Poindexter Slough
spring creek in Montana
Poindexter Slough is a classic spring creek that offers exceptional fly fishing in a serene setting. Its clear, slow-moving waters hold abundant and often very large brown and rainbow trout, demanding accurate casts and delicate presentations. It's a fantastic spot for challenging sight fishing.
River flow last 30 days
October Caddis hatches are becoming a significant factor
- 01October Caddis hatches are becoming a significant factor, offering good dry fly opportunities.
- 02Blue-Winged Olives are actively emerging, requiring precise presentations for selective trout.
- 03Subsurface nymphing with midge and general mayfly imitations remains consistently productive.
- 04Streamer fishing is effective for targeting larger, predatory Brown Trout.
- 05Terrestrial patterns like hoppers and ants can still entice strikes on sunny, warmer fall afternoons.
Past reports week by week
6 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (BWO)
Blue-Winged Olives are actively emerging in the fall, as indicated by regional reports. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults in the spring-creek-like conditions of Poindexter Slough.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis are a significant fall hatch, with regional reports indicating they are becoming a factor. This pattern effectively imitates the adult stage.
Buy at AmazonHoppers
Similar to the Chernobyl Ant, hopper patterns are still effective in early fall, particularly on warmer days along grassy banks. Regional reports confirm strong terrestrial activity.
Chernobyl Ant
Terrestrial fishing remains strong in early fall across the region. The Chernobyl Ant is a versatile attractor, mimicking larger terrestrials that can still be found along the banks of Poindexter Slough.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Hare's Ear Nymph
This is an excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects and scuds that are active subsurface year-round. Essential for a productive spring creek like Poindexter Slough.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters and spring creeks year-round. This weighted nymph gets into the strike zone and is effective for picky fish in Poindexter Slough.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer pattern that imitates leeches and baitfish, both consistent food sources for the aggressive Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout known to inhabit Poindexter Slough in the fall.
Where to fish and who to ask
Lower Section Access
Access to the slower, clearer lower stretches of the slough.
Public Access Dillon
Multiple public access points around Dillon for wade fishing.
Get Poindexter Slough reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Montana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Best Fly Fishing Waders of 2025 – Breathable vs. Neoprene
Expert comparison of breathable and neoprene waders with top 2025 models for every budget and fishing condition.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Quick answers
Common questions about Poindexter Slough.
What flies work best on Poindexter Slough?
Our top scored fly patterns for Poindexter Slough right now are Hopper #10 (90% confidence), Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (BWO) (90% confidence), October Caddis (Dry) (90% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Poindexter Slough?
Poindexter Slough holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Poindexter Slough fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Poindexter Slough each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.