Missouri River Fly Fishing in the Fall
Fly fishing in Montana during the fall is a favorite time of year for the seasoned angler visiting the Missouri River near Craig, Montana. The recreational floaters become a thing of the past and the mats of floating grass begin to disperse as streamflow increases later in September.
Brown Trout become increasingly active during the pre-spawn weeks making streamer fly fishing particularly effective in October and early November. Once the floating grass clears out – typically by early October – the sections between the Dearborn River mouth and Pelican Point are high on our Montana fishing guides’ list of top spots for fall fishing the Missouri River.
Fall is a very popular time of the year to fly fish the so called “Land of the Giants” section downstream of Hauser Lake. Anglers fishing this section in October and November have chances at 24”+ Brown Trout. If you don’t mind fishing crowded waters, access the river near York, Montana or take a jetboat up the river from the “Gates of the Mountains” to fish this remarkably productive and scenic stretch of river.
Missouri River Fly Fishing Hatches of Fall
Starting in September, blue-winged olive and Pseudcleon mayflies are the main attractions to the rising Rainbow and Brown Trout in the Missouri River. The hatches are best on cool, overcast days and can be encountered by anglers fishing near Craig, MT. through November.
Although prolific at times, the Pseudocleon are less important to the trout than the large BWO insects. Anglers shouldn’t be surprised to see a noticeable absence of feeding trout during a blanket hatch of pseudos on a clear, sunny day in September. Wait for the clouds and the BWO hatches to experience the best dry fly fishing on the Missouri River during the fall.
Missouri River Fly Fishing Techniques for Fall
Floating grass can be a real issue for anglers on the Missouri River in August and September. The river flow out of Holter Dam is typically increased a few times in September and helps clear out the mats of floating grass and algae.
Dry fly fishing during the fall hatches is a “headhunters” dream here during the mid-day BWO hatches. Midges and even a few Caddis are around as well, but it is the blue-winged olive hatches that will make the day.
Long leaders - in the 10’ range - with 5X tippet and simple BWO adult or floating emerger patterns are standard. Accuracy and delicate presentations are essential as the fish are wary by this time of the season and will quickly move off following one too many false casts.
Streamer fly fishing and nymph fishing improves as the days gets shorter along with the progression of fall. Floating fly lines are sufficient and even essential to avoid the floating grass while streamer fishing, oftentimes through October.
Bozeman Fly Fishing Guide Pro Tip:
There is a series of islands near the Pelican Point FAS that can be accessed by competent wade anglers. These islands have myriad riffles, runs, and buckets that hold great numbers of pre-spawn Brown Trout throughout October. This can be an angler’s paradise on the Missouri River when conditions are right, delivering both solitude and trout to the net.
Missouri River Fly Box in the Fall
Missouri River Fly Fishing Trips in the Fall
The guide season begins to wind in October for our Bozeman fly fishing guides and our guide trips to the Missouri River are reserved for experienced anglers during the fall. Weather is the key to making these fly fishing excursions worth the drive from Bozeman or not, so we suggest making these a last-minute “call” when conditions are ideal.
The fly fishing near Bozeman is more varied and offers more consistent angling opportunities when weather conditions are less than ideal – a common occurrence in Montana during October and November.
However, if streamer and dry fly fishing is “your thing,” then a day or two of fly fishing the Missouri River with one of our Montana fishing guides just might be perfect for your trip in October or November.
Inquire online or send us an e-mail to check Missouri River fly fishing trip availability in the fall. We offer single or multi-day Missouri River fly fishing trips to this time of the year and can help with Craig lodging options as well.