Fishing Report Archives - Page 7 of 41

Fishing the Averages

Quiet on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The cold snap which lingered over the holidays is but a memory now as we settle in to more seasonal conditions with daily high temps hanging right in that average, or slightly above average, 35 – 40 degree zone for the next while.

It’s been breezy more often than not as you would expect but the breeziness is much easier to contend with on a 40 degree day than a single digit day. While snowpack conditions are holding fairly steady in the high country the snow is all but gone here in Wolf Creek and on the Missouri. A bit of shelf ice hanging around here and there and the occasional chunks of ice falling off of the dam but wading conditions by winter standards, are actually optimal right now.

Flows are low and steady currently at 2840 CFS with water temps just shy of 34 degrees.

This is winter fishing at its best. Mild temps, low flows and hungry trout.

Hungry yes, aggressive….not so much. While there are no shortage of hungry fish, their primary concern right now is conserving energy. Winter is hard. Water temps are cold. It’s a whole different game from an angling perspective.

Sexy riffles and seams are not your winter targets. Holding in cold fast water requires energy the fish simply don’t have during the winter months.

Slow and deep….that’s where you’ll find them. And you’ll need to pick that water apart because they aren’t going to move much for a meal. Grid your water starting in close and working from the inside out. If you’ve covered the grid without success try going a little deeper and cover it again. Once you find one, you’ll generally find more in that same zone as they tend to stack up where favorable conditions prevail.

Bug selection is usually not the issue, it’s just a matter of putting the bugs in the right place.

A tungsten bead lead fly, usually along with a bb or two, will help you achieve your desired depth. Good options include Rainbow Czechs, Pink Amex, Caviar Scuds, Pill Poppers, Bubble Yum Scuds, Pink Weight Fly, Rainbow Weight Fly, Firebead Sows…you get the picture. Trail with a soft hackle sow, tailwater sow, Pederson’s sow, Pink Ray, Pink Lightning bug etc. and you should be in business.

Start with 5’ – 6’ from your indicator to your split and see what happens.

Or you could swing.

Or you could strip.

These methods tend to be less effective in cold water conditions but that’s not to say you won’t coax a few into breaking the rules. Nymphing is where the winter numbers are but you’ll still find plenty of folks swinging and a few even sticking to the single handed stripping game. Go DEEP and strip PAINFULLY SLOW…you might be surprised what you dredge up from the depths.

A high calorie target moving lethargically through the zone with plenty of pauses in between strips is often too great a temptation for our resident hogs to resist. It’s a low percentage method you might not want to commit your whole day to but I would. The largest brown trout I’ve caught on the Missouri was on a cold early January day. Dredged up from impossible depths.

It’s a great time to fish the MO and you can pretty much have it to yourself for at least another month.

We’re not quite ready to commit to published daily hours but we’re working in that direction and as it stands now we’re here more often than not at 8:30 AM with the definite exception of Sundays.

Open for lodging and guide trips EVERY DAY. Call, email or direct message us on Facebook and we’ll respond promptly.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-01-13T12:53:09-07:00January 13th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, indicator, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter Solitude on the MO’

It’s been one of the windiest Decembers I can recall, so much so that I arrived this morning to once again find our rental boats blown from their parking spots into the yard, a good 20 – 30 feet away. This is the third time this has happened in the last few weeks. It certainly didn’t happen at all during the season and I don’t recall it happening at all last fall/winter. Suffice it to say it’s been windy.

Howling winds have kept river traffic to a minimum though there’s usually at least one or two hard core anglers out there regardless.

Conditions seem ideal this morning with cloudy skies, 38 degrees, no wind and an occasional light snow falling. It’s perhaps the fishiest day we’ve seen this month but thus far I’ve not seen a race to get to the river.

If you’ve had the itch to get out there but have been kept away by the winds, today might be the day. In fact, the week ahead looks favorable with similar conditions tomorrow followed by colder air arriving later in the week. A few snow showers predicted today, tomorrow and again on Thursday and temps dipping down into single digits Thursday night before things return to somewhat average seasonal conditions for the weekend…the last weekend before Christmas if you’re counting.

Water temps have been steadily dropping and are currently holding at around 40 degrees while flows remain low, currently at 2840 CFS. Snow pack is starting to accumulate, slowly but surely.

Hopefully we’ll soon start to see some substantial precipitation in the high country, our 2022 season depends on it!

With the aforementioned wind seemingly always present along with now having an 8 week old puppy to tend to, I haven’t been on the water for a while though plans are in place for our Annual Staff Christmas Float next week, hopefully the weather will cooperate. In the meantime however, while I don’t have an up to the minute fishing report, I can tell you that current conditions point towards classic winter nymphing techniques coming into play.

Colder water temps have undoubtedly spurred migration into the deep, slow winter waters. Go deep (5’ – 6’ from indicator to weight and adjust accordingly). It’s time to break out the winter nymph box – think pink! Pill Poppers, Pink Amex, Rainbow Czech, Pink Weight Fly, Bubble Yum Scud, Caviar Scud, Pederson’s Sow etc in the lead followed by Tailwater Sows, Pink Lightning Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Soft Hackle Sows, UV Yum Yums, Lucent Bead Pink Ray Charles, Radiation Baetis in Pink and don’t overlook a standard Black Zebra Midge. The bugs are generally not the challenging part of the equation. It’s finding where in the water column they’re at (aim deep) and putting your flies directly in front of them. Cold water means conserving energy is critical so they aren’t going to move far for a meal.

All that being said, the 2 Handers will continue to ply the faster tail outs all winter long and will entice fish to move on a well swung leech (buggers, fruit rollups, polar leeches, balanced leeches etc)

Likewise, cold water be damned, the strippers will persist in targeting subsurface structure as well as seeking those occasional rogue fish hanging in the shallows, near the drop offs close to the bank. It’s time to load up that heavy sink streamer tip and get down. Don’t ignore the sexy water off the banks, there may be fish there, but you’ll also want to get down deep with a SLOOOW a retrieve and plenty of pauses. The slow retrieve is critical…the bugs not so much. Winter may not be prime streamer time but we’ve dredged up plenty of BIG FISH on days the water temps were in the mid to high 30’s with the air temps bordering on too cold to be out there.

The online store has been busy these past couple of weeks with folks loading up on gift cards and WCA apparel for Christmas giving. Our fall rod/reel sale will run through the end of the year and we’ve got clearance pricing on select items from Simms including G3 waders and boots.

Lodging and guide trips available ALL WINTER LONG.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-12-13T11:38:03-07:00December 13th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Christmas, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, nymphs, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

November Days on the MO’

It’s hard to believe but we’re already more than half way through November with the holidays rapidly approaching. Next week at this time the turkeys will already be in the oven and as if I haven’t been through enough torture this season, I’ll of course be watching the kickoff of the Detroit Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game.

We’ve reached that point of the season when days in the shop tend to be pretty quiet, despite what you may have heard elsewhere.

It’s time to count flies and confirm bookings and to essentially wrap up the season. We’ll do another round of winterizing next week which will leave us with the bungalows being the only remaining lodging option from here on out. Winter rate is $99/night plus tax. While we haven’t been setting any lodging records for November we have had the usual steady flow of hunters and late season anglers keeping us busy by late season standards.

We’ll likely make the shift to limited winter hours soon but for the time being here’s what you can expect for the next week. Open tomorrow at 8 AM. Closed this weekend for Griz/Cat Brawl of the Wild. Open Monday – Wednesday at 8 AM. Closed Thanksgiving through 11/28.

The river is quiet, even on the nicest days so if you like having the water to yourself and you don’t mind the creep towards colder winter weather this is your time to be here.

Of course the amenities are few and far between with all dining out options done or very soon to be done and while you can still find yourself a cold beer at The Oasis in Wolf Creek or Joe’s in Craig, it’s definitely the time of the year when you want to be as self-contained as possible.

Now, more than ever, it’s all about the fishing (or hunting) and not much else. So if spending the daylight hours in the woods or on the water and returning to your cozy confines at WCA to prepare your meals as you relax with your traveling partners sounds appealing then this is your time to be here.

If you require some semblance of social engagement to complement your stay, you might want to wait until spring.

Fishing has been good enough but seems to be transitioning to more winter-like conditions. There were plenty of bugs around last week but it feels like the shift has occurred so concentrate your efforts sub-surface on winter nymphing and streamer fishing.

Sows and scuds will be your go to nymphs from now until spring. You’ll want to stock up on Tailwater Sows, Tungsten Tailwater Sows, Rainbow Czechs, Bubble Yums, Pill Poppers, Amex, Soft Hackle Sows and various Pink Bead and Fire bead offerings. Keep those rigs relatively short (3’ – 4’ bobber to first bug) concentrating on the medium fast water in the 2’ – 4’ depth range. Water temps continue to drop and are currently hanging around 46 degrees. Keep working that faster water until things really start to cool down which will hopefully be soon. Slow winter water has yet to produce. I’m sure there are fish moving into that water but it has not yet proven to be productive.

A slower retrieve has been key when stripping streamers with plenty of pauses in between strips and perhaps the occasional swing, especially on the tailouts. Strip through the seam and then let it swing or do like the cool kids and stick to the swing exclusively. You can get em’ either way but it’s hard to beat a tactical retrieve off of structured banks if you’re hunting those fabled fall lunker browns.

Best streamer bets as of late have been JJ Sparkle Minnow, Sculpin Sparkle Minnow, Craven’s Swim Coach in brown or olive, Craven’s Dirty Hippy or Double Dirty Hippy in brown or black and ZK’s MK Ultra in grey/pink and Gladio in tan.

Swingers are finding success on buggers, Thin Mints, Kreelex, Polar Leeches, Balanced leeches etc.

It’s quiet time on the MO. The absence of anglers, the abundance of solitude, the bite of the crisp fall air…it’s not for everyone but it’s definitely for us and we LOVE it.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-11-18T12:25:37-07:00November 18th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Amex, brown trout, bubble yum, Craven's Dirty Hippy, Craven's Swim Coach, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, JJ Sparkle Minnow, Missouri River, pill popper, Rainbow Czech, running line, Sculpin Sparkle Minnow, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, Thanksgiving, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, ZK's MK Ultra|0 Comments

Missouri River Fallback Strategies

Daylight Saving Time ended this past Sunday, ushering in the coming days of winter darkness.

Not having given it much thought yesterday when we launched, I found myself rowing to beat the fading light after getting stuck on a mid-float dry fly flat, unable to resist the siren call of rise forms amidst an abundance of opportunity on water devoid of any sign of angling traffic.

We LOVE November on the Missouri!

That being said, chilly mornings and short days mean it’s time to shift gears. Shorter floats are definitely in order with only 6-7 hours of float time available considering you likely won’t be on the water much before 10 AM.

Holter Dam to Craig is doable as is Craig to Mid but for me Wolf Creek to Craig is the perfect late season float, not too long, not too short. Tacking on the additional 4 miles to Stickney will likely have you pushing to beat the darkness, especially if you get stuck on a dry fly flat half-way through and can’t bring yourself to leave.

From what I could tell by looking around the parking lots yesterday we were sharing 9 miles of river with three boats, two of which were exiting at Craig and only one of which we encountered at the very start of the day.

Have I mentioned we LOVE November on the MO?

The bobber fishing has been outstanding these last couple of weeks, a little slower yesterday but still good enough to qualify as near-exceptional, depending on your perspective of course.

The aforementioned dry fly fishing in the afternoons is good enough to keep you from getting to your takeout before dark and streamer fishing, while not exactly great on the brighter, sunnier days, always promises the potential for the fish of a lifetime.

Bottom line…it’s all good right now and there’s NOBODY out there (relatively speaking).

What are the drawbacks of November fishing? So far there really aren’t any. Weather wise we’ve had an absolutely amazing autumn with moderate temps and very little precipitation. A bit of wind more often than not but that’s a given anytime on the MO. Some cold mornings for sure but generally tolerable by 10 AM. Hopefully we’ll see some precipitation in the form of snow soon but in the meantime conditions are ideal for fall fishing. We’ve seen highs in the 40’s and low 50’s most days with overnight lows in the 20’s and 30’s, occasionally dipping into the teens. Most days see a mix of clouds and sun, with plenty of those gloomy light fall days that spell success.

Flows remain LOW, currently holding relatively steady at 2890 CFS with water temps on a slow drop, currently just shy of 49. Expect more of the same both on the weather and the water front for the time being with no substantial weather events on the horizon.

Our go-to dry fly rig – #18 Olive Haze trailed with a #18 Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis. We’ve got plenty of other options to choose from but I’ve been sticking with this rig for weeks now. I’ve found it to be a bit like novocaine…sooner or later it works!

Go To Nymph – Tailwater Sowbug. Pair it with a Rainbow Czech, an Amex, a Rainbow Weight Fly, a Tungsten Tailwater Sow, a Bubble Yum Scud or whatever you prefer. Other good options include soft hackle sows, Little Green Machine, Olive 2 Bit, Split Case BWO, Olive S & M or any other Baetis nymph but judging by these last couple of weeks I would suggest starting with the Tailwater Sow and moving on from there if need be.

Medium fast, 2-4’ water continues to be the go-to, don’t waste your time on the slow stuff just yet. It’ll happen soon enough.

We’re open daily at 8 AM for all of your Missouri River fall fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-11-09T10:23:11-07:00November 9th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The Heart of autumn

Three weeks into October and rapidly approaching the season’s end, we’re enjoying the slow and steady seasonal transition. The weather has been amazing this fall with moderate temps and very little precipitation. We’re hopeful that trend takes a turn very soon as we are in desperate need of water for next season, but for now we’ll continue to enjoy these classic fall days. The leaves remain on many of the trees with plenty of color providing an extended autumn backdrop to some great days on the water.

Most years we’ll have seen enough cold temps and wind by this point in October to strip the trees bare so we’re really enjoying the extended show.

Fishing has been good enough most days though I dare not oversell it as you’ll always have some days that are going to be a struggle for some. Overall though, the action has been consistently good and most are reporting good days nymphing and throwing streamers.

Dry fly fishing has had its moments with verified reports of actual BWO’s on several occasions but as is always the case with fall dry fly fishing on the Missouri, those days you would call epic are generally very few and far between. There will be bugs here and there, and fish rising here and there on a daily basis but this is not what you’ve heard about when people refer to epic fall dry fly fishing on the Missouri. It’s a whole different level of emergence and feeding activity, the likes of which the average novice angler if they’re lucky, may only experience a handful of times in a lifetime of fishing. Believe me, if you happen to hit it right and you are on the water for one of these days there will be no mistaking it. If you have to ask then it was likely not an epic dry fly day by Missouri River standards.

All that being said, approach every day with the hope that it might happen but with the realistic expectation that you will likely see a few bugs and a few heads and you may get a shot or two at a feeding trout…make it count!

My go-to BWO setup is a #18 Brook’s Sprout Baetis paired with a #18 Film Critic. Other good options include Olive Haze, Olive Parachute Adams, Parachute BWO, BWO Hackle Stacker, BWO Flash Cripple, Last Chance Cripple, Nyman’s BWO DOA , BWO CDC wing emerger, Wilcox’s BWO Micromay. All these and many more available at WCA.

Nymphing has been status quo with Zebra Midges, Tailwater Sows, Tungsten Tailwater Sows, Soft Hackle Sows, Scuds, Green Machines, Psycho Mays, Rainbow Czechs, Bubble Yums, Pill Poppers, Olive Lightning Bugs, Olive 2 Bits, BWO Magic Fly, Split Case BWO, Peep Show and various PT variations all proving to be effective offerings. Best setup has been short (3ish’ to first bug, no weight). I like to lead with a tungsten bead bug though I wouldn’t say that has been critical. Target the shallow fast water and leave the 5X at home. Your best bet is a 7.5’ 3X leader to 4X tippet. These fall fish are hot.

Streamer fishing is still my go to and will be from here on out. The word on the street is buggers and we’ve been selling plenty of them but don’t let anyone tell you that you have to go small. Buggers are fine and catch plenty of fish but there’s absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be throwing heavy lines and big bugs. Big lines and big bugs require a fair amount of work but often that work results in big payoffs.

Yes, working a heavy line in shallow water situations requires effort but in my opinion it’s better to utilize the option that can work in all situations. An intermediate line works great in the shallows and doesn’t require any extra effort but you’re not going to dredge the depths of those drop offs with an intermediate line. A 240 or 280 grain Streamer Max short can be stripped rapidly through the shallows and will also give you the option of getting that big bug down in the depths where big fish often lurk. So sure, you can rig up a couple of rods, one with an intermediate and one with a heavy sink but why would you? Often you’re working across the shallow flat and down into the depths of the drop off or bucket. You can work the shallows and the mid water column effectively with your intermediate line or you can give yourself the option of dredging the depths if you aren’t finding them in the mid water columns.

It’s all personal preference. Many “traditionalists” will fish the same floating line they’re using for nymphing or dry fly fishing. They’ll tie on a bugger and add a split shot and call it good and they’ll likely catch plenty of fish, especially letting that bugger swing in the tailouts. It’s an effective way to fish and it’s what used to be considered “streamer fishing”.

Not anymore. There’s a world of specialty lines designed for any and all situations and there are all sorts of bugs we call streamers ranging in size and weight and design. Some are designed to push water, some are designed to swim, and some are designed to dive to the depths and can be fished either by stripping or jigging. It’s a world of fly fishing unto its self. Some Love it. Some hate it. Few are indifferent. It’s a passion of ours and it’s one we’re more than happy to share with anyone who asks.

It’s all right here, right now. Dry Fly Fishing, Bobber Fishing, Streamer Fishing, Swinging….Fall is FLY FISHING on the MO and beyond.

The shop is open daily at 7 AM with lodging and guides available most days. Traffic has slowed for the most part though it still seems to come in waves. The nice weather will continue to generate some activity though many have shifted their focus to hunting so crowds won’t be an issue until spring.

Get out and enjoy this awesome autumn on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-10-19T12:44:47-06:00October 19th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

October Snow – photo by Tony Van Dort

Parts of SW Montana saw a significant winter weather event earlier this week while here on the Missouri we got just a small dose of what’s to come.

While snow blanketed Bozeman and the surrounding area we only saw a dusting down here with a little more at higher elevations but the cold temps and dark skies were just what we needed to get some BWO action going out there.

Winds have limited those opportunities but with water temps continuing to drop we’re in good shape for those seemingly rare days when the wind isn’t howling. Keep an eye on the forecast and plan your trip around those cool and cloudy days….or not. Cloudy conditions are ideal but you can catch plenty of fish on the sunny days as well.

Missouri River Fall streamer fishing is moving towards peak season with plenty of bruiser browns on the prowl and the Bows eager to play as well. For my money a #4 Sparkle Minnow can’t be beat but there are plenty of other bugs that will elicit the chase and the attack. We’ve had good luck with Swim Coaches, Dirty Hippies, Mini Dungeons, Lil’ Kims, Circus Peanuts and MK Ultralights and if you’re more of a traditionalist black buggers and Thin Mints have been solid.

Nymphing will be your go to for numbers with sow bugs starting to take over that top spot which has been occupied by the black zebra midge for the past several weeks. Rainbow Czechs, Amex, Tungsten Tailwater Sow, Pill Poppers, Soft Hackle Sows, LGM’s, BWO Magic Fly, Olive Lightning Bug, Olive S & M, No big changes on the nymphing front. 3 (ish) feet bobber to tungsten lead fly. Fast (ish), medium depth and maybe a deep dive in the swirls for good measure.

Sprout Baetis, Cripple Baetis, Olive Haze, BWO Film Critic, CDC Baetis Spinner and baetis emergers all good bets on top with ants and October Caddis still worth a try.

Warm weather returns this weekend with plenty of sunshine and temps near 70 on Saturday and Sunday. We’ve got a few vacancies remaining for the weekend if you want to come out and enjoy what may very well be the last warm weekend of 2021 and our guide calendar has cleared substantially making guide trips a real possibility this weekend.

We’re in the midst of our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale with 25% off ALL RODS and REELS and 30% off your total if you buy any rod and reel combo.

All remaining Simms summer sportswear as well as Confluence wading sandals and men’s and women’s Flyweight boots and all remaining G3 stockingfoot waders 30% off.

Not only is it what many consider to be the best time of the year to fish the MO, it’s also the time of year for the best deals on the best gear at Wolf Creek Angler.

Fall hours 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-10-13T13:07:34-06:00October 13th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Autumn is a magical time on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

79 degrees and sunny on this first day of fall 2021 with blue skies and a respite from the howling winds of the past few days. Perfect autumn weather and good fishing to boot.

Status quo through the weekend with plenty of sunshine and high temps in the 70’s and 80’s. Chilly in the mornings and cooling down as soon as that sun dips down in the evening. You really can’t beat fall weather and there’s no better place to be than on the water.

It’s our busiest guide week of the fall with the crew from Schultz Outfitters here doing their annual rendezvous. What a great week to spend with these guys kicking around the MO and Blackfoot. It’s always a highlight of the year having this crew around from the Michigan motherland.

The nymphing bite has continued to improve and it’s been good more days than not. Zebra Midges continue to produce better than most with Little Green Machines, BWO Magic Flies, Split Case BWO’s, Psycho Mays, Micro Mays, Tailwater Sows, Purple Weight flies and Rainbow Czechs all proving to be effective on any given day.

The traffic continues to be pretty concentrated at the dam but the river is fishing good all the way down to Cascade so don’t be afraid to spread out.

Dry fly fishing is a possibility on the less windy days. Pseudos and Callibaetis mostly but keep those hoppers in play, especially lower down river, and try an October Caddis for the Big Gulp. It’s definitely not PRIME TIME for dries but looking at the long term it could shape up to be an excellent fall and we’re hoping for at least a handful of epic BWO days in the not too distant future.

Fingers Crossed.

In the meantime, if you really want to see what fall fishing is about, get your mind off of floating flies and dead drifts and start dredging. It’s Big Game Hunting season on the MO and anywhere else giant browns are on the prowl. Big flies, heavy lines and the hope that every cast could be THE ONE that entices that behemoth brown and elicits that violent strike with an epic battle to ensue.

Get after it!

Got questions? We’ve got answers. We are your go-to source…your Streamer Headquarters on the MO and beyond.

We are your Full Service Missouri River One Stop Shop for fall fly fishing with clean and affordable lodging, the hardest working guides on the river, a fully stocked shop, shuttles, bugs, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals and so much more.

Open daily at 7 AM for EVERYTHING Missouri River Fly Fishing.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-09-22T14:51:44-06:00September 22nd, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, dry fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

September Stride

Halfway through September and about a week away from the official first day of fall and we’ve hit our September Stride.

The late summer lull is over and we’re back to bustling mornings at the shop getting trips out the door and making certain all of our guests and clients have everything they need for their day on the water.

The morning and evening chill has arrived and with cooler daytime temps settling in it’s probably about time to put away those shorts and flip flops. Not quite wader weather just yet but it’s coming soon, possibly as soon as this weekend. Hot temps and high winds on Saturday followed by cooler weather and rain on Sunday and Monday with highs in the 60’s and 50’s respectively. Classic autumn days on tap after that with blue skies and sunshine and highs in the 60’s with overnight lows in the high 30’s/low 40’s.

The colors are rapidly changing, the weather is cooling, the fishing is heating up…you really can’t beat autumn fishing on the Missouri.

Nymphing is the go to river wide with most traffic occupying the upper reaches from the dam to Craig. Zebra Midges are the ticket, #18 or #20 in black, olive or purple. Pair it with a weight fly, a Tungsten Tailwater Sow, a Peep Show, any old tungsten bead Pheasant Tail or go with the Double Deadly Double Zebra rig.

Most are running short, some with weight some without. All are keying on the fast moving, choppy water in the 1’ – 3’ range. Crayfish have dropped off but still worth a trial run. If it doesn’t produce relatively quickly, ditch it. It ain’t happening.

Hoppers are hanging on. Maybe the fish have had their fill. It might be worth a try with a Zebra or Green Machine dropper but like the crayfish trial, probably best to not spend a whole lot of time on it if you don’t see something happen in relatively short order. The better bet for your dry selection might be an October Caddis.

Streamers are En Vogue and are worth your time. Weeds will test your patience but the risk/reward ratio favors persistence. And while I’ve advised abandoning crayfish and hoppers if they don’t produce in short order the same does not hold true where streamers are concerned. Stick with it…you’ll be glad you did. Buggers, Clousers, Sparkle Minnows, Circus Peanuts, Dungeons, Dirty Hippies, Swim Coach, Peanut Envy, Autumn Splendor, Lil’ Kims, Inflated Egos and anything and everything else you might want to throw at them. Black, Olive, Brown, Natural, White all fine choices. JJ or Brownie Sparkle Minnows can be $$ on any given day.

River flows are flat-lined at 3100 and change with temps holding in the low 60’s with no big changes on the horizon.

See us at 7 AM daily for shuttles, Adipose boat rentals, the best bug selection on the Missouri, hats, gloves, socks, sun protection, waders and boots, outerwear, layering….and much more. And speaking of waders – get your Simms G3 Waders for 30% off in-store and online, while they last.

Lodging available most nights, guides as busy as they can be with September as close to completely booked as we’ve ever seen. Always worth a call but probably best to look to October if you want to get a day booked this fall.

See you soon for autumn fishing on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-09-16T20:14:23-06:00September 16th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Craig MT, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, nymphs, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Fall on the Mighty Missouri

Summer is soon to be but a memory as we close out August and welcome September and the arrival of autumn fishing on the MO.

Looking back, it was really a great spring and summer. Sure the high temps and low flows were not ideal and having Hoot Owl Restrictions placed on the Missouri was something we’d not seen since we’ve been in business and it definitely took a toll but aside from this the 2021 season started strong and was exactly the return to normalcy we’d all been craving since Covid hit.

We had a record spring, our strongest start ever and in spite of the challenges of the late summer season we’re still on track for one of our best seasons to date.

These last couple of weeks have been very quiet but as always happens in conjunction with September’s shift to cooler weather, shorter days and the return to the Grind for most everyone, an uptick in traffic is underway.

Fishing is what we’ve come to expect during the summer to fall transition. We’ve had some off-the-charts days and some really tough days. Hit and miss to be sure.

Conditions have improved drastically, as least as far as water temps go. We’re currently holding in the low 60’s and will continue to do so thanks to those cool nighttime lows in the 40’s and fewer hours of sun heating the water.

Trout are responding accordingly trading warm water lethargy for cool water energy so you need to be on your game with those fish fighting skills if you hope to land even a portion of them.

Dry fly opportunities are somewhat limited right now with hoppers, ants and beetles being our go to. Pseudos and callibaetis in the mix as well as the occasional trico opportunity but those days are definitely waning.

Best bets for dry flies – More or Less Hopper, Donkey Kong Hoper, Panty Dropper Hopper, Stealth Ant, Cinnamon Parachute Ant, Sparkling Ant, Foam Beetles, October Caddis, Parachute Adams, Buzzball, Trico Indicator Spinner, Drowned Trico Spinner, Olive Pseudo.

As always, nymphing will be your best bet for numbers with the fish still concentrated in the faster, mid-depth runs. The Black Zebra Midge is king during the fall, especially in the grass flats below the dam. Run in tandem with your choice of BWO nymph or Sowbug or roll the dice and run a cray fish with your zebra. It’s not always the ticket but when it’s on it can be absolutely ridiculous. We like a tan or olive zirdle or a throwback like the Snapping Cray or Claws R Cray. And if you’re one of those who likes to mend CONSTANTLY – this is your rig. The erratic fly movements caused by incessant mending mimic exactly the natural movements of actual crayfish so mend away!

Not so with any other nymphs. Keep them on a dead drift with the current as indicated by your INDICATOR. They call them strike indicators, we also refer to them as drift indicators. Skating and dragging are not desired, a dead drift is what you’re looking for and the occasional mend up or downstream (depending on the situation) can accomplish your goal. When that goal is accomplished LET IT RIDE. No mending necessary. LESS MENDING = MORE FISH

Best bets for fall nymphs….Black or Olive Zebra Midge, Tailwater Sow, Tungsten Tailwater Sow, Little Green Machine, BWO Magic Fly, Split Case BWO, Psycho May Olive, Jig Crack Back Bullet Olive, Spanish Bullet Black, Redemption BWO, PT’s, Pearl or Olive Lighting Bug, Thurman’s Zaddis October, Soft Hackle Sow, Micro May, Tan Czech, and more.

We’ve seen some traffic around the streamer bins as of late and while it is perhaps a little early, from what we’re hearing it sounds like it may in fact be time…..streamer time… which is, in this author’s humble opinion, the most wonderful time of the year.

I will confess that spring is my favorite time for streamers due to the lack of aquatic vegetation at that time of year but I throw them every month of the year and despite the challenges of fishing through salad, I will say that you really can’t beat fall if you’re looking for aggression.

The Big Browns are on the move, they’re coming into spawning colors and they’re pissed off and hook-jawed and ready to do battle. These are the fish every streamer junkie dreams of.

Again, we’re on the early side of it but there’s no time like the present. Let the games begin!

Sparkle Minnows in all flavors will of course be a staple from here on out. Autumn Splendors, JJ Specials, Peanut Envy, Dungeons, Circus Peanuts, Swim Coach, ZK’s Inflated Ego, Dirty Hippies, Wedge Heads and smaller buggers and minnows all worth a try.

Convention dictates smaller streamers on the MO and if you decide to go that route you’ll likely move plenty of fish. We at WCA however prefer the unconventional where streamer fishing is concerned and for that reason you’ll find our streamer bins full of bugs you’ll likely not find anywhere else on the MO. We prefer the bigger and flashier bugs and while it’s true that articulation and stinger hooks make fishing the salad exponentially more difficult it’s all part of the game. We’re driven by dreams of 30” browns hunting down and smashing our offerings, a life-long pursuit residing in our DNA.

So sure, we’ll sell you buggers but in our world, life is way too short to waste your time playing with wooly buggers. That being said, we’re well aware that people fish what is effective so we won’t be surprised (or deterred) if you happen to land a River Monster on a Wooly Bugger.

We sincerely hope you make us your one stop shop for fall fishing on the MO. We’ve got it all from affordable lodging to drift boat and equipment rentals to a shop full of essential gear to the hardest working guide crew on the river. Wolf Creek Angler is truly your one stop Missouri River Fly Shop.

Open daily at 6:30 AM, earlier than ALL the rest.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-08-31T11:04:01-06:00August 31st, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|2 Comments

Dog Days photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Sunday’s rain accompanied by a much-needed cool down has us thinking fall as we power through the Dog Days of what has become one of the doggier late summer seasons in recent memory.

Between the hot weather, the low flows and the resulting Hoot Owl restrictions the MO has become a rather quiet place as of late.

A few weeks from now these Dog Days will be but a memory as we ramp up for the fall fishing season. In the meantime our rooms are getting some extra attention during the lull, the grass is looking better than it has all summer and the shop has undergone de-cluttering and deep cleaning and we’re in the process of re-stocking with everything you need for fall fishing on the Missouri and anywhere else your travels might take you.

Those who have stuck around these past couple of weeks and those who have maintained their August arrival plans have been rewarded with some pretty good fishing as well as an abundance of solitude on the MO.

With Hoot Owl in effect it’s early on and early off though the march of the season continues to shorten our days and those first light 6 AM starts are slowly returning to 6:30 or 7 AM. Regardless, we’re here early at 6 AM for those looking to hit the pre-dawn bite.

Trico action has been spotty by most accounts but those who are working hard at it are finding ample opportunities on any given day provided the conditions are favorable. Many have shifted their focus to terrestrial fishing, giving the hoppers and ants a go with varying degrees of success. It’s always important to keep your expectations in check and that’s especially true this time of year when things tend to get a little weird out there.

Must Have Dries – Trico Indicator Spinner, Double Wing Trico, Hi Vis Trico Spinner, Stockingfoot Caddis, Buzzball, Outrigger Caddis, Missouri River CDC Caddis, Cornfed Caddis, More or Less Hopper, Donkey Kong Hopper, Blooms Stealth Ant, Cinnamon Parachute Ant, Moorish Mouse 2.0, Midnight Express Mouse, Mouse Pouch, Mr. Hankey Hickman Mouse.

Blind fishing a hopper/ant or a dry/dropper rig generally isn’t going to rack up the numbers but if you take it for what it is which is essentially prospecting, it’s really not a bad way to spend your day and you might even get a few big eats and you simply can’t beat hopper eats!

The best shot at numbers is going to be nymphing which has been decent and which will continue to carry the day from here on out. Zirdles and Crays are a go-to this time of year, and like those hopper eats, you’d be hard pressed to find a better sub-surface hit than that of a hungry trout annihilating a cray! Pair that Zirdle or Cray with a Black Zebra or tailwater sow and fish it hard.

Other productive options have been Frenchies, Little Green Machines, Peep Shows, PT’s, Weight Flies, Tung Darts, Nitro Caddis and Soft Hackle Sows.

The swingers and strippers have been quiet for the most part though all of this unoccupied water has been an open invitation to the swing set who have begun to show up in various haunts up and down the river. Light traffic equals perfect swing conditions. And what about stripping you ask? As you know, it’s ALWAYS streamer season at Wolf Creek Angler so while I’m not going to say conditions are optimal I will say that the low-light early starts are the perfect time to target those Missouri River giants with an intermediate or sinking line and your go-to big bug selections. Hit the banks with a quick retrieve or do a slow sink off the drops with a varied retrieve and prepare for that unexpected grab. Weeds will be a hindrance though definitely not enough to shut you down. Like the terrestrial fishing, streamer fishing is basically prospecting which involves a lot of blind casting, a lot of stripping and hopefully a good grab every now and then to keep things interesting.

And while hot summer nights have traditionally been the time to skate a rodent Hoot Owl has eliminated that option so why not smack that mouse down and skate it in the pre-dawn darkness just to see what happens. The mice don’t care how hot it is and they don’t care if it’s late night or early morning darkness and those carnivorous browns are opportunists and will eat when fed so have at it.

Shop hours are 6 AM – 5 PM daily. A glut of lodging currently available as well as Adipose rental boats and a shop full of everything you need for your short day on the water. We’re sticking with no new August guide trips for the time being but we’re booking trips for fall and also filling in the blanks for Prime Time 2022.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-08-10T13:16:06-06:00August 10th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Hoot Owl, Midnight Express Mouse, Missouri River, Montana, Moorish Mouse 2.0, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

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