Missouri River May 11th, 12th, and 13th
Had the pleasure of camping out on the missouri this week with Rod King, Garry King, and Ty Webb. I love this river for many reasons but the variety of water and styles used and their successful effectiveness (dry fly, nymphs, and streamers) being at the top of my list. What better way to experience it then with some mature veterans and young trout bums alike in the group. The first day was cloudy which brought out some good baetis size 14-16, midge 18-20 griffiths gnat, and grey drakes size 12-14 all took rising fish on the surface. As far as nymphing goes small midge pupas worked great my favorite being black tailwater tinys size 18-20, grey twinkles size 18, and red charlies size 16. The water temp held a steady 45 degrees for most of the day.
The second day cleared up slightly and allowed for some decent dry fly fishing of the same species as the day before mostly in the stillwater sections, along rip rap walls, and slower moving back eddies. The sub surface flies really produced lots of hard takes from strong fighting bows and browns that hung in the riffs around islands where the water color turns from brown to green. Picked up quite a few good ones on bloom's brown soft hackles size 16 on the swing and CDC grey baetis size 16 dead drifted.
Woke up the third day to a chilly frost covering the ground and a gracious offering of coffee and bagels in the tent next to the propane heater. The day cleared and the sun came out to raise the water temps to 49-50 degrees which got the caddis coming on the surface and did great with elk hair caddis in tan and peacock size 14-16 trailed by baetis emergers. The nymphing continued to produce lots of fish and the streamer fishing in faster currents also provided some hard takes from big angry trout. The copper zonker size 4 and tan silveys sculpin size 2, stripped fast, were my favorite bugs of the day. Just an amazing place to explore and especially in the next few weeks as water temps rise and run off begins on rivers around bozeman definately go play on the missouri.
Peter
>))))))'.>