***2026 MT LICENSE SEASON UPDATE***
As of 03/01/2026 all Montana Fishing Licenses, Conservation Licenses and all other recreation licenses are now ONLINE purchase only. Please visit FWP website to obtain your 2026 season licenses.
The MO has been fishing a little funky as of late, but the water is cold enough in the upper stretches near the dam and the fish are there. It's big bug season, meaning crayfish, zirdles, and worms are on the menu. The bug life has been minimal by Missouri standards, that's when the odd balls start working. Look for the riffle water. Fish have been holding in the faster water stretches. Don't be afraid to throw some damsels around as well, there are a few fish eating the nymphs and dries.
Dries:
Hackle Stacker Trico (16-20), Trico Comparadun (16-20), Rusty Spinner (18-22), Brooks Sprout PMD (18-22), RS2 PMD (18), Varoius hopper patterns
Nymphs:
Zirdle (8-12), Clouser Cray (6-10), Damsel (10-12) Tailwater Sow bug (16-18), Tungsten Tailwater sow bug (16-18), Radiation Baetis (16-18), Sow bug Light Hare (16-18), Sow bug Dark hare (16-18), Spanish Bullet PMD (16-20), Zebra Midge Black (16-20), Hunchback Scud tan/pink (16-18), Amex Czech nymph rainbow (14-16), PMD Perdigon (18-20), Green Machine Pheasant tail (16-18), Pheasant tail (18)
Streamers:
wooly bugger, Kreelex's, sparkle minnows, skiddish smolts, rusty trombones, sculpzilla, Mini Dungeon, Leech Patterns
