BREAKING…..Your June Water Forecast

The anxiously awaited monthly water supply outlook from the Bureau of Reclamation has been issued and this is what it shows…

The most probable flow scenario has things peaking this month at around 7500 cfs and while we are exceeding that at the moment by about 1000 cfs the chart indicates a stabilization  in the 4000 cfs range for the summer season. Max probable would see a peak near 12K (which we saw at the end of May) and stabilized flows in the 5000 cfs range for the remainder of the season.

I’ve still heard whispers of high water coming but if we acknowledge the fact that this monthly report from the Bureau not only takes into account snowpack and forecasted weather for the region but is essentially a scientific model of flows based on those factors and how they relate to the filling of Canyon Ferry Reservoir,  then we can assume with a fairly high level of confidence in our assumption, that we’re in for a great water year on the Missouri from an angler’s perspective.

Of course we could still see above average precipitation bumping things up beyond the most probable flow predictions but the extended precipitation forecasts I’ve seen don’t really indicate this.

Canyon Ferry is currently 83% full which is 109% of the 30 year average.The anticipated inflow for the June through July runoff period is forecasted to be 898,000 af, or 99 percent of the 30 year average.

The bottom line is that if you’ve been laying awake at night worrying about high flows ruining your trip to the Missouri then I think you can start to get some rest knowing that while it may not be the wader’s delight it’s been for the past several years you should have plenty of wade fishing opportunities this summer on the MO’.

By |2017-09-21T18:57:35-06:00June 7th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: , |0 Comments

This week on the MO

Things are continuing to come into shape here on the Missouri this first full week of June. Flows have held in the 8500 cfs range for the last several days (8240 at the time of this writing) but it looks like we’ll see a bump to around 8700 cfs this afternoon.

Weather wise it’s been gorgeous with plenty of sunshine and comfortable temps. We’re expecting a bit of a heat wave for the next couple of days with highs pushing 90 but then we’ll return to average or somewhat below average temperatures over the weekend with highs only reaching the low 60’s.

We continue to be one of the only fishing options in the region right now with big muddy water sending a steady stream of guides and outfitters to the Missouri seeking fishable water for their clients.

It feels a little crowded out there sometimes, depending on the day but for the most part folks have been spreading out and playing nice with one another. Let’s keep it up!

Things are looking up on the lower reaches of the river and by things I mean fish. Fish are looking up and eating dry flies. PMD’s are making an appearance in most stretches and will continue to ramp up this week. Steady flows would definitely help where the dry fly game is concerned so let’s hope for stability.

Favorite PMD’s patterns include Wilcox’s Micromay, Quigley’s Film Critic, Smoke Jumper PMD, Snowshoe Emerger, No Hackle PMD, Helen Keller PMD, Knockdown Dun and PMD Flash Cripple. As per usual you’ll also want an assortment of Rusty Spinners, Parachute Adams, Purple Haze, Buzzballs and various caddis including perennial favorites like the Outrigger Caddis, Cornfed Caddis and some new arrivals destined for the favorites list….Galloup’s Butch Caddis and Bloom’s Parachute Caddis.

Accordingly, if nymphing is still where you are concentrating your efforts it’s time to go heavy on mayfly and caddis nymphs. Sowbugs will still play a major role (as they always do) but now is the time to add in Little Green Machines, S & M’s, Two Bits, Split Case PMD’s, Superflash PMD,  PMD Magic Fly, Doc’s PMD, Gold or Purple Weight flies, Tung Darts, Triple Threat Caddis, Peep Shows, Micromays…..and on and on.

Bored with the bobber?  Why not chuck a streamer as you cover water on your dry fly quest? I’m not going to say streamer fishing has been off the charts or anything but depending on the day you just might be surprised. I had clients willing to roll the dice last weekend and it was definitely time well spent. Sparkle Minnows, Dirty Hippies, ZK’s Bunny Wailer, Montana Mouthwash, Baby Gongas and more all getting noticed.

We’re open daily at 7 AM for shuttles; RO and Adipose Drift Boat Rentals; Simms outerwear and accessories; sun protection; ARC fly lines, leaders and tippet; packs and accessories from Fishpond and Simms and the most talked about fly selection in the canyon. We are the best fly shop you never knew existed and we are here to make your Missouri River Fly Fishing Experience everything you expected and much more.

We hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler!

 

By |2017-12-08T15:33:46-07:00June 6th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Welcome to June on the MO’

Like the view? Call Wolf Creek Angler and book your Missouri River Fly Fishing Guide Trip today.

It’s hard to believe we’re already into June but that is the case so welcome to PRIME TIME on the Missouri.

The river continues to drop (8310 cfs as of now) and we’re likely just on the cusp of potential dry fly Nirvana depending on what happens with the water. More on this soon!

This last week of May into the first  of June has proven to be a bit of a lull in the action as folks wrap up their pre-summer activities but it’s about to get real as people from all around the country and in fact all around the world descend on the MO’ for a healthy dose of legendary Montana trout fishing.

Much of the water around the state is on the rise leaving the amazing MO’ one of the only options available for the time being and what an option it is.

Expect nymphing to continue to be the go-to for now but the dry fly game will soon come into play. We’re shifting those BWO patterns out of the bins to make room for the PMD’s which have already started to make an occasional appearance. The dry fly side of the bin has been a lonely place thus far this season with the higher water so as you can imagine we are anxious to see those bugs begin to move.

The nymphs of choice continue to be Tailwater sows, Fish Finder Worms, Wire Worms, Zebra Midges, Rainbow Czechs and the like but we’re starting to see a shift to PMD nymphs including split case PMD’s, Light Peep Shows, PMD S & M’s , Rusty and PMD Magic Fly and PMD Military Mays. Caddis pupae are also in play. Think Tung Darts, Weight Flies and Tan or Caddis UV Czech Nymphs.

It’s also time to get your dry fly boxes in order. Midges are still on the menu along with the occasional BWO but it’s soon to be a PMD and Caddis game.

Streamers are still an effective option on the right day. Cloudy days? Yes. Sunny days? Yes. Early in the morning ? Yes Mid day? Not so much but you never know….

We’ve got a few holes in the lodging and guide book for the next week or so and then it’s slim pickings until mid July but we do get the occasional cancellation and there are a few vacancies sprinkled in here and there so if you haven’t yet made plans and a trip to the MO’ sounds like something you’d like to do then by all means give us a call and we’ll do our best to make it happen.

We know you’ve got a lot of options when it comes to fly shops and outfitters and we are sincerely thankful for each and every customer. We will never take your business for granted. We hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler,  your Full Service Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination.

 

Late May Missouri River Fishing Report

Steve with one of several streamer eating bows.

The summer season unofficially began yesterday with Memorial Day and coincidentally we saw flows on the river decrease daily over the weekend making it look and feel a little more like the river we’ve become accustomed to in late spring with flows in the 8700 cfs range, clearing water and the fish returning to the faster water in which you’d normally expect to find them.

The weather is feeling like summer as well with plenty of sunshine, highs in the low 80’s and scattered thunderstorms popping up here and there daily. We’ll close out May with temps near 90 tomorrow before things return to more seasonably normal conditions towards the end of the week.

The official word on flows has things holding in the 8500 cfs range for the time being. We’re anxiously awaiting the updated operations report and flow forecast for June from the Bureau of Reclamation and we will share that with you as soon as we get it. There’s still a fair amount of talk about big water due to the well above average snow pack in the high country but as you can see the current SNOTEL map is indicating a somewhat gradual but steady reduction of snowpack in our region which is now in that 90 – 109 % of average range indicated by the color green.

11,000 cfs was fun, like a whole new river with fish fleeing to the slow depths and consistently eating sow bugs and the like presented at or near the bottom. These substantial drops in flows over the past few days have made things interesting and a little challenging depending on the day,but from what it sounds like from most of yesterday’s reports things may be settling. It’s transition time so while you shouldn’t necessarily abandon the worm/sow rigs it’s definitely time to start adding mayfly nymphs into the equation. Little Green Machines, Peep Shows and various PMD and Caddis nymphs (PMD Magic Fly, Split Case PMD, S& M PMD, Doc’s PMD, Tungsten UV Czech Caddis, Gold or Purple Weight Fly, Tung Dart,etc) You’re options are limitless right now!

Fish the slow depths for sure but start paying attention to the medium fast, swirly water as well. They are there and they are in feeding mode. No need to shorten up, you’re 9-10′ overall rig with which you’ve been plying the depths these last two weeks should work just fine.

The dry fly game is not really being played yet. The fish aren’t playing so we’re not playing but it shouldn’t be long, especially if the flows continue to hold  or drop.

Not much talk out there about streamers as of late but don’t let that fool you. If you like the streamer game then play the streamer game. If you put your time in chances are you won’t be disappointed.

I had the pleasure of doing a full-on streamer float with Steve Fraley, a good friend from Michigan this past Saturday. Steve is Co-owner of Baldwin Bait and Tackle on the Pere Marquette River  in Baldwin MI and it just so happens he played a major role in my becoming a streamer fishing addict by convincing me to do a destination streamer trip to Argentina way back in the day. I never looked back!

Steve made a surprise visit to Wolf Creek on Friday  while en route to Seattle and on to Alaska where he guides during the summer months. We decided to do a short float on Saturday morning starting with nymphing and maybe switching over to streamers later in the day. The nymphing lasted for about an hour before we decided to go full-on streamers and we had  several hours of solid action before things went quiet in the afternoon. I had downplayed streamer fishing on the MO’, especially with the bright sunny conditions but as is often the case, the fish were not deterred by the conditions. Just the opposite in fact. Maybe not LIGHTS OUT but a bunch of fish moved, a fair amount hooked and a few to the boat….a pretty good streamer day on any river and all in just a couple of hours of fishing.

The bottom line for late May/early June fishing on the MO’ is that things are good. If dry fly fishing is what you are seeking it’s not yet your time but conditions couldn’t be better for nymphing and streamer fishing. The crowds from two weeks ago have thinned a bit but the major influx is coming!

We hope to see you very soon at Wolf Creek Angler. We are your Missouri River fly fishing destination with EVERYTHING you need for your fly fishing odyssey. Affordable lodging, the best guides on the river and The up and coming Full Service Missouri River Fly Shop. Book your stay with us today or swing by on your way to the MO’ and see what the buzz is about. Open at 7 am daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

 

Overcoming the Big Water Blues

With current flows on the Missouri holding at just over 11K it’s a different river than what you might be used to this time of year but it’s fishing just fine and there’s no reason you shouldn’t have successful days out there provided you make a few basic adjustments to your game.

Before we get to that however the big question on everyone’s mind is “how high are those flows going to go”? We’ve been getting plenty of calls on a daily basis regarding the current flows and where they might be headed and what that might mean for June/July Missouri River fishing plans.

As is always the case, first off the disclaimer. We here at Wolf Creek Angler are ill equipped to give any sort of qualified professional predictions as to what the flows on the Missouri will or will not be over these next several weeks. We know what we’re seeing out there now, we know what the SNOTEL looks like and we know what the “experts” are forecasting….beyond that we are not hydrologists, climatologists or meteorologists so our guess is as good as yours.

This morning we received a notice from the Bureau of Reclamation calling for a DECREASE in flows on the Missouri. The notice included the following;

COMMENTS:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Operational plans indicate releases need to be reduced in order to gradually fill Canyon Ferry Reservoir to the top of the joint use pool.  Flows on the Missouri River below Holter Dam will be near 10,000 cfs.  In response, the following operation changes are required at Canyon Ferry Dam and Powerplant.   

CANYON FERRY RELEASES AND OPERATIONS: Times are Mountain Daylight Savings Time 

At 1600 hour on Wednesday, May 24, 2017:    Maintain releases through the river outlet gates at 0 cfs.  Decrease releases through the spillway gates to 4,750 cfs.    Maintain turbine release at ≈ 5,100 cfs (≈52.0 MW-Hrs/hr using 98. cfs/mw). Maintain releases for Helena Valley Project at 700 cfs (350 cfs pumped to Helena Valley and 350 cfs discharged to the Missouri River). Decrease release to the Missouri River to 10,200 cfs.  Decrease total release from Canyon Ferry to 10,550 cfs

At 1600 hour on Thursday, May 25, 2017:  Maintain releases through the river outlet gates at 0 cfs.  Decrease releases through the spillway gates to 4,250 cfs.    Maintain turbine release at ≈ 5,100 cfs (≈52.0 MW-Hrs/hr using 98. cfs/mw). Maintain releases for Helena Valley Project at 700 cfs (350 cfs pumped to Helena Valley and 350 cfs discharged to the Missouri River). Decrease release to the Missouri River to 9,700 cfs.  Decrease total release from Canyon Ferry to 10,050 cfs

Meanwhile, flows on the Dearborn are on the rise again (currently 1,020 cfs) while Little Prickly Pear continues to drop. The SNOTEL is still looking blue (and sometimes more blue by the day as spring storms continue to deliver snow to the high country).

So what’s it all mean? Those in the know are well aware of the snowpack and they have decided to reduce the outflow from Canyon Ferry in order to fill the reservoir. This tells me that the current contributing conditions are such that those calling the shots feel Missouri flows maintained in the 10K range below Holter Dam for time being will allow for sufficient fill rates. Above average precipitation over these next few weeks could definitely change this but if things remain average or below where precipitation is concerned we expect flows will be maintained at this level for the time being and will gradually be reduced as runoff peaks sometime in early to mid June.

We are getting calls about June and July conditions and what we are telling people as that our best guess is that we will see flows stabilize somewhere in the 6K range for the season once the peak flows have been reached. When exactly this will take place we don’t know but my gut is telling me we mid June…..I could be way off, it wouldn’t be the first time.

So how does all of this affect you and your Missouri River summer fly fishing plans? It all depends on how you fish. If you are a wade-only angler you may be challenged by the conditions this spring. If you fish from a boat you will likely LOVE the flows if they hold in the 10K range.

Last week the river was as muddy as I’ve ever seen it following Wednesday  night’s rain storm which pushed Little Prickly Pear into the 700 cfs range and the Dearborn to over 1500 CFS providing plenty of muddy inflow to the MO’. Muddy water has it’s own set of challenges but we still caught plenty of fish.

When you are fishing high or muddy water it’s important to keep in mind that the fundamentals remain the same. You need to find the fish and determine what it is they are eating. This is the case for any and all water conditions. Don’t overthink the challenges.

Generally speaking the fish move with the increased flows in order to maintain the type of water in which they like to reside. Changes in rigging are sometimes necessary to address the new location of the fish but if you have been having success with a certain rig (depth/weight/bugs) then leave it exactly as is and find the water for which you built it. We had pretty good success doing this with bumps of a couple hundred or even up to 1000 CFS but now that we’re double the volume we were a short time ago it has changed things a little more drastically.

The bugs have been the same but most are finding those fish in the deeper, slower water. These aren’t necessarily the slow, deep spots you are used to however because everything is bigger/deeper etc so you have to prospect a bit to find the fishy water.

Sow bugs and worms have been the recipe for success with Tailwater Sows leading the charge. The run on these has been nothing short of staggering over the last two weeks. We received a restock order last week and had to place another order yesterday. It looks like the bins should be full again by Thursday at the latest.

Some have been getting them to go on Little Green Machines, S & M’s, Peep Shows and other mayfly and/or caddis pupae patterns but I haven’t had any real reason to abandon the worm/sow combo aside from a few times a Tungsten Rainbow Czech beat out the worm on point.

The dam has been extremely busy this week as you might expect and reports have been good. Wolf Creek to Craig has been hit or miss but there are definitely hot spots in there which are worth your time. We’ve heard a mixed bag of reports from the canyon and not much from down low but overall it’s been decent to good depending on the day.

Streamer fishing has been solid during low light with black and olive both producing well. Stow the streamer stick during high sun and stick to nymphing.

Dry fly fishing opportunities have been few and far between. Plenty of bugs…sporadic rising.

The bottom line? Don’t be intimidated by the flows. This is more water than we’ve seen in quite a few years but it’s definitely fishable and may be your only option for the time being if you want to fly fish in Montana.

Don’t fall into the Dam Trap.  There are fish EVERYWHERE!

A great way to get a handle on fishing higher flows is to spend a day on the water with one of our expert guides. There’s no doubt you can figure it out on your own but what you learn in a day with a guide might take you years to learn on your own.

We’ve got plenty of lodging and plenty of guides available through the end of the month and the shop is FULLY STOCKED with all kinds of big water bugs and anything else you need for fly fishing the Missouri and beyond. We are your Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination!

 

 

 

By |2017-12-08T15:38:26-07:00May 23rd, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Mid May Update

It’s Go Time on the MO’.

Mid May has arrived and with it increased flows and increased crowds on the Missouri, chocolate milk on the freestones and plenty of precipitation in the form of rain and snow in the immediate forecast.

We’re actually under a Winter Weather Advisory beginning at 3 AM tomorrow morning and running through 6 AM Thursday for accumulations of  a foot or more of snow above 7,000 feet and 2-4 inches of slushy wet snow on the mountain passes. Down here we’re in for a wet day tomorrow with 100 percent chance of rain. They’re calling for between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rain to fall tomorrow so if you’re coming out to fish (and why wouldn’t you be) don’t forget your waders and rain gear. Should you happen to forget  we’ve got everything you need to keep you warm and dry.

Flows bumped to over 9000 cfs today which sounds like a lot but don’t be deterred. Wade fishing is still an option but you’ll want to use extreme caution and choose your spots wisely. Fishing from a boat is preferred by many and we of the drift boat brigade are loving these flows. We highly recommend fishing from a boat for the time being and if that sounds appealing it just so happens we’ve got plenty of RO and Adipose drift boats for rent so you can do it yourself. Better yet, book a guide for a day and watch how the pros do it. We encourage you to take notes, mental or otherwise. Navigating the Missouri is fairly easy, even for a novice rower. Navigating the Missouri in a manner which allows your buddies to fish with some chance for success while you row is a little more difficult, a little more involved. We’d be happy to teach you or just do all of the rowing for you. It’s your call.

Nymphing and streamer fishing should be your methods of choice for the time being but keep that dry fly rod rigged and at the ready. You never know what you’ll find out there.

We’re still playing the sow bug game more often than not but there are a bunch of other options coming in to play as well. Wire Worms, Gold or Purple Weight flies, Tungsten Tailwater Sows, Caddis UV Czechs, Ninch’s Bubble Yum scud, Tan UV Czechs, Rainbow Czechs, Tungsten Pheasant Tails….all fine point fly options.

Pair any of the above with a tailwater sow, tungsten zebra midge, LGM, Psycho May, 2 Bit, S & M, MicroMay, BWO Bubbleback Emerger, Rainbow Warrior, Yum Yum, BWO Magic Fly, Split Case BWO, Juju or Radiation Baetis, Dark Peep Show….etc. Lots of bugs working right now, you just need to find the right ones and put them where the fish are which at these flows is typically going to be deep. 9 – 11 feet overall from indicator on is where you want to be and more than likely you’ll want to add some weight. I’m generally running a single BB but I’m also sticking with a heavy tungsten point fly as well. Do whatever it takes to get your bugs down where they need to be.

Streamers? Yes.

Again, this is not the best streamer river in the world by any stretch but those who have been committing to it are finding success. Coffey’s Sparkle Minnows, Dirty Hippies, Dolly LLamas, Circus Peanuts, ZK’s MK Ultras and Bunny Wailers, Space Invaders and plain old black or rust buggers are all good options. We’ve done well bombing the banks and coaxing fish off the rock walls and out from under the vegetation but don’t overlook the riffles and don’t be afraid to fish tha middle water that you’d typically not even look at. The fish are everywhere. Like most, I tend to work those banks and any structure that is present but in the absence of any “obvious water” I’ll pick apart the water on both sides of the boat and just see what happens.

It’s Caddis Fest weekend and it looks like the weather is going to clear up on Friday and Saturday so we expect it’s going to be a busy weekend in Wolf Creek and Craig.  Caddis Fest always draws a good crowd but when the MO’ is virtually the only fishing option in the state right now we’re thinking it could be one of the busiest yet. Lots of great food and cool silent auction items and a great cause with proceeds going to the Craig Volunteer Fire Department. We hope you join us Saturday starting at 4 pm.

If you’re thinking of making a weekend out of it give us a call sooner rather than later and book a room. We’ve got just a couple left and they will more than likely be gone soon.

We are your Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination with clean, comfortable and affordable lodging, the hardest working guide crew on the river and a first-rate Full Service Fly Shop with everything you need for your day on the water.

 

By |2017-12-08T15:39:53-07:00May 16th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|0 Comments

This Week on the MO’

The Big Muddy. Blackfoot River from Scotty Brown Bridge on May 6th. Photo by Blackfoot Angler Fly Shop

The BIG PUSH has begun. Runoff has started and with it the migration of guides from around the state to the Missouri seeking fishable water for their clients.

The MO’ is definitely where you need to be if you plan on fishing western Montana in the immediate future and while we are largely immune to the blow out conditions found on the freestones during runoff we do have some big pushes of water coming from Little Prickly Pear and the Dearborn adding cold water and color which present challenges but also opportunities. LPP is currently running at a muddy 274 CFS while the Dearborn is cranking at 800 making flows on the MO below Dearborn somewhere in the neighborhood of 8500 CFS. Above Prickly Pear the Missouri is currently flowing at 7440 CFS with a water temp of 47 degrees.

Reports from Sunday were mixed but it sounds like the rain and cooler air temps so sought after by the dry fly and streamer guys were negated by the influx of cold, muddy water from the tribs. Solid nymphing reports from the Dam, not so much from Wolf Creek on down.

Conditions will remain somewhat status quo this week as temps in the 70’s and 80’s continue to contribute to runoff. Plenty of sunshine this week as  well which may not be what you want if you can’t wait to throw a dry fly but don’t rule it out, we could have some great evening activity this week. Again, blue skies and sunshine are not exactly optimal for streamer fishing either but you might be surprised. Sunshine or clouds, I know what I’ll be throwing this week and it ain’t nymphs or dry flies.

Speaking of nymphs though, we would definitely recommend including a worm in your offering, especially if you’re fishing low. Sow bugs are still getting the biggest nod but it’s time to start throwing the kitchen sink at them. Purple Lighting Bugs, LGM’s, Hot Belly Pheasant Tails, Hi Def, Radiation and Juju Baetis, Split Case BWO’s, Dark Peep Shows, Rainbow Warriors, 2 Bits, S & M’s…..you get the idea.

We’re pretty well booked up for lodging through mid-week but we do have openings for later in the week and through the weekend and we’ve got guides at the ready each and every day.

The shop is full of all kinds of new gear from Simms, Korkers, Fishpond, Redington and more and the fly bins are overflowing with every bug you need for the MO’ and beyond.

Stop in for shuttles, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, Realtime Missouri River updates and intel and what has frequently been referred to as the best coffee in the canyon.

 

May Water Update and State of the MO

We’re already nearly a week into May and things are heating up both literally and figuratively. We hit 80 degrees yesterday and will see low 80’s again today before cooler temps arrive tomorrow with a chance for some precipitation.

Flows on the river have stabilized in the 7400 cfs range with water temps climbing steadily into the high 40’s. The fishing has remained spotty overall but depending on the day and the section we have been putting together some pretty good days out there, mostly on the nymphing side.

As runoff starts to get underway around the state we continue to receive a lot of calls inquiring about the flows on the Missouri and while we can’t tell you exactly what we’re going to be seeing for the season where flows are concerned,  what we can tell you is that according to the latest information released from the Bureau of Reclamation yesterday those in the know are predicting a probable status quo scenario for the next two months with a peak just shy of 8000 cfs in June.

As you can see on the chart above the most probable scenario has us at 4500-5000 cfs for the months of July and August and while there are those who prefer flows in the 3500 range I think most would agree that flows in the 5000 range are preferred. We like what we’re seeing here and hope that it holds true. Even at the Max Probable we’d be looking at a climb to around 10,500 this month followed by a peak of 12,000 in June and leveling off to around 5500 for the rest of the season. This would make things challenging for the wade anglers in June but it would also provide a much-needed flush which would be a tremendous benefit to the river. Minimum probable flows would drop to 5000 cfs this month and then level off at the 4,000 cfs range for the remainder of the season. Any of these flow predictions would be an improvement over what we’ve seen the last couple of years so with runoff predicted to render many rivers around the region unfishable into July you can expect a busy season on the MO’.

Canyon Ferry is currently 83% full which is 109% of the 30 year average. The anticipated inflow for the May through July runoff period is forecasted to be 1,533.0 kaf, or 110 percent of the 30 year average.

So that’s the latest on river flows, now on to the fish numbers.

 

When discussing fish numbers it’s important to remember that even though we might be talking about declines or increases in the population we’re talking about them within the context of over 5,000 fish per mile in the section from Holter Dam to Craig. Amazing numbers to be sure. There was a substantial increase in Rainbow trout numbers which rebounded to 2014 levels  after three straight years of decreasing populations. 2016 saw rainbow numbers of 4,816 fish per mile. Brown trout numbers continued to decrease for the fourth straight season with 269 fish per mile in 2016 which is still a respectable number.

Size wise we’re still looking at a majority of rainbows in the 17″ – 19″ size class….BIG fish!  A fair amount of browns in the 17″-19″ size as well though those number have dropped considerably over the past couple of years. Of note is the large number of browns in the 6″ – 8″ size class….the future looks bright!

All in all we’re very pleased with the State of the Missouri for the 2017 season. A little more water and plenty of big fish. What more could you want?

By |2017-09-21T18:57:36-06:00May 5th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|2 Comments

Welcome to May on the Missouri

 

It’s been an awesome early spring on the MO’ with cooler temps and plenty of overcast skies, ideal conditions for BWO’s as well as for streamer fishing…two of our favorite things about spring.

We continue to see precipitation in the form of both rain and snow and with the cooler conditions continuing to persist around the state the snowpack is being maintained and is actually increasing in many drainages.

It looks like it’s going to be a good water year in the region and it looks like the Missouri is going to be a busy place once runoff ramps up and brings us all those seeking fishable water.

It appears as though we’ll get our first real taste of warm weather this season as temperatures hit the high 70’s and into the 80’s beginning on Thursday and lasting through most of the weekend before things return to more normal temps for early May. We’ll see plenty of sunshine throughout the week but expect the overcast conditions to return on Saturday.

Good BWO activity being reported daily though the fairly consistent abundance of bugs has not necessarily meant consistency where rising fish are concerned. When you do find rising fish they’ve been fairly willing to take a well-presented fly so keep those dry-fly rigs at the ready. I’ve been running a parachute Adams along with a Wilcox’s Micromay BWO and haven’t had any real reason to abandon that setup though a Brook’s Sprout Baetis and a Quiqley’s Film Critic is another combo that’s hard to beat. There are still gazillions of midges out there as well so midge clusters should definitely be a part of your dry-fly arsenal right now.

Nymphing is still in the transitional stages. Wire worms, Rainbow Czechs, Pink Amex, Ninch’s Bubble Yum Scuds and Rainbow Weight Flies have all been good options trailed with a sowbug or a mayfly nymph. Tailwater sows, Ninch’s Pill Poppers and Firebead soft hackle sows have been more consistent for me but Green Machines, 2 bits, S & M’s, Psycho Mays, Juju’s, purple lightning bugs and the lot have also been getting plenty of attention.

The canyon still seems to be a better option for numbers right now but there are plenty of fish throughout the system. We’ve been skipping the dam to Wolf Creek stretch as of late but there are plenty of fish being caught up there in the places you’d expect them to be. The same can be said for the Wolf Creek to Craig stretch which has been consistently solid though perhaps not as productive as you would expect it to be but it should only get better from here on out.

We’re continuing to have better luck fishing longer rigs in the deeper slower water but the short leash in shallow fast water has definitely gained momentum over the past week (especially in the canyon).

It’s a great time of year to do it all. Chase bobbers or chuck streamers until you find rising fish.

There have definitely been some tough days and the flows have undoubtedly contributed to this but overall it’s been good enough to make it worth your while. We’re currently looking at 7510 CFS with a water temp of 45 degrees.

We’ve been slammed at the shop this past week with a lot of last-minute spring special trips as well as the start of the arrival of our spring regulars. A huge thank you to all of you who took advantage of our spring lodging and guide trip special. This was by far the busiest we’ve been with spring special guide trips.

We’re booking up weekly with the majority of our guests doing the Thursday – Monday routine leaving plenty of availability both for guides and lodging during the mid-week. We shouldn’t have any problem getting you booked for lodging and/or guide trips for the next couple of weeks but once we hit late May things tend to get challenging. That being said, we do have openings here and there and cancellations do happen so please give us a call and we’ll do our best to get you in.

Official shop hours are still 7:30 am – 5 pm daily though coffee is generally on right around 7 am. If the blinds are open and the lights are on come on in.

 

By |2017-09-21T18:57:36-06:00May 2nd, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Late April on the MO’

 

Are there any bugs you ask? Ummm….just a few! photo by Luke Koerten

As we close out the month of April and head into the heart of the spring season things are shaping up nicely on the Missouri with plenty of water (but not too much), plenty of bugs and plenty of hungry trout.

The fishing has been tough on some days, pretty damn good on others. Overall I would still call it “spotty” but there are stretches which are consistently fishing pretty good and some go to areas within said stretches which are holding good concentrations of fish as you would expect them to in mid to late spring.

We’ve still seen better numbers of fish being caught in the canyon but we’ve also had some fair days in the dam to Craig stretch which seems to be improving by the day.

Flows have stabilized in the 7000 cfs range but we are still seeing drops and bumps of a couple of hundred cfs on a fairly regular basis which may be contributing to the spottiness. Water temps are on the rise and are currently holding in the 45 degree range which has the trout on the move.

Streamer fishing has been inconsistent but if you hit it right you can expect plenty of chases and some aggressive takes. The  same could be said for the dry fly action. There has been no shortage of bugs with gobs of midges and plenty of BWO’s in the mix but finding feeding fish has been a challenge on most days. Again, if you hit it right you could be in for some epic dry fly fishing….the best of this young season. Obviously “hitting it right” is the key and therein lies the challenge. Our advice….fish early and fish often. You may or may not hit it right but we can say with 100 percent certainty that if you aren’t on the water you aren’t going to catch fish. It’s as simple as that.

Nymphing has been less of a roll of the dice and will continue to be the best bet for numbers. With the increase in flows some of the slots you may be used to holding fish may have moved so if you come up empty fishing your usual line go back and do it again, changing your path rather than the depth of your rig, generally moving towards the bank a foot or two to find your desired water column.

We’ve found most of the fish in the top section are still concentrated in slower, deeper, winterish water which has been producing good results river-wide however we have definitely begun to see a transition to shallow, faster water in the canyon stretch. Fish the slow stuff down there and if you can’t  find them then try shortening up your rig and fishing the faster shallow summer water.

Sow bugs have been our go-to as of late with the Tailwater sow leading everything else in my box. We’ve also had good luck with soft hackle sows, yum yums and Firebead sows. Caviar Scuds, Bubble Yums, Rainbow Czechs, LGM’s, Rainbow Warriors, black zebras, Pink Amex, Radiation Baetis, S & M’s , Juju’s, pink or purple Lightning Bugs and hot bead wire worms have all been good options depending on the day.

Keep your midge clusters and BWO’s at the ready as well just in case you happen upon some heads. A hi vis parachute Adams or a Purple Haze paired with a Griffiths Gnat or midge cluster is hard to beat but we’ve also had BWO rigs at the ready. Sprout Baetis, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, BWO Film Critic, Wilcox’s Micromay BWO’s , No Hackle BWO’s, Flash Cripples and Hackle Stackers are all good dry fly options you have at your disposal.

On the streamer side we haven’t seen any one bug leading the charge. It’s kind of been all over the place but greys, whites and olives have been producing in various sizes. I’ve had good luck lately  with ZK’s Bunny Wailer in olive and in white and we’ve also been moving fish with brown Dirty Hippies, Sculpin and JJ Sparkle Minnows, Godzilla Sculpins, Baby Gongas in rust, tan and olive Circus Peanuts and black and olive Dolly Llamas. I say it all the time…fish what you like because you’ll fish it with confidence and if you are fishing with confidence you’ll up your odds. Give it a solid hour or more. Change colors, change patterns, vary your retrieve. Streamer fishing requires a commitment which often times leaves you blanked but when you see that chase or feel that slam you’ll definitely want more.

Come on by the shop and check out our much talked about amazing fly selection. We’ve got bugs you won’t find anywhere else as well as plenty you’ll find everywhere else. We pride ourselves on our extremely well-stocked fly bins and we’re confident that if you’ve never shopped our bins you’ll likely be shocked and awed by our selection and if not shocked and awed than at least pleasantly surprised. Buy your Missouri River flies where many of the best guides on the river  do…Wolf Creek Angler!

We’re open daily at 7:30 am for all of you Missouri River fly fishing needs. Shuttles, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, LOOP rods and reels, Redington wading gear, Simms outerwear and accessories, clean and affordable lodging, the best guides on the water, the aforementioned biggest and best selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek MT and much more.

We’ll be looking at cloudy skies and a chance of precipitation (rain and snow) most of this week. BWO and Streamer weather to be sure. We did have a couple of cancellations for the weekend which has been booked solid for some time. If a last-minute trip to the MO sounds like something you’d be interested in give us a call and book today. It’s the final weekend to take advantage of our spring lodging and guide trip special….2 nights and a full day on the water for the ridiculous price of  $500.  You heard right. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Starting Monday this same trip will cost you over $750.

 

 

 

 

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