Montana ·
Missouri River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/18/2026
MISSOURI RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Below Holter Dam — Craig to Wolf Creek (Montana)
Report Date: January 18, 2026 | Next Update: January 25, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter bite remains dependable. Low, clear flows and a run of unseasonably mild days have kept trout active. Expect concentrated fish in deeper seams and tails of runs — classic winter MO tactics are working.
Flows & Clarity
Flow Rate: ~3,000–3,150 cfs (below Holter Dam)
Water Clarity: Very clear — fish are sight-sensitive
Notes: No shelf-ice reported on the main wade sections
Flow Rate: ~3,000–3,150 cfs (below Holter Dam)
Water Clarity: Very clear — fish are sight-sensitive
Notes: No shelf-ice reported on the main wade sections
Water Temperature
Current: ~35–37°F (1.5–3°C)
Daily Range: Overnight lows at or just below freezing; daytime warming into the 40s on sunny spells
Current: ~35–37°F (1.5–3°C)
Daily Range: Overnight lows at or just below freezing; daytime warming into the 40s on sunny spells
Weather
Forecast: A mild stretch — daytime highs in the 40s; light-to-moderate wind possible in afternoons
Angling window: Midday to afternoon gives the best activity on sunny days
Forecast: A mild stretch — daytime highs in the 40s; light-to-moderate wind possible in afternoons
Angling window: Midday to afternoon gives the best activity on sunny days
Access & Safety
Access: Craig, Cascade Canyon, Wolf Creek road access all usable — check local ramps for short-term closures
Dress: Layered waders, insulated boots; bring traction devices for icy banks
Access: Craig, Cascade Canyon, Wolf Creek road access all usable — check local ramps for short-term closures
Dress: Layered waders, insulated boots; bring traction devices for icy banks
Fish Behavior & Where to Focus
In winter the MO concentrates trout in slow, deep water: seams, inside tails of current, and deep pocket-water adjacent to faster runs. Midge and baetis feeding events happen on milder days — otherwise the trout are keying on subsurface offerings (midges, sowbugs/scuds, small nymphs, and the occasional small streamer).
Hatch Chart & Insect Activity
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (adult & pupa) | #18–24 | Consistent (best on warmer, low-wind days) | Late morning to afternoon |
| Baetis / BWO | #18–22 | Light to occasional | Midday if temps creep up |
| Sowbugs / Scuds | #10–14 | High (go-to subsurface food) | All day in slow seams |
| Small Streamer/Leech Food | #6–10 | Targets larger trout in deep runs | Throughout day, best with low light |
Recommended Flies (linked to patterns)
Below are field-tested patterns you can order or tie into your winter boxes. Links go directly to the stocked patterns that match the Missouri below Holter Dam winter program.
Dry Flies & Emergers (midge / baetis opportunities)
- Top Secret Midge — simple midge dry to mimic small adult midges on calmer afternoons.
- Pat's Midge — excellent as a tiny, visible emerger/dry when fish are sipping.
- Stealth Link Mercer — PMD — great on the rare PMD pushes; use as emerger or soft hackled emerger.
- Egan's Silver Bullet — Baetis — compact BWO-style dry when baetis activity shows up.
Nymphs (primary winter tactic)
- Tailwater Sowbug — Rainbow — anchor fly for indicator rigs or euro setups; pairs perfectly with a midge below.
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive — compact jig nymph that fishes tight to the bottom in seams.
- Roza's Perdigon — Spain — fast-sinking, high-visibility perdigon for picky winter trout.
- Pheasant Tail Tungsten — a classic PT nymph in tungsten form to reach fish holding deep.
Streamers & Soft Hackles (swinging / low-light feeding)
- Egan's Poacher — Olive — a go-to articulated minnow/poacher style for targeting big winter trout.
- Egan's Poacher — Black — darker profile for low light or tannic water pockets.
- Coffey's Sparkle Minnow Sculpin — sculpin imitation for structure-oriented trout.
- Sculpzilla — Olive — larger profile streamer when trout are keyed on baitfish/sculpins.
- Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Jig — Barbless — soft-hackle for swinging/slow drifts that will draw hesitant takes.
Tactics & Quick Rigs
Winter priorities: precise depth, subtle presentation, and patience. Fish are cold-blooded — slow your approach and let the fly sit in the feeding zone.
Nymphing
- Two-nymph rigs: anchor (sowbug/scud) on top, thin perdigon or midge nymph below. Keep the anchor just off bottom.
- Tactics: Euro nymph/indicator nymph depending on boat/shore; keep drift tight and short—trout are often on half-drift lines.
- Tippet/Leader: 9'–11' leader with 3–5' of 5–7X fluorocarbon to the point fly for midges; for heavier nymphs use 4–6X overall.
Dry Fly & Emerger
- Small midge/baetis drifts on calm afternoons: use very light tippet (6–7X) and keep the leader long and delicate.
- Watch foam lines and inside seams where a midge cluster will bring fish to the surface.
Streamers & Swinging
- Strip or swing larger streamers along structure and deep tails. Use a slow, rolling strip to mimic sculpin.
- When swinging soft hackles, allow a full swing into the downstream and be ready for a sudden boil.
- Rods: 6–8 wt for streamers; 4–6 wt for nymphing and dry flies depending on wind and boat size.
Quick Rig Recipes
| Rig | Setup |
|---|---|
| Classic Indicator | 8–10' tapered leader → 2–3' mono indicator → 18–36" drop to anchor sowbug → trailing midge/perdigon (size #16–20) |
| Euro Nymph | Short, stiff 9' leader → 1–2' dropper to point (perdigon or tungsten PT) → 1–2' to drogue/anchor as needed |
| Streamer | Floating line → 9–12' 0X–2X leader → 24–48" shock tippet to streamer (size #4–8) |
Where to Fish Today
- Holter Dam tailrace and the deep seams downstream — classic winter hangouts.
- Bull Pasture and slow inside bends below deeper runs — target with sowbug + small nymph.
- Wind-protected inside bends and foam lines on sunny afternoons for midge/baetis sipping.
Angler Notes & Etiquette
- Give anglers space — winter fish are concentrated and access can be limited.
- Practice quick, careful handling in cold water; keep fish in the water whenever possible.
- Know the rules: check current fishing regs for the Holter-to-Wolf Creek reach before you go.
Buy / Order These Flies
Quick links below take you to ready-to-buy flies (local shops and online suppliers). If you want a list emailed with clickable "add to cart" links, reply and I’ll assemble a shopping pack for your typical Missouri winter setup.
Dry Fly / Emerger Links
Nymph Links
- Tailwater Sowbug — Rainbow
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive
- Roza's Perdigon — Spain (barbless)
- Pheasant Tail Tungsten
Streamer & Soft-Hackle Links
- Egan's Poacher — Olive
- Egan's Poacher — Black
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin
- Sculpzilla — Olive
- Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Jig — Barbless
Outlook
The next week looks favorable for winter angling on the Missouri: steady flows, clear water, and a mild pattern that will keep midges and baetis active during sunny pockets. Keep a box with small midges and perdigons for the subsurface game and a couple of stout streamers for structure/ambush feeding.
