This Week on the MO’
A breezy start to the week today but it looks like it could be great week for late summer fishing on the Missouri. We’ll see highs in the 70’s all week with overnight lows in the mid 40’s keeping things cool but we are under a Red Flag warning today which means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Winds will diminish this evening though it will still be on the breezy side out there tomorrow with southwest winds 8-14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
On the bright side, a couple of good hopper days at hand so get out there.
You can’t count on the trico bite on these breezy days as the bugs tend to get blown off of the water but the breeze is your friend if you’re fishing hoppers and ants. Maybe not exactly your friend, but more like an acquaintance you don’t really care for but whom you tolerate. The wind is a challenge to the rower and will also challenge the best of casters but it also tends to deliver natural terrestrials to the water as they are blown off course by gusty winds, ending up on the water where they are immobilized and likely soon to end up a big meal for a big trout. It stands to reason that if there are more naturals hitting the water on a particular day then the trout key on them so you should take advantage of these breezy days and get your hopper game on.
We’re having good luck with More or Less Hoppers in Pink, Purple and Golden and have also had some looks on the purple Yeti Hopper. Moorish in tan, yellow and pink are always a good call and Pink Fat Alberts are getting some attention as well. Our bins are loaded with foam and our terrestrial selection rivals that of any other shop. If you haven’t been in to check out Wolf Creek Angler you owe it to yourself to do so. We’ve got all the bugs, all the gear, all the service and more in the most laid back, non-intimidating atmosphere you’ll find anywhere.
Nymphers have been finding success on most sections of the river though the canyon and the dam are going to be your best bets. We’ve had plenty of action on Claws R Cray or Snapping Crays paired with black zebra midges or dark Peep Shows though there are definitely good days and not-so-good days with the cray so once you’ve run it for a good while and made plenty of depth adjustments if you aren’t hooking up then set it aside for another day. Purple lightning bugs and Holla Back Girls in pink or purple, Olive or PMD S & M’s, LGM’s, Pheasant Tails, Tailwater Sows, Psycho Mays, Split Case PMD’s, Military Mays, 2 Bits and many more….all catching fish. Fish what you like and what you have faith in, you’ll be amazed at the difference having confidence in your flies will make.
Streamers? Absolutely. Definitely better on the cloudy days (Wednesday looks like your best shot this week) but worth throwing on the sunny days as well. The weeds can be a challenge but if you pick your spots and are willing to change bugs a lot until you find what’s working you could be in for some action. Some of our goto’s as of late have been Circus Peanuts, Rainbow Snot Rockets, Space Invaders, ZK’s Stun Guns and Keller’s Late Night Wanda in Olive. All of these and many more available now at Wolf Creek Angler.
Plenty of lodging and guides available right on through the end of the month and don’t forget our Dog Days Special. Book a night’s lodging and a full day guide trip and we’ll throw in a second night of lodging for free.
Open daily at 6:30 AM for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.
