Monthly Archives: May 2012

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report

LOC live from the Missouri River!  All systems go here in Craig, Montana.  The river is in great shape and fishing well and Tim and the LOC crew are getting guests into some nice fish.  It’s still pretty much a nymphing game but dry fly sticks are rigged and in the holsters at the ready for the occasional shot at a rising fish.  Small bugs in sizes 18 and 20 are the rule for the most part.  Some caddis showing up in the lower river and still a smattering of olives.  Stay tuned for more LOC Missouri Spring Fling updates.

Keith S. on the Mighty MO with Linehan Outfitting Co.

Kootenai River Montana Fishing Report

Well, as promised the Kootenai River is now flowing at 20,000 cfs from the Libby Dam! Flows are expected to remain there through Thursday. Water clarity is still good and the river is definitely fishable- just not much wading.  Some dry fly action during the heat of the day, but primarily a nymph and streamer fishery right now.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report

The Mo is in great shape, flowing at 4550cfs and fishing pretty darn well.  Nymphing is excellent!  On the upper river small bugs presently rule like #18 lightening bugs in purple and silver, pheasant tails, and sow bugs.  Fish are starting to settle into more traditional runs and 5x is beginning to help with hook-ups.  Caddis are active on the lower river in the canyon and below but consistent dry fly action is still spotty.  Be sure to try various caddis nymphs in the canyon stretch and don’t be afraid to run a big dry with a dropper in skinny water.

Mark B. Big Mo brown

 

Kootenai River Montana Fishing Report

Present discharge from Libby Dam is 15,000 cfs and the river is in excellent shape.  Pat’s stones with small droppers like pheasant tails, hare’s ears, prince, and rainbow Czech nymphs are moving fish.  Dry fly action is still spotty but if you’re really looking for that head for the lower river where water temps are a bit higher and olives are still active.  Get out there today and get it while you can since tomorrow big flows are coming.  Beginning at 6:00am Libby Dam will increase flows to 20,000cfs. 

Kootenai River Montana

Kootenai River Montana Fishing Report

Discharge from Libby Dam is currently 13,400cfs and the river is in great shape.  It’s clear and nymphing has been pretty good.  Expect gray skies today with temps in the high 50′s.  Look for blue winged olives in slack water and some possible dry fly action.  Tomorrow flows from Libby Dam will be increased to 15,000cfs at 7:00am.  It looks like the big run-off and increase in flows might begin tomorrow.  Get it while you can today!

Kootenai River cutthroat

Missouri River Montana

Tim and the LOC crew are home for the weekend after a fifteen day run on the Missouri River and headed back for another two weeks on Monday.  The fishing has been great this spring and flows from Holter Dam are steady and basically around 4600cfs each day.  Nymphing has been great with lots of short leash, three feet to the indicator rigs instead of long leaders with lots of split shot.  Tiny bugs, #18, 20′s, are the name of the game already what with clear, low water.  Dry fly fishing has been spotty but thrilling with the occasional big nose sipping olives along the bank.  It’s a waiting game and caddis should start to explode any day.  All in all the river is in excellent shape and fishing very well.

Missouri River rainbow

Kootenai River Montana Fishing Report

Kootenai River

Discharge from Libby Dam is steady and still 13,400cfs.  It’s a long weekend and the river is in excellent shape.  It’s clear, water temps are warming, and it’s actually fishing pretty well.  Expect partly sunny skies today with temps in the 50′s with breezy conditions.  Nymphing is still the best best.  Prince, pheasant tails, Pat’s stones in sizes 12 with smaller droppers have been producing fish.  Two split shot and six feet to the indicator has been the most consistent rig.  Dry fly fishing is spotty.  Streamers are still moving the occassional big dog so if that’s what floats your boat, give it a shot.

Kootenai River Montana Fishing Report

Rain, rain, rain!! Discharge from Libby Dam is steady at 13,400 cfs and water temp is 44 degrees. Showers and daytime temps in the 50′s for the rest of the week.  All this rain has the small streams on the rise adding a bit of color to the Kootenai. Stick with the nymphing game or throw big streamers. Tim, Sean, Steve, and Jeff are still over on the Mighty Mo guiding into the first part of June. The Kootenai and tribs should be in great shape when they return!

Bundle Up!!

Kootenai River Montana Fishing Report

The weather has changed a bit and it’s a little more spring like.  Daytime temps in the low 60′s and cloudy skies have slowed the snow melt. Discharge from Libby Dam is now 13,400 cfs and the river is in great shape.  Today is opening day for small streams although they aren’t so small right now. Stick with the Kootenai!

Kootenai River Montana Fishing Report

Another incredibly beautiful day here in Kootenai River country!! We’ve had 3 days in a row of 80 degree temps, so the small streams are on the rise. Discharge from Libby Dam had been bumped up to 17,000 cfs. The river is still in great shape. Still mostly a nymphing game, but we’ve had an hour or 2 of dry fly fishing in the afternoons. Time to get out and fish!!