Jason Orzechowski, Author at Wolf Creek Angler

Thinking Steel

Days Away from Pere Marquette Steelhead!

Michigan bound at the end of the week and starting to think about Great Lakes Steelhead. It’s been a few years since I’ve had the opportunity and I can’t wait to step back into the home waters of the Pere Marquette and give it a go. It’s been long enough that the chrome seems a little exotic and I’m not sure I remember exactly how to set up a steelhead rig but I’m sure it will all come back to me once I’m there.
This week will be spent splitting time between digging out and assembling old gear to prepare for the journey and tending to spring projects in the shop. We’ve got all kinds of cool new gear arriving daily so we’re in the process of rearranging things in the shop and Fred has been busy tending to projects around the property which aren’t as fun and exciting as new gear but which are equally as if not more important to making your stay with us this season a great one.
Join us tonight at the Blackfoot River Brewing Company in Helena for Community Pint Night where $1.00 of every glass of beer sold will go to benefit the Pat Barnes Missouri River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. I can’t think of a better way to raise money or a better way to contribute to a great cause. And speaking of Pat Barnes TU – the 34th Annual Banquet will be held on Saturday April 25th at 6 PM at The Gateway Center in Helena. Stop by Wolf Creek Angler and purchase your banquet tickets ($40 single, $75 couple) and while your at it purchase a raffle ticket or two for a 14′ NRS Otter Raft Package. Raffle tickets are $25.
If we get a spare minute this week we’ll be on the Missouri hopefully throwing streamers under cloudy skies with a chance for rain today and tomorrow and partly cloudy skies Wednesday and Thursday with temps in the 50’s and low 60’s. The weekend looks like beach weather with sunny skies and highs in the low 70’s – perfect weather for driving back to cold weather, steelhead weather, in Michigan.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 23rd, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Blackfoot River Brewing Company, Pat Barnes Missouri River Trout Unlimited, Pere Marquette River, running line, Steelhead, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

The Week Ahead

Closing out the weekend with sunny skies and low 60’s today. Traffic on the river was moderate yesterday and, as has been the case lately, reports have been a mixed bag but it sounds like those in the know have been doing well both on top and sub surface while those working on getting it figured out are experiencing some challenging days.
Stop by the shop and we’d be happy to help you get your game dialed in. We’ll get you set up with the right bugs and help you out with rigging and give you some ideas on where to go. Sometimes this is all it takes but if you really want to get it figured out the best way to do it is to hire a WCA guide for a day.
New to the MO? Let us show you what this amazing river has to offer. We’ll spend time showing you our preferred techniques for nymphing and dry fly fishing and streamer fishing as well if that’s of interest to you. Want to work on your casting and mending? We can help. Presentation is EVERYTHING on the Missouri. Whether fishing tiny dries or nymphing, presentation is critical. Drag free drifts are a must so if you’re willing to put in the time we will teach you everything you need to know to make it happen.
Some aren’t overly concerned about technique and just want to catch a bunch of fish – we can certainly work towards that goal as well. Some are dialed in but just need someone to row them down the river. We will tailor your trip to whatever you desire – regardless of your skill level. And the best part? Now through the end of April you can do it for just $300 for a full day – a fraction of the cost of our regular season rates.
Give us a call today and book your spring special guide trip along with discounted lodging through the end of April- you can’t afford to pass this up.

The week ahead looks good weather wise with 50’s and a good chance of rain on Monday and cloudy skies Tuesday. Sunny and warmer towards the end of the week – back near 70 on Friday. Lodging will be busy from here on out so it’s definitely a good idea to book early rather than waiting until the last minute.
Hot sellers this weekend? Pink Lightning bugs, pink FB soft hackle sows, tungsten Tailwater Sows, FB Rainbow Weight Flies, Rainbow Warriors, buzzballs, griffiths gnats, hi-vis midges, Olive/Copper Polar Leeches, Gold/Brown Kreelex, Dark Peep Shows, black zebra midges, Rainbow Payczechs, Sparkle Minnows and Hi Vis Parachute Adams – not necessarily in that order.
Stop by the shop on your way to the river for any and all of the above.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 22nd, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off

Missouri River Weekend Fishing Report

The first weekend of spring has brought us some gorgeous spring weather, full lodging, a busy fly shop and by most reports some fair fishing.
Our first Spring Special guide trips of the season will be out today and it looks like it will be a great day for fishing with mostly cloudy skies and a chance for some rain this afternoon. Could be a perfect streamer day if that’s your game, the fish-friendly cloud cover should provide some action for the head hunters and nymphing should be improving daily with the warmer water. Good prospects no matter what your game.
Sunny skies return tomorrow but it looks like it’s going to be another nice day to fish with highs near 60 and WSW wind around 9 mph. Plenty of lodging opening up tomorrow night if you’re lucky enough to be able to come out and fish with us early to mid week.
Ridiculously reasonable room rates, $300 full day guide trips and great spring weather – what more could you ask for?
How about RO drift boat rentals, shuttles, Extreme Fishing Gear from KAST, lots of books to teach you how to fish the Missouri, Fishpond Nomad nets, RIO leaders, tippet and InTouch Fly Lines, Strike Foundry indicators, all kinds of accessories and the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana? We’ve got all that too!
See you at Wolf Creek Angler – Outfitter owned and operated and feeling insanely privlidged to be your full service Missouri River fly shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 21st, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, RO Drift Boats, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Welcome Spring!

Springtime on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Happy Vernal Equinox – the first day of spring and the first day of WCA’s $300 Spring Special Missouri River Guide Trips. Now through April 30th $300 gets you a full day of guided fishing on the world-famous Missouri River for up to two anglers with one of our expert guides. Trip includes lunch, snacks, refreshments, transportation to and from the river and all of the flies and any equipment you may need. Don’t miss this opportunity to fish the Missouri at a fraction of the cost of regular season rates.
As if this weren’t reason enough to get you here…our winter lodging rates run through the end of April so along with your $300 full day guide trip you can book a cabin or bungalow for $99/night + tax. All of our bungalows and Cabins #1 and #2 sleep three very comfortably and are equipped with full kitchens and full baths. Cabin #3 has a double and a single bed, private bath, mini fridge, coffee pot and microwave and can be yours for the winter rate of $69/night + tax.
April dates are filling quickly but there’s plenty of good fishing to be had right now and the weather has been great so don’t hesitate to join us ASAP.
Don’t forget tonight is Hank Patterson’s Reel Montana Adventure at 7 PM at the Grandstreet Theatre in Helena hosted by Hank himself.
Join Wolf Creek Angler, CrossCurrents Fly Shop and Pat Barnes Missouri River Trout Unlimited for a Pre-screening Party featuring Hank Patterson (in Person!). Food and drink will be available for sale with all proceeds to benefit Pat Barnes TU.

Raffle tickets to Win Breakfast for 2 with Hank Patterson at Steve’s Cafe on 3/21 and an Orvis Encounter Rod package will be available for sale. The 2015 Pat Barnes TU Raft Package will be on display.
See you there!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Db6moaCuk8

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 20th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, Hank Patterson, Helena, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Fishing Report and weekend forecast 3/19/15

Reports are that things are still hit or miss out there this week but there are plenty of fish being caught and with that water temp creeping ever upwards it’s just a matter of time before things really turn on. We’ve heard more consistent reports from the water below Craig but you should be able to find fish everywhere with some work. It sounds like streamer fishing has been decent but still a painfully SLOW retrieve. We can’t wait to start stripping and twitching again and it won’t be long now. Stop in and let us get you set up for streamer fishing on the Missouri. Whether it’s advice on streamers or sinking lines or techniques you need or perhaps a complete rig we’re happy to help.

We’ve got a bin full of proven patterns and we will tell you everything you need to know to make them work for you. We are streamer addicts from WAY back and while we don’t spend as much time throwing streamers on the MO we’ve spent countless days and rowed hundreds of miles of water in our past lives throwing and stripping and swinging the Big Ugly Bugs. While our methods may be a little different than what is typically done here on the Missouri they have proven to be just as effective here as on the Pere Marquette, the Manistee, the Ausable, the Snake, the Yellowstone, the Limay, the Manso and many more.

Nymphing continues to be decent with fish still holding in the predictable spots and eating the predictable bugs. Winter fare is still on the menu ( pink stuff, firebeads, soft hackle sows etc) but don’t be afraid to experiment with some of the springtime stuff. Again – it could blow up any day now with the warming water.

The browns are definitely making their presence known with the rainbows beginning to move out as they heed nature’s call. Please be mindful of the redds and watch where you wade out there.

An abundance of midges on the water daily and fish up on them when the conditions are right. Cloud cover is definitely the ticket for top water success.

Blue skies and sunshine today will give way to considerable clouds early tomorrow and a high near 70 with SW wind at 5-10. Mostly cloudy Saturday with a high of 64 and SSW winds at 10-20 mph. It’s a great weekend to fish the Missouri. We’ve got limited lodging available for the weekend and it looks like it’s going to fill up so don’t wait too long to book those rooms. Make Wolf Creek Angler your one stop on the way to the Missouri for shuttles, bugs, boats, lodging, guide trips, cold weather gear, warm weather gear and much, much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 19th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, Missouri River, nymphs, running line, Streamer Fishing, streamers, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

WCA welcomes KAST

We are proud to announce the arrival of Kast Gear to Wolf Creek Angler. We are thrilled to be THE ONLY Full Line dealer for Kast Gear on the Missouri River and we’re loving all of the products we’ve gotten in so far…and we think you will too.
Kast made a splash in 2012 with their fully waterproof Steelhead Gloves which are widely regarded as the best fishing gloves on the market. We’ve always been fans of these gloves so when we started to explore options about what product lines to carry at Wolf Creek Angler -Kast Gear seemed the perfect fit and it’s not just great gloves they make.
From outerwear to layering to sportswear and accessories, Kast has a full line of fishing specific gear we believe is built for our year-round fishery here on the Missouri.

From the Kast web site http://kastgear.com/
Kast Gear was conceived on the banks of the Salmon River in central Idaho, while steelhead fishing in a snow storm. Our passion for fishing and the outdoors has driven us to create superior products using state of the art textiles and technology. Our goal is to build the best gear possible, tailored for the harshest environments. Guide tested on countless rivers, in the most extreme weather, our gear is designed to keep you warm and comfortable.

Stop in and check out all of the great gear from Kast. From Steelhead gloves to Hell Razor jackets to technical and highly functional guide wear, we think you’ll agree that Kast is a perfect choice for the Missouri River.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 18th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off

Happy St Patrick’s Day from WCA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VKouBHarIo

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 17th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Comments Off

Canyon Fishing Report 3/17/15 – guest blog from WCA Guide Jim Murray

Luck of the Rubber Legs happening NOW in the canyon.

As we stated yesterday, Spring fishing has been a little inconsistent so far. Some good days, some REALLY good days, and quite honestly, some days that have been a little, well, on the slow side. With the majority of our Spring fishing taking place between the Dam and Spite Hill, we decided to head down into the Canyon and try some different water. While the high winds definitely made fishing a challenge,(and caused us to call an audible on our shuttle) we were greeted with some pretty good fishing. The fish were where you would expect to find them. Slow, deep runs. We didn’t have much luck fishing the hard banks, but when we would find the softer water, we would pick up a fish or two or three. The fish were definitely in an eating mood, and we caught fish on our usual winter/spring time patterns, as well as some larger bugs too. Don’t be afraid to experiment down in the Canyon. You just may be rewarded!

We also threw some streamers, and while we had some chases and tugs and a couple of fish brought to the boat, it was much slower than the nymph fishing. Again, not much love on the hard banks, with the softer water being the key. Notice a pattern?

While the majority of people fishing this time of year concentrate above Craig, don’t be afraid to try a different float down low. You might like what you find. All in all, it’s shaping up to be a great Spring, and this river feels like It’s about to really catch fire. With the water temperatures approaching 40, it’s Game On on the Mo. Along with that is the reminder that the rainbows are starting to spawn. Keep this in mind as you head out to fish this Spring, and be aware of where you are fishing.

Remember, $300 Spring Special Guide Trips start on Friday the 20^th and WCA has everything you need to make your day on the Missouri a great one: lodging, shuttles, bugs, boat rentals, advice, and the best cup of coffee in Wolf Creek. Stop in and say hi on your way to the river. We’d love to meet you!

WCA Guide Extraordinaire Jim Murray with a canyon beauty. Book your trip with Jim or any one of our expert guides today.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 17th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Mid-March Fishing Report

The first half of March has been a little tough around here. A couple of good days but hit and miss for the most part. The weather has been awesome but as winter comes to a close we’re happy to see some precip in the cards today and through the first half of the week. It could be really good out there the next couple of days with clouds and snow and light winds and temps in the 40’s.
Water temps are creeping upwards towards 40, we’re thinking streamers but we’re also thinking that the nymphing may turn on and it’s a safe bet there will be fish up on the midges under cloudy skies. This could be the week it turns on and the timing couldn’t be better with our $300 spring special guide trips commencing on Friday – the first day of Spring!
As of yesterday we’ve doubled our lodging capacity and rooms are filling quickly. In addition to the bungalows, we now have Cabins 1 and 2 available, each with its own full kitchen and bath for $99 and we’ve also got Cabin #3 back on the roster at the ridiculously reasonable rate of $69. No kitchen in #3 but two beds, a private bathroom, fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Get it while you can!
Make WCA your destination this week. We’ve got everything you need. Rooms, boats, shuttles, cold weather gear, warm weather gear, cool River Steel tools from Montana Fly Co, all kinds of indicators including Strike Foundry’s Lil’ Nuggets, Loon Aquel, Flyagra, leaders and tippet from RIO and Trout Hunter, a bunch of awesome clearance items and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Outfitter Owned and Operated and open EVERY DAY from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
See you in the shop and on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 16th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, RIO, running line, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Dub C A Soiree

Not the Dub C A Soiree

Save the Date! Join us at Wolf Creek Angler on Saturday, May 23rd for the Inaugural WCA Missouri River Soiree as we celebrate the start of another awesome season on the world-famous Missouri River.
Not having done an official “Grand Opening” last season we would love to take this opportunity to introduce you to our shop with a celebration that we intend to make an annual event. Super Sales in the shop all day and a barbecue in the evening with live music from Helena’s Sleeping Giants. You don’t want to miss this one.
By that time the shop will be fully loaded with all kinds of cool new gear, much of which is new to WCA for 2015. Kast Extreme Fishing Gear, Smith Optics, Nautilus Reels…all new at WCA this season.
Lodging and guides are available but the dates will fill quickly so book yours today. As we welcome summer what could be better than a great day on the water with one of our expert guides followed by free food and music and fun and great deals on merchandise at WCA?
We hope to see you there!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 15th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Dub C A Soiree, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

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