Little Missouri Fly Fishing

That explains the 16 kwh's (instead of 24) on the schedule. Still just running the other two. 😏

They are waiting every day until the workers quit working on the dam to generate.  The Underwater Construction Company is back working on the third generator trash rack.

According to the SWEPCO charts it's supposed to be at 6:00. But that's about right with running just two generators.

Hey Dennis, best I can discern from the CORPS Rivergages site they've been releasing water every day around 5:00, but not for very long! 🤔

That's not all that of an unusual summer/fall generation pattern...

Fresh stockers literally won't care what you throw in there! Woolies, Clouser's, just about anything you feel good about.

It's too late for any good Light Cahill action. If there is a decent hatch (they usually peak in mid October) the fresh fish won't know what they are anyway. 😏

Midges will be the first aquatic of importance and there's usually plenty of those year round. A good sign of aquatic insect health will be the Little Black Winter Stoneflies in January. Stoneflies need high quality water conditions to thrive. If we're seeing those this winter we'll know things are in good shape.

In February the first March Browns should start showing, but they don't peak until all the way to early May. Caddis should be showing in March and throughout the summer.

So, I'm sure you're going to get all kinds of fly suggestions. 😎 Until spring, since there appears to be no educated fish, throw what you want! 😜

Quote from: HEN on Sep 25, 2025, 10:10 PMIt was on the schedule to generate yesterday, they didn't! It wasn't on the schedule to generate today, they did!  When they did the river was ugly and stank like methane. I think they opened the gate on the third generator for the first time in over 2 years and all the crap came pouring out into the river. You may think that's the bad, no, that's good because the river can now start to heal before it's time to restock fish. Also means they have the trash racks repaired on the other intake tube. Again, I think this to be true. The river has smelled really bad for the past few weeks since the lake turned over, the smell today was different and the water was really ugly looking. The bad is that there are no fish in the river but I plan on going fishing tomorrow 🤣🤣, just to see if we have any more dead crawfish in the river. Not sure there were any left in the park area to kill.

Like I said, if all the above is true, the river can be on the road to healing and we don't have to worry about them stocking and then the Corp opening the repaired gate and killing the fish again. That's the best good news lately!!! 

Mike have they been generating as the schedule shows, if so is the water temperature down in the middle to lower 60's. He you check the low water crossing water temperature.?
Look at the stocking form last year, the first stocking was on the 23rd.
Thanks again for keeping us posted on what going on.

Hi all,
I'm trying to plan ahead for a trip back to the Little Mo once stocking resumes. With the recent water issues and dam repairs, I'm wondering about the insect base. If the river has been essentially "reset," are there still reliable midge, caddis, or mayfly populations to support the trout right after an October stocking?

Or should I expect the fish to be more tuned in to eggs, worms, buggers, and other attractors until the bug life rebuilds?

Would really appreciate any insight from folks who have been on the water or know how quickly the insect populations bounce back here.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks Hen!  Boy hidey, I sure do need my fishing fix in...soon!

Good lord willing,  thank you sir,

It was on the schedule to generate yesterday, they didn't! It wasn't on the schedule to generate today, they did!  When they did the river was ugly and stank like methane. I think they opened the gate on the third generator for the first time in over 2 years and all the crap came pouring out into the river. You may think that's the bad, no, that's good because the river can now start to heal before it's time to restock fish. Also means they have the trash racks repaired on the other intake tube. Again, I think this to be true. The river has smelled really bad for the past few weeks since the lake turned over, the smell today was different and the water was really ugly looking. The bad is that there are no fish in the river but I plan on going fishing tomorrow 🤣🤣, just to see if we have any more dead crawfish in the river. Not sure there were any left in the park area to kill.

Like I said, if all the above is true, the river can be on the road to healing and we don't have to worry about them stocking and then the Corp opening the repaired gate and killing the fish again. That's the best good news lately!!!