Missouri River Fishing Report Late June ‘26
First Cut locally here on the banks of Montana’s Missouri River.
All good here in central Montana. Rain weekly has kept temperatures both in the river and int he atmosphere cooler than normal. We like that. More rain forecast this weekend and beyond with about an inch or better on tap. Bring it. The more, the better.
Fishing Report for Thursday June 25th from Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig Montana open daily 6am. Shuttle services, guide trips, lodging, Adipose rental Boats, Skwala rental waders, Sage, Scott and Epic Fast Glass rental rods, the Best Flies Under the Big Sky including all the killer nymph and dry fly patterns you love.
Nymphers. Mostly short some long. And, some in the middle too. Long rigs being 6’ or less with split not employed as often as some sort of lighter wight easy casting gym; h tandem rig. Top flies include the dirt snake, sow bug, scud, in pink, orange, red, and wine. Tailwater sow never falls from fashion. Small may fly nymphs like the Frenchie and the like in a pheasant tail profile along with flashy and beaded offers. Perdigons are a good choice too. All in stock at HH of Craig.
Bugs include Frenchies for the subsurface gang along with Split Case PMD, Split Case Tungsten, Beaded Split Case, Two Bit Hooker, Red Headed Step Child, Hogans Step Child, Hogan’s Golden Child, PMD Jig Napoleon Yellow, Lightening Perdigon Brown/Fire Orange, Yellow Soft Hackle, Magic Fly Tungsten PMD, and more…
Caddis lovers unite. Certainly the favorite dry fly species of the ‘26 summer season so far. Overtshadowing the popular June fave bug the PMD. Keep that in mind out there.
Corn Fed Caddis 16, X Caddis 16-18, Translucent Pupa, Translucent Emerger in both Tan and Brown 14-18, Outrigger Caddis 16-18, Harrops Henry’s Fork Caddis, Palmered Caddis tan or blonde 16-18, Missouri River CDC Caddis Tan, Parachute Caddis 14-18, Splittsville Caddis 14-18, Missing Link 14-18, Spent Partridge Caddis, Hi-Vis Spent 16-18, Weight Fly Purple, Weight Fly gold, Tung Dart.
Trico’s in the air in the am. Not everywhere. Yet. But a few fish taken on them on the dry. BE ready. Bring your reading glasses, and binoculars, and you slack line cast of choice.
Lots and lots of boats and wade anglers out there in this low water year. Be polite. That includes the wade fellas too. Some put all the pressure on those in a boat. It goes both ways. Of course hanging out late, or putting for an evening drift or wade session will keep your mind more at peace.
Streamer anglers getting a few. Most are tossing small and black. But, never disregard the flash. Dry lines or intermediate for most. Scrape the bucket with one of the deeper streamer lines available at Headhunters of Craig. A great streamer line selection here.
Cheers to Summer!
Water Flows 3K-ish. Water temps have achieved the 60F mark. Trico trigger temp? Yes. 60F.
The traffic will wane a bit as we move into July. The weather can help us keep the river in the rtemp range we desire. Not too warm. Bring the rain weekly. It has done a good job so far dampening the earth hen needed so far this calendar period.
Shop open daily. See us in downtown Craig. Free coffee, information, trout baloney, and more at Headhunters Fy Shop and Guide Service of Craig.