Missouri River - Holter to Cascade:
The Missouri River is a large tailwater that flows out of Holter Dam and is fishable for 40+ miles past the town of Cascade, Montana. This section of river has 13 boat access points allowing guides to mix and match many different combinations for your daily floats.
Fishing much like a large spring creek, the Missouri offers some of the best dry fly action anywhere in the world. Depending on the time of year, consistent emergences of caddis, pmd's, tricos, midges, bwo's and grasshoppers bring large numbers of wild rainbow and brown trout to the surface. In addition, nymph fishing can be exceptionally productive all season long. A float trip can run for 2 - 15 miles, with some sections seeing over 5,000 wild trout per mile averaging 16”-18", with the occasional brown trout over two feet long.
The Missouri River can be very technical, so having top-notch guides makes a big difference and helps ensure an enjoyable and successful fly fishing experience. MRL guides are equipped with the best boats, flies, and knowledge of where to take you, what to use, and how to use it. Our primary way of fishing the Missouri is out of drift boats, with occasional wade fishing opportunities.
The trout on the Missouri are all wild fish that reproduce naturally in the river, or in the small tributaries that flow into the river. The dam adds to the prolific biomass (aka trout food) by providing consistent water flow and temperature throughout the year. This accounts for the large number and large size of our fish that will run you into your backing on a daily basis!
Missouri River Lodge practices 100% catch-and-release to ensure there will always be plenty of trout the next time you wish to come and fish with us.
The Land of the Giants:
The Land of the Giants is legendary in the West. This section of river houses some of the biggest rainbows and browns this country has to offer in a wild setting. After spending their winter months in the lake, these beasts move into the river to spawn and spend the summer months gorging on the rich bug life. The average rainbow will stretch a tape to over 20", with brown trout reaching lengths of up to 26". This is BIG fish water! There are few places in the lower 48 that are going to give you a comparable opportunity to catch these kinds of numbers of wild, trophy trout. The Land of the Giants truly is a special fishery. Bookings fill up fast due to the limited space. Be sure to request the number of days you would like to fish this fabled piece of water.
Blackfoot River:
One of the most famous and beautiful rivers in central Montana is only an hour away from Missouri River Lodge. The Blackfoot is a freestone river that provides an opportunity for fly fisherman to try their skills on native Westslope cutthroats. These trout, as well as rainbows, browns, cutbows, the occasional brook trout, and bull trout can all be caught on this extraordinary stream. Trout on the Blackfoot River are unusually susceptible to large, attractor dries and their eats are nothing less than aggressive. The Blackfoot offers countless riffles, pools and runs for you to try your nymphs, streamers, and dry flies and every cast can produce a trout in the 16”- 20” range.
Wade Fishing:
Get out of the boat for a change, stretch your legs, and get up close and personal with some gorgeous smaller mountain streams just minutes from the lodge. These gin-clear waters rarely see another angler, and it’s a chance to get away from it all. Try your hand at throwing 0 to 4 weight rods at wild mountain rainbows and brown trout. The surprise and excitement of occasionally landing a large trout in a high mountain stream on light tackle is the quintessence of fly fishing.
Carp on the Fly:
The Missouri River Lodge offers fly fishing for carp, the world's next game fish on the fly! These fish are incredible with their size, power, strength and wariness to a fly. They will test any angler's patience, skill, and ability. Fishing for these big fish is a lot like bonefish or redfish on the flats. The water is very clear and you will have hundreds of targets to throw at each day. Stalking these fish in knee-deep water is hunting with a fly rod. Carp average 10 pounds and will give your five weight rod everything it can handle, and then some. Step outside the box and give something new a try, carp fishing will surprise you. We love it!
