May Missouri River Fishing Forecast
Today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog you get the May Missouri River Fishing Forecast.
What to expect, wish for, and believe for the month ahead.
Missouri Rive May Weather and Water Forecast
May is the second rainiest month of the year. The only one that exceeds May is June. So bring that rain gear as you come to the Mo for some kick ass May fishing. Thunderstorms can sneak up on us when fishing towards a few risers.
Sun also plays a role this month. Sometimes we see temperatures into the 90’s. Yep. Sunscreen is also a good idea this wet and warm month.
Missouri River Montana flows look like they will remain stable in the lower 4K regions. We are currently gaining momentum with our annual water grab at Canyon Ferry. Currently nearly 85% of the needed 97% is sitting int he big pond above us. Inflows yesterday were at 6500 cfs. That should be rising when we see a week of 80F weather in the highlands.
The snow melt across the state has started earlier than normal.according to Tom Kuglin in this Helena Independent article posting yesterday Mother’s Day. We will need some of that historical precipitation to get us through a strong summer.
Missouri River May Hatch Forecast
Blue Winged Olives
BWO’s through the month. Sometimes, like last year, well into June. The weather got cold in June and they came back in 2015. Strange but true. We live on the nymph and sometimes the dry fly with the BWO. Overcast skies keep the bugs on the water much longer than the sunny days but as we have learned from wonderfully insightful Headhunters Blog writers that BWO’s are certainly present even under the high and bright skies
Nymphs are always a good idea for the subsurface baetis. Slender bodied skinny nymphs are definitely popular these days and rightfully so. HH has what you need when fishing the Mo. Your information and stocked fly pattern shop when fishing the Missouri River.
The dry fly is king. Cripples, emerges, and spinners are always a good place to start. Fins then one you love. Or the one that the trout love.
Dry-Dropper is a favored technique as well. An Adams or a Purple Haze with your favorite dropper hung off of the back. Some sort of PT derivation will suffice.
BWO’s are always a part of the May Missouri River Fishing Forecast
March Browns
About over. But there will be some staggers left int eh water column for the next week. Big cripples, knock downs, and spinners make good MB patterns. Try the Adams, the P-Haze and like on this bug as w3ell. They do like them. HH has at least 10 March Brown Dry Fly patterns on hand for your angling pleasures.
Mother’s Day Caddis
Showing up in big numbers. Down river of Mid Canon. The lower canyon can be filled with them. The Cascade stretch can be ripe as well. Go out and find these fish. This is allow a short lived event. Don’t blink because you may miss them. I would get out there now.
X Caddis, Missing Link, Weilenman’s CDC and Elk…or any of the caddis patterns you dig may work. The caddis fish during the spring are real dumb. I like real dumb trout.
How about a caddis pupa or a soft hackle for this treat? Yep. Smart.
Ants and Beetles
Fish them from May til October. An ant pattern or a flying ant pattern or a black beetle can bring a fish from the bottom. Those of you who are believes…you know who you are. I know you try to convert a few anglers every year…but that is tough. Stick to your guns. I am a believer.Took me a while though…
Missouri River May Traffic
If you like crowds…come on a Saturday.
If you don’t try the mid week stroll. Way better. Weekends have been dam busy this year so keep that in mind when calling in sick to your job. Call in sick Monday’s or Tuesdays.
June and July are pretty stacked with anglers too. The next week should be nice.
Caddis Festival Saturday May 21st. See you in Craig for our 10th Annual Craig Caddis Fest and BBQ Cook-Off. Live and silent auction, BBQ bites for $3, Parade for any and all to participate in or just watch, raffles, Izaak’s and Joe’s open…fun for the entire family.Begins at 4pm Sat May 21st.
Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service
Open daily at 7am. Guide Trips available, your lodging resource and the Home of the Craig Trout Camp, look up properties outside of Craig on www.craiglodging.com, SIMMS, RIO, Sage Fly Rods, Howler Bros, HH Logo Gear, Orvis, Echo Fly Rods, Vedavoo USA Made tackle accessories, flies from Solitude, Umpqua, Montana Fly Company, Yellowstone Fly Goods, Rainy’s, and more, Just Add Vise Kits, sunglasses from SMITH, Costa, Suncloud, and Fisherman Eyewear, Fishpond, and great selection of river nets numbering well over 20, and the friendliest knowledgable fishy shop staff on the planet.
Come visit us in Craig. Open daily til 8pm.
The Headhunters May Missouri River Fishing Forecast Monday morning May 9th.
2 Comments.
Might be looking for a place to stay. What is the prime month to fish love the dries I’m from Pa. What airport is closest? I have a friend lives near Whitefish how close is that?
Frank, Craiglodging.com. June and July prime time for fires. Great Falls and Helena 45 mins each. 4.5 hours to Whitefish by car. Surf around a bit on the website for more info!