Fall on the Mighty Missouri



A shot of winter weather over the Labor Day weekend and a couple of frosty mornings to start the short week are the perfect transition as we say goodbye to summer 2020 and welcome fall fishing on the MO’.

A warm up is underway with temps climbing back into the 80’s for the weekend but chilly,  longer nights and cold mornings will remind you that fall is officially on the way.

No need for early starts as we transition into autumn. Mid-morning until dark makes for the perfect day.

Things have started to pick up again though we get the sense that it might be a quiet fall compared to what we’re used to. Local traffic has slowed as many have switched their efforts to chasing game rather than hunting heads and Covid continues to thwart travel for many which spells opportunity for those able to do a spur of the moment trip.

Fishing has been good enough and should only improve from here on out with nymphing being the go-to for numbers but plenty of opportunities for dry fly fishing as well. Fall is also the time to break out the streamer rods and the swing set will arrive in due time.

It’s been a Sow Bug/Zebra Midge nymph game as of late with a fairly consistent crayfish bite as well.

Best bets sub-surface;

#18 Tungsten Black Zebra Midge (silver bead)
#16 Tailwater Sow Bug
#16 Soft Hackle Sow
#18 S & M (Brown or Olive)
#18 LGM (PT)
#18 Split Case BWO
#16 Weight Fly (Purple)
#16 Frenchie
#18 Lightning Bug (Purple, Olive, Pearl)
#8 Zirdle (Natural or Olive)
#8 Claws R Cray
#8 Snapping Cray

Dry Fly Essentials for September

#20 Hi Vis Trico Spinner
#20 Indicator Spinner
#18 Two Wing Trico Spinner
#10 – #8 October Caddis
#12 – #10 More or Less Hoppers (gold/peach/grey/pink/purple)
#16-#14 Ants (Cinnamon/Black/Sparkle/Purple)
#16 – #14 Beetles
#16 Bloom’s Para Caddis
#16 Cornfed Caddis
#16 CDC Caddis Emerger
#16 Stockingfoot Caddis
#16 Outrigger Caddis

Streamer fishing both on the swing and the strip will continue to frustrate with the amount of weeds in the river but prepare yourself mentally, seek out clean water and fish hard. Best bets on the swing or strip include Pine Squirrel Leeches, Buggers, Fruit Rollups, JJ’s, Autumn Splendor, Lil’ Kim, Sparkle Minnow (JJ/Brownie) Dirty Hippy (Brown/Black), Mini Dungeons (Olive), ZK’s Inflated Ego (Olive) and anything else you might like.

Expect hit and miss action with the streamer fishing keeping in mind it’s only going to get better as we move into the heart of autumn fishing. Mammoth browns will soon be on the prowl looking to attack so be ready for the tug or the slam.

All of these bugs and many, many more available now at Wolf Creek Angler. We’ve got the largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana as well as anything and everything else you might need for your day on the water.

Shop hours remain 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily. Cold weather gear has arrived and Simms waders and boots are in stock and back in style with water and air temps soon dropping.

Lodging is busy but we’ve got some availability and more often than not we can get you a guide with a day or two notice.

We hope to see you soon for fall fishing on the MO’.