Missouri River Ranch

Name: Missouri River Ranch
Address: 2655 Craig River Road, Craig, MT, 59648, US
Telephone: +14062354116
Price range: $$$$

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Missouri River Ranch

Missouri River Ranch offers modern rooms, impeccable service and gourmet fare.

A quiet sanctuary with mountain views, this is an all-inclusive fly fishing experience unmatched on the Missouri. Enjoy fly fishing at its finest in the heart of Montana's big water trout ecosystem. Situated along the Missouri River near Craig Montana, the Missouri River Ranch delivers luxury accommodations with grand views of the Missouri River and Big Belt Mountains. All within walking distance of over a mile of pristine private fly fishing river bank and forty miles of drift boat fishing.

10/17/2025

The first heavy snowfall of the season hit Craig last week, and with it came BWO hatches and fired up trout! Fall is rounding out beautifully and we are excited for the last few weeks of our fishing season, here at the ranch. Daytime temps will range from 53°F-64°F over the next week. Flows are running low at 2,840 CFS with water temps hovering at 55°F.

BWOs, Pseudos and October Caddis are the main events. Anglers have reported good activity of rising fish and bugs on colder, cloudier days. Prospecting with October Caddis patterns has resulted in exciting eats.

Whether using a dry-dropper rig, or short leashing, the nymph action has been solid. Sowbugs, green machines and leeches have all produced excellent fish.

Streamer fishing is excellent. Concentrate on deeper slots with sinking lines, and floating lines up shallow. Thin mints, buggers and sparkle minnows have all taken great fish. Once again, be mindful to not target spawning browns (and release any caught with proper handling).

Drop us a line, and we'll see you soon at the ranch!

10/11/2025

Congrats to Tim on winning our Shake-a-Day!! What a way to start this Cast & Blast weekend! 💥

09/28/2025

The MRR team celebrated Public Lands Day by participating in the River Cleanup!

Thanks Kelsey, Chloe, Taylor, Skye and Camille for helping keep the Mo’ beautiful!

montanabha

09/22/2025

Throwback to this monster caught by Mike last week!

Guide: mccrae_step

09/19/2025

Stable and sunny conditions, followed by cooler and crisp nights, have been the early September pattern. Those cooler evenings are helping the river shape up for fall. We are beginning to see trout exhibit some of that classic autumn behavior. Daytime temps will range from 71°F-84°F over the next week. Flows are approximately 3,400 CFS with water temperatures out of the dam at 64°F.

Dry fly anglers are eagerly awaiting the pseudo hatch. Action was slower this week, although some good fish were picked off in side channels. Ants, the occasional hopper and some small spinners were the ticket this week. With better pseudo hatches will come more opportunities.

Changing patterns seems to be the name of the game. Nymphing can be good, with the majority of the action happening in the mornings. Wire worms, unweighted sow bugs, zebra midges, rainbow warriors and even some leech patterns have been taking fish. Sunnier days, fish it deep. But don't be afraid to throw it shallow and at the bank on cloudier days.

Streamer fishing is beginning to heat up. Anglers who take advantage of cloud cover & overcast conditions are being rewarded with aggressive strikes. The action seems to dry up during sunnier spells. Sink tips with 1x tippet and a thin mint, kreelex or sparkle minnow have been getting it done. As the water temps continue to drop, we anticipate the streamer bite to pick up even more.

Drop us a line, and we'll see you soon at the ranch!

09/08/2025

The past few weeks have been filled with the signs of fall. Black bears eating apples out of our orchard, elk and deer on the move, pheasants calling and upland birds taking flight. While it still feels like summer on the Missouri River, we are eagerly awaiting fall conditions. Cooler nights are helping us get there. Daily highs will range from 66°F-82°F. As of this report, flows are 3,5800 CFS with water temperatures out of the dam at 65°F.

Dry fly fishing has slowed, but will begin to build over the coming month. Hoppers, ants, caddis and tricos are bringing limited success to patient anglers. The "big-little" hatch of this month will be the Pseudos. Our smallest mayfly, they present an awesome challenge for anglers.

Crayfish patterns and perdigons continue to be the MVPs. The nymphing has is solid, but you will find weeds and you will find whitefish. Anglers that are willing to deal with those factors are being rewarded with solid takes and great rainbows and browns.

Streamer anglers are still having some success upriver, but with the warmer temps it isn't the best method. Stay tuned, as it will only heat up in the coming weeks.

Drop us a line, and we'll see you soon at the ranch!

08/27/2025

As August draws to a close, our thoughts turn towards September fishing and cooler mornings. It is hard to say when the first cold snap will be, but we are eagerly awaiting the return of streamer fishing! Weeds will still be a challenge this time of year, but the fish are happily feeding alongside them. Upcoming daily highs will range from 71°F-84°F. As of this report, flows are 3,900 CFS with water temperatures out of the dam at 64°F.

Dry fly action is still here, albeit tapering off. Trico plumes are present, but the fish have PhDs in the various trico patterns at this point. Anglers are finding some success with caddis, ants and hoppers.

Zirdles, perdigons and patience are the keys to success while nymphing. The nymph bite has been consistently better in the morning to mid-afternoon, while dropping off later in the day. Mending Zirdles in likely water has produced some exceptional brown trout for our clients.

Flashy streamers by the dam have produced some action, but are less effective down river. We're greatly looking forward to great streamer fishing in the coming months.

Drop us a line, and we'll see you soon at the ranch!

07/28/2025

Summer days are producing great terrestrial fishing on the Missouri and beautiful weather to enjoy the entire property! The early evenings are cooling off with passing showers/thunderstorms, which further charge the river and our fishing. Daily highs will range from 77°F-85°F. Weeds are still prevalent, but offering good structure for our trout. As of this report, flows are 4,280 CFS with water temperatures out of the dam at 64°F.

Hopper season is upon us! Whether prospecting with water-walkers over buckets/by banks, or throwing hoppers at pods of fish, our anglers have been getting great eats. Tricos are still around, however, the best action is on caddis, ants, beetles and hoppers. We expect the action to continue for the next few weeks.

Zirdles have been the star of the show. Whether dead-drifting, swinging or dragging crayfish patterns, our guests have been getting aggressive takes river wide. Weight flies, rainbow warrior perdigons and the occasional sow bug continue to take fish as well.

A few brave anglers streamer fished this week, with moderate success. While not the preferred method this time of year, some aggressive fish have been fooled by kreelex, sparkle minnows and thin mints.

Drop us a line, and we'll see you soon at the ranch!

07/18/2025

The Missouri River received some much needed rain this week, temporarily lowering river temps to 58°F and providing excellent fishing! Brighter, sunnier days produced excellent dry fly opportunities with thick hatches of tricos and caddis. Overcast days made for good nymphing and consistent action. Daily highs will range from 79°F-88°F. River vegetation is prevalent this year, so be sure to clear your flies and get right back into the mix. As of this report, flows are 4,200 CFS with water temperatures out of the dam at 64°F.

Technical dry fly fishing continues to be the highlight of July. Outstanding trico spinner falls have fish up in great numbers, providing challenging targets. Small spinner patterns have done well, as have CDC caddis towards the tail end of the hatch. Longer leaders and excellent drifts are necessary this time of year. Prospecting with hoppers, ants and caddis have also produced.

Nymphing continues to be solid but also the most likely way to connect with whitefish and weeds. Rainbow warriors, frenchies, weight flies and worm patterns have all taken fish this week. A number of our anglers have reported success mending zirdle patterns off of likely structure.

Streamer fishing is still not recommended, but a few of our anglers stuck with it and landed some beautiful trout this week.

Drop us a line, and we'll see you soon at the ranch!

07/10/2025

Summer flows are here, as well as excellent hatches of Tricos and massive brown trout! Daily highs will range from 64°F-95°F. Much needed volume, shade & protection has been given to the river by summer weeds. If you do hook some river grass, don't be afraid to practice a few hard casts to clear your flies and get right back into the mix. Flows are roughly 3,600 CFS with water temperatures out of the dam at 62°F.

Caddis, Tricos, Hoppers and Ants are now the main attraction. PMDs are all but done and our trout are keyed in on the morning Trico hatch. Smaller spinners, fished between 9:00-11:00am have produced excellent fish. Whether wade fishing from the ranch banks, or floating over your favorite flat, this is a great time of year to challenge yourself with selective fish.

Nymphing or dry dropper fishing is solid. Small rainbow warriors and zebra midges have been great droppers, while weight flies, zirdles and perdigons have all taken nice fish. Action is good in the mornings and slows significantly by 2:00PM. Deep nymphing will produce whitefish, but also some beautiful trout that hug the bottom.

Streamer fishing is not recommended, but can produce a few fish early and late. Some anglers are find success on kreelex/sparkle minnows and small olive buggers.

Address

2655 Craig River Road
Craig, MT
59648

Telephone

+14062354116

Website

http://www.missouririverranch.com/

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