Big Fish – Small Bug, Zebra Midge days on the MO. Photo by Rudy Malmquist

Fishing is heating up as we settle into our post-summer routine here on the Missouri.

Cooler temperatures this week and good reports from all stretches including some near-epic nymphing days from the dam down and some good dry-fly action river wide.

There are still tricos to be found in the upper stretches, depending on the day and while it’s definitely worth your time to target those fish keying on the trico spinners make sure to bring your A game. These fish have seen it all this season and they won’t tolerate any angler error.

The more forgiving option on top is definitely the terrestrial route. More-or-less and Moorish hoppers in tan or pink, chubbys in purple, tan or gold, sparkle ants, parachute ants and the occasional beetle have all been getting some attention. Try trailing a hopper with an ant or beetle and see what happens. The terrestrial rigs have been a little slow the past couple of days but we’re getting plenty of eats on nymph droppers. Some prefer to stick with the indicator rig, figuring two nymphs are better than one but we would much rather watch a hopper than a bobber even when the fish are completely ignoring the hoppers. You just never know when you might put that hopper over that 2′ brown and get the eat. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Go-to nymphs for us this week have been black zebras, Rainbow Czechs, Tung Darts, Weight Flies, Peep Shows, 2 Bit Hookers in red, Rainbow Warriors, PT’s, LGM’s, Red Headed Step Child, Claws R Cray, Snapping Cray, Chocolate or Olive WD40’s and various other mayfly nymphs.

September can also be a great month for streamers on the Missouri. Cooler days and overcast skies are the ticket…..bring on the streamer weather! Circus Peanuts, Sparkle Minnows, Polar Leeches, Pine Squirrel Leeches and various buggers should all be a part of your Missouri River streamer arsenal. Stop by the shop and stock up and while you’re at it why not take a St Croix Bank Robber out for a test drive. We’d love to get you set up with everything you need for fall streamer fishing.

Lodging is filling quickly for the next six weeks of autumn awesomeness and our guides are starting to get busy again so don’t miss out on one of our favorite times of the year on the MO.

Long nights, cool mornings, the smell of autumn in the air….Montana fall Fly Fishing at its finest!

Shop open daily at 6:30 AM (earlier than ALL THE REST) for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Shuttles, bugs, bobbers, lines, leaders, gloves, hats, sun protection, waders, boots and much more including coffee on the house and the most laid-back and friendly atmosphere you’ll find in any shop anywhere.