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River guide · Montana

Fly Fishing the Missouri River

Below Holter Dam near Wolf Creek and Craig, the 'Mighty Mo' is a wide, weed-rich tailwater that ranks among the most productive trout rivers in the country, holding several thousand rainbow and brown trout per mile. Stable cold-water releases and abundant aquatic vegetation support enormous insect populations and consistent rising fish across long, glassy runs. The river is fished by drift boat and on foot from numerous FWP access sites along the Recreation Road between Holter Dam and Cascade. It is renowned for blanket Trico and Baetis hatches, an early-May Mother's Day caddis emergence, and a strong Pale Morning Dun season.

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The best time to fly fish the Missouri River is Year-round. Key hatches include Baetis / Blue, Midges, Caddis, Pale Morning Dun. 45 fly shops near the Missouri River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Missouri River

Shops and guides that fish the Missouri River. See all 93 Montana shops →

Buglife FlyfishingThe Trout Shop | Missouri River Fly FishingCrossCurrents Fly ShopMadden's Missouri River Fly Fishing GuidesWolf Creek Angler, LLCTrout MontanaMontana Fly Goods CoMontana Dream Fishing Outfitters LLCCrossCurrents Fly ShopHouse of Fly - Great Falls Fly ShopGrizzly Hackle Fly ShopThe Missoulian Angler Fly Shop
12 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassBonefishCarpMuskyPanfishPikeRedfishSalmonSaltwaterSteelheadStriperTarponTroutWalleye

Nearby towns

CraigWolf CreekCascade

Rivers nearby

Blackfoot RiverClark Fork RiverBig Hole RiverBitterroot River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Missouri River

River typetailwater
Best seasonYear-round; prime April–July & September–October
AccessInterstate 15 and the Recreation Road follow the river between Wolf Creek and Cascade with many FWP access sites; wade or float from Holter Dam down through Craig.
Key hatches & timing
  • Midgeyear-round
  • Blue-winged Olive / BaetisMar–May, Sep–Oct
  • Mother's Day Caddisearly May
  • Pale Morning DunJun–Jul
  • TricoJul–Sep, mornings
  • Terrestrials — hoppers, antsAug–Sep
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Missouri River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

Browse all 880+ patterns at The Fly Bench
Gear up

Gear up on the Missouri River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Missouri River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

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Updated June 2026