Product Review Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for that perfect gift for the fly fishers on your list?

We can help.

Something we know about fly fishing….it is definitely gear intensive…or as much so as you want it to be.

Sure there are those that go the minimalist route with one rod and a dozen all-purpose flies for any and all situations and there are those on the opposite end with piles of rods ranging from 0 – 12 weight and a reel for each and boxes crammed full of thousands of flies designed to mimic any bug in any stage in any part of the world. Most of us fall somewhere in between.

If you are shopping for fly fishers we are confident we can help, regardless of how much or how little gear they already have or want to have.

10. Redington Path Combo $189.95

How about rods and reels? We’ve got a vast array of both in all price ranges but since our emphasis here is on quality AND affordability we’ve got an abundance of options in the entry-level to mid-price range and we would love nothing better than to assist you in choosing the perfect set-up whether that angler on your list is a seasoned pro or aspiring to be one.

Are you looking to get someone interested in fly fishing? Our advice is don’t break the bank. Go with an entry-level set-up and see where it goes before you invest too much into it. You could easily spend over $1000 on a rod and reel only to find out it really isn’t their thing.

We’ve got the perfect solution in our Redington Path combos. You get the moderate-fast action rod, the reel, the fly line the backing and a rod case for under $200 and the rod has a Lifetime warranty!. This is undoubtedly our best-selling set-up for beginners.

9. Ross Colorado LT Reel $285.00

Designed around our original Colorado’s click and pawl system, the new award-winning Colorado LT retains the same ruggedness and the signature all-metal clicker of its older brother. However, that is where the similarities end as the Colorado LT is built with a new aesthetic and modern design evident in its large arbor and highly detailed porting. Adding to its elegant simplicity, the Colorado LT boasts only 15 different parts in total, all designed, machined, and assembled in Montrose, Colorado USA.

8. Simms Guide Jacket $349.95

This proven workhorse from Simms should be on every angler’s list.

The redesigned Guide™ Jacket is built-to-fish with Gore-Tex® Shell fabric that’s waterproof, breathable, lightweight, and tenacious against tears. Guide-tested features include two top-loading, fly-box compatible storage pockets with integrated retractors and Shingle Cuff™ engineering for unimpeded casting. A Tuck-Away fly patch folds out to hold sidelined bugs.

7. Fishpond Nomad Boat Net 229.95

Nomad Nets are constructed with carbon fiber/fiberglass composite material. The result is a very lightweight and durable net. Nomad Nets are built for the conditions that prevail where great fishing exists; they are waterproof, UV protected, and float like a cork. All Nomad Nets come standard with a rubber bag.

The now legendary Nomad Net needed a bigger basket for the boaters. The Nomad Boat delivers it, as well as extra-long handle for extra-wily fish.

6. Redington Sonic Pro Waders $299.95

Four layer breathable fabric and SonicWeld seams for under $300!

The all new Sonic-Pro wader uses 4-layer waterproof-breathable fabric and SonicWeld seams to create a simple wader with superior durability for uncompromising performance on the water. We designed this wader with minimal pockets and a clean silhouette to provide anglers a durable wader that simply performs in all conditions, from deep steelhead wading to hot summer trout runs.

5. Simms ColdWeather Shirt $99.95

Our absolute favorite winter shirt….hands down.

Quick dry warmth featuring micro fleece waffle-lining.
Simms takes this hardworking mainstay into the 21st, with the boosted warmth of waffle-lined micro-fleece internals. ColdWeather LS features include quick-dry performance, potent UPF50 sun protection, and chafe-free, off-shoulder seaming for added comfort. Stash gear in two super-sized, top-close chest pockets. And stay effortlessly stylish in these ultrawarm, brushed-flannel performance plaids.

4. Simms ColdWeather Pants $99.95

If you like the ColdWeather shirt wait until you try the pants.

Pants equipped for deep-freeze conditions
Subzero mornings? No sweat. Simms’ Coldweather Pants combat the conditions thanks to micro fleece-lined internals and hand-warmer pockets. Angler-appreciated extras include COR3™ fabric technology; an adjustable waist with a corrosion-fighting center-front snap; and articulated knees for bolstered durability and massive mobility.

3. Yeti Drinkware $24.99-$39.99

Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. 10 OZ Lowball, 30 OZ Ramblers and the stainless steel koozie you thought you’d never need the Colster.

2. Stanley Wolf Creek Angler 64 OZ Growler $59.00

As always, your first fill-up at Blackfoot River Brewing Company in Helena http://blackfootriverbrewing.com/is on us.

Rising to the call for cold, fresh beer, the 64oz Classic Vacuum Growler lets you transport your favorite brew in fully functional and iconic style. Take control with a rugged handle for easy carry and one-handed pouring. The wide mouth allows for quick filling, sharing, and cleaning. An audible ‘pop’ when you open this bad boy is a sure sign your beer is still carbonated. It ain’t Grandad’s old vacuum bottle, but he’ll raise his pint in admiration.

Wolf Creek Angler Logo Wear $20.00-$99.99

Hats, T – Shirts, Guide Shirts, ColdWeather Shirts, Fleeces, hoodies….all adorned with the logo of your favorite fly shop.

Can’t decide or not sure what they want? A Wolf Creek Angler gift card makes the perfect gift for all the Missouri River Fly Fishers on your list. The cards can be purchased in any amount, they never expire, and they can be used for absolutely anything we sell. Shuttles, Guide Trips, Drift Boat Rentals, Lodging, Merchandise…..Anything!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-11-26T17:27:40-07:00November 27th, 2016|Categories: Product Review, Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, Fishpond, fly fishing, Holiday Gift Guide, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

WCA welcome ARC to the Missouri

ARC_Fishing_logo-300x300

We are excited to announce that Wolf Creek Angler is now your exclusive dealer of ARC Fishing fly lines, leaders and tippet on the Missouri River. We’ve been fishing their lines this spring and we’re absolutely loving them. We’re super stoked to get behind a newcomer to the industry intent on earning your business by offering products which they claim have a clear advantage over the competition and while there are plenty of great fly lines out there, many of which we carry, we simply can’t say enough about the ARC 99 and 99+ lines. To put it simply….these lines float….higher and longer and better than most. We don’t sell any products we wouldn’t personally use and we stand behind everything we sell but we feel ARC definitely deserves to occupy the space we’ve devoted to them on the wall reserved for PREMIUM lines.

The lines feature the latest advancements in line design, including transition Zones, a super high floating permanent Nano PTFE coating and a low-friction, grooved line profile which makes them among the longest casting, highest floating and easiest mending fly lines on the market today.

We also love their design philosophy and their commitment to simplicity. They call their lines 99 because according to them these lines are good for 99% of the fishing situations you could possibly encounter.

Read the ARC story below, check out their web site www.arcfishing.com and then come out to WCA and take these lines for a test drive. You won’t find them anywhere else on the MO’.

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Wolf Creek Angler is your Exclusive ARC dealer on the Missouri River

Our Story

We launched ARC Fishing with an ambitious goal: to demonstrate there’s still plenty of opportunity for innovation in the tippet, fly line and leader markets.

Along the way, we’ve partnered with world-class manufacturers who share our passion for fly fishing, combining materials knowledge and manufacturing expertise to create the most technically advanced and versatile tippet, leaders, and fly lines on the market today. All designed with a single purpose: to help you land more fish.

Our design philosophy emphasizes simplicity, but not at the expense of performance. ARC products are packed with the latest features and technologies, including some market firsts. And, all designed to deliver unmatched performance under the most demanding fishing conditions.

As one of the industry’s newest companies, we’re committed to earning your business. We know the only way to do that is to offer products with a clear advantage over the competition.

But don’t take our word for it. Take our products to a river, lake or the flats to see what they can do. We’re confident you won’t be disappointed.

We look forward to talking to you about the full line of ARC Fishing products and seeing you on the water!

The Story Behind 99

Legendary fly angler Lefty Kreh once said, “There’s more B.S. in fly fishing than in a Kansas feedlot.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Take fly lines for example. Some companies have so many specialized lines they would have you think you need an app to pick one. We think that’s a bit over the top.

So here at ARC Fishing, we obsess about line design and technology, so you don’t have to.

And that’s the significance of the 99 designation on selected ARC fly lines. These lines are good for 99% of the fishing situations you could possibly encounter.

All ARC 99 branded fly lines feature time-tested tapers and materials that won’t let you down under the most demanding fresh and saltwater fishing conditions. You can trust them to get the job done no matter where your fishing adventures take you.

There may be a few times – say when you are tossing dry flies to wary trout or powering through stiff winds stalking bones on the flats — where you might need a customized taper design. We’ve got you covered there, too, with lines like the ARC Dry Fly, the ARC Bonefish/Redfish and the ARC Tarpon.

So forget the fly line selection app and make your next purchase an ARC 99 or ARC specialized fly line … with the confidence that you have chosen a line that’s easy to understand and even easier to use.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:34-06:00June 14th, 2016|Categories: Product Review|Tags: 99, ARC Fishing, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Gorgeous Missouri River Winter Bow – photo Eric Mondragon

Last week’s snow has all but disappeared with temps close to 50 yesterday and more of the same for this weekend and the week ahead. We may see 60 by mid-week. Given a choice we would prefer snow and cold but we’ll take it either way.

The traffic has been very light even with the warm temps. The winds are keeping some away but those who have been out there have been enjoying some good to great days both nymphing and swinging/stripping. Water temps have been hanging right around 38 for the past couple of days with flows stable at around 3030 cfs. The colder temps have caused the fish to move to the slow, deep winter water which can make things easy if you know where they are. A #12 Casne’s Pinkalicious or Pink Amex trailed with a firebead softhackle sow or a tailwater sow or a pink lightning bug or something of the sort will get you into the action and keep you there. We’ll often run the same rigs for days, even weeks at a time during the winter months with or without split shot. I prefer no split shot opting instead to use a heavy tungsten bug as my weight but it’s all a matter of preference. We typically aren’t doing much with depth adjustment either as the fish are generally concentrated at the same depth in each of these winter runs.

While nymphing is our go-to this time of year it’s also never a bad call to swing or slowly strip a streamer. Our bins are overflowing with all kinds of new streamer patterns. The Hot Head Kreelex, Skiddish Smolt, Sparkle Minnow and various Polar Leeches have all been getting some attention. Stop in and check out our selection, you won’t be disappointed.

Lodging has filled for this weekend and there will be a little more traffic out there than there has been but you will still have plenty of options for solitude on the water. Stop by the shop on your way to the river for shuttles, winter bugs and everything you might need for your day on the water and then some. While you’re here take the opportunity to get your Christmas Shopping done. We’ve got something for all the fly fishers on your list and if you can’t decide what to get them we’ve got WCA gift cards good for everything we sell.

Today we’re highlighting rods and reels. We’ve got some great deals going on Echo and St Croix rods and select Nautilus and Ross reels as we clear the way for some redesigned Echo rods and the launch of a soon-to-be announced new product line in the rod/reel department that we’re super excited about .

St Croix Bank Robber – The Ultimate Streamer Stick

If Anyone Starts Talking About Getting Sensitive Around Here,
They Better Just Be Talking About Light Tippets.

There’s stepping up to the plate, and then there’s stepping up to the fly rod and casting like a big boy. If you want to know more about it, just spend a day with Kelly Galloup. If you plan on chasing trophies with huge streamers, here’s a little tip – bring a big boy rod. Something like the Bank Robber.™ Simply put, they are the ultimate streamer rods. Forged from high-modulus / high-strain SC^V graphite blanks with SC^VI graphite in the lower sections for added power with reduced weight and St. Croix’s proprietary ART^™ and IPC^® technology, it’s something Kelly would approve of. Especially since he helped design them.

Can a fly rod really change your life?
Depends on how much of a life you have outside of fishing.

When it comes to understanding the latest sub-surface fishing techniques, few people know more than Kelly Galloup – which is why we asked him to help us develop the High Stick Drifter. Designed specifically for today’s advanced nymph fishing methods, they feature a unique lightweight tip that reduces angler fatigue when the rod is held high for long periods of time, while emphasizing sensitivity for better strike detection. High Stick Drifter rods also feature SC^VI graphite in lower sections for added power with reduced weight and St. Croix’s proprietary ART^™ and IPC^® technology. And the balance? Incredible. Can these rods change your life? Yea. We think so.

Pick up a Bank Robber or High Stick Drifter today for 20% off the regular price. We’ll also match either one up with the appropriate reel and line for additional cost savings.

Echo Carbon Rods

When Tim Rajeff set out to create the next generation of affordable trout rods he had no idea they were going to turn out so darn good-looking. Getting the action and power correct was his main goal. Tim dedicated a full year of product development to make sure every model in the ECHO Carbon family has a smooth action and is easy to cast. All but a few of these rods have smooth Medium Fast actions and possess power that would be considered close to “average or normal” for each line rating. So you get no surprises when choosing an ECHO CARBON rod. “Not too stiff, not too soft, juuuuuuuust right!!!” With a matte brown finish and a custom Rajeff Sports / ECHO man reel seat the ECHO CARBON rods stand out as the best looking rod under $200 that has ever been made.

Echo has redesigned the Carbon for next season so we’re clearing this year’s models out at 30 % off the regular price. Let us match your new Carbon with the appropriate reel and line for an additional cost savings.

Nautilus Feather Weight Xtreme

The Nautilus FWX (Feather Weight Xtreme) series is the most technologically advanced and the lightest machined aluminum disc drag trout fly reel on the market.

The award-winning FWX reels feature our Sealed Carbon Fiber (SCFTM) drag system with the proprietary TORQ-XTM clutch drive and TPX bushings. This completely sealed, maintenance-free draw bar type carbon fiber disc brake delivers the smoothest drag on the market in a light fly reel. No sand, gravel, water or snow will affect the flawless performance of this amazing disc drag.

Come check out these rods and reels and many more today. We’ve also got some great starter kits from Redington which include everything you need to get started fly fishing. Rod, reel and line and a lifetime warranty on the rod for under $200.

A moderate-fast action rod great for beginner casters or those who have a more relaxed casting stroke. 2-piece and 4-piece models offer flexibility for the traveling angler.

All water, moderate-fast action rod
Durable anodized aluminum reel seat, ideal for all fresh and saltwater applications
Alignment dots for easy rod setup
Rods come with black cloth rod tube
Combo includes: Path rod, Path reel pre-spooled with RIO Mainstream® WF fly line, and zippered carrying case
8 and 9 weight, saltwater application, available with RIO Saltwater® Floating Line
Lifetime warranty *Rod only

Not sure what kind of rod to get them? We’ll walk you through all of your options and explain the differences and get you set up with exactly what you need.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:42-06:00December 5th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report, Product Review|Tags: Echo, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, St Croix, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Wolf Creek Angler is your Exclusive Full Line Kast Dealer on the Missouri

With winter weather setting in it might be time to consider upgrading your gear. Things tend to get a little more challenging out there when you factor in the snow and wind and cold temps but with the right gear there’s no reason to stop fishing! We’ve got you covered for all conditions with KAST Extreme Fishing Gear.
Stop by Wolf Creek Angler and check out the full line of gear from Kast. We’ve got plenty of Hell Razor and Velocity jackets and the best fishing glove on the market, the completely waterproof Steelhead Glove.
We’re looking at the first arctic blast of the season arriving mid week next week with highs struggling to break single digits on Thursday and lows dipping below zero. While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend fishing in these conditions we would recommend outfitting yourself with KAST Gear if you’re going to do it.

Wolf Creek Angler is your exclusive Full Line Kast Dealer on the Missouri River.

The Hell Razor Jacket from Kast available at Wolf Creek Angler

Everyone has their favorite jacket. The one that never sees a closet or coat-hook. The one that, unless you’re already sleeping in it, is always close enough to grab—regardless of where you are, what you’re going to be doing, or what the weather is.

For us, the Hell Razor is that jacket: performance and comfort that’s perfect as an insulating layer or solo as outerwear when it’s not pushing single-digits. Designed to be windproof, water resistant, yet highly breathable and thermally efficient, the Hell Razor utalizes Primaloft 60g Gold insulation so you get a jacket that is incredibly lightweight and extremely warm. This jacket is definitely our go-to favorite whether we’re wrestling big fish, wheeling into town—or yes, sleeping in from time to time.

Spend as much time outdoors as we do and you figure out pretty quick what gear works, and what gear you leave home next trip out. And jackets are no exception. Warmth without mobility makes for an uncomfortable day of casting on the water. Mobility over warmth isn’t any better. And if the jacket is too heavy in the first place? No dice.

Our Velocity jacket gives you all three: it’s utralight with stellar warmth and mobility. Velocity’s hybrid design leverages thermal body mapping, keeping your core warm as a stand-alone jacket on colder days, or as a mid-layer in extreme conditions. Plus, you get the enhanced performance and full range of motion from the Polartec® Powerstretch sleeves. Add useful design features like an offset center front zipper, thumb-hole cuffs, tool loops and oversized pockets—the Velocity is ready to run when you are.

There are not too many things that’ll cut a day of cold-weather fishing short quicker than losing the feeling in your digits. Keeping your hands in your pockets doesn’t lend itself to being ready for that explosive take. And gloves always seem to solve only one part of the warmth/waterproof/dexterity equation. Until now.

Our Steelhead Gloves are designed to keep your hands bone-dry, give you maximum dexterity, and provide a layer of warmth when fishing in cold environments. Patented OutDry technology makes our gloves 100% waterproof/submersible, windproof, and breathable. Plus the warm fleece lining, and durable stretch shell give you the snug fit and uncompromising feel that you need in the fingertips, and an extended cuff for valuable additional coverage at the wrist. Go ahead, chase chrome in a snow squall, or tail a trophy king in frigid water, you can trust your hands will stay warm and dry.

Stop in today and check out all of our Extreme Gear from KAST including select summer guide wear on sale for 20 percent off.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 19th, 2015|Categories: Product Review|Tags: fly fishing, Kast Gear, Kast Hell Razor Jacket, Kast Steelhead Gloves, Kast Velocity Jacket, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Gear Review – Strike Foundry Lil’ Nugget Indicators

Guest Blog from WCA Guide Jim Murray

“Short leash” nymphing is a really fun way to fish. It usually involves a couple of nymphs, suspended 3-4 feet below a bobber, and little to no additional weight. It allows for a little bit more of a technical cast than lobbing bobbers and BB’s, and it can be damned effective as well.
In the past, the standard Missouri River Short Leash indicator was the foam pinch-on. Let’s just say that these could be less than ideal. I know many guides and anglers swear by them, but I always found them to be a nuisance. They can be hard to remove, leaving a gunky pasty substance on your leaders. They are cumbersome to cast. And they can fall off into the river, leaving unwanted debris floating through your favorite seam. Yes they are inexpensive, but you go through a ton of them in a season. All in all, I don’t really like using them.
As a result, I’ve been looking for a good alternative for a while now, and this Spring, fellow WCA guide Matt Hargrave showed me the light. The Strike Foundry “Lil’ Nugget” ½ “ indicator. Light weight, indestructible and easy to cast, these bobbers do the trick. I tie the butt section of my leader into the bright side of the indicator, then tippet out the grey side. Clients love fishing this set up, as the indicators are easy to see, easy to cast, and easy to mend. One of the concerns with short leash set ups is if the bobber will disturb the fish in the upper third of the water column. I haven’t noticed this to be the case at all. Fish have been happily eating our nymphs using this set up all Spring.
The one downside to this method is that the indicators are not easily moved. You could tie additional tippet if you wanted to fish a little deeper, but converting to a deep nymph rig would require you to remove the set up, and either switch leaders or add additional tippet material to get down deep. Or you could do what I do and have a couple short leash rods rigged up and ready to go, along with my deep nymph rods.
All in all, I love this indicator for my short leash nymphing. It has worked flawlessly for my clients and I, and client feedback has been extremely positive. If you are looking for an alternative to the old foam pinch on indicators, give the Strike Foundry “Lil’ Nugget” a try. They work great.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 15th, 2015|Categories: Product Review, Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, running line, short leash nymphing, Strike Foundry, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Kast Guide Wear

Tired of the same old options for guide wear in the canyon? Stop by and check out our selection from Kast Gear, available only at Wolf Creek Angler. Guide Shirts, Guide Pants and shorts, tech tops and more – come discover your new favorite guide wear at WCA.
I’ve been wearing the Recon Guide shirt for the past week and I love it. It feels good, it looks good and it combines the technical qualities we’re all looking for in a fishing shirt with a simple, understated design. Check it out here;

http://kastgear.com/shirts/recon-guide-shirt-steel-blue.html

We’ve had the Kast Gear in the store for just over a week and the Revolver Guide pants have already begun to draw a lot of attention. Kast describes them as Bomb Proof – come check them out for yourself.

http://kastgear.com/shirts/revolver-guide-pant.html

We are also carrying bamboo-blended Vapor Tech tops which will be a great spring/summer option. Guide shorts, board shorts, Kayman Tech tops and hoodies and more arriving in June.

http://kastgear.com/layering/vapor-tech-top-grey.html

We’re excited about all of this gear and we think it’s perfect for the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:56-06:00March 30th, 2015|Categories: Product Review, Uncategorized|Tags: Kast Gear, Recon Guide Shirt, Revolver Guide Pants, running line, Vapor Tech, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fly Rod Edition

Rods have proven to be a challenge for us from the start. We don’t get a huge call for rods and reels but we feel like having a decent selection of both is a must for most any fly shop and Wolf Creek Angler is no exception.
When we opened our doors last season we chose to go with Echo, St. Croix and Redington as our rod offerings and Echo and Ross for our reels. First season rod and reel sales exceeded our expectations, but honestly our expectations were pretty low.
We are continuing with these brands this season and have expanded our selection of Ross Reels as well as adding Nautilus Reels to the mix. It’s a great blue-collar line up of proven work horse gear and we would love to increase our sales in this department.
Our most popular St Croix rod has been the Avid series which was my first fly rod back in the day and which remains a staple in the industry as a great series of affordable trout rods at $300.
We also stock the Kelly Galloup designed Bank Robber and High Stick Drifters. At $460 these Fast action rods are a little more of an investment but we think they are well worth the money. The Bank Robber is the ultimate streamer stick and the High Stick Drifter was built for nymphing the MO.
New to Wolf Creek Angler this season, we’ve decided to line up a couple of these rods as demos. Come fish a Bank Robber or High Stick Drifter for the day and see what you think. Demo the rod and reel for $25/day – if you decide to purchase one we’ll credit you back the rental fee.
The most popular Echo rods for us have without a doubt been the Carbon series. Many of our guides, myself included, use Carbons for Client Rigs and coupled with Echo Ion Reels they are a great choice and a great value. Clients new to the sport find these Medium-Fast rods easy to cast and at just shy of $250 for the rod and reel combo you can’t beat the price. The Carbon is a great choice for an affordable entry level rod.
Other workhorse offerings from Echo include the Ion and the Solo. While our Echo inventory consists primarily of Carbons and Solos we’re happy to order anything they offer including the highly touted Echo Glass Two Hand and Switch rods.
If you’re looking for a rod for your little ones look no further than the 7’9″ 4/5 weight Echo Gecko, the industry’s only high-performance rod built specifically for kids.

We also carry rods from Redington including the Fiberglass Butterstick and the ready-to-fish Path combo (rod, reel pre-spooled with Rio Mainstream WF fly line, backing, leader and case) with lifetime warranty for under $200. This entry level moderate-fast action rod has been our most popular offering by far and is a great choice for beginners.
Look for upcoming blogs detailing the particulars of many of these rods.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 28th, 2015|Categories: Product Review|Tags: Echo, fly fishing, Kelly Galloup, Nautilus, Redington, Ross, running line, St Croix, St Croix Bank Robber, St Croix High Stick Drifter, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Strike Foundry Indicators

We started carrying Strike Foundry In-Line Suspender indicators at Wolf Creek Angler about a month ago and I finally got around to trying them out last week. These indicators showed up on the Missouri last summer when creator Marko Baxter was out here shooting video of his product at work on the MO.
I will admit that what drew us to the product in the first place was the name of the company. Having spent my past life in the metal casting business in an iron foundry I was all over the name STRIKE FOUNDRY and couldn’t wait to hear where the name came from . It turns out Marko’s grandfather was a blacksmith hence the connection. From the Strike Foundry web site “Strike Foundry has been forged from family influences in my beginnings, my recent friendships and their expertise, as well as from my constant drive to unlock the puzzles presented from below ever-changing waters.”

So the name is awesome – how about the product? I fished the standard indi which can be rigged in three different ways, either in-line, looped around or right angle rigged. I opted for the loop around (thingamabobber style) rigging as I was changing depths quite a bit. The indicator reminded me of the Thill bobbers we used to use for steelhead nymphing back in Michigan. Like the Thills they are stealthy,extremely sensitive, easy to cast, easy to read and unlike the Thills, you don’t need a stick or a toothpick or a rubber band or any such nonsense to rig your indicator.
You would run your line through the thill and then either stop it with the small wooden spike which came with it or find a stick on the ground to use once you lost the spike. The method we adopted was to cut a rubber band and run it through the thill after running your line through the thill. The rubber band would lock the indicator where you wanted it and it could be moved up and down the leader to change depths…no sticks required. The Strike Foundry Indi is better yet…absolutely no tools or accessories required.
I love the sensitivity of this indicator, especially this time of year when the takes can be very subtle. I had more than a couple of strikes I don’t think I would have necessarily picked up on with the standard thingamabobber. The techy nymphers will love it for it’s versatility and from what I hear the preferred rigging method amongst said techies is the right angle rigging.

In-Line Rigging

Loop Around Rigging

Right-Angle Rigging

We are selling both the standard 3/4″ indicator and the Lil’ Nugget 1/4″ indicators which I think will be great come summer for short leash applications. Check them out at http://strikefoundry.com/ and then stop by Wolf Creek Angler on your way to the Missouri and pick a couple up.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:00-06:00February 26th, 2015|Categories: Product Review|Tags: indicator, Missouri River, nymphs, running line, Strike Foundry, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Friday Gear Review – St Croix Bank Robber

We are proud to be the only Authorized St Croix rod dealer in the canyon. Check out this review from Feather and Fin of the Bank Robber and stop by the shop to see and cast one for yourself. Streamer fishing has been hit or miss as of late but should improve as the water warms. Why not treat yourself to a new streamer rod this season from Wolf Creek Angler?

Gear Review: St Croix Bank Robber Fly Rod

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Spencer Knibbe

St Croix Bank Robber Review

A high performance fly rod that does exactly what was designed to do.

October fly fishing is all about throwing meaty streamers to aggressive brown trout. Unlike the spring where fly fishing is at its classical apex of brimmed hats, pipes, and noble dry fly presentations to sipping trout, fishing during this time of year is a street brawl with fat nasty fish that smash a swinging fly like a crazed linebacker.

I cannot think of a better rig to battle ornery fall browns with than my 6WT St Croix Bank Robber Fly Rod. One of the first truly niche rods to hit the market, the St Croix Bank Robber is specifically designed for streamer fishing…hence the name derived from the term “bank robbing,” or casting streamer flies to undercut river banks where the biggest nastiest fish lie. Made from high modulus/high strain graphite blanks, the Bank Robber is equipped with a fighting butt, anodized aluminum reel seat, and stout lower section that tapers into a sensitive tip. The rod is perfectly suited for making big booming casts, covering a lot of water, and fighting big fish caught on naughty streamer patterns. I’ve used it while fishing for trout, smallmouth/largemouth bass, and schoolie stripers…basically any species for which fishing streamer patterns is the preferred method.

As previously mentioned, I am a purist in matching gear that is appropriate to the task and have outfitted my St Croix Bank Robber with a Lamson Litespeed 2 Reel that is spooled Scientific Anglers Mastery Series Wet Express Sinking Tip fly line. I’ve found this setup to be best pairing and that it really enables me to take advantage of the rod’s power, accuracy, and get my flies down deep to where the big naughties are.

On the versatility front, the Bank Robber was made for one application and one application only. One is guaranteed to find yourself frustrated if you try to tie on anything but a streamer…but like hunting woodcock with a 10 GA shotgun, why would you even want to try? A slight miss that I have to pick with this rod is that it does not have a hook rest which is annoying. I’m told that the reel seat is designed serve this purpose, but it is a miss nonetheless. Bottom line…if you are not into this type of fly fishing, move on, this is not the rod for you.

I always have my 6WT St Croix Bank Robber with me when I’m targeting large trout in big water and would highly recommend this rod over its more expensive competition. Hit your local fly shop or eBay (see article) and check out a Bank Robber for yourself!

Product Page from St Croix

http://stcroixrods.com/products/fly-fishing/bank-robber

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:08-06:00April 18th, 2014|Categories: Product Review|Tags: running line, St Croix, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

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If Anyone Starts Talking About Getting Sensitive Around Here,
They Better Just Be Talking About Light Tippets.

Can a fly rod really change your life?
Depends on how much of a life you have outside of fishing.