Fly Fishing the Land of the Giants with Jeff Lattig of Living Water Guide

#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 specific spots like gravel bars or drops where fish feed. The technique requires precision and frequent casting. Check out this article on Short Leash Nymphing on the Missouri River.

How Do You Find Fish in Shallow Water?

To find fish in shallow water, look for areas where the water gets shallow, like gravel bars, shorelines, or center river flats. These are the spots you want to target when nymphing. 

Make sure your flies, indicators, and weight are set for that depth. Short leash nymphing makes it easy because you can visually spot those shallow areas and focus your efforts there.

Dealing with Weeds When Nymphing

Weeds can be a big issue when nymphing, especially in the summer months in Missouri. Sometimes, you might need to switch to unweighted flies to float over weed beds, especially in faster or deeper water.

Jeff says that areas near the dam have less vegetation due to cooler water, but warmer temperatures bring more weeds further downriver.

https://youtu.be/wxbXwDgqhAU?si=BxebQWXWKz3XArRG

Fly Fishing the Land of the Giants 

The "Land of Giants" is a stretch of river below Hauser Dam, about 3 to 4 miles long and known for its huge fish. You can catch fish around 18 to 22 inches, with some reaching 24 inches or more. 

This section is regulated with permits. Only 50 guides can operate there for commercial use. Jeff says they use jet boats to fish the area.

26:45 - You don’t need a drift boat to fish the Missouri, but it helps. Wade fishing can be great, especially when flows are low.  Below Hauser Dam is the sweet spot for guided trips. If you’re into walleye or spin fishing, places like Hauser or Canyon Ferry Reservoirs are options, too, but most fly fishing happens below Hauser.

Best Time to Fish

June and July are the best months for fishing. The main hatches are pale morning duns and caddis. As summer turns into fall, expect Trico and pseudocloeons, and then in late October, the Blue-wing olives show up. Even in winter, there’s still fishing with midges and chironomids.  

Tips to Catch More Fish in the Land of Giants

40:33 - Jeff Lattig shares two key tips for fishing the Land of Giants: 

Let Your Fly Hunt: When fishing with an indicator, let your flies hunt instead of constantly casting.

Know Your Depth: Make sure your flies are at the right depth. If you're fishing 10 feet of water, keep your flies close to the bottom.

Top Winter Flies for the Land of the Giants 

You don’t need to match the hatch exactly—it's more about the drift and timing. Here are some top choices for flies that work great in winter:

Pill Popper 

Pink Lightning Bug

Radiation Baetis

Thin Mint

Parachute Adams

Griffith’s Gnat   Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/705