Great Falls, Montana Fishing Report 08.02.18

montana fishing report

Missouri River

The Missouri is down near 5,000 cfs and likely slipping to the upper 4,000 range soon.  Water temperatures are moving into the upper 60’s in the afternoons.  Wet wading is a joy right now.  Trico’s, caddis, and still some larger mayflies are about.

Nymphs

Lots of flies are working, but the general theme is something big up top like a zirdle/crayfish, bugger or a larger #12 nymph above a standard #16 or #18 small nymph.  In warm weather with rising water temperatures during the day, the best fishing is usually before noon.  In the afternoons, the fish are generally settling deep unless you get lucky and find a midday hatch.

Dry Flies

Trico’s are the major player, and if you can get on a good female hatch followed by the male spinner fall, you can be in for hours of casting to rising fish.  Headhunting for sippers feeding on spent caddis, spent pmds, ants, spent tricos and other micro mayflies can provide some exciting sport.  Sometimes, they will eat the bigger bugs.  Generally, they are best fooled by the micro stuff.

Lately, the best hatches for caddis and mayflies are happening above the Dearborn.  High water seems to have affected bug productivity downstream of the Dearborn confluence.  It remains to be seen if, or when, that will change.

Streamers

Streamer fishing has been different this year.  With many of the flats clean of weeds, fish are not holding over them yet.  The best action is usually off the deeper banks.  As the weeds fill back in, that will change.  Look for structure when you want to rip and strip the big flies.

Local Streams

It’s been dry fly nirvana on many of the local streams and everything on the west side of the mountains lately.  Be aware though that waters are now getting skinny and warm on the lower elevation sections of the Smith, Sun and Belt Creek again.  Fishing in lower-elevation rivers and streams is likely not a good idea, given the high air and water temperatures. You’ll want to go higher and find cooler water in the headwaters.

The Lower Missouri River

Have you ever caught a freshwater drum?  It’s an awesome gamefish for sure.  They will take streamers like they mean business and put up a solid scrap.  Mixed in with carp, smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish, possibly a pike and a sprinkling of goldeye, you can have a mixed-bag fun trip anywhere from Morony Dam down to Loma.  August is a great month to fish the warm water of the Mo.  These fish seem to love the heat.

 Click here to see past Great Falls reports, or here to view all northwest regional reports.