Fishing Report Archives - Page 2 of 41

Spring is Here!

Spring arrived yesterday without a whole lot of fanfare following what has been a very spring-like string of days with an abundance of sunshine and temps pushing 70 degrees daily since the weekend. The river certainly looked spring-like, particularly on Saturday with a parade of drift boats populating the river, particularly in the Dam to Craig stretch. And speaking of parades, Wolf Creek celebrated St Patrick’s Day with the 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday afternoon. The blue skies and warm temps brought out what appeared to be the best crowd yet for the event.

So now that spring has officially arrived, as if on cue, winter weather is on the way.

We’ll trade idyllic sunny spring days and gentle breezes for snow and cold this weekend. Status quo today with temps approaching 70 yet again but transition day is tomorrow with rain and snow throughout the day. Temps will still be in the high 50’s so tomorrow might actually the better fishing day with the absence of sunshine. Streamers anyone?

Things deteriorate on Friday with snow and a high of 40 and continue that trend on Saturday with significant snow and a high of only 32. Throw in a north wind of 6-10 mph with 20 mph gusts and possible accumulation of 1-3 inches of snow and this might be one to skip….then again maybe not. Fishing could be stellar with the absence of sun and the absence of anglers. More of the same on Sunday and things start to warm early next week to more seasonable norms with daily highs in the mid to high 40s through the end of next week.

Should you decide you want to brave winter’s return lodging is now 2/3rds open with only the motel rooms remaining to be opened. That will likely happen the first week of April or thereabouts. Give us a call and book a room, a guide, a shuttle, a drift boat rental….whatever you need, we’ve got it. Winter rates on lodging will remain in effect through the end of March. All rooms are priced at $149 (plus tax) for the winter with the exception of Cabin #3 which is the only thing we’ve got open that does NOT have a kitchen. The rate on Cabin 3 through the end of March is $99. Dogs are welcome in the cabins, NOT the bungalows.

Spring stock has been arriving daily. We’re restocking fly bins today. Hot nymphs have been Pill Poppers, Caviar Scuds, Tailwater Sows, Tungsten UV Sows, Pederson’s Sow, Fire bead Czechs, Zebra Midges, Fire bead Rays and the like. We’ve been running low on a few of these, all are being restocked today. We’ve also been running low on a few midge patterns for the dry fly guys…not to worry, we’re restocking those as well.

Streamer season is definitely underway and we’re busy rearranging the bins this week making room for all kinds of new bugs. Our streamer selection has always been the best on the MO and it’s only getting better. Everyone talks a good streamer game, we live it!

New lines and new bugs currently in the house. Soft goods and rods and reels and more inbound soon. Don’t miss our extensive lineup of WCA drinkware from YETI including our limited editions 10th Anniversary ramblers in 20 and 30 OZ sizes in hot new YETI colors King Crab Orange and Agave Teal. These cups feature out original logo from 2014 coupled with our new 10th Anniversary logo. Very limited run on these AND they’ve thus far been a pretty popular item on our online store so get one before they’re gone.

Don’t forget, Wolf Creek Angler is the home of the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO! We’ve been ramping up and had a busy weekend shuttling though I couldn’t help but notice a fair number of rigs at the dam we weren’t shuttling. It was surprising to me but the only conclusion I can draw from this is that people don’t mind paying more for a shuttle. For those who do mind however, and are looking to save a buck and some time by not having to drive to Craig and back up to the dam, we’ve got you covered.

Our March shop schedule is Monday – Saturday, 8 AM – 4 PM and you can bet that if traffic warrants it we’ll be open on Sundays as well. Starting April 7th we are OPEN EVERY DAY.
Welcome to Spring Time on the Missouri. We can’t wait to see you.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-03-20T12:38:51-06:00March 20th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, running line, spring, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yeti, zebra midges|0 Comments

Spring is on the way – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The first day of spring is two weeks from today and it looks as though the weather will be trending accordingly.

March came in maybe not quite like a lion, but a bit on the wintery side nonetheless with snow showers and winds out of the north. The weekend snow is still hanging around but it looks like that could change soon with high temps bumping upward throughout the week, breaking into the 50’s for the weekend and nearing 60 on Monday. Friday looks like it could be on the breezy side but other than that it appears as though awesome spring weather is on the way.

We’re holding out hope for more winter weather over the next month or so, at least in the high country, as regionally, we’re still in desperate need of precipitation.

For the moment however we’re in good shape with Missouri River flows holding around 3750 CFS, having dropped on March 1st from the 4000 CFS mark. Water temps are holding just shy of 35 and generally hitting that mark at some point daily.

Look for those water temps to start to climb as we settle in to 50 plus degree highs in the coming days and weeks. And you know what that means…warming waters equals active, hungry and hot fish as spring arrives. It also means spawning rainbows so PLEASE, PLEASE watch where you walk when wade fishing taking care not to trample those redds. There all already a number of them out there so cautious wading starts now.

We’ve been getting a good number of calls from folks asking whether the spawn is on and we can only hope that intentions are to experience what can be excellent fishing DURING the spawn rather than the targeting of spawning fish. You can read all about it here in a great article on the subject from Hatch Magazine, but the bottom line is we urge everyone to avoid those spawning fish as the spawning fish are the future of the fishery. Please leave the spawning fish alone.

I have no judgments about fishing egg patterns behind spawning fish. This is simply offering the appropriate imitation as you are doing anytime you “match the hatch” but if you’re targeting fish on redds by flossing them you might take a minute to reconsider not only the ethics or lack thereof involved but also the bottom line fact that harassing these spawning fish has a substantial negative impact on the future of the fishery.

That’s my soap box for the day and while spawning is somewhat underway, things are technically in the Pre Spawn stage. Water temps in the 39 – 41 degree range typically usher in the full blown spawn. The warming water temps have moved the fish to action and they are hungry as they emerge from their winter stasis.

It’s why spring is such an amazing time to fish the Missouri as our thousands of rainbows feed with abandon, banking calories required for the upcoming spawn while the browns look to replenish caloric stockpiles depleted by winter’s trials.

Nymphing is about to get HOT. Dry fly fishing has already been solid and will steadily improve as midge activity becomes more consistent eventually paving the way for spring BWO’s but I’m getting ahead of myself. If you know me at all, you know what’s on my mind when it comes to spring fishing and that’s STREAMERS! As water temps warm our hungry browns get more aggressive and more willing to chase down a meaty streamer. A calorie-rich target becomes almost irresistible as the browns look to pack on the mass.

A slow strip and/or swing will continue to be the game with water temps still in the mid 30’s and the deeper slower water will continue to produce but keep an eye on those water temps and change your game accordingly. A sunny day, even if it’s only in the high 30’s or 40’s, will warm those shallows and attract the fish which are all on the hunt for warmer water.

If the sun is on the water fish those faster flats with both streamers and nymphs and if it’s streamers you’ll want to pick up the pace on that retrieve with plenty of pauses in between strips as more often than not they’ll attack on the pause.

Stop by the shop on your way to the river for hot nymphs, a plethora of midge patterns and the best streamer selection on the MO. New bugs arriving daily and we’re stocked up on new fly lines for any and all applications.

The new license year is underway as of last Friday so be sure to purchase your new fishing license which we can help you with if need be. Shuttle service is still a bit hit or miss with winter staffing in effect but that’s all about to change and soon won’t be an issue. Men’s and women’s Simms waders and boots are fully stocked and you need look no further than Wolf Creek Angler for a top shelf rod and reel selection from Sage, Lamson, Echo and more.

We’ll be looking to make more lodging available in the coming weeks but for the time being we’ve got our newly remodeled bungalows available at winter rates of $149/night and we’ve also got The Quarry House available for those looking for something to accommodate a larger group. The Quarry House is $400/night and sleeps 6.

And don’t forget, throughout the month of March we’re running our Spring Tune-Up special…a full day of guided fishing on the MO for one or two anglers and two nights of premium lodging at Wolf Creek Angler for just $800.

Shop schedule will switch to spring hours soon but at the moment we’re open Monday – Saturday at 8 AM.

See you soon for EPIC spring fishing on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-03-05T12:12:37-07:00March 5th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, running line, simms, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

February Delivers Winter to the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

February continues to deliver some much needed winter weather.

The snow is piling up in the high country but we’ve still got a long ways to go. Snowpack is improving slowly but surely and while I’m tempted to curse the weather while I’m digging out my driveway in the pre-dawn hours, so far I’ve resisted that urge and powered through it, thankful we are getting exactly what we need.

This latest round of precipitation is being accompanied by a blast of cold arctic air which has us in the teens today with single digits on tap overnight. Friday will see an end to the snow but continued cold with a high of 20 and overnight low near 5 degrees. Things start to warm up on Saturday with a high near 37 and Sunday we’re back up near 40’s and bumping up against 50 again on Monday.

Friday fishing will be on the chilly side but the holiday weekend and into next week could be exceptional with those daytime temps in the low 40’s and an abundance of sunshine making for some ideal February conditions on the MO.

Expect plenty of top water action with winter midge madness underway. Pair a #18 Bucky’s Midge Cluster with a #18 or #20 Black Midge and feed those steady risers.

The nymphing action should be good as well with no real changes on the bug front. Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Amex, Weight Flies paired with Tailwater Sows, Soft hackle sows, Zebra midges, Pederson’s Sow, Radiation Baetis, Pink Lighting bugs or really any other of your go to winter offerings.

Target the slow, deep winter water and run as close to the bottom as practical but don’t get stuck on that. Especially on the sunny days when the sun is warming the water up a tick or two, don’t be afraid to target the moderately faster runs. Shorten up your rig accordingly and see what happens. You might be surprised.

Streamer action should be good as well, primarily working the slower tail outs and deep, slow buckets with a combination swing and super slow and long strip. But again, don’t get stuck on that. Bomb the banks, switch up your bugs, switch up your retrieve. You might find an aggressive retrieve off the bank to be effective, it all depends on the day.

The established winter techniques are a great starting point but the fish don’t always follow the script. Break those winter rules and see what happens.

The shop will be closed for the weekend as we make the trek up to Calgary for a long overdue return to a Wings/Flames game on Saturday but we do have lodging available for the holiday weekend and beyond.

We’ll be back in the shop on Monday for the big President’s Day rush which could well end up with getting out on the water ourselves for an afternoon outing.

Let’s hope the snow continues to pile up throughout the second half of February. Spring is just 33 days away and will be here before we know it.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-02-15T12:43:25-07:00February 15th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, nymphs, pill popper, running line, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Welcome February

January is now in the rearview and ended up being a wild ride weather-wise with everything from snow and 40 below to sunshine and 60 degrees all within the span of a couple of weeks. That’s a swing of 100 degrees or more!

The current spring-like conditions have ushered in a substantial increase in angling traffic with the winter regulars being joined by folks coming in from all around the state to enjoy this winter thaw.

We’ve enjoyed the bump in lodging and shop business and we’ve even picked up a couple of guide trips this week which are our first of 2024.

It looks like we’ve got a couple of more days of ridiculously mild weather today and tomorrow before a return to somewhat normal conditions this weekend. Highs near 60 today and tomorrow. A bit on the breezy side today with gusts to 30 mph but tomorrow looks idyllic with cloudy skies, a high of 60 and winds west southwest 5 – 9 mph.

Saturday brings temps in the high 30’s with rain and snow and Sunday looks wintery with snow showers, a high of 35 and north northwest winds and next week looks like normal February weather with temps in the 20’s and 30’s and a chance for snow here and there. No major precipitation events in the forecast at this point but the more seasonable temps are a good start.

We do have lodging available if you want to get out and enjoy these last couple of nice days and we could probably even find another guide or two willing to get the boat wet if you want to leave all the work up to us.

We’ve heard solid nymphing reports all week long with the Holter to Craig stretch being your best bet and there are dry fly opportunities on any given day if you can find a shelter from the wind.

We haven’t heard much from the streamer set but there’s no reason a swing or a slow strip wouldn’t be productive with the current water conditions.

Flows are holding steady in the 4400 CFS range with water temps just shy of 34 degrees. Calm days will provide an abundance of midge action on top, otherwise most are playing the bobber game with pink definitely in play. Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Cotton Candy, Pederson’s Sow, Rainbow Czechs, Caviar Scuds, Lucent Bead UV Sow all fine choices. Pair with a tailwater sow in rainbow or pink, a zebra midge, a pink lucent bead ray, a pink lighting bug, a soft hackle sow or similar. Add a bb and start with a 7’ – 9’ overall length with 5 ish feet from indicator to split. Water temps are trending upwards but it’s cold enough that most of the fish will be found in the slowest, deepest water you can find. Start deep and adjust accordingly, staying off the bottom but running as close to it as possible. Adjust upwards in small increments until you find where they’re at.

Keep that midge rig at the ready in hopes of dry fly opportunities and if streamers are your game swing those tailouts with a smallish leech pattern, kreelex or polar minnow or hit the depths with a sinking line and a super slow retrieve with plenty of pauses.

Start your day with a stop at WCA for shuttles, bugs and so much more. We are your quintessential, locally owned and operated mom and pop shop on the MO. FLY SHOP SMALL with Wolf Creek Angler!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-02-01T11:42:01-07:00February 1st, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, fly shop small, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

January Thaw

Spring-like conditions have taken hold this week with temperatures in the 40’s through the weekend, climbing into the 50’s and near 60 by mid-week next week. And yes, it’s a nice switch from the 30 below we saw last week but there is certainly cause for concern as we approach the end of January with regional snowpack at record lows.

Birds are singing, the sun is shining, the snow is melting, the fish are feasting…feels much more like March than January but these things are beyond our control so I guess the best thing to do is embrace it.

Traffic has increased this week and by increased I mean that we actually had a customer or two through the doors this week and even ended up running a few shuttles. A welcome change for sure!

Conditions on the water really couldn’t be better so if you’re looking for a quick Missouri River trout fix you’d do well to make your way out here in the next week or so and cure that cabin fever.

We’ve got our newly remodeled bungalows available for rent at the special winter rate of $149/night (plus tax) and I’d bet with that feel of spring in the air we could very likely find you a guide willing to spend a day on the water doing all of the work while leaving it up to you to catch all of the fish.

Predictably, nymphing has been the go-to as of late but winter midges are providing ample dry fly opportunities as well. Cover a short section of river on a relatively calm day and you will undoubtedly find plenty of opportunities to hone those dry fly skills. And one of the nice thing about dry fly fishing in the winter is that it’s not all that hard to fool them. Having had months of relief from the barrage of dry flies they tend to be much less wary and much more forgiving of a less-than-perfect presentation.

Black midges, midge clusters, Griffith’s gnats or a small (#18 or #20) parachute Adams should do the trick.

Best bets for nymphs are all of the broken record variety….pink anything and a sowbug! Pill Poppers, Pederson’s Sow, Bubble Yum Scud, Rainbow Czech, Amex, Naughty Bunny, Pink Weight Fly, Caviar Scud and the like trailed with a tailwater sow, pink lighting bug, pink radiation baetis, soft hackle sow, lucent bead Ray, zebra midge, rainbow warrior or a standard PT should get it done.

Following the deep freeze we’ve still not really heard any streamer reports but with the water temps back on the rise there’s no reason not to be doing the swing thing or even a measured strip/swing from the boat. Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex, Polar Leeches, Skittish Smolt, Thin Mints, Pine Squirrel Leeches, Balanced Leeches, Buggers…all good options.

As of early this week the lower river remains locked up with ice so you’ll likely want to concentrate your efforts between Holter Dam and Craig. The upper river ramps are usable and shelf ice, while a factor, is rapidly disappearing. As we mentioned last week, the dam is weeping large chunks of ice regularly so BE AWARE when you are wade fishing. One of these chunks could definitely cause you issues if you happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In fishing, as in life, situational awareness is KEY. Have it! Heed it!

This ice chunk doesn’t look like much from afar but up close and personal it could and would cause the wading angler problems

We’re open at 8 AM Tuesday – Saturday and offering shuttles when we can. Bug bins are fully stocked and we’ve got plenty of hand warmers, gloves, hats, socks, waders, boots and whatever else you might need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-01-25T14:46:45-07:00January 25th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, situational awareness, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Winter Solstice

The first day of winter has arrived though you certainly wouldn’t know it judging by the weather.

Regardless, today is the shortest day of the year and tomorrow marks the start of the slow, but steady ascent out of darkness.

Daylight will begin to stretch which means we are on our way to summer and it won’t be long before sunlight again creeps across our parking lot and eventually returns to illuminate the shop in a warm, spring glow.

Of course the coldest days still lie ahead and we’re hoping and praying for the snow to fly but in the meantime we’re enjoying 50 degree December days and wrapping up 2023 by hitting the water.

It doesn’t feel much like Christmas without a trace of snow on the ground but alas, we are four days out which means there is but 10 days left in 2023. The time seems to pass more quickly every year, a symptom of aging no doubt, but on the bright side, those warm spring and summer days will be here before you know it.

Here’s wishing you all a Happy Winter Solstice from Wolf Creek Angler. We are here today for anyone lucky enough to be spending this Solstice on the MO and we will return on Saturday. The shop will be closed tomorrow (Friday, December 22nd) for our Annual WCA/Iron Fly Christmas Float and per usual we will be closed on Sunday and Christmas Day and will be back in the shop on Tuesday.

It looks like we’ll see cooler temps and some rain and snow on Saturday with mild weather on tap throughout next week.

Nymphing and Streamer Fishing have been excellent (by December standards) and you may even find a fish or two willing to hit a dry fly if you’re in the right place at the right time. Sow bug game for the nymphers with Tailwater Sows, Pill Poppers, Pederson’s Sow and the like topping the list. The usual suspects for streamers with Olive, Tan, Yellow and White all having their moments. Swinging and Stripping have both been effective and we’re finding willing players in the slow depths as well as the fast water flats.

Good action to be had everywhere though the Holter Dam to Craig stretch seems to be attracting most of the traffic as is generally the case during the winter months. Daylight is certainly a limiting factor but there’s no reason to start early as that 11 AM – 2 PM window has been the most productive by far.

We recommend shorter floats this time of year with 5 ish miles being ideal for the amount of daylight available if you’re going to start your float in that 10 AM – 11 AM time slot.

We just restocked those sparse Tailwater Sow bins so we’ve got you covered on the Sow Bug front as well as having the best streamer selection on the river. WCA Gift Cards make excellent stocking stuffers so you can load up on those as well when you stop in for bugs and the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-12-21T09:53:03-07:00December 21st, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, Christmas, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter solstice, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

MOvember is upon us

Mild weather on tap for the weekend and through late next week with temps in the low to mid 50’s tomorrow and Saturday and bumping up against 60 and beyond for most of next week.

Is this the calm before the storm? It doesn’t really appear to be as there isn’t really any major cold fronts or big precipitation events in the forecast at the moment but it’s coming sooner or later so get out there and enjoy it while it lasts.

An idyllic day today. Calm winds and 50 degrees with ample sunshine. It doesn’t get much better in November.

That being said, we’ve not seen much in the way of BWO’s this fall which has the dry fly set pouting but there are being fish caught on dry flies. You just need to know the when and where and how.

Stop by the shop and we’ll get you dialed.

Nymphers are happy with plenty of action on the early winter fare. Sow Bugs, Zebras, BWO nymphs, Czechs and the like. Pink is starting to get noticed as are hot bead varieties of all your favorites.

Streamer fishing is still in its prime with swingers and strippers both reporting plenty of success. Thin Mints, buggers, balanced leeches and polar leeches have been good on the swing. Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolt, Dirty Hippies and Baby Gongas have all had their moments as well with white seeming to have been the go to color for the most part this week. Might we recommend a Pearl Sparkle Minnow, a grey or brown and yellow swim coach or a white Colonel Kurtz?

Our limited lodging has been filling up with this mild weather and I’d expect that will continue with hunters and anglers vying for the coveted Wolf Creek Angler bungalows.

Winter shop hours are 8 AM – 4 PM Tuesday – Saturday and we’re doing our best to accommodate your shuttle requests and even getting some last minute guide trips out the door.

Winter means fewer hours of daylight and an abbreviated shop schedule but we’ll always do our best to take care of all of your Missouri River winter fly fishing needs. Affordable lodging, the best guides on the water, the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO and the biggest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.
Fish ON

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-11-09T15:40:02-07:00November 9th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Autumn Magic on the Missouri

A week ago you could barely detect a pulse here on the Missouri but the life force has returned this week as we approach mid-September. I think it’s safe to say that our fall fishing season is in full swing with a major influx of angling traffic underway.

Holter Dam to Craig still holds the majority of the traffic, so much so that you may even find yourself having to endure some short waits at the boat ramp depending on your start time. Cool temps in the morning have most folks opting for later starts which is making for busy boat ramps in the 9 -10 AM window. You can avoid the crowds by layering up and getting an early start, doing the late shift, or choosing a lower stretch of river.

The fall fishing season is a relatively short one and is very much weather dependent as we move towards October. Our lodging and guide books are full for September but at this point there’s not much going on in October. It could be that a month from now we’re still cranking or it could be that the traffic has again disappeared leaving an abundance of empty water to those who love the late fall season regardless of the weather. That’s when the swing season gets underway and we usually see the major fall BWO activity (if any) happen in October and early November.

The water is in good shape, currently flowing at 4840 CFS with water temps hanging in the 63 – 64 degree range. Cool nights are keeping those water temps in check but the continued warm weather during the daytime has thus far prevented a substantial cool down. It looks like a cooling trend will settle in mid-week next week.

While definitely coming to a close, we’re still seeing Tricos more days than not and if Pseudos are your thing this is your time. Ant and hopper fishing has continued to produce and while we haven’t heard many reports of actual bugs, October Caddis fished blind are getting eaten on occasion.

The Zebra Midge and Tailwater Sow game remains strong, especially in the Holter to Wolf Creek run but it’s time to start working the bwo nymphs into the mix. Green Machines, 2 Bits, Psycho Mays, Magic Flies, Redemptions, Split Case BWO’s, Juju’s, Rainbow Warriors and Pheasant Tails have all been getting some looks. Frenchies, Weight Flies, Tung Darts, October Caddis Nymphs and Rainbow Czechs all make for a good lead fly.

Zirdles and other crayfish patterns have been heating up and streamers are in play from here on out though weeds are going to frustrate your efforts throughout the fall fishing campaign.

It’s such an awesome time to fish the MO. We talk about fall traffic but it’s nothing like what you’ll see during prime time. The dam definitely has some traffic but if you’re willing to trade sheer numbers of fish for relative solitude with ample numbers, it’s truly one of the best times to be here.

Cold mornings, hot coffee, busy fly shops, bugling elk, rising fish, streamer madness, autumn light….what’s not to like about fall fishing season on the MO?

We are your FULL SERVICE, ONE STOP FALL FLY FISHING DESTINATION with everything you need for your Missouri River pilgrimage.

Affordable lodging, the best guides on the river, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, SAGE rods and reels, Simms waders and boots, THE CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO and much more, including the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Prove me wrong!

Open daily at 7 AM and closer to the Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge boat launches than ANY OTHER SHOP.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-09-14T11:58:24-06:00September 14th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: blooms weight fly, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, frenchie, Holter Dam, juju baetis, Magic Fly, Missouri River, October Caddis, pseudos, Psycho May, rainbow warrior, Redemption, running line, simms, Split Case BWO, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, tricos, Tung Dart, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges, Zirdle|0 Comments

Fall on the Mighty Missouri

We’re already a week into September and although we’ve yet to emerge from the late summer lull, the clock is steadily ticking on what’s left of the season.

Things continue to be quiet around these parts though traffic has started to increase, ever so slightly.

A few more rooms filled each week, a few more guide trips out each day and a slow but steady trickle of folks through the shop.

The fall fishing season will ramp up over the next week or two, peaking in early to mid-October but fall busy is not summer busy so don’t despair. It’s a laid back time to fish the MO with moderate traffic, often times gorgeous autumn weather and excellent fishing opportunities as the water temps drop with the abbreviated daylight hours.

Many turn their interests elsewhere this time of year, trading the fly rod for the bow or shotgun. The summer tourist migration has reversed course making fall one of THE BEST TIMES to fly fish the Missouri River and Montana in general.

September is, for the most part, a terrestrial fishery on the MO though there are Pseudos around and we’re still seeing the occasional Trico event as well as the start of October Caddis.

More or Less Hoppers, Donkey Kong Hoppers, Stealth Ants, Water Walkers, Beetles and October Caddis all great dry fly options right now.

Trail your meaty hopper with a snack size ant and see what happens or drop a zebra or Psycho May or Green Machine and ply the banks and mid-river riffles. Common knowledge says fish close to the bank as those terrestrials do in fact heavily inhabit those riparian zones and do in fact fall in the water. That’s a good method but as the season goes on those fish are seeing a billion foamy hoppers off the banks and they may in fact get a little wary and a bit more selective about what they’re going to eat which could result in some slower days if you limit your fishing to the banks.

What also happens frequently is those flying terrestrials catch a gust and get carried out and over the water. They could end up anywhere but as you’ve no doubt experienced when throwing a caddis blind, those trout love to hang out in the shallow riffles and pick off whatever happens to come their way. It’s no different with the terrestrials. They do end up out there and they do get eaten. So by all means beat the banks, but don’t overlook the mid-river stuff. The largest trout I’ve landed on the MO ate a #10 More or Less Hopper presented randomly ahead of the boat in non-descript, non fishy water essentially during casting practice. You never know!

If you want to stick strictly to nymphing the dam is the place to be with plenty of Zebra Midges on hand. We’ve been having good luck with a purple or gold weight fly, a Tung Dart or an Olive Psycho May as a lead fly but double zebras with a split will get it done as well.

Cool mornings and autumn cloud cover have many thinking fall streamers and rightly so. Our resident browns are gearing up for the autumn spawn and will soon be overtaken by aggression which is what the streamer junkies are eagerly awaiting.

Weeds are going to challenge you, increasingly so as you move down to the lower stretches, but they are not the worst they’ve ever been. Just something you need to factor in and deal with. It’s not a surprise to those who know but if you’re just getting into the streamer game you’ll want to mentally prepare for the challenges (and rewards) of fall streamer fishing.

We’re on the cusp, not there yet but there’s no time like the present. Fish live by the changes in their environments, not by a calendar. Shorter daylight hours, long nights and cooler water tell the fish what time it is. These triggers roughly coincide with dates on the calendar but don’t get hung up on dates – just start throwing and see what happens.

We’re stocked up on all the best streamer patterns big and small as well as streamer lines for any and all situations/water types, and plenty of great options if you’re in the market for a new streamer stick including my personal go to, the Sage Igniter #7. It’s the best streamer stick I’ve fished and I’ve fished a bunch of them.

We’re open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River (and surrounding waters) Fall fly fishing needs. The greatest selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO, Adipose Flow drift boat rentals, Simms waders and cold weather gear, a fresh shipment of Richardson WCA logo hats, Bad Ass Korkers River Ops wading boots, SA, Rio and Airflo lines, Fishpond Nomad nets and much more.

It’s Second Season Time on the MO!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-09-07T13:14:26-06:00September 7th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose Flow, Airflo, brown trout, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Fishpond Nomad, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, RIO, SA, Sage Ignitor, simms, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Goodbye Summer, Autumn is upon us

As we close out August on the MO the anticipation is underway.

Sure it still feels like summer out there (and will for a while) but there’s definitely an autumn vibe in the air with chilly misty mornings, shorter daylight hours, bear poop up and down the Recreation Road, fish stacked at the grass flats below Holter and green leaves transforming to yellows and reds. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year (or one of them anyway).

We’re still in Dog Days mode and things will likely remain quiet for the next couple of weeks before the fall season really gets underway.

In the meantime we’ve got plenty of lodging and the guide calendar has a few openings for the next little while. Weekends will continue to be busy with rec traffic as long as the weather stays nice, particularly the upcoming holiday weekend – the unofficial END of SUMMER. Temps are expected to be in the 80’s with abundant sunshine so don’t expect to have it to yourself if you’d planned on fishing over the Labor Day weekend.

The weekdays will be the time to get out there over these next couple weeks if you’re looking to avoid the crowds but now is the time as it’ll be back to bumper boats before you know it.

Should the weekends be your only option we’d recommend getting an early start. If you shoot for that 10 – 11 AM window thinking you’ll roll in behind the angling traffic you’re likely correct, but you’ll also be smack dab in the middle of the rec floaters.

And while the dam to Wolf Creek has been the go to due to the number of fish currently hanging out in the grass flats and the relatively weed-free water, the lower stretches are also fishing fine and will provide a respite from the traffic. Double zebras or a Zebra and a weight fly or Frenchie has been the ticket in the dam stretch. Nymphing hasn’t been AS good below Wolf Creek Bridge but they’re there as well, you just have to work a little harder for them.

Hoppers and ants will continue to be in play for the next month and while it hasn’t exactly been one for the record books, we’ve had some pretty damn good terrestrial days river-wide. September is also the month for October Caddis so don’t be afraid to work that into the mix.

Tricos are still going fairly strong though definitely waning and caddis should still be a staple in your fly box, especially later in the day. We’ve already started to get calls asking about BWO’s. We’ll likely see them sometime in October but the weather needs to change drastically before we even start thinking about such things.

A lot of folks (myself included) think streamers when they think of fall fishing. Fall is the time for big browns on streamers and there will be plenty of them caught here on the MO but if you’re going to play that game you need to know that you’ll be dealing with weeds from now until the snow flies (and for a while after that). The weeds do not disappear with a turn of the calendar page so know before you go that you’ll be dealing with them. It’s not the end of the world, you just need to choose your spots and work through the challenges, keeping in mind that those super weedy spots you’re avoiding may in fact hold the trophy of a lifetime.

We’re open from 7 AM – 5 PM daily for all of your Montana fall fly fishing needs. The fly bins are loaded up with fall bugs including the best streamer selection on the MO and we’re also fully stocked on lines, leaders and tippet from SA and Rio and we can’t think of a better time to treat yourself to a new Sage R8 or Igniter.

New fall gear arriving daily including Cozy Simms WCA hoodies and a full restock on Simms waders and boots and hats and gloves and much more. And don’t forget, we are the home of the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO!

We are your Missouri River fall fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-30T14:12:18-06:00August 30th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, simms, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

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