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The Thaw

It didn’t last long but after bottoming out repeatedly at -27 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chills as low as -50 it feels good to emerge from last weeks’ arctic blast. We went several days without breaking zero and probably averaged somewhere around -5 for much of the week. Cold for sure, but nothing like February 2019 when we averaged less than one degree for the entire month. Not so this year.

We’re warming up this week with highs near 30 for the next couple of days and overnight lows dipping down around 20 though we will see a return to single digits tomorrow night with a low of 7 but the warming trend resumes on Thursday and into the weekend when we’ll see temperatures in the 40’s and possibly nearing 50 by next Monday.

After a bump in flows to compensate for the frigid temps we’ve dropped back down to around 3500 CFS. Water temps are COLD, currently right around the freezing mark.
The river definitely got a good rest last week and we haven’t seen much activity as of yet this week but we’re expecting some traffic as we head into the weekend with both the hard water anglers and those fishing the river now competing for a limited number of rooms closer to the action than any other lodging option.

Wolf Creek Angler lodging is the best deal you’re going to find anywhere in the vicinity this time of year coming in just under $100/night for a cozy bungalow with two twin beds, a full size pull out couch, a private bath and a full kitchen which is a must have this time of year with zero dining options currently being offered.

Plan to resume winter fishing techniques when you get back out there with nymphing obviously being your best bet. As cold as the water is plan to dredge the depths of those SLOOOOW winter runs with the usual suspects (anything pink, sowbugs, Hot Bead Rays, Caviar Scuds, Soft Hackle Sows etc.) I like a #10 or #12 tungsten bead lead trailed with a pink or gray soft hackle sow but it’s way more about location than selection right now.

With water temps hovering around freezing the fish are not doing much. Conserving energy is the name of the game so they aren’t likely to move far to eat. Consequently, you’ll have to adjust your depth until you find where they’re at and once you get your bugs in their face more often than not they’ll eat. They need the calories, they just can’t afford to expend much energy to get them so set up shop where you know they’re at and adjust until you find them.

As the water temps bump up expect things to get a little easier as the fish start to move. They’re hungry and just as soon as the cost/benefit equation starts to turn in their favor with warmer water the focus will shift from energy conservation to caloric consumption. Spawning season is rapidly approaching for our Rainbow population which means it’s time to maximize calorie intake. Expect the action to heat up just as soon as we see a warming trend take hold.

We’re also heading into the best time of year for fishing midges, the unofficial start of dry fly season on the MO. Keep your dry fly rod rigged, and ready and in reach.

Swing season is still a go and we’re mere weeks away from prime streamer fishing getting underway.

I’m trying not to wish winter away just yet as we really do need substantially more precipitation but one can’t help but get excited for what’s on the way with such a drastic shift in the weather.

I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of winter but it’s not too early to start thinking spring fishing. After all, spring is only a month away.

Before you know it the season will be upon us so there’s no better time to start organizing your gear and figuring out what you already have and what you need for the season ahead.

It’s the perfect time to purchase those new waders and boots you’ve been promising yourself for the last several seasons. Or how about a new rod and or reel for 2021. Based on what we saw last year with people flocking to our sport gear may be hard to come by again so don’t drag your feet.

Spring product is continuing to trickle in and that late winter trickle will soon be a steady flow. We’re replenishing and restocking and also bringing in a bunch of new gear for 2021, including more new fly patterns than we’ve ever brought in before.

So as we emerge from this short arctic blast and prepare to embark on Season Number Eight at Wolf Creek Angler I can’t help but feel like this is going to be the best year yet.

Shop our online store or come see us in person. Extended shop hours and additional lodging options on the way just as soon as the demand requires it and the forecast permits it. Winter Lodging just $99/night plus tax. Guide Trips $450 for one or two anglers and our World Famous Winter Guide Trip and Lodging Special just $550 for a full day on the water and not one but TWO nights of premium lodging. All in effect through April 18th.

Shop Hours currently 8 AM – 3 PM Tuesday – Saturday and we’re ALWAYS OPEN for lodging and guide trips.

By |2021-02-16T12:10:55-07:00February 16th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Welcome to February on the MO

The season is rapidly approaching and will be here before you know it with the first month of 2021 already in the books.

The Groundhog says six more weeks of winter…let’s hope so. The bare ground and blue skies tell a different story this second day of February and while it appears as though we’ve got some colder temps in the forecast, winter continues to elude us.

We’ll see 50’s today and highs in the high 30’s for the remainder of the week. A chance for some rain and snow on Friday and cold Friday night with lows in the single digits and only climbing into the 20’s on Saturday. Perhaps not the best conditions for weekend fishing but it couldn’t be much better than it is right now.

We’ve got rooms and guides and rental boats available daily and the best deal on the river all winter long…$550 for a full day guide trip with the best guides on the river and not one but TWO NIGHTS of premium lodging in our cozy bungalows. Offer good through the end of March. 

If you prefer to DIY winter lodging rates are $99/night (plus tax) and if you just want to make a day out of it we’re doing guide trips without the lodging for $450 for a full day for one or two anglers.

Water conditions are status quo with flows hanging around 4100 CFS and water temps back up near 35 degrees. Holter Dam to Craig continues to be the go-to but don’t hesitate to work the water below Craig. Things were getting a little slushy last down low so I’d recommend staying above mid canon. 

Winter Nymphing, Swinging and stripping are all good options right now and midge activity should be ramping up this month if you’re set on dry fly fishing.

We like to mix it up on winter floats, generally switching methods according to location, with the dry fly rig always at the ready.

Status quo all winter long as far as the bugs go. Think Pink! Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Amex, Cotton Candy, Pederson’s Sow, Pink Lucent Bead Rays, Firebead Rays, Firebead Czechs, Soft Hackle Sows, Pink or Rainbow Weight Fly, Zebra Midge, Caviar Scud, Rainbow Czechs…you get the picture. Target those super slow winter buckets and work them thoroughly. 

Best bets on the streamer front – go small (ish) and leechy….or not. Polar leeches, Fruit Roll Ups, Balanced Leeches, Thin Mints, Pine Squirrel Leeches and black buggers or if you want to size up go with Kreelex, Sparkle Minnows, Mini Dungeons, Clousers and the like. A lot of swinging going on these days with plenty of takers and moderate success on the strip as well. Keep your retrieve slow with plenty of pauses in between and be ready for the take on the pause.

Griffiths gnats and midge clusters for all of your top water action. Keep your dry fly rod rigged and ready so you’re able to target those rising fish immediately as a lot of the winter feeding tends to be somewhat sporadic.

It kind of felt like spring around here last week with multiple guests staying multiple nights and keeping us busy all week long in the shop and with a few guide trips. It’s always nice to see trucks and trailers filling the parking lot after a few lonely weeks and judging by the early bookings it’s going to be a busy season. So while we’re praying for snow and cold we’re also keeping a close eye on the long-term forecast and we’re ready to spring into action with more lodging as soon as conditions look like they’re going to be stable. We’ve been waiting for that arctic cold snap all winter long and we’re holding out hope that it’s still coming but if we don’t see it materializing sometime soon we may just go ahead and open things up so we’re ready for the inevitable rush.

Spring gear is starting to trickle in and we’re well stocked this winter with everything you need for your day on the water.

We are your Missouri River mild winter fly fishing destination with everything you need all in one place. Lodging, guides, Adipose boat rentals, Simms wading gear and accessories, cold weather gear, fishing licenses, eye wear from Smith and Suncloud, lines and leaders from Airflo and Rio (including MOW tips and versi leaders for the swing set) and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.
Swing in or shop online.

The shop is open Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM with expanded and extended hours likely coming soon. Open EVERY DAY for lodging and guide trips.

By |2021-02-02T11:44:33-07:00February 2nd, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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The Winter Grind

Go To Winter Nymphs on the MO

Colder weather on tap this week and through the weekend, though definitely not January in Montana COLD.

Conditions remain prime to get out and enjoy some winter solitude while getting your  trout fix.


Highs in the high 20’s and low 30’s are expected through the weekend with a slight chance for snow Thursday night and Friday. Expect cloudy skies and calm to moderate winds on Thursday and Friday with an abundance of sunshine expected on Saturday and Sunday.


Water conditions remain stable with flows currently holding at 4070 CFS and water temp slowly dropping, currently just shy of 34.5 degrees.


You really couldn’t ask for better conditions as we move towards late January. Classic winter water minus the snow and ice on the ramps. Enjoy it while it lasts. Winter is coming sooner or later (we hope).


Holter Dam to Craig is where you’ll want to concentrate your efforts, especially as the water temperatures drop. Dam to Wolf Creek makes a nice half day float if you want to get a later start while Wolf Creek Bridge to Craig is a good full day float. We’ve emerged from the afternoon darkness so you’ve got some extra light on the back end of the day but even so, Dam to Craig is maybe still a bit much unless you plan to just blow through it.


We are definitely in winter nymphing mode with all of the standards in play. Pink Amex, Bubble Yum Scud, Rainbow Czech, Pill Popper, Hot Bead Rainbow or Pink Weight Fly and the like paired with Tailwater Sows, Soft Hackle Sows, Caviar Scuds, Pederson’s Sow, Pink Lighting Bug, UV Yum Yums and zebra midges.


Swing Season also remains in full effect and the streamer set is taking advantage of the mild weather and extended light to stretch out those floats and cover as much water as possible.


The wind has been a factor as always but as we get into February and beyond look for dry fly opportunities to increase with midge activity increasing.


Remember WCA has the best winter lodging deal in the area at $99/night (plus tax) for a cozy bungalow complete with full kitchen and private bath. And just FYI we have gotten word from the 7R Guest Ranch that they are now serving dinner on the weekends so if not having a restaurant to go to has been keeping you away…problem solved.


And speaking of deals – we invite you to join us for our $550 guide trip and lodging winter special. A full day guide trip for one or two anglers with the best guides on the MO and TWO nights of lodging for the impossibly low rate of $550. Space is limited so book now. Offer runs through the end of March.


Winter Shop Hours remain 8 AM – 2 PM Tuesday through Saturday. Open EVERY DAY for lodging and guide trips. Stop by for bugs, cold weather gear, Adipose Drift Boat rentals and much more. 


While you ponder your winter plans make it a point to call this week to book your spring and summer dates. Prime Time is filling quickly and it looks like it’s going to be a busy year on the MO.

By |2021-01-19T12:50:15-07:00January 19th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Sunrise on 2021

 

As the sun rises on 2021 the promise of a new day gives us plenty of reason for optimism as we anticipate the coming season.

Summer bookings continue to fill the calendar, giving shape to what we hope will be another strong season as we begin year number eight. As previously stated the outdoor recreation industry was a good one to be in during a pandemic and indications are that this will continue to be the case indefinitely, even as the world starts make a return to normal. Even so, having lost our spring last year due to the shut down and having suffered through plenty of cancellations throughout the 2020 season due to travel difficulties and Covid concerns, we’ve got some ground to make up. Early indications based on our current 2021 bookings are that we’re headed in the right direction.

That’s the outlook for prime-time but what about now?

As I write I’m looking out the window at bare ground as has been the case for much of this winter thus far. The thermometer reads 32 degrees with cloudy skies and relatively calm conditions. River flows are currently around 3800 CFS with water temps holding at 35 degrees. In short, winter fishing conditions on the Missouri are prime, especially by January standards, with no big changes on the horizon.

There hasn’t been much variation in the forecast for the past several weeks. Highs around 40, overnight lows in the 20’s, a mix of clouds and sun with little precipitation. Wind has been an issue at times but all things considered, it’s been an extremely fishable winter season with very light traffic.

As previously announced we are back in the business of winter lodging so there’s really no reason to not take a couple of days off and spend some time on the Missouri. Book a guide or bring your boat (or rent one of ours) or just do the winter walk/wade. Most are settling in to winter nymphing, some are opting to swing and a few are intent on logging that first dry fly eat of the year. All are good options given the current conditions.

Nymphs – Think Pink! Pill Poppers, Bubble Yum Scuds, Amex, Yum Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Pink Weight Flies, Pederson’s Sow, Pink LB, Cotton Candy, Tailwater Sow, Pink Lucent Bead Rays, Soft Hackle Sows, Caviar Scuds…just to name a few. Slow, deep winter water fished deep with a bb or two to get you down.

Streamers – Winter Standards like Kreelex, Polar Leeches, Thin Mints, Balance Leeches, Buggers etc. but don’t be afraid to stray from the standards. Dredge the depths with a SLOW retrieve or swing the tailouts.

Dries – Griffiths Gnat, Grizzly Midge Cluster, Hi Vis Midge, Black Midge, Adams Midge, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Black Sipper. Midges are it for the next couple of months and may or not be present, all depends on the day but it’s never a bad idea to keep a dry fly rod rigged and ready just in case.

The Winter Program

Guided Fishing – WCA Guides are the BEST on the river. Book yourself a trip today and leave the rowing and rigging to us. $450 winter rate for a full day float for one or two anglers and no risk with no cancellation fees for any reason for winter trips.

Lodging – Wolf Creek Angler is your best option and the best deal you’ll find anywhere. $99/night (plus tax) for a cozy, clean bungalow with two twin beds, a pull out couch, full kitchen and private bath just minutes from the river.

Dining – You’re pretty much on your own so all the more reason to book one of our bungalows, each with a full size fridge, range, microwave, coffee maker and all cookware provided.

Boat Rental – Adipose Flow drift boats. $100/day. You haul. $150 if you need us to haul it for you.

Shuttle Service – Headhunters remains the only game in town at this point but we’re currently mulling over options based on the persistent mild weather. Stay tuned!

Shop Hours – Officially still Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM but it’s a safe assumption we’ll be here on Mondays if it’s nice (at least long enough to get our boats hooked up and hit the river) and if winter ever returns we likely won’t be here on days it doesn’t make sense to make the trip out. Regardless, we’re open for lodging and guide trips EVERY day.

We’re excited for the New Year and the coming new season and we hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler.

By |2021-01-04T11:32:17-07:00January 4th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Mid December on the MO’

All remains quiet on the Missouri as we close out these last two weeks of 2020 and look with eager anticipation towards the promise and potential of a new year.

Conditions remain favorable by December standards with more of the same on tap as far as weather is concerned and water conditions holding steady with flows at a low but constant 3690 CFS and water temps hanging right around 37 degrees, give or take.

We’ll see partly sunny skies with temps in the low to mid 40’s all week long though it looks to be breezy this weekend with a high wind watch in effect for Friday night.

Nymphing will be the method of choice over these next couple of months as the fish are settling in to their winter habitat though swinging or stripping streamers will continue to keep many of us occupied all winter long. Dry fly fishing? Not much happening on that front at the moment though midges are a winter staple and will provide some dry fly action throughout the winter months.

Dredging nymphs under a bobber is your best bet for success right now so break out your winter boxes and pick apart that frog water. Pink is in play and will be a staple from here on out. An ideal rig would be #12 pink or rainbow weight fly, pink AmEx, Pinkalicious, Rainbow Czech, Pill Popper, Bubble Yum etc., trailed with a #16 or #18 soft hackle sow, Tailwater Sow, Caviar Scud, Zebra Midge, poxyback sow, Ray Charles, Rainbow Warrior, pink lighting bug, cotton candy etc. If it’s pink and has a pink or hot bead you can’t go wrong. You just need to find the depth and the lane and you’ll be in business. We’re fully stocked with all of the above as well as countless other options.

Keep the streamers on the small side (or not). Buggers, Pine Squirrel Leeches, Fruit Rollups, Polar Leeches, Kreelex etc. have all been effective though the bigger stuff will work as well. Whichever route you decide to go you’ll want to achieve substantial depth and keep your retrieve SLOW with plenty of pauses in between strips. Try the occasional swing or jig action as well. Winter is obviously becoming swing season on the Missouri with the two handers seemingly taking over but don’t feel like you can’t fish single handed utilizing old school streamer methods. I’m here to tell you, it still works!

And the beauty of it this time of year is that whatever methods you prefer, there is no shortage of water on which to ply your trade.

As has been the case for most of the fall, traffic is not an issue. There are always a few wader anglers around and maybe a boat or two depending on the weather and the day of the week but there is a daily abundance of solitude to be found which will likely be the case for at least the next few weeks until cabin fever starts to drive some traffic our way.

Our lodging continues to be on hold until things settle down with Covid cases which it seems might be happening now, at least by the daily state wide numbers which have been trending downwards for the last couple of weeks. If these trends continue we’ll likely make lodging available again in January, just in time for the aforementioned cabin fever traffic.

We’ve gotten a few calls inquiring about the ice on Holter….there is none! We’ll keep you posted.

As we approach Christmas which is ONE WEEK FROM FRIDAY, and as we gather to celebrate the holidays, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all again for your patronage over the years and especially during this crazy Covid year. I don’t know that we’re quite out of the woods just yet but I’m confident 2021 is going to be a year of leaps and bounds towards normalcy and I for one can’t wait.

By |2020-12-16T10:33:45-07:00December 16th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Status Quo on the MO’

Hooked Up – December Days on the MO. Photo by Matt Hargrave

More of the same this week on the MO.

You can expect steady weather and stable flows as we descend into the darkest and shortest days of the year from now through December 21st when we turn the corner and commence the march towards spring and the 2021 season.

We’ll see a high near 55 today, trending cooler for the remainder of the week but with no significant changes and no precipitation in the forecast. With Christmas just two weeks from this Friday it looks as though a white Christmas is not likely but obviously this could all change between now and then.

In the meantime, it’s pretty tough to beat these fishing conditions for early December yet things remain surprisingly quiet. A few more boats out there on the weekends and a few wade anglers out there daily but not what you’d expect.

Nevertheless, we’re enjoying the solitude and enjoying some good streamer days and it sounds as though the nymphing is picking up and there have even been the occasional sipping trout out there willing to engage a well presented dry fly on any given day.

We’re continuing to keep our lodging closed for the time being, waiting for things to improve on the Covid front. Hopefully soon!

Shop hours are 8 AM – 2 PM Tuesday – Saturday with social distancing and masking in full effect (for whatever it’s worth). If you know what you need and would rather not take your chances indoors give us a call on your way out and we’ll be happy to deliver your items curbside.

Our shuttle service remains on hiatus until spring but we are fully stocked on all of the essential winter bugs as well as a wide array of Simms gear from hats, gloves and socks to layering to waders, boots and outerwear.

And don’t forget our web store is now live so you can shop from the comfort of your home or office. We’re continuing to add new items daily so as you think about that countdown to Christmas and if you haven’t yet gotten your shopping done www.wolfcreekangler.com should perhaps be your next stop.

We hope you get out and take advantage of this amazing weather this week on the MO and hope to see you in the shop when you do.

By |2020-12-08T10:10:08-07:00December 8th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Welcome December

There’s NO TIME like STREAMER TIME on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

December has arrived and the weather couldn’t be better (by late fall standards) for getting in a few more days on the water in 2020. We’re currently in the midst of a very stable weather pattern with daily highs reaching into the 40’s and overnight lows in the 20’s. The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies each day right on through the weekend though we are seeing some perfect cloud cover this morning. And best of all – winds are light and variable, in the 6-11 mph range for the next several days and hopefully through the weekend.

Traffic will likely continue to be very light so not only are weather conditions favorable for late fall fishing but there is an abundance of solitude to be found on the river right now which means you can pretty much pick and choose where you want to fish and have it virtually to yourself.

The last couple of times out we saw no one. I expected a bit more activity on Black Friday – the Friday after Thanksgiving, with most everyone having the day off of work and near-perfect weather conditions and I was right. We saw two other boats between Craig and Mid…quite the traffic jam. I assume there may have been some nymphing traffic up at the Dam but all in all the Missouri is currently a Ghost Town which spells opportunity for anyone looking to get back out on the water now that hunting has wrapped up.

I’m sure the lack of available services are contributing to the absence of anglers this fall but once again, the Missouri is your best option for late-season angling state-wide.
You may have to spend some time on the road traveling to and from but there’s no reason you shouldn’t be spending these days on the water. We are continuing to keep our lodging closed for the time being due to the Covid situation and from what I can tell Annie’s remains closed but we’re just a short drive from Helena or Great Falls (or Cascade for that matter) where you’ll find plenty of lodging and dining options. With the weather being what it is camping is still an option as well though I’d personally opt for a heated trailer over a tent right now.

Regardless, fishing is good, especially if you’re into stripping, swinging or nymphing.

Flows have bumped to 3760 with water temps having recently dipped below 40, currently hanging at 39.5 degrees. If you’re nymphing this spells winter fishing protocol so dust off the pink stuff and start concentrating your efforts in the slow, deep winter water. That being said, with the air temps being relatively warm the water temps will tick up each day which is likely going to prevent those fish from totally committing to the winter slumber so don’t overlook the medium fast, shallow to medium depth water including those island tail outs.

And speaking of island tail outs – if there’s anywhere on the river you’re going to have to compete for water it’s at those tail outs and other easily accessible runs where the swingers like to camp out. Polar Leeches, buggers, Pine Squirrel Leeches, Kreelex, Fruit Rollups and the like are the preferred Swing Selections.

Old School Strippers are covering vast stretches of water and still finding fish everywhere you’d expect and in some places you wouldn’t. Big Streamers, Small streamers, black streamers, Yellow streamers, flashy streamers, natural streamers…it’s been all over the board with plenty of willing players both of the Bruiser Brown and Rainbow Trout varieties. Get after it!

Once again, store hours are 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Tuesday – Saturday and while we’re unfortunately not currently doing lodging or shuttles we do have a shop full of things you need for your day on the water or perhaps to occupy space under your tree for your favorite fly anglers.

Simms waders, boots, sportswear and accessories; Fishpond packs and accessories; Rods and Reels a plenty (ON SALE NOW) from Echo, Redington, Ross, Loop, Lamson and more; lots of WCA logo gear and of course, the BIGGEST and BEST selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Sheltering in Place? No problem. Shop wolfcreekangler.com from the comfort of your home. We are adding items daily. ALWAYS FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50. Check out our online store today.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate these times. We can’t wait for things to get back to normal and we are so thankful and proud to be your Missouri River Fly Fishing Headquarters.

By |2020-12-01T11:36:15-07:00December 1st, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |2 Comments
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Thanksgiving Week on the MO

Late Fall Colors on the Missouri River – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

You could do worse this Thanksgiving week than spending some time on the MO’. The weather is certainly tolerable, especially by late November standards, with daily highs in the 40’s and nearing 50 this weekend. It’s been breezy and will continue to be so but that’s to be expected. Sustained South Southwest winds in the 14-16 mph range with higher gusts up to 28 mph, not ideal but definitely fishable.

Flows continue to be low, currently right around 3500 CFS with water temps holding above average for late November but continuing to slowly drop. We’re currently sitting at 41.5 degrees so you’ll definitely want to add some layers if you plan on spending any extended time wading.

Traffic has been very light. A few wade anglers around most days doing the swing thing and generally a couple of boats in the mix with the nymphing set working the dam stretch leaving most of the rest of the river unmolested.

Conditions are ideal for those late fall streamer trips on the MO and while the Trout Spey swingers are growing in numbers staking out their claims daily, the old-school single-handers are covering the miles and enjoying the lack of competition and some decent fall streamer fishing (depending on the day).

Many of the brown trout are post-spawn and looking for high calorie targets as they prepare for winter’s cold. The perfect storm of events and conditions for the fall streamer angler. That being said, there are plenty of active redds out there so please leave those fish alone and watch where you step when wade fishing. 

A slow retrieve with plenty of pauses has been effective generally working the banks and drop-offs. We’ve been moving a few off of the banks but most of the action seems to be mid way between the bank and the boat in medium fast, moderate depth water. Much more so than the slow deep stuff at this point. Don’t overlook the swing either. Sometimes a swing/strip hybrid retrieve can be deadly.

Best colors vary depending on the day. Black, natural, grey, yellow, olive and white have all had their moments. Conventional wisdom says dark colors and dark days but don’t be afraid to buck convention. Mini Dungeons, MK Ultralights, Kreelex, Sparkle Minnows, Swim Coach, Dirty Hippies, Peanut Envies and Circus Peanuts have all been getting noticed as have smaller buggers and polar leeches. Switch patterns and colors often until you find something that works.

Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Streamer Fishing Headquarters with an unrivaled selection of the big bugs, a streamer line for any and all situations and a deep passion for and knowledge of the sport which we absolutely love to talk about. Stop in for tips and techniques, your favorite bugs or anything and everything Missouri River Streamer Fishing.

Don’t care for streamer fishing? That’s ok too. Nymphing is providing plenty of action right now as the fish make the transition to winter conditions. As it’s been with the streamer bite, we’re still picking up fish on nymphs in medium fast water but they are starting to stack up in the traditional cold weather spots, deep and slow.

Target both starting with the faster water and then getting down into the slow depths if need be. Tailwater sows, black Zebras, Soft Hackle Sows and Rainbow Czechs are all standard fare for late fall and it wouldn’t hurt to start working some of the winter fare into the mix. Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Cotton Candy, Pink Rays, UV Crush, Caviar Scuds, Hot Bead anything….you know the routine. All available now at WCA.

And speaking of WCA, we’re changing things up again with our hours. We apologize for the frequent changes but Covid continues to dictate our operational status. Effective immediately our hours are Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, CLOSED Sunday and Monday. Lodging will continue to be closed for the time being but don’t let that prevent you from calling to book your 2021 dates. It was brought to my attention last week when I announced we would not be taking any new lodging reservations that readers might construe that as us not taking reservations for next season which is absolutely not the case. We’ve just decided to close lodging for the time being while Covid continues to rage. We fully intend on being 100 percent open for business for the 2021 season so by all means, call now and book those dates.

We have suspended our shuttle service for the winter but will resume with vehicle shuttles in the spring.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to do our best to navigate through these strange times.

By |2020-11-24T12:48:42-07:00November 24th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments
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The Quiet

Quiet on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

We’ve definitely reached that time of year when angling traffic all but ceases on the MO’. The cold and snow have ushered in The Quiet and while you may find the occasional trout-obsessed, hard core angler out there swinging the tail outs or driving up and down the Recreation Road praying for BWO’s as they comb the side channels in search of rising trout, there is no shortage of solitude to be found on the river these days.

The same can unfortunately be said for the confines of the shop where we’ve been engaged in such year-end pleasantries as counting flies and FINALLY completing those pre-season orders. The season is now over for shop staff which means it’s just yours truly and usually the dog here as well to keep me company.

So while it is indeed The Quiet Time, it’s also that time of year when my job description is expanded to include ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that needs to be done. Housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, snow removal, security, phone calls, emails, dog walks, website work and more. And on the rare occasion a customer darkens the door, I may even get the chance to sell stuff.

Mid-November through the end of the year are by far the quietest weeks of the season. Hunters are afield and the holidays are approaching which means we simply don’t see much in the way of traffic. It’s a perfect opportunity to take stock of the season and think about how we can do things better next year and it’s also the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the solitude of the season.

All that being said, I do expect there may be a slight uptick in traffic next week as we see things warm up early in the week with temps in the high 40’s though mid-week. The rest of this week doesn’t look terrible though temps remain in the 30’s and winds are forecast to increase with the least desirable day looking to be Saturday with sustained west winds 22-28 mph, gusting to 44 mph.

River flows are currently 3560 CFS with water temps hovering around 43.5 degrees. Water conditions are favorable for BWO emergence, weather conditions maybe not so much though Monday looks like it could shape up to be one of those quintessential fall BWO days with overcast skies and rain and snow in the mix. If the wind allows for it perhaps Monday will be the day you DFO’s have been waiting for.

If you’re swinging or stripping, weather and water conditions aren’t nearly as critical though overcast skies are certainly your friend as well. And those looking to chase the bobber will also welcome the cloud cover. Again, it won’t be busy even if we do see a few more folks around so if you haven’t had your fill of fall fishing next week looks like a good time to be here.

I’ve not heard of much happening on the dry fly front so I won’t waste your time with a report about how nothing is happening. If you’re a fall BWO angler you know the game, you’re not looking to us to tell you HOW to get it done, just maybe WHEN. We’ll keep you posted though if you find yourself reading about how great of a BWO day we had yesterday then it’s likely too late!

Nymphing reports have been on the sub-par side overall these past couple of weeks but any day could turn out to be the best day of your season. You won’t know if you don’t go! Your go-to bugs should be Rainbow Czechs, Tailwater Sowbugs, Zebra midges, Soft Hackle sows, Pill Poppers etc. and you might keep some baetis nymhs (Green Machine, split case BWO, BWO Magic Fly) in the mix though we are definitely entering winter nymphing conditions. Bring on the Pinks and Firebeads!

Streamer fishing has been decent depending on the day and should continue to produce. Swingers are getting them on Polar Leeches, Kreelex, Fruit Rollups and the like and while those work on the strip as well we’ve been getting plenty of action on Sparkle Minnows, Swim Coaches, Mini Dungeons, JJ’s and MK Ultralights.

Swing the tail outs and strip off the bank or through the flats and tail outs. Don’t overdo it with your stripping action. The water is getting cold so keep it on the slow side with plenty of pauses.

Just to remind you, our winter shop hours go into effect next week. Wednesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, CLOSED Sunday – Tuesday. The days we are open and our hours will fluctuate with the weather conditions. Please call ahead to make sure we’re here when you need us but expect that if the weather dictates it we will be here, at least in the mornings.
And once again, we have discontinued our shuttle service for the season and will resume shuttles in the spring. Please contact Headhunters Fly Shop for winter shuttles.

Steer Clear of the Covid, enjoy The Quiet and find the good in each and every day.

By |2020-11-12T17:08:04-07:00November 12th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Early October on the MO’

Fall fishing at its finest. Mom with the assist, netting this Missouri River beast hooked and fought solo by Emma Lawrance. Way to go! Photo by Matthew Lawrance


A couple of weeks into autumn and we’re still waiting for some hint of fall weather.

We’ve had an abundance of sunny, cloudless days with temps holding in the 70’s which is not exactly what you would expect for the first week of October. It definitely feels like fall in the mornings but we’ve yet to have a day where you need a jacket past 10 am.

Water temps are dropping slowly but still hanging in that 58 – 59 degree range and flows are as low as I’ve seen them, currently just shy of 3300 CFS, well below what we normally see this time of year which is somewhere in the 4000 CFS range. Last year at this time we were seeing flows of 4500 CFS with water temps at 54 degrees and dropping. It’s definitely a different year in more ways than one, not the least of which is low water on the MO.

Not to despair though as fishing should do nothing but improve from here on out.

We’ll see a cool down starting Sunday with highs only in the low 50’s and overnight lows dipping into the high 30’s. There’s a chance for some rain and snow showers as well so keep your fingers crossed, we could see BWO’s next week. In the meantime keep those nymphing rigs at the ready or suck it up and commit to throwing the big stuff, weeds be damned.

As stated, nymphing has been the go-to for numbers with most of the traffic concentrated between Holter Dam and Craig. Best bugs have been black or purple Zebra midges, Red 2 Bit Hookers, Brown S & M’s, Little Green Machines, BWO Redemption, Jujus, Tailwater Sows, Frenchies, Pill Poppers and Rainbow Czechs. The crayfish bite seems to have come to an end though I wouldn’t necessarily rule it out completely. Always worth at least a try.

We’ve had a lot of inquiries about dry fly fishing the last week or so and even had a few trips out who were pretty intent on hunting heads. Unfortunately that’s really not a thing right now. That’s not to say there aren’t some opportunities out there if you really work at it and put your time and your miles in but we are definitely languishing in the in between as we await the more fall-like weather and hopefully the bugs that accompany it.

The warm temps and lack of a freeze mean there are still plenty of hoppers around so we are still encouraging folks to blind fish hoppers and ants and October Caddis are a good call as well. Drop a nymph, trail a smaller terrestrial or fish it solo. It’s certainly not as productive as straight up bobber fishing but it’s hard to beat that take on a big dry.

The streamer bins have been getting a lot of attention this past week and it sounds like things are improving daily out there. Like I said, if you’re going to fish streamers you ought to commit to doing it all day long. Like the dry/dropper, it’s a low-percentage method but the return is well worth the investment. The weeds are frustrating to be sure but once you work though all of that and find the right water and the right bugs it’s game on! A few chases, a few takes and you’ll be hooked. Or maybe not, but most of the streamer crowd with whom we run are fully committed (or in some cases should be committed) and passionately addicted and live for fall streamer fishing. I don’t think I know anyone who merely dabbles in the streamer game. You’re either all in or you’re out.

Stop in and check out our streamer selection. Some have proclaimed it to be the best on the MO’. And while you’re at it, if you are in the market for a new streamer stick we’re wheeling and dealing during our annual fall rod and reel sale with 25% off all rods and reel…now until they’re gone.

New shop hours are in effect this week. 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Saturday and 7:30 – 4:00 PM Sundays. We are your one stop destination shop on the Missouri River. The hardest working, most professional guides on the river, clean and affordable lodging, Adipose drift boat rentals, shuttles, bugs, Simms boots, waders and accessories and much much more.

By |2020-10-07T22:01:56-06:00October 7th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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