Lazy Sunday Conversations
It’s a Sunday in March so things at the lodge are a bit slow. We’ve had howling winds all week so no fishing has been accomplished as of late. Looks like there is rain/snow on the horizon and temperatures will start to drop again later this week. To pass the time we’ve decided to do a little Q and A session based on some questions we’ve been asked at travel shows this spring. I’ll start us off with the most common question that we get from everyone.
Craig and Warren enjoying an evening float on the Mighty Mo’.
Warren: What is the best time to fish the Missouri?
Craig: This is a tough one to answer. Where a lot of rivers have a few weeks where they really shine, the Missouri is very consistent April-November. I would say the best time is mid April-mid/late May. Hungry trout, great mayfly hatches, and no floating weeds are a lethal combination. Big number days with nymphs and dry fly afternoons give you everything you want. My favorite time is a different answer…There is a blog on the best time to fish on our website.
Craig: Which hatch do you prefer for summer dry fly fishing? PMDs or Tricos?
Warren: Both hatches can be outrageous. If you want to see absurd numbers of bugs, tricos are hard to beat. On a late July or August day you’ll legitimately see tens of thousands of tiny bugs in the air, you almost need a face cover to not breathe them in. Tricos also bring up very consistent rising fish, making it really hard to put them down with a bad cast. You can get plenty of shots at fish eating tricos. PMD’s on the other hand are a lot more user friendly. You’re throwing bigger flies that float better and are more visible. There are also less naturals on the water than a trico hatch, so the fish are much more likely to eat your fly. In June and July during the PMD hatch, the water level is higher which pushes more fish into the banks, making drift fishing a PMD dry fly a fun prospect. This is different from our normal dry fly approach of anchoring above rising fish and getting multiple shots at the same fish. But as far as personal opinion, I prefer the trico hatch because I enjoy the challenge of it. But the PMD hatch is just as fun and a bit easier if you are a novice at Missouri River dry fly fishing.
Warren: What gear should I bring on my trip?
Craig: A comfortable hat that keeps the sun off your face. Polarized sunglasses are very important. Breathable shirts that give you sun protection. Lightweight, fishing pants or shorts in the summer. Sandals or water shoes. A little warmer clothing in the spring and fall. Always have a rain jacket. We have all fishing equipment and waders at the lodge for guests to use. But you are welcome to bring your own fishing equipment. 9ft. 5 and 6 weights are preferred.
Craig: Is there anything for a non fishing partner to do when they visit the lodge?
Warren: There’s lots of options and everyone is different. It’s pretty common for them to at least spend a day in the boat with us, taking in the beautiful scenery and the wildlife. Even if you don’t fish, a day on the water has something to offer for everyone. We have some great, easy hiking trails within half an hour of the lodge that take you to some gorgeous vantage points. First Peoples Buffalo Jump is a state park and National Historic Landmark that is 40 minutes from our front door. It is the largest historical buffalo jump in the world with a rich Native American history. It has a visitor center and interpretive trails that offer a look into this area's history and culture. Great Falls and Helena are both 45 minutes away and both offer great day trip opportunities. The C.M Russell Museum in Great Falls is a dream visit for any fan of western art or those who have an interest in American West history. A Gates of the Mountains boat tour is 40 minutes from us and offers an amazing tour of a beautiful area of the river and a rich look into the travels of Lewis and Clark. There are lots of things to do in the area, the question is if you have enough time to do it all.
Warren: You always talk about dry fly fishing, how is the nymphing and streamer fishing?
Craig: Both are just as good as the dry fly fishing. The only reason I talk about it so much is because it’s rare to have a river with so much dry fly fishing. The nymph fishing is excellent throughout the season. It’s not uncommon to catch 25-40 fish in a day if you indicator fish all day long. Scuds and sowbugs are a staple. Mid summer finds the trout on shallow gravel bars chowing on PMD nymphs, so we run shallow nymph rigs 2 to 3 feet deep. The takes and fights are incredibly fun. The fish either sky rocket into the atmosphere or go on runs that take you into your backing. Streamer fishing is a great way to target the bigger fish. Browns and Rainbows both love streamers on this river. Crayfish and baitfish provide big ticket meals for the big fish making them look for flashy, big stuff. If I’m fishing on cloudy days, you’ll usually find me throwing streamers. There are very few rivers in the world where you can catch fish on dry flies, nymphs and streamers on the same day. The Mo’ is one of them.
Craig: Do you like to be in the boat all day or wade fish?
Warren: Our program here revolves around the drift boat. Skiffs are stealthy, easy to maneuver, and easy to fish out of. They are an essential weapon on a river as big as the Missouri. While the most effective fishing is done in the drift boat, that’s not to say that wade fishing is unheard of. When fish are rising in super shallow water, or we are anchored up nymph fishing a very productive hole, we will get out and wade fish to be more effective. While the Missouri is shallow, it is also huge, being close to 100 yards wide at its widest. So you need the drift boat to reach the majority of the fish. This is a river that is best fished out of a boat. As guides on this river, we work really hard to put the boat into positions to make fishing easier for the fisherman.
