Jason Orzechowski, Author at Wolf Creek Angler

Welcome Fall

Autumn is a magical time on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Eventually the smoky haze of August will clear and we will begin to clearly see the changes of the season which are already underway. Average daytime temps will begin to cool into the low to mid 70’s for September and the long, cool nights will usher in change on the Missouri. Cool water, bright blue skies and the golden light of autumn make fall a magical time to fish the Missouri.

Terrestrials will continue to produce throughout the fall months but it’s also the time we start to think about streamers. Weeds will continue to frustrate your efforts but that first 20+” brown smashing your streamer will make it all worth while.

We LOVE summer – it’s what pays the bills, but it’s hard to not love the fall just as much. What’s not to love? Cooler temps, fleece, football, fall colors, hunting, big brown trout, hunting big brown trout, BWO’s, Oktoberfest beer, hockey, streamer fishing, the World Series, October Caddis….the list goes on and on.

Make Wolf Creek Montana and the Missouri River your fall getaway. September and October are filling quickly but we’ve still got plenty of lodging available so book yourself a Missouri River guide trip and a stay at Wolf Creek Angler. Start your day with a hearty breakfast at The Frenchman and then spend the day fishing the Missouri. Dinner at Izaaks in Craig or The Frenchman or Oasis in Wolf Creek followed by a night cap on the porch or at the WCA lounge…sleep and repeat. Does it get any better or any more quintessential Montana than that?

See you this fall at Wolf Creek Angler.

Unwind and tell some lies at the WCA Lounge – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:46-06:00August 28th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off

Thursday

Your dose of Morphine for this Thursday morning.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 27th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off

Fishing Report 8/26/15

Good fishing to be had out there right now river-wide. We’ve had some downright spectacular days up at the dam and pieced together some decent days below Craig as well. The Wolf Creek Bridge to Craig section has not been all that lately but that being said, there are plenty of fish in that section. Get out there and get them figured out!

Double Zebras, Tung Darts, Red Two Bit Hookers, Little Green Machines, Tailwater Sows, Split Case PMD’s, BWO Magic Flies and various Crayfish patterns are getting it done below the surface and the hopper/terrestrial bite has been good enough to keep things interesting if you choose to make a day of hoppers and ants. If you’re not getting eats on the terrestrials try dropping a Pine Squirrel Leech or a #16 purple or gold weight fly or the aforementioned Zebra Midge – they may change your luck.

The smoke is hanging heavy right now and will continue to do so throughout the week but the silver lining is that the smoke is blocking out the sun and keeping things from getting as hot as they could which is allowing the fire crews to make substantial progress on many of the fires burning around the area.

Hoot Owl Restrictions have begun to be lifted as we move towards cooler days. See below for the latest comprehensive list of Restrictions and Closures from FWP.

Traffic is still very light out there but it wont be this way much longer. Lodging is beginning to fill again as people begin to work fall fishing on the Missouri into their plans. Give us a call today for lodging and /or guide trips. Mid September through early November is one of our absolute favorite times to fish the Missouri. Sunny days with a chill in the air, colored up trees, colored up fish – does it get any better? Traffic will definitely pick up as we move into September but people tend to spread out more in the fall so it never seems to feel overly crowded unless you get stuck doing row-arounds at the dam.

Make Wolf Creek Angler your destination for fall fishing on the Missouri. We’ve got everything you need from top notch Missouri River Fly Fishing Guides to clean, functional and affordable lodging and a first-rate fly shop fully stocked with everything Missouri River Fly Fishing including an ever-increasing selection of bugs rivaling that of any shop in the area. Open daily at 6 AM, earlier than all the rest, for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs and just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge – nobody is closer!

Bugs, shuttles, Rio and Trout Hunter leaders and tippet, ice, fishing licenses, sun protection, cold-weather gear, hot weather gear, Fishpond Nomad Nets, Smith sunglasses, all kinds of tools and accessories and more. Don’t see what you want? We are always more than happy to call around and see if we can find it at one of the other shops for you.

Stop by Wolf Creek Angler and see what the buzz is about.

Following is the up-to-date list of Restrictions and Closures from FWP.

Beaver Creek Full Angling Closure starting 09/01/2015
Mandatory Waterbody Closure
Beaver Creek, in Hill County, for its entire length below the outlet of Beaver Creek Reservoir. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report

Belmont Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report
Big Hole River Madatory Drought Closure starting 8/19/2015.
Mandatory Drought Closure –

[24 hour] River sections of the Big Hole River: Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to North Fork Big Hole River. (8/18/2015)
View Water Body Report
Madatory Drought Closure starting 8/19/2015.
Mandatory Drought Closure – [24 hour] Big Hole River from the Notch Bottom FAS to the confluence with the Beaverhead River. (8/18/2015)
View Water Body Report
Copper Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Landers Fork. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report

Cottonwood Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report

Gold Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary of the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report

Landers Fork Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report
Monture Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report

Morrell Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Clearwater River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report
Murphy Lake Emergency Closure on Murphy Lake
Fire Related Closure
Murphy Lake located in Lincoln County. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report

North Fork Blackfoot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
North Fork Falls to the confluence with the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report

Reopened Waterbodies
Big Hole River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/21/2015.
Closure Lifted
Big Hole River: Maiden Rock FAS up to the Notch Bottom FAS. (8/21/2015)
View Water Body Report
Bitterroot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/19/2015.
Closure Lifted
Bitterroot River from its origin at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River to its mouth. (8/19/2015)
View Water Body Report
Blackfoot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/19/2015.
Closure Lifted
Blackfoot River from its headwaters to its confluence with the Clark Fork River. (8/19/2015)
View Water Body Report
Clark Fork River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/19/2015.
Closure Lifted
Clark Fork River from Rock Creek downstream to its confluence with the Flathead River. (8/19/2015)
View Water Body Report
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/22/2015.
Closure Lifted
Clark Fork River from its headwaters downstream to Rock Creek. (8/22/2015)
View Water Body Report
East Gallatin River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Entire East Gallatin River from its origin at the confluence of Rocky and Sourdough Creeks to its confluence with the West Gallatin River. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Flint Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/22/2015.
Closure Lifted
From the Highway 1 Bridge near milepost 53 to the mouth. (8/22/2015)
View Water Body Report
Gallatin River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Lower Gallatin River from Sheds Bridge (Hwy 84) near Four Corners, MT, downstream to its confluence with the Madison River at Three Forks. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Jefferson River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Entire Jefferson River. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Madison River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Lower Madison River from Ennis Dam to the Missouri River Headwaters. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Ruby River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Portions of the Ruby River from Duncan District Road to its confluence with the Beaverhead River. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Shields River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Most of the Shields River from its confluence with Smith Creek downstream to its confluence with the Yellowstone River. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Silver Bow Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/22/2015.
Closure Lifted
From Blacktail Creek to the mouth where it joins with Warm Springs Creek. (8/22/2015)
View Water Body Report

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 26th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Fishpond, fly fishing, Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, RIO, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Summer Fading Fast

As we enter the last full week of August the shorter days and cooler nights have us eagerly anticipating fall and the second season on the Missouri. Summer is winding down, the kids are going back to school this week and while it still feels like summer out there the chilly mornings we’ve had as of late are a welcome sign of things to come. The breather that comes with the August Lull has been nice but we’re ready to get back to the business of making your Missouri River fly fishing experience all that it can be.

The fishing has been decent most days with the nymphers having the most success but if you commit to the terrestrials you should get at least a fish or two to move and their have been some absolute piggy browns being caught on hoppers, chubbies and ants so don’t give up!

Summer and smoke will return this week with highs in the 90’s each day.

Don’t miss our Labor Day Sale September 5th and 6th. Great deals on almost everything in the shop including Simms Solarflex WCA logo wear and KAST summer Guide Wear. We’ve got plenty of lodging available for the big Labor Day weekend so why not make Wolf Creek and the Missouri River your Labor Day Getaway this year. Browns and Brews Beer Fest happening in Craig on Saturday, September 5th from 4 to 8 PM with live music and plenty of great Montana Made Beer from Bozeman Brewing Company, Bowser Brewing Company, Katabatic Brewing Company, The Front Brewing Co. and Mighty Mo Brewing Company. This brewfest will have live and silent auctions, to raise money for the betterment or improvement of Craig. Don’t miss you chance to bid on some great auction items including Wolf Creek Angler gear and a guide trip/lodging package.

Enjoy late summer on the Missouri and make WCA your one stop before you hit the river for shuttles, guide trips, lodging, Montana Maid Coffee, fishing licenses, ice, Fishpond Nomad nets, Yeti Ramblers, Colsters and Hoppers, Rio and Trout Hunter leaders and tippet, Sun Protection from Buff, Simms and Outdoor Research, friendly honest info and advice, and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 24th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Browns and Brews, Craig MT, Labor Day Sale, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yeti|Comments Off

August on the Missouri

Cray Days on the MO

Guest Blog from WCA Guide Jim Murray

We’ve officially reached the Dog Days of summer. Few fisherman, fewer boats and A LOT of smoke signal that the middle of August has arrived. While it has been smoky the last few days, it hasn’t stopped a few of us from getting out on the river and having some fun. The few of us who have been on the river this week have been rewarded with some pretty good fishing. In the last week, I’ve fished the entire river from the Dam to Cascade, and it is all fishing well.

Hoppers, chubby, ants, leaches, pheasant tails, caddis nymphs, and the good old Cray Daddy have all produced. In addition to catching a large number of healthy rainbows, it seems the Big Browns have come out to play. A large number of piggy browns have been brought to the net recently, both on nymphs and dries. Big Browns = happy anglers.

Big fish, a lot of them, and few to no other anglers on the river…what are you waiting for? While we all wish the fires will subside and the smoke will clear, it is a good time to be fishing the Missouri, and it only figures to improve as August turns to September and we receive some relief from the heat. Grab your box of big flies and terrestrials, your six weight rod, and hit the river. Or better yet, book a guide trip and leave all the work to us! Either way, if you like the river to yourself, and the chance to catch a big brown, it’s time to get on the Missouri.

The fish are feasting on Crayfish until they puke! photo by Jim Murray

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 22nd, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Claws R Cray, Crayfish, Jim Murray, Missouri River, running line, Snapping Cray, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Smoky Thursday Fishing Report 8/20/15

Smoky Blue Sky Sunflowers photo by Lasha Turner

The wildfire smoke has settled in on the Missouri making it a little tough to breathe but the fish don’t seem to mind. Traffic continues to be very light and the fishing has been fair most days and occasionally very good.

Nymphing is the way to go if you’re looking for numbers and while there are fish everywhere, the highest concentrations of fish (and anglers) are at the dam so choose your float accordingly. Black Zebra Midges, Red Two-Bit Hookers, Tung Darts, LGM’s, PT’s, Weight Flies, Dark Peep Shows, Crayfish and an array of mayfly nymphs are all getting plenty of action.

We’ve been spending a lot of our time working the terrestrial angle and while the hopper game never really seems to be “on fire” on the Missouri, a day spent throwing big dries will likely result in at least a couple of good eats. Trail an ant or a caddis pattern or go with a nymph dropper to up your odds. We’ve had some luck with #16 purple weight flies and also zebra midges and PT’s dropped off of a gold or purple chubby or a tan Moorish Hopper.

Tricos around on any given day and fish eating them if you really want a challenge. Callibaetis and Pseudos around as well so coupled with the terrestrials there are plenty of dry fly opportunities to be had.

Streamers? There has been some chatter about a good streamer bite but it’s not our favorite time of the year to throw streamers as the weeds make a clean retrieve a real challenge. Not to say you wont move some fish but for me the frustration level resulting from frequent hook ups with large clumps of vegetation outweighs the appeal of the potential of possibly hooking up with a big fish or two.

Come join us for August on the Missouri. The air is a little heavy and the fishing can be hit or miss but the weather is awesome with comfortable days and cool nights and you can have miles of water virtually to yourself if you are willing to leave the dam.

Stop by the shop for all the bugs you need and friendly advice on where to go and what to throw. We’ve also got you covered with lodging, RO Drift Boat Rentals, Expert Guides, fishing licenses, sun protection, Extreme Fishing Gear from KAST, Yeti Colsters, Simms logo wear and much, much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 20th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off

Wildfires and Brown Trout

Things remain pretty quiet around Wolf Creek and Craig as we move into the second half of August. Traffic is light but there are definitely fish being caught out there.

If you follow this blog you might think we’ve stopped fishing though nothing could be further from the truth! We’ve posted travel blogs and bear blogs over the past few days and the wildfires are definitely the topic of conversation right now with Governor Bullock declaring a fire emergency in Montana over the weekend. There are currently over 100 active wildfires around the state burning some 47,000 acres and some of these are hitting home affecting waters we love to fish with the Sucker Creek fire affecting the Landers Fork and Copper Creek and the Scotty Brown fire which is now contained closing River Junction Road limiting Blackfoot access.

So what about the fishing?

The fishing report has been somewhat static as of late but it’s definitely worth your time to get out there and fish the Missouri. Nymphing has been decent, especially at the dam and there have been a bunch of big brown trout being caught on terrestrials primarily in the lower stretches but there’s no reason you shouldn’t try the hopper rigs wherever you happen to be fishing.

Good nymph choices have been black zebra midges, red Two-Bit Hookers, Tung Darts and Peep Shows with various Cray Fish and Leech patterns getting some attention as well. On top run your choice of hoppers and ants. We’ve been having good luck with tan Moorish hoppers, Pink or Purple More-or-Less hoppers and tan Whitecloud Hoppers trailed with black parachute ants.

These are some of the beauties our guides and clients and shop customers have been picking up over the last couple of weeks.

Stop by Wolf Creek Angler on your way to the river for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs including Fishpond Nomad hand nets and boat nets, Yeti Hoppers, Hydro Flask growlers and pint glasses, tippet and leaders from Rio and Trout Hunter, loads of cool Simms WCA logo wear, shuttles, lodging, some of the hardest working guides on the river and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana and we’re just minutes from Holter Dam, nobody is closer. Shop open daily at 6 am – Montana Maid Coffee freshly brewed every morning.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 17th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Fishpond, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Slough Creek 2015

As promised we’re taking advantage of slower days on the Missouri to do some traveling and fishing of our own.

Wednesday was my annual trip to Yellowstone NP to fish Slough Creek with friends from back in Michigan who come out each summer to visit the park and the MO.

We departed from Mammoth campground early Thursday morning intending to hike to at least the second meadow, if not the third when we got to Slough. Despite our early start, our best intentions and a moderately fast-paced hike we stopped at the top of the second meadow, opting to maximize our fishing time rather than spending that time pushing on to find new water which would have left us with little time to fish before we had to start the trek back. We’re working up to camping at one of the backcountry sites so we can truly maximize our Slough Creek fishing experience but for the time being it’s 15 miles of hiking with a couple of hours of fishing in-between.

The water in Slough is on the low side this season but the fishing did not disappoint. We started strong each hooking and landing several nice Cutthroats before having to start working hard for them. As the day wore on and the temps soared the fish retreated to the depths and while we did manage to coax a few into eating nymphs, the action definitely slowed in the afternoon.

This was our third trip into Slough and it’s a trip I hope to make for many years to come. It’s truly a magical place.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 15th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: running line, Slough Creek|Comments Off

Bear Watch

We’ve had the pleasure of being visited by a number of black bears over the past week or two so bear watching has become the official pastime of the August Lull at Wolf Creek Angler.

FYI – these bears are after chokecherries so if you are planning on picking chokecherries along Recreation Road in and around Wolf Creek be advised that you have some competition. We’ve seen bears at all hours of the day so bear spray would not be a bad call if you are fishing Little Prickly Pear or looking for chokecherries.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 14th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: bears, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

August 12th

Longest U.S. Rivers

On August 12, 1805, Captain Meriwether Lewis of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition climbed a ridge near the Continental Divide and “the most distant fountain of the waters of the Mighty Missouri, in search of which we have spent so many toilsome days and restless nights.” The expedition had spent weeks trekking to the headwaters of the Missouri, one of the world’s great rivers.

The United States is blessed with more than 250,000 rivers and streams—3.5 million miles of rivers in all—including a dozen exceeding 1,000 miles in length.

Length                                                    Origin                                                                     Mouth
Missouri River 2,540 miles               Montana                                                Mississippi Rive (near St. Louis)
Mississippi River 2,340 miles          Minnesota                                                      Gulf of Mexico
Yukon River 1,980 miles                   British Columbia                                               Bering Sea
Rio Grande 1,900 miles                      Colorado                                                       Gulf of Mexico
St. Lawrence River 1,900 miles       Lake Ontario                                           Gulf od St. Lawrence
Arkansas River 1,460 miles                 Colorado                                             Mississippi River (in Arkansas)
Colorado River 1,450 miles                 Colorado                                                   Gulf of California
Ohio River 1,310 miles                   Pennsylvania                                          Mississippi River (at Cairo, Illinois)
Red River 1,290 miles                         Texas                                                         Atchafalaya River (in Louisiana)
Brazos River 1,280 miles                    Texas                                                                 Gulf of Mexico
Columbia River 1,240 miles           British Columbia                                    Pacific Ocean (at Astoria, Oregon)
Snake River 1,040 miles                Yellowstone Nat. Park                             Columbia River (in Washington)

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 12th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off

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