Merry Christmas from Wolf Creek Angler

It doesn’t seem possible but somehow, Christmas 2021 is upon us.

In some ways it feels like another year has gotten away from us, lost in the blur. In other ways it feels like the much anticipated wrap on a season that did its share of dragging on.

Either way, the joy of Christmas shines through as we tune out the distractions which unfortunately comprise much of our daily lives and instead immerse ourselves in those things of real significance which bring meaning to our lives.

Christmas means hope, redemption, possibility, potential and salvation and while it’s undoubtedly an indication of the current stage of my life journey, it seems to stir my soul more and more with every passing year.

Time off from work is nice. Giving and receiving gifts is fun and over indulging in food and drink is a mandatory component of the celebration but what brings me the most joy and anticipation this Christmas is the thought of my family, all together under one roof again, enjoying this time together as we take account of all the ways in which we’ve been blessed this year.

Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed new year from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler. 2021 was our best season to date and that’s because of you.

It’s easy to get bogged down in the day to day of the season and when I do so I tend to lose focus as I begin to take things for granted and go numb to the amazing opportunities with which I’ve been so richly blessed.

These final days of the year, with Christmas at the center, bring it all back in to focus for me and while I’m not naïve about the challenges we all face on many fronts, I can’t help but step back and consider this life and be profoundly humbled.

This life, this family, this place, these friends, this business and all of the relationships that are a part of it….I am truly blessed beyond measure. Thank you to all of you who make this thing go.

May the peace and joy of Christmas be with all of you this day and throughout the New Year.

By |2021-12-22T10:34:03-07:00December 24th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: , , |0 Comments

December Puppy Days

New Dog on Duty at WCA

It’s been a LONG time since we’ve had a new puppy in the house…more than a dozen years, and I have very little recollection of those days when our beloved Jake first joined our family.

A few days ago we welcomed a new pup into the fold. Ezekiel Jacob Montana is his name, and he goes by Zeke.

Zeke will be eight weeks old on Sunday and so far he’s everything we hoped he would be and and also a lot of things we maybe weren’t 100 percent ready for, having apparently repressed those memories from the last time we shared a house with a tiny yellow Labrador.

In some ways it’s been easier than I thought it would be. He has absolutely no aversion to being crated and so far it’s been me waking him up at night to take him out, not vice versa. He sleeps a lot. But when he’s not sleeping he requires constant attention and supervision. There’s a lot of eating, biting, playing, going to the bathroom (so far so good for the most part with housebreaking), exploring any and every place he’s able to get to followed by frequent naps and more of the same. 

I’ve trained two dogs in my lifetime, both of whom were absolutely amazing but again, I don’t remember what we did to train them. I’ve spent the last month pouring over dog training books and YouTube videos and now I have a mashup of techniques in my head which I’ve been attempting to implement, some with success, some not so much. Zeke is incredibly bright and learns quickly. The stall outs, when they occur, are all on me but we’ll get there! 

Part of our strategy with getting a late fall/winter pup was the fact that it’s obviously a slow time for the business which would afford me plenty of time working with the puppy. So far so good. The weather turned cold the day we picked him up so I haven’t been too concerned about not being in the shop the last couple of days. I did take him to work this morning with the thought that I could tend to emails, voicemails, filling and shipping online orders and the like. Zeke had other ideas. 

We will try again once I get an enclosed play/hang out area set up for him which will happen this week but until that time there’s not much happening other than puppy supervision while we’re at the shop. 

This being the case, I’ve decided to unofficially close the shop for the next couple of weeks. We’ll be around at some point most days and will be OPEN when we’re there but I think it’s in everyone’s best interest if we steer clear of published hours for the remainder of 2021. 

We’re still open for lodging and guide trips every day and if there’s anything you need from the shop we’re around and just a phone call away. Visit our online store for shopping made easy, including those coveted WCA gift cards which make an excellent gift for any of the fly fishers on your list. 

We wrapped up our shuttle season in November and have been referring all shuttle requests to Headhunters and while I would love to have the shop open from 8 -5 every day for those making the trek to the MO,  between staffing challenges and puppy training it’s simply not practical. 

Again, Zeke and I will be in the shop more days than not and when we’re there the OPEN sign will be ON but hours will be of a random nature for the next few weeks. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding and we can’t wait for the world to meet Zeke (once he’s where he needs to be). 

Call forwarding to my cell phone will be turned on as of tomorrow and I am really good about answering messages and emails. If you need a room or a guide give us a call or shoot me an email and we will make it happen. I’ve been busy with 2022 confirmations for the past several days and have most of them done. If you haven’t yet received yours it’s coming shortly. 2022 is going to be another very busy year on the Missouri so if by chance you haven’t yet booked your dates…. time is of the essence. 

Cheers! 

Welcome December

With a forecasted high of 67 today it feels a lot more like September out there than December but be that as it may, it is indeed the first day of December with not a hint of winter on the short-term horizon.

If those balmy temps have you thinking fishing the MO today you might want to reconsider as we’re under a high wind warning until 9 pm tonight with Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph, gusting up to 70 mph, in Central and Southern Lewis and Clark County. With these gusty winds and the low relative humidity we’re also under a Red Flag Warning for Critical Fire Weather Conditions through tonight. Be careful out there!

Unseasonably warm temps with persist through the weekend, hopefully with winds diminishing. Colder air arrives early next week. Let’s hope that trend continues and that we start to see some winter precipitation soon.

Our thoughts are on the Madison River today as FWP officials along with an army of volunteers continue fish rescue efforts from the Dam to Ennis following the malfunction at Hebgen Dam which drastically dropped flows yesterday stranding fish on riffles and concentrating fish in deep water. NorthWestern Energy is working to fix the dam.

FWP announced the closing of the river to fishing yesterday and this closure will remain in place until the issue at the dam is resolved and flows are fully restored to the river. Please help if you can.

We’ve wrapped up winterizing here at WCA and we’re down to just the three bungalows for rent from here on out until spring. Bookings have been good with the unseasonably warm weather and we expect this will continue so don’t put off making those reservations as we’ve been full for the most part on the weekends.

And speaking of bookings, there’s no better time than the present to make those 2022 plans. Much of Prime Time (June and early July) has already filled and it appears we’re going to have another very busy guide season on the Missouri so don’t put it off any longer. And as if that weren’t incentive enough, here’s the other reason you should book now. With inflation going crazy and costs increasing on EVERYTHING we have no choice but to raise our rates. We’ve held our lodging rates for the last four seasons but simply can’t afford to continue to absorb these increases. Beginning Jan 1, 2022 lodging rates go up but if you book before then we’ll hold 2021 pricing.

Make that call today!

We’re open daily at 8 AM and open online 24/7 for all of your fly fishing gift needs. WCA Gift Cards make great stocking stuffers. They’re available at our online store in increments of $25, $50, $100 or Guide Trip or give us a call or stop by the shop to purchase in any amount you like. Gift cards are good for ANYTHING we sell including shuttles, lodging and guide trips, they NEVER expire and they are the perfect gift for those hard-to-shop-for fly fishers.

Fishing report coming soon but the quick and dirty is that the amazing fall fishing we’ve seen for the past couple of months is still going fairly strong. Perhaps a little less consistent as of late but still damn good whether you’re nymphing or stripping or swinging streamers. The wind has made things challenging but if you happen to hit it on the not quite so windy days, between the mild temps and the better than average fishing it’s been a phenomenal fall to fish the MO. 

See you out there! 

Happy Thanksgiving from WCA

On this day of Thanks giving, of reflecting on all of those things with which we are blessed, it’s the perfect time to express our heart-felt thanks to all of you for making all of this possible.

Without you there is no Wolf Creek Angler!

So to each and every one of you whether you fish with us, stay with us, shop with us, follow us on social media or all of the above we can’t thank you enough for allowing us to do what we do and to truly live this dream in magical Montana.

We’re so thankful for just having had our best season yet and we can’t wait to do it all again.


So from our table to yours, we wish you all a happy, safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

By |2021-11-25T09:23:35-07:00November 25th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

Welcome to MOvember

It’s hard to believe but November is upon us and a very busy 2021 season is coming to a close.

The transition to the off season is almost complete with the majority of seasonal folks having already disappeared. Things are quiet in Wolf Creek and Craig.

That being said, November brings its own dedicated contingent to the MO with swing season underway, streamer fishing still hanging on, fall dry-fly fishing at its apex and pre-winter nymphing providing plenty of action for those seeking a different Missouri River experience, one of solitude, absent the throngs.

Things look and feel deserted right now but a closer look reveals evidence of a different, more subdued season underway. A season where you can have the river seemingly to yourself on most days but a season which lacks not just the crowds but much of the infrastructure enjoyed by the prime season angler.

Commerce has slowed to a crawl with some businesses closing for the season and others shifting to abbreviated hours for the winter months.

Izaaks is closed for the season and Annie’s is open Friday – Sunday 11 AM – 8 PM but will be closing for winter on November 21st. Bottom line… you’d be wise to bring food if you’re headed this way any time before next spring.

The Canyon Store is OPEN all year with fuel, beer,food and other essentials and Wolf Creek Angler remains open every day for the time being. We’ve closed a third of our lodging thus far and have gone to winter rates on our remaining open rooms. $99 (plus tax) for a cozy cabin or bungalow, each with a full kitchen and private bath.

It is indeed our quiet time on the MO but that being said, Wolf Creek shines this time of the season with everything you need all in one place, just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge where the vast majority of Missouri River winter fishing occurs. Why would you go anywhere else? There’s NOBODY closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than Wolf Creek Angler.

We’ve got everything you need for your day on the water from Adipose drift boat rentals to Simms waders and boots and cold weather gear to lines, leaders and tippet from Rio and Airflo to tools and accessories from Fishpond, Rising and Loon to the now near legendary largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Our flies come from Montana Fly Company, Umpqua Feather Merchants, Solitude and Yellowstone Fly Goods and are the highest quality flies available.

So while things may look deserted out there on the river right now, we’re enjoying hosting a good portion of the late-season contingent this early November at Wolf Creek Angler.

We’re near full capacity all week long with awesome fall weather on tap for at least the next 7 days. Cabins 2 and 3 are available through the weekend and next week we’re wide open so if you’re looking to make the trip give us a call.

The late season is generally a DIY affair but if you’re looking for a guide we can likely accommodate. As mentioned above, many of the seasonal folks have left the area but most of our guides at WCA are local so if you’re looking for a late season guided trip let us know.

Great weather, great end of the season deals in the shop, and most importantly, GREAT FISHING happening NOW at Wolf Creek Angler. 

Reflections on Autumn Woods

Last year about this same time I posted the above image on Instagram with the caption “Autumn woods are the best woods”.

Today these woods look very similar, and the sentiment still holds true but on this day there is sadness.

On this day we took our beloved Jake for his final walk on this trail in the Flathead Valley, a trail which he had come to love so much on our annual fall trips here over the years.

On this day we embarked on the trail carrying Jake’s ashes, intent on leaving a part of him here for eternity. But as we traveled that trail, with the sun lighting up the tamarack trees and the breeze gently rustling the aspen leaves, and even as we carefully opened the bag containing his ashes and each held those ashes in our hands and sprinkled them along the trail, I realized that he’s already here. He’s already here in the memories I have of the many walks we’d taken on this same trail for years.

He’s been gone since August and we’re growing accustomed to him not being there. His picture hangs prominently in the shop and I love to see him there every time I go to work. We miss him, but life’s rhythm is being restored.

Last night we arrived at our familiar destination. It’s so great to be back. But we were greeted by a dose of sadness when we arrived. I miss him more than I thought I would.

I miss him excitedly entering and exploring the cabin, I miss him laying in front of the fireplace, I miss him anxiously awaiting his dinner or breakfast (highlights of his existence to be sure) and of course I miss our early morning walks around the property. I think about the roughly 10 years we’ve been making this trip and it strikes me that we have never been here without him.

So yes, Autumn woods are the best woods, even still, and the trees and the dirt and the air hold a magic of their own, there is a soul in this place. But today it feels a little less magical, a little bit lonely.

This place captured my heart long ago and that will always be, but trees and dirt mean so much more when all is right with the world and you are with the ones you love.

I love that there is now a physical part of him here, mixing into the earth. It’s an appropriate place for his ashes to rest but that is but dust in the dirt. What I love more is the memories I have of him, of us, in this place.

The sun is shining on you and on us this day as we take one last walk with a physical part of you in our midst, but we will always walk with you in our hearts, cherishing the memories of our time together until we meet again.

 

 

By |2021-10-21T12:58:24-06:00October 21st, 2021|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: |1 Comment

Thinking Autumn while feeling Summer’s Return

Fall is in Bloom on the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The mental shift to fall is underway, even as summer returns this week with daytime temps climbing back into the 80’s and 90’s. Not to worry, there’s plenty of cool (followed by COLD and likely even frigid) weather in store for the not too distant future.

Last weekend’s unofficial end of the summer season was a great mix of warm sunny summer days on the water combined with the embrace of the signs of the upcoming season. There was plenty of traffic on the river this weekend, both angling and recreational floating with beautiful weather for both. And while it may still be tubing weather, change is underway.

Fall colors are emerging as the green leaves of summer transform into brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. Choke Cherries are thick this year and the bears have been feasting on them up and down the banks of Little Prickly Pear.

The evening chill in the air is immediate and unmistakable once the sun fades and there’s nothing quite like the feel of that fall morning sun as it climbs over the horizon, warming everything upon which it falls and chasing the chill away.

High school and college football are underway (Go Griz!) and couch-bound NFL Sundays commence this weekend. It’s time to trade in our T shirts, shorts, sun shirts and flip flops for hoodies, long pants and socks and shoes. It’s time for Oktoberfest brews and elk tenderloin on the grill.

But elk aren’t the only big game we’re pursuing. For many, fall is time to put away the fly rod and pick up the bow or rifle. For others, fall IS fishing season and colored up browns are the quarry.

It’s streamer season in Montana now through the end of autumn and we couldn’t be more excited. It’s just getting started mind you so by all means, the best is yet to come.

We’re still on the early side but if yesterday was any indication we could be in for an epic fall streamer season. There’s already a fair amount of aggression out there amongst the brown trout population with plenty of fish of all sizes willing to chase the streamer, if for no other reason than to defend their territory and chase off intruders. Hook ups were hard to come by but if you’re like me and measure streamer fishing success by the number of fish moved rather than just those hooked and landed then you would not have been disappointed with yesterday’s action.

Stop in for everything Missouri River Streamer Fishing. Streamer X rods, a streamer line for every occasion, stripping guards, the best streamer selection on the Missouri and most importantly, all the advice and practical information you could ever want from a staff well-versed in the game and more than ready and willing to talk about it. We live for this.

For those outside of the streamer set the nymphing has been solid with black Zebras and Zirdles still ruling the day. Small mayfly nymphs and sow bugs should also be a staple of your fall nymph arsenal.

Hopper fishing should continue to be solid for the next couple of weeks. Tan and peach hoppers have been working well in sizes ranging from #10 – #14. Trailing an ant is never a bad idea though we have not had a ton of action on the ants as of late. Fish the banks. Fish the mid-river riffles. Fish the non-descript random water whether you think it looks fishy or not. The trout are everywhere. They’re opportunists on the hunt for calories and they may just surprise you when you’re least expecting it so don’t take your eye off of the ball.

We are adjusting our shop hours for fall this week in accordance with the morning darkness and will now be open at 7 AM daily.

Lodging is moderately busy but we do have a fair amount of availability. The guide book is getting busier by the day but we do have some openings here and there and things do open up again around the second week of October. We’re happy to fish any way you like but we absolutely love to guide streamer trips. Book yours today! 

Stop in for clean and affordable lodging, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, vehicle shuttles, summer clearance items like Smith Sunglasses and Simms sportswear and amazing fall deals on select waders, boots and more.

Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale coming very soon. Stay Tuned

Relief on the way


It appears as though the heatwave which has defined the summer of 2021 is coming to an end, at least for now.

Drastic change is underway and while we will see mid 90’s once again today, you’ll want to break out the waders and raingear starting tomorrow as temperatures drop and we start to get some much needed precipitation.

The general trend looks like daytime highs in the low 70’s and overnight lows in the mid to high 40’s though Wednesday will see a high of only 55 with a good chance for some significant precipitation starting tomorrow and running through Wednesday night.

Let’s hope these cooler temps lead to the lifting of the Hoot Owl Restrictions very soon.

Get your hopper fishing done today and look to the subsurface game starting tomorrow. Rainy day nymphing could be exceptional these next couple of days as the new weather system settles in.

It might be the perfect time to get away for some late summer action on the Missouri. Traffic has slowed to a crawl which means plenty of prime water for you and your buddies. In addition to prime water there is also an abundance of lodging available as things have gone full ghost town in Wolf Creek and Craig.

I don’t want to oversell the fishing because truth be told, it’s been a little slower than what we’d like as of late but we’re optimistic that the change in the weather will bring about a vast improvement in the fishing. If nothing else we should see some major improvement in the air quality as the cooler weather assists with fire fighting efforts.

Stop in and see us on your way to the river for vehicle shuttles, Adipose drift boat rentals, Simms wading and rain gear, Rio lines, leaders and tippet and the biggest and best selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

We’re open at 6 AM daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By |2021-08-16T12:05:24-06:00August 16th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Our Hot Weather, Low Flow Summertime Strategy

2021 has, without a doubt, been our busiest season to date. Retail is up, lodging is up and as I’m sure you’ve noticed if you’ve been anywhere near the MO this past month, guide trips are also WAY up for everyone. And while we’re thrilled about the recovery after last year’s Pandemic debacle, the low flows coupled with the high temps and the heavy traffic have us re-thinking our game plan for the remainder of the summer season.

We have no knowledge of restrictions or closures coming to the MO but current flow and temperature conditions are definitely trending towards the thresholds which would dictate some sort of restrictions, especially on the lower river.

In light of this we have decided to do what we can to reduce the stress on the fishery by implementing a couple of self-imposed restrictions for the remainder of the summer season.

First – we are asking all of our clients to do a 6:00 AM start which puts our trips on the water from 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM which is essentially what we would be doing if Hoot Owl restrictions went into effect on the Missouri. At this point it’s more of a suggestion than a mandate but we are doing our best to make sure everyone is on the water at least by 7:00 AM at the latest.

Second- we are capping our guide trips for the remainder of the summer season and will be taking no more bookings for guide trips for July and August. We hope to resume bookings in September at which time we will re-evaluate and proceed accordingly. Hopefully things will improve as fall approaches. We recognize that this is an inconvenience for those making last minute plans for a guided day on the Missouri and we apologize for not being able to accommodate those plans but we feel it’s in the best interest of the river, the fish and all of our clients to do what we can to reduce our impact for the remainder of the summer season.

 

Daytime temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s will persist for the foreseeable future with Sunday looking like a scorcher with temps approaching 100 degrees.

Current river conditions – 2980 CFS with water temp 65 degrees at the dam. Please keep any eye on those water temps further down-stream and take appropriate measures to protect the fish. FWP policy is to implement Hoot Owl restrictions when max water temps reach 73 degrees for three consecutive days however anything over 67 degrees is stressful to the fish so Hoot Owl restrictions or not, it’s a good idea to stop fishing and seek cooler waters or other activities once water temps reach that point.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ drought policy provides for angling closures when flows drop below critical levels for fish, when water quality is diminished, or when maximum daily water temperatures reach at least 73 degrees for three consecutive days. These restrictions and closures are designed to protect fish, such as trout, that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when drought and warm water conditions combine with additional stressors, including catch-and-release fishing.

All stress to fish at this time of year is cumulative, and anglers should consider fishing in cooler waters during times of low flows and high water temperatures in rivers. Anglers can help reduce stress for fish by following these practices when catching and releasing fish, though fish mortality may still occur:


• Fish during the coolest times of day, where permitted.
• Land the fish quickly.
• Keep the fish in water as much as possible.
• Remove the hook gently. Using artificial lures with single and barbless hooks can make hook removal faster and easier.
• Let the fish recover before releasing it.

By |2021-07-08T12:08:11-06:00July 8th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: , , , |2 Comments

Mid June on the MO

All is well here on the MO as we settle into summer and watch the BLUR commence.

Early mornings and late nights are the order of the day as guide trips have been starting extra early in an effort to beat that afternoon heat. Round two starts as afternoon shifts to evening and the night shift hits the water in search of caddis and rising fish, both of which are being found with some regularity by those who know where to look.

Evening and early morning parking spots have been at a premium these last couple of weeks at WCA with a full house most nights and piles of drift boats and rafts filling the lot. It’s the kind of thing that irritates me for a second or two when I pull up to the shop in the morning and there’s no place for me to park but then it strikes me that my little shop is packed to the gills with guides and guests and this is a thing that exceeds anything I ever envisioned when we opened our doors seven years ago. It’s truly awesome!

The “Hot” bugs of the year have been identified and I’ve heard it said that we’re the only shop in the area that has a few of these which is now a moot point as our bins have now been emptied but it was fun while it lasted. More on the way, no promises when we’ll have them.

So what are the hot bugs? Stop by the shop for all the latest Intel. Generally speaking it’s a PMD and Caddis game both on top and underneath. Your dry fly arsenal should include plenty of PMD spinners and cripples and various caddis varieties including Cornfed and CDC emergers. We also like Outrigger Caddis, Blooms Parachute Caddis, Iceberg Caddis and MO River CDC Caddis. PMD go do dries include Sprouts, Hi-Vis Spinners (PMD and Rusty), CDC Spinners, Flash Cripples, CDC PMD Emergers, Snowshoe Emergers and the like.

The subsurface game has been led by Weight Flies (Purple or Gold), Tung Darts, Caddis Pupa, Frenchies, Split Case PMD’s, Magic Fly (PMD or Rusty), PMD Redemption, S & M’s, Nitro Caddis, Peep Shows, Tailwater Sows and PT’s.

Early starts, afternoon siestas and late nights on the water define summer on the MO and it’s all happening right now.

The water is disturbingly low but we’re making the best of it. Low water changes the game. In some respects it shrinks the fishable real estate but this is offset by an increase in walk wade spots.

Embrace the change and adapt…you really have no choice but to do so.

We’re doing all we can to keep a shop full of product and I feel like we’re doing a pretty good job doing so all things considered but we are running up against supply chain issues just like everyone else. There are a lot of things that are hard to come by these days, among them certain flies, waders, leaders, tippet and such but most disappointingly we have yet to see any of our logo wear. We ended up cancelling an order or two due to the fact that they remain weeks out but we’re looking for alternative sources and will hopefully have something available soon. In the meantime, we apologize for the inconvenience. Nothing bums me out more than not having a wide selection of options for all of you who are looking to rep our brand. We’re doing our best and will hopefully have something available soon. Thank you for your patience.

Official Summer Shop Hours are 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily.

By |2021-06-16T17:10:26-06:00June 16th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|0 Comments

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