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.

May Day on the MO’

Welcome to May on the Missouri.

It’s one of our favorite months to fish the MO’ and this year is no exception.

Snow is melting and rivers are swollen and dirty leaving the Missouri River one of very few Montana fly fishing options available in the state right now. Lucky for you it just so happens that your only fishing option is a one of the premier trout fisheries on the planet!

We’re currently looking at some big water which happens to be on the dirty side as well below Little Prickly Pear and the Dearborn. The flows (currently 10,900 cfs) are not a problem. The stain we could do without but we’ll make the best of it as we wait for LPP and the Dearborn to clear.

Don’t curse the mud, embrace it and use it to your advantage. The Double Dirt Snake in the mud is never a bad call and there’s no better time to fish large water pushing streamers. Work the mud line and work the banks. There are plenty of hungry fish willing to grab a fly…you just need to find them.

That being said the consensus from the last few days is that overall the fishing has been on the tough side. Fluctuations in flows and the influx of muddy water tend to make things challenging. We’ve had plenty of both as of late but those who are putting their time in and adjusting to the conditions seem to be enjoying moderate success.

We will continue to see increases in flows this week which will keep things challenging but with another warm up on the way for the remainder of the week we’re expecting a busy river right on through the weekend. Expect to have some company out there.

Traffic is definitely a thing right now with wade fishing all but eliminated from the equation but it’s not so bad…there’s plenty of river for everyone. River etiquette should always be observed but it becomes even more important during times like these when we’re seeing high concentrations of traffic.

If you want to avoid being stuck in the middle of it try starting early (or late for that matter). Most are getting on the water between 9 am and 10 am so if you’re on by 8 you keep moving you should have plenty of water to your yourself all day long. The other option is to wait until 11 or so and roll in behind the crowds.

The hottest selling nymphs this week have been Firebead Steelies, Caviar Scuds, Tailwater Sows, Rainbow Czechs, Little Green Machines, Fishfinder Worms, Bubble Yum Scuds, Pill Poppers and Pink Amexes.

Fish are eating dry flies regularly but it’s tough to make a day out of it. There are bazillions of midges and plenty of BWO’s as well. I haven’t seen much going on with the midges lately (as far as fish eating them) but we’ve had good luck with the Para Adams/BWO trailer rigs.

Best Dry fly bets… Brooks Sprout Baetis, BWO Flash Cripples, Quigley’s Film Critic BWO, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, Wilcox’s Micromay BWO, WCA Trudes and don’t forget the potential for March Browns if you’re fishing low. The big, muddy is not ideal for dry fly action but we’re anticipating plenty of dry fly love once things start to clear.

Streamer Fishing has been a little tough but if you ask me it’s ALWAYS worth your while. The higher flows have forced us to expand our target areas but there is plenty of good streamer water out there. Even some of the old stand-by streamer banks which have been become less desirable in these flows are still worth your time, but just like you’re doing with the longer nymph rigs, you’re going to have to change your approach in many of these areas.

While you may be used to throwing at the bank and stripping all the way to the boat in some of these places the bigger flows have, in many cases, taken a bunch of that water out of play. That soft water on the bank will still hold fish but now that’s the only thing you’re fishing. Once you’ve stripped through that couple of feet of water directly off the bank then you should pick it up and throw it to the next spot because once your line and your streamer catch the current you’re wasting your time.

That being said, I did have a fish attack my sparkle minnow in the middle of a Mega Boil the other day so you just never know.

We’ve been throwing 280 grains or more and will continue to do so for the duration of the higher flows. Get it down and move it with plenty of pauses in between strips. Takes have been aggressive and with the water warming into the mid 40’s you can expect more of the same.

Best bugs have been the aforementioned Sparkle Minnow Sculpin, Olive Dungeons, ZK’s MK Ultras, Montana Minnows, Rainbow Clousers, Dirty Hippies, Circus Peanuts etc. If you like it and you believe in it then throw it…you’ll be amazed what a difference having confidence in your fly will make.

Whether or not streamers are your game do yourself a favor and spend a day (or at least a few hours) giving it a try. If you hit it right you’ll never be the same! Better yet, do yourself an even bigger favor and book yourself a streamer trip with WCA. Take the guesswork out of where to go and what to throw. Leave that up to us and cast away to your heart’s content.

Don’t let the flows deter you. It’s going to be an awesome spring on the Missouri and we’d like nothing better than to assist you in any way we can.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-05-01T21:10:21-06:00May 1st, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Keeping up the Fight

Wolf Creek Angler recently celebrated a birthday. We turned four years old on April 1st and while it feels like we’ve come a LONG way the journey has not been without setbacks. Every season has unique challenges and I enjoy taking them on but every once in a while you run into a wall and feel like giving up.

It’s on these days I just have to step back and take a breath and realize that the problems aren’t going to solve themselves so I’ll continue to do my best to not let the bastards grind me down.

Lodging

Since day one we’ve done our best to bring continuous improvement to our accommodations. We’ve done a ton of small things over the past four years and some major things as well that you’ll probably never notice.

Replacing broken, excessively worn and/or dated furniture and fixtures is a never-ending task. New blinds, new curtains, new bed frames, new dishes, new appliances, new towels, new paint, new mattresses, new art, new couches, new chairs, new paper towel holders, new sheets, new shower curtains….and on and on. These are things you probably don’t notice but you might if we didn’t stay on top of them so when folks compliment us on our rooms or write reviews on Trip Advisor or Facebook it means a lot and we very much appreciate it.

By the same token, we absolutely appreciate when guests let us know when something isn’t right and we always do our best to address the problem immediately.

We’ve also made some more substantial improvements that you will have a hard time not noticing.

From the day we opened for business we’ve been not quite embarrassed, but definitely not thrilled with our motel units (rooms 8 – 11). These rooms, while among our most popular, were dated at best and while we certainly kept them clean and in working order, three of the four have now been completely renovated into rooms we’re proud to rent and we’re confident you’re going to love what we’ve done with them.

Our double rooms (9 and 10) were the major project this winter and so far our returning guests have been thrilled with the changes and our new guests have been pleased with our accommodations. We’re always excited to have returning guests since they see the dramatic changes but if you’re staying with us for the first time then we’re hopeful our improvements go a long way in making a good first impression and hopefully in keeping you coming back .

Guide Service

Our guiding business continues to grow as we distinguish ourselves from the rest with a humble commitment to providing our customers with an unparalleled Montana Fly Fishing experience that goes well beyond the numbers. Sure we want you to catch a bunch of fish and we’ll do everything in our power to make that happen but when you sign up for a guided day of fly fishing with Wolf Creek Angler you can expect a day designed to optimize your experience and to exceed all of your expectations, whatever they may be. Whether you’re completely new to the sport or looking to sharpen and expand your skills a day on the water with WCA is money well spent.

Each one of our guides has been selected based not only on their skill as an angler but more importantly on their ability to teach and to tailor the day to meet your expectations and desires. A day on the water with WCA is all about you, not your guide.

There are a lot of big egos in the guiding profession…you won’t find them on our guide list. We steer clear of the drama and we are committed solely to providing you with the best possible experience we can give you. We can’t guarantee you’ll catch 50 fish but we can guarantee that we’ll do our very best each and every day to provide you with an excellent experience you won’t soon forget.

Some folks are all about the big ego guides and outfitters and that’s ok…there are plenty of them around. We didn’t invent fly fishing, we didn’t discover the Missouri River, we don’t measure our success solely by the number of fish we catch and we don’t spend our time proclaiming our greatness or our expertise. We are Professional Fly Fishing Guides in the great state of Montana and we consider it an honor and a privilege and a blessing to be able to guide our clients on these storied waters.

We invite you to book a trip with us today and discover the difference.

Retail

Wolf Creek Angler is Your Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination

I could go on and on but I won’t.

I’m learning new things every season about the retail business and feel like I’m getting a handle on it.

We’ve continued to expand our inventory each year and we’re always on the lookout for items you might not find in other shops in the area. The other side of that coin however is the fact that there’s a good reason we all carry a lot of the same items. That reason being these items sell.

Without a doubt the most frustrating part of this business has been trying to bring in products our customers demand and going up against the vendor/rep/retail competitor machine by which we are held in check. It’s an exhausting and frustrating battle and one which thus far has not yielded the results we have hoped for but we’ll keep on fighting and maybe someday will be allowed the privilege of being able to sell certain brands/items.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…if there are brands and/or items you don’t see in our shop it’s not because we’ve chosen not to carry them. We are very well aware of what we don’t have and it’s not for lack of trying.

Let’s leave it at that for now.

Challenges aside we’ve got a shop filled with fantastic products from some of the best brands in the industry and we remain committed to providing our customers with a great selection and competitive pricing. Our bug selection rivals that of any of our competitors and we are fully stocked on terminal tackle, tools and accessories, rods and reels, sun protection, hot and cold weather clothing for men and women, WCA logo gear, waders and boots, packs and gear bags and boat boxes, books and gifty items and much more.

Come by and check out the best fly shop you never knew was here!

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-26T20:32:08-06:00April 26th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life|Comments Off

Old School High Water. Holter Dam circa 1928 – photo Helena as She Was

The Missouri has become a VERY busy place this week with displaced anglers, guides and outfitters arriving in droves.

There has been plenty of discussion recently about how high flows will end up going this season on the MO’, but the fact is it’s about the only game in town at this point so if you had plans to fish in Montana in the near future chances are you’re going to end up here.

We’re still not comfortable making predictions so we’ll leave that up to the experts but what we do know is that we’re currently sitting at around 120 – 180% of normal Snow Water Equivalent in western Montana. There’s plenty of snow in them there hills though it sounds like we’ll begin to see a reduction in snowpack as we get our first real heat wave of the season at the end of this week. It won’t be quite so warm in the high country but down here they’re calling for 80 degrees on Friday and Saturday. Things will return to more seasonable conditions on Sunday and early next week as we return to daytime highs in the 50’s.

The current flow on the Missouri below Holter Dam is 9670 CFS. The flows have increased steadily over the past week as Canyon Ferry prepares for the imminent spike in inflows coming soon with runoff. How much water will we see? Again, we’ll leave the predictions to the experts but what we can tell you is that you have nothing to fear at these flows.

We wouldn’t necessarily recommend wade fishing at this point but you’ll be fine in a boat and there are plenty of fish being caught our there, primarily on nymphs and streamers, but we’ve heard of some successful dry fly outings as well. Look for these trends to continue as that water continues to warm.

It’s time to break out the split shot, the long leaders and the wire worms. Things have been consistently inconsistent out there due in large part to the frequent changes in flows but your best bet for the time being is definitely going to be deep nymphing.

I’d recommend starting out with something in the 7 – 8′ overall length. Go with a firebead wire worm or something on the large (#10 or #12) side with a tungsten bead (Amex/Weight Fly/Rainbow Czech) paired with a Tailwater sow, Pill Popper, Caviar Scud or something BWO ish like a Grey Little Green Machine, a dark Peep Show or a Psycho May. Add a bb or two and start probing your way through the likely runs. Which runs are the likely ones? The fish are going to be in many of the runs you’ve historically found them in but daisy chains of guide boats are a pretty good indicator of where the fish are.

Go deeper than you normally would and make sure you’re occasionally touching the floor. Start tighter to the bank than you’d normally be, fishing inside out and work your way out. Row arounds can be a challenge in these flows but not always. There are plenty of spots where the extra water actually creates easy row arounds where before there were none.

Bug selection has been a challenge with a bunch of different patterns catching fish here and there and nothing really lighting them up. You’ll want to make frequent changes until you find what works but make sure you’ve got the depth thing figured out before you start changing your bugs. Stop by the shop on your way to the water and we’ll tell you what we know whether you buy bugs from us or not. We’re always here to help you find success on the water. Whether that’s guiding you or just giving you honest information about where to go or what to use you can always count on Wolf Creek Angler for open, honest and up to date Missouri River intel.

Streamer fishing has been decent but you’ve got to choose your spots. Many of the go to banks are just too fast right now making it virtually impossible to get down where you need to be. That being said, if you know what you’re looking for there’s an abundance of great streamer water to be fished and these bigger flows often give up some monster browns seeking a soft water respite. Swing by WCA for the best streamer selection on the Missouri including a bunch of bugs you wont’ find anywhere else.

Like the streamer fishing, the dry fly fishing is somewhat limited right now for the same reason…too much water but once again, if you know where to look you could be in for some phenomenal dry fly fishing over the next couple of weeks as the water warms and the BWO’s flourish. Think quiet water…that’s where you’ll find the sippers.

Once again, if you’re planning to fish in Montana over the next month or so then you should plan on fishing the Missouri. As you might expect we are very busy with lodging and guide trips but we definitely have openings and we’d like nothing better than to get you booked and on the water. We’re full this weekend but things open up on Sunday and we do have availability next week.

Keep in mind you’ve only got a few days left to take advantage of the best deal on the Missouri. Two nights of premium lodging and a full day guide trip for just $550 (plus tax). We invite you to look for a better deal…you won’t find one.

Regular season rates resume on Tuesday, May 1st.

We hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler. We are your Full Service Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-25T17:29:16-06:00April 25th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Mid April on the MO

We’ve been flirting with actual spring weather a few times over these past two weeks only to be rudely thrust back into winter. This time it looks like it might be for real.

The weekend ahead could be the nicest we’ve seen in 2018 with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low 60’s on Friday and Saturday and looking ahead to next week it looks like that trend will continue.

If you’ve been itching to get out and fish but have been waiting for the weather to turn it’s GO TIME!

Most of the water around the region is on the rise and the Missouri is about to become a VERY busy place as anglers, outfitters and guides from around the state converge on our little corner of the world in search of fishable water.

The Missouri has also been bumping up over the past week and while the current flows may present some challenges for the wading angler, we’re LOVING where we’re at (7800 cfs). If you like nymphing and/or streamer fishing and you don’t mind fishing from a boat you won’t be disappointed.

Bring plenty of Wire Worms and Tailwater Sows and run a little deeper than what you’ve been doing, maybe with an extra bb or two. It’s about to turn on! How’s the streamer fishing you ask? As always, it has its moments. If you’re looking for numbers stick with the nymphing. If you’re looking for that one monster brown to crush your streamer then you should expect to spend a lot of time casting and stripping and NOT catching fish but it could happen at any time…you just never know.

A lot of folks like the idea of streamer fishing and like the possibility of hooking into a Missouri River Leviathan but lack the patience to spend hours not catching fish when they could be cleaning up bobber fishing.

I overheard a pretty typical conversation between a guide and his client the other day. The client had expressed interest in streamer fishing (likely after spending too much time in the shop at WCA immersed in streamer speak). The guide was attempting to put together a plan for the day to accommodate only to be told by the client that if there was a good streamer spot where they could anchor up and fish for ten minutes then that would be enough streamer fishing for the day.

Now I’m not saying you can’t eye up a good streamer spot and anchor and beat up the water for ten minutes and hook a good fish but it generally doesn’t work that way. It usually requires committing to it for at least a few hours. Action comes in spurts….sometimes it doesn’t come at all. It’s all part of the deal. We love fishing streamers and we love guiding streamer trips but if you’re looking for numbers you should stick to nymphing.

Waiting for Dry Fly Fishing? It’s happening daily! Widespread reports of BWO’s and midges a plenty and even the occasional Skwala getting crushed in the canyon.

Reports from the past few days have been all over the board but that’s due in part to having to re-adjust to these higher flows. We’re on the verge of being completely dialed at these flows so do yourself a favor and hire a guide for the day…you’ll be glad you did and you’ll be especially glad if you do it by the end of April and take advantage of our spring special. Get two nights of premium lodging and a full day on the water for just $550. Starting May 1st this same package will cost you over $800!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. The fishing and the weather are heating up and you’ve still got two weeks to save a bundle while fishing one of the best trout rivers in the world with some of the best guides in the west.

Lodging is filling nicely but we’ve got everything opened up now so chances are if you’re looking to head this way we should be able to accommodate.

Don’t let April pass you by.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-17T21:47:28-06:00April 17th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Comments Off

Spring Fishing Heating Up

It’s finally starting to feel like spring this week. The weather has been trending in the right direction with some nice days in the mid to high 50’s though there’s snow in the forecast yet again for today and tomorrow and we’re actually under yet another Winter Weather Advisory through tonight and we could see up to three inches of heavy, wet snow.

Traffic has picked up with a lot of folks taking advantage of some great spring deals. It’s been so nice to have a shop full of people again. We’re bursting with new gear arriving daily and still trying to clear out some of the old. Great deals on all kinds of premium cold weather gear for everyone!

The fishing has been consistently good sub-surface with nymphing and streamer fishing heating up. We’ve seen river flows increase all week, a trend which will likely continue. As of this writing we’re sitting at 7260 CFS. and while we’re anxiously awaiting a bump in water temps to bring the BWO’s into play we’re currently holding at a chilly 38 degrees. Look for the water temp to bump up this weekend and into the first part of next week. Fingers crossed for 40+ degree water, overcast skies and BWO’s coming soon.

In the meantime the nymphing will bring the numbers. The status quo pinks and firebeads have continued to be effective though we are definitely seeing a transition to a spring diet. Tailwater Sows are in play as are Pill Poppers, Caviar Scuds, Worms, Lightning bugs of the purple and pink variety, Rainbow Czechs, Rainbow Warriors and if we do see that bump in the water temps the baetis nymphs will definitely come in to play. Think Green Machine!

This is a favorite time of year for the streamer addicts on the hunt for hungry browns and while the action has been hit or miss it’s tough to resist those soft edges and transitional zones created by the higher flows. Work those banks, keeping the strip on the slow side with plenty of pauses…they love to hit it on the pause. Whites, Greys, Olives, Blacks….lots of bugs getting noticed right now. MK Ultras, Circus Peanuts, Polar Leeches, SPARKLE MINNOWS, Baby Gongas, Kreelex, Clousers… etc. As always, fish the bugs you believe in changing patterns and colors until you find one that works.

Lodging is 100 percent open and our spring special runs through the end of the month. Shotgun Annie’s and Izaak’s are open for business and Upland Angler is a great option as well but their schedule varies so call ahead for reservations at (406)468-0080.

Don’t let the lingering winter weather get you down…plenty of nice weather ahead including what looks to be an awesome weekend. We hope to see you out here.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-12T17:31:22-06:00April 12th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

The Winter that won’t let go

It’s been another wintery week on the Missouri with those April showers in the form of snow, not rain. If you look closely you can see the buds on the trees starting to take shape but for the most part it still looks and feels like winter.

The spring sun feels great when we’ve seen it and it generally makes quick work of melting the snow but we can’t seem to break away from winter precipitation and ridiculously cold temps in the forecast.

All that being said it could be worse….much worse. Spring precipitation and cold temps at night are exactly what we need to ensure a great season ahead so while we’re all anxious for sunshine, green vegetation, a steady stream of customs and warm spring days on the water we do appreciate the conditions and what they mean for the season ahead.

Looking towards next week it looks like we may just be emerging from winter’s grip, not that you haven’t heard that a time or two over the past few weeks but this time I think it might be for real.

We’ll see 50’s early next week, maybe even close to 60 on Tuesday. Unfortunately it looks like its going to blow but that’s to be expected and will come as no surprise to anyone who fishes here regularly. The better news is that overnight lows in the 30’s rather than the teens mean we may finally get the green light to open up the rest of our lodging including the newly remodeled #9 and #10.

Spring lodging and guide trip special going strong and running through the end of the month. $550 for two nights of premium lodging at WCA and a full day guide trip for one or two anglers with the best guides on the Missouri.

Don’t miss opening night at Izaak’s tomorrow night and whether or not you’re coming to stay with us you owe it to yourself to come check out the obscene deals on all kinds of great winter gear from all of your favorite brands. Amazing Deals while they last!

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-04T16:13:56-06:00April 4th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off

Out like a Lion

It’s hard to believe but March has all but passed us by and while we traditionally expect March to come in fiercely like a lion and go out gently like a lamb it looks like the winter lion is going to stick around for a while yet.

Rain and snow are likely tomorrow with gusty south southwest winds in the afternoon ushering in a cold front which will drop us into the teens tomorrow night. We’ll see a high of only 32 on Saturday with a chance for some snow but Sunday looks better with temps back near 50. Maybe not the ideal weekend to fish the Missouri but sooner or later we’ll get there.

We definitely saw an increase in traffic this week with spring breakers taking advantage of some decent weather and enjoying the sunshine on the windy MO’. Fishing reports have been inconsistent but overall I’d say it’s been fair for most. As you would expect those who fish here often are having pretty good luck out there while those who are here for the first time or only hit it once or twice a year have been having a tougher go of it.

Nymphing is your best bet for numbers and not much has changed on the bug front. Anything with a pink bead works more often than not and firebeads are getting it done as well. The hottest bug of the spring thus far has been Pederson’s Sow (available exclusively at Wolf Creek Angler and currently in short supply but more are on the way). Pill poppers, Lucent Bead Rays, UV Crush, Bubble Yums, Pink Radiation Baetis and Wayno’s Cotton Candy have all been catching plenty of fish. Don’t shy away from black Zebras, tailwater sows, firebead rays etc. I’m still sticking with a #12 Pink Amex for a lead fly more often than not but Tungsten Rainbow Czechs, Casne’s Pinkalicious, Pink Weight Flies and Bubble Yums work too. Some have gone to the worm and done well.

Fish are still holding in the slower, deeper runs but we are starting to see a migration to transitional water so fish the slow stuff but don’t be afraid to hit that medium fast, medium depth water as well. Some are fishing deep rigs and doing fine, we’ve been sticking with a 7′ – 8′ overall depth, sometimes with no weight, sometimes with a bb.

Streamer fishing has been hit or miss but if you stick with it throughout the day you should encounter at least a hot stretch or two. Kreelex, Craven’s Dirty Hippy, Sparkle Minnows, Lynch’s Drunk and Disorderly, Baby Gongas, Polar Leeches, Montana Minnows, Clousers and ZK’s Son of Bunny in pearl and MK Ultra in grey (both available exclusively at WCA) have all been effective. Greys, whites and olives have been good but as I say often fish what you like and what you have confidence in…it makes all the difference in the world.

Midges a plenty daily. Some days the fish are on them, some days they aren’t. Keep that dry fly rig at the ready. I’ve been running a hi-vis para adams with a Bucky’s Midge Cluster and haven’t seen any reason to switch it up but any Griffiths gnat or midge cluster ought to do the trick.

Overcast days have definitely been better overall (especially for streamer fishing) but we’re catching plenty of fish in the sun as well. Fish when you can.

Our spring lodging and guide trip special has been gaining in popularity as folks come to realize what an absolute STEAL of a Deal it is. Once again, that’s two nights of premium lodging and a full day guide trip for one or two anglers for just $550. We challenge you to find a better deal on the MO’.

We’re at about 50% open on our lodging just waiting for temps to stabilize before we open the rest but hopefully it won’t be long. Cabins and bungalows available now, motel rooms open soon.

The shop is rapidly filling up with new gear from Simms, Redington, Echo, Ross and more and we’re thrilled to announce that we are now your Exclusive Missouri River dealer for Damsel Fly Fishing, an AWESOME line of women’s fly fishing gear and apparel made right here in Montana. Check them out at www.damselflyfishing.com. We’re also excited to announce that we are now featuring Douglas Fly Rods. More on this soon but in the meantime check them out at douglasoutdoors.com We’ll let you know as soon as we have them in. We’re sure you’re going to love these rods and we’re hearing nothing but good things from the other dealers around the region.

It may not feel like it and it may not look like it just yet but spring is definitely here and we can’t wait to see you back on the Missouri.

Remember Izaak’s opens Thursday, April 5th and we can’t wait!!

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-03-29T18:44:51-06:00March 29th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Damsel Fly Fishing, Douglas Fly Rods, dry fly fishing, Echo, Fishpond, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, Pederson's Sow, Redington, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Early Spring on the Missouri River – photo by Luke Koerten

Today we celebrate the first day of spring. The weather is right on cue with blue skies, sunshine and 50’s today. We’ll see temps near 60 tomorrow and Thursday but don’t put away the cold weather gear just yet.

Those in the know are calling for below average temps and above average precipitation for the next four to six weeks so expect the unexpected and be prepared for all weather conditions if you plan to join us on the Missouri this spring.

And speaking of spring…our spring lodging and guide trip special is definitely getting noticed. It’s a deal you’re not going to want to miss out on. $550 for two nights of premium lodging in one of our cabins or bungalows and a full day guide trip with some of the best guides on the Missouri River.

There are plenty of deals being offered out there right now. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can touch this one! Prime dates are going fast, don’t miss this opportunity. Don’t need the lodging? Spring Special trip rates are just $400 for a full day for one or two anglers.

Things are still pretty quiet around here but you can definitely feel a pulse returning. A few more boats on the water, a few more folks hanging around the shop, boxes of new product showing up daily and a steady stream of phone calls and emails…the season is underway and will soon be shifting into high gear.

Two weeks from Thursday Izaak’s will be open and then it will really feel like the season has begun. In the meantime, Shotgun Annie’s has been doing a great job of keeping people fed and hydrated all winter long and they will continue to do so. They’re currently serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day but Monday. It’s been awesome having a reliable restaurant open in Wolf Creek this winter. The food is great, the service is friendly and it’s just nice to be able to sit at that bar again, even though it bears little resemblance to the Frenchman of old.

We’re busy finishing up a couple of remodeling projects in our motel units and plan to have those rooms available sometime the first week of April (weather depending). The cabins should all be open by next week so we’ll have no problem accommodating all of you who are looking to cash in on the best deal on the river.

Look for lots of shiny new items in the shop and don’t miss out on great deals on winter wear as we clear the racks to make room for spring and summer gear.

Yes, spring is here. The fishing is good and getting better every day, the weather is showing glimpses of what’s to come and we can’t wait to see all of you back on the MO’.

We are your Full Service Missouri River fly fishing destination with everything you need from lodging to guides to gear to boat rentals and much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-03-20T18:11:17-06:00March 20th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|3 Comments

Rest in Peace Perry

We published this last week and it mysteriously disappeared from our blog so we apologize if you’ve already read it.

We recently lost a long-time customer and friend of the Missouri, Perry Herst, who passed away last month. The following is a tribute to Perry written by his and our dear friend David Cooper. Rest in Peace Perry.

A good friend who was also a Missouri River fishing pal of ours, Perry Herst, died recently at the age of 88. Perry first joined us in Wolf Creek about a decade ago, bringing along his friends, Jim and Jean Crabtree.

Perry and the Crabtrees had fished and shot birds together in many parts of the world, including Africa, Alaska, Texas, Montana, and South America. Their tales of adventure, sometimes hilarious, could be spell-binding.

The Crabtrees usually joined us in Wolf Creek from their summer home in Idaho. Their winter residence was in the Los Angeles area. Sadly, Jim, a prominent physician, died several years ago. Jean continued to fish with us for several years and we had many happy times together.

Perry was a fine sportsman, either on the water with a flyrod, or in the field with a shotgun and one of his beloved birddogs. He delighted us always with tales of his exotic hunting and fishing adventures, most often with the Crabtrees. There were many happy dinners together at the Frenchman, Izaak’s or the 7R Ranch.

A native of Chicago, Perry had a keen mind and a successful career as a builder and developer of commercial office buildings, associated with the Tishman Realty and Construction Co. He guided the Los Angeles-based firm as it became one of the nation’s largest privately-held portfolios, with more than 40 million square feet of office space in the U.S. and Europe. Perry and his wife, Angela, had a home in Southern California.

Perry was a wonderful companion on our annual trips. At first blush, some might take him for a curmudgeon, but beneath his sometimes gruff exterior, there was a warm heart and kindness as big as the Ritz. He also was a quiet but significant philanthropist.

With Jerrell Beougher as his guide, Perry was also competitive on the river. “Well, my trout was 23 inches, how big was yours?” or, when nymphing, which he most often did, “How can you land those big trout with those tiny, little flies?”

He was fond of history and loved to talk about politics. He had a sense of humor and a great loyalty to friends and family. Our time together in June, 2017, with Wolf Creek Angler was to be his last trip to the Missouri and it was a bit of a struggle for him.

However, with Jerrell’s constant presence and watchful help, he was on the river everyday, thrilled by each trout he landed and released. Thanks, in part, to Jerrell’s skills, Perry always had a great fish story to tell at dinner. Funeral services were held March 2 in the Los Angeles area. We miss our pal.

By David Cooper, who has been fishing the Missouri from Wolf Creek almost every year since 1984