get the flush we are really looking for.
Weather will paint the picture.
Clouds are seemingly always in the picture. That's not a bad thing. The Missouri's wild trout are constantly on the prowl. If it were bright and sunny, fishing reports would suffer. If the flows were lower, it would be a dry fly bonanza.
Sunday: Rain likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. West wind between 11 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 64. Southwest wind between 7 and 10 mph.
Tuesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
Bugs
The upper river still has a few baetis and midges. Caddis are sort of popping on the lower river. It's pretty cold out there. You won't see much in the way of dry fly activity, but it is possible. You'll have to look very hard. Expect to fish subsurface with Flashback PT's, Tungsten Scuds, The Worm, Midge Larvae, Caddis Larvae, and Buggers. Think shallow water and deep rigging with weight. Streamers in the silt yields big fish..
You really have to have a boat to fish the Missouri. Make sure it's up to the task. If you don't know the river, a guided trip will definitely help make your day. The Missouri looks placid, but it's not. One wrong move could be costly. Be very careful where you anchor. Stay out of the heavy current. The volume of water coming your way is impressive. Back rowing is simply hard work. We do not recommend wading. Period.
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Missouri River - May 26th, 2008
supplied by: The Trout Shop
RECORDED:
62 °
FISHING: Fair
Clouds continue to blanket the area. Fortunately, little rain came with the clouds. Flows out of Holter Dam did not increase as expected today. Near record flows from the tributaries may have stalled things for a day. A tragedy on the Dearborn River may also be involved. As the tributaries decline expect to see the river go up gradually over the week.
Incremental flow increases will occur throughout the week. At this point, we feel confident that the Bureau of Reclamation will provide the Missouri the flushing flows it will thrive under. There's plenty of water. Big heads eating tiny dry flies......the champagne of fly fishing is very near. It's going to be an awesome year!
Mother Nature kept most anglers away from the river Memorial Day. Between high tributaries, the threat of rain, windy and cold conditions, they found other things to do. Those that hit the river managed to find some fish on nymphs and streamers. There are plenty of baetis and midges. It will be awhile before caddis make a big show again. As the river rises, look for fish tight to the banks. You'll find a fish or two up in the shallows. The back channels are enticing. A hint of sunshine appeared late in the evening. Yea.
Every day will present a new river for the short term. You will need a guide or boat to fish the river. Wading will be extremely limited. It looks like the rain is finally letting up. We said that Sunday morning too. Moderate temperatures in the 60's and low 70's will help moderate conditions. You will have higher flows for the short term, but you will also have clearing conditions and clouds on your side. Think big and heavy.
We hope you enjoyed wade fishing in relatively clear conditions on the upper river Memorial Day weekend. If you did, you got really wet. Some good things have to come to an end. Your wade fishing desires will be dashed starting Tuesday. The Bureau of Reclamation announced a new management strategy last Thursday. We appreciate the advance notice. Starting Tuesday, the river's flows will be increased each day at 1:00 AM. Flows will reach 10,680 cfs by Thursday. It could go higher. We are psyched and looking forward to seeing the river get big. It's been a long drought.
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Missouri River - May 21st, 2008
supplied by: The Trout Shop
RECORDED:
58 °
FISHING: Excellent
Baetis are on the menu on all sections of the river for days to come. High temperatures will only reach the mid to upper 50's . Upper elevations could see some snow. We'll see bugs galore. BWO's, Caddis, March Browns, and Midges. Streamers will come back to should be in your box. It's going to be awesome at times. Memorial Day weekend may not be sunny, but we don't care. The fish do. They'll come to the top to greet you. We'll put the hand warmers on the counter and the soup in the deli.
As expected, you'll see an increase in the riverflows over the next few days. The Bureau of Reclamation announced a step by step gradual increase to about 5800 cfs - optimal power generation and an awesome flow for fishing the river. You'll still be able to wade, but a boat will be handy.
We had a short deluge on Tuesday evening. Flows jumped about 200 cfs. It looks like the Bureau of Reclamation has already started the adjustment process.
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Missouri River - May 11th, 2008
supplied by: The Trout Shop
RECORDED:
54 °
FISHING: Excellent
Baetis are taking over, but it's hard to beat a zebra midge for results. That's true depending upon where you are on the river. Things green and in size 16 are happening on the lowest stretches of the river. Wind has been getting in the way. When it's not, head for the Pelican to Cascade section. Warmer water, ample bugs, and loads of big fish are waiting for your imitations. At times, it doesn't get any better. When the wind is a nuisance, hit the canyon and think outside the baetis box. There are baetis on all sections of the river. Whether the fish are rising to them or not is the issue.
Warmer weather is on the way later this week. As the water warms up from its steady 44° holding pattern, expect the entire river to liven up with rise forms. You might be able to put the dredge away.
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Missouri River - May 10th, 2008
supplied by: Montana Trout Syndicate
RECORDED:
44 °
FISHING: Excellent
The Missouri river is as good as it gets! Lots of BWO activity. Streamer fishing is also off the charts on cloudy days. The bugs are getting going at about 1:00 p.m. Yesterday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. we saw and caught rising trout until everyone on the boat was content. One of those days where fish numbers became irrelevant. Too many to count.
Patterns did not seem to matter either, the fish were so keyed to feeding. Standard BWO drys and nymphs worked all day.
Land of the Giants- The spawn unfortunately is still on. Lots of dudes molesting spawnee. Some streamer activity for an occasional big brown has worked well for dedicated and patient fisherman. Expect the Rainbows to spawn for another few weeks before they get back to eating insects.
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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