Lower Mo 

Dam Temps: 61.3°F 

Cascade CFS: 3,700 cfs 

Ulm CFS: 3,540 cfs 

Morony Dam CFS: 4,120 cfs 

Fort Benton CFS:  4,830 cfs 

Missouri River Pelican Point Down 

In typical Montana-September fashion, the weather has been completely unpredictable as of late. The next week shows daytime temps reaching over 80 degrees and nighttime temps dropping to almost half that temperature. This temperature swing can turn fish on and get them to feed throughout the day. Be prepared for bug hatches during those big temperature swings, primarily as the sun rises higher in the sky and warms the water’s surface. This time of the year it is not uncommon to see a resurgence of Caddis, larger Mayflies, and most certainly Baetis. The fall Baetis hatch on the Missouri can be very rewarding, but you might have to stay through a heavy rainstorm to experience it. When that temperature drops and the clouds roll in, find the slower water and wait for fish to rise. 5x and a long leader might be necessary to trick these fish. 

Recommended Flies 

Todd Smith's Brianne Dun size 16-18; Kris Keller's Rocky Mountain Mint size 16-18 in Purple; Eric Paramore’s Thunderthigh’s size 8-12 in Peach, Yellow, or Tan; Kris Keller’s Henneberry Hopper size 10-12 in Yellow, Pink, or Green; Arrick Swanson’s Arrick’s Ant size 16, 18; Kelly Galloup’s Ant Acid size 14 or 16 in Black and Red or Cinnamon; George Daniel’s Gasolina Perdigon size 18, 20;Greg Garcia’s Darth Baetis in grey size 18, 20; Fred Telleen’s JZ in Tan 

Cascade Downstream 

Towards the end of this week, we are supposed to get more rain, this could mean fish are feeding throughout the day. By next week though we are supposed to be back up into the high 70’s and 80’s. The bright sun might slow pike fishing down a bit. In the colder mornings though, slowing the retrieve down on a sinking line might be necessary. Just like with trout, a darker day will require a darker fly. Fishing the eddies and slow water from Cascade down to Great Falls, and even below Morony Dam, will be where they sit. Where there is slack water and structure, there is most likely pike. An under-the-arm two handed retrieve has been successful lately. However, going slow and pausing in those deeper holes can trigger a reaction as well.  

Pike Flies 

Tommy Lynch’s Drunk and Disorderly; Dan Soltau’s Wild Thing Diver; Matt Grajewski’s Yardsale Black, Chartreuse/ White, Olive/ White; Satkowkis Devil Tail 

Carp 

You might only have a few more chances to get out and catch a carp on the fly for 2026. Next week looks to have temperatures back up towards 80 degrees, when those days come, get out on the mud flats and look for fish feeding along. Small and dark flies might be a better option, but having a couple to try is always a good idea. 

Carp Flies 

Andrew Grillo’s Carpholio Brown or Olive size 4; Chase Smith’s Carp Nugget Olive or Craw; Fulling Mill’s Carp Worm; Dick’s Carp Magic; Detroit Mop City 

Blackfoot 

The weather is going to be fluctuating a lot in the next couple weeks; however this weather change will get fish moving. With the cooler weather, be ready for batches of bugs to come back. There is potential to see caddis, Baetis, and even some larger mayflies in the mix. Fishing flies like the Purple Rocky Mountain Mint in a 14 or 16 will work for a dry fly, and trying some darker mayfly nymphs will be productive when those temps drop. Don't be afraid to throw a small jig streamer or Micro Dungeon around, especially in the mornings. 

Clark Fork 

Be prepared for flows to change a bit this weekend and into the next week with rain in the forecast. A standard dry/dropper rig will rip, but don't be afraid to change that nymph around a bit. Larger Montana Prince's or a #14 Blowtorch could be the ticket with that cold weather. It seems that streamer season could be on its way, so in the mornings a Dungeon or Sparkle Minnow could produce a healthy fish. 

Creeks and Lakes 

Flows are low right now for most of our area's creeks and lakes. The frontage lakes are incredibly low, and there is a significant weed edge that can be hard to fight fish through or get a kick boat out past. Fishing these lakes can be rewarded with large and feisty fish but getting to them is the trick. A kayak or drift boat would work better if you can get the boat down to the water. 

The creeks will see a flow change and probably a color change as well this weekend with the weather forecasted. A hopper/dropper is still the preferred method of fishing, but trying a small jig streamer could produce a large fish this weekend. 

Flies For Freestones 

Eric Paramore’s Thunderthigh’s Hopper in Pink or Yellow size 8-14; Kris Keller’s Henneberry Hopper Yellow or Tan size 8-12; Kelly Galloup’s Ant Acid Black and Red size 14; Doug Prince Purple Prince Nymph size 16; Brita Fordice's Sir Sticks Alot in Brown, Olive, or Black