Shop Life Archives - Page 4 of 20

Not So Fast…

We’re five days into spring and we have had a taste of spring weather but don’t put the cold weather gear away just yet. It looks like winter is about to return with snow in the forecast every day starting tomorrow and running through Thursday with a couple of inches expected on Sunday.

Temps will hover around 40 each day so not exactly an arctic blast but for those who have been waiting for those warm and sunny spring days, you’ll have to wait a little longer. Or maybe a lot longer. The long term is calling for below average temps and above average precipitation at least for this first half of spring.

Overnight lows are trending up into the 20’s rather than the teens so you may be able to get an earlier start with things warming up quicker but I’d expect those water conditions to remain static for the time being. Flows are currently holding right around 4000 CFS with that 34.5 degree water temp having a hard time going much of anywhere.

These are fairly standard early spring conditions, nothing too out of the ordinary but it’s been a LONG winter and we’re ready for warmer days. Fishing has been good with nymphing being the go to for numbers but there are plenty of folks swinging and stripping streamers as well and the low light midge fishing has definitely been productive.

Standard fare on the nymphing with pink leading the charge. Must haves include Pill Poppers, Pederson’s Sow, Bubble Yum Scud, Pink Soft Hackle Sow, Cotton Candy, Lucent Bead Pink Ray, Tailwater Sow.

Streamer fishing has been hit or miss but we’ve had a few decent days. Swing a Polar Leech, Thin Mint or Kreelex. Strip a Sparkle Minnow, Skiddish Smolt, Dirty Hippy, D and D, Gladio, MK Ultra, Wedge Head, Silk Kitty or Swim Coach. Go deep and strip slow or hit the sunny shallows to target those fish seeking warmer water.

Midges have been plentiful most days and you’ll find fish up here and there but the better dry fly action has definitely been during low light conditions which generally means evenings but the cloudy conditions expected this weekend could bode well for daytime action.

It’s definitely on the cold side for doing so but it might be getting to be time to start throwing a skwala around on select stretches of water. Not a major player on the MO but always worth a try as we transition into spring. Big bugs = big fish (sometimes). We’ve got a good variety of skwala patterns in the bins for those wanting to give it a shot.

Winter lodging rates are in effect through the end of the month so you’ve got a week left to take advantage of CHEAP rooms. You’ve also got a week left to shop TAX FREE as the resort tax in Wolf Creek goes back into effect on April 1st.

We’ve got 2/3rds of our lodging open and will have the motel units open by the middle of April. Guide trips are starting to pick up but we’ve got plenty of availability through the month of April and into the early part of May.

Shop hours are 8 AM – 4 PM Monday – Saturday. We’ll add Sunday to the mix and extend our hours just as soon as the help arrives for the season which will be soon.

Start your day with a stop at WCA for shuttles, bugs, fishing licenses, hats, gloves, fly lines, leaders, waders, boots, rods, reels and so much more. We are your FULL SERVICE MISSOURI RIVER SPRINGF FLY FISHING DESTINATION. Those in the KNOW shop WCA, far and away the very BEST FLY SHOP in Wolf Creek MT and consistently proclaimed to be the BEST FLY SHOP you never even knew was here.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-03-24T10:28:02-06:00March 24th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: BEST FLY SHOP, Cheap, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, tax free, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Sunny Late Winter Vibes as Wolf Creek ANgler

Blue skies and sunshine this ninth day or March, exactly the kind of day we need to get into spring fishing mode. The temperature hasn’t broken the freezing mark in a couple of days but we’re headed there today with a high near 40 on tap. Calm south winds in the 6-8 mph range make today the day to be on the water.

Snow and light winds from the NORTH tomorrow with a high of 33. 1-3 inches of snow expected. I’ll just leave that there without commentary.

Power through it. Spring weather will arrive next week with highs in the low to mid 50’s starting on Monday.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect!

We’ve opened a third of our lodging in preparation for a full house next week when our friends from the Bitterroot arrive for their Annual pre-season fling on the MO.

It’s been a couple of worrisome nights hoping for the best in regards to the plumbing with temps dipping into the single digits (so far so good) and we’re not quite out of the woods just yet but things look to be trending in the right direction.

Target date for opening the remodeled bungalows is April 1st or before and motel rooms will likely be opened by early to mid-April.

The shop is in GO mode with piles of spring inventory awaiting your arrival. We’re stocked up on Simms waders and boots, Sage rods and reels and of course the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Streamer bins are full, Sow Bug bins are full, Midge bins are full….we’re ready to rock and roll at Wolf Creek Angler.

We’re also your exclusive FWP License Provider in Wolf Creek and while we encourage all of our guests to purchase licenses online which you can do here, we’re happy to provide this service to our customers. After all, what kind of fishing shop doesn’t sell fishing licenses?

Fishing has been good and it’s about to get a whole lot better as that blazing spring sun warms the winter waters letting our trout know it’s GO TIME.

For the rainbow population that means gearing up to spawn. For the browns that means it’s time to feast. Time to feast on midges, time to feast on nymphs, almost time to feast on eggs and most importantly, time to feast on baitfish. Streamer Time on the MO!

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for those to whom enticing a hungry beast of a brown with a well-stripped streamer is the Holy Grail of fly fishing. Mind you we’re well aware that to some the Streamer game doesn’t even qualify as “fly fishing” and that’s ok.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and our opinion is that we’re all seeking the “tug” and it doesn’t really matter how we get there. We LOVE feeding dry flies to sipping fish. We LOVE chasing bobbers and you already know how we feel about streamer fishing. Find what you like and do it. It needn’t be any more complicated or controversial than that. #COEXIST

We’ll be adding Mondays back into the mix starting this week so starting on Monday the 13th, spring shop hours for now will be Monday – Saturday 9 AM – 4 PM.

Time change happens this weekend so don’t forget to Spring Ahead. Long hours of daylight on the way!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-03-09T13:01:24-07:00March 9th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: #coexist, brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Sage, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Following a couple of days this week where we got, what this winter has been, a rare taste of sunshine, blue skies, moderate temps and calm winds that mark late winter on the MO, it’s back to grey skies and cold gusty winds on this dreary second day of March.

It doesn’t feel much like it today but spring is in fact, on the way. 18 days and counting to be exact. It’ll be a while yet before the weather conditions sync with what the calendar says but sooner or later we’ll emerge from winter’s darkness here at Wolf Creek Angler and that warm spring sun will crowd out the cold and melt this ridiculous accumulation of ice and snow we’ve been haphazardly negotiating since about the middle of November.

Looking at today and tomorrow, conditions look less than ideal for fishing the MO with persistent gusty winds but Saturday looks optimal with sunshine, a high near 40 and south winds just 8-13 mph. Temps drop on Sunday and will hang in the high 20’s for a couple of days with a decent chance for snow but it looks like a moderate warmup underway starting mid-week next week.

We’ll be closed this weekend starting tomorrow for out of town obligations but if the weather trends hold for next week I would expect to have our first lodging units of the season available by next weekend.

Progress continues on our remodels with things really starting to take shape. It’s a huge makeover ushering in a whole different level of accommodation in our ever popular bungalows. And while this is probably the most dramatic of the changes we’ve made, heading into season number 10 and taking account of all the things we’ve done, I couldn’t be more pleased with the slow but steady transformation which has occurred here.

If you hadn’t shopped or stayed here since we bought the business in 2013 I’m confident you would not recognize much of anything about the operation we’ve become. And it’s not just the lodging. Wolf Creek Angler was always meant to be first and foremost a kick ass Missouri River fly shop and while I acknowledge that my opinion is definitely biased, I state truth when I tell you that this is exactly what we have become.

From humble roots we’ve scratched and clawed our way forward, ever expanding our offerings and chasing the top brands in the industry to the point where I’m happy to announce we do indeed offer the best of everything in fly fishing topped off this season with the much sought after and fought for addition of SAGE to our rod and reel inventory.

We firmly believe in and stand behind every product line we carry but those Sage and Simms Authorized Dealer signs are the symbols of victory in a battle, the likes of which I never imagined when we opened Wolf Creek Angler. I know it’s lost on most who walk into a fly shop and expect to see those brands but it’s FAR from a given and our having these industry leading brands is an affirmation of our legitimacy not only as a shop, but as a brand here on the MO.

Obviously Montana is the Big Leagues when it comes to fly fishing in North America and the Missouri River is among the major players. And while we’ll continue to fly under the radar here in Wolf Creek in the shadow of the oft cited and promoted town of Craig, it’s a position we don’t mind at all.

Five and a half river miles upstream we’ve been quietly doing our thing here for the past 9 years, building Wolf Creek Angler into a brand that has carved out a spot here on the Big League Missouri. And while we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, we’re not done.

Onward and Upward!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-03-02T10:09:00-07:00March 2nd, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Craig MT, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, progress, running line, Sage, season number 10, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Coutning down the days to Spring

By Montana standards we’ve had a very mild winter here on the MO.

After an early November arctic blast conditions have remained relatively mild and relatively stable all winter long with daily high temps averaging somewhere in the low 30’s with lows hovering in the teens.

We’re currently in the midst of a somewhat rare cold snap with highs in the single digits today and tomorrow and lows dipping into the negative double digits. A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect through Friday with wind chills as low as -35 possible. Mild weather returns this weekend with highs back in the 40’s and the winds you would expect with the warmer temps.

So yes, a mild winter for sure and a FAR cry from a couple of years ago when our average high for the entire month of February was in the single digits. But even so, as we near the end of February and creep ever closer towards spring (26 days and counting) winter has started to feel really LONG and monotonous and I’m sure I’m among many who are over it. Spring can’t get here soon enough!

I say that, but at the same time we need all of the days between now and then to complete our winter projects and to finish preparations for a busy upcoming season. Definitely a Catch 22 as winter conditions certainly add challenges to getting things done. Our parking lot has been covered in ice for the most part since November. The snow comes and goes. The ice remains and will likely do so for at least another couple of weeks until the sun finally inches its way onto our property and starts to melt the winter away.

So yes, I’m breaking my own rules regarding complaining about the weather and every year those posts I see from seemingly everyone but me from their winter fishing trips to South America, Belize, Cuba, Louisiana, Arkansas etcetera look more and more appealing. I’ve had it with whiteouts, black ice, wind chill advisories, shoveling snow, NOT fishing….bring on the spring weather!

While we wait for spring and try to focus on the bright side there are definitely reasons for optimism. Snowpack conditions look pretty good at the moment provided things stay cold in the high country. We’ll continue to build on that snowpack through much of March so by all indications it should be a good water year on the MO.

Traffic has been very light for much of the winter, save a few nice days that saw substantial fiberglass and Gore-Tex hatches but I expect that will change very soon, likely with the next warmup which looks to be happening this weekend.

We’re a ways out on the remodel but we will be looking to get some lodging opened up in the next week or two as we’ve got a number of groups scheduled for the middle of March and judging by the calls I’ve been getting lately I don’t think we’ll have any problems filling rooms once that warming trend has been established. It sounds like people are READY TO FISH! I know I am!

Give us a call to book your spring lodging and guide trips. We’re anxious to see some lodging traffic again and to see some cash flowing IN rather than OUT which is pretty much the only direction it’s been flowing this winter. Guides are HUNGRY and the fish are as well.

Wolf Creek is ready to be your Missouri River spring fishing destination with everything you need right here. Affordable lodging, the friendliest fly shop on the MO, great food and over 20 amazing beers on tap at Lazy I Beerworks which is OPEN EVERY DAY, the ONLY spot for gas and provisions between Helena and Cascade at The Canyon Store and all within a couple of miles of Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge, as close as you can get.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-02-22T11:13:12-07:00February 22nd, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Holter Dam, Lazy I Beerworks, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, spring fishing, The Canyon Store, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Wolf Creek Bridge|0 Comments

Happy President’s Day!

How will you be spending your 3 Day Weekend?

It looks to be a breezy and somewhat snowy weekend on the Missouri but I would expect at least a bit of traffic from those looking for a winter trout fix as temperatures will plummet early next week taking fishing the MO off the table at least for a couple of days.

The weekend forecast is calling for highs in the 40’s with breezy west southwest winds and a chance for snow showers each day. Not ideal, but not terrible. I wouldn’t expect much in the way of dry fly fishing with those winds but nymphing the slow depths should be just fine and swinging and/or stripping is NEVER a bad call.

We’ll see highs in the single digits starting Wednesday before things start to trend upward again next weekend. Likely a better week for ice fishing than river fishing but not to worry, it’ll be here before you know it.

And speaking of that, the clock continues to tick on our remodeling projects as we work feverishly to wrap things up by the end of March. The good news is it’s looking like we’ll get there. We can’t wait for you to see what we’ve been up to.

Spring gear has started to trickle in and though the focus remains on our building projects we’re starting to move towards retail mode. Our hiring is (mostly) done and with any luck our crew will begin to take shape in early April.

Spring Cleaning will soon be the task at hand as we prepare the shop for season number 10! How did that happen? It doesn’t seem too long ago the clock was ticking on our original shop remodel and opening day at Wolf Creek Angler.

It’s going to be a great year at WCA!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-02-17T09:26:19-07:00February 17th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, President's Day, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

February on the MO

If the recent past is any indication we’re in for plenty of wintery weather in the coming weeks as February has established itself as our coldest month of the winter as of late.

That being said, this first day of February 2023 is a far cry from what we’ve grown accustomed to.

With temps in the mid 40’s and howling winds on tap through the weekend it feels more like late March than early February but I suspect that could all change very soon.

If you’re looking to take advantage of the situation and get out on the water, tomorrow and Friday look to be your best bets with sustained south southwest winds of 14-16 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. Saturday looks windy with gusts up to 35 mph.

Water flows are on the drop following last weekend’s cold snap. We’re currently looking at 4200 CFS dropping back to that 3500 CFS range by the end of the week. Water temps have been holding fairly steady and are currently 34.5 degrees.

Near perfect winter water conditions. If it wasn’t for the wind these would be can’t miss February days on the MO.

As it is, I’d expect some traffic out there but there will be plenty of solitude as long as the winds persist.

Stick to the nymphing for the numbers, mix it up with some stripping or swinging and keep that midge rod rigged and ready. Should you happen to find fish up, it’s nice to be able to switch gears immediately and target those fish rather than taking the time to rig a dry fly rod when you should be fishing.

February is about to fly by and then it’ll be GO TIME. Take some time over these next couple of weeks to sort/organize your gear, replace those worn out fly lines (or those worn out rods and reels) and organize those fly boxes.

We’re doing the same here in the shop, sorting through the inventory and making room for all the spring gear that will be arriving soon.

Enjoy this last month of winter’s quiet.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-02-01T15:38:47-07:00February 1st, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter Returns

Winter weather on tap for this weekend with a Winter Storm Watch in effect from tomorrow morning through Saturday evening.

Highs near 50 today along with gusty winds. Rain and snow tonight becoming all snow tomorrow morning. Temperatures begin to drop Friday night and we’ll see highs in the single digits and lows in the negative digits through Monday.

Precipitation forecasts are all over the board but the Storm Watch is for the possibility of heavy snow with accumulations between 5 and 10 inches at lower elevations with 10 – 20 inches possible in most mountain areas. We’re not looking forward to the shoveling however that 10-20 in the mountains is much needed so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

It looks to be short lived as we’ll climb back into the 30’s the middle part of next week but this is probably not the weekend to plan on fishing the MO.

The timing is perfect however as you can attend the Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited Ice Bowl Membership Drive and Winter Social at Sleeping Giant Lanes in Helena without feeling like you’re missing out on fishing. Lanes open at 4 PM.

It’s a great way to spend a winter evening knocking down some pins while supporting the amazing work done by PBTU and maybe even getting yourself involved.

Back at it next week as we close out this first month of 2023 and hopefully kick off February by getting back on the water. There’s nothing like cold, sunny days fishing midges on the MO. Bring it!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-01-26T09:29:53-07:00January 26th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: midge, Missouri River, Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited Ice Bowl, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter Solitude on the MO’

Late January on the MO and things remain relatively quiet despite the extremely mild weather we’ve been experiencing all month long. The weather trend will continue through next week though it looks like we’ll see a cool down at the end of next week as we enter the final days of this first month of 2023.

Yes, January is soon to come to a close which means we’re merely weeks away from the official start of the 2023 season.

February is traditionally a cold and quiet month on the MO and it has been the heart of our winter these past several years with snow and frigid temps prevailing. Midge fishing can be good when the weather allows for it but knowing that March will provide plenty of those opportunities we’d just as soon see the snow pile up throughout the month of February as the snowpack has continued to diminish with the unseasonably warm weather.

Either way, February is our last quiet month. It’s our last chance to cross the T’s and dot the I’s of the coming season before the onslaught. And while March can sometimes deliver its own winter punch, come the middle of the month any slight warming trend will open the proverbial floodgates as folks from all around return to the hallowed waters of the Missouri.

That means we’ve got a TON of work to complete in roughly 6 weeks. We’re in the thick of our lodging remodel with things going as well as can be expected thus far but the ticking of the clock is growing increasingly louder!

We’re also in the midst of assembling our crew for the coming season while reviewing spring pre-season orders before they start to arrive while also continuing to fill the lodging and guide calendars. Prime is very close to capacity. Spring and fall still have plenty of open dates. There’s no time like the present to get those dates on the books. It’s going to be another busy year on the MO and everywhere else in Montana.

So while the deadlines of the coming season loom we couldn’t be more excited for 2023!

We’ll have fresh lodging, fresh faces around the shop and the same great quality products you’ve come to expect us to have along with the much anticipated arrival of SAGE rods and reels! That’s right, Wolf Creek Angler is your BRAND NEW SAGE DEALER on the MO. It’s been a long time coming – 9 years to be exact and we couldn’t be more excited to bring on Sage to round out a great selection of rods and reels from the best brands in the industry.

And speaking of the best brands in the industry, don’t forget WCA is your exclusive SIMMS dealer in Wolf Creek Montana with the best waders, boots, tech outer and layering gear and so much more.

From the day we opened our doors it has been my number one priority to offer our customers the very best brands in the industry and the fight to do so has been exhausting to say the least but I couldn’t be more proud of the fly shop we’ve become and we aren’t stopping now. Expect more of the same from WCA.

We are your Full Service, Missouri River Destination Fly Shop and it’s our goal to make sure our customers have no reason to go anywhere else. Great lodging that doesn’t break the bank, the most professional and personable guide crew on the river and a shop offering all the best products you deserve staffed by the friendliest crew you’ll find in any shop, anywhere.

A full parking lot and crowded mornings in the shop are just around the corner.

We can’t wait!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-01-20T13:00:33-07:00January 20th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Sage, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome 2023

Welcome to 2023 and to near- perfect fishy winter weather for the next few weeks.

We’re expecting a busy (by January standards) month on the MO with winter having retreated for the time being and folks itching to get out and do something after having hunkered down during much of the last two months due to the the early onset of winter conditions and the holidays.

Gone are the negative double digits we recently experienced and the majority of the snow and ice we’ve been dealing with since mid-November replaced by open water and highs in the high 30’s and low 40’s for the foreseeable forecast. Overnight lows will drop into the high teens and 20’s so no need to get an early start and be prepared to deal with some breezy conditions as you might expect with the warmer temps but once again, by January standards you really couldn’t ask for better conditions for getting out and curing that cabin fever.

Nymphing has been good and should be your go to for numbers all winter long but that being said, it’s also swing season and midge season on the MO if you prefer. And you won’t be surprised to hear me say that I’ll be spending plenty of time stripping streamers now through May. April/May are the Prime Months for streamers on the MO but there’s no reason not to strip all winter long if conditions allow it. The biggest brown I’ve caught on the Missouri ate a ZK’s MK Ultra stripped slow and deep on an early January float. I’ll be looking for a repeat this year.

Once again, nymphing is going to be your best bet for numbers. Think Pink and go deep. Pink Amex, Caviar Scud, Bubble Yum Scud, Pill Popper, Pederson’s Sow, Rainbow Czech, Pink Weight Fly…all good options paired with a soft hackle sow, tailwater sow, pink lighting bug, zebra midge, Pink or Firebead Ray. It’s a little bit about the bug. It’s more about the location. We don’t spend a lot of time changing flies when winter nymphing. Find the slow, deep winter depths and start deep. Adjust depth accordingly until you find hungry fish.

Best bets on the swing include Polar Leeches, Kreelex, Thin Mints, MoJo Minnows, Fruit Rollups, Pine Squirrel Leeches or any old bugger.

Likewise for stripping but don’t be afraid to branch out. Sparkle Minnows, the aforementioned MK Ultra, Skiddish Smolt, Dirty Hippy, Swim Coach…there’s really nothing in your streamer box you shouldn’t be throwing. Fish the ones you like. Fish the ones that work. Slow and varied retrieve with an abundance of pauses. They generally aren’t going to move fast or far in cold water so make sure you work the water thoroughly in an effort to meet them where they are.

Floating is definitely an option again, at least in the top section from the Dam to Craig and I’d imagine Craig down to the canyon should be fine as well. The ramps are in good shape and most of the shelf ice has dissipated. Watch for those chunks of floating ice if you’re wade fishing, they can make a day go bad! Current flow is 3370 CFS with water temp just shy of 34 degres.

Shop hours will be more consistent in accordance with the weather conditions. Posted hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 9 AM – 4 PM though it’s always a good idea to give a call to make sure we’re going to be here if it’s later in the day. Also, we are a staff of 1 during the winter months so other engagements/appointments may at times result in the shop being closed on days we would normally be open. Case in point – the shop will be closed this Friday, January 6th.

We’ve had a fairly steady stream of calls for lodging this past week and unfortunately, as of this week, we will not be offering lodging for the remainder of the winter. The good news? The reason we don’t have lodging is because we’re remodeling. More on this to come.

In the meantime we will still do Adipose boat rentals, weather permitting and we’ll do our best to provide shuttle service. More importantly, we’re fully stocked with winter bugs, cold weather gear, lines and leaders, Simms Waders and Boots (Still the BEST IN THE BUSINESS) despite of what you may have heard elsewhere and much more.

We’ve got a few rods and reels left following our most successful Fall Rod and Reel Sale to date and we’ll extend that sale pricing for the next while as we clear out space for incoming spring arrivals. More on this to come as well but suffice it to say that this is the most excited we’ve ever been about incoming rods and reels.

It’s good to be back in the shop with fishy weather at hand and we’re stoked to see traffic resume.

Happy New Year! We think 2023 is going to be a great year on the MO and at WCA.

Cheers!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-01-03T13:43:07-07:00January 3rd, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome Winter

Happy Winter Solstice!

It feels like it’s been winter for six weeks already but technically we’re just getting started with today being the actual first day of winter.

It’s a statement Winter Solstice with the current temperature at -21. It’ll warm up to -20 at some point today before plummeting to -30 tonight. There is a Winter Storm Warning in effect until 11 AM today and a Wind Chill Warning in effect until 11 AM on Friday. Wind Chill currently has the “feels like” temp at -46.

I’ve decided to work from home today as our shop heater only operates in temperatures above -10.

And while there is no shortage of chatter about this apocalyptic cold snap there is plenty of reason for optimism, namely that we’re in desperate need of a good, old-fashioned winter and thus far that is exactly what we’re getting.

The cold and snowy weather definitely has its challenges, but the hope is that it’ll all be worthwhile when we’re in the midst of our summer season enjoying steady flows of cold water.

The other big reason for optimism on this cold and snowy Wednesday? It’s the aforementioned Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Now begins the march towards spring and summer with the days getting a little bit longer each and every day.

Long hot days and warm summer nights will be here before we know it.

So curse the cold if you must as you shovel snow with numb hands, but as you do so, keep in mind that this is the cycle, the way it’s meant to be. The cold and snow serve a purpose, as has been the case for millennia.

Winter’s beauty paves the way for those summer days we all look forward to, when we can start bitching about how HOT it is!

And besides all that, it looks like we’re headed for a warmup as temps climb back into the high 30’s and even low 40’s starting on Saturday. You could be back on the water in a matter of days.

Cheers to Winter!

The Shortest Day Carson Ellis / Candlewick Press

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-12-21T09:32:26-07:00December 21st, 2022|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: running line, winter solstice, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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