[Panhandle]

Pre-runoff or post?

I'm going to drag my boat down there for the first time this year. Any advice in terms of doing it in style is appreciated. I'm planning on doing a 4 day trip. My issue with long multi-day floats is time constraints. If you run into a good hatch, you can't sit on it because you have to keep moving. I'm thinking a bunch of 4-5 mile floats...... Thanks in advance. Oh, I assume it's a pretty straight forward float with no hazzards?

 

[NW Steve]

Very easy float. I fished it a few days last year. Had a great time.

 

[Kaari White]

I'm assuming you're going to be up around Craig? I've fished that area many times and it sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for (extremely easy floats, zero hazards- imagine a huge, flat spring creek). There are numerous different floats that are 4-7 miles in length. Generally I like the floats that start at Craig or even below that rather than starting at the dam. Holter to Craig float has the most fish per mile, but you'll have a lot more company than any other stretch of the river.The Mo really doesn't have a lot of run off since its dam controlled, but a few of the tribs can definitely blow out making the mo murky. The Missouri usually fishes fine with high flows, though and I've had great days even at 10,000 cfs. Anytime on the Mo is good fishing, bu in the spring you better have a great nymph game. You can fish dries, but really just a dusk. For fly shops, I highly recommend Crosscurrents fly shop, those guys are first rate. They also have a few rooms/cabins for rent right in town. You'll want to be in town so you can be as close to Isaak's as possible. I miss that place!

 

[gt]

holter to craig, over and over again. monster fussy fish, what more can i say. i'd check in with one of the fly shops in craig regarding the water downstream from there as i have heard a couple of different stories regarding hazards. if you launch at the wolf creek bridge, you will not have that much 'company' on a drift, maybe 6-7 boats so i don't consider that crowded water by any stretch. folks tend to cluster above the bridge on river left up to the campground. some fine wade, sort of, spots to cast a fly from.

 

[Abomb]

Good points mentioned so far. If we float on Sat. I will give you the lowdown. The MO can be epic!

 

[Panhandle]

Cool, hope the weather cooperates.

 

[NW Steve]

Good points mentioned so far. If we float on Sat. I will give you the lowdown. The MO can be epic!

Can also be humbling!!!

 

[Rick Todd]

I've floated it from Holter to Cascade (but not in one float trip). I tend to like the area from Stickney on down. Still lots of big fish, not near the pressure of the river up by Craig, and outstanding scenery. No hazards to floating and several nice campgrounds along the way to overnight at. If I had several days, I would plan on Craig to Cascade. From Pelican on down, if it is blowing, it really blows there, so that is a factor. Check in Craig at the fly shops for patterns etc. Sounds like a great trip! Rick

 

[Abomb]

Can also be humbling!!!

Only when they fluctuate the flows in a major way. It will lock jaw them fish for a day or two. Besides that, it will give up good numbers and some freakin hogs.

 

[Abomb]

if it is blowing, it really blows there

Quoting for truth!

 

[Keaten LaBrel]

It all depends on what you want to fish. the upper stretches from holter to craig fish year around and are always crowded with guides chasing the bobber. if you're looking for numbers thats the way to go, keep in mind the majority of the fish are gonna be 16-18" bows. from craig down through the canyon is a different ball game. generally there are less people and more fish eating on top. the end of march-april is an awesome time to be on the canyon stretch. lots of big fish up eating baetis (the spring hatch of baetis is usually smaller than the october hatch as far as size, usually a #16-18 gets it done), and there are also a few skwalas throughout the canyon. the end of may-june a really good stretch of water is from prewett creek to cascade. lots of caddis and pmds throughout this section. personally if it were me (and i grew up fishing the mo) i'd come at the end of april or the beginning of june and focus my efforts from stickney down. pm me if you want any more info on specifics.

 

[Panhandle]

Thanks guys.

 

[Jergens]

Based on your other posts I don't think it's a big enough river for you Pan.

 

[Panhandle]

Good point, Joe. I guess I'll stick to the kootenia and its shitty fishing.

 

[montnative]

I'll talk to my old man for you, he has told me stories of some good spots on the Mo. He built some bridges up around Three forks (granted this was 30 years ago) and had many, 30 plus fish, days.

 

[Guest]

i love the mo during runoff. seeing as you only fish big water pan, get down here in may and hold on 11k and rising was fun, but 14k was where it's at!

 

[Keaten LaBrel]

i love the mo during runoff. seeing as you only fish big water pan, get down here in may and hold on 11k and rising was fun, but 14k was where it's at!

my favorite was 2 years ago when she peaked at 17K...dam to mountain palace in 4 hours