Uncategorized Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Mid April on the MO

Springtime in the Rockies

As predicted we got our first taste of summer weather last weekend with highs in the high 70’s and as you would expect it was a busy couple of days on the MO.

Back to reality on Monday with Tax Day and a big change in the weather as a cold front moved in took us right back to winter with snow showers yesterday and highs struggling to break 40. More of the same today with overnight lows plummeting into the teens but it looks like we’re due for a return to seasonal norms this weekend with daytime highs back to the 60’s and 70’s and lows a bit more reasonable in the 30’s.

Through it all, fishing has been solid with the nymph show at the dam in full swing. Traffic is slowly building and will officially reach “busy” status next week as the guide trips start to pile up.
There have been multiple reports of BWO’s this week so be prepared for both midges and Blue Wings on the dry fly front. Low light is your friend so target those cloudier days or fish last light for consistent action.

We’ve been working on our bugs a lot this winter and have a bunch of new midge and BWO dries that should find a place in your boxes.

Best bets for midge dries….Grizzly Midge Cluster, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Adams Midge Cluster, Hi Vis Griffiths Gnat, Black Sipper, Black Midge, Hi Vis Midge, Adams Midge. BWO’s just getting started so we haven’t sold a ton of them just yet but try a Pederson’s 401K Baetis, Jake’s Hatchback BWO, Brooks Sprout Baetis, Last Chance Cripple BWO, Nyman’s DOA Baetis Cripple, BWO Flash Cripple, Carlson’s Olive Haze, Guide Winna Spinna BWO. Cripples and Emergers though often overlooked, should play a major role in your BWO game.

Nymphing is transitioning from winter fare at the moment but you still can’t go wrong with a Pill Popper, Caviar Scud, Firebead Ray or the like trailed by a tailwater sow in rainbow or pink, a soft hackle sow or a Zebra Midge. We’ve expanded our Zebra and our Sowbug selections and are loaded up with an array of offerings in any color you need. That being said, it is time to start working those Baetis nymphs in as well and we’ve got piles of techy new patterns that are sure to produce. Go with a tried and true Little Green Machine, S & M, Redemption, Psycho May, Magic Fly or Split Case BWO or try something new like a Stocker’s Mosason Baetis, Two Hot Baetis or Radiation Baetis.

Spring is PRIME TIME for Streamer fishing on the Missouri as well and we didn’t stop with nymphs and dries when expanding our bug selection. We are currently loaded up with piles of new bugs including a bunch of new Galloup Micro Dungeons. Come in and check out our streamer bins and see why we are the Missouri River Streamer Fishing Authority. Nobody has a better bug selection.

We’re also sitting on a bunch of new streamer lines from SA, Airflo and Rio…something for any and all situations. And if you’re looking for a new Streamer stick try a Sage Igniter or Payload, an Echo Streamer X or Boost Blue, a Lamson Cobalt or a Redington Predator. All fine streamer sticks with plenty of Sage and Lamson reels to complete the combo.

The shop is bursting at the seams with new products including WCA 10 Year Anniversary gear and plenty of waders and boots for all from Simms and Korkers.

Updated spring hours start Monday, April 22nd. 7:30 AM – 5 PM Monday – Saturday and 8 AM – 2PM on Sundays. Stop in for shuttles, bugs, fishing licenses and so much more at your Missouri River one stop shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-04-18T13:54:05-06:00April 18th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

A Decade in the books

Ten years ago today we opened our doors for the first time at Wolf Creek Angler.

Much has changed.

Much of what has drawn us a loyal following has and will continue to stay the same.

Ten years in we had what was by far our best season yet in 2023 and judging by our bookings for this year we should be on course for another stellar season.

I still remember vividly the night of March 31st, 2014. We were in the shop late putting the final touches on the massive overhaul we’d done in the shop. And by we, I mean mostly my business partner at the time Fred Davidson. Fred camped out in Cabin #1 for weeks chipping away at a complete makeover of the former Montana River Outfitters location while I did my best to assemble an opening day inventory that would make a statement while also making sure those who had booked in 2013 with MRO were made aware of the exciting changes underway at 515 Recreation Road.

Opening Day jitters prevented a good night’s sleep as we considered the journey on which we were about to embark. Snow fell overnight and opening day, from what I recall, was a fairly quiet Tuesday, typical of what we’ve now come to expect during the work week in early April with a fresh dusting of snow on the ground.

Beyond that opening eve and the opportunity to ease in to our first season it’s hard to remember specifics as it’s truly been a blur.

Fred did two seasons at WCA before returning to his life in Michigan. Zach King aka Chewy, arrived post-Fred and quickly became a fixture at WCA before moving up to full time guiding and most recently fatherhood. One of our first housekeepers Jeanette Beers, who came to us in the very first days of WCA inquiring about work, did an amazing job for us and has since moved on to become the postmaster of Wolf Creek. Matt Hargrave was our shop guy and guided for us in 2014 and has since been grinding away as a guide and became an outfitter in 2023. He still continues to handle a good number of our trips. Brian Scott was another MRO “legend of the MO” who was grinding then and continues to grind today, entering season number 39 this spring. Luke Koerten has been guiding for us since season one after I first met him in the Wolf Creek Bridge parking lot and gave him a flyer for the new shop in town. Brad Turner migrated from Michigan in 2018 and has established himself as the WCA Workhorse. Rob Weiker has also been with us from the start and has become an outfitting force in Montana. Other guides have joined our crew over the years but these are the long term “old timers”, a group in which I’d consider myself included.

Our staff has definitely grown with us and what was once Fred and I and just a couple of people is now myself, our Shop Manager Keith Tucker, a two-person housekeeping crew (Missy VanDort and Jude Anderson) and a shuttle crew led for the second season by Rhonda Gatch. Phil Peacy is returning for a third season this year as shop and shuttle help and has officially joined our guide staff as he continues to establish himself as a fixture on the MO. 2024 will also see a few new faces around WCA bolstering our core.

I remember in 2014 having discussions of bringing a raft into the shop to fill space. We opted not to do that, confident that we’d slowly but surely be able to fill our space with retail offerings. These past few years the walls are closing in and we’re truly at capacity with a whole lot of gear in not a whole lot of space. It’s a good place to be for us and for our customers and while we have no immediate plans for expansion you just never know what the future might hold.

A couple of feathers in our cap that I fought like hell to get were our Simms and Sage dealerships. We’ve been a Simms dealer since 2019 after years of lobbying and Sage finally came on board in 2023, giving us two of the top brands in fly fishing. We are blessed to be able to offer you the best products from the best brands in the industry.

A few changes we’ve made with our lodging over the past 10 years…complete remodel of the motel units, complete remodel of our bungalow units last winter, new mattresses in all rooms, new carpet in most of the rooms which have not yet been completely remodeled, new water heaters all around, new roofs on our cabins, Starlink internet with lightning fast Wi-Fi, complete remodel of guide/employee cabins and thousands upon thousands of dollar’s worth of new bedding, new lighting, new appliances, new plumbing, new electric, new window dressings, new bath fixtures….etc., etc. etc. Never let it be said that we aren’t committed to continuous improvement in every area of our business.

We’re ten years old. In some ways it feels like longer than that, but it also still feels new, like we’re just getting started. We couldn’t do any of it without you, our loyal customers. Thank you for making these last 10 years possible. Thank you for allowing us to truly live out a dream here in amazing Montana on the magnificent Missouri River.

We hope you join us in celebration of our first decade as we embark on the next, always looking to give you everything you expect from your Montana fly fishing destination.

Cheers!

Montana River Outfitters Exterior

Another Time, Another Place

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-04-05T13:50:12-06:00April 1st, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: 10th Anniversary, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Sage, simms, Ten Years, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|4 Comments

Idyllic February Float on the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

It’s not lost on us that to those who don’t live here it may appear as though some of us tend to take for granted this amazing world-class fishery that is the Missouri River…and perhaps some do. After all, people come from all around the world to fish the MO and even though it’s right here in our back yard some rarely fish it.

By “take for granted”, I don’t mean that in the defined sense that we fail to properly appreciate the river as a result of overfamiliarity but rather in the sense that with unlimited opportunity to enjoy the river some of us tend to be choosy about the conditions in which we will fish. Mind you, there is no lack of appreciation for this unbelievable resource from where I sit. She amazes me every day of every year I have been blessed to live here.

As fellow anglers, we too make plans on occasion to go fish other places and that being the case we’re very well acquainted with being at the mercy of Mother Nature. We know what it’s like to roll the dice with an idyllic picture of your destination in mind, only to have that picture obliterated by torrential rains, hurricane winds, Arctic cold fronts, scorching heat or any number of other conditions that could make your dream trip challenging at best, or a nightmare at worst. We get it. Such is the nature of vacations.

This is not that.

This is having the Missouri River as a backdrop to our respective daily grinds and establishing a healthy relationship with her. Having the option to fish the Missouri ANYTIME is a luxury not afforded to many, a luxury well recognized by the vast majority of those of us who work and live in this amazing place.

It’s different for everyone and all a very personal matter based on who and what and where we are. We’re all at different stages in life. That goes for our professional lives, our family lives, our recreational lives. We’re all fellow travelers with varying time and distance ahead of and behind us. I have nothing to say about anyone else’s journey, only my own.

When I moved to Montana some 12 years ago I fished a hell of a lot more than I do now. Familiarity with what was all brand new has definitely played a role but so has this journey of evolution happening every second of every minute of every day to each and every one of us.

Fly Fishing remains my passion. A passion that has evolved tremendously over the last 30 years and which has been tempered and refined but which still thrives in my soul and provides me with much of the spiritual sustenance I require.

Gone are the days when I would, as the Simms ad proclaims, “Forget the Forecast”. To the contrary, when we’re talking about the Missouri in particular, the forecast is of vital importance. My days of fighting the winds are behind me. My tolerance of cold has lessened considerably but in the absence of howling wind I’ll still row a boat and fish in freezing temps.

I’m still amped by overcast skies, perhaps with a rain shower or two thrown in….my conditional parameters tend to expand immensely during streamer season!

Backing out streamer season however I’m a big fan of sunshine and light variable breezes and temps somewhere between 44 and 84 degrees. The temp range allows for plenty of days on the water year round, the sunshine is vital to me during the colder months but in the summer it doesn’t play as big of a roll. The wind is my determining factor and is what keeps me off of the water more often than not.

Mind you, this is all having to do with fun fishing. We do what we have to do to make a living. Conditions notwithstanding.

All this to say that lately I’ve been feeling the itch to get back on the water. The spring-like weather has had me daydreaming about that magic, euphoric feeling of being in a drift boat, carried by the current and maybe, just maybe even getting a shot at a fish or two. You’ll likely read more from me about this sometime down the road but numbers increasingly mean less and less to me.

Looking at the forecast this week it appeared as though Wednesday was going to be the day. Sunshine, minimal winds and highs in the 50’s. Definitely not the weather we need at the moment but it really doesn’t get much better in February.

And so, once forecasted conditions were confirmed the CLOSED sign went up and I spent a much anticipated afternoon floating the MO, just the dog and me, just what I needed for a recharge.

With only a dry fly rod on board I spent the day head hunting, hoping for some February midge magic. This was not to be. I didn’t care!

Don’t get the wrong idea. I still LOVE to catch fish and had I been with someone I would have been happy to pass the time stripping a streamer as we hunted for rising fish but that’s not what I was after yesterday. What I was after I got…in spades.

I couldn’t wait to get to work today and once I got here I was happy to be busy with all the things that need to happen here before the season picks up again not long from now. On top of that we had a fairly busy morning with another nice day on tap and it was good to talk fishing again with a bunch of people who couldn’t wait to get out there and try to find what they came for.

Tight Lines!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-02-22T16:10:21-07:00February 22nd, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Snow Dance Please

It’s been over two months since the late October snow storm that kicked us into winter mode only to set us up for a ridiculously mild late fall and early winter. Hopefully that’s all about to change.

There’s not a lot of precipitation in the forecast just yet but it does appear that temps will start to trend towards normal by this weekend and we should see single digits and below by the middle part of next week.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not in love with the thought of single digits but it is January and it’s time for it to happen. Hopefully the cold will be accompanied by snow, at least in the high country, as we desperately need winter to start taking hold around the state. The ski hills need it desperately and our rivers DEMAND it.

Get your fishing in this afternoon and tomorrow and Saturday. The cold starts on Sunday when you should be somewhere watching the Montana Grizzlies compete for the National Championship anyway, followed by the last slate of games in the NFL regular season? Where did the time go?

Once this cold snap has come and gone you’ll likely find the fish have all settled in to the winter depths as water temps which are currently sitting at right around 35 degrees, will plummet. Classic winter nymphing techniques ahead.

It’s been an interesting early winter with fish still holding in faster, shallow water but that should soon correct itself.

Swinging will still be an option with long, deep tailouts being your prime winter targets.

Summer is booking quickly with the mid June to mid-July prime pretty well full and the early season rapidly following. Fall dates are booking up as well with September looking to be another record-setting month on the MO.

Bottom line – if you’re planning on a Missouri River fly fishing adventure anytime in 2024 you best get those dates on the books.

We’ll be here sporadically next week, weather dependent and we’d love to see you. We’d love even more to fire up the POS and sell you some bugs or a shuttle but I have a sneaking suspicion that if it’s been dead with temps in the 40’s and 50’s we’re not likely to see much traffic with temps in the single digits. Prove me wrong! (But call first and make sure I’m here!)

Welcome winter! Praying for Snow.

Go Griz!!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-01-04T12:49:40-07:00January 4th, 2024|Categories: Local Buzz, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Go Griz, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

2023 Year In Review

2023 was a year of major improvements at Wolf Creek Angler, a product of our constant commitment to growing our business and to providing all of our customers with spectacular service and an amazing experience whether in the shop, on the water with our guides, lodging with us or all of the above.

The highlight of the year was undoubtedly our major renovation of our bungalow units which we started in January and finished in late March with a week to spare heading into the traditional April opening of our lodging season.

The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, and we feel these three units are amongst the nicest in the area at this price level.

Sure, there have been some folks disappointed to see the 1980’s ranges go away but with the installation of induction cook tops, the addition of dishwashers to each unit and a major upgrade in décor, we feel our kitchen units are on par with most contemporary units out there, offering a clean and modern look and all the amenities the vast majority of our guests require. Most are happy to trade the range for the upgrade but as a reminder, we do still offer small ranges in our kitchens in Cabins 1,2 and 4 if that is something you’re looking for.

Another major improvement to the WCA brand came at the end of 2022 when we were informed we would FINALLY be opened as a SAGE rod dealer in 2023. It has been an exceptionally long time coming and something I’d been lobbying for since we opened our doors in 2014.

We are thrilled to be on board as a dealer and to be able to offer you what we feel are the best rods in the industry. Sage rounds out an excellent selection of rod brands including Redington, Echo, Lamson and Loop. We have rods for every experience level and every budget and while we never expected to be doing major business in high end rod market, we were pleasantly surprised by selling more Sage R8’s than any other rod in 2023.

Couple this with being the exclusive Simms Fishing Products Dealer in Wolf Creek and you start to see our mission coming to fruition.

That mission being to be your one stop fly fishing destination on the MO with the friendliest service and all the best brands in the industry offered in our shop, the most humble and professional guides on the river and clean and affordable lodging all closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than any other shop.

Those in the know keep coming and many more discover every season what Wolf Creek has to offer as an alterative destination when coming to fish the magical Missouri.

2023 also saw an expansion of our staff with Keith Tucker joining our team as Shop Manager, Phil Peacy returning for a second year as shop staff while also ramping up his guiding experience and Rhonda Gatch leading our shuttle crew as we broke away from previous arrangements and embarked on our very own shuttle service, independent from any other shop. Wolf Creek Angler is the home of The Cheapest DAM Shuttles on the MO!

This tenth season will go down as our most successful to date and we’re just getting started.

Most of our crew will be returning in the spring and you will likely see some new faces around as well.

Another highlight of the season for us came in the fall when Hidden Canyon Lodge was named a Finalist as Best Fly-Fishing Resort in Montana for the second consecutive year by Distinctly Montana Magazine. What does this have to do with Wolf Creek Angler you ask?

As some of you may know, our outfitting /guide business at Wolf Creek Angler is run under a separate company called Iron Fly Outfitting. I started Iron Fly six or seven years ago because it made sense from a business standpoint for Wolf Creek Angler but also because I began working with Hidden Canyon Lodge as their In-House Outfitter. Everyone at Hidden Canyon is amazing to work with and they run a first-class operation so it’s no surprise to me that they would be named a finalist two years running but hopefully the fishing component has at least something to do with this honor which is a big deal for all involved. Congratulations to everyone at Hidden Canyon Lodge.

We closed the year out with a strong fall/early winter with mild weather providing for a great extended season. We did see a winter storm in late October which brought a fair amount of snow and sub zero temps and did lead to some issues with heating/plumbing in some of our units which are usually closed for winter well in advance of sub zero temps but alas, this is Montana and Montana weather does what it does regardless of whether we’re ready or not.

As quickly as it came the wintry weather retreated and has not really returned since. It has been a fine December for fishing the MO but it’s time to start building some snowpack to fuel our 2024 water year!

As we close this year out, we would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you once again, to all of those who fished with us, shopped with us or stayed with us at Wolf Creek Angler. We are so blessed to have so many amazing clients and, as always, we are honored and humbled to be able to provide our services to you.

Happy New Year from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-12-31T16:40:48-07:00December 31st, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: 2023, 2024, fly fishing, Happy New Year, Hidden Canyon Lodge, iron fly outfitting, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter on the Way?

It’s hard to believe but the descent into darkness has us barreling towards the shortest day (and longest night) of the year just two weeks from now.

In spite of that fact, were it not for the long hours of darkness you might not know we were on winter’s doorstep as the weather hasn’t exactly been what you’d expect for the first week of December.

It’s 60 degrees and sunny as I write which is a carbon copy of yesterday. Breezy in spots, but generally calm out there. Very little traffic yesterday, a few more folks around today but definitely not what you would call crowded.

Nymphers soaking up the sun, swingers doing their swing thing and strippers plying the shadows of the canyon walls. Something for everyone though dry fly opportunities are minimal save some midge activity.

We’re shuttling daily as needed and putting a few boats on the water here and there but the post-Thanksgiving/pre Winter Solstice Silence remains.

We’re getting a few lodging inquiries, though the Inn is Vacant at the moment. Give us a call if you’re interested in taking advantage of this unseasonably mild weather and escaping to the MO. Our newly remodeled bungalows are available all winter long for $149/night plus tax. The best deal on the nicest rooms you’re going to find this winter on the Missouri.

Flows have been steady in the 4400 cfs range with water temps hanging at around 40 degrees. Ideal water conditions no matter the time of year.

Something akin to more normal early December weather conditions will resume starting tomorrow with highs in the high 30’s to low 40’s and lows in the mid 20’s for the next 10 days. Zero precip in the forecast at the moment. Let’s hope that changes.

We’ve enjoyed not shoveling snow but we do need to start building that snowpack and those 2024 stream flows.

Since our Halloween week Winter Storm we haven’t seen much in the way of snow and while it can change quickly, a white Christmas seems unlikely at this point. I hope I’m wrong.

And speaking of Christmas, not counting today there are 18 days left to complete your shopping. We hope you consider us for any fly fishing related gifting including our ever-popular WCA gift cards good for anything and everything we sell.

Some other popular gift ideas this year include Simms flannels, Fishpond Nomad nets, Lamson reels, Sage rods, Simms hats and gloves, WCA logo gear, MFC fly boxes and piles and piles of Missouri River flies.

Happy Shopping and Happy Fishing from WCA!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-12-06T14:56:10-07:00December 6th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Quiet on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

In spite of unseasonably nice weather this week the river is absent of anglers and Wolf Creek and Craig are essentially void of any signs of life as we enter the Post-Thanksgiving period which is consistently our slowest time of the year….hands down.

Sure, you’ll see a boat or two on occasion and we get the random drop by for flies or a shuttle but for all intents and purposes there’s really not a hell of a lot going on between now and the end of the year.

The first nice days of January generally see a good influx of traffic and nice weekends might see a small bump, but between now and then you can usually have the thing essentially to yourself more days than not.

And just to be clear…there’s no reason NOT to be here. If the weather is cooperative, you can have some spectacular days either floating or just wading the quiet MO.

Top water action is minimal this time of year though the midge action can be good at times.

Nymphing and streamer fishing are where it’s at.

Pill Poppers, Tailwater Sows, Caviar Scuds, Pederson’s Sow, Soft Hackle Sows, Firebead Rays, Bubble Yums, Worms….it’s that time of year. Rig em’ up and leave em’ on. All you need to do is find the fish. If they’re in feeding mode they’ll eat it.

Winter nymphing can be super productive and super fun. I love it. What’s not to love?

That being said, if I’m getting out there this time of year it’ll usually be with a streamer rod, although in my case that’s generally the case ANY time of year!

Yes, streamers are where it’s at for me. Most swing through the winter months and I’m not opposed but I prefer the strip/swing/cover tons of water action to the standing in one place working the same run for hours method.

My go-to is a Craig to Dearborn float working those sexy structured banks and all that great water between the islands and maybe even nymphing a few up in a couple of favorite spots.

The water temps are certainly on the drop but not so cold yet that you won’t find some willing players in the faster action water and in the shallows of the structured banks. A heavy sink dredged deep is a good cold weather bet and you’d probably bump a few that way now but we’re not quite to that point yet where that will be your go to. We’re still hanging in those temps and flows where you’d do well to hit everything that looks like it might hold fish. More than likely it does.

Swingers are on the Kreelex and Thin Mints and Polar Leeches. Strippers are sizing down but still running Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolt, Swim Coach, Mini and Micro Dungeons, Baby Gongas, Dirty Hippies and the like. We always like the Sculpin and JJ Sparkle Minnows but this year they’ve been on the Pearl version as well.

If you see a good weather window and opt for a Missouri River holiday getaway give us a shout. We’ve got affordable winter lodging options and can likely get you on the water with a great guide if you can give us a day or two to work on it.

We’re open at 8 AM Tuesday – Saturday for the winter and will occasionally NOT adhere to that schedule so call ahead to make sure we’re going to be here if you need a shuttle etc.

Don’t forget to stock up on WCA Gift Cards for all of the fly fishers on your list. You can get them on our online store in increments of $25/$50/$100 or Guide Trip for $650 or buy in store in any amount you wish.

WCA Gift Cards are good for ANYTHING we sell. Guide Trips, lodging, shuttles, merch…All of it!

Happy Shopping and Tight Lines!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-11-30T14:04:49-07:00November 30th, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving from WCA

We have so much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving, not the least of which is the incredible season we just wrapped up at Wolf Creek Angler and that’s all because of you.

Season number 10 was our best ever and judging by what we have on the books for next season, 2024 should be another great year so thank you to all of you who continue to allow us the privilege of doing what we do.

We will be closed today, enjoying family time and football and food and taking stock of just how blessed we are to be able to live in such an amazing place, doing what we love, while having the opportunity to forge relationships with so many great people.

I’ve spent the last few days working on confirmations for next year and while we’ve just concluded this season, we can’t wait for the next one. Spring is a long ways away but talking with folks about next year’s bookings makes it feel a lot closer.

Here’s wishing all of you a blessed Thanksgiving.

We will be back in the shop tomorrow and it looks like a warmup is underway starting this weekend so we hope to see you out there.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-11-22T11:36:49-07:00November 23rd, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: running line, Thanksgiving, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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

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