Go Time

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It’s GO Time at Wolf Creek Angler as we hit our summer stride.

Last week’s pause in the action is but a memory now with a few relatively quiet days being replaced with busy mornings in the shop getting guide trips out the door and getting all of our customers everything they need for fishing the MO’.

Since I’m being followed by early-rising customers and guests into the shop most mornings when I get here to open I think it’s time we start opening earlier.

Starting tomorrow (Friday) we will be open daily at 6:30 AM, earlier than all the rest so if you’re planning on hitting the water early make us your first stop. We’re your early morning Missouri River One Stop Shop for shuttles, bugs, ice, lines, leaders, tippet, Fishpond Nomad Nets and anything else you might need.

Dry Fly fishing is heating up and our guests are loving it. Plenty of PMD’s and Caddis out there and plenty of opportunities to target rising fish. Absent those much sought after pods of rising fish, blind fishing can be very effective as well if you’d rather stare at a fly than a bobber. Try a Sloans Outrigger Caddis  (or perhaps the Outrigger Sally) trailed with a Grey CDC Caddis emerger. The fish are hungry and they’re on the hunt for juicy dead-drifting bugs. Spend some time getting that reach cast dialed in and get out there and give them a shot. Need some help with your cast? We can do that! We’ve got the best guides on the river and they are great teachers. We’ll have you perfectly presenting dry flies in no time!

Nymphing remains somewhat inconsistent these last few days with flows continuing to fluctuate but it looks like we’ll be settling in to consistent summer flows soon. Barring any major precipitation events we should see flows stabilizing in the 5000 cfs range for the remainder of June before dropping to predicted summer flows in the low 4000 range. We like it! We’d prefer a little more water but as I’ve stated repeatedly we’ll take whatever we get and make the best of it….not much else we can do. Expect the MO’ to be your go-to trout water in Montana once again this summer and expect WCA to be your go-to Missouri River fly fishing destination. Screenshot (69)

Best bets for nymphing right now would be something along the lines of a Rainbow or Tan UV Czech or Purple or Gold Weight Fly trailed with a Split Case PMD, PMD Magic Fly, S & M, Light Peep Show or some other PMDish offering. We’ve been sticking with the deep (8′ overall) rigs and picking up a few here and there in the deep water but the fast shallows are LOADED with fish right now and should be targeted. Short leashing is definitely something you want to consider from here on out.

Go early, stay late or Go Late and stay later. Plenty of daylight on both sides of the clock.

See you out there.

 

Early June on the MO’

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It feels like summer. Sunshine and 90’s and plenty of bugs.

With this weather it won’t be long until our lush green landscapes become much less so as the hills are scorched by the summer sun but we’re holding out hope for some more precipitation and maybe even another bump in the flows which are currently at 5370 cfs. Water predictions are on the shelf for now as we simply don’t know. It feels like we could see another low water year but as I write the sky is darkening with storm clouds. A few big rains could change the whole story. Canyon Ferry is currently sitting at close to 96% full so while runoff may be over or close to it, a few days of rain could very well bring us the water we’re looking for. We’ll see 80’s and 90’s and a chance of showers and thunderstorms all week long before a cool down this weekend returns us to more seasonable temps in the 60’s and 70’s.

Angling traffic has picked up on the river this week after a busy weekend of rec floaters and little angling pressure. It’s a different story today with no shortage of drift boats on the water river wide. We’re heading into Prime Time on the Missouri if you are a dry fly angler….The Big Show! PMD’s and Caddis are on the menu right now and finding rising fish is becoming more and more consistent with every passing day. The majority of the dry fly action is still concentrated in the stretches below Craig and consequently this is where we continue to see the most angling pressure but there is plenty of good fishing to be had in the upper stretches as well.

We’ve had some good days out there powering through what at times has been some very challenging nymphing while on the hunt for rising fish. The fish we’ve found on top have been more than willing to eat for the most part provided you feed them what they want. We’ve had good luck with a gray CDC Caddis Emerger or Cornfed Caddis trailed behind a Sloans Outrigger Caddis or a Parachute Adams, particularly the sparkle variety. Consistently good PMD patterns include the Helen Keller PMD, Almost Dun PMD, Flash Cripple PMD and various PMD and Rusty Spinners. Throw an emerger on with one of these or try the amazingly effective Buzzball.

We’re loaded up with all kinds of cool Caddis and PMD patterns both nymphs and dries. We’ve got more than 50 PMD patterns and at least as many Caddis varieties. Best Bets on the nymphing side right now include Split Case PMD’s, Doc’s PMD, Doc’s Summer Bug, Hares Ear Tung Dart, Light Peep Show, S & M PMD,  Brown 2 Bit Hooker, Military May PMD, UV Yum Yum, Purple, Pearl or Olive Lightning Bugs, PT’s, UV Czechs and on and on. It’s a virtual smorgasbord this time of year. Fish what you like and fish it well.

As we mentioned, nymphing has had its challenging moments over the past few days. Maybe it’s the fluctuations in flows, maybe it’s the abundance of sunshine, maybe it’s just fishing….who knows. Work the water you like, change bugs, change depths, move to the water you may not like as much and repeat. If you put the time in you will likely find some level of success, if not, there’s always tomorrow.

Streamer fishing remains an option, especially under cloud cover. Try Space Invaders, Sparkle Minnows, Baby Gongas, Lil’ Kims, ZK’s S.O.B., Circus Peanuts, ZK’s Club Drug, Dirty Hippies and Montana Mouthwash just to name a few. We’ve had good luck with Olives, Naturals and white. Once again, fish what you like and fish it well. With water temps in that mid 50’s range you’ll want to keep those bugs on the move. Make them chase!

We’re open every day at 7 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Lodging, shuttles, sun protection, the best guides on the Missouri River and an ever-expanding fly selection that’s already come to be known as one of, if not the best, in the area. We are your exclusive dealer of LOOP rods and reels and ARC fly lines  on the Missouri River. Outfitter Owned and Operated and having as much fun being your fly shop as you are fly fishing one of the best trout rivers on the planet.

Mid Week Missouri River Report

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The sun is shining today…intermittently, but enough to brighten our day. Much needed and much appreciated precipitation continues.

Your 10 day forecast? Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms and highs ranging somewhere in the high 50’s/low 60’s daily.

Flows are up – currently 6360 cfs. We will continue to see increases as the folks in the know make room in Canyon Ferry for runoff. How high will it go? Only time and precipitation amounts will tell but at this point we’re happy with the water forecast and we’re optimistic about the season.

We get a lot of questions about whether or not fluctuations in the water flow have a negative effect on the fishing and I think some days it  does but the running joke amongst guides is that it depends what kind of day you have. If you end up getting it handed to you then you have your excuse for the day. A couple of hundred CFS  is definitely substantial and if nothing else it does move the fish around and  I’ve seen it happen enough where it’s been good in the morning and then they bump the flows (or drop them) and things shut down so I would say that more often than not it does affect the fish.

So should you plan to come fish the MO’ this week? Absolutely you should. We love 6 – 7,000, you will too. Nymphing continues to be strong and we’ve had some very good streamer days as well as some ok dry fly days. Same story on the nymphs – tailwater sows, wire worms, LGM’s, Tung Darts, Purple Weight Flies etc. My go-to streamer is still Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Sculpin but we’ve got bins full of bugs that are getting eaten with some regularity so come check out our selection and pick up a few you won’t find at any other shop.

The weather will be perfect for all of the above for the next little while so make it a point to beat the crowds and get out here ASAP. We do have  lodging available for the end of May and the first few days of June before things go crazy so give us a call and book yourself a few nights at WCA and a few days on the legendary Missouri with some of the best guides on the river.

Shop open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River Fly Fishing needs.

 

 

Caddis Fest Weekend Report

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It’s going to be a soggy but fun weekend on the MO’ with the 10th Annual Craig Caddis Fest happening tomorrow at 4 PM. Rain or shine Caddis Fest is always a great time with great food and tons of cool silent auction items including guide trips, art and plenty of swag and gear from all of your favorite local fly shops. Live music at 5:30 at Izaak’s Log Jam from Up in the Air Band.

Don’t miss the Sage ON THE WATER tour with casting clinics, demo rods and more. We hope you come out and enjoy the festivities while supporting  the Craig Volunteer Fire Department. Why not make a day of it and do a Holter Dam or Wolf Creek to Craig float landing you smack dab in the middle of the action just as things are firing up.

Start your day at Wolf Creek Angler. We’ll get you set up with shuttles, bugs, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, rain gear and wading gear, lines, leaders and tippet, KAST Steelhead Gloves and anything else you might need for your day of fly fishing on the MO’. Better yet book yourself a guide trip this weekend and leave all of the work to us. Guides are at the ready.

We’re looking at a possibility of rain and thunderstorms each day, right on through the early part of next week. A rain-free Caddis Fest would be great (and it may happen) but as we’ve been saying all along through this wet spring the precipitation is exactly what we need and we’re happy to have it. Don’t let a little rain keep you from enjoying some fantastic fishing on the MO’.

Nymphing has been consistently good this week (think WORMS) and while not great the dry-fly opportunities have definitely been there. I did a couple of evening outings this week and found enough fish up to keep it interesting each time out. It’s always a great time to fish the Missouri but right now in particular you can count on pretty good action no matter what method of fishing you prefer. We love to do a big float and throw streamers while hunting heads – the best of both worlds!

Don’t forget tomorrow is the opener for general stream fishing, mostly pertaining to the Western District but there’s plenty of water opening here in the Central as well. It’s our favorite time of year for fishing in Montana and we LOVE to fish the creeks. While our fly selection is definitely focused on the Missouri you’ll find plenty of what you need for freestone fishing as well. From packs and wading staffs and 3 and 4 weight rods to the biggest selection of foam and attractors ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, WCA has you covered no matter where you plan to fish.

See you this weekend in the shop and on the water.

 

 

On The Road Report: Secret Spots.

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April has faded into May, which will give way to June in a few weeks and before we know it, Tamaracks in the high country will go gold. I don’t want to think that far ahead just yet though, so lets talk about the time in between. Specifically the latter part of spring and summer. As runoff subsides and the swollen banks fade to friendlier wading levels, loads of us ditch the boats for packs, 4 wts, bear spray &  back roads. How do I know this? Because I mapdo it (obviously) and because I, along with every other shop  dog around, get asked on a pretty regular basis to divulge, my spots. If you just rolled your eyes, thinking this is going to be a post telling everyone off and to find your own damn water, well you’re sort of right, but hear me out. Especially if you’re reading this shortly after it is published, there’s a good chance you inspired it.

Inevitably the calls start coming in from guys planning summer excursions to the Missouri and surrounding areas looking for that, ya know, off the radar, next level shi….(whatever that is). If you’re one of those people, you know I am a master of ambiguity, to an infuriating level to some, at points. Most think I just do it out of spite or selfishness, but I promise that is not my motivation. Okay, it’s a little bit of me being selfish, but it serves a purpose. I’m apprehensive to share a handful of spots for just as many reasons. First and foremost, many places I consider to be even remotely secret are in fact no secret at all, lets just get that out of the way. Some of them were shown to me by close friends, usually under the pretense of silence on my part; and just as many were the end result of a few hours shooting between Google Maps and  Montana Cadastral then putting rubber on road.

The main reason I hold back revealing some of the spots I frequent is I’d like to think I’m fostering some sense, minuscule as it may be, of exploration in someone who would rather just have the answer given to them. Ideological of me? Yeah, but I can’t understand why people want to be told where to find the most beautiful trout stream they’ve seen, instead of stumbling across it themselves. With that said, if you call or swing by the shop and you’ve been looking into River X  and  wondering if I knew anything about it, I won’t lie. It’s not covered in rattlesnakes, bears aren’t around every corner and the rancher won’t chase you off with a shotgun if he see’s you fishing through his property. Though I will tell you if that’s the case, because places like that do exist. But I promise I won’t draw you a map either. I’m not trying to hoard these spots for the simple fact that the spots I try to keep quiet are in fact, not my spots. They’re all of our spots, I just happen to believe you should take the time to find them.

~Cheers, Chewy. 

 

 

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By |2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00May 10th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Montana Fly Fishing, Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: , |0 Comments

This Week on the MO’

Book your Missouri River trip of a lifetime today.

May is off to a somewhat quiet start after the busiest April we’ve seen at Wolf Creek Angler.

We’ve traded in the clouds and cold and snow and rain of last week for blue skies, sunshine and temps in the 80’s through the later part of the week. Things will return to more seasonable conditions on Friday with cooler temps and a chance for some rain over the weekend. If dry-fly fishing is what you long for then maybe wait until the weekend. In the meantime we’ll be taking advantage of the pause this week to recalibrate our nymphing rigs while holding out hope for some decent streamer action and perhaps a head or two during the low-light hours of the day.

If you’re just looking to get out and enjoy the sunshine and maybe work on that tan the next couple days will be ideal. If you’re planning on making a serious effort to catch some fish look to mayfly nymphs and deepish rigs. We’ve been having our best luck on Split Case BWO’s, Olive Psycho Mays, PT’s, Grey LGM’s, Tungsten Juju’s, Soft Hackle Sows, Yum Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Angel Case Emergers, Bubble Yums, Purple Lightning Bugs, S & M’s, Military Mays and various other standard and not-so standard Missouri Spring Go-To’s.

Fish are where they should be, adjust until you find them. Think medium fast, medium depth and don’t forget the swirlies!

Again, not the best conditions this week for dry-fly fishing though there certainly have been plenty of BWO’s and midges around as well as March Browns and rumors of caddis clouds in a few locations. Stop by the shop for the rest of the story! Olive Adams, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Flash Cripples, Quigley’s Film Critic BWO, Wilcox’s Micro Mayfly BWO, Buzzballs, Keller’s Rocky Mountain Mint, CDC BWO Emergers, BWO Drown Spinner and BWO Hackle Stackers all getting some attention out there on the right day. We’ve also got you covered on March Browns and Mother’s Day Caddis Patterns.

If it’s streamers you’re after we’ve got you covered there as well with all of your Missouri River favorites and a bunch of WCA Exclusives you’ll only find in one shop!  Looking for foam? We’ve got more foam than we’ve ever had. Come check out the ever-expanding largest selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Plenty of lodging available this week, not so much in the weeks to come. Call today and book your Missouri River fly fishing trip of a lifetime. We are your go-to Missouri River fly fishing destination with on-site lodging, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, a fully stocked first-rate fly shop featuring anything and everything you need for fishing the MO’ and beyond and a guide crew and shop staff unmatched in their commitment to professionalism and exceptional customer service. WCA is the best fly shop you never knew existed! We hear it all of the time….”I never knew you guys were here.”

Stop by soon and see for yourself what the buzz is about.

 

 

Socked In

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True to the forecast from a few days back we’ve been stuck in the clouds/rain/snow for most of the week and while we’re happy to have the precipitation I for one am anxious to see and feel the sun shine again.

Per our predictions there has been some decent dry-fly action out there but still primarily towards the end of the day. A little perplexing but the challenge is what keeps us coming back. I haven’t been out this week but I’ve heard plenty of reports of MASSIVE BWO hatches with no fish up during the day. Those putting in the time and the miles are finding willing fish but you should definitely plan on working for them. Go to dries this week  have been Wieses Purple Phase Loop Wing, BWO Drown Spinners, Olive Parachute Adams, Rocky Mountain Mints, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, CDC Baetis Emergers and BWO Hackle Stackers on the baetis side while Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Griffiths Gnats and Buzzballs are good bets for midge imitations.

A bit of a mixed bag as far as nymphing reports go but overall it seems to be getting good out there.

We’ve heard a few lackluster reports but the word from the last couple of days has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s been wet and chilly but we’re seeing plenty of smiling faces regardless. It’s amazing what a couple of tugs can do to make you forget about being cold and miserable. Rainbow Czechs, BWO Angel Case Emergers, Split Case BWO’s, LGM’s, Psycho Mays, Micro Mays, PT’s, Bubble Yum Scuds, S & M’s, Dark Peep Shows, Juans Hi Def Baetis in purple, Black Zebras, Pink or Purple Lightning Bugs, tailwater sows, soft hackle sows……and on and on. A lot of stuff is working but its changing from day-to-day and even by the hour. Giver yourself plenty of options and don’t be afraid to stray from the standards.

And speaking of standards, don’t forget to stop by the shop next Thursday from 6 pm – 9 pm and visit with Vince Wilcox creator of THE quintessential Missouri standard the Little Green Machine.  We’ll be hanging out with Vince doing some lying, some tying, some grilling and just kicking back and enjoying springtime on the MO’.

Streamers? Still nothing stellar to report but once again, definitely worth your time. My intention is  to spend my next day on the water devoting most if not all of the day to throwing them. We’re loaded up on the big bugs right now with all of your Missouri River standards as well as a bunch of stuff from the mind of Chewy you aren’t going to find anywhere but at WCA. Wolf Creek has never seen the likes of the bug selection you’ll find in our bins and we’re adding to it almost daily!

It looks like we’re going to transition back to sunshine and warmer weather starting Sunday. Take advantage of the cloud cover while you can – it should be a great weekend for fishing as long as you’re dressed for it. Need some cold weather gear or rain gear? We’ve got ridiculous deals on outerwear from KAST, hats and gloves from Outdoor Research and wading gear and layering from Redington and a bunch of new inventory you haven’t seen yet. Make us your first stop on your way out to the river.

Lodging is full tonight and tomorrow but really opens up Sunday and into the first part of next week. Sunshine and mid 70’s expected by the middle of the week. It’s a great time to book yourself a guide trip and a night or two with us. Traffic is still relatively light and the fishing should only get better from here on out.

 

On the Road Report: Spring Sting Edition.

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Sorry to confuse you folks out there buts it’s Spring Sting  not Springsteen. I can understand the confusion, especially when you say it fast enough. Needless to say we won’t be talking about The Boss, New Jersey’s favorite son. Instead I feel the need to address a feeling I’m sure many of you are sharing with me at this time. It took W.C.A guide, beer slinger and all around bearded, flannel clad hippie trout-bum Matt Hargrave to put to words that I’ve been battling with internally for the past two or so weeks. It’s the Spring Sting, that feeling you  get when you’ve been pent-up in the canyon for close to eight months, the weather is reminiscent of my time in Southeast Alaska, it’s cold, my waders still leak  and fishing options are limited because gauges across the state look a lot like, well sort of what you would expect with the warmer weather last week, crap. The good news my friends, looks can be deceiving.

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Game On!

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

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

It looks like the weather is finally going to cooperate and give us what could be the best dry fly fishing this season to date. BWO’s have been consistent and abundant for a couple of weeks now but the heavy dose of sunshine we’ve been getting, while providing some gorgeous days on the water, has kept the daytime dry-fly action to a minimum. The couple of cloudy days we’ve had have provided plenty of opportunities to target rising fish and it looks like we’re in for a stretch of cloudy/rainy/cooler weather so plan on making the Missouri River your destination this week.

BWO Days

BWO Days

The timing couldn’t be better as we’ve got one week left of $400 full day spring guide trips and discounted lodging. We’re full tonight but have a few vacancies starting tomorrow and running through Wednesday. Things fill up again on Thursday so make it an early to mid-week trip. Guides are at the ready, anxious to treat you to a day of legendary dry-fly fishing on the Missouri.

Things have been a little inconsistent this week but there have been solid reports from below Craig, a little less so in the top section where we’ve had to work for them. Winter fare is holding on but really starting to wane. We’re still picking fish up on Bubble Yum Scuds and various firebeads but we’ve definitely noticed a shift to mayfly nymphs. LGM’s (Gray or PT), Trina’s Angel Case Emergers, Split Case BWO, BWO Magic Flies, Olive Psycho Mays, S & M’s, PT’s, Purple, Silver or Pink Lighting Bugs and the good old black zebra. Don’t abandon the pink stuff altogether but mix it up and show them something they haven’t seen.

Go-to dry flies for us this week have been the Parachute BWO, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, BWO Flash Cripple, BWO Drown Spinner, Olive Parachute Adams, Rocky Mountain Mint, Purple Phase Loop Wings and various midge clusters. Stop by and check out our vast and ever-expanding bug selection. We’re dedicated to offering you a fly selection as good as you’ll find anywhere and we’re happy to walk you through it.

We’ve maxed out and outgrown our streamer bins so you may find a little bit of chaos in the shop this week as we install our brand new bin and do some rearranging but not to worry, Zach and I will have things back in order directly.

If streamers are your thing this is go time for that as well. The next four weeks are Prime Time for streamer junkies on the MO’. We’ve heard of very few stellar streamer days thus far but there are plenty of big fish being caught on streamers. Put in your time, commit and eventually you will be rewarded.

Stop by WCA this week for shuttles, bugs, Rep Your Water clothing, LOOP Evotec CAST rods, Fishpond packs, MFC Boat Boxes, piles of logo gear and much more. Open every day at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River Fly Fishing needs.

 

3 Pot Days…The Season is Here!

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We had the first three coffee pot day of the season Saturday at WCA which means the 2016 season has now REALLY officially begun.
If you were out here this weekend you know the ramps were looking like Mid-June and there was no shortage of company on the water.

Friday brought us a substantial winter storm with several inches of  slushy snow, howling north winds, power outages, jack-knifed Semi Trailers….the real deal. Despite having no power for the first hour of the day we persevered for the die-hard anglers who showed up selling bugs by flashlight and we even ended up doing a guide trip that day. A little snow and wind wasn’t enough to deter our clients or our guide. They ended up having a good day out there and liked it so much they returned the next day for more.

Friday’s winter weather gave way to blue skies, sunshine and temps in the 50’s and 60’s  for the remainder of the weekend and the people came in droves! It was by far our busiest weekend of the year so far with a full house, a bunch of guide trips out and plenty of day-trippers swinging in for bugs and shuttles and more.

As measured by coffee consumption – winter and early spring days are generally a one-pot affair with a good share of that being consumed by the WCA crew. We’ve definitely had a couple of two-pot days over the past month but now we’ve crossed the line into the busy season with the first of what will be many three and four pot days. Some have proclaimed our coffee to be the best in the canyon, others have not. Regardless, the coffee is on us so the price is right. Stop in for a cup next time you are in Wolf Creek and decide for yourself.

Fishing reports were definitely a mixed bag this weekend but the consensus is that things are inconsistent right now. The blue sky sunny days can make things tough, especially if you’re wanting to play the dry-fly or streamer game. Nymphing can be tough on these days as well but is generally the best bet for putting fish in the net. No big changes on the menu just yet. We’re still getting them on pink stuff and firebeads but LGM’s, Split Case BWO’s, BWO Magic Flies, PT’s, Tailwater Sows, zebras, Lightning Bugs and a host of other Missouri River favorites have started to turn on as well.

Cloud cover is your best bet for streamer fishing and while you will likely see BWO’s and midges coming off in big numbers daily,  the sunny days have been a bust. Cloud cover or last light are what you need if you intend to play the dry-fly game.

The bad news if you want to fish dries is that we’re in for a week of sunshine and blue skies. That being said, with temps in the 70’s daily and little wind in the forecast the good news is that we’re going to have some gorgeous days on the water this week. Plenty of lodging available  at this point though things fill up for the weekend and will likely fill in for the early part  of the week as well as it looks like we’re going to see another Missoula Hatch come off with rivers on the rise again over there.

Things are definitely getting busy out there but you can still find plenty of solitude during the week. It’s a great time of year to book a Missouri River guide trip.

Some great deals still to be had on winter gear and clearance items in the shop. Stop in for bargains and while you are here check out all the new stuff including bins overflowing with great new bugs.

 

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