Fishing Report Archives - Page 38 of 41

Weekend Report

Blue skies and sunshine in Wolf Creek today. photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The MO will be fishable through Sunday before the temps plummet to single digits and below on Sunday night and remain there through Wednesday. High 20’s today and tomorrow with light and variable winds and a chance of snow. We could see several inches of new snow beginning Saturday night and into Sunday. I drove the Holter Dam to Craig stretch this morning and didn’t see a soul. The sun has since started to shine and we’ve had a few brave souls stop in for bugs so you may not have the whole thing to yourself but I would bet crowds will not be a problem.

Nymphing is the game right now. Firebeads, pink stuff, san juan worms, zebra midges, sows and Rainbow Czechs are all producing. We’ve had our best luck in the slow deep winter water the last few times out but fish are being found elsewhere also so fish the water you like with the bugs you like and you should do fine. We haven’t done much with streamers lately but polar leeches in copper and copper/olive continue to be hot sellers, at least by winter standards.

We will definitely be in the shop tomorrow – at least for the morning but will be closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. As long as things start to warm up we will be back in the shop on Wednesday. We’re always open for lodging and guide trips so just give us a call at (406)235-4350 if you are interested in either. We’ve got some great after-Christmas deals now through New Year’s Eve and don’t forget we’re offering one free night of lodging when you book your 2015 guide trip and one night’s lodging by January 1st. Offer excludes the months of June and July. Full day guide trips for $395 while the snow flies.

See you in the shop and on the water.

White Christmas in Wolf Creek. photo by Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:03-06:00December 26th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, streamers, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Countdown to Christmas

Another mild weekend weather-wise here in Wolf Creek . It looks like it’s going to be nice tomorrow with partly sunny skies and temps near 40 and warmer yet on Sunday but it’s going to get windy with a WSW wind at 18-20, gusting to 30 mph. Do your fishing tomorrow and make Sunday a football day!

We will be here tomorrow as well as Monday – Wednesday for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs and last-minute Christmas gifts for the fly fishers on your list. Great deals on almost everything and we’re happy to help you find the perfect gift if you’re not sure what they want. Wolf Creek Angler gift cards available in any amount and good for everything we sell. We will be closing early on Wednesday (probably around 11) and will be closed on Christmas day.

It was a good fishing week with nymphing and streamer fishing producing respectable numbers daily. Conditions have remained fairly consistent with water temps in the high 30’s and flows steady in the 4500 range. The best nymph patterns this week were the pink lightning bugs, firebead soft hackle sows and firebead worms. Polar leeches in copper and copper and olive continue to be our go-to streamers but tan circus peanuts, sparkle minnows and sparkle sculpins and buggers have been getting some attention as well. All of these and many more available at Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:03-06:00December 19th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid December

Countdown to Christmas at Wolf Creek Angler

Well we’re halfway through December. The fish are plentiful, the anglers are not. The weather has beat expectations throughout the fall with most days being more than fishable and some days being down right unseasonable with temps in the 50’s. The trend continues this week with sunny skies and high 30’s through the weekend, climbing back into mid 40’s next week. Disappointing for those hoping for a white Christmas but an awesome gift to those lucky enough to have easy access to this incredible fishery year-round.

Christmas break has begun for the college students and they are starting to arrive in Wolf Creek. We are booked through mid-week but do have vacancies for the coming weekend. If you’re going to fish the Missouri during your break make Wolf Creek Angler your first stop for shuttles, bugs, cold weather gear, RO drift boat rentals, lodging and much more. College students receive 15% off total purchase with valid college id – now through the end of the year.

Nymphing has been the most consistent method as of late with Rainbow Czechs, Pink Lightning Bugs and all kinds of Firebeads leading the charge. Zebra midges in black and purple and tailwater sow bugs and scuds in pink and grey should not be overlooked.

Those committing to the streamer are still having respectable days on the swing or with a SLOW retrieve. Polar Leeches in Olive and Olive and Copper continue to be effective. Black buggers are reportedly also getting some attention but we prefer some flash and I think the fish do too.

There are midges around and there are fish eating them. I haven’t taken a dry fly rig along recently but it certainly wouldn’t be a bad call if that is your game.

If you are still shopping for the fly fisher on your list stop by the shop or give us a call and let us help you find the perfect gift. Maybe it’s a new fly rod or new cooler. Maybe it’s a full day guide trip. Maybe it’s a WCA gift card loaded with a year’s worth of shuttles or a loaded Missouri River fly box. Maybe it’s Wolf Creek Angler logo gear, an excellent choice for your friends around the country and around the globe. Whatever it is, we are here to help you find what you need and we will gladly do whatever we can to simplify things for you. We are happy to mail gift cards or ship merchandise anywhere in the world. Call (406)235-4350 or toll-free 1-800-800-4350.

Wolf Creek Angler Gift Cards are available in any amount, are re-loadable and can be used on EVERYTHING.

The shop is open Wednesday – Saturday from 8 am – 4 pm and if the weather is nice we are usually around on the other days as well. We are open and available for lodging and guide trips every day. Don’t forget our $395 full day guide trips while the snow flies.

See you in the shop and on the water…

~Jason O.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:03-06:00December 16th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Christmas, dry fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Weekend Report

Missouri River Winter Fishing Headquarters in Wolf Creek Montana – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

It’s feeling like spring these last couple of days with temps pushing into the 40’s and it’s supposed to continue through the coming week. Definitely worse ways to spend December days than fishing the Missouri. A little more traffic around today, though not as much as you might think considering.

As promised I did manage to get out on Thursday for a quick solo run from Wolf Creek to Craig. Aside from four wade anglers I saw not a soul. I ran a bunch of winter bugs to see if I could find anything that was RED HOT. The closest I came was the firebead wire worm which got the majority of the eats but I did coax a few into taking a pink lightning bug and also had a couple takes on the rainbow czech. Each of these and many more available now at Wolf Creek Angler.

All in all it was a pretty productive couple of hours. I spoke with the wade guys Thursday night who were staying with us and they also did well with the firebead wire worms. The wire worm craze was apparently short-lived however as the same guys fished the same water on Friday morning and didn’t get a single take on the worm. They loaded up on rainbow czechs and I didn’t see them again for what it’s worth.Bottom line – winter fishing is on. Winter bugs, winter water, winter techniques are all coming into play right now. The weather couldn’t be better.

The largest selection of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana – photo by Stefan McLeod

We are full through Monday but will have vacancies during the week and into next weekend.Great deals on all kinds of great fly fishing gear now through Christmas Eve and don’t forget WCA gift cards good for anything we sell! Why not treat yourself to an early Christmas present and book a guide trip this week while the weather is nice. Winter special rates of $395 for a full day while the snow flies! Rooms for under a hundred bucks a night.

Now through January 1st book a guide trip and a night’s lodging for next season and we’ll throw in a second night’s lodging for free. Our normal winter hours are 8 am – 4 pm Wednesday – Saturday but if we’re seeing 40’s all week you will find us here every day but Sunday. Fishing Dam to Craig? Remember you need go no further than Wolf Creek. We’ve got you covered with winter bugs, shuttles, RO drift boat rentals, rooms and much much more.

Hope to see you around the shop and on the water this week.

Go Griz!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:03-06:00December 6th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, RO Drift Boats, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome December!

The Christmas Season has arrived. Shop Wolf Creek Angler for all the fly fishers on your list.

Another month in the books as we approach the end of 2014. November dragged on a bit with some extreme cold spells which kept folks off the river but which kept us busy trying to keep the water flowing at Wolf Creek Angler.

The break in the action gave us time to get out and do some non-fishing related things as well. I was happy to shoot a mule deer early in the month and even happier that Fred was still here at that time to come out and help me drag it! I attended my first “Brawl of the Wild” in Missoula a couple of weekends back and had a great time watching the Griz beat up on the Cats and was back there last weekend to watch Montana roll to victory in the first round of the FCS playoffs. Fun stuff!

The BWO’s we thought might show up in November didn’t but the nymphing certainly had its moments and the streamer bite was respectable depending on the day. I was only on the water a handful of days in November doing a couple of guide days and one or two days on my own. For the most part I was pretty content to enjoy the view of the river from the comfort of my warm vehicle as I drove the corridor taking pictures of winter’s beauty. It’s looking like another warm up towards the end of this week so I will make it a point to get out there and get you a first hand report of what’s happening. Judging by the bugs we’ve been selling the winter game is on. Pink is in and with the water temps now down in the 38 degree range it’s time to start working the slow deep runs and getting your bugs down to the fish. The colder that water gets the less likely the fish are to move so it is critical to put the bugs right in front of them and to check every slight stop/drop of the indicator as the strikes tend to get pretty subtle this time of year.

Thank you to everyone who came out for our Black Friday Sale. We will continue to have great deals on all kinds of gear through Christmas Eve. Sonic Pro Waders from Redington, St Croix Bank Robber and High Stick Drifter rods, cold-weather gear from Outdoor Research, Fishpond Nomad boat nets, awesome WCA SIMMS logo gear, all kinds of tools and accessories and of course, the largest fly selection ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. We’ve got something for all of the fishy folks on your list.

Wolf Creek Angler Gift Cards are available in any amount, are re-loadable and can be used on EVERYTHING.

Can’t decide what to buy them – how about a Wolf Creek Angler gift card good for anything from merchandise to shuttles to lodging to rentals to guide trips. Our cards are available in any amount and are re-loadable. Now through Christmas Eve purchase a gift card in the amount of $100 or more and receive a second $10 gift card for yourself.

We have a couple of vacancies for the weekend warm-up so give us a call at the shop today to book your room. We are open Wednesday-Saturday 8:00 AM – 4 PM and will usually be found here any day other than Sunday that the temperature is over 30 degrees. Likewise, we might not be found here any day the temperature is below zero. Call ahead just to make sure. (406)235-4350. Don’t forget winter lodging rates of $99/night and $395 guide trips while the snow flies.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:03-06:00December 1st, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, indicator, Missouri River, running line, St Croix, Streamer Fishing, streamers, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Thursday Report

Dog days of Fall. With Fred back in Michigan for the winter Jake has been spending a lot of time in the shop and on the water with me. He’s a great fishing partner though his rowing skills are lacking… photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The weather couldn’t be better for November fishing on the Missouri. We’re looking at cloudy skies and 40’s for the next couple of days before we drop back to colder temps early next week. It doesn’t appear as though we’re headed back into single digits for a while but this week definitely seems like the favorable weather window. Could be on the breezy side but we’ll definitely take it.

I was out Tuesday looking for fish up and doing some nymphing. No fish up – a few to hand on nymphs – not a great day but certainly nice to be on the water after spending all of last week battling frozen plumbing.

Matt was out on Monday and did pretty well on pink stuff so I ran with that and ended up having most of my hook-ups on a pink lightning bug though the tailwater sow was getting some attention as well.

Streamers would be a good call today. They’re a good call any day. Polar Leeches in olive and copper, Kreelex in brown and gold, Sculpin Sparkle Minnows, Circus Peanuts in tan, Dirty Hippies in brown…the options are limitless. Stop by the shop on your way to the water and we’ll get you set up with everything you need.

I had the Wolf Creek to Craig stretch all to myself on Tuesday but expect some traffic out there for the next few days. We’ve got a full house here for the weekend so I know of at least a few folks who will definitely be out there.

We’re open at 8:00 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Bugs, shuttles, drift boat rentals, lodging and much more and we’re right on your way! We’ll be here all day today and tomorrow and will be here to get you going on Saturday morning before we head off to Missoula for the Brawl of the Wild. The shop is closed on Sundays for the winter but we’re always open for lodging and guide trips. We will be closed on Thanksgiving but will see you bright and early on Black Friday with great deals on most everything. Wolf Creek Angler gift cards make the perfect gift and can be used for merchandise, lodging, shuttles and guide trips. Who wouldn’t want a $100 worth of shuttles? We’re happy to send gift cards anywhere in the world so while we’d love to see you in the shop you can save yourself the trip and get all your Christmas shopping done from wherever your are with a call to us at (406)235-4350.

See you in the shop and on the water.

~Jason O.

Wolf Creek Bridge. Cloudy November days are perfect for streamer fishing the Missouri River – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:03-06:00November 20th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Christmas, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, nymphs, running line, Streamer Fishing, streamers, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Deep Freeze

Deep Freeze on the MO this week – come out and have the river to yourself! – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Winter has arrived in Montana this week with temps in the single digits and wind chill values as low as -30 tonight. When we decided we were going to remain open and also keep limited lodging available for the winter these were the types of conditions we were concerned about as most of our buildings are not exactly designed for winter use. So far so good! If we make it through the next couple of days without having frozen plumbing we will know that we are on the right track. That being said, it’s all a gamble as these are not ideal conditions for fishing the Missouri so we will definitely need mother nature’s cooperation to make a go of it this winter. We do have guests staying with us this week and they reportedly did pretty well yesterday during the early part of the day but we’re not sure how long they will stick around as it appears we’re going to be stuck in single digits at least trough tomorrow. Teens through the weekend and a warm up on Sunday. The way it looks now we should be back to comfortable fishing conditions by the first part of next week. Might we see some BWO’s next week? We hope so but there are plenty of other options including throwing streamers which has been good and getting better over the past week or two. Our WCA Polar Leeces, particularly in Olive/Copper, have been moving a ton of fish and we’ve also been doing well with the Gold/Brown Kreelex and Sculpin Sparkle Minnows – all available at Wolf Creek Angler. Nymphing has been hit or miss with the go-to’s still being Rainbow Czechs, Green Machines and Tailwater Sows. Heard of a few guys doing ok on the hot bead wire worm as well.

Flows are back up toi 4460 today after dropping below 4000 for the past few days. The water temperature is at around 49 and dropping.

Stop by the shop for bugs, shuttles, boat rentals, lodging and cold weather gear from Outdoor Research and more. It’s not too early to start your Christmas shopping and we’ve got all kinds of gear for the fly angler in your life. Wolf Creek Angler gift cards can be purchased in any amount and are good for everything from merchandise to shuttles to lodging and guide trips. We’re happy to send gift cards to anywhere in the world so give us a call at 800-800-4350 and purchase one today.

After careful consideration we have come up with the following winter schedule. The shop will be open from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday – Saturday with lodging and guide trips available any and every day at special winter rates. Should things get really fishy we will be here on Mondays and Tuesdays as well and should we see a bunch of single digit weather this winter we may NOT be here on some of the stated days. It would be a good idea to call before you come in but again, if it’s fishy weather we will likely be here. We will be closed on Sundays for the winter months.

We are anxious to see how things go this winter and we would love for you to make Wolf Creek Angler your year-round Missouri River fishing and lodging destination. We’ve got a busy winter ahead and have a lot of things we will be working on for next season and beyond.

Stay Warm!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:05-06:00November 11th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Christmas, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Weekend Report – Fish NOW – Winter is on the Way

Frozen Boots on the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Today is the day to fish the Missouri with abundant sunshine and temps in the 50’s. Looks like rain and steady temps tomorrow but with winds at 20-30 mph and gusting to 44 it sounds like a good day to stay home and watch football. Tomorrow night the temperature plummets and the snow arrives, possibly 2-4 inches with a couple more on Monday and single digits through the week. We’re not exactly sure what our schedule is going to be for winter but it will probably be dictated in large part by the weather. The shop will be closed on Sundays through the winter but we will have lodging available.

Fishing was hit or miss yesterday but if you’re willing to work for them you’ll do ok. Not much in the way of fish up but some have been doing fair throwing streamers and nymphing continues to yield the best return. Rainbow Czechs and Tailwater Sows were getting it done for us yesterday and it sounds like Green Machines and San Juan Worms are continuing to produce fish.

See you in the shop and on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:05-06:00November 8th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: green machine, Missouri River, nymphs, running line, streamers, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Bliss

Sunset over the famed Blackfoot River near Ovando MT – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Bliss is the theme of today’s photo 101 challenge but Bliss is also what we experience here in Montana almost daily. Surrounded by rivers and mountains and incredible skies we are spoiled with blissful sights everywhere we look. The photo above was taken in late summer at River Junction campground where the North Fork meets the main stem of the Blackfoot River. Montana sunrises and sunsets never cease to amaze.

So what’s happening at Wolf Creek Angler outside of the Photo 101 challenge? We continue to experience above average temperatures and abundant sunshine but it looks like it may all be coming to an end with snow moving in on Sunday night and a high of 30 Monday and lows possibly dipping into the single digits Monday night. 50’s on tap for the weekend may make this the weekend you should come and fish the Missouri. We’ve got a couple of cabins left so give us a call and book your spot today.

Fishing remains good though we have yet to hear any reports of substantial bwo activity so bring your nymphing rigs and streamer rods and enjoy fall’s last gasp before the cold sets in.

We will be open from 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM through the weekend and will most likely implement winter hours next week. We’ll keep you posted.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:06-06:00November 7th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, Montana, photo 101, running line, winter, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Photo 101 “Home”

Wolf Creek Bridge on the Mighty Missouri River near Wolf Creek Montana. – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

As we think about what we’ve learned over the course of this first season one thing that we know is that we need to do a better job of keeping our blog active and up-to-date. Consequently I’ve been spending some time checking out blogging U on WordPress looking for inspiration and instruction in an effort to better serve you our readers.

I happened upon this photo 101 course/challenge which runs through the month of November and which assigns a subject per day for a photo on our blog. This is the first day of the challenge and the subject today is HOME and we can think of no better representation of home for Wolf Creek Angler than the Wolf Creek Bridge. I have taken countless pictures featuring the bridge and will continue to do so. The bridge is also featured on our shop logo. In fact the logo was created around the bridge so it is certainly near and dear to us.

Enjoy the pictures and let us know what you think.

Quick Fishing Report – In spite of cold weather and some snow and rain yesterday we have yet to see the BWO’s however nymphing and streamer fishing continue to get it done river-wide. If you simply have to throw dries find those feeding fish and throw a parachute adams or purple haze trailed by an RS2 or cdc caddis emerger, they can’t resist!

You can find these bugs at Wolf Creek Angler along with all the late season nymph patterns and the streamers that are catching fish daily on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:06-06:00November 3rd, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, nymphs, photo 101, running line, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments