Continued from Waters We Fish

Missouri River

Anglers can fish this tailwater stretch all the way from Holter Dam downstream to Cascade and beyond, but the most popular water is between the Wolf Creek Bridge and the little town of Craig. The Missouri here is a very productive tailwater fishery, fed by the flows from several large reservoirs like Canyon Ferry and Hauser and Holter. The "Mo" provides excellent dry fly fishing for very hot rainbows and a few large browns. Heavy hatches result in selective fish and "technical" fishing with long leaders and small flies. Mid-summer trico hatches on the Missouri are legendary.

Typical Missouri River rainbow

Although there is good access for anglers on foot, the best way to fish the Missouri is to use a drift boat to get to some of the most productive flats, some of which are out in the middle of the river and inaccessible from shore. Other stretches are accessible from the highway side, but getting to the other side is tough if not impossible for the wading angler.

Because of the travel time from Livingston, we recommend that you spend at least two fishing days on the Missouri. Several of the Yellowstone Angler Outfitters and guides know the Missouri very well, and love to fish up there in prime time with our clients. We also work with several excellent outfitters on the Missouri, if your itinerary does not match up with our Livingston-based guide staff. We can arrange for motel accommodations in Helena, Wolf Creek, or Cascade. There are several lodges and B & B's in the area as well.

    Early morning sun casts shadows along the grass

     banks which make for a great trico dry fly fishing

Late evening Caddis Hatches are definitely worth staying for!

Gerry Lenzen with a solid Missouri River Brown