Dam Temps: 54.5 Degrees

Cascade:  3410 CFS

Ulm:  3620 CFS

Morony: 4150 CFS

Fort Benton:  4610 CFS

Missouri River Pelican Point Down

With cooler, cloudier days, BWO hatches should be on the rise! Carry a variety of imitations in different sizes. Most hatches coming off will run in the size 18-22 range. Streamer fishing continues to produce some really nice trout when the conditions are right.  Swinging and stripping Flash and Grabs makes for some epic days.  On the nymphing side of things don't be afraid to toss out the ol' bacon and eggs combo. (wire worm size 8-10 trailed by an egg pattern size 12-16).  Standard nymphing patterns are also moving some solid trout. A good option is a size 14 Blowtorch followed by a size 18-20 beadhead Pheasant Tail. Don't be afraid to tinker with your indicator depth if you aren't having any luck.

Recommended Flies

Randall Kauffman's Stimulator size 8-12 in orange;  Chris Conaty's Chernobyl Pteronarcy's size 8-10; 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; Olive Hot Spot size 16-18.

 Cascade Downstream

Pike fishing has been very hit or miss lately. Which is how it goes most of the year. The term "feast or famine" has been true. Your typical spots will either be full of fish hungry to eat your fly, or the fish just will not be in a feeding mood. Changing flies or depths can sometimes help to trigger fish to eat, but don't beat yourself up if you aren't getting reactions. If you are trophy hunting for a mega pike, keep in mind that they will nail that fly hard and fight harder than the typical 2–5-pound pike you might be used to catching. Don't mess up the net job if your buddy is the one to hook the monster. 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 the ticket. Where there is slack water and structure, there are most likely pike. The 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

Carp Fishing will is winding down There may be the occasional day here and there of 70-degree weather with light to no wind. On those days you could get lucky. Watch the forecast and set aside your time accordingly if carp is what you're after.

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 biggest change heading into the weekend is the weather, with increasing clouds and showers. The coming week looks substantially colder and wetter, with valley rain and mountain snow possible. These conditions could create an excellent opportunity for anglers targeting fall mayflies and streamers.

Cooler water temperatures should keep trout comfortable, but fishing may start slowly in the morning. Give the river some time to warm before expecting significant activity. Late morning through afternoon remains the strongest fishing window.  Fishing a larger Pat's Rubber Legs with a size 18-20 Pheasant Tail or Zebra Midge trailing should turn some decent trout.  BWOs should become increasingly important with the approaching cloudy, rainy weather. Watch slower seams and softer water for fish feeding on small mayflies.

Clark Fork

 Look for trout feeding along foam lines, slower riffle edges, inside bends, soft banks, tailouts, and deeper green lanes. The Clark Fork can be particularly technical when fish are feeding on the surface. Spend time observing before casting and use a long leader with a careful presentation when targeting rising trout.  BWOs are becoming the most important mayflies to watch on the Clark Fork. The approaching cloudy weather should create favorable conditions for these small insects, particularly during the afternoon. Watch for rising fish in slow current seams and softer water adjacent to riffles. Nymphing is a dependable backup when fish aren't rising. Try Frenchie's, Pheasant Tails, Perdigons, BWO nymphs, and October Caddis Pupa through deeper seams. Fish the slower edges of current whenever water temperatures are particularly cold.

Creeks and Lakes

Browns will start to push up into the smaller creeks and tributaries in the area on their way to spawn. Be cognizant of where you are fishing and how you are fishing so that you are not targeting fish on redds or close to them. However, this time of year can be incredibly fun to fish for resident fish in these creeks with small to medium sized streamers and larger nymph rigs. Fishing the micro versions of your larger Missouri River streamers will be most effective. As for the lakes in the area, fall can be a great time for stripping leeches along weed beds.

Flies For Freestones

Kelly Galloup's Micro Dungeon in black and purple; Kris Keller's Short Stop Leech in Mint; Fred Telleen's Bam Bam; Black Stoneflies; zirdles and more!