Unseasonably warm weather and light winds around Craig are making the Missouri below Holter Dam a solid winter option. Midges are the main event, with smaller flies (#18–20) fishing best, and nymphing in slow, deep water has been the most consistent. Swinging soft hackles and small streamers is also producing, making it a great time to head north while conditions stay mild.
The following report is by Yellow Dog Flyfishing:
Flow Data: Missouri River below Holter Dam near Wolf Creek, MT
The unseasonably warm weather continues around Craig. For at least the next week. The wind looks relatively low as well. Could be well worth making the journey up north. Midges will be the main hatch throughout the winter. The hatch usually picks up in February. Smaller has been better with sizes #18- #20. Nymphing has been the most consistent action and will likely be quite good through the winter. A tailwater sowbug or something similar paired with a midge nymph or small perdigon is a tough nymph rig to beat. Find fish mostly in the slow moving deep water. Swinging has been good. Olive or peacock soft hackles have been quite effective. Small buggers and leeches have been tricking trout on the swing and stripped. Streamer fishing should continue to produce. It may slow a bit with the cooler temperatures setting in. I personally like smaller options like Sparkle Minnows or Skiddish Smolts. Baby Gongas and Sparring Partners are also fantastic options.
Photo credit: Andy Krakovski from Getty Images Signature
