May on the Missouri River

May on the Missouri River is always one of our favorite times of the season.  MTO is over on the mighty Missouri dodging run off in Missoula and enjoying the finest tailwater fishing in the state.  We really like early May on the Missouri because the river is typically low, the tributaries are clear, and there is some exceptional dry fly fishing and fun short leash nymphing.  This year is anything but typical when it comes to streamflows though.  We came into May with a river that was twice as high as normal, blown out tributaries, and cold water temps.

That made for some tough conditions in late April.  Fortunately things started to turn in our favor for our first groups in May.  The water started warming up just in time, and the guides used their creativity with the floats to avoid the bulk of the river traffic.  Since the tributaries were blown out, everyone who was fishing was forced to the upper river.  That can make for a crowded river, but we managed to stay out of the herd by using different meet times.

 

image of Missouri River
Missouri River above Wolf Creek

The fishing has been consistent all month.  The deep nymph rig has been best for steady action, but in the last week the water has warmed up enough to fish some shorter nymph rigs with good success in the right spots.  The tributaries are starting to clear up too and that has allowed the traffic to spread out throughout the entire river.

May on the Missouri River can spoil an angler and guide.  Most would consider the high water less than ideal and still we are having good fishing everyday with lots of big rainbows from 16-20+” and some hefty 20+” browns mixed in.  We probably won’t see the great dry fly fishing in these high flows which is disappointing.  Despite that, every group of anglers we have had so far in May are already planning a return trip to the Missouri next year.

We love May on the Missouri River and look forward to what the second half of the month will have in store.