THursday Montana’s Missouri River Fishing Report November 20th

All good here in central Montana as we get into the mode of Winter. Early winter. Mid November. Currently 27F this am. Warming to mid 50’s today. Sunny.

Water temps 47F. Water flows 3000cfs.

Sun in the forecast for the near future. Clouds will cover that sun beginning again on Sunday. Looking towards that day already!

This author fished the past two days. A reminder that fishing reports can only focus on what has happened, not what will happen.

So, here we go…Tuesday hazy and 50F. Streamer fished the entire time. Most of the trout like the Woolley Bugger. Or any of the derivations that exist in our fly pattern heavy reality. Thin Mint, an olive Woolley bugger by most observations, was good. Fishing medium depth waters. 18”-36” of water holds a bundle of trout. With lower flows you can find the ditch, the trough, the deepest potion of the river and throw a tip as well. I threw a dry line with a lightly weighted streamer bug. Remember there are several ways to skin the cat. Choose what you like and cast.

Yesterday wade fished on my own. Fished a roadside reach. 3 different runs. Caught a couple. Saw a couple rise. Snowing lightly, under 40F. Not too bitey were the trout in my area. No worries. Spent two hours ankle to knee deep. Swinging a 2wt Sage Trout Spey HD 2109. Integrated Scandi Line a RIO Elite Integrated Trout Spey Line 230 grain. A 12’4X leader with the leech tied directly to the leader. Later I added a tippet ring and a soft hackle along with the leech pattern.

Love this time of year. Any time I can get on the water I try to. Not every year do I have this kind of passion this late in the season. But, some years I am damn excited about trout fishing. This is one of those years. It is somewhat tied to the weather patterns. Overcast and calm days get my blood boiling. In a good way.

Guides available daily here at HH of Craig. Not every guide leaves the canyon for skiing, hunting, or travel. At least half of our team lives here full time. Locals. Winter rate begin on December 1st. 550 per day. Currently 700 through the end of the month.

You want to get a casting lesson? Single handed or double handed lessons available as well. Call today to ask Q’s and set up a casting learning session.

The nymphing gang likes the sowbug. Soon, pink flies will move to the front of the line.

Swingers still on the Scandi Line. Soon, they too will switch lines to the Skagit category.

Headhunters is your Trout Spey HQ in Craig Montana

The dry fly gang is out there looking. Not too many bugs out there making the trout look upwards. But, I do know that you gotta go, to know. Cripples and duns will get some attention. Emergers too. A reminder to those who like the lite line dry game…Dead Flies Don’t Swim.

Stop in and see us if you are in the neighborhood. Open daily 8am. Shuttles available daily as well.

Have a great Thursday out there.