Great Falls, Montana Fishing Report 07.12.18
Missouri River
Nymphs
The Zirdle has become a very popular fly and it continues to produce when drifted along under an indicator. In high-water years, Missouri River trout eat a lot of crayfish. Snapping Craws, Kory’s Crayfish and Clouser’s Crayfish are also solid drifters.
With ample caddis about, pupa patterns such as Bloom’s Tung dart can provide great action, especially in the morning. All the usual mayfly patterns from #14-#18 such as; Tung Jig Hares Ears, Split Case PMDs, Two Bit Hookers and Radiation Baetis can get you into the game. Sow bugs are a great fall back if you want to keep it simple, or can’t figure out the fly de jour.
Dry Flies
The PMD’s are not heavy but I would not venture forth without an emerger, cripple and a spinner or two. The TFP PMD Cripple happens to be our fly of the week. There are also a few other mayflies about, so be ready with your favorite #14 and #16 parachute patterns.
Caddis are the King right now. We like patterns featuring CDC like the Double Duck, Party-On-Top, Hot Mess or the TFP Hi-Vis Spent. You might also want a few Buzz Balls in either the classic, or purple variety.
Trico’s are starting to roll and the hatches will hopefully build up enough for big pods of rising fish to form. Tiny Olive Parachutes are best for the females hatching at sunrise and into the mornings. Black Spinners take over mid-morning and can sometimes work all day.
Ants are always a good attractor and fish seem to like them. We have lots of great ant patterns including the stealth ant, which will take fish on just about any given day.
Streamers
Now that dry fly season is in full swing, you won’t hear much about streamers. That does not mean that you can’t, or should not fish them. Lower light periods are generally best but you can usually find some players just about any time. We’ve just restocked some reliable choices and a bunch of fresh patterns from Galloup and Strolis.
Local Streams
Streams all throughout central and western Montana have shaped up. As temperatures get hot, moving up in elevation is never a bad idea. Lots of attractor dry flies and flashy nymphs will get you into the game.
The Lower Missouri River
The Missouri River downstream of Great Falls is clear enough again for fish to see and attack your flies. Good reports of smallmouth bass, walleye, pike, goldeye, drum, channel cats and carp are filtering in. Grab some crawdad orange and olive Jawbreakers and venture forth to what we like to call the “Land of the Lost.”
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