October 15th, 2026

Missouri River Below Holter Dam 

Flows:  2900cfs

Weather:Beautiful today. Light W.

Water Temp:  55 degrees below Holter Dam.

What we are excited about: It happened just like we expected. The weather came in last Saturday, and the streamer fishing went off. Then came the bugs. Lots of heads and lots of happy anglers on Sunday and Monday.

Weekend Outlook:

70s Saturday. 60s Sunday.

On the Horizon:  

Fall fishing is here. Streamers, dry flies, and solid nymphing.

On the Dry Side

#18 BWOs have been hatching along with lots of little ones. Fish are up and dry fly fishing was epic during the recent cloudy days. Water temps have dropped to the mid to lower 50s, and we should see continued action topside, especially if we have clouds.

Topside Patterns

Royal Wulf Emerger, Renegade, Purple Haze, Para Adams, Flying V, Olive Hackle Stacker, Sparkle Flag BWO, Brianne Dun, Almost Dun, High Vis Spent Caddis, Superman Caddis, Orange Chubbies, Micro Chubbies, Orange Stimulators, Glitter Ant, Cupboard Ant, Ante Up.

Underneath the Indicator

Sows remain the mainstay and are always a solid choice to start. Sometimes, you can dial in a magic mayfly or two if you are willing to dabble. Size #18 Red Two Bits and Black IPTs have had their moments. If you partake, the worm can always get some.

Pro Tip

In the morning, start with a Double Sow bug rig. Beadhead followed by no bead. Add a mayfly mid-day.

Another Pro Tip

Soft Hackles. When fish are rising sporadically, swing through the zone rather than trying to play whack a mole with a dry.

Nymphing Fly Patterns We Love

·      Zebras: Flying Zebra, Zebra, Tufted Zebra for the micro hatches.

·      Evergreen Nymphs: Tailwater Sow, Worm, Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail

·      Mayflies: Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Black IPT, Two Bit Hooker, Frenchy, Black and Brown Perdigons, Jig Micro May,

·      Caddis: Blow Torch, Flamethrower, Ascending Caddis, Duracell, Purple/Red Bead Weight Fly

Dry Dropper

Tired of the indicator? Rounding out the day with a dry dropper setup is the play. Expect most of the activity on the nymph, but those occasional topside eats make it super exciting.

Meaty Stuff

Opportunistic and sometimes aggressive fish are on the hunt for junior sized trout, whitefish and sculpins. Under clouds or whenever the sun is off the water is generally best, but even on a sunny day, fish will eat the streamer over shallow flats and open buckets in the weeds. The Zonker, Flash N’ Grab, Kreelex, Sparkle Minnow, Bam-Bam Minnow, Flare A Bou, Thin Mint, articulated flies are also beginning to turn on some bigger fish. Come check out our streamer wall.

Trout Spey

Weeds are thinning down and some days the floaters are not so bad. If you can find some clean water (look to inside bends), Try a Biot Swimmer BWO followed by a BWO Soft Hackle on a Scandi set up. Larger streamers can also work if you want to throw Skagit and a light tip.

Welcome to Craig Montana

THE TROUT SHOP is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this weekend and we are your one-stop shop for coffee, breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, sides, snacks, soft beverages, wine and beer. We have guides, we do shuttles, and we have all the flies and gear you need in the shop. Our Hub Saloon in the Trout Shop Lodge is also open 7 days a week from 6-9 p.m. The best way to ensure you can get served is to book a reservation on Open Table. To do so, use the link or search Open Table. Search for Craig, Montana and Hub Saloon will pop up. Pick your time and get ready for some over-the-top meals. You can also check in with our staff for availability. Need a pizza? Place your order in the shop before 6pm or stop into the Hub between 6 and 8pm. 

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