Autumn is starting to take hold on the Little Prickly Pear

Labor Day Weekend is now behind us and while the calendar still shows a couple weeks of summer remaining, I’ll take this opportunity on a chilly 40 degree morning to proclaim that autumn is unofficially underway. A huge thank you to everyone that came out for our Labor Day Sale. And to whoever made off with a pair of Smith Guide’s Choice Howler Brothers edition sunglasses ….watch out for that Karma.

Archery season is upon us, school is in session, college football is underway, the 2017 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, hockey is less than a month away and with any luck that chill in the air will soon become the prevailing weather pattern.

A Word About the Fires…

Fires are raging around the state and we are fingers crossed, praying for rain and cooler temps to arrive. We are in the midst of Montana’s worst fire season in years with no real end in sight. Please keep those being directly affected by the fires as well as all of those on the front lines battling those fires in your prayers.

All that being said, I’m looking out the window at blue skies this morning. The fires are devastating but not every part of the state is choked with smoke. We get quite a few calls daily from people inquiring about the smoke and to be honest there have only been a couple of days that the smoke has been heavy enough to warrant not coming out to fish the Missouri.

There are plenty of places where the air quality is very poor and the smoke will come and go with shifting winds so clear skies today doesn’t really mean much as far as tomorrow is concerned.

For those with fall trips scheduled just know that while the fires are a serious and unprecedented threat they haven’t really had an effect on our fishing thus far. We don’t want to dwell on the issue but that being said you can rest assured we will always give you an honest report of current and forecasted conditions as far as air quality and fire danger are concerned.

Fishing Report

Fishing remains steady and somewhat status quo. We’re running the majority of our trips starting at Holter Dam right now due to the relative absence of vegetation but we’re having pretty good days out there regardless of the section. Good nymphing at the dam and beyond, still on zebra midges, crayfish, Zirdles, Rainbow Czechs and sowbugs.   Terrestrials are a go and streamer fishing is heating up though the weeds will continue to be a challenge, albeit a diminishing one, right on through the fall season.

We’ve got plenty of bugs left in the bins even after our big Labor Day Weekend Sale so make us your first stop on the way to the river for up to the minute updates and info,  the biggest and best bug selection in Wolf Creek, Adipose and RO Drift Boat rentals, the best guides on the river, shuttles, Simms sportswear and accessories, clean and affordable lodging and everything else you might need for your day on the water.

We are your Outfitter Owned and Operated Missouri River fly shop of choice and we work hard every day to make sure every aspect of your trip exceeds your expectations.  Just to clarify what I mean by outfitter operated…on any given day I’ll likely answer your phone call or email and book your room and sell you your flies and guide you on the MO and sometimes even clean your room or run your shuttle, especially late or early in the season.  We run lean with a laser focus on customer service and while we do employ shop help during the summer months it’s Zach and I for the most part behind the counter from here on out.

Stop in and see us and find out what the buzz is all about. We are the best fly shop you never even knew was here!