Missouri River Fishing Report, July 9, 2026

2026-07-09 (July 9, 2026)

Summary

The Missouri has turned the page into its summer signature: the Tricos are here, and they set the daily rhythm on the tailwater below Holter. Flows are steady around 3,500 CFS below the dam, water is holding in the low-to-mid 60s, and the forecast marches toward 100°F this weekend, which pushes the whole day earlier. Mornings belong to the Trico hatch and spinner fall, the hot afternoon belongs to a siesta, and the evening brings a second window with caddis and the occasional dun. These are educated tailwater trout that have seen thousands of flies since spring, so this is A-game water: long leaders, accurate casts, and drag-free presentations.

At a glance: Trico season has arrived on the tailwater below Holter | ~3,580 CFS below Holter Dam | water 62 to 65°F | hot and getting hotter, near 100°F this weekend | best fishing before noon on the Trico show and again in the evening

Neither fresh source broke the river into named sections this week, so this reads as one tailwater picture from Holter down through Craig. The fishing is good but demanding. Trico numbers are strong, the hatch and spinner fall are the main event, and the best surface action comes to anglers who are on the water early and willing to fish small. Caddis are around but inconsistent, PMDs are winding down from their early-summer peak, and the first hoppers and ants are starting to matter along the banks. Fish are holding in the faster medium-to-shallow depths and the center-river seams; nymphing there with tiny Trico and Perdigon patterns is the workhorse when nothing is up top.

Fish early, then rest the middle of the day. With water at 62 to 65°F and air pushing toward 100°F this weekend, the responsible and productive plan is the same: fish the morning Trico window, take the hot afternoon off, and return for the evening bite. Carry a thermometer, and if the water climbs into the high 60s, give the fish a break. Check Montana FWP for any heat-driven restrictions before you go.

Best techniques

• Morning Tricos are the show. Fish the hatching females before sunrise to around 8 a.m., then switch to spinners as the mating columns drop between 9 and 10 a.m. On calm days, single and double-wing Trico spinners, clusters, a Buzzball, or a Griffith's Gnat fool risers; when the wind comes up, fish a drowned or Sunken Trico, or hang a winged Zebra under an indicator or a Chubby.
• Nymph the center-river depths with small stuff: a double-Trico rig, Little Black Mo, Little Green Machine, Baby Frenchie, Tufted Zebra, Two Bit Hooker, Split Case PMD, Spanish Perdigon, or a natural gray or rainbow Tailwater Sow. A Blowtorch or Green Machine adds a hot-spot anchor. PMD and caddis nymphs plus Pheasant Tails and sows are still moving fish in the faster shallow-to-medium water.
• The evening belongs to caddis and duns: a Translucent Caddis Emerger or Translucent Pupa below a seam-lead fly, then Film Critics, Sparkle Flags, or Split Flags for evening PMD duns and Superman Caddis, High Vis Spent Caddis, or Stalcup's Adult Caddis for the egg-laying flights. Streamers are tougher with the weeds coming in, but going against the grain with a Bam Bam, Thin Mint, Mini Montana Intruder, Mini Dungeon, or a black or peacock Bugger can move an aggressive fish. Stop into the Trout Shop or Headhunters in Craig for the morning read; on educated tailwater fish, the daily fly-size detail is worth the visit.

Hatches

Tricos are the headline, with the hatch and spinner fall driving the morning. Caddis are around but inconsistent, PMDs are tapering from their peak with a few evening duns still showing, and ants and hoppers are beginning to fill the midday gaps along the banks.

The Fly Box

Nymphs: Tufted Zebra, Flying Zebra, Little Black Mo, Little Green Machine, Baby Frenchie, Two Bit Hooker, Split Case PMD, Spanish Perdigon, Psycho May, Crust Nymph, Blow Torch, Tailwater Sow, Pheasant Tails

Emergers: CDC Trico Emerger, CDC Trico Hanging Cripple, Sunken Trico, Translucent Caddis Emerger

Dries: Trico Spinners (single and double wing), Clusters, Buzzball, Griffith's Gnat, Chubby Chernobyl, Film Critic, Sparkle Flag, Split Flag, Superman Caddis, High Vis Spent Caddis, Stalcup's Adult Caddis, Hopper, Ant

Streamers: Bam Bam, Thin Mint, Mini Montana Intruder, Mini Dungeon, Micro Peanut Envy, Peacock & Black Buggers, Zonker, Zirdle

Outlook. Hot and getting hotter, with highs threatening 100°F this weekend and slower morning starts creeping earlier to beat the heat. Expect strong Trico mornings, a dead-of-day lull, and a productive evening window, with weeds building steadily in the water column. Play nice with the crowds: traffic is near all-time highs with wade anglers on the prime flats, boats in every stretch, and recreational floaters joining on the hot afternoons.

Sources and Thanks

Shop	Report date	Coverage
The Trout Shop / House of Fly	July 9, 2026	Craig (freshest, drives conditions)
Headhunters Fly Shop	July 8, 2026	Craig (co-drives conditions)
Wolf Creek Angler	June 19, 2026	Wolf Creek (PMD, caddis, and traffic context)
Montana Fly Goods (Helena)	April 29, 2026	Helena (background)
Cross Currents Fly Shop	No current report this run	Helena / Craig
Montana Trout Hunters (Helena)	No current report	Helena (evergreen guides)