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About Jason Orzechowski

Outfitter, Fly Fishing Guide and Owner of Wolf Creek Angler - Chasing a dream, counting my blessings daily and writing about it in the midst of mountains, rivers and trout in amazing Montana.

Christmas Shopping Made Easy at WCA

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Still wondering what to get for those fly fishing freaks on your list?

Wonder no more.

You can have your shopping done in just a couple of clicks.

Wolf Creek Angler gift cards are good for anything and everything we sell. From lodging and guide trips to shuttles and drift boat rentals to our always well-stocked shop full of fly fishing essentials…WCA gift cards cover it all!

Available in our web store in amounts of $25, $50, $100 or a stand alone category of a guide trip or feel free to stop in or give us a call to purchase a card in ANY amount you like.

We’ve made Christmas shopping so easy you don’t even need to leave the house.

And don’t forget to check out our highly coveted WCA logo gear while you’re at it.

By |2020-12-11T07:40:50-07:00December 11th, 2020|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: , , , , , |Comments Off on Christmas Shopping Made Easy at WCA
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Status Quo on the MO’

Hooked Up – December Days on the MO. Photo by Matt Hargrave

More of the same this week on the MO.

You can expect steady weather and stable flows as we descend into the darkest and shortest days of the year from now through December 21st when we turn the corner and commence the march towards spring and the 2021 season.

We’ll see a high near 55 today, trending cooler for the remainder of the week but with no significant changes and no precipitation in the forecast. With Christmas just two weeks from this Friday it looks as though a white Christmas is not likely but obviously this could all change between now and then.

In the meantime, it’s pretty tough to beat these fishing conditions for early December yet things remain surprisingly quiet. A few more boats out there on the weekends and a few wade anglers out there daily but not what you’d expect.

Nevertheless, we’re enjoying the solitude and enjoying some good streamer days and it sounds as though the nymphing is picking up and there have even been the occasional sipping trout out there willing to engage a well presented dry fly on any given day.

We’re continuing to keep our lodging closed for the time being, waiting for things to improve on the Covid front. Hopefully soon!

Shop hours are 8 AM – 2 PM Tuesday – Saturday with social distancing and masking in full effect (for whatever it’s worth). If you know what you need and would rather not take your chances indoors give us a call on your way out and we’ll be happy to deliver your items curbside.

Our shuttle service remains on hiatus until spring but we are fully stocked on all of the essential winter bugs as well as a wide array of Simms gear from hats, gloves and socks to layering to waders, boots and outerwear.

And don’t forget our web store is now live so you can shop from the comfort of your home or office. We’re continuing to add new items daily so as you think about that countdown to Christmas and if you haven’t yet gotten your shopping done www.wolfcreekangler.com should perhaps be your next stop.

We hope you get out and take advantage of this amazing weather this week on the MO and hope to see you in the shop when you do.

By |2020-12-08T10:10:08-07:00December 8th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Status Quo on the MO’
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Welcome December

There’s NO TIME like STREAMER TIME on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

December has arrived and the weather couldn’t be better (by late fall standards) for getting in a few more days on the water in 2020. We’re currently in the midst of a very stable weather pattern with daily highs reaching into the 40’s and overnight lows in the 20’s. The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies each day right on through the weekend though we are seeing some perfect cloud cover this morning. And best of all – winds are light and variable, in the 6-11 mph range for the next several days and hopefully through the weekend.

Traffic will likely continue to be very light so not only are weather conditions favorable for late fall fishing but there is an abundance of solitude to be found on the river right now which means you can pretty much pick and choose where you want to fish and have it virtually to yourself.

The last couple of times out we saw no one. I expected a bit more activity on Black Friday – the Friday after Thanksgiving, with most everyone having the day off of work and near-perfect weather conditions and I was right. We saw two other boats between Craig and Mid…quite the traffic jam. I assume there may have been some nymphing traffic up at the Dam but all in all the Missouri is currently a Ghost Town which spells opportunity for anyone looking to get back out on the water now that hunting has wrapped up.

I’m sure the lack of available services are contributing to the absence of anglers this fall but once again, the Missouri is your best option for late-season angling state-wide.
You may have to spend some time on the road traveling to and from but there’s no reason you shouldn’t be spending these days on the water. We are continuing to keep our lodging closed for the time being due to the Covid situation and from what I can tell Annie’s remains closed but we’re just a short drive from Helena or Great Falls (or Cascade for that matter) where you’ll find plenty of lodging and dining options. With the weather being what it is camping is still an option as well though I’d personally opt for a heated trailer over a tent right now.

Regardless, fishing is good, especially if you’re into stripping, swinging or nymphing.

Flows have bumped to 3760 with water temps having recently dipped below 40, currently hanging at 39.5 degrees. If you’re nymphing this spells winter fishing protocol so dust off the pink stuff and start concentrating your efforts in the slow, deep winter water. That being said, with the air temps being relatively warm the water temps will tick up each day which is likely going to prevent those fish from totally committing to the winter slumber so don’t overlook the medium fast, shallow to medium depth water including those island tail outs.

And speaking of island tail outs – if there’s anywhere on the river you’re going to have to compete for water it’s at those tail outs and other easily accessible runs where the swingers like to camp out. Polar Leeches, buggers, Pine Squirrel Leeches, Kreelex, Fruit Rollups and the like are the preferred Swing Selections.

Old School Strippers are covering vast stretches of water and still finding fish everywhere you’d expect and in some places you wouldn’t. Big Streamers, Small streamers, black streamers, Yellow streamers, flashy streamers, natural streamers…it’s been all over the board with plenty of willing players both of the Bruiser Brown and Rainbow Trout varieties. Get after it!

Once again, store hours are 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Tuesday – Saturday and while we’re unfortunately not currently doing lodging or shuttles we do have a shop full of things you need for your day on the water or perhaps to occupy space under your tree for your favorite fly anglers.

Simms waders, boots, sportswear and accessories; Fishpond packs and accessories; Rods and Reels a plenty (ON SALE NOW) from Echo, Redington, Ross, Loop, Lamson and more; lots of WCA logo gear and of course, the BIGGEST and BEST selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Sheltering in Place? No problem. Shop wolfcreekangler.com from the comfort of your home. We are adding items daily. ALWAYS FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50. Check out our online store today.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate these times. We can’t wait for things to get back to normal and we are so thankful and proud to be your Missouri River Fly Fishing Headquarters.

By |2020-12-01T11:36:15-07:00December 1st, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |2 Comments
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Thanksgiving

Wandering the trails this past Thursday evening in a post-Thanksgiving dinner tryptophan haze, I struggled to come to terms with a new reality. A reality inexorably linked to the passage of time. To the accumulation of years behind me and the dwindling days ahead.

I’m acutely aware of the fact that I have been abundantly blessed with the luxury of introspection, some might even call it navel gazing, which is not something I’m generally a fan of.  I recall a not so great moment of parenting some years ago when I challenged my son to rise above his emotional distress, pointing out to him while I read a book about the Granite Mountain/Speculator Mine Disaster which occurred in Butte in 1917, that those young men working in those mines had no time for such introspection. That they just went to work and did what they had to do, and were not afforded such luxuries. It was not one of my prouder parenting moments but not much different than things I likely heard from my dad while encountering my own moments of drama and existential angst growing up.

Regardless, as they always do, times are changing. It’s nothing remarkable or unique. It’s just the way it is.

2020 was always going to be a year of personal milestones though I would never have imagined these milestones taking place during a global pandemic. I turned 50 this year and also celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary. Additionally the nest was emptied this fall as our son set off for the University of Montana, embarking on the next chapter of his life.

The planned birthday festivities  were cancelled, yet another Covid casualty.  Our 25th Anniversary also came and went without much fanfare, as is appropriate, though I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that I am among the luckiest men in the world to have married up to such an amazing woman who has been my inspiration and my foundation. We’ve come a long way and weathered storms which many haven’t. Our story is a testament to faith in all that is good in this world and beyond.

Back to the tryptophan haze – Thanksgiving 2020 was a different day in a different time and place. Walking our old dog who has had some health issues as of late, and missing the kid,  I found myself wanting to tap the brakes on life while knowing full-well I cannot.

Our son doesn’t come home from Missoula much, his work schedule doesn’t really allow for it. He had Thanksgiving Day off so he did come home on Wednesday night but it was all too brief a visit as we struggled through yet another embarrassing Thanksgiving Day performance from our Detroit Lions, hurried through an early dinner and got him back on the road. And while it didn’t really hit me in August when he left,  I’m now coming to terms with this new reality.

I worked minimally when I was going to college and I went home a lot. I would spend weeks at a time at home during Christmas break, at least in the beginning. Eventually though, I settled into my own life and visits home became less frequent and much shorter in duration. I held on to home maybe longer than I should have. He has moved on and this is a good thing. We couldn’t be more proud of him.

So once again, I fully acknowledge that all of this is nothing out of the ordinary. It’s nothing people aren’t experiencing all of the time but having the aforementioned luxury of introspection as well as an avenue of expression, I’m simply struggling through coming to terms with it all.

Dogs get old. Kids move out. Life goes on.

And it’s all a tremendous blessing. It’s the sting that makes it real.

We all take too many things for granted but with any luck, with age and perhaps with the time to reflect, things start to take on a greater significance. Or maybe they don’t for everyone, but for me, in spite of the challenging emotional state brought on by such moments, I wouldn’t trade this for the world.

Time will continue to pass, oblivious to the emotions it inflicts, but for this moment I cherish the occasional night when we are all sleeping under the same roof. This was the norm not too long ago. It didn’t used to mean much but time has transformed me and has made what was normal something now to be cherished.

I have much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

By |2020-11-28T11:17:49-07:00November 28th, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , |1 Comment
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Thanksgiving Week on the MO

Late Fall Colors on the Missouri River – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

You could do worse this Thanksgiving week than spending some time on the MO’. The weather is certainly tolerable, especially by late November standards, with daily highs in the 40’s and nearing 50 this weekend. It’s been breezy and will continue to be so but that’s to be expected. Sustained South Southwest winds in the 14-16 mph range with higher gusts up to 28 mph, not ideal but definitely fishable.

Flows continue to be low, currently right around 3500 CFS with water temps holding above average for late November but continuing to slowly drop. We’re currently sitting at 41.5 degrees so you’ll definitely want to add some layers if you plan on spending any extended time wading.

Traffic has been very light. A few wade anglers around most days doing the swing thing and generally a couple of boats in the mix with the nymphing set working the dam stretch leaving most of the rest of the river unmolested.

Conditions are ideal for those late fall streamer trips on the MO and while the Trout Spey swingers are growing in numbers staking out their claims daily, the old-school single-handers are covering the miles and enjoying the lack of competition and some decent fall streamer fishing (depending on the day).

Many of the brown trout are post-spawn and looking for high calorie targets as they prepare for winter’s cold. The perfect storm of events and conditions for the fall streamer angler. That being said, there are plenty of active redds out there so please leave those fish alone and watch where you step when wade fishing. 

A slow retrieve with plenty of pauses has been effective generally working the banks and drop-offs. We’ve been moving a few off of the banks but most of the action seems to be mid way between the bank and the boat in medium fast, moderate depth water. Much more so than the slow deep stuff at this point. Don’t overlook the swing either. Sometimes a swing/strip hybrid retrieve can be deadly.

Best colors vary depending on the day. Black, natural, grey, yellow, olive and white have all had their moments. Conventional wisdom says dark colors and dark days but don’t be afraid to buck convention. Mini Dungeons, MK Ultralights, Kreelex, Sparkle Minnows, Swim Coach, Dirty Hippies, Peanut Envies and Circus Peanuts have all been getting noticed as have smaller buggers and polar leeches. Switch patterns and colors often until you find something that works.

Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Streamer Fishing Headquarters with an unrivaled selection of the big bugs, a streamer line for any and all situations and a deep passion for and knowledge of the sport which we absolutely love to talk about. Stop in for tips and techniques, your favorite bugs or anything and everything Missouri River Streamer Fishing.

Don’t care for streamer fishing? That’s ok too. Nymphing is providing plenty of action right now as the fish make the transition to winter conditions. As it’s been with the streamer bite, we’re still picking up fish on nymphs in medium fast water but they are starting to stack up in the traditional cold weather spots, deep and slow.

Target both starting with the faster water and then getting down into the slow depths if need be. Tailwater sows, black Zebras, Soft Hackle Sows and Rainbow Czechs are all standard fare for late fall and it wouldn’t hurt to start working some of the winter fare into the mix. Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Cotton Candy, Pink Rays, UV Crush, Caviar Scuds, Hot Bead anything….you know the routine. All available now at WCA.

And speaking of WCA, we’re changing things up again with our hours. We apologize for the frequent changes but Covid continues to dictate our operational status. Effective immediately our hours are Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, CLOSED Sunday and Monday. Lodging will continue to be closed for the time being but don’t let that prevent you from calling to book your 2021 dates. It was brought to my attention last week when I announced we would not be taking any new lodging reservations that readers might construe that as us not taking reservations for next season which is absolutely not the case. We’ve just decided to close lodging for the time being while Covid continues to rage. We fully intend on being 100 percent open for business for the 2021 season so by all means, call now and book those dates.

We have suspended our shuttle service for the winter but will resume with vehicle shuttles in the spring.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to do our best to navigate through these strange times.

By |2020-11-24T12:48:42-07:00November 24th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , |Comments Off on Thanksgiving Week on the MO
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Mid November Update

If you would have told me in March when this Covid crisis started to take hold that we’d be sitting here in the middle of NOVEMBER with case numbers blowing up state-wide to their highest levels of the pandemic I would’ve told you you were crazy.

My wife and I were at a concert in Missoula on March 6th, the week before things really started to go south. As we settled in to the shutdown we had a discussion about when live music would return. She said 2021. I told her she was nuts. I was certain we’d be attending concerts again this fall. Obviously I lost that bet.

I will refrain from an in-depth Covid discussion here. I’m all talked out on this subject. I don’t want to discuss it anymore. I just want it gone.

So without discussion I just want to announce that due to the uptick of cases locally as well as the continued explosion of cases in Montana we are suspending new lodging reservations until further notice effective immediately.

No lodging and no shuttles until further notice. The shop will still be open for winter hours Wednesday – Saturday 8 – 4 though it’s all kind of up in the air at this point.

We’ll be strictly enforcing limits on the number of customers in the shop at one time (4) and customers will not be admitted without masks period. None of it is a social statement. It’s just the way it’s going to be for now.

WCA Online Store is now LIVE.

We’re happy to do curb-side delivery if you’d like to call ahead and let us know what you need and we’re excited to announce that our online store is now live. It’s definitely a work in progress as it’s a fairly time consuming task building an online store but you can currently purchase WCA logo gear and gift cards and I’ll be adding more items regularly.

As always, a huge thank you to all of you who’ve been continuing to support us through these trying times. It’s been a struggle and will continue to challenge us but so far we’ve made it through and we’re confident we will continue to do so. So thank you again for shopping small and supporting the little guy, we are truly blessed to have you as customers, clients, guests and friends.

By |2020-11-17T17:27:11-07:00November 17th, 2020|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: , , , , , |2 Comments
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THOUGHTS ON OPENING DAYS

Returning from the hunt circa 1975

Here in Montana we are nearly three weeks into the firearm deer and elk season and it’s been over two months since archery season opened on September 5th. This state is a hunter’s paradise with plentiful game, long seasons and an abundance of access to an expanse of productive lands both public and private. As in many parts of the country, the hunting culture runs deep in Montana.

As I’ve discussed here before, I was raised in that culture and I hold it near and dear to my heart. That being said, since moving to this hunter’s paradise my passion for the sport has diminished. I hunted hard for the first several years we lived here and was able to harvest a couple of animals however I felt less and less compelled to hunt each season. I attribute that to a lack of knowledge about and comfort level with the places I was hunting and more importantly to the fact that for whatever reason, I haven’t really cultivated relationships with folks with whom I might have the opportunity to hunt, due in part to the fact that I’m simply not that passionate about it anymore.

My son was going into the sixth grade when we moved to Montana, an ideal age to get him interested in the sport despite the fact that my attempts to spark his interest in hunting back in Michigan were mostly unsuccessful. It’s simply never been his thing and that’s ok. Credit to him, he did take hunter safety and he did take an interest in archery and he did hunt with me on occasion but it just never really took. Had he formed a real interest in hunting I’m sure I’d be writing a different story today but as it is, his lack of interest likely contributed to my waning enthusiasm for the hunt. Just to clarify, he’s not a fan of fishing either but that has not curbed my enthusiasm for and obsession with trout fishing in Montana.

I share this with you as background for my thoughts today regarding opening day of firearm season back in Michigan.

November 15th will always hold a place in my heart as opening day and unlike what I shared last week regarding Election Day and not having ever taken a day off of work or school to vote, I took many November 15th’s off of school and work to hunt on opening day.

I know this OPENING DAY thing is a part of the hunting culture shared by all of those who grew up in hunting families and I know this sentiment is alive and well here in Montana but my experience with this is from my past and not so much a part of my present. It’s for this reason that every year around this time I can’t help but think about the past. I can’t help but think about all those opening days spent in the Michigan woods with my dad and later with our circle of hunting friends after my dad was gone.

It makes me happy to think about those days and there’s a part of me that very much misses those experiences but I’m ok with that. It’s a part of my past I wouldn’t trade for anything, a part that I doubt will ever be replicated here in this hunter’s paradise of Montana but again, I’m ok with that.

Last year was the first year I did not hunt. This year was the first year that I didn’t even buy a hunting license. My hunting outings here, especially those last couple of years I hunted, felt forced and my heart was simply not in it.

That being said, if I had the opportunity to go back to Michigan to hunt with my life-long hunting friends as I did a few years back, I’d do it in a heartbeat and the spark would be rekindled. So obviously, as it is in so many cases, it’s not the activity itself but rather the relationships that make the experience.

So to all those arriving at deer camp in the Michigan woods this weekend, to all those all around the country to whom fall hunting is a highlight of the year, and to all those who’ve spent the last two months afield here in Montana and who’ve got a couple of weeks yet to go….best of luck and happy hunting.

We share a passion for traditions I pray we never abandon and while I’m at peace at this point on the outside looking in I will always have respect and reverence for the sport and I’m hopeful that at some point I will return.

By |2020-11-13T18:26:08-07:00November 13th, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , , |2 Comments
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The Quiet

Quiet on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

We’ve definitely reached that time of year when angling traffic all but ceases on the MO’. The cold and snow have ushered in The Quiet and while you may find the occasional trout-obsessed, hard core angler out there swinging the tail outs or driving up and down the Recreation Road praying for BWO’s as they comb the side channels in search of rising trout, there is no shortage of solitude to be found on the river these days.

The same can unfortunately be said for the confines of the shop where we’ve been engaged in such year-end pleasantries as counting flies and FINALLY completing those pre-season orders. The season is now over for shop staff which means it’s just yours truly and usually the dog here as well to keep me company.

So while it is indeed The Quiet Time, it’s also that time of year when my job description is expanded to include ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that needs to be done. Housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, snow removal, security, phone calls, emails, dog walks, website work and more. And on the rare occasion a customer darkens the door, I may even get the chance to sell stuff.

Mid-November through the end of the year are by far the quietest weeks of the season. Hunters are afield and the holidays are approaching which means we simply don’t see much in the way of traffic. It’s a perfect opportunity to take stock of the season and think about how we can do things better next year and it’s also the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the solitude of the season.

All that being said, I do expect there may be a slight uptick in traffic next week as we see things warm up early in the week with temps in the high 40’s though mid-week. The rest of this week doesn’t look terrible though temps remain in the 30’s and winds are forecast to increase with the least desirable day looking to be Saturday with sustained west winds 22-28 mph, gusting to 44 mph.

River flows are currently 3560 CFS with water temps hovering around 43.5 degrees. Water conditions are favorable for BWO emergence, weather conditions maybe not so much though Monday looks like it could shape up to be one of those quintessential fall BWO days with overcast skies and rain and snow in the mix. If the wind allows for it perhaps Monday will be the day you DFO’s have been waiting for.

If you’re swinging or stripping, weather and water conditions aren’t nearly as critical though overcast skies are certainly your friend as well. And those looking to chase the bobber will also welcome the cloud cover. Again, it won’t be busy even if we do see a few more folks around so if you haven’t had your fill of fall fishing next week looks like a good time to be here.

I’ve not heard of much happening on the dry fly front so I won’t waste your time with a report about how nothing is happening. If you’re a fall BWO angler you know the game, you’re not looking to us to tell you HOW to get it done, just maybe WHEN. We’ll keep you posted though if you find yourself reading about how great of a BWO day we had yesterday then it’s likely too late!

Nymphing reports have been on the sub-par side overall these past couple of weeks but any day could turn out to be the best day of your season. You won’t know if you don’t go! Your go-to bugs should be Rainbow Czechs, Tailwater Sowbugs, Zebra midges, Soft Hackle sows, Pill Poppers etc. and you might keep some baetis nymhs (Green Machine, split case BWO, BWO Magic Fly) in the mix though we are definitely entering winter nymphing conditions. Bring on the Pinks and Firebeads!

Streamer fishing has been decent depending on the day and should continue to produce. Swingers are getting them on Polar Leeches, Kreelex, Fruit Rollups and the like and while those work on the strip as well we’ve been getting plenty of action on Sparkle Minnows, Swim Coaches, Mini Dungeons, JJ’s and MK Ultralights.

Swing the tail outs and strip off the bank or through the flats and tail outs. Don’t overdo it with your stripping action. The water is getting cold so keep it on the slow side with plenty of pauses.

Just to remind you, our winter shop hours go into effect next week. Wednesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, CLOSED Sunday – Tuesday. The days we are open and our hours will fluctuate with the weather conditions. Please call ahead to make sure we’re here when you need us but expect that if the weather dictates it we will be here, at least in the mornings.
And once again, we have discontinued our shuttle service for the season and will resume shuttles in the spring. Please contact Headhunters Fly Shop for winter shuttles.

Steer Clear of the Covid, enjoy The Quiet and find the good in each and every day.

By |2020-11-12T17:08:04-07:00November 12th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on The Quiet
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Winter is Upon Us

Winter getting an early grip on the MO’

The calendar says early November. The snow covered ground and the thermometer say otherwise.

Yes, it seems as though winter has arrived and despite the fact we may still have another couple of weeks of fishable weather it feels like it’s time to put the wraps on our 2020 season.

We did see temps actually break into the 70’s last week with plenty of wind to go along with the warm weather. Things changed over the weekend with a winter storm arriving Saturday night. Temps in the teens with blowing and drifting snow made for an interesting drive out yesterday and an easy call to keep things closed for the day.

Winter Hours are always a challenge as we try to strike the balance between being here when you need us and not wasting time and fuel to come out and open the shop if we aren’t going to do any business. It’s even more of a challenge this year with the early arrival of winter weather and the continuing challenges of operating during a pandemic.

We did pick up a couple of last minute guide trips last week with the mild weather and lodging has actually been on the busy side all things considered but with the winter storm in the forecast we made the call last week to close much of our lodging for the winter. From here on out we will have our bungalows available all winter long for $99/night plus tax. We generally do a fair amount of business in those units over the winter with hunters, hard water anglers and the occasional hard core fly anglers when the weather is right. We shall see what this year brings with below average temps and above average precipitation predicted for the winter.

Lodging and guide trips are easy – we’re always open for them. The shop is a little trickier. It won’t surprise you that business really drops off during these winter months and there are plenty of days we are pleasantly surprised if we see customers. That being said, there is always plenty to do with inventory, bookings etc. so it makes sense for me to be here.
What doesn’t make sense is staffing the shop during the winter months so herein lies the challenge with winter shop hours.

At this time I’ve decided that Winter Hours will officially go into effect next week. Starting 11/15/20 our shop hours will be Wednesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. We will be closed Sunday – Tuesday. These will be our published hours but you can rest assured that if we hit a stretch of amazing weather we will likely be here Sunday through Tuesday as well. Likewise, sub-zero temps and/or hazardous conditions occurring Wednesdays – Saturdays may result in us being closed on those days. Your safest bet? Give us a call prior to coming out just to make sure we’re going to be around.

One other announcement regarding winter operations…as much as we regret to do so we are suspending shuttle service until spring. Between our abbreviated winter hours and the continued threat of Covid, staffing is just too much of a challenge. We appreciate your patience and understanding and we will resume shuttling likely in mid to late March. In the meantime please contact our friends at Headhunters Fly Shop for winter shuttles.

In an effort to offer you the convenience of online shopping we have been busy constructing our online store which will hopefully be going live very soon. The site has been built and we’re just working through the technical issues now so with any luck you’ll soon be able to purchase WCA Logo gear and other select items from the comfort of your home. We’re starting out with logo gear because that is what we get the most calls for. We will expand the store in accordance with the traffic we get but the hope is that we will continue to add items throughout the winter months building towards a complete selection sometime in the not too distant future.

So there you have it, another one in the books. One we won’t soon forget. As always, a huge thank you to all of you who stayed with us, fished with us, shopped with us or simply followed us here or on social media.

2020 will be remembered for its challenges but as we close in on the end of this year there is of course much to be thankful for. Even so, we’re very much looking forward to 2021 and our EIGHTH season at Wolf Creek Angler.

By |2020-11-09T19:28:14-07:00November 9th, 2020|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: , , , , , |Comments Off on Winter is Upon Us
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Election Day

It’s finally here, Election Day 2020. And while I live for this stuff as an off and on political junkie, I can’t wait to put this one in the rearview.

I’m weary of it all. The flyers that fill my mailbox daily. The non-stop commercials telling me why the other guy sucks. The insults and outrage and hostility and divisiveness fed by our respective echo chamber media consumption. The fact that some people are actually choosing adherence to political alignment over having a broad spectrum of friends representing a diverse assortment of opinions and political ideologies. Everything is STUPID right now.

Campaign spending is expected to exceed $150 million in Montana this year which comes out somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 spent per vote cast, and that figure assumes high voter turnout, exceeding 80 percent which looks to be accurate this election cycle.

Think of the things you could do with $150 million aside from bombarding the electorate with ads to which they’re likely paying little or no attention.

I know in our house those flyers go directly from the mailbox to the trash and the commercials are always a perfect opportunity to change the channel so yeah, money well spent.

Voting is our single best opportunity to participate in our democratic process and to let our voice be heard so yes, by all means, get out and vote.

That being said, I’m not sure everything needs to grind to a halt on Election Day, especially in this age of mail-in ballots and early voting. Considering that by some estimates over 70 percent of registered voters in Montana had already cast their ballots by this morning I feel like we could probably manage to execute our civic duty without the interruption of business as usual on a Tuesday in November.

Maybe it’s just me but at 50 years old I’ve been voting since 1988 and while my voting record may be a hodgepodge ideological evolution of ebbs and flows, there are two things that are constant….one – I’ve never not voted and two – I’ve never taken the day off from work or school or life to cast my vote.

General Election Day is a holiday for state employees which is not a shock. Election Day is NOT a Federal Holiday. The banks are open. The post office is open and for all intents and purposes it is business as usual. However, many college classes have reportedly been cancelled and some businesses are closed, I guess due to the gravity of the situation on this day. LOL 

It’s a beautiful November day. Blue skies and sunshine. Maybe not the best fishing conditions but a great day to cast your vote if you haven’t already and then get out and soak it all in.

It’s good to be alive this day. In spite of Covid. In spite of who is or isn’t in office. In spite of who wins and who loses any of these races. And that’s not to minimize the importance of this moment in history. As previously stated, I am an absolute junkie about this stuff and I’m very well aware of the political and social goings on around me and I have thoughts and opinions about ALL OF IT.
BUT – you know what’s more important to me than this election? About a billion things and counting. Namely my family, my faith, and my friends of any and all political persuasions and the rich tapestry of life I will continue to enjoy no matter what happens out there.

Happy Election Day! I hope it goes the way you want it to and I hope that even if it doesn’t, that you will look around you and remember how little all of that actually matters in the scope of your day to day life, the people you love and who love you back and the things that make up the rich tapestry of your being.

Yes, it’s an election of Critical importance….they all are. Yes, the results of the election will have some effect on all of our lives and the lives of those who come after us but ultimately the sun will set this evening and will rise again tomorrow and we will keep on keeping on.

By |2020-11-03T19:01:33-07:00November 3rd, 2020|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: |Comments Off on Election Day
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