May on the MO

Another beautiful day here in the Bozone with little or next to nothing of actual importance really going on. I had a hard weekend of skiing with the kids, too stressful to recount here - or maybe it wasn't at all and that why it wasn't stressful other than watching both of them eat shit a time or two as their speeds may have exceeded their abilities to stop.

I'm starting to think about 2019 and life on the water. Although I am no longer going to be doing teh "Missouri Thing" in the spring, I am kind of booked up already so I may be squeezing in a few more days. Here are the details:


“May on the Missouri River” is back once again for 2019 with Fins & Feathers of Bozeman’s fly fishing guide service. We will be heading up to Craig, Montana in late April, offering Missouri River guided fly fishing through Memorial Day weekend on the stretch of the Missouri River between Holter Dam and Cascade, Montana. Spring is the best time of year on the Missouri River to avoid crowds and get some serious numbers of wild trout in the 16”-20” range - with a few over 20” -  on a daily basis. Book your days soon as availability is limited in terms of both lodging and open guided dates.

Fins & Feathers of Bozeman’s fly fishing guides have been guiding fly anglers on the Missouri River since 2000 and fishing the river since 1992. We have fished it all throughout the year in high water, low water, bank to bank weeds, crowds, dirty water, and primetime conditions. Late April through late May is as close to  "home run timing" as there is up on the Missouri River, near Craig, Montana.



Our Montana fly fishing guides prefer to work Monday – Friday during this time of year to avoid the weekend crowds, but we are available weekends as well with advanced planning. Guests typically stay in hotel rooms (only two rooms) at Cross Currents fly shop in Craig Montana, but are welcome to arrange their own lodging as well. Dinners can be had at Izaaks in Craig, the Oasis in Wolf Creek, or one of several options in Cascade. Breakfast is available at a couple of spots in Craig while lunches are included on our the guided days.

The fishing this time of year is condition dependent, but typically consists of nymph fishing along current seams and below drop-offs from the driftboat. Cloudy days bring out BWO and March Browns, with some Caddis typically showing up in mid-late May making for intermittent dry fly fishing. Streamer fishing is really dependent on water levels and temperature on the Missouri River in the spring, with lower flows and warmer conditions being ideal. We always have a great time during our spring guided trips on the Missouri River and look forward to getting it done once again in 2019.
Availability is limited during our Missouri River guided fly fishing trips, so please make your arrangements sooner rather than later. Deposits aren’t due until Jan. 31, 2019 but we recommend getting on the books as soon as possible. Guided fly fishing rates for the Missouri River are $575 per boat for 1-2 anglers for trips that take place between April 29 – May 24, 2019. A minimum booking of two days is required for advance reservations. Lodging at Cross Currents can be reserved with Fins & Feathers  or by contacting Cross Currents directly.

Email Toby Swank at Fins & Feathers of Bozeman or call him at 406-586-2188 to make a reservation for the 2019 spring season on the Missouri River.

We are happy to help arrange your travel and lodging logistics as well, so don't heistate to reach out for plannning adivce. People usually fly into either Helena or Great Falls (both served by United, Delta, and Frontier), rent a car and then meet up with our guides in Craig. A rental car is helpful for getting around to different restaurants in the mornings and evenings.