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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.

The Home Stretch

Another season is drawing to a close.

Halloween is two weeks from today. It’ll be all but over by then.

Or will it?

Early November has been good these past few seasons and it could well be good again. It all depends on the weather.

It seemed like winter was already settling in last week so we weren’t very optimistic about a late fall season but Indian summer seems to have arrived this week. Blue skies, sunshine and temps in the 50’s and 60’s all week long. We may hit 70 this weekend.

Enjoy it while it lasts. Soon the cold grey days of late fall will take hold.

It’s been a very busy fall at Wolf Creek Angler. We’re so thankful for a strong finish, especially after a late start due to the high water which lasted into July. If it stretches into November we’ll gladly take it but at this point we’re not counting on it.

The transition to season’s end continues.  We’re still learning the balancing act of winter inventory. The end of season goal of course being to have as little left as possible but not so little that the shop feels empty. We’ve done a better job this season of turning inventory and we will continue to implement strategies to facilitate this. In other words, keep coming back for more great deals on great gear.

On the other side of the coin we’ve filled the holes on the leader, tippet and fly line walls and we’ve got the bins freshly stocked (or on their way to being so) with all the best late fall and winter Missouri River bugs. Lots of pink, lots of fire beads, lots of streamers…lots of everything you’ll need for late fall and winter fly fishing success on the Missouri.

River flows have been holding in the 4,000 CFS range for some time now and it appears as though they’ll continue to do so. Perfect flows for winter fishing!

Water temps are definitely on the slow drop but are currently holding in the 53 degree range and should continue to hold in that range with the warm daytime temps. Cloudless sunny days may not be optimal, especially if dry fly fishing is your game, but water wise we couldn’t really ask for better conditions. Flows are optimal and the water temps are perfect for supercharged Missouri River trout.

Weeds are in the process of dying off and moving out but it takes time. You should expect to contend with them for the duration of the fall season.

Fishing has slowed a bit this week with all of this sunshine but it’s ALWAYS better than not fishing.

The nymphing will remain strong and the long shadows and low light periods of the day will continue to provide the catalyst for dry fly and streamer action. It is definitely worth your time.

Get out and enjoy autumn’s peak this week. The colors are either peaking or fading, depending on where you are at, but either way, fall weather doesn’t get much better than this. The days are growing short and the long winter will soon be upon us.

By |2018-10-16T21:42:31-06:00October 16th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , |Comments Off on The Home Stretch
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This is what you’ve been wating for

Remember those hot sunny days of September when all you could think about was cooler fall weather, BWO’s and fishing the transition to autumn?

Well, those days are long gone.

Spitting snow, soaking rain, cold north wind…this is what you’ve been waiting for.

The 10 day forecast last week was predicting several inches of snow and lows in the 20’s for the first half of this week. Thankfully that’s been adjusted daily to more seasonable weather conditions. The snow has been falling today and has it has been heavy enough in places to warrant the first snow plowing of the season but temps are  tolerable and are slated to remain in the high 20 and low 30’s at night, far from the highs in the low 20’s which had been predicted last week.

The slow process of winterizing the property started today with RV’s and guide cabins being the first to get the winter treatment. It looks like we’ll keep the motel units open through the end of October and we’ll play it by ear with the cabins. Our bungalows will once again be available throughout the winter months and have actually already started to book as the ice anglers look with optimism towards another long and productive season on the hard water.  

It’s all about state of mind when it comes to fall fishing on the Missouri. At first glance it looks miserable outside and when you first step out the door it feels miserable outside but then you start to layer up while envisioning endless pods of Missouri River trout feasting on BWO’s and your perspective begins to shift.

The more layers you add the more optimistic you become about the possibility of an epic dry fly, nymph or streamer day on the Missouri.

Gore Tex is a modern miracle that converts misery to indifference so while it may be tempting to want to stay inside where it’s warm your chances of hooking the biggest trout of your lifetime drop to zero percent when you decide to exercise this option.

You need to be on the water in order to catch fish so layer up and get out there.  

Should you be lacking any of the necessities we are well stocked with Simms cold weather gear. Do like the Simms slogan says…FORGET THE FORECAST. It’s GO TIME on the MO’.

We’re also your go-to  when it comes to Missouri River fall bugs with bins upon bins of BWO’s and the best fall streamer selection on the Missouri. Got Nymphs? We do. Piles of them.

Wolf Creek Angler is your one stop Missouri River Fall Fly Fishing Destination with a well-stocked full service shop, affordable lodging, the best guides on the river and the friendliest service and most comprehensive customer care you’ll find anywhere.

Come enjoy the Montana fall with WCA.

By |2018-10-09T21:20:30-06:00October 9th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Comments Off on This is what you’ve been wating for
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October on the MO’

The second season is in full swing here on the Missouri on this second day of October and if the last few days are any indication we could be in for one phenomenal fall fishing season.

Cloudy skies and chilly temps (with the exception of yesterday afternoon when summer made a brief return) have made for ideal conditions. The bugs are going strong and the fish are feasting. These past several days have been a DFO’s dream….a target rich environment to say the least.

Those focusing their efforts below on nymphs and streamers are finding success as well. Fall is definitely among our favorite times to fish the MO’ regardless of the conditions but this fall feels like it has the potential to go down as one of the best in recent memory.

We do have some interesting weather on the horizon next week with the forecast calling for snow with highs in the 30’s and lows in the 20’s. Wednesday could be challenging with a high of 31, a low of 22 and up to 3” of snow. Thursday looks roughly the same. Will winter be here to stay come next week? I wouldn’t count on it but be prepared for the elements if you’re headed out there.

I hit the water a couple of days ago on a 40ish degree morning and opted for muck boots instead of waders and a flannel shirt and vest instead of a jacket. Bad call. The forecast was for highs in the mid 50’s which I’m not sure we ever saw. I didn’t bring gloves, I didn’t bring a stocking cap. Thankfully my buddy had extras.

To be fair, I have piles of gloves and hats and jackets stashed in my boat so I’m used to having what I need when I need it, but on this day we were not in my boat and I didn’t do a very good job of being prepared for the elements. Being cold will rapidly ruin a good day so layer up and bring an extra pair of gloves. Err on the side of too many layers….you can always remove the ones you don’t need.

Along these lines we’re stocked up in the shop with great base layers, outerwear and hats and gloves a plenty from Simms and waders and boots from Redington and Korkers. Stop by the shop for all the best cold weather gear.

With the exception of the chill in the air it feels a bit like July around here right now with close to a full house all month long. We have had a few cancellations from folks who didn’t like the looks of next week’s forecast so we do have a couple of rooms available should you decide to brave the elements. We do have guides at the ready as well who’d like nothing better than to get you dialed in to fall fishing on the Missouri.

Six weeks from now we’ll likely be looking back at the awesome fall season that was. Don’t let it pass you by. Give us a call and book NOW! We’re open daily 7:30 am – 5:00 pm and we invite you to come in and discover what the buzz is all about. Wolf Creek Angler is the best Missouri River Fly Shop you never knew was here. Our mission is to earn your business, one customer at a time by providing you with exceptional customer service and the quality products and services you expect from your Missouri River fly Shop.

Come discover all that Wolf Creek has to offer. Not only is Wolf Creek home to THE up and coming Missouri River Fly Shop, Lodge and Guide Service, but it’s also got great dining (and drinking) options with Shotgun Annie’s and The Oasis; the best cell service for MILES AROUND; The Canyon Store which is the ONLY gas station/convenience store between Helena and Cascade and  all  closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge FAS than ANY  OTHER SHOP.

And speaking of Wolf Creek Bridge FAS – The FAS will be closed to the public starting tomorrow for a capital improvement project which will take approximately 30 days or less.

This will definitely be an inconvenience for the time being but it sounds like we’ll soon also be closer to the NICEST and NEWEST FAS on the MO’.

By |2018-10-02T19:59:03-06:00October 2nd, 2018|Categories: Local Buzz, Shop Life, Uncategorized, Wolf Creek Chatter|Tags: , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on October on the MO’
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Autumn has Finally Arrived

Fall has arrived

Here we are in the final days of September and while autumn just officially arrived last Saturday, in some ways summer seems like a very distant memory.

Most mornings have been dark and chilly and while we’ve continued to have some days with temps in the 70’s the chill returns early each evening.

Traffic has been steadily increasing since about the second week of September and while we’ll be winterizing rooms before we know it, we’re currently enjoying a full house more nights than not. I always enjoy the company during the fall knowing that in just six weeks or so the lonely days of the winter season will be upon us.

Soon the dark winter days of the canyon will commence and the shop will be starved of sunlight until spring. In the meantime we’re loving each and every sunny day.

The fishing has been good overall, though with the increase in traffic comes the increase in sub-par fishing reports. Guide reports have been good most days, DIY reports are always a mixed bag.

The river is in great shape right now, holding in that 4500 CFS range with water temps in the 60 degree range and dropping. We’re getting a fair amount of folks inquiring about the flows, feeling like they are higher than normal. This isn’t really the case as indicated by this chart which shows that we are currently just a few hundred CFS over the historical average.

We get a fair amount of wading anglers who prefer flows to be in the 3500 – 4000 cfs range which is great for accessing more spots but that being said, the river is VERY wadeable right now. You should always use extreme caution when wading any river but these flows are not considered dangerous.

Weeds are an ever-present challenge right now, but no worse than normal. Expect to encounter them and be vigilant about keeping your rigs clean. Weeds are part of the deal this time of year on the Missouri. Don’t let them get you down and don’t expect them to disappear anytime soon. They’ll be here throughout the fall fishing season but there’s no reason to let them ruin your day.

Dry fly fishing is a real possibility each day though we are in transition so expect this to improve from here on out. There have been multiple reports of BWO’s and you can expect to encounter pseudos, callibaetis and caddis as well. Terrestrials are definitely a possibility throughout the fall but we’ve all but closed the book on sub-par hopper season. Ants and beetles are still in the mix but keep your expectations low. We’re moving BWO’s front and center in the dry fly bins as we speak.

Nymphing will continue to produce. No big changes on the bug menu though we’ve definitely seen a shift towards rainbow Czechs as the point fly of choice. Purple weight flies are a close second and I wouldn’t hesitate to throw a pink Amex into the mix. Trail with a black zebra or your baetis nymph of choice. If those don’t work try a soft hackle sow or a tailwater sow. More often than not it’s more of a depth issue than a bug issue but sometimes you have to throw the kitchen sink at them.

It pretty much goes without saying that fall is streamer season so if that’s your thing then you should be here now! Yes, weeds complicate things but work through those issues and you’ll be rewarded. Who knows, that next cast might just miss every weed in its path and entice that 24” angry fall brown to strike. You won’t know if you don’t throw.

Streamer bins are full and we’re also fully stocked with cold weather gear from base layers to hats and gloves to jackets, waders, boots and more.

It’s been a busy month for guide trips and we expect October will be the same. We’ve got plenty of dates available for both the Missouri and the Blackfoot.

Don’t wait any longer, autumn is here…make your fall fishing plans today.

By |2018-09-25T19:31:01-06:00September 25th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Autumn has Finally Arrived
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Mid September Fishing Report

We bid a final farewell to summer this week with the official start of fall arriving Saturday.

The Autumn chill has been in the air for a while now, especially in the mornings. You’ll want to layer up for sure.

The late summer fishing has been outstanding these past weeks and should remain strong from here on out.

On the dry fly side, Tricos are still in the mix but it’s feeling like that ship has all but sailed. Still a daily event but sporadic  at best.

The terrestrial game has been hit or miss this year with ants outperforming hoppers by a long shot. If you stick with the hoppers you’re bound to get an eat or two but trailing an ant has been the right call more often than not.

Hopper wise we’ve had decent action on Moorish and More or Less hoppers in peach, yellow, pink and tan with none of the above consistently out-producing any of the others. You can’t go wrong with purple chubbies. They seem to out-fish the hoppers every time.

Black parachute ants, sparkle ants and Blooms Stealth Ant in purple have all been effective ant options.

There have been enough caddis around daily that a #16 outrigger or plain old elk hair caddis paired with your ant of choice might just make you forget all about the hopper fishing. Hoppers are definitely fun to fish and the takes are awesome but lately your hook up odds have been better with a caddis or even a plain old, tried and true parachute Adams.  If you insist on fishing the bigger dries an October caddis wouldn’t be a bad call. I haven’t personally seen any bugs just yet but it’s time!

Nymphing wise the Zirdle craze may finally be reaching an end. I’m not quite ready to proclaim the death of the Zirdle, I tried that once a few weeks back and was proven grossly mistaken. It has definitely slowed though and I’ve actually had a few days where we ditched it altogether. That being said, they’re still selling well and I’m fairly confident that WCA may have the most comprehensive Zirdle selection in the canyon.

We’ve seen a shift towards rainbow Czechs and a return to Tailwater Sows and have also had a run on black zebra midges. Weight Flies in gold and purple have been consistently producing and Psycho Mays and LGM’s and Peep Shows are still go to options. Outliers have been October Caddis nymphs and Soft Hackle Hares Ear and PT jigs. Look for BWO Magic Flies and Split Case BWO’s to come into play sooner rather than later.

Streamers Anyone?

The streamer brigade has been at it consistently during the low light hours and overcast days and if these past two weeks are any indication we could be in for a fantastic fall streamer season on the MO this year.

Weeds have been a problem, especially in the canyon and will continue to present a real challenge throughout the fall but as we’ve said before if you know that going in and you don’t let the frustration get the best of you it goes a long way towards making your time on the water more enjoyable.

It can be tedious work but it’s imperative that you keep your bugs clean (applies to dries and nymphs as well). Trout don’t like salad on their bugs. If you’re dragging weeds around you are pretty much guaranteed not to catch anything and what a shame it would be to have your perfect placement and/or perfect drift negated by weeds on your bugs.

I haven’t observed a lot of streamer fishing going on out there (aside from that occurring in my boat) but judging by the abundance of empty spaces in the streamer bin it’s game on. Reinforcements are on the way and the bins will be full by the time you get here. ZK’s MK Ultra, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow (JJ or Sculpin), Dirty Hippy in brown, ZK’s Inflated Ego, Autumn Splendor, Skiddish Smolt, Lil Kim, Circus Peanuts and D & D’s are all topping the weekly sales report for what it’s worth.

Traffic is moderate and will continue to increase as we settle into our fall season. Lodging is busy through the end of October but not so busy that we can’t fit you in. Ditto for guide trips. I’d make that call sooner than later though so you don’t miss out on what could very well be the best fall fishing we’ve seen in years.

Don’t miss the fall wader sale going on now at Wolf Creek Angler. 25% off all men’s and women’s waders and boots from Redington and Korkers.

We’re also fully stocked with new cold weather gear from Simms and still have some great deals going on summer gear.

By |2018-09-18T17:22:57-06:00September 18th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Mid September Fishing Report
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Why you should hire a guide from Wolf Creek Angler

There’s no shortage of outfitters to choose from when planning your Montana Fall Fly Fishing Odyssey so we’re honored and humbled when you choose us.

You can feel good knowing that when you book a trip with Wolf Creek Angler you are booking with an outfitter who not only takes pride in providing clients with an exceptional fly fishing experience but who is also deeply invested in caring for the resource and contributing to the local community.

It’s not to take away from what anyone else is doing.  There are plenty of great outfitters offering the same trips we do, but the big difference is that when you book with a local outfitter owned shop such as ours then by extension your dollars are actually going to support the resource and the surrounding community rather than just the outfitter or the guide.  For me, giving back to the resource and the community is a no brainer.

My commitment to the resource includes a lifetime membership in TU as well as serving as Vice President of the Pat Barnes Missouri River Chapter of TU. Several of our guides also serve on this board. Wolf Creek Angler also supports and contributes annually to fund raising efforts by the Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance.

On a community level we hire locally and we make a significant contribution to the economy of Wolf Creek and Craig by bringing in a steady stream of guests and clients who shop and dine locally during their stay. Additionally I serve as Vice President of the Wolf Creek Water and Sewer District and Wolf Creek Angler also contributes annually to the Craig Caddis Fest and the Wolf Creek Community Spaghetti Feed fundraisers which raise money for our local volunteer fire departments.

We are also committed to supporting our veterans and active duty military personnel through hosting the Montana Project Healing Waters Drift Boat program which provides drift boat rentals on the Missouri River free of charge to all vets.

There are many from around the state who make a living off of this amazing resource. Not so many are those of us who have also  invested our hopes and dreams and dollars into this amazing place.

Once again, we feel so blessed to be able to do what it is we do for a living and we are so appreciative of each and every customer for helping us to realize our dream. Thank you for your business and for your support of the Missouri River and the Wolf Creek community.

We can’t wait to see you in Wolf Creek this fall.

By |2018-09-13T18:59:52-06:00September 12th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off on Why you should hire a guide from Wolf Creek Angler
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September 11th

Image courtesy of Lady Fi https://ladyfi.wordpress.com/

I hope we all take the time today to remember this date and to reflect on what is truly important.

I’ve posted about 9/11 for each of the past several years and while I don’t want to rehash those posts I do think there are some ideas and thoughts which bear repeating.

This is not a day for politics. This is not a day for proving a point.

This day is for counting our blessings and for taking some time to appreciate our commonality rather than dwelling on our differences.

The world is changing rapidly and it seems kindness has become the exception rather than the rule.

We’re becoming more and more polarized as we throw in with our respective “teams” at any cost. Civility has increasingly gone by the wayside.

We should never forget the events of September 11th, 2001 but more importantly we should remember how it felt, however briefly, when we were all on the same team…when we all shared the shock/anger/sadness/outrage and we related to one another with empathy and kindness.

So maybe on this day make an extra effort to cherish the people you hold dear and to be kind to all of those whose paths you cross, even if you don’t particularly like them and even if their world view opposes your own. Kindness is contagious and makes life so much more enjoyable.

I strive to get there every day and almost always fall short. Days of remembrance like this one remind me why I should try harder.

 

 

By |2018-09-11T13:43:34-06:00September 11th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|2 Comments
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Fall on the Blackfoot

It’s hard to beat autumn in Montana.

Sure, summer is amazing and never seems to last quite long enough but there’s something about the transition to fall that quickly makes us forget all about those long, warm summer days.

Chilly mornings, flannel and fleece, painted fall foliage, bugling elk, brown trout on the prowl….what’s not to love?

Come experience the best of what Montana has to offer. Book a trip with us this fall and we’re confident you’ll make autumn your go to time for Montana fly fishing.

If you’ve got the time we encourage you to make it a multi-river trip with a day or two on the Mighty Missouri and a day on the Blackfoot as well.

It’s just a short drive across the divide to the Blackfoot (less than two hours) but a full day on the water can make for a long drive back to Wolf Creek. Many don’t mind the trip but if you’d prefer we can get you set up with lodging in either Ovando or Lincoln.

Maybe take a day off guided fishing to explore wade fishing opportunities on the Blackfoot before returning to Wolf Creek and the Missouri.

If you’re strictly into numbers then stick to the MO’ but if you want to experience two completely different Montana fly fishing experiences then book them both. Our guides feel right at home on either.

We look forward to seeing you this fall.

By |2018-09-06T17:11:37-06:00September 10th, 2018|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing, Shop Life|Tags: , , , , , , , |Comments Off on It’s the most wonderful time of the year
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Healing Waters – guest blog from Shalon Hastings

One to the Net – photo by Amber Cassidy

Full disclosure: I was one of those teenagers that avoided the call to military duty in every way possible. Back in 1993, recruiters were doing the hard sell via phone and in person. Being the nice person I am, I went to lunch where the recruiter tried to “wine and dine” me, obviously no wine but plenty of soda. I dodged the bullet, if you will, and avoided the, in my mind, unbearable pain & suffering of boot camp and basic training by leaving for college with no forwarding address for the recruiter.

Fast forward to present day: I have 2 small businesses that I call my own in downtown Helena and just recently added fly fishing guide to my list. Over the last couple of years I had found that being on the water was the only time my mind shut off completely to the point of calm. Never before had I experienced such a quiet. It was an addictive break from my never ending worries about my businesses, my struggles and my musings of “Am I good enough?”

Earlier this year with help from some girlfriends, I started a women’s fly fishing networking group, Last Chance Fly Gals (LCFG). It was enlightening to meet so many local women who shared the same passion for fly fishing and to hear shared stories of frustrations and accomplishments on the water that only other women could relate to. Yes, both men and women will share similar experiences but in addition there are some that men just won’t experience. I don’t think I’ve heard a guy admit that he’s cried because his spouse tried to teach him to fish. But I hear it a lot when women talk about their first trials of learning to fly fish.

Through an article written about the formation of Last Chance Fly Gals, an old acquaintance and Project Healing Waters board member reached out to me to see if I would be interested in working with female veterans that would be participating in a Project Healing Waters fishing trip on the Missouri. I jumped at the chance to be a part of this outing. I am in awe of those that have the balls to sign up for military duty and serve our country so that I can freely choose my entrepreneurial path and quite frankly do whatever I so desire. My heart breaks when I hear of the trauma that our veterans have brought home with them. And I get frustrated and angry that they face struggles outside of our cushy civilian life after they have risked life and limb. If I could help any of these women get to the point where they find that peace in mind on the water that I get, I was going to be there.

I joined two phenomenal female guides, Kelly Harrison and Kimberly Smith, and met the women in Craig. We were towing the Project Healing Waters Adipose boats that Wolf Creek Angler holds at the shop for veterans to use for free. The afternoon was spent doing introductions, then Kelly jumped into instructing basic knots, basic flies and basic casting. Each of the ladies was given a starter rod and reel package with miscellaneous small wares to get them started on the fly fishing journey. The lodge that was hosting us had a small casting pond. The pre-dinner entertainment was the girls catching little and mid-sized brookies on dry flies. The smiles, laughter, encouragement and commands to “hit it!!!” were raucous, heartfelt and contagious. After dinner was sharing of Jameson and White Claws, poop jokes, graphic bikini line mishaps and mentions of injuries sustained in service.

The next day was breakfast served by several PHW board members that waited on us hand and foot. After breakfast we gathered at the boats to rig up rods and review knots and flies with the ladies. Then it was to the river. Each gal caught fish. F bombs were dropped, cheering heard from one of the three boats across the river as one of the ladies in another boat would get a fish on, more F bombs when a fish broke off complete rigs, all 3 boats gathering to snap pictures of a fish landed in the boat. At one point, the gal in my boat had an epic fish arcing out of the water right after she set the hook, it was mad. It briefly showed its ginormous jawline at her before taking off and charging so fast it broke her nymph rig well past the split shot in a flash. That beast will haunt her.

At the takeout phone numbers were shared, promises to stay connected were made and sharing of pictures promised. The excitement, the frustration, the glee all shared and celebrated by an amazing group of women will be remembered forever. I expect and hope that I get calls and texts from these women sharing with me their future trips onto new rivers and the new found knowledge they will gain. I’m already looking forward to the next event, hoping that the guests will gain as much as I do in being a part of this honor of their service to the United States of America.

Fish on, ladies. Fish on.

By |2018-09-04T20:44:51-06:00September 6th, 2018|Categories: Local Buzz, Montana Fly Fishing|Tags: , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on Healing Waters – guest blog from Shalon Hastings
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September Fishing Forecast

Fall Colors on the MO’

September has arrived.

Labor Day has come and gone. Summer Vacation is OVER. School is back in session. High School and college football are underway and NFL football returns this Sunday. Could this be the Lions’ year?

Technically we’ve still got almost three weeks of summer to go but for all intents and purposes autumn has arrived.

It even feels like fall today with a chilly 42 degrees this morning and a high only in the 60’s. We’ll see a return to the 80’s this week before things trend cooler again starting Saturday.

As you might imagine the Tuesday after Labor Day tends to be a quiet day in the shop and on the river but it won’t be long before things fire up again as we enter what we’ve come to refer to as our “second season”.

Rivaling our peak months of June and July, mid -September through mid- November offer some of the best fishing of the season. Having lost a good part of the prime time this season to high flows we’re hoping for an especially strong fall and by the looks of things we’re going to get it.

Guide dates and lodging are filling quickly for late September and the first half of October. The weather will dictate what happens after that but late October and early November have been money for as long as I’ve been here.

We’ll keep as much lodging open for as long as we can but as the cold begins to take hold we’ll be forced to start shutting things down, likely mid to late October. The motel units are the first to be closed and we generally keep the cabins open through Thanksgiving. Our bungalows and the shop are open year round and guides are available any and every day of the year.

Epic dry fly fishing and phenomenal streamer fishing along with great nymphing opportunities define late fall on the Missouri. Crisp autumn air, BWO’s and predatory browns on the prowl make fall my favorite time to fish the MO’ and in fact my favorite time to fish period.

Crowds will soon return, though not like what we see during the prime time so there is some solitude to be had out there as many turn their attention to hunting from here on out.

Expect tricos to continue for the next week or two and stay focused on your pseudo as well as your hopper/terrestrial game. Caddis have been resurgent as of late and will continue to offer opportunities as we await the autumn BWO’s.

Nymphers are finding success with gold or purple weight flies, Psycho Mays, LGM’s, Purple Lightning Bugs, PT’s, Peep Shows, Redemptions, Zebras, 2 Bits and the like. Claws R Cray, Snapping Crays and Zirdles continue to drive the numbers.

Streamer fishing is heating up and will only get better from here on out. Low light conditions and overcast days are key but don’t feel like you can’t fish streamers in the sun. Sunny clear days may not be optimal but you never know unless you throw. There are plenty of big fish caught on streamers on sunny days. Don’t wait for perfect conditions, work with what you’ve got.

Speaking of conditions, prepare yourself mentally to contend with the weeds no matter how you’re fishing. They can frustrate the best anglers out there but if you choose your water wisely and expect the inevitable it’ll go a long way in helping you maintain your sanity.

Olive has been working well as have natural and tan. JJ Sparkle Minnow shines this time of year but don’t give up on the Sculpin version which seems to get it done in just about any conditions. ZK’s MK Ultra in grey or brown and yellow, Dirty Hippies, ZK’s Inflated Ego, Montana Mouthwash, Galloups Peanut Envy, Skiddish Smolt, buggers and polar leeches all good choices right now.

You’ve heard it here plenty and we’ll continue to preach it…fish what you like and fish it well. Confidence in your bugs makes all the difference in the world no matter what discipline but it’s critical in the streamer game.

Most are stripping, some are swinging. Cover a lot of water and bomb the banks but don’t overlook the riffles, drop offs and buckets. The fish are everywhere. Stripping off of the bank will get you your best ROI but you could definitely hit pay dirt hitting the water overlooked by most.

Fish the next two weeks if you want solitude. Busy days are coming.

Holter Dam to Craig is still your best bet for mixing it up with nymphs and dries (emphasis on nymphs). I’d stay below Craig if it’s streamer or terrestrial action you seek.

Welcome to fall on the Missouri. Be sure and pay us a visit for obscene deals on summer gear. We’re in the process of shifting to colder weather gear and will see an influx of new arrivals coming soon.

From the top guides on the river to affordable lodging to shuttles and accessories, rods and reels, lines and leaders, boots and waders and the best bug selection in the canyon we are your Missouri River one stop shop for everything autumn fly fishing.

Don’t miss our Fall Wader Sale happening now. Fall is the time to drag the waders and boots back out. Why not treat yourself to an upgrade. 25% off all wading gear while it lasts. We proudly feature Redington waders and boots as well as Korkers boots which continue to dominate with interchangeable felt and rubber soles.

There are always great deals to be had at Wolf Creek Angler, the best shop you never know was here.

By |2018-09-04T19:17:49-06:00September 4th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |Comments Off on September Fishing Forecast
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