Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Little Piney Creek (Missouri)
The Little Piney Creek in Missouri is primarily a wade fishery. It is a freestone fishery for Rainbow Trout, with the most reliable window in April, May, September. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
This is not a live report of other anglers' catches. Presence and flow live on the Little Piney Creek river page and the Missouri destination guide.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Little Piney Creek hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Midge (Chironomidae) | #20-24 | Zebra Midge |
| February | Midge (Chironomidae) | #20-24 | Griffith's Gnat |
| March | Blue-winged Olive | #18-20 | Parachute BWO |
| April | Caddis | #16-18 | Elk Hair Caddis |
| Blue-winged Olive | #18-20 | BWO Sparkle Dun | |
| May | Sulphur | #16-18 | Sulphur Comparadun |
| June | Ant (Terrestrial) | #16-18 | Foam Ant |
| July | Ant (Terrestrial) | #16-18 | Foam Ant |
| Beetle (Terrestrial) | #14-16 | Foam Beetle | |
| August | Beetle (Terrestrial) | #14-16 | Foam Beetle |
| September | Blue-winged Olive | #18-20 | Parachute BWO |
| October | Blue-winged Olive | #18-20 | BWO Sparkle Dun |
| November | Midge (Chironomidae) | #20-24 | Zebra Midge |
| December | Midge (Chironomidae) | #20-24 | Griffith's Gnat |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Little Piney Creek. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
No catalog patterns in this group yet. Use the hatch chart and the river guide.
Setup
4X and 5X cover most nymphing. 4X on dries until the fish get picky, then 5X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Little Piney Creek?
- Start with Zebra Midge and Griffith's Gnat, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Little Piney Creek does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Little Piney Creek?
- The editorial window we list is April, May, September, October, November. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Little Piney Creek?
- Missouri has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Little Piney Creek?
- Open the Little Piney Creek river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Little Piney Creek?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
River guide
Little Piney Creek
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Destination
Missouri
Trip planning for this region.
Pattern
Zebra Midge
Midge
Pattern
Griffith's Gnat
Dry
Pattern
BWO Sparkle Dun
Dry
Nearby water
Barren Fork Creek
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
Blue Springs Creek
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
Crane Creek
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Nearby water
Current River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.













