Missouri River Report: 11.6.2015

Kevin Lyons came in the other day disgusted with all the rising fish he was seeing on tiny midges. Make no mistake, he caught some on a tiny midge, but he was hoping for BWO’s.  The weather was spot on for fall BWO’s, overcast, calm, and spitting rain.  Where were they?

BWO’s are usually easier to fish than tiny midges. They are small, but you can usually still see them. The bottom line is that there are lots of rising fish out there, but you just won’t always get to pick your chosen bug to feed them.

Or you can pick your chosen bug.  Maybe you can even throw an attractor.  Just fish it and see what happens.  Be happy that you are fishing a dry fly with potential for success however you measure it. Better make sure you’ve got a few Griffiths Gnats on hand just in case.

I’ve heard lots of anglers ask when the streamer bite will turn on.  As far as I am concerned, it is always a good time to fish a streamer, because I like fishing streamers.  I will even fish them on a sunny day or when fish are feeding on top.  If I can tempt one or two, I’m fairly content.  I guess some anglers are under the impression that there is a window when all the fish in the river will just pounce on streamers.  While that does not quite happen, there are times when plenty of fish will.  Those days are often sporadically sprinkled throughout the season.  Cooling fall waters and a reduction in available food will often kick start a better streamer bite window.  That is now.  I have heard some really great streamer reports and some baffled blanks. Results may differ, but we’ve got plenty of great streamers to give you a shot.

Nymphing can be good on any given day.  Fish are still in shallow water in places, so fishing stealthy short leashes can be productive when the little mayflies are moving. Soft hackles and emergers of the BWO variety can be very good mid-day to early afternoon.  BWO Soft Hackles, Biot Emergers and Pulsating Emergers can find eager grabs.

Fish will gradually be grouping in the deeper, softer runs as the water temps cool. Conditions now are similar to those in mid-April. Bring out your favorite scud/sow bugs and your favorite little tiny flies. Deploy a worm if you like.  Fish all the way to the bottom and see what’s waiting.

The weekend weather outlook looks good for the Missouri River.  We’ve got tasty flies, serenity sticks, some great close out deals and free coffee.