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Tag: Missouri River

MFG’s New Fish Pimp Palace

Posted on by Eric Adams
MFG's New Fish Pimp Palace

Montana Fly Fishing Guides’ Eric Adams & Tony Valeriano have a new base of operation on the Missouri River in Craig, Montana.

Montana Fly Fishing Guides' Fish Pimp Palace
The New Fish Pimp Palace

Our new Fish Pimp Palace is a vintage 1986 Wilderness pull behind camper.  After years of sleeping in our trucks, couch surfing, and tent camping we finally decided to splurge on more comfortable accommodations.

Our new Palace has three bunks, stove, refrigerator, sink, 1/2 bath and what will become our fly tying bench.  It also has propane, batteries, and all the necessary amenities decked out in the decor of the mid-1980s.  Yeah, that’s right awful drape colors with matching brown/beige cushions all surrounded by sweet wood paneling.  Honestly, who wouldn’t want this thing?  Oh yeah, we almost forgot it’s got dual axels and a second hitch.  This will allow us to pull it up piggyback style with the Palace hooked to the truck and a drift boat hooked to the Palace.  We know that’s going to get us some sweet gas mileage, but at least we can go up and back with all our equipment.  Nice!

All the high water predictions this season have us guiding on the Missouri River for almost 6 weeks this season so having a place to call your own is a welcomed change.  We know you’re all super jealous of our Fish Pimp Palace and I’m sure there will be plenty of guide shenanigans to ensue. In Fact, living in a small camper with another guide in a town with an annual population of around 700 pretty much guarantees it.  We’ll keep you posted.  If you happen to see us up there make sure to stop by – we’ll give you the tour and maybe even a beer.

We’ll be pulling the Fish Pimp Palace up tonight so watch out Craig the Livingston boys are headed your way!

Missouri River Fishing Report – 05/18/11

Posted on by Eric Adams

The water is high and expected to be higher by tonight, but the fishing was pretty good – if you consider 20 healthy trout in the boat a good day. Be warned, if you are planning on coming up the river is at 13,500 cfs and expected to go another 1,000 cfs tonight. It’s a nympher’s dream at the moment and a dryfler’s nightmare, with the high flows the river is pretty cool and the changing water levels aren’t conducive to the surface feeders.
It’s not pretty to cast, but a 10-foot nymph rig to the AB split shot followed by a San Juan Worm, Czech Nymph, Hot Head Sow Bug are the best bet. Hit the soft water from the inside, casting out toward the soft side of the seam. Don’t be afraid to get deep and heavy!
We’ll be up here till the weekend so give us shout for more specifics.

– blogging somewhere near the water via iPad

SW Montana Fishing Report – 04/27/11

Posted on by Eric Adams
Montana Fly Fishing Lodges MRR Slide 1

Our fishing…

A fishing guide bitching about the weather – that’s strange…  Today has us sidelined with 50 mph winds, so we are catching up on some blogging and paperwork.  We did manage to get out yesterday afternoon for a bit on the Yellowstone River.  Fishing was fair at best.  The bright sunny skies had the baetis and midges holding tight and the hatch was light at best.  We did however find a number of trout stacked in the foam holes.  Until the hatches of baetis, March Browns and Mother’s Day Caddis hatches really start rolling that’s where we suggest you concentrate your time.

Our best technique is still shallow nymphing between 2 and 4 feet with small nymphs.

The Highlights:

Yellowstone River:
It’s all weather dependent right now, with some warmer weather and increased water temperatures we’ll start to see stronger baetis hatches and the March Browns.  Obviously, the word on every anglers mind is Caddis.  The Mother’s Day Caddis is nearing its emergence date.  The key is to keep your eye on the water temperatures – 52 to 54 degrees is the key the start of the major emergency.  Currently, there are a sighting of March Browns on the lower river toward Big Timber.  Caddis have also been sighted on the lower river and up river near Pine Creek.

Spring Creeks (Armstrong, DePuy, Nelson):
Midges and baetis have been very good on the cloudy days especially when the breeze is light.  Take advantage while you can with the early season discounted rates until June 14th.

Madison River:
The Lower Madison River is off color from Ennis Lake and Cherry Creek spilling in off colored water.  There are baetis, midges and caddis are right around the corner.  The trout aren’t consistently keying on the dry flies so it’s a nymphing and stream thing right now.  The streamer fishing, dragging a Bow River Buggers and small baetis nymphs dropped below are the best ticket right now.  Look for the fishing to pick up with the increased hatch activity.

Missouri River:
The Missouri is much like the rest of the waters around the state, inconsistent.  The nymphing is getting better, but the water is still higher than normal for this time of the year – 7,140 cfs (2,000 cfs higher than normal). Nymphing is a daily puzzle between flies and water depth – seems it’s between sow bugs and bright flies or baetis and midges.  The streamer guys are hit and miss, but a few nice fish are a pretty sweet day, right?

Got any good fishing reports from the area? Then make sure to leave a comment and let us know.

Fly Fishing the Missouri River in Montana

Posted on by Eric Adams
Fly Fishing the Missouri River in Montana

Over the past several years, as many of you know, Montana Fly Fishing Guides has been spending most of May & June on the Missouri River.  Why? Plain and simple it’s the best, most consistent fishing in Montana during this time of the season. For those of you who haven’t experienced this spectacular fishing we highly recommend it.  If you’re thinking about joining us here’s brief run down of what you can expect.

Weather – is typically between 60-70 degrees with partly cloudy skies and occasional rain showers, but very comfortable overall.

Hatches – in May will include midges and spring baetis. June brings Caddis and PMDs, or Pale Morning Duns.

Fishing – is typically good to great nymphing with opportunities for spectacular dry fly fishing, especially later in June when the caddis and PMDs are out in full force.  A good day of fishing will result in 20 to 40 fish per day with Browns and Rainbows averaging 15-21 inches.  These Missouri River Rainbow’s fight unlike any other trout in Montana – they are hot!

Craig, Montana – is possibly one of the great trout fishing towns anywhere.  A couple restaurants, 2 bars, 3 fly shops and lots of trout right out the front door.

Well, we hope that provides you with enough information to get a good feel for what to expect if you decide to join us.  We do have limited availability on guides and the most limiting factor is good lodging so if you’re interested we highly recommend contacting us sooner rather than later.