Caddis and Tricos are swarming the Mighty Mo!

Jul 2
2 min read

July 2, 2026

Rain or shine, the Missouri River in Craig is producing trout in droves. While the much needed rain over the course of the last couple weeks has not been ideal for perfecting our tans, it has been perfect for landing what brings us to this valley...multitudes of hefty, happy fish. Whether it's on the Land of the Giants stretch of the river above Hotler Lake or along the banks at MRR, the fishing has been astonishing. Rains have brought our river levels up to as high as 4500CFS but maintaining around the 3500CFS range. This has also helped keep our water temperatures down going into the dog days of summer with temps hovering in the low 60's. The local wildlife has enjoyed the precipitation as much as the trout in the river, so keep your eyes peeled for bighorn lambs and young eagles as you float through the magnificent valley they call "home."

Caddis are thick and Tricos are beginning to come in swarms. With Tricos starting to make their appearance on the river in high numbers, especially in the morning and of an evening, and the Caddis hatch still in full swing, there is no better place to be in the West right now than on the Missouri. Fish are starting to get more picky so long leaders and drag-free drifts are a must regardless of the flies in play. We've seen that anglers are having more luck by sticking to one fly rather than trying to increase their odds by running a double fly rig. The many micro-currents on the Mo can reap havoc on even the most delicate dual fly presentations, so find one you like and fish it with confidence. This has been the technique leading to the most success with our guests trying to sneak in a little extra fishing of an evening. Try an Elk Hair Caddis or Cornfed Caddis if you see rising fish, and if you must tie on a second fly, go with an emerger pattern like a Film Critic or Captive Dun when searching for fish unwilling to show themselves.

It's becoming dry-dropper season on the Missouri with more fish committing to big foam flies, so utilizing this technique with small nymph patterns has brought much glee to those tired of chasing indicators all day. The classics are still producing the largest number of fish on the river, so work your way through your Frenchie and Perdigon variations with a flashy Warrior Perdigon being a guide favorite on the river. Particular sizes can change day-to-day, but smaller nymph patterns have been getting the most love recently from stubborn trout.

Recent, much needed precipitation on the Might Mo has put rain jackets and streamer rods to the test. On these overcast, dreary days, look to darker streamer patterns like Thin Mints and Black Buggers to brighten your trip. Remember, persistence pays in the form of giant brown trout, so keep chunking and be ready for when that fish of a lifetime takes hold.