Missouri river fishing report headhunters fly shop craig mt
May 28
Written By Mark Raisler
John and I have talked about this theory for years now. The years that record an average amount of precipitation that forecasts an average water year here below the third dam of this massive drainage called the Missouri River. That is the conversation today.
Those years that look like this one, with all indicators pointing towards average, sometimes do not have run-off. At least here in this portion of the eastern slope.
It just slips away is how we have thought of it. No run-off, very little muddy waters, and the west side and south side of us rivers are mostly in shape for the moths of May and June. It just slips away. That is the feeling we have in regards to the 2025 spring into summer season.
No run-off predicted by us here at HH of Craig. Meaning not 10K or beyond.
“Unless Mother Nature rears her Ugly Head!”
Then all bets are off.
No water in the Dearborn drainage at all. About 120 cfs, historically at 800 cfs on this date. Are there still some high elevation snow fields? Yes. Will they produce waters that reach the Missouri? Does not look all that good. So maybe no floating on the Dearborn this year.
Inflows at Toston are moving slowly upwards in the mid 7K’s. Historically 10K today. Second graph below Holter Dam here locally. Third graph is the Dearborn. Pretty low man.
For the dry fly set the bugs are becoming consistent enough to make a day of it. Not all day long at this time, but maybe in the next week? Bugs top to bottom at this time. The flows are perfect for the best dry fly bite. 5-6K is my favorite. The most water out there for fish to rise on. A foot or so higher than 3-4K flows and the environs for the dry fly fish are just right.
Nymphers can be a bit confused with the flows moving around and such. Some days better than others. Keep changing if you are caught looking at your indicator for too long w/o action . Sows, BWO and PMD nymphs galore, March Browns are done, some holdout caddis. But the Hydropsyche/tan caddis size 14-16 is near. French and the Euro derivatives are hot. Firebeads still pretty good tugs. Headhunters has the full array of subsurface bugs for you enjoyment.
“Best Flies Under the Big Sky”
Swingers out there loving the PMD on the emergence. So fun. Scandi all day long. Headhunters with the wet flies and soft hackles you so love. Come see our larger than average selection of these specialized flies. Some say the Missouri is Made for the Swing! I tend to agree. Demo Trout Spey rods at HH as well. Your Full Service Trout Spey Shop on the Mighty Mo.
So that is the latest this mid week update of the most up to date fishing report on the river, and maybe on the WWW? Hmm. Maybe.
Shop open 7am til 7pm. Earlier soon, later soon. Summer soon. Let us know how we can help on the river. Shuttles daily early and late. Fun and friendly shop staff to greet you. T-shirts and hats and sunglasses and sunscreen and fly fishing gee-gaws…