Missouri River Report 3.8.17

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Since January 1st of this new year, I have been able to get out and fish the Missouri River at least once per week. It’s pretty cool to know that fishing can be still be HOT in below freezing temperatures. I used to say I wouldn’t go fishing at anything below 40 degrees, but finding out that I can handle cold feet, frosty fingers and icy guides at 10 degrees with at least 10 MPH winds, I no longer think twice about gearing up and heading out. This past Monday, with the sun shining and the temperature a degree or 2 above freezing, I didn’t hesitate about making the 30+ mile drive knowing the 25 mph winds from the southwest would be a factor. On the Missouri River, this kind of wind can actually be somewhat ideal when two hand casting from river right. When in the right position, the wind flows down and across making a downstream double spey cast work just fine. I brought along the Loop OptiNXT 11’ 5 weight knowing it would be far less work 2 handed than the single hand double haul.

Want to stay up-to-date with the river? Check out current river flows here

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Although swinging small leechy patterns for a couple hours without anything but a few bumps and grabs, it was nice to test out the new Loop rod paired with the Classic 58 reel.  The weight distribution and balance across the rod actually feels perfect. By the time I swung through a lengthy run, the wind had calmed a bit so I decided to bust out the nymphing stick. I wanted to feel that tug at the end of my line, so I tied on a firebead tung sow with a tufted zebra dropper. The slower run I focused on getting a good drift through produced nothing. So I decided to go against common theory of the fishy water, I should be fishing in winter. I diverted my attention from the slow 8’-10’ deep walking paced run to that sexy riffley 3’ summer water at the bottom of the island I had just moved down from. Where the two currents came together, a ledge formed a small bucket. I swept my flies right down into that zone and instant hookup. A cookie cutter 16" Missouri rainbow had taken the tufted zebra. Another couple dozen and a half drifts through that quick summerish water produced 8 eats on both flies, with 6 of those landed. I was definitely surprised to find trout holding in this type of quick water in the middle of winter. Sometimes thinking outside the box came make your day.

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Any other day out fishing in the cold wintry temperatures, I would have overlooked this type of water, and passed on by without a second look. But for some reason today, I went against my instincts and it payed off. Don’t be afraid to go against what the "right" way to approach water should be at any given time in the season. Going against the grain sometimes yields unexpected results and that, to me, is the beauty of fly fishing. There are no rules in this sport, you can make them up as you go.  And sometimes, just sometimes, get rewarded for your unorthodox efforts.

By Johnny Ewald - Great Falls Fly Shop