The Missouri

The Missouri below Holter Dam is a classic Montana tailwater and a completely different experience from the freestone rivers of western Montana. Cold, regulated flows support large populations of rainbow and brown trout, along with an incredible amount of aquatic insect life. Long flats, broad riffles, deep runs, and slow slicks create opportunities for everything from productive nymph fishing to some of the most technical dry-fly fishing in the state. When the bugs are up, anglers can spend an afternoon picking individual rising fish and working for the perfect presentation. With healthy trout, consistent water, and plenty of room to fish, the Missouri is a river we're always excited to make the trip for.

Spring is one of our favorite times on the Missouri. Midges and blue-winged olives make up much of the early dry-fly activity, while the river's stable tailwater conditions often provide good fishing well before many freestone rivers come into shape. Nymphing remains productive, and cloudy spring days can bring some excellent opportunities on the surface.

Summer is when the Missouri's insect life really takes center stage. PMDs and caddis provide some of the year's biggest hatches, often bringing large numbers of trout into feeding lanes. Dry-fly fishing can range from straightforward to extremely technical depending on the water and the fish, while nymphing remains consistently productive between hatches.

As summer winds down, Tricos, blue-winged olives, and other small mayflies become increasingly important. Lower-angle light and cooler weather can produce long windows of rising fish, particularly on the river's slower flats and slicks. Streamer fishing also becomes more attractive as fall progresses and brown trout become more aggressive.

Because it's a tailwater, the Missouri remains a legitimate fishery throughout the winter. Trout settle into slower water and midges become the primary food source, with occasional blue-winged olive activity during favorable weather. Fishing is generally slower and more methodical, but mild winter days can provide surprisingly productive fishing with very little traffic.