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  From Craig to CascadeThis is the stretch of river that I am most familiar with. Our place is just downriver from where the Dearborn enters the Missouri. If we want a full day float we'll drive up to Craig and put in at the ramp next to the bridge. This put-in is used by a lot of people, including guides, so it can be real busy. Frankly, we usually only start in Craig if we feel it is going to be a slow day on the river. It can be frustrating to get on the water just to be in the middle of a large number of boats. A lot of guys will camp out on a nice hole or stretch of bank making everyone behind either hold up or paddle through and miss some good fishing. I know that the guides need to make a living and everyone wants their big fish. However, it can still be maddening to sit on the back with several other boats waiting your turn. So, with that being said, we try to avoid those situations by going at times when the river is less crowded.
The ramp at Craig has lots of room to maneuver and park. There are also places to camp nearby. Folks who want a little more comfort can check with the Missouri River Trout Shop. They have a lodge right in town as well as quite a few rentals along the river. They also put together a great breakfast in the restaurant.
There are a couple places in Craig where you can purchase those last minute items. Or, to replace that Winston that broke when the wind blew your car door shut, snapping the rod in half. Cross Currents has a little shop a block or so up from the ramp. They are good guys and have always been real friendly. You can also check out the main Cross Currents shop if you are in Helena. The Trout Shop also has a store in town and we have spent a fair bit of money there as well. They have built a nice new shop where you can also pick up lunch and snacks for the river. In fact, you can go to their website and pre-order a lunch.
The drift from Craig starts off with some nice grassy flats that can hold a lot of fish. You can hook trout all through this area. For some reason we usually stay to the left and fish from the left bank to about mid-stream.
There are several ramps available between Craig and were the Dearborn enters the Missouri. There is fishing access & ramps at Stickney Creek, Spite Hill, and just across from the Dearborn. There are additional access points for those with kickboats. One of our favorites is just under a bridge where I-15 crosses the Missouri. This makes a great half day float down to the house which is just a few minutes below the Dearborn Bridge. This drift covers a lot of great water and is easy to access. The nice thing is that you can time it to beat the boats putting in at Craig and have a lot of the river to yourself. We will sometimes fish in the morning, pull out at the house for lunch, and head back up to catch the evening bite.
If you are heading north on the Frontage Road from Craig, you can take the first left after crossing under the I-15 bridge at the Dearborn-Missouri confluence. Just a short way in, you’ll see some basic camping spots right on the river. It is really just a small dirt lot with no facilities. However, it is a great location if you’re fishing from kickboats. You can put in at any of the spots mentioned above and pull out right on your doorstep.
Best Places
The Trout Shop Restaurant, Craig. Nice people, nice meals.
The Frenchman & Me Bar, Wolf Creek. Frenchies is a typical small town bar that also serves up a decent lunch.
Cascade Meats, Cascade. This is a real butcher shop. We grill a lot when we’re at the river and we always buy our meat from Cascade Meats.
Howdy's Deli, Lincoln. Located in Garland's Town & Country Store. These guys make a great (and cheap) breakfast burrito. They can be slow if you catch them right as they open but it is worth the wait. You can also phone your order in and pick it up as you pass through town. I will scan the menu asap and add a link here.
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