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Weekend Report September 26th

Fall in Wolf Creek Montana

Some good days, some great days, some not so good days this past week as fall fishing continues to ramp up on the Missouri.

Nymphing is still the go-to for numbers but there’s enough happening on top between Trico hold overs, Pseudos, terrestrials, the occasional caddis and the promise of baetis to keep the DFO’s interested. Sub surface options remain somewhat status quo with black Zebras leading the charge followed by Grey LGM’s, Red 2 Bits, Micromays, Psychomays, Purple Weight Flies, Hot Belly and standard PT’s, Grey WD-40’s, Purple Lightning Bugs, BWO Magic Flies and a host of other baetis-themed bugs.

Streamers? Not on fire by any means but definitely worth your time. Stop by the shop and check out our ever-expanding streamer selection which is definitely starting to get noticed. We love the streamer game and we understand the addiction. Get your fix at WCA. Demo a St Croix Bank Robber designed by streamer legend Kelly Galloup. You might just get hooked!

The leaves aren’t the only colors of fall. The brown trout are colored up in spawning splendor this time of year and we’ve been catching some great ones this week.

It’s nice to have the shop abuzz with activity again in the mornings as we get the trips out the door each day and get you set up with everything you need for your day on the water.

Afternoons have been spent meeting with reps and looking at new products as we put together our plans for next season and work on getting those pre-season orders written. Can it really be that time again already

We’re really excited to see all the new products being offered for next season and as always we’re working hard to bring you the products you want from the brands you love as we continue to try to earn your business and become your Missouri River fly shop and guide service of choice. Expect big things from Wolf Creek Angler and rest assured that we will always be doing everything we can to meet your expectations.

Lodging vacancies have been hard to come by for the past couple of weeks and will continue to be a challenge as we head into October. Things start to open up towards the end of October but if the fishing is half as good as we anticipate in the weeks to come we will remain fairly full right on into November. Don’t hesitate to book your mid to late October lodging and guide trips – they’re going quickly!

Speaking of late fall – remember we’re open all year so keep us in mind when you are making your late fall/winter fishing plans. Once things start to shut down in Craig later in the fall Wolf Creek becomes the place to be with lodging, dining, gas, groceries and of course the best fly shop ever to call Wolf Creek Montana home. Look no further than Wolf Creek Angler for your late season Missouri River fly fishing needs. We’ve got everything you need and we’re closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than anyone.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:46-06:00September 26th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Craig MT, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, nymphs, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Fall Fishing in Montana

The eve of fall is officially upon us and while we’re experiencing summer-like temperatures this week we will see another cold front arriving this weekend making it feel more like fall.

The river has been in great shape with flows in the 4K range continuing to be maintained and water temps dipping below 60 degrees with the cool nights.

Abundant sunshine, gusty winds and weeds have all been atop the complaint lists of the half-empty angling crew but the half full bunch are enjoying the sunshine and blue skies and the changing colors while embracing the challenges presented by the winds and weeds and catching plenty of fish.

Dry-fly opportunities continue to present themselves in the form of lingering tricos and terrestrials along with the occasional skittering caddis but nymphing has definitely been the better option as of late. Black or purple Zebra Midges paired with Tung Darts, Weight Flies, BWO Magic Flies, Red Two Bits, S & M’s, Czechs, MicroMays, Purple Hot Belly PT’s, Chocolate WD-40’s, LGM’s, Bionic Chartreuse Midges and Psycho Mays have all been producing.

The streamer bite has been hit or miss but that being said, we’ve sold more streamers in the past week than I can remember ever selling in a week’s time. We’ve got more and better streamer patterns than we’ve ever had and we plan to continue to expand our selection. Come by the shop and let us get you set up with everything you need for streamer fishing the MO. From bugs to Airflo, Rio and SA streamer lines to St Croix Bank Robber specialty streamer sticks, we’ve got everything you need to get started. If you’re new to the streamer game or looking to upgrade your current set up grab one of our Bank Robber demo rods, you won’t be disappointed.

We encourage you to get out and enjoy fall fishing in Montana. Whether that’s floating the MO or exploring smaller waters it’s an awesome time of year to fish in Montana. Limited lodging available for the weeks to come and expert guides available any and every day. Give us a call today to book your Missouri River fly fishing trip of a lifetime – there’s no time like the present.

Shop open daily at 6:30 AM, earlier than ALL the rest, for all of your Missouri River Fly Fishing needs. Shuttles, bugs, boats, hot and cold weather gear from KAST, sun protection, Montana Maid Coffee, leaders and tippet from Rio and Trout Hunter, Fishpond Nomad nets and accessories and much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:46-06:00September 22nd, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, Fall fishing, fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Montana, running line, St Croix, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

On the hunt. September also means archery season in Montana. Photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Cooler temps and overcast skies have put us in full-on fall mode and while fall fishing is certainly on our minds, this is also the time of year we become conflicted about whether to be on the water or in the field stalking deer and elk.

Archery season is just over a week old and we’ve been out a couple of times but the warm weather has made it easy to maintain our focus on fishing. That may soon change however as it’s looking and feeling like fall out there with temps dipping into the low 40’s at night making for some great mornings to be out in the field.

Rain in the forecast through Thursday could make for some great streamer days and while nymphing was reportedly on the slow side yesterday it should be turning on with water temps hovering right around 60 degrees. Tricos remain an option as do Pseudos, Callibaetis and terrestrials depending on where you’re fishing. Whispers of baetis seem appropriate with the current weather trend – bring em’ on!

Status Quo on the nymphing front with zebra midges, two-bit hookers, Rainbow Czechs, LGM’s, PT’s, Weight Flies, Tung Darts, Olive WD 40’s, S & M’s, BWO Magic Flies etc. all getting some attention. Rig up with the bugs you like and fish them like you know they’re going to get eaten. Faith in the fly you are using almost always trumps the pattern.

Not sure what to use or where to go? Stop by the shop on your way to the river. We’d love to get you set up and headed in the right direction. Shuttles, Lodging, RO Drift Boat Rentals, Expert Guides, Cold Weather Gear from Kast and Redington, Rock Bottom sale prices on Simms WCA summer logo wear and of course, the largest selection of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

See you at WCA. Open 6:30 AM Daily (Earlier than ALL THE REST) for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:46-06:00September 15th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, RO Drift Boats, running line, Streamer Fishing, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

A Trico Resurgence on the MO this week – photo by Rudy Malmquist

Feeling like summer again out there today with temperatures expected to reach the mid 80’s but a nice cooling trend on the way this week with highs in the low 60’s and some rain starting Monday night. Could be some great streamer days ahead!

The switch was flipped a couple of days ago and the traffic has returned to the Missouri. We enjoyed the break in the action but it’s nice to have some folks around again. The hustle and bustle has returned to WCA with busy lodging and a bunch of guide trips going out and the shop is alive again with anglers emptying the fly bins.

Good reports from all sections over the past few days with a major trico resurgence and pseudos, callibaetis, caddis and terrestrials all in the dry-fly mix. Double Zebras at the dam and a host of other sub-surface options working well. Streamers? Give em’ a try. Stop by and see us and we’ll do our best to get you set up with what you need.

The bugs are only part of the equation and while there are a bunch of different ways to skin that cat, there are a few ways not to skin it as well. We spend a lot of time explaining and demonstrating how to build and fish various Missouri River rigs and we never tire of it. There’s nothing like helping someone rig up and having them return to report that whatever it was we told them to do worked and got them into fish. The Missouri can be an extremely challenging and somewhat intimidating river and she’ll humble you time and again but we are happy to share our knowledge of the river with anyone who comes through the door. We welcome beginners and experts and everything in-between and there’s nothing we like better than helping to get people started in our awesome sport.

We’ve got a busy week ahead but there’s always room for more so give us a call and book your lodging and/or guide trips today.

Shop open 6:30 AM daily (Earlier than all the rest) for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Shuttles, boats, bugs and much, much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:46-06:00September 12th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|0 Comments

Big Fish – Small Bug, Zebra Midge days on the MO. Photo by Rudy Malmquist

Fishing is heating up as we settle into our post-summer routine here on the Missouri.

Cooler temperatures this week and good reports from all stretches including some near-epic nymphing days from the dam down and some good dry-fly action river wide.

There are still tricos to be found in the upper stretches, depending on the day and while it’s definitely worth your time to target those fish keying on the trico spinners make sure to bring your A game. These fish have seen it all this season and they won’t tolerate any angler error.

The more forgiving option on top is definitely the terrestrial route. More-or-less and Moorish hoppers in tan or pink, chubbys in purple, tan or gold, sparkle ants, parachute ants and the occasional beetle have all been getting some attention. Try trailing a hopper with an ant or beetle and see what happens. The terrestrial rigs have been a little slow the past couple of days but we’re getting plenty of eats on nymph droppers. Some prefer to stick with the indicator rig, figuring two nymphs are better than one but we would much rather watch a hopper than a bobber even when the fish are completely ignoring the hoppers. You just never know when you might put that hopper over that 2′ brown and get the eat. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Go-to nymphs for us this week have been black zebras, Rainbow Czechs, Tung Darts, Weight Flies, Peep Shows, 2 Bit Hookers in red, Rainbow Warriors, PT’s, LGM’s, Red Headed Step Child, Claws R Cray, Snapping Cray, Chocolate or Olive WD40’s and various other mayfly nymphs.

September can also be a great month for streamers on the Missouri. Cooler days and overcast skies are the ticket…..bring on the streamer weather! Circus Peanuts, Sparkle Minnows, Polar Leeches, Pine Squirrel Leeches and various buggers should all be a part of your Missouri River streamer arsenal. Stop by the shop and stock up and while you’re at it why not take a St Croix Bank Robber out for a test drive. We’d love to get you set up with everything you need for fall streamer fishing.

Lodging is filling quickly for the next six weeks of autumn awesomeness and our guides are starting to get busy again so don’t miss out on one of our favorite times of the year on the MO.

Long nights, cool mornings, the smell of autumn in the air….Montana fall Fly Fishing at its finest!

Shop open daily at 6:30 AM (earlier than ALL THE REST) for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Shuttles, bugs, bobbers, lines, leaders, gloves, hats, sun protection, waders, boots and much more including coffee on the house and the most laid-back and friendly atmosphere you’ll find in any shop anywhere.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:46-06:00September 9th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, indicator, Missouri River, nymphs, Two Bit Hooker, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Welcome September

Enjoy the solitude while it lasts – the Missouri River will soon be bustling with activity again as anglers return for the fall season – our favorite time of the year.

While not quite what we see in June and July, expect to have plenty of company out there soon. You have about a week and a half or so left where you might very well have the whole river to yourself and there’s no reason, at least from a fishing standpoint, that you shouldn’t be here right now!

Very good nymphing reports from the dam in particular, but we’re hearing decent reports from every section depending on the day. Status Quo on the bug front – zebra midges, Tung Darts, WD40’s, Peep Shows, Split Case BWO’s (and PMD’s) Two-Bit Hookers, Micro Mays, LGM’s, Juju Baetis, Weight Flies, Rainbow Warriors, Czechs, S & M’s , Military Mays, Pheasant Tails and Cray Fish have all been catching fish. It’s a great time of the year to throw the whole box at them- the fish are hungry and they’re eating nymphs a plenty.

Still hit or miss on the dry flies but good fish being caught on hoppers daily. Our go-to hopper continues to be the Tan Moorish but Tan or Pink More or Less, Tan White Clouds, purple Yeti Hoppers, and chubbys in purple, gold and tan are consistently getting eats as well. Try trailing a small parachute ant or a zebra or a Pine Squirrel Leech…. the possibilities are limitless.

Tricos still providing limited opportunities but definitely coming to a close. Pseudos, Callibaetis, October Caddis and BWO’s are all on the autumn dry fly menu.

The streamer bite has been all the talk as of late. Try a Sparkle Minnow, Circus Peanut, Skiddish Smolt or just a plain old bugger and see what happens. Lots of new streamers in the bins at WCA along with great line choices from Airflo and Rio. New to the streamer game? We’d love to help you get started. Come grab a demo St Croix Bank Robber and give it a shot – it could change your fishing life forever!

Plenty of lodging available for the time being at WCA.. Two weeks from now that changes but we usually have something available so give us a call and book your fall getaway – Epic Days Ahead!

Shop open daily at 6:30 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Guides, Shuttles, RO Drift Boat rentals (including the wildly popular Tailwater Skiff), Lodging, hot and cold weather gear and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:46-06:00September 2nd, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Fish, fly fishing, Missouri River, St Croix, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fishing Report 8/26/15

Good fishing to be had out there right now river-wide. We’ve had some downright spectacular days up at the dam and pieced together some decent days below Craig as well. The Wolf Creek Bridge to Craig section has not been all that lately but that being said, there are plenty of fish in that section. Get out there and get them figured out!

Double Zebras, Tung Darts, Red Two Bit Hookers, Little Green Machines, Tailwater Sows, Split Case PMD’s, BWO Magic Flies and various Crayfish patterns are getting it done below the surface and the hopper/terrestrial bite has been good enough to keep things interesting if you choose to make a day of hoppers and ants. If you’re not getting eats on the terrestrials try dropping a Pine Squirrel Leech or a #16 purple or gold weight fly or the aforementioned Zebra Midge – they may change your luck.

The smoke is hanging heavy right now and will continue to do so throughout the week but the silver lining is that the smoke is blocking out the sun and keeping things from getting as hot as they could which is allowing the fire crews to make substantial progress on many of the fires burning around the area.

Hoot Owl Restrictions have begun to be lifted as we move towards cooler days. See below for the latest comprehensive list of Restrictions and Closures from FWP.

Traffic is still very light out there but it wont be this way much longer. Lodging is beginning to fill again as people begin to work fall fishing on the Missouri into their plans. Give us a call today for lodging and /or guide trips. Mid September through early November is one of our absolute favorite times to fish the Missouri. Sunny days with a chill in the air, colored up trees, colored up fish – does it get any better? Traffic will definitely pick up as we move into September but people tend to spread out more in the fall so it never seems to feel overly crowded unless you get stuck doing row-arounds at the dam.

Make Wolf Creek Angler your destination for fall fishing on the Missouri. We’ve got everything you need from top notch Missouri River Fly Fishing Guides to clean, functional and affordable lodging and a first-rate fly shop fully stocked with everything Missouri River Fly Fishing including an ever-increasing selection of bugs rivaling that of any shop in the area. Open daily at 6 AM, earlier than all the rest, for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs and just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge – nobody is closer!

Bugs, shuttles, Rio and Trout Hunter leaders and tippet, ice, fishing licenses, sun protection, cold-weather gear, hot weather gear, Fishpond Nomad Nets, Smith sunglasses, all kinds of tools and accessories and more. Don’t see what you want? We are always more than happy to call around and see if we can find it at one of the other shops for you.

Stop by Wolf Creek Angler and see what the buzz is about.

Following is the up-to-date list of Restrictions and Closures from FWP.

Beaver Creek Full Angling Closure starting 09/01/2015
Mandatory Waterbody Closure
Beaver Creek, in Hill County, for its entire length below the outlet of Beaver Creek Reservoir. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report

Belmont Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report
Big Hole River Madatory Drought Closure starting 8/19/2015.
Mandatory Drought Closure –

[24 hour] River sections of the Big Hole River: Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to North Fork Big Hole River. (8/18/2015)
View Water Body Report
Madatory Drought Closure starting 8/19/2015.
Mandatory Drought Closure – [24 hour] Big Hole River from the Notch Bottom FAS to the confluence with the Beaverhead River. (8/18/2015)
View Water Body Report
Copper Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Landers Fork. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report

Cottonwood Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report

Gold Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary of the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report

Landers Fork Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report
Monture Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report

Morrell Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Clearwater River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report
Murphy Lake Emergency Closure on Murphy Lake
Fire Related Closure
Murphy Lake located in Lincoln County. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report

North Fork Blackfoot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
North Fork Falls to the confluence with the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)
View Water Body Report

Reopened Waterbodies
Big Hole River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/21/2015.
Closure Lifted
Big Hole River: Maiden Rock FAS up to the Notch Bottom FAS. (8/21/2015)
View Water Body Report
Bitterroot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/19/2015.
Closure Lifted
Bitterroot River from its origin at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River to its mouth. (8/19/2015)
View Water Body Report
Blackfoot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/19/2015.
Closure Lifted
Blackfoot River from its headwaters to its confluence with the Clark Fork River. (8/19/2015)
View Water Body Report
Clark Fork River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/19/2015.
Closure Lifted
Clark Fork River from Rock Creek downstream to its confluence with the Flathead River. (8/19/2015)
View Water Body Report
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/22/2015.
Closure Lifted
Clark Fork River from its headwaters downstream to Rock Creek. (8/22/2015)
View Water Body Report
East Gallatin River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Entire East Gallatin River from its origin at the confluence of Rocky and Sourdough Creeks to its confluence with the West Gallatin River. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Flint Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/22/2015.
Closure Lifted
From the Highway 1 Bridge near milepost 53 to the mouth. (8/22/2015)
View Water Body Report
Gallatin River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Lower Gallatin River from Sheds Bridge (Hwy 84) near Four Corners, MT, downstream to its confluence with the Madison River at Three Forks. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Jefferson River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Entire Jefferson River. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Madison River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Lower Madison River from Ennis Dam to the Missouri River Headwaters. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Ruby River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Portions of the Ruby River from Duncan District Road to its confluence with the Beaverhead River. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Shields River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 08/24/2015
Closure Lifted
Most of the Shields River from its confluence with Smith Creek downstream to its confluence with the Yellowstone River. (8/24/2015)
View Water Body Report
Silver Bow Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 8/22/2015.
Closure Lifted
From Blacktail Creek to the mouth where it joins with Warm Springs Creek. (8/22/2015)
View Water Body Report

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 26th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Fishpond, fly fishing, Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, RIO, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Summer Fading Fast

As we enter the last full week of August the shorter days and cooler nights have us eagerly anticipating fall and the second season on the Missouri. Summer is winding down, the kids are going back to school this week and while it still feels like summer out there the chilly mornings we’ve had as of late are a welcome sign of things to come. The breather that comes with the August Lull has been nice but we’re ready to get back to the business of making your Missouri River fly fishing experience all that it can be.

The fishing has been decent most days with the nymphers having the most success but if you commit to the terrestrials you should get at least a fish or two to move and their have been some absolute piggy browns being caught on hoppers, chubbies and ants so don’t give up!

Summer and smoke will return this week with highs in the 90’s each day.

Don’t miss our Labor Day Sale September 5th and 6th. Great deals on almost everything in the shop including Simms Solarflex WCA logo wear and KAST summer Guide Wear. We’ve got plenty of lodging available for the big Labor Day weekend so why not make Wolf Creek and the Missouri River your Labor Day Getaway this year. Browns and Brews Beer Fest happening in Craig on Saturday, September 5th from 4 to 8 PM with live music and plenty of great Montana Made Beer from Bozeman Brewing Company, Bowser Brewing Company, Katabatic Brewing Company, The Front Brewing Co. and Mighty Mo Brewing Company. This brewfest will have live and silent auctions, to raise money for the betterment or improvement of Craig. Don’t miss you chance to bid on some great auction items including Wolf Creek Angler gear and a guide trip/lodging package.

Enjoy late summer on the Missouri and make WCA your one stop before you hit the river for shuttles, guide trips, lodging, Montana Maid Coffee, fishing licenses, ice, Fishpond Nomad nets, Yeti Ramblers, Colsters and Hoppers, Rio and Trout Hunter leaders and tippet, Sun Protection from Buff, Simms and Outdoor Research, friendly honest info and advice, and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 24th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Browns and Brews, Craig MT, Labor Day Sale, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yeti|0 Comments

Cray Days on the MO

Guest Blog from WCA Guide Jim Murray

We’ve officially reached the Dog Days of summer. Few fisherman, fewer boats and A LOT of smoke signal that the middle of August has arrived. While it has been smoky the last few days, it hasn’t stopped a few of us from getting out on the river and having some fun. The few of us who have been on the river this week have been rewarded with some pretty good fishing. In the last week, I’ve fished the entire river from the Dam to Cascade, and it is all fishing well.

Hoppers, chubby, ants, leaches, pheasant tails, caddis nymphs, and the good old Cray Daddy have all produced. In addition to catching a large number of healthy rainbows, it seems the Big Browns have come out to play. A large number of piggy browns have been brought to the net recently, both on nymphs and dries. Big Browns = happy anglers.

Big fish, a lot of them, and few to no other anglers on the river…what are you waiting for? While we all wish the fires will subside and the smoke will clear, it is a good time to be fishing the Missouri, and it only figures to improve as August turns to September and we receive some relief from the heat. Grab your box of big flies and terrestrials, your six weight rod, and hit the river. Or better yet, book a guide trip and leave all the work to us! Either way, if you like the river to yourself, and the chance to catch a big brown, it’s time to get on the Missouri.

The fish are feasting on Crayfish until they puke! photo by Jim Murray

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 22nd, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Claws R Cray, Crayfish, Jim Murray, Missouri River, running line, Snapping Cray, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Wildfires and Brown Trout

Things remain pretty quiet around Wolf Creek and Craig as we move into the second half of August. Traffic is light but there are definitely fish being caught out there.

If you follow this blog you might think we’ve stopped fishing though nothing could be further from the truth! We’ve posted travel blogs and bear blogs over the past few days and the wildfires are definitely the topic of conversation right now with Governor Bullock declaring a fire emergency in Montana over the weekend. There are currently over 100 active wildfires around the state burning some 47,000 acres and some of these are hitting home affecting waters we love to fish with the Sucker Creek fire affecting the Landers Fork and Copper Creek and the Scotty Brown fire which is now contained closing River Junction Road limiting Blackfoot access.

So what about the fishing?

The fishing report has been somewhat static as of late but it’s definitely worth your time to get out there and fish the Missouri. Nymphing has been decent, especially at the dam and there have been a bunch of big brown trout being caught on terrestrials primarily in the lower stretches but there’s no reason you shouldn’t try the hopper rigs wherever you happen to be fishing.

Good nymph choices have been black zebra midges, red Two-Bit Hookers, Tung Darts and Peep Shows with various Cray Fish and Leech patterns getting some attention as well. On top run your choice of hoppers and ants. We’ve been having good luck with tan Moorish hoppers, Pink or Purple More-or-Less hoppers and tan Whitecloud Hoppers trailed with black parachute ants.

These are some of the beauties our guides and clients and shop customers have been picking up over the last couple of weeks.

Stop by Wolf Creek Angler on your way to the river for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs including Fishpond Nomad hand nets and boat nets, Yeti Hoppers, Hydro Flask growlers and pint glasses, tippet and leaders from Rio and Trout Hunter, loads of cool Simms WCA logo wear, shuttles, lodging, some of the hardest working guides on the river and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana and we’re just minutes from Holter Dam, nobody is closer. Shop open daily at 6 am – Montana Maid Coffee freshly brewed every morning.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 17th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Fishpond, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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