Jason Orzechowski, Author at Wolf Creek Angler

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.

Mid October

We’ll see a bit of an Indian Summer this week as temps return to the 60’s and 70’s but expect plenty of wind to go along with the warm temps. We’re under a high wind watch for Tuesday afternoon and evening with southwest winds 25-40 mph and gusts as high as 65 mph.

This week’s weather may not be optimal as wind and sun don’t necessarily make for the best fishing conditions but we would never say you shouldn’t fish. The dry fly opportunities could be limited but you never know. It’s been the best dry-fly fall I’ve experienced on the Missouri and there’s no reason it shouldn’t continue to be great for the next several weeks.

Nymphing will be just fine so if you’ve got someone on the sticks who can hold a line you can expect to do well out there this week. If not, then hire us. We’ll take care of the rowing, we’ll take care of the where to go, the what to use, the netting the releasing…..even the lunch. All you need to do is fish and if you’re having any issues in that department we can take care of that too.

It’s been fall status quo on the nymph rigs with Tailwater Sows, Yum Yums and Pill Poppers leading all fly sales. Rainbow Czechs, UV Czechs, LGM’s and Zebras have been following close behind. Fish the medium depth (3-5′), medium fast water with about a 6-7′ double nymph rig and a single bb to start and adjust accordingly. Some have been sticking with the same rig all day and doing fine. Others are shortening up, losing the weight and plying the shallows later in the day with the palsa rigs and finding plenty of action.

The streamer bite has been hit or miss but we’re not telling you anything you don’t already know. If streamers are your game you’re going to throw them and you’re likely going to throw them all day long (or at least until you find heads to throw to). It may not yield the numbers nymphing does but a chase will elevate your heart rate more than bobber drop any day and a chase and a grab? One or two in a day spell success in the streamer vernacular.

Choose your offering in accordance with the light conditions and what’s been working according to the experts but don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and throw something completely off the wall just because you like the way it looks or you’ve had good luck with it in the past. If you like and have confidence in what you are throwing it can make all the difference in the world.

Lodging has really opened up this week and we should be able to accommodate those last minute travel plans from here on out. The current plan is to shut down the motel portion of our lodging at the end of the month but we will have cabins and bungalows available for the remainder of the fall season and will have bungalows available all winter long at discounted rates. We are your all seasons Missouri River fly fishing destination, open year round with everything you need from lodging to guides to boat rentals to bugs and everything in between.

We will be opening at 7:30 am starting this week as there hasn’t been much going on from 7 am – 7:30. Give us a call before you come out for the latest Missouri River reports and conditions.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:00:08-07:00October 16th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Spaghetti Feed October 21st

Should you happen to find yourself in Wolf Creek or Craig next Saturday, October 21st and you’re looking for a place to eat, get over to the Wolf Creek School for the annual Spaghetti Feed.

It’s a great dining option and a great cause with the proceeds going to benefit the Wolf Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

There will be auction items to bid on and donations are always accepted and very much appreciated.

Volunteer Fire Departments make up the vast majority of the fire fighting force in the state of Montana with close to 94% of registered departments made up of all or mostly volunteers according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who volunteer and these fund raising events are a perfect opportunity to support the local efforts.

The Spaghetti Feed will take place on Saturday, October 21st from 5 pm – 8 pm at the Wolf Creek School gym. Please come out and support our local volunteer fire department if you are here.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:01:24-07:00October 12th, 2017|Categories: Wolf Creek Chatter|0 Comments

Second Season on the Missouri

We are smack dab in the middle of prime fall fishing on the Missouri, our “second season” if you will.

Traffic has been moderate to heavy these past two weeks and while it may not be quite as busy as June and July, these last weeks of the season are a much needed and much appreciated shot in the arm before a long, quiet winter.

The last couple of years we saw our fall busy season extend into mid November. We’re hopeful for that this season but we’ll see what the weather brings. We’ve already experienced a couple of stretches of winter-like weather and we’re less than two weeks into October.

Old man winter could arrive early and bring our season to a close or we could see a late Indian summer which would keep folks fishing until Thanksgiving or even later. Whatever the case may be, we’ll be here at your service, doing everything we can to make your trip to the Missouri a success.

The fishing has been outstanding more days than not with something for everyone. BWO’s have arrived, nymphing has been hot and the fish seem willing to chase the streamer depending on the day.

Chilly evenings, frosty mornings, beautiful blue skies, the yellows and golds of fall soaked in warm sunlight and bursting out of the drab landscapes and hot, hungry fish eager to eat and quick to put on an aerobatic display as they peel the line off of your reel. Autumn is a magical time on the Missouri!

No need for early starts right now. We’re getting out there at the crack of 10 and soaking up the heat of the rising sun. Plenty of boats on the water but plenty of people sticking to the wade game as well. Lodging is jam packed this week but starts to open up next week. Guide trips are starting to taper off which means increased access to some of the best guides on the Missouri. If a guided day of fly fishing on the MO’ sounds like a great day to spend an autumn day now is the time. Before you know it the snow will be flying and the river will be deserted save the waterfowl hunters and the hardest of the hard core anglers.

In some respects the transition to winter has already begun. Shotgun Annie’s is open for business but rather than becoming the much anticipated additional option we were hoping for they’ve become the only option for dining in Wolf Creek as it appears as though The Oasis Café (not the bar) has closed for the season.

Give us a call for up to the minute river reports and conditions and don’t forget to swing by for bugs, Simms cold weather gear, shuttles, drift boat rentals and anything else you need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:02:48-07:00October 10th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|2 Comments

Welcome to October on the MO’. It’s gonna be a good one!

Three days in and October is giving us just what we want and just what we need for a spectacular fall season on the Missouri.

Rain, snow and a north wind made for challenging weather conditions out there yesterday as we caught the edge of the second winter storm of the young season but judging by the reports, those who braved the elements were rewarded with great fishing and we’re just getting started!

Several inches of snow accumulated here yesterday and it sounds like we may see a bit more this morning before things return to more seasonal conditions tomorrow. We’ll see lows in the 20’s tonight but back near 50 tomorrow and in the 60’s by Friday. Sunshine returns tomorrow so today may be the better day to fish but use caution if you decide to come out. The roads are fine by January standards but on the sketchy side by early October standards as drivers re-acclimate to slushy, slippery road conditions.

Thursday looks awesome with a chance of rain and snow showers and highs near 50 and then it looks like a good mix of fall weather. Expect sunshine, expect clouds, expect rain and wind and snow, expect 70 degrees, expect 20 degrees and everything in between. It’s autumn on the MO’ and we’re loving it!

Dry fly fans are continuing to get their pseudo fix but there are whispers of big bug action happening NOW. These rumors have yet to be confirmed…today might just be the day. With any luck it’s time to ditch those #20’s and #22’s and make the switch. Stop by the shop and restock your BWO boxes to get ahead of the game. We like the Brooks Sprout Baetis, Wilcox Micromay BWO, Para Adams (Dark Olive or otherwise), No Hackle BWO’s, Black Fan Wing Baetis (great for low light conditions), BWO Flash Cripples, CDC Baetis Emergers, Nyman’s DOA Cripple and Quigley’s BWO Film Critic just to name a few.

Nymphing is as it should be and will continue to be your go-to if you’re into the numbers game. A lot of different bugs catching fish right now including Missouri River fall staples like Little Green Machines, Tailwater Sows, Pscycho Mays, Peep Shows, Lightning Bugs, Ray Charles, Rainbow Warriors, Zebra Midges, Rainbow Czechs, Military Mays and S & M’s. Pill Poppers, Soft Hackle Sows and Cotton Candy sows are coming on and it won’t be long before the firebeads come into serious play. Wire Worms and Zirdles are still on the menu as well. It’s a virtual smorgasbord out there right now so get creative and show them something they haven’t seen.

We talk a lot about fall dry fly fishing on the Missouri and with good reason but perhaps the best kept secret on the MO’ is fall streamer fishing which has turned on over these past few days and will continue to thrill from here on out, given the right day and the right conditions. The conventional wisdom holds true with the darker days yielding more consistent action but don’t overlook the sunny days. The fish are bulking up for the months ahead and have a hard time passing up a big meal so if you commit odds are you’ll move some fish regardless of the weather but then again you may not…it’s all part of the streamer game.

Judging by the multitude of empty or nearly empty spots in our streamer bin the word is out. Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Streamer Headquarters and we rarely shy away from commitment to the game no matter the water or the time of year. We’ve got some much sought after patterns you won’t find in any other shop thanks to Chewy who you’ll likely find at the vise for the rest of the season, doing his best to keep up with the ever increasing demand. Sparkle Minnows, Circus Peanuts, Dirty Hippies, ZK’s Inflated Ego, MK Ultra, Colonel Kurtz, Polar leeches, JJ’s, Mini Dungeons, Stun Guns and many more. Whites/Greys, blacks, olives, naturals all getting noticed.

Come check out our abundantly adequate fall bug selection as well as new cold weather gear from Simms and great deals to be had during our fall rod sale.

Lodging is pretty well booked up through the middle of the month but we do get the occasional cancellation and we do have some random openings so give us a shout if you want to come out and get in on what could be the best fall we’ve had in years. Guides available anytime for the Missouri and Blackfoot and change underway on the dining scene with the confirmed opening day for Shotgun Annie’s being this Friday, October 6th! We can’t wait! It’s going to be an awesome second season on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:04:07-07:00October 3rd, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Shotgun Annies Eatery and Tavern, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Help Wanted!

As a member of the board of the Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited Chapter for the past three years I’ve urged a lot of people to join the organization and to get involved as a way to give back to the resources we all love so much.

More than once I’ve heard the accusation that PBTU doesn’t do anything other than ask for money a couple of times a year, that they aren’t involved in any hands on stream work. I’m here to tell you that this simply isn’t the case. Obviously there’s work to do on the stream but there is also plenty of work to do legislatively and PBTU is very much involved in both.

When these opportunities do come up for volunteer stream work you might expect an overwhelming response but unfortunately we tend to be underwhelmed more often than not. Just as an example, the River Cleanup day on the Missouri held in the spring consisted of around half a dozen people, most of whom were board members. It may be a case of the projects being underpublicized and we will do everything we can to remedy this but regardless, we urge you to consider joining TU if you are not already a member.

This Saturday PBTU and TU’s Clark Fork River Project are hosting a revegetation project on the recently restored section of Telegraph Creek. Unfortunately there have only been a couple of people who have RSVP’d to the event so it sounds like if we don’t get at least 20 people on board we’re going to have to cancel the project. Details are listed below. Please consider donating a few hours of your time this weekend if at all possible.

Good Morning TU Members, we’ve only had a few people RSVP for this Saturday. This is a great opportunity to do some meaningful service and give back to the resources we love. To RSVP please contact Max Lewis ASAP via phone or email at mlewis@tu.org or 207-701-1683.

The Pat Barnes Chapter of Trout Unlimited and TU’s Clark Fork River Project invite you to join us in our efforts to revegetate the restored section of Telegraph Creek at the Lilly Orphan Boy Mine site. In 2016, TU and Montana DEQ removed 9,000 cubic yards of mine waste from Telegraph Creek and restored 350 feet of stream channel in the headwaters of the Little Blackfoot River.

The day will begin with a tour of the restored stretch of Telegraph Creek. Rob Roberts, TU Project Manager, will explain the techniques TU and partners used to reclaim the mine site and reconstruct Telegraph Creek. Following the tour, we will plant native trees and shrubs in the restored area.

Revegetation of this area will protect the stream bank and hillslope, promote native plant growth, and add shade to Telegraph Creek. Please meet at 8:00 AM at the Van’s Thriftway parking lot on Saturday, September 30th. From there we will drive an hour to the site. Please bring appropriate clothing, footwear, and work gloves. Lunch will be provided. We will finish the volunteer event around 2pm.

Thanks,
Your TU Board Members

We are also always looking for more board members so please contact us if you are interested.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:05:45-07:00September 27th, 2017|Categories: Local Buzz|Tags: clark fork river project, little blackfoot river, Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited, telegraph creek|0 Comments

Rod enjoying the fall colors on the MO!

It’s hard to believe but we’re just a few days out from October. Where has this month gone?

The hot dry weather of early September gave way to rain and snow and below average temps these past two weeks ushering in what has honestly been some of the best fishing we’ve seen all year.

Fire season is now all but over and we’re enjoying the crisp fall air and fall fishing at its finest.

If you haven’t fished the Missouri lately you are missing out.

Nymphing has been on fire and dry fly fishing has been inconsistent but outstanding if you hit it right. That sun feels great on these cold fall mornings but is definitely a hindrance to the dry fly action.

Black Zebras and Tailwater sows are still at the top of the nymph list but we’ve also been picking them up on a bunch of mayfly stuff like Little Green Machines, Split Case BWO’s, Psycho Mays and Peep Shows as well as Pill Poppers, Rays and Rainbow Warriors. Try a Rainbow Czech, Tungsten Tailwater Sow, Fishfinder Worm, Wire Worm or Crayfish as a point fly. Firebeads would not be a bad call at this point either though I have yet to go there.

The dry fly hatch matcher continues to be the tiny pseudo but an olive Para Adams with a CDC caddis emerger will get eaten at some point and a dry/dropper rig with a chubby or October Caddis trailed with an LGM or something similar could offer a welcome alternative to bobber lobbing.

The streamer action is heating up but you should expect a challenge with the weeds and if you throw streamers year round like we do you’ll find that it’s time to share the water again. I was surprised yesterday to see multiple boats downstream and upstream of me, doing the same thing. The upstream I don’t mind, the downstream can make for a slow day. It may be time to think about earlier starts and/or different stretches but not to worry. With 30 some miles of river there’s plenty of water to fish.

We’re moving fish on white and have also done well with olives and naturals in low light conditions. Best bets for brighter days have been JJ or Sculpin Sparkle Minnows, Rainbow Dirty Hippies and Mini Dungeons in natural.

We’re loaded up on bugs and have plenty of Simms cold weather gear to help you contend with that morning and evening chill. Daytime temps are climbing back towards the low 70’s this week but overnight lows in the high 30’s and low 40’s require layering. We’ve been starting our trips a little later to ward off the chill but if you want that prime streamer bank you might want to get an early start.

Either way, we’re here for you. The shop is open daily at 7 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Call today for current river conditions, drift boat rentals, up to the minute fishing reports or to book lodging and/or guides for your fall fly fishing adventure on the Missouri or Blackfoot.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:07:19-07:00September 26th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, streamers, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall Fishing is heating up

We’re still a couple of days out from the Autumnal Equinox and the official start of fall but the weather has run ahead, leaving summer behind and bringing on the cooler temps, the rain and even some snow.

It couldn’t have come at a better time with much of the west choking on smoke from the multitude of wildfires. Late last week we saw a beautiful soaking rain on Thursday followed by a winter storm over the weekend which brought a considerable amount of snow to the high country and a wintery mix at the lower elevations.

It looks like we’ll see similar conditions throughout the week with cloudy skies, a chance of rain every day and highs in the 50’s with lows dipping into the low to mid 30’s each night.

It definitely feels like fall out there and we’re starting to see the colors to go along with the weather. It feels so much like fall that I’m actually thinking about getting out to do some bow hunting this week.

And speaking of hunting…it’s time to start hunting big, colored up fall browns. Yes weeds are still a part of the deal but for those who enjoy the streamer game it’s time to get over it and start chucking the big stuff. Fall is our favorite time of the year for streamer fishing and we’ve already begun to have some good days out there. Sparkle Minnows, Dirty Hippies, Dolly Llamas, Circus Peanuts, Mini Dungeons, Inflated Egos, MK Ultras…..and many more.

Dry Fly fishing has been the talk this week but I think that has more to do with the increase in traffic (and subsequent increase in DFO’s) than it does with bug activity on the river. Pseudos, the occasional caddis and plenty of terrestrial action still to be had. BWO’s on the way. Tiny Pseudos, Buzzballs, CDC Caddis Emergers, Cinnamon Ants, Hoppers, October Caddis and the like could get you some action.

Nymphing has continued to be good and remains somewhat status quo with Crayfish, Czechs and black zebra midges leading the charge though tailwater sows have come on strong as of late as have some baetis nymphs like LGM’s, 2 bits, Split Case BWO’s, Peep Shows and BWO Magic Flies. Come check out our ever expanding fly selection.

It’s a busy week at WCA with a full house and a bunch of Missouri and Blackfoot trips out daily. We’re full through Sunday but things open up a bit next week. Give us a call and book yourself a couple of nights and a day on the water. Perfect autumn weather and hot fall fishing, what more could you want.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:08:44-07:00September 19th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The weather we’ve been waiting for

I’m not sure we’ll actually see snow or not but we are currently under a winter weather advisory from tomorrow night though Saturday morning for elevations above 6000 feet. Let’s hope we see an abundance of snow to help get these fires under control. Snow or not, we will see plenty of rain starting tomorrow and running through Saturday and low temps dipping into the freezing range Friday and Saturday night.

That’s good for fires and good for fishing and is exactly what we need right now so welcome back rain, snow and cold. We’ve missed you.

Cold weather gear will be back in play for the next couple of days. We’ve got you covered with layering, outerwear and hats and gloves from Simms, KAST and Redington.

We’ll see mid 50’s tomorrow but that soaking rain and north wind can chill you to the bone so dress for it. Rain and snow on Friday and Saturday with highs in the 40’s will give way to sunshine and highs back near 70 on Sunday. Embrace it and enjoy it. With any luck we’ve seen the last of 90 degree days for a while. Let’s hope it’s the beginning of the end of fire season in Montana.

We do have limited lodging and plenty of guides available this weekend should you decide you want to fish the first wintery mix of the fall.

While you’re here don’t miss our Fall Rod Sale….30-50% off some great rods from LOOP, St Croix, Redington and Echo and plenty of warm weather gear on clearance as well.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:10:16-07:00September 13th, 2017|Categories: Local Buzz, Uncategorized|0 Comments

9/11/2017

I noticed yesterday while flipping through the channels between football games that there were very few programs having anything to do with 9/11. This struck me as strange as it seems in the past there were always a bunch of programs leading up to the anniversary. We are 16 years out from that monumental day, a day that was much like this day with bright blue September skies above.

I saw a smattering of “Never Forget” profile pics etc. on Facebook this morning but the conspicuous absence of news stories and special programming dealing with this fateful date in American history have me wondering if perhaps we, as a nation, are starting to forget. Or is it that we are being conditioned to forget? I don’t know the answer and I’m not much about conspiracies but I do know that this is a day worth remembering, no matter what your political stripes.

I am a million miles away from where I was in 2001 and I have zero interest in politicizing this day. This is a day nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. It’s a day that caused at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage and a day that forever altered the collective American Psyche. That day changed the world forever and while the immediate aftermath seemed to draw us together as a nation, it feels like part of the consequences of this event include the planting of the seeds for the polarizing journey we’ve embarked upon as a country which has brought us to where we are today. We are divided as a nation (though I don’t believe nearly as much as what the media would have us believe) politically and philosophically with a few small minority groups expressing their views very LOUDLY and exerting entirely more influence over the majority than they should ever be able to.

I expressed similar sentiments on this blog last year at this time and my feelings remain the same. This is a day that I recall the events of 16 years ago like they happened yesterday. It’s a day I reflect on the journey I’ve been on for these years and a day I mourn the deaths of those who died on that day and also mourn the losses I’ve experienced personally since 2001.

To me it’s a day to count our blessings as well and to be thankful for everything we have. Our families, our friends, our livelihoods….all of the things that make us who we are.

Draw your loved ones close, hold them tight and celebrate life as you think back to how it felt that day.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:11:39-07:00September 11th, 2017|Categories: Uncategorized, Wolf Creek Chatter|2 Comments

Cooler Weather Ahead

It seems the weather forecasts are wrong more often than not but it looks like cooler weather is on the way, which is exactly what we need right now. It’s a week out so who knows but at this point they are calling for temps in the 60’s and a chance of rain next Thursday and Friday. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

This much hoped for fall weather will coincide nicely with the start of the “second season” with an influx of anglers bringing life back to the quiet Missouri. They are starting to trickle in already but judging by our lodging and trip bookings next week marks the real start of the fall fishing season.

If you happen to be in the area this weekend don’t miss 710 Ashbury Saturday night at 6 PM at Izaak’s Log Stage. From what it sounds like what started out as simply a fall bash has now turned into a full on fundraising event for the local firefighters assisting with the fight with the numerous wild land fires in the area. Resources are rapidly being depleted so come out and enjoy the band and do what you can to help with the war effort.

We’ve got a couple of rooms left for the weekend and things open up the first part of next week before we start to fill up again late next week. Guide trips are revving up again starting this weekend but we’ve got plenty of availability so if a fall guide trip is on your agenda give us a call and book your trip today.

Don’t forget we’ve got our Fall Rod Sale happening all month long with 30 to 50 percent off and also have some great deals on what’s left of the summer gear. We are open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Lodging, guides, shuttles, rental boats, Simms sportswear, outerwear and accessories and a fly selection rivaling that of any shop in the area. We are the COMPLETE PACKAGE….your one stop Missouri River fly shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-09-21T18:53:08-06:00September 8th, 2017|Categories: Local Buzz, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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