Shop Life Archives - Page 4 of 21

First Taste of Winter

Winter Weather on the Way

Did you make it out for that fall fishing fix on the MO last weekend?

Positively gorgeous weather but change is underway.

A little cooler, a little cloudier yesterday to kick the week off with some reports of epic dry fly fishing yesterday afternoon.

A lot colder today with a WINTER STORM on the way.

We had several guests bail early, leaving this morning in order to beat the weather. The temperature has been dropping all morning, currently 27 and on the way to a low in the low teens this evening. In spite of this I would venture a guess that the fishing could be off the charts today on the front side of this weather system.

Snow in the forecast for tonight…3-5 inches possible this evening with another 2- 4 tomorrow when we’ll see a high of just 26 with 14 mph north winds gusting to 21 mph. We’re not anticipating much traffic for the remainder of the week with snow in the forecast each day, highs in the 20’s and lows in the single digits. Things appear to begin to normalize on Sunday and into the early part of next week with temps back above freezing and into the 40’s by the middle of the week.

We’ve got one hearty group arriving tomorrow and filling the property for the rest of the week. These will be our last guests of the season in our cabins and motel rooms which we will be closing for the winter early next week.

Our bungalows will remain open with winter rates taking effect on November 15th. Our winter rate will be $149/night (plus tax), $100 off the regular season rate.

We’ve only got three of these units so they will likely all book if we get breaks in the weather. Book well ahead of time if you’ve got your eye on specific winter dates and cancel anytime. No questions. No fees.

The approaching system has stymied my own fishing plans. This last week of October has developed into a bit of a tradition over the years. The Annual Late Season Streamer Odyssey will have to wait but I’m holding out hope that we’ll get it done before the season comes to an end.

The shop will be open daily (for the most part) 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM through the end of November, weather permitting, though it’s never a bad idea to call ahead this time of year as we’ve been known to open late, close early or not be here at all if the conditions prevent safe travel (or if we happen to on a streamer odyssey).

Case in point – while I do fully intend on making it to Wolf Creek in the snow tomorrow it might not be until after 8 AM. I don’t think I’ll be missing much, but if you’re reading this and planning on being here at 7:30 for a shuttle you might want to adjust your plans.

Enjoy this first winter weather event of the season. We’ll see you on the other side.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-10-24T12:47:32-06:00October 24th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Indian Summer Coming to a Close

Unseasonably warm weather this week on the MO with plenty of sunshine and highs pushing 80 on Thursday and Friday before we start to trend towards normal for the weekend. Weekend highs will still be on the summery side in the mid to high 60’s. Enjoy it while it lasts.

One week from today we’ll be looking at a high of 40 with a rain/snow mix and by mid-week we’ll be topping out in the mid to high 30’s with overnight lows in the 20’s and snow in the forecast.

BWO weather to be sure to close out the month of October and it could be EPIC!

Get out and enjoy what could be the last gasp of warm autumn weather this week but make time to inventory and organize the real fall fishing gear. Hats/gloves/socks/layering pieces/waders/wading jackets…it’s cold-weather gear time. It might just be the right time to think about a new pair of Simms waders and/or boots for the weeks ahead. We’re fully stocked with G3’s, Freestone and Freestone Z’s as well as a full line of boot options from both Simms and Korkers.

We’ve also got you covered with piles of gloves and hats and flannels and of course all the best Missouri River BWO dry fly and nymph patterns.

Did somebody say streamers? Those cold, dark cloudy days have BWO’s written all over them but these are also the conditions the streamer set dreams of all year round.

Either way, we’ve got you covered, no matter where your heart leads you.

We’re closing out our last busy week of guiding for the season and lodging is fairly booked up from here on out with a busy couple of days ahead. We’ve got a few rooms open for the weekend and the first part of next week before the final push with a full house from next Wednesday through the weekend, after which we will be closing up a good portion of our lodging for the winter.

Shop staff is on through the end of the month so starting the first week of November it will be a staff of one. Per usual we will be open through the winter months though we will likely reduce it to 4-5 days/week and like we did last season we may close the shop for a week or so in early November weather dependent. All this to say…we’ll keep you posted!

In the meantime, get out there and enjoy these last two weeks of what has been an awesome October, capping off another phenomenal fall season on the Missouri.

Shop hours through the end of October are Monday – Saturday 7:30 AM – 5 PM and 7:30 – 4:00 PM on Sundays.

Guide trips are still available but many are wrapping up their guide seasons this week and starting to disappear. That being said, we do offer trips year round, weather permitting so while options are going to be somewhat limited for a few weeks we can usually find someone given enough notice and things get markedly easier once hunting season is over.

Book now for late fall/early winter trips and while you’re at it make sure you have your dates on the books for 2024. Much of prime (June/July) has filled and we’ve recently been filling up our September 2024 calendar to the point where we’re nearing capacity for at least one full week of the month.

We hope to see you soon at WCA, your one stop shop for everything you need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-10-17T14:35:06-06:00October 17th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: bwo, dry fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall on the Fly

And just like that, September is all but in the books as we draw ever closer to the end of the 2023 season.

It’s been a busy month on the MO and while we do have a couple of large groups arriving over the next week or two, things are definitely winding down.

The topics of conversation have shifted as we plot out October and early November. From April on it’s always a case of planning ahead to meet the demands of the coming busy season but that’s behind us.

Now is the time to strategize best practices for the wind down. When to close the lodging, when to start end of season clearance sales, when to go to shift to winter hours, whether or not to close for a week or two at the end of the season….these are the things we consider as September draws to a close.

Slowly but surely the shift will come and things will start to shut down. We will have lodging available at least through the middle of November though we will likely close the motel and cabins at the end of October leaving the bungalows open for November and possibly through the winter. We’ll keep you posted on that.

Per my last blog we will shift to fall shop hours on Sunday, October 1st, moving our open time to 7:30 AM daily.

It sounds like Izaaks in Craig will be closing on October 27th or thereabouts and I haven’t heard what he other restaurants are doing though I’d expect Lazy I here in Wolf Creek will be open well into the fall season.

We will likely shave a day or two off the weekly schedule come winter but we plan to offer shuttles all winter long and we’re always happy to put together late fall/early winter guide trips if the weather allows for it.

We’ve already reached the point in the season where we stop ordering things in preparation for the lean months ahead but most of the spring 2024 orders are submitted and we’ll start it all over again come March.

That being said, we’ve got a shop full of gear so don’t feel like we’re not going to have what you need. We’re loaded up on waders and boots and cold weather gear and flies and rods and reels and tools and accessories…we’ve got all the stuff we normally do, we’re just allowing those shelves to empty as we head into winter rather than restocking everything as it sells.

We’ll be offering vehicle shuttle service for as long as there’s a demand for it and we’ll likely have at least a few rooms open through the winter especially if it turns out to be on the mild side.

It looks like a rainy, cool weekend ahead with overnight lows in the mid 30’s and daytime highs in the 50’s. I’d expect the fishing to be excellent.

Next week looks like more of the same temperature wise with a mix of clouds and sun. Perfect autumn weather!

Don’t let the fall season get away from you, it’s nearly half over already. Fishing has been exceptional more days than not and we’re expecting that trend to continue right on through November.

We hope you start your trip to the Missouri with a stop at Wolf Creek Angler for everything you need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-09-28T14:47:03-06:00September 28th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Goodbye Summer, Autumn is upon us

As we close out August on the MO the anticipation is underway.

Sure it still feels like summer out there (and will for a while) but there’s definitely an autumn vibe in the air with chilly misty mornings, shorter daylight hours, bear poop up and down the Recreation Road, fish stacked at the grass flats below Holter and green leaves transforming to yellows and reds. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year (or one of them anyway).

We’re still in Dog Days mode and things will likely remain quiet for the next couple of weeks before the fall season really gets underway.

In the meantime we’ve got plenty of lodging and the guide calendar has a few openings for the next little while. Weekends will continue to be busy with rec traffic as long as the weather stays nice, particularly the upcoming holiday weekend – the unofficial END of SUMMER. Temps are expected to be in the 80’s with abundant sunshine so don’t expect to have it to yourself if you’d planned on fishing over the Labor Day weekend.

The weekdays will be the time to get out there over these next couple weeks if you’re looking to avoid the crowds but now is the time as it’ll be back to bumper boats before you know it.

Should the weekends be your only option we’d recommend getting an early start. If you shoot for that 10 – 11 AM window thinking you’ll roll in behind the angling traffic you’re likely correct, but you’ll also be smack dab in the middle of the rec floaters.

And while the dam to Wolf Creek has been the go to due to the number of fish currently hanging out in the grass flats and the relatively weed-free water, the lower stretches are also fishing fine and will provide a respite from the traffic. Double zebras or a Zebra and a weight fly or Frenchie has been the ticket in the dam stretch. Nymphing hasn’t been AS good below Wolf Creek Bridge but they’re there as well, you just have to work a little harder for them.

Hoppers and ants will continue to be in play for the next month and while it hasn’t exactly been one for the record books, we’ve had some pretty damn good terrestrial days river-wide. September is also the month for October Caddis so don’t be afraid to work that into the mix.

Tricos are still going fairly strong though definitely waning and caddis should still be a staple in your fly box, especially later in the day. We’ve already started to get calls asking about BWO’s. We’ll likely see them sometime in October but the weather needs to change drastically before we even start thinking about such things.

A lot of folks (myself included) think streamers when they think of fall fishing. Fall is the time for big browns on streamers and there will be plenty of them caught here on the MO but if you’re going to play that game you need to know that you’ll be dealing with weeds from now until the snow flies (and for a while after that). The weeds do not disappear with a turn of the calendar page so know before you go that you’ll be dealing with them. It’s not the end of the world, you just need to choose your spots and work through the challenges, keeping in mind that those super weedy spots you’re avoiding may in fact hold the trophy of a lifetime.

We’re open from 7 AM – 5 PM daily for all of your Montana fall fly fishing needs. The fly bins are loaded up with fall bugs including the best streamer selection on the MO and we’re also fully stocked on lines, leaders and tippet from SA and Rio and we can’t think of a better time to treat yourself to a new Sage R8 or Igniter.

New fall gear arriving daily including Cozy Simms WCA hoodies and a full restock on Simms waders and boots and hats and gloves and much more. And don’t forget, we are the home of the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO!

We are your Missouri River fall fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-30T14:12:18-06:00August 30th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, simms, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Sun Setting on Summer 2023

These are lonely days in the fly shop and quiet days on the river as summer continues to slip away.

We saw a small bump in river traffic over the weekend with Caddis Fest happening in Craig but for all intents and purposes, it’s a Missouri River Ghost Town.

And while it’s not great for us, it is great for you if you’re planning on coming out to fish the MO anytime soon.

What little angling traffic we’ve seen has been concentrated at the dam where a double zebra rig has been lethal more days than not. Tung Darts and Weight flies and Frenchies make a good point fly if you want to give them some variety but make sure to run at least one black zebra on those rigs…trust me.

For those more interested in hopper eats, it’s been on the slow side but it’s not due to angling pressure so keep at it. You can have seemingly MILES of river all to yourself most days which will likely be the case for the next couple of weeks as people shift gears and return to fall routines.

I prefer a single hopper, keeping things simple and tangle free but you can certainly drop a nymph or trail with an ant to boost your odds.

Donkey Kong and More or Less Hoppers in peach, tan, pink and grey have all been getting some looks and while I wouldn’t NOT fish a larger hopper (#8 or bigger) #12’s and #14’s seem to be more effective overall this year.

You might also try a chubby or Water Walker or the micro version of either to show them something different.

The canyon offers some Classic Hopper water as does the lower river but terrestrials are everywhere and can be effective anywhere and everywhere from Holter Dam to Cascade.

Some days they’re on it, some days not so much but it’s a bit like streamer fishing in that the hookups can be few and far between but when that monster brown finally smashes that hopper or simply inhales it, barely disturbing the water’s surface, it makes it all worthwhile. If you want numbers go do the double zebras at the dam. If you want the thrill of the hunt commit to the big bugs and cover some water.

And that’s not to say there isn’t classic dry fly fishing to be had if that’s your preference. Tricos are definitely dwindling but they’re around and you can find fish eating them. The same with caddis. You’ll see a few around throughout the day and more around in the evening and if you put your time in you should be able to find a fish willing to eat your well-presented dry fly offering.

A few weeks from now the traffic will start to bump as we head into the fall “second season” so this is your chance to enjoy some Missouri River solitude while also enjoying late summer weather in Montana.

We’re open daily from 7 AM – 5 PM with everything you need for your day on the water. We’ve got plenty of rooms, plenty of rental boats and a shop full of Missouri River essentials including clearance pricing on all summer sportswear. The only thing we don’t have plenty of are guides though we encourage you to give us a try if you’re thinking a guide trip is the way to go.

We’ve lost a portion of our guides, the educator class, who are back to their real jobs as school gets underway and it’s also fairly common for those who’ve been grinding for months straight to take some time to themselves during the lull, recharging for a busy fall ahead. That being said, we’re always more than happy to do anything we can to get you on the water.

Stop in for ice, bugs, sunscreen, the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES on the MO and so much more. How about a new pair of Simms G3 Waders or a Sage R8 or Igniter for the upcoming fall season? Look no further than Wolf Creek Angler, your Missouri River Fly Fishing Emporium.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-22T14:32:51-06:00August 22nd, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Igniter, Missouri River, running line, Sage R8, simms, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Zeke enjoying the Dog Days of Summer

We’re enjoying a lull in the action as summer starts to slip away.

The season has flown by us as they tend to do….seemingly going by more quickly with each year that passes.

Pre-season jitters, Prime Time Chaos, the boat rental blur, green hills, BWO’s, PMD’s, long summer light….all in the rearview now.

The cool, dark mornings, fading greens and sagging choke cherry tree branches heavy laden with ripening fruit all have us thinking fall but there’s still plenty of summer ahead of us.

Trico fishing has been the best it’s been in years and while the hopper bite has been less than stellar it’s still good enough. Last light caddis have provided somewhat consistent evening action and nymphing, while made challenging by the increasing weed mass, has been racking up the numbers more often than not.

Fishing has definitely been better in the mornings and slowing in the afternoon so early starts (not too early) are still recommended.

We’ve been starting most of our trips right around 7 AM which has been working out just fine.

Some days you can count the boats on the water on one hand, other days it’s busier but all in all it’s been a quiet week on the MO.

Less traffic equals fewer shuttles which means we’ve been wrapping up shuttling fairly early in the day most days. There have been a fair number of folks rolling in later whom we’ve had to send away. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask that you get here by noon to get into our shuttle queue on any given day. We expect things to pick up at some point which should extend our shuttle hours though the next challenge is that we’ll soon be losing a significant portion of our shuttle crew with school starting.

I have no doubts we’ll figure it out as we’ve got a busy fall season ahead. And just a reminder, we are the home of the cheapest DAM shuttles on the MO so if you’re doing the top section of the river and you’re getting a shuttle from any other shop, you’re paying more than you need to.

We’ve got an abundance of lodging vacancies all month long as well as some guide availability and plenty of boat rental availability should you decide to work the MO into your late summer schedule.

The river is quiet but the fish have no idea it’s time to chill and relax and enjoy what’s left of our Montana summer. They’re still eating and we’re still looking to feed them. Come see what August has to offer.

The shop is open at 7 AM daily for all of you Missouri River fly fishing needs.

Shuttles, bugs, ice, SAGE R8’s, Korkers wading shoes and sandals, sun protection, fishing licenses, lines from SA, Rio and Airflo for any and all situations and all kinds of summer sportswear/sunwear from Simms and Ouray on sale as we close out the summer season and make room for fall gear arriving soon.

We are your Missouri River late summer fly fishing destination!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-10T15:36:47-06:00August 10th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The Blur Begins to Fade

The second half of June and the first half of July are our busiest part of the season, often referred to as THE BLUR due to the lack of demarcation from one day to the next. It’s a time of pre-dawn boat rental boat launches, chaotic mornings in the shop getting trips out the door and often times working well into the night picking up boats and prepping them for the next day. A few hours a sleep per night is pretty standard during The Blur. Our guides have their own Groundhog Days to deal with during this time, often working three or four weeks straight without a day off. It’s these weeks that test the mettle of those looking to make a go at a career in Montana Fly Fishing.

Now as we move into the latter part of July, the Blur has started to fade. Don’t get me wrong, things are still busy, just not the fever pace of a week or two ago. Slowly but surely, things are slowing down. Traffic has lessened and soon will slow to a relative crawl as the Blur gives way to the Fade and the Fade gives way to the Dog Days of Summer.

The days are already noticeably shorter and while we’re still opening at 6:30 AM daily you can expect later light and cooler temps as summer falls away. We’ll see where the weather goes but for now we’ll likely push you to start as early as possible to counter the triple digit highs on tap for the days ahead. July is our hottest month of the year and we may see this heat wave stick around for a while but sooner or later cooler temps will return as will a 7 AM open. We’ll let you know when that’s happening.

Fishing has been somewhat inconsistent but overall there’s not much to complain about.

Some Like it Hot

The wade anglers are happy with flows having now dropped below 5K (currently 4860 CFS) with water temps holding in the mid 60s range. Keep an eye on those water temps on those hot days as it doesn’t take long to heat up with these lower flows. We encourage every angler to carry a thermometer with them at all times and check water temps often. Once that temp eclipses 68 degrees it’s time to think about giving the fish a break and finding something different to do.

We’re expecting flows to hold where they’re at which should keep things cool but once water temps hit 70 degrees or greater you really shouldn’t be fishing. There’s been no talk of Hoot Owl on the MO this season but self-regulating is something we should all be doing. You can expect us to request 6 AM starts on the really hot days but regardless of whether you start early or not our guides will stop fishing if water temps exceed 68 degrees.

Need a stream thermometer? We have them available for purchase at WCA!

Tricos have been gaining momentum, Caddis have been the consistent evening go to and hoppers and ants are getting the occasional looks. Plenty of options for the DFO. Best-selling dries this week have been Hi Vis Trico, Guide Winna Spinna (Rusty or Trico), Double Wing Trico, Indicator Spinner Trico, Barr’s Trico Emerger, Lighthouse Spinner Trico, Cornfed Caddis, Missouri CDC Caddis, Outrigger Caddis, Blooms’s UV Caddis, Stockingfoot Caddis and CDC Grey Caddis Emerger.

More or Less Hoppers in Peach, Tan and grey have been moving fish and Micro Chubbies are getting plenty of looks as well. Come check out our greatly expanded FOAM section, which, I think it’s safe to say, rivals or exceeds that of any other shop on the MO.

Those chasing bobbers have had good luck with black Zebra Midges, Frenchies, Little Green Machines, Pheasant Tails, Split Case PMD’s, Purple or Gold Weight Flies, Tung Darts, S & M’s and of course, Sowbugs. Zirdles have also continued to have their moments though that has lacked consistency.

Not much to report as far as streamer fishing goes though buggers, particularly Thin Mints, have been effective.

Hot summer nights (though not too hot) are the perfect time to throw a mouse as well. Once again, keep a close eye on those water temps, but when the water temps allow for it why wouldn’t you try your luck at fooling a mammoth Missouri River brown trout with a mouse. Not for the faint at heart!

Just to repeat, we’re open at 6:30 AM daily for all of your Missouri River summer fly fishing needs. Sunscreen, Ice,Headwear, Neck Gators, Sun Gloves, Smith and Suncloud Sun Glasses, Simms Solarflex shirts, flip flops, NEW Korkers wading shoes and sandals and much more. How about a new SAGE R8 or Sonic? We’ve got em’.

Lodging and guides are still locked up but another week and we’ll have rooms available and might even be able to find you that (somewhat) last minute guide trip.

Adipose Drift Boat rentals, Simms waders and boots, Rio and SA lines, leaders and tippet and without a doubt, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Don’t forget, Wolf Creek Angler has the confirmed CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES on the MO. You won’t find a cheaper Dam shuttle anywhere. Our shuttle business has more than doubled from last year but we still can’t help but wonder why anyone would go anywhere else for a shuttle from the Dam down unless they just enjoy spending more money on said shuttles which must be the case because there are all kinds of rigs being shuttled from the dam which we aren’t moving.

The only other thing it could be is that folks don’t know that we’re here. Case in point, we had clients show up a few minutes late the other day for their trip because they “just assumed we were in Craig”. They assumed WOLF CREEK angler was in CRAIG! Help us get the word out – CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO ONLY AT WOLF CREEK ANGLER located in Beautiful WOLF CREEK MONTANA.

We LOVE Craig. We’re perplexed by watching the rigs with drift boats in tow passing us by in the morning presumably en route to Craig, only to see those same rigs at the dam later in the morning. And in this case it’s not just that our shuttles are cheaper, it’s that some folks are driving an extra 15 miles which means more money spent on fuel and at least a half hour later start than what would’ve been the case had they stopped here for a shuttle. Obviously to each their own but we’d love it if you spread the word to your peeps.

We hope you join us for The Fade and beyond this season on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-07-18T16:04:02-06:00July 18th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Goodbye June….Hello Summer

It’s a sleepy Wednesday with intermittent rain showers and a general sense that it’s a good day to wait it out in anticipation of a very summer-like forecast ahead.

Sunshine and 90’s on the way starting tomorrow just in time for the kickoff to the pre 4th of July weekend…the real start of summer. It’s time to bid farewell to this cool wet June and get the Montana summer underway.

Finally there are consecutive days without “a chance of showers and thunderstorms” in the forecast. Not that we won’t continue to see the occasional summer storm but it’s nice to see a forecast with sunshine as the headline rather than the carbon copy chance of rain and thunderstorms we’ve seen for most of June.

What’s that mean for your PRIME TIME dry fly season on the Missouri? Hopefully good things to come.

PMD’s have been sporadic at best and now that we’re approaching the time when they tend to begin to taper off it’s unclear whether we’ll see a late surge or if my favorite hatch on the MO just fades away giving way to Caddis and Tricos and terrestrials.

Our council is to remain prepared for any and all of it.

Good reports this week on the Caddis front from those doing the late shift. Cornfed, Missouri CDC, Iceberg and Stockingfoot Caddis in tandem with the old standby CDC Caddis emerger all money right now in the right place at the right time.

Nymphing continues to be the numbers game. Broken Record Nymphing Report…..Sowbugs should be your go to. There isn’t a #14 Tailwater Sow to be found in any shop right now but we’ve got a pretty good stock of #16’s at the moment.

Split Case PMD’s, Frenchies, Little Green Machines, Faucii’s, PMD Magic Flies, PMD Redemptions are all producing as are go to caddis pupae like the gold or purple weight fly, Translucent Caddis Emerger, Nitro Caddis, Tung Dart, Pulsating Caddis, Deep Six Caddis Pupae and more. All in stock now at Wolf Creek Angler.

Boat rentals are full bore right now and the Mending Waters boats for vets and active duty military have never been so busy. Our summer guide season has peaked but chances of getting a last minute guide will continue to be slim to none for the next few weeks. Not that you shouldn’t at least give us a call though. We do get the occasional cancellation.

Same with rooms. We’re full from now to the third week of July but we do get cancellations once in a while so make the call. And just a note, our regulars have been extremely intentional about getting things booked for next year so if you had intentions on coming in 2024 I’d suggest you make those plans now before everything fills up.

Fall dates have started to fill but we’re still looking pretty good for late September and much of October if fall fishing on the MO is on your agenda.

These are the long days of summer but the march to darkness is underway with each passing day shaving off moments of light. Before we know it the morning light will arrive a little later and will not linger quite so long as darkness returns.

But for now – enjoy the Montana summer.

Plenty of sunshine on the way and the heat to go with it. The river will soon be busy with rec floaters looking for a cool respite so just be aware of that going in. The resource is here for everyone and we should all make it a point to go out of our way to get along and promote harmony on the water.

Starting July 1st we’ll be open earlier yet at 6:30 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-06-28T13:31:17-06:00June 28th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Signs of the Season

Welcome to a soggy start to the season. It’s rained every day of June thus far and looks as though it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future with the forecast reading “a chance of showers and thunderstorms” every day in the 10 day outlook.

We’ve avoided some of the soaking rains and thankfully most days have at least started with sunshine but the cumulative effect has been a substantial increase in reservoir volume which has resulted in the biggest flows of the season. (Currently 13,300 CFS).

Wade anglers are now biding their time, awaiting the drop. Boat fishing is ON.

Many transient guides and outfitters have vacated the MO and returned to their home waters. Traffic is moderate.

A fairly typical early June on the Missouri.

Streamer Fishing has had its moments in this dreary weather. Keep after it.

PMD’s are here, perhaps not in force, but they are here.

Big Flows = Worms and sows and weight.

Big flows have slowed top water action much to the disappointment of our visiting DFO’s.

All signs of a typical high(ish) water early June.

That being said, the true indicator that the season has started is that we’ve already had an excavator digging up plumbing in our yard. It seems it’s not officially “the season” until this happens so now that we’ve gotten that out of the way it’s time to plant some grass in the backyard and watch the waters recede as we await Dry Fly Nirvana…..it’s coming soon!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-06-08T17:07:19-06:00June 8th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Fly Fishing Headquarters

It’s relatively quiet this first day of June on the Missouri but that’s about to change!

Chalk it up to being a post-holiday week or just the calm before the summer storm but it’s been eerily quiet this week with many of the transient guides and outfitters taking their clients and returning to their home waters.

Wet weather has perhaps kept some of the local angling traffic away and we’re still a ways out from the heat that drives the recreational floaters to the MO but all that aside, the fact of the matter is, we’re on the cusp of the start of the summer season and a few days from now things are going to look a whole lot different so if spring solitude is your thing this is your window and it’s about to close!

We’re now entering the days folks book a year or more in advance. These are the days of pilgrimage from afar to the hallowed waters of the Missouri. These are not the days of “everything else is blown so we’ll have to fish the MO”, from here on out everyone who is here is here for this. They’re here to carry on what are often times generational traditions of summer days on our giant spring creek.

These are the days of the DFO. Not that you won’t see plenty of bobbers on any given day but the history of fly fishing on the Missouri is one steeped in the lore of epic hatches and monster browns and bows sipping well-presented dry flies. It’s a place known for technical fishing with all of the elements in play that make a soft landing and a drag-free drift a necessity.

The coming early days of Caddis and PMD activity always allow for a fair amount of sloppiness and less than stealthy presentation but it won’t be long before things get techy and the fish get extremely picky and if you’re not on your game you’ll likely have a tough time on the Missouri. Prepare yourself for the Missouri River Dry Fly Extravaganza!

That being said, this world class tailwater is chock full of sub surface food which means if you prefer the bobber to the dry fly the Missouri is for you as well. It’s almost always game on for the nymphing set and while the reckless abandon with which these trout have been feeding for the past month may be waning there is an incredible abundance of food in the water right now and the fish don’t stop eating.

Of course sow bugs continue to be the staple but there are caddis pupae, baetis nymphs, PMD nymphs, March Brown nymphs, worms, crayfish and who knows what else bouncing around the water column. Anchor your rig with a beaded Tailwater sow, Czech nymph, Weight Fly, worm or Crayfish and trail a Little Green Machine, 2 Bit Hooker, Magic Fly, Split Cast PMD, S & M, Frenchie, Psycho May and on and on….All available at Wolf Creek Angler.

Back to dry flies – we’re currently making the shift, switching the hi vis bins from BWO’s to PMD’s and Caddis. Stock up today on the latest and greatest as well as the old standbys. We recommend you keep a good selection of spinners and duns at the ready but we catch a bunch of fish on cripples…just sayin.

The Guide Winna Spinna is a relative new-comer to the Missouri. Great Fly….Terrible Name. CDC PMD Spinners and Para PMD’s along with Indicator Spinners in PMD and Rusty – all fine PMD options. Hellen Keller PMD, PMD Film Critic, PMD Flash Cripple. CDC Winged Emerger, Brooks Sprout PMD and the ever-popular Buzzball should all hold a place in your fly box.

Our go-to Caddis patterns include Cornfed Caddis, Blooms Para Caddis, Sloan’s Outrigger Caddis, Stockingfoot Caddis, Missouri CDC Caddis, Iceberg Caddis, Front End Loader, X Caddis and the always popular CDC Caddis Emerger.

You’ll find all of these and many more filling the bins at WCA amongst the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

As you prepare for the weeks ahead think about replacing those old fly lines. There’s nothing quite like fishing a fresh new line to help you step up your game. It’s difficult enough to overcome the challenges posed by micro currents when trying to perfect that presentation. Why add the challenge of a line that won’t float? Cleaning and dressing helps but at some point you need to replace those lines.

We’ve got you covered with all the basics as well as the more technical tapers from SA, Rio and Airflo.

Stock up on 5X and don’t forget your floatant.

We’re open at 7 AM daily for EVERYTHING you need for your day on the MO.

Sun protection, rain gear, Simms waders and boots, the brand new Korkers Swift Sandals and All Axis wading shoes, SAGE R8’s, Lamson Speedsters, tons of Simms logo gear, Adipose drift boat rentals, Mending Waters Drift boats FREE TO ALL VETS, Fishing licenses, Fishpond Nomad Nets and now featuring the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO!

Welcome to Pre Prime on the MISSOURI!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-06-01T12:23:50-06:00June 1st, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, green machine, Korkers All Axis wading shoe, Korkers Swift Sandal, Lamson Speedster, mending waters montana, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Sage R8, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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