It’s no surprise that most every customer we talk to whether on the phone or in the shop leads with “how’s the fishing”? Why wouldn’t they? It’s obviously what we’re all here for.

So how is the fishing?

I recently noticed a social media post from a local outfitter proclaiming that the fishing is, in fact, tough. Too hot, too crowded, too weedy etc.

I appreciate the honesty of that post and while I wouldn’t frame things in that same way, it does shine a light on the issue of what constitutes “good fishing”. Nothing stated in that post was inaccurate and I think it’s a good attempt to speak to those fish counting folks looking for an easy numbers fix but at the same time I think it promotes a glass half empty approach intended to drive traffic away which is an interesting strategy for business promotion in the outfitting world but that’s a topic for another day.

So, what defines “good fishing”?

Is it a 10 fish day? Is it a 20 fish day? Is it3 fish over 20”? Is it one 24” brown trout? Is it just a couple of fish but all caught on dry flies? Is it a bunch of chases but few hookups on streamers. Is it 40 fish on nymphs all caught at the dam doing rowarounds?

Yes. It’s all of these things and more. There are no defined metrics for what constitutes good fishing. Good fishing is defined in the mind of each individual angler and it’s different for everyone.

We occasionally get criticized for painting too rosy a picture in our fishing reports, for always saying the fishing is good, supposedly to drive more business. I can assure you that is never my intention.

If you ask me any day how the fishing is I will tell you what the latest reports are from the river but keep in mind that slow fishing, in my mind, does not necessarily mean BAD fishing.

How’s the fishing?

Well, the Missouri River is a world-renowned fishing destination, carving its way through breathtaking landscapes in the heart of the American West. It boasts thousands of trout per mile with an average size pushing 20” and is a bug factory consistently churning out major hatches all season long.

In my mind, if you’re lucky enough to be wading or floating the waters of the Mighty MO the potential that exists every moment spent on this water is the very definition of good fishing but that doesn’t mean you’re going to catch a bunch of fish.

Are there slow days? Of course. It’s FISHING. And to be honest, less action makes you appreciate the hookups all that much more.

There are days the fishing is easy, when they’ll eat anything, you put in front of them, and they’ll move to do it. There are other days it’s hard work figuring out what they want and where they are. I would argue both scenarios, as they play out here on the Missouri, constitute GOOD FISHING.

That same post from that outfitter featured pictures of nothing but BIG browns so while the fishing may in fact be challenging – it’s obviously “good” if you define “good” by the size of the fish you catch.

We hear conflicting reports daily from those stopping in for more flies or for advice or whatever they may need. Sometimes these reports are directly related to skill level. The Missouri is a technical fishery and sometimes tough to figure out and can therefor result in some challenging days for newcomers to the river.

Other times catch rates are similar, but perceptions are miles apart. You can often have two anglers, both having hooked and landed roughly the same number of fish. To one it may be the best day they’ve ever had on the river while to the other it may be one of the worst days they’ve had.

It’s all in the expectations.

We at WCA are huge proponents of managing expectations, whether your own or those of your clients if you are a guide. It’s a huge part of the game whether you’re DIY or on a guide trip.

Last week we had two groups on guided trips for multiple days. The fishing (as defined by number of fish caught) was pretty much the same for both groups. One group had a blast. The other, not so much. The first group caught some fish, enjoyed the amazing scenery and the awesome experience of being on the water and left with intentions of returning at the same time next season.

The second group spent a lot of time comparing this trip to past trips and decided things were way better in the past. Same scenery, same experience but a very different level of expectation and consequently maybe not such an enjoyable experience.

We always do our best to show all of our clients a great time. Our guides work hard to set clients up for success each day which often includes managing those expectations and unfortunately there are times when the conditions and results of the day do not meet those expectations. These are tough days, but they are days spent in an amazing place nonetheless and they are days that could greatly benefit from incremental adjustments in attitude and expectations.

All this to say the fishing is what you make of it. We are well acquainted with stellar fishing and tough fishing alike and the one thing I can say for sure that the two have in common is that a day spent on the water trumps a day not spent on the water every time – at least in my opinion.

We invite you to cherish those experiences on the water regardless of the fish you are or aren’t catching. Time spent in these places is a gift.

As the late, great Warren Zevon put it, “Enjoy every sandwich”!

Tight Lines!