Welcome to August on the Missouri. The crowds are gone (for the time being) and the fishing is hit or miss but definitely still worth your time. The water levels are continuing to be held in the 4000 range with water temps holding in the low to mid 60’s. Water-wise we’re in good shape and the projections for the late summer and into the fall are for things to remain status quo with a slight reduction in flows starting in September. Most probable flows are predicted to be in the 3700+ range for the fall months.

There is moss and weeds to deal with on the river, there are also big brown trout lurking in and around those weed beds just waiting for a juicy hopper. Don’t let the weeds get you down – they’re part of the deal this time of year, make the best of it.

Tricos? Some days yes, others not so much but you should keep your trico rig at the ready just in case. Our program as of late has been nymphing in the early part of the day and then switching to hoppers around lunch time with the occasional trico interruption. Pseudos and Callibaetis around as well and Caddis are ever-present though not as plentiful as many would like to see.

Streamers? Yes. Streamer fishing can be ok this time of year though we typically avoid the frustration. Dry fly fishing the weedy water can be challenging, nymphing it even more so….stripping streamers through it? Nearly impossible. There are probably some big fish to be caught on streamers right now – we will leave them for you.

Much of the water around the state is not faring as well as the Missouri with Hoot Owl Restrictions continuing to be implemented. This is the up-to-date report on Restrictions and Closures from FWP. It’s your responsibility as an angler to be aware of and to adhere to these restrictions so keep an eye on the FWP web site or give us a call or stop by the shop for the latest info. Open daily at 6:00 AM for guide trips, shuttles, bugs, boats, licenses, sun protection, lodging, piles of logo gear, guide wear from Kast and much, much more. Take advantage of the relative solitude of August and enjoy a day on the river – it’s never a bad way to spend a day.

Restrictions & Closures

Belmont Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

Big Hole River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 08/04/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Hoot owl restrictions in place for the following river sections of the Big Hole River: Maiden Rock FAS to the mouth. (8/4/2015)
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 08/04/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
River sections of the Big Hole River: Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to North Fork Big Hole River. (8/4/2015)

Bitterroot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/03/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Bitterroot River from its origin at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River to its mouth. (7/2/2015)

Blackfoot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/03/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Blackfoot River from its headwaters to its confluence with the Clark Fork River. (7/2/2015)

Clark Fork River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/03/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Clark Fork River from its origin at the confluence of Warm Springs and Silver Bow Creeks to the confluence with the Flathead River. (7/2/2015)

Copper Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Landers Fork. (7/29/2015)

Cottonwood Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

East Gallatin River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/10/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire East Gallatin River from its origin at the confluence of Rocky and Sourdough Creeks to its confluence with the West Gallatin River. (7/9/2015)

Flint Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/03/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
From the Highway 1 Bridge near milepost 53 to the mouth. (7/2/2015)

Gallatin River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/10/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Lower Gallatin River from Sheds Bridge (Hwy 84) near Four Corners, MT, downstream to its confluence with the Madison River at Three Forks. (7/9/2015)

Gold Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary of the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

Jefferson River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 08/04//2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire Jefferson River. (8/4/2015)

Landers Fork Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

Madison River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/10/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Lower Madison River from Ennis Dam to the Missouri River Headwaters. (7/9/2015)

Monture Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

Morrell Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Clearwater River. (7/29/2015)

North Fork Blackfoot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
North Fork Falls to the confluence with the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

Ruby River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/10/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Portions of the Ruby River from Duncan District Road to its confluence with the Beaverhead River. (7/9/2015)

Shields River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/10/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Most of the Shields River from its confluence with Smith Creek downstream to its confluence with the Yellowstone River. (7/9/2015)

Silver Bow Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/03/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
From Blacktail Creek to the mouth where it joins with Warm Springs Creek. (7/2/2015)
Reopened Waterbodies
Beaverhead River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 07/30/2015
Closure Lifted
Entire Beaverhead River (7/30/2015)