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the
Missouri River
The Missouri River is Montana's
ultimate blue ribbon destination. Full of large healthy rainbow
and brown trout, this naturally reproducing river is heaven for
both anglers and fish. It is the trout fisherman's dream stream. Widely known as the premier dry fly fishery in Montana, it ranks
among the top trout fisheries in the World. The Missouri
invites all anglers to come match wits against it's wild, hard
fighting Rainbows and Browns. It has changed many
anglers minds as to where they fish. A common statement
is, "It may be my first trip to the Missouri, but it certainly
won't be my last." Come visit this fabulous resource. Grab
your trout fishing fantasies and turn them into realities!
Missouri River Trout
Two things about our trout; They fight hard
and there are lots of them. The 2007 Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
numbers show that the Missouri continues to produce high
populations of Rainbow and Brown Trout. They also state
that all age classes are equally strong. The reasons for our
consistent trout populations, from yearlings to 5 pounders,
is directly correlated to water quality, temperature, ph
balance, abundant aquatic vegetation and insect life.
Moderate tail water effects from 3 upstream dams also encourage
excellent growth rates. Whatever the reasons,
Missouri trout fight like two monkeys tied up in a burlap bag!
Great Hatches
Missouri River hatches are what mesmerize fly
fishermen young and old, and many anglers come for the
emergences alone. The insect biomass is unbelievable. Strong and
consistent insect hatches can keep you busy March through
November. The local fishery biologists estimate a
population of 200,000 to 300,000 insects per square meter.
Do the math on that one. How's your mind...blown? The Mo
has long been known as a Caddis, PMD, BWO, and Trico river. Our
insect and environmental evolution is recently highlighted
by the increasing intensity of mayfly species, chironomids and
crustaceans. This is exciting for fly fishermen as we try to
keep pace with this natural cycle. The intensity of
hatches can be amazing. It is not uncommon for a mayfly
emergence or spinner fall or to blanket the river in a
greasy insect film. The trout take full advantage of this,
whether it be on the surface or not. The diversity of the
Missouri River insects can give us chances to fish several
hatches during any given day.
Dry, Wet, or Streamer? You choose...
Missouri River trout can be fooled with many fly fishing disciplines,
often all in one day. We
have become known for our freely rising trout, and for good
reason. Strong, consistent hatches of Caddis, Mayfly, Midge, and
Terrestrials give us endless opportunities to present dry flies
to our wild trout. Sight fishing, blind casting, and drift
fishing are all ways you can achieve success. Nymphers love the
Mo' for it sheer numbers of subsurface feeding trout.
Guides can be overheard saying, "The trout are stacked in here
like cord wood!" Need we say more? From deep nymphing to
shallow water sight nymphing techniques, this is a river to get
the net wet. Streamer fans can
have their periods of greatness too! Monster brown trout
have been spotted chasing everything from a traditional black
wooly bugger to the gaudiest crayfish pattern in your box.
Chuck, duck...strip...strip...and hold on!
Wade Fish or Boat Fish? Both!
The Missouri River was deliciously designed for all of us. Lots
and lots of river access for both the wade and boat
fisherman. Stream access law in Montana is favorable for wade
fisherman, allowing the visiting angler miles and miles of
water. Roads flank both banks of the upper 7.5 miles, with
many other access points on the 35 mile frontage road. Many
folks have never fished from a boat on the Missouri, and have no
intention to change. They love the freedom to roam, and
the pea gravel river bottom allows even non-athletic waders safe
fishing. Although the Missouri is well known, you can
always find empty riffles and runs. Drift boaters have 11 boat
ramps, enough to spread out and enjoy a sense of serenity. The
Missouri is a fairly docile river, flat and slow in nature...you
don't have to be a world class oarsman to navigate it. It does
have a few benign rapids on the lower section that you may want
to look, but nothing to give you nightmares about. One true
advantage of drift boat fishing is the amount of river one can
see and fish. If you like a specific run, just anchor and get
out. What a great river for floaters and waders! |
