Missouri River Fishing Report 4.26.2017
We’ve had BWO weather and the BWO hatch is in full swing. What is BWO weather? Some people consider it to be crappy. BWO weather is cool, damp, rainy stuff.
The little mayflies come off in the afternoons and are forced to float for a long time, trying to dry their wings for flying. Sometimes, they never make it off the water. This makes the fish very happy. Easy snacking.
We've got a good selection of BWOs online right here.
On top, try the Spotlight May, Tilted BWO, Sparkle Flag, Purple Haze or a good old Para Adams. If you don’t like fishing in crappy weather, wait for a sunny day, but don’t expect any rising fish.
A few March Browns have been spotted, but then the water temp dropped a few degrees. For now, it’s BWO’s and midges with the larger March Browns on the horizon. BWO nymphs are now a major player, but the March Brown nymphs are mixing in the drift.
If you want to imitate the May’s, a #18 or #20 behind a larger #12 or #14 is a great combo. Consider trying a Radiation Baetis, JuJu Baetis, Green Machine, Shot Glass Baetis, Aero Baetis or Crust Nymph behind a good old Pheasant Tail.
You can find many of those online in our shop here.
Scuds, sows and worms will remain a Nymphing staple and become even stronger players as the waters rise throughout the spring. Rising waters push them into the drift and make them easy targets. In general, the scud, sow, worm stuff works best in the slightly deeper waters and the mayflies work best in the skinnier stuff. Mix and match a mayfly behind a scud or worm, and you can fish everything simply by adjusting your depth accordingly.
Streamer fishing is always a good choice this time of year, especially on the cloudy and darker days. Some folks are getting them on basic stuff like Skiddish Smolts, Polar Minnows, Sparkle Minnows and Buggers. Some are throwing 8wts with half chickens. The Galloup’s, Fly Fish Food and assorted other big meaty flies can move the larger browns streamer hunters are seeking.
Our streamer selection is right here.
Color preferences seem to change regularly between anglers and fish, but darker colors such as olive, black and brown based flies are generally in favor by both, or white. White can be good.
As we roll into May, fishing on the Mo should begin to build as more and more hungry rainbows come off the spawn and begin to spread through the river, hunting for food. Stop in for coffee, flies and the fishing flap. We’ve always got a few serious fly fishers chained to the shop. Otherwise they’d be out fishing.