June is on the horizon and so is incredible fishing on the Mo!

22 hours ago
2 min read

May 28, 2026

With daytime highs ranging from the mid-80's down to the 50's, Montana is having a tough time deciding whether it's Summer or Spring on the Missouri. Despite the ups and downs, fishing has been consistent on the river and bouncing back from any post-spawn lulls at the Land of Giants. Low, slow, and clear are the best ways to describe the river at the moment with flows hovering around the 3200CFS mark and water temps touching the mid-50's. Although our landscape is popping in shades vibrant green, the weeds haven't hit the river so look forward to a clean drift and a beautiful backdrop.

Experienced and novice anglers have been capitalizing on big hatches and abundant bug life on the Mo. Timing a perfect drift with the rhythm of a rising brown trout is the ultimate experience for a lot of our guests. Though it is easier said than done, fishy guides have been making it happen. With some guests choosing to stick to dry flies all day in hopes of catching "the fish" and others focusing on the occasional happy, rising fish, both strategies are paying off big. It seems like each day a different bug leads the charge. Whether it's BWOs, Caddis, or PMDs, experiment with various patterns until you match the prevailing hatch. Once you've cracked this code, you have the opportunity to experience some of the best dry fly fishing in the West. Start big and hi-vis with your lead fly (Cornfed Caddis, Sparkle Caddis, etc) coupled with a smaller pattern like a Film Critic or Rusty Spinner as a trailing fly.

Nymphing still reigns king on the Missouri. With added dry fly opportunities, guests can get caught up on rising trout and rightfully so, but anglers that stick to nymphing productive water have turned in the highest fish counts. With so many different varieties of bugs in the river at the moment, it's easy to overanalyze your fly selection. Keep it basic with darker green and brown tungsten perdigons and Split Case PMDs. Focus on finding the right depth and current to maximize your day on the water.

More and more juvenile trout are appearing along the banks. This means more meals for hungry brown trout and more opportunities for astute anglers to trick them. Still not the strategy for the faint of heart, but if you are willing to fight through the slow periods, streamer fishing can pay off in a big way. When the sun is hiding behind the clouds and the hatch hasn't quite gotten underway, throwing a big fly like a Gamechanger, Zirdle, or Kreelex can be an irresistible snack for our resident meateaters.