Mid October Missouri River Fishing Report 10.12.17

Mid October Missouri River Fishing Report 10.12.17

Good times in the fall months as we look at the Mid October Missouri River Fishing Report 10.12.17.

We love the last couple months of traditional fly fishing here in central Montana. IT does get better everyday from here on out. All the way until Thanksgiving. Ten it gets cooler all the way til March 15th. Then it gets warmer all the way til July 5th. Then it gets harder until September 1st. Then the fishing improves until…then repeat.

October and November is many anglers favorite months. That includes me. A great time. Shorter days, great hatches, fantastic swinging weather, a good streamer bite, and dry fly Valhalla a few days each month.

We have had 4 of those days already. I have always thought that if you get 5 great days in October that will make me happy. Now, this month, I am shooting for 8. Another 4 ahead of us in the next 19 days? Will it happen? Only those on the river will know. So it is vital that you are here for those random, unreal, favorable days as we move forward.

Nymphers Unite

Great nymph fishing. The winning combo has been a Czech Nymph or a worm or a Beaded Sow up top. The bottom fly has been a Tailwater Sow, some sort of sow in the morning. As the sun gets higher the Little Green Machine has been pretty standard. 4 to 6 feet front he bobber and run it through the good water.

Make sure the net is ready.

The upper river has been producing those larger fish common for any waters above Mid Canon. The canyon has a bundle of baby fish and juveniles coupled with some larger trout. The lower river…nobody nymphs the lower river do they?

Streamer Anglers

Intermediate tips or dry lines are the most common. Some tossing type 3 tips too. Type 6? Not as much. Lots of good skinny water to pull those linkers from out there. 3500 cfs is not too bad. Not as good as 5K in my opinion.

Leeches, anything white or yellow, black, brown or olive. That is the report on any given day. Bright fly bright day? Yes, we agree. Unless that does not work, then change.

Faster stripping patterns seem to be working the best as the fish are all fired up in the perfect water temperature for trout health. I see lots of fellers tossing the big fly. Some with success. Remember that most streamer checkers like to toss it at the left side shoreline. So, if you are at all a bit creative and like to show the fly to fish that have not seen one today, think about the other side, center river runs, and wherever the fish have not seen anything like your fly, or another streamer junkie.

Anglers are predictable, do something different!

Dry Fly Only Dudes

Fish it when the bugs show. Be respectful of others water. Don’t crowd other anglers. Don’t be a dick. Trout don’t like dick anglers. West coaters should be polite. East coasters should be polite. Fishing guides should be polite. It’s all good when courtesy is at the forefront. The Missouri River should be the leader in this style of fishing. Don’t make this river the dick river. It’s big, lots of water, plenty of room. If you are late to the game, someone may be in your spot. You are too late bro.’ Move on, find new water.

Adams rule. Cripples are king. Emergers can get a few on the line. Spinners never fall from grace. Presentation is more important than the pattern. Again, just me sayin.’ You may think differently. And that is what is great about fishing. There are many ways to skin that trout-cat.

Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service

October is Great. November too. Come on out. Stop on by. Free coffee daily. Open at 7am. Closed at 8pm. Tons of demo rods and fly lines. Your Montana leader in everything Trout Spey.

Enjoy it. See yo soon!