It’s hard to believe but half of November has passed meaning the holiday season is essentially upon us.

Thanksgiving is two weeks from today and after that the holiday blur commences.

We’ve yet to really see much in the way of winter weather though we did get our first snow of the season on Election Day. It didn’t last long. The weather has been about what you’d expect for this time of year with cold mornings and daily highs in the 40’s and occasional 50’s.

Dark days are now upon us at Wolf Creek Angler where we’ll be missing the sun until mid to late March and while the lack of sunshine at the shop makes it always feel like it’s time to head home for the day, conditions on the river have more days than not been idyllic by autumn standards with blue skies and plenty of sun.

Traffic is, for all intents and purposes, non-existent. Sure, there are a few folks around, a couple of boats here and there, but there is no shortage of solitude here on the MO and it’ll likely be this way for the next several months, save a busy weekend here and there.

We’ve shifted to winter hours in the shop and have closed and winterized most of our lodging though we will have our bungalows available all winter long for just $149/night plus tax (No Pets Please).

Published shop hours are 8 AM – 4 (ish) Tuesday – Saturday. Shuttles are currently hit and miss as I just don’t have anyone to help at the moment but we will offer them throughout the winter months whenever possible.

Things being what they are, the late autumn season has become one of my favorite times to wander and this year has been no different.

We’ve spent some time wandering Glacier country and I just returned from a quick jaunt to the home waters. I’ve not missed a Griz home game this season and while it’s been a little disappointing as far as the outcomes have gone, I wouldn’t miss those games for the world, win or lose. Saturdays in Missoula are definitely top of the Happy Place list for me. One more regular season game in Missoula this Saturday and then Cat/Griz Brawl of the Wild in Bozeman on the 23rd. What a great time of year if you’re a football fan.

And speaking of football….DETROIT LIONS! What else can I say? Sundays have brought much joy these past couple of seasons and it feels like it’s for real.

If you’re not spending your days watching football or chasing elk the fishing has been plenty good and should continue to be a great way to spend a day for as long as the weather holds. Tomorrow looks like it could be a great BWO day with a chance for rain and snow, cloudy skies and relatively calm winds. Saturday and Sunday look to be on the breezy side but aside from that things look pretty good with temps in the 40’s and 50’s respectively.

Status quo on flies with sow bugs continuing to overproduce. Throw in a Little Green Machine or other baetis nymph for good measure but for my money I’m running double sows. Actually, I’m only throwing streamers this time of year but if I were nymphing I’d be going double sow. Keep your dry fly rig at the ready and if you’re wading please watch those active redds.