November's here...the unofficial start to winter around Western Wyoming. Even though the calendar still says Fall, it's cold and snowy around the Cowboy State these days. Here in Oregon, it's been a mix of sunny days and wet days. The local Steelhead anglers are welcoming any rains to push more wild Steelhead into area rivers. Since I last updated this report, we've elected a new president, and I took an amazing trip back to the Missouri River in Central Montana. I usually prefer to not mix politics with fly-fishing, but I will say as an angler, I'm pleased with the outcome of this election. It's clear to everyone that our environment is in trouble, and I believe that another four years of policies from our incumbent president will only help the situation that our cold water fisheries are facing around this nation. Enough said. On to Montana...
The Missouri River below Holter Dam in Central Montana is one of my absolute favorite fisheries anywhere. Clear, cold flows out of Holter Dam meander gently over lush weedbeds full of insect life, and healthy Brown and Rainbow Trout. This river really fishes well all year, but come Autumn, it can really turn on. More often than not, the streamer bite in late-October can be stellar. Throw in a daily hatch of Blue-Winged Olives and Midges, and it can be amazing. Over all the years I've been coming up to the Missouri, we've seen it all. Warm temps (with tough streamer fishing and no hatches), to frigid air and blowing snow (pushing us off the water nearly hypothermic). Out of a four or five day trip, we usually hope for one or two bang-up days, and then maybe a day or two of tougher fishing. This was the first time I had ever spent 4 days in a row on the river with absolutely amazing conditions. We had overcast, calm skies, with cold temps each day, that really held up the quality of the fishing. Although we only saw one fish at 20", and a handful in the 18" range, the number of fish right now in the Missouri in the 15"-17" class is staggering.
If you've not been up there, check it out. For the best guides and bug selection, don't miss
Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig. For lodging, the best gig in the area are the cabins and motel in Wolf Creek run by
Montana River Outfitters. These guys will take care of you. Enjoy a few photos from the trip.
The week we were there happened to coincide with our annual guides weekend away in Wyoming. A group of the Jack Dennis/Grand Teton Fly Fishing guides spent the weekend together on a little known tailwater, and from the looks of it, did pretty well. See the video below...
