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Fly Fishing the Land of the Giants with Jeff Lattig of Living Water Guide
Season 11 Episode 705
#705 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/705
Presented By: Pescador on the Fly, Heated Core, Visit Helena, MT
Are you ready to fish one of the best tailwaters out west? Today, we're heading to the Land of the Giants on the Missouri River with Jeff Lattig from Living Water Guide.
Jeff shares tips on fishing rivers and reservoirs, even in winter. We're talking about the must-have fly color for winter, how to avoid a sloppy mend, and why the short leash nymphing method might just change the way you fish.
Show Notes with Jeff Lattig on Fly Fishing the Land of the Giants.
03:06 - Winter on the Missouri River is slightly different, but it's still a great time to catch some big fish. The day usually starts later, at around 9:30 or 10 AM, just to let the sun warm things up a bit.
Jeff talks about fishing deep, slow winter water and using flies like pink scuds and worms. If the wind is calm, you might even get some great midge fishing with dry flies. Jeff says pink flies, like pill poppers and lightning bugs, are popular in winter.
Winter Fishing vs Summer Fishing in the Missouri
Winter fishing on the Missouri River can be easier than fishing in the summer. Fish are a bit slower and less picky, so it's easier to catch them. But they're also not as hungry, so it's all about finding the right depth and being patient. Jeff said the best part about winter fishing is fewer anglers.
Dry Fly Fishing on the Missouri
09:16 - Dry fly fishing on the Missouri can be trickier than on rivers like the Clark Fork or Blackfoot. The flies are smaller, so even a small mistake, like a sloppy mend, can cause your fly to sink. Plus, the weeds in the water add an extra challenge.
Jeff said downstream hook sets can be challenging for beginners. You must wait for the fish to take the fly before setting the hook.
When to Set the Hook and How to Avoid Sloppy Mends?
Jeff says the key is patience. You want to wait until the fish completely takes the fly. Here's what Jeff recommends to avoid sloppy mends:
Avoid sloppy mends by using a reach cast to place your fly where you want it.
Stack your line out to feed it properly and get that perfect drift.
Short leaders (9 to 12 feet) are usually enough—no need for crazy long leaders!
Leader Size and Technique for Dry Fly Fishing on the Missouri
The leader size for dry fly fishing in Missouri depends on the fly you're using. Here's the breakdown:
For smaller flies (like size 18), choose a 4x to 5x leader.
For larger flies (like chubby Chernobyls or grasshoppers), use 2x or 3x to prevent twisting and get a good turnover.
The technique stays the same even in the winter. Jeff says that if there aren't many fish rising, they fish blind.
https://youtu.be/9U1jUdOjsLA?si=TGkZjLa7cE5f2_8Q
Hopper Season on the Missouri
13:03 - Hopper season runs from late July through September. During this time, Jeff targets shallow waters (less than 2 feet deep) with grasshoppers. Here's what you should look for:
Faster, choppy water with good oxygen levels
Current breaks and structure, especially wood (as Jeff says, "wood is good")
Fish with a single hopper or a hopper dropper
Missouri is known for its epic grasshopper fishing, but other hatches like PMDs, caddis, tricks, and pseudocloeons.
What is Short Leash Nymphing?
17:34 - Short leash nymphing is a technique where you target super shallow water, where larger fish tend to feed. The method involves using soft landing indicators placed a few feet above the flies, typically two to three feet.
Anglers cast to
Published on 11 months, 1 week ago