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Your Missouri River Fourth of July

Happy Independence Day from Wolf Creek Angler

Summer continues its frenetic pace with Independence Day upon us. We are definitely in the midst of the blur with a brief respite during the Fourth as the fishing set typically leaves the river to the splash and giggle crowd for the holiday.

It could be a relatively quiet weekend on the water with the forecast calling for cooler temps and rain tomorrow afternoon into Saturday but Sunday looks like a return to summer with sunshine and temps in the 80’s headed back to 90’s by the middle of next week.

The epic PMD campaign of 2025 is coming to a close but it’s not over just yet. Tricos have been ramping up this week so if early mornings and tiny bugs are your thing then this is your time.

Evening caddis action has been hit or miss but there are ample opportunities out there for those willing to put the time in.

We’re loaded up with a bunch of new Trico and Caddis patterns and well stocked on the old stand byes as well. Hopper bins are full, meticulously curated by yours truly yesterday afternoon. It’s on the early side for actual hoppers but ants and spruce moths are coming into play. We are your terrestrial source on the MO with piles of foam and the best selection of Micro chubbies in the canyon.

Still on the bobber program? Fear not! The nymph bins have been picked over pretty good this season but we’re pretty good at staying well stocked on the necessities. Frenchies, Weight Flies, LGM’s, PT’s, mountains of sow bugs and bin after bin of Zirdles and Crays.

There’s not much we don’t have in the bins at WCA. After all, it is the largest selection of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Rental boats are spoken for through the middle of the month. Guides will be hard to come by until August and though there is a slight lull in lodging just for these couple of days around the holiday we’re back to a full house starting Sunday.

Stop in for shuttles, bugs, ice, fishing licenses, sun gear, rain gear and so much more.

We’re open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River summer fly fishing needs.

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at WCA!

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-07-03T12:01:06-06:00July 3rd, 2025|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Missouri River Memorial Day Weekend

It’s hard to believe but it’s already here. The unofficial start of the summer season. Memorial Day Weekend is upon us and it’s going to feel like summertime with abundant sunshine and highs climbing into the low 70’s tomorrow and near 80 on Sunday and Monday.

More of the same for the rest of next week as we close out the month of May with a week of sunshine and 80 plus degree days and it looks like we’re finally moving on from those chilly mornings in the 30’s to overnight lows hovering around 50. Sounds like a summer forecast to me.

Memorial Day weekend has traditionally been somewhat of a quiet angling weekend with the fishing crowd leaving the river to the rec floaters but I’m not sure that will be the case this year. Our lodging is full for the holiday weekend which has not generally been the case in the past so should you venture to the MO expect plenty of every kind of traffic with rec floaters, wade anglers and float anglers all converging on the MO to commemorate the kickoff to the summer season.

Be kind. Be patient. Be considerate. And if you don’t like a crowd maybe think about staying home.

We’ve got just a couple of trips out this weekend which is the norm for most outfitters on Memorial Day so know that most of the traffic you encounter out there will not be commercial traffic.

The boat ramps will be busy with folks that maybe don’t do this every day so again, please be patient and do your best to extend some grace if things seem to be devolving into a junk show.
Fishing has been up and down this week as it tends to be this time of year but the hot take from the past couple of days has been that PMD’s have arrived weeks ahead of what we normally see here on the MO. These have not been consistent hatches and the fish, while sporadically feeding, have not really keyed in on them just yet. It could just be a random occurrence which may go quiet for the next week or two or it could be that we’re starting early. Either way, you’ll want to have those PMD boxes organized and at the ready just in case.

Coincidentally, or not, we just received many of our PMD patterns over the past couple of days so we’ll be working this weekend on shuffling the bins to move the PMD’s front and center and the BWO’s to the back burner.

Whether we see more bugs this weekend or not you would do well to get some PMD nymphs into your mix. Split Case PMD’s, Magic Flies, Psycho Mays, Redemptions, Crack Backs, Gold Lightning Bugs and PT Little Green Machines all good options. The sows aren’t going anywhere so keep them in the mix and maybe try a worm as recent bumps in the flows have triggered the worm bite.

Streamers continue to be more miss than hit and with all of that sunshine in the forecast conditions are not optimal but we are nearing the end of spring streamer season so if you’re going to do it this is the time. Soon the summer aquatic vegetation will be taking hold making stripping an exercise in futility.

Go flashy, go yellow, go copper and strip fast, still incorporating plenty of pauses. The big browns are still on the hunt, setting up in the shallows for the ambush so you’ve still got a shot at that day maker or maybe even the fish of a lifetime.

We are open early at 7 AM every day for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Tons of bugs, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO, ice, fishing licenses, sun protection and so much more. We hope you make us your Missouri River One Stop on your way to the MO this Memorial Day Weekend.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-05-23T13:10:19-06:00May 23rd, 2025|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Soggy Spring on the MO

It’s been a wet week here on the MO but that’s really had no effect on traffic. This time of year it’s go time – rain or shine. Spring bookings are a roll of the dice weather wise with April – June being our rainiest months of the year but those booking spring trips generally know what they’re in for.

It can be sunny and hot one day with temps plummeting the next accompanied by rain or snow. The fish don’t mind. The bugs do but sooner or later it all comes together.

Sunshine has been scarce this week making this morning’s break from the constant cloud cover a welcome site. Cloudy wet days are actually the preferred conditions on the water as far as fishing goes but after a few chilly rain soaked days it’s nice to see and feel the sun.

We’ll see a mixed bag this weekend with rain in the forecast for later today and on Sunday. A drier start to the week next week but still cooler with highs in the 60’s edging upwards late next week into the 70’s.

The cool, cloudy wet days have been perfect for BWO’s but not so much for Caddis. Look for BWO’s to continue to dwindle as we head into the second half of May. Caddis will pop with a little heat. March Browns will continue to tease. PMD’s are on the horizon and midges will persist.

Many are here seeking the dry fly bite and while we’ve had bugs and ample opportunities on the right days those opportunities can often seem to be somewhat elusive. Keep after it and don’t be afraid to fish blind with a caddis or Parachute Adams or Purple Haze. Pods should obviously be targeted by matching the hatch but in the absence of pods and/or bugs you could do worse than running the aforementioned Caddis or Adams tight to the bank and seeing what happens.

As always, nymphing is your go to. They’re still eating the sow but baetis nymphs like the Little Green Machine, PsychoMay and Magic Fly have been the better bugs as of late. Keep fishing those and start to work in some PMD nymphs like the Split Case, Crackback, Magic Fly or Redemption.

Flows have been jumping around a bit, currently 4920 CFS with water temps at 51 degrees. Changes in flows can sometimes have a negative effect on feeding patterns, as can changes in weather patterns. I guess what I’m trying to say is that despite what you may have read or heard elsewhere, it hasn’t exactly been lights out every day. There have certainly been some hot windows but a fair number of lulls in the action as well…and not just for the DIY anglers.

The MO may be as close to a guarantee as you can get when it comes to numbers and quality of fish but…NEWSFLASH…we do have slow days on the MO as well so keep those expectations in check and don’t let a tough day get you down. After all, no matter how many fish you catch or don’t catch you are blessed to be on these fabled waters, drifting through these magical landscapes seeking encounters with these amazing creatures. At least that’s how I see it.

We’ve been busy in the shop and on the shuttle circuit and lodging has been full for the most part more nights than not…it’s a fun time of year to be in the business! We’re open daily from 7 AM – 5 PM and we’re here for anything and everything you need for your day on the water. From The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO to the largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana to rain and wading gear from Simms and Korkers to fishing licenses to ice to sunscreen to Sage rods and Lamson reels and so much more. We hope you make us your first stop on your way to the MO.

Save Gas. Save Time. Shop at Wolf Creek Angler!

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-05-16T09:47:22-06:00May 16th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

ARRIVAL

The spring season is in full swing as we approach April’s close and prepare for a busy month of May.

River Life has returned. Winter’s monochromatic grey has been supplanted by all hues of green as buds are bursting forth and grass is greening by the second. The landscape transforms before our eyes as the season takes hold. Some days it seems you are literally able to watch it happen.

Pelicans have arrived. Goslings are starting to appear under the careful watch of their high-strung and loud parents. Bug life is unfolding at a rapid pace and busy mornings in the fly shop have also returned as spring traffic has also arrived.

We are experiencing a true Montana spring with plenty of cold mornings and the occasional snow shower mixed in with moderate daytime temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Awesome days to be on the water watching it all unfold from the seat of a drift boat. It doesn’t get much better than this!

Nymphing remains the go-to with most traffic, most days camped in the Holter to Craig stretch though with the increased bug activity there has been a fair amount of folks opting for the canyon stretch and below.

It’s still a sow bug game but baetis nymphs like Little Green Machines and Psycho Mays and Magic Flies (among many others) are getting eaten with regularity. No need to make any radical changes to your setup just yet but start to key in on the faster, medium depth water. Leave the slow winter stuff behind, it’s time to move on.

The streamer bite has been decent during low light periods early or late and throughout the day when we get the cloud cover. Again, medium depth and shallow fast water have been productive and there have been plenty of big browns hanging in those soft spots against the bank looking for the ambush. Cast right to the bank and drag your bug off the bank into the shallows. It’s not a high percentage play but you might be surprised how many of those big browns sit in next to no water waiting for a meal to happen by. We’ve got another month of this – PRIME STREAMER TIME on the MO!

As mentioned, there are plenty of bugs around and plenty of dry fly opportunities for those looking to put in the work. You can hunt for risers or just fish blind. Midges are the mainstay but there are baetis around and on the move upstream and we’ve seen a few March Browns around as well. You could even fish a Skwala blind and maybe get an eat or two but for my money it’s hard to beat plying the waters with a #12 Purple Haze or Parachute Adams, especially when you’re seeing sporadic rises.

Published shop hours are still 8:00 – 4:00 daily but we’re generally open for business by 7:30 and here until traffic subsides.

It’s getting to be that time of year where lodging is at a premium, much of it booked last minute. We’re full for the weekend but things open up a bit on Sunday and we have at least a room or two open most nights during next week.

Guide trips are ramping up and we’re starting to get into a rhythm but we’re still a few weeks out from our busy season so we do generally have guides available with a day or two notice if a last minute trip to the MO is in the works for you.

Either way, we invite you to start your day at Wolf Creek Angler for EVERYTHING you need for your day on the water including The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-04-24T12:51:59-06:00April 24th, 2025|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Spring is beginning to show itself on the MO. Photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Just back this week from some R and R on the Oregon coast and ready to take on the spring season.

The weather is gorgeous (for the moment), the grass is greening, the trees are budding and fishing is on the verge of greatness.

Sure, it’s been a mixed bag out there this week but that’s the nature of spring fishing. The water temps are creeping up into the low 40’s and a couple of more ticks upwards will do wonders to trigger more consistency in the bite as well as ushering in some increased bug activity…aka BWO’s!

For those in search of dry fly action the midge fishing has been good and should continue to deliver. The aforementioned BWO’s hopefully soon and a few eats on the Skwala on any given day. Mother’s Day Caddis just around the corner.

Most are nymphing and having moderate success but you need to know there have been some slow days as well so don’t expect every day to be off the charts. That’s just not how it works, even on the amazingly prolific Missouri.

Broken Record on the bugs. Tailwater Sows, Soft Hackle Sows, Pederson’s Sow, Poxyback Sows, Pill Poppers, Pink Sock Sow, Scud Bombs…notice a pattern? Pink Lucent Bead Ray Charles, Caviar Scuds, Firebead Rays, Bubble Yum Scuds and Amex good calls as well and your go to baetis nymphs are coming into play. Little Green Machines, Radiation Baetis, Magic Fly BWO, Mosason, Olive Psycho May, Olive Redemption, Two Hot Baetis, Olive 2 Bit Hooker, Olive Spanish Bullet and many more! Fish the flies you believe in – it makes all the difference.

The Streamer bite has been fair and will continue to improve as the water warms. It’s definitely better on the overcast days but don’t for a minute think you can’t fish streamers in the sun.

If you haven’t been by the shop for a while we invite you to give us a look. Our fly bins are packed full of Missouri River standards as well as a bunch of new patterns for 2025 including piles of perdigons.

The fly selection at WCA is unrivaled. We have what they have and more and we are, without question, your Missouri River Streamer Authority with the absolute best streamer selection on the MO!

All lodging is now open and available and guide trips are just now starting to roll. Plenty of both available now.

Shop is open at 8 AM daily for all of your Missouri River Fly Fishing needs including THE CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO, Adipose drift boat rentals, Mending Waters drift boat rentals FREE for all vets and active duty military (reserve your boat here), fishing licenses, ice, the best coffee in the canyon and so much more.

Welcome to spring on the Missouri!

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-04-10T14:03:05-06:00April 10th, 2025|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

More Early Spring this Weekend on the MO

It seems as though winter may have loosed its grip on us for good as we’ll see another spring-like weekend ahead with temperatures back in the 50’s, possibly hitting 60 on Sunday.

Winds looks manageable for the weekend out of the south/southwest at 9 -16 mph with some higher gusts to 25 mph. You’ve fished in much worse!

The trend continues through the first part of next week before temperatures normalize with high 30’s and low 40’s starting on Thursday.

Reports from this past weekend were a bit of a mixed bag but overall the consensus seemed to be that fishing was on the slow side but slow or not, you could do much worse than spending an early March day soaking up the sun while floating down the Missouri River.

It’s been quiet this week despite consistently mild weather and as is generally the case in the early season we’re not sure what to expect heading into the weekend, but we’ll be here regardless. Shop hours this weekend are 9 AM -2 PM, Sunday included, and we’re running shuttles daily.

We’ve got lodging available at winter rates of $149/night (plus tax) and our Adipose drift boat rentals are a great deal at $150/day (you haul the boat). We haven’t had much call for it yet but if you’re looking for a guided day on the river we can accommodate.

During the month of March we’re offering a full day trip, lunch included, at a half-day rate of $550 for one or two anglers. We’re also offering a lodging/guide trip special for $700 (plus tax) for two nights of premium lodging and a day of guided fishing. As is usual with March trips the weather can always be a factor so there’s no penalty for cancellation should winter return. This offer is for the month of March only, normal prices resume on April 1st. Book your trip today and leave the rowing to us.

If you’re sticking to the DIY program it’s status quo this time of year with sow bugs leading the charge. Tailwater Sows, Soft Hackle Sows, Pederson’s Sow, Carpet Bugs, Poxyback Sows, Pill Poppers, Firebead or Pink Lucent Bead Ray Charles, Bubble Yum Scuds, Rainbow Czechs, Amex and Zebra Midges are all go-to bugs for early spring.

Dry fly fishing is an option with plenty of midges in the mix and streamer fishing (swinging or stripping) should be just on the verge of really heating up.

The most commonly asked question we get is when is the best time to fish the Missouri and my stock answer is whenever you’re able to be here because the consistency on the MO is unmatched but if you really want to know you’d be hard pressed to find a better time and place to fish than springtime on the Missouri.

We invite you start your day on the MO with us, especially if you’re coming from the south. We’ll get you set up with FISHING LICENSES, shuttles, all the best bugs from all the best vendors, and anything else you might need for your day on the water. Simms waders and boots, Sage and Lamson rods and reels, fresh new fly lines from SA, Rio and Airflo and piles of tools and accessories from the best brands in the business. And it’s all right on your way. No need to drive another 10 minutes down the road to get the same stuff and then turn around and drive right back up to the dam or Wolf Creek Bridge! We are closer to the Holter Dam to Craig section launches than ANY OTHER SHOP.

See you soon for spring fishing on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-03-06T10:18:58-07:00March 6th, 2025|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Lamson, midge, Missouri River, pill popper, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

There’s NO TIME like STREAMER TIME on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Just over a week out from the first day of winter (Saturday, December 21st) but based on our current conditions you sure wouldn’t know it.

A few patches of ice in the driveway but the snow from two weeks ago has all but disappeared which is a feat here at the shop where the sunlight won’t touch the ground again until mid-March. Once the snow covers the ground it’s generally here until spring but with daily highs in the mid to high 40’s seemingly for the entire month of December, it looks much more like the middle of autumn than a week out from winter.

As is always the case, regardless of the weather, December is among our slowest months. If you look hard enough you can usually find at least a wade angler or two around on any given day but for the most part the ramps are empty, boat traffic is essentially non-existent and the shop hours drag by even as 2024 speeds to a close.

The fly shops are open, the Canyon Store is open, the post office is open and Joe’s and the Oasis are open…aside from that there’s not much going on here on the MO.

Those still fishing are finding they have the river to themselves for the most part and the fishing, while not on fire, is definitely good enough.

Most are swinging or stripping with moderate success. Some are nymphing the winter water and finding willing players still after the sow bug. We haven’t heard much on the dry fly front but you’ll usually find a fish or two eating on top depending on where you go. Throw a Griffiths gnat or a midge cluster at them. They just might eat it.

Flows remain on the low side, currently 2840 cfs with water temps hanging right around 38 – 40 degrees. Sooner or later winter weather will arrive and water temps will plummet but it looks like flows will likely stay right where they’re at all winter long.

No major changes in the weather expected anytime soon so count on more of the same through next weekend with partly sunny skies and daily highs in the high 30’s or low to mid 40’s and overnight lows in the 20’s. The wind is the wild card. Not much today but more starting tomorrow with gusts in the 25 mph range through the weekend.

You really couldn’t ask for better weather in December but a little bit of wind can make moderate feel cold fast so be prepared.

We’re open at 9 AM Tuesday – Saturday and we’re able to do shuttles during the week though Saturdays have been a challenge. Not to fear, if we can’t do your shuttle we know who can.

We’ve had a steady stream of gift cards going in the mail this week and haven’t even come close to running out so if you haven’t done so already give us a call or go on our web store and pick up gift cards for all the fly fishers on your list. You can purchase gift cards in any amount. They NEVER expire and they are good for absolutely everything we sell including shuttles. Is there a more perfect gift?

Our Fall Rod and Reel Sale continues through Christmas and we’ve got a shop full of items that would all make great gifts. How about a new pair of Simms Waders or boots or a cozy Simms flannel. New fly lines, sun glasses, books, drinkware, fly boxes, nets, Fishpond packs, tools and accessories….great gifts all!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-12-12T09:27:25-07:00December 12th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, simms, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving from WCA

On what, over recent years, has become my favorite of holidays, here’s wishing you a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving from the Wolf Creek Angler family.

The significance of this day becomes weightier with every passing year and what was once just an interlude to the main event of the holiday season has now, in some ways, become the focus.

Having family gathered under one roof has become somewhat of a rarity at this stage so to have that paired with time off and a day built around a feast is about as good as it gets.

It’s the perfect conclusion to a magical autumn season which has continued to solidify its place as my absolute favorite season of the year, perhaps coinciding with the season of life in which I find myself.

On this day my hope is that you are all enjoying the bounty of Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

On this day I am feeling blessed beyond measure, not just for the bounty of the day but for the blessings of another year. A year in which I’ve had the tremendous privilege of doing what I love in this absolutely amazing place for over a decade now. I am thankful for my wonderful family and the life we’ve each carved out for ourselves in Montana and I’m thankful for where I’ve come from, the people and the places, and any opportunities I have to go back there.

I’m thankful for another great season at Wolf Creek Angler and a summer filled with visiting family and friends as well as the return of so many amazing clients who have become like family after so many years.

I’m thankful for our tremendous crew and guide staff without whom we wouldn’t be able to do any of this and I can’t put into words the absolute honor and privilege it is to be a part of the experience for so many people to whom this place means so much that they return year after year.

Happiest Thanksgiving wishes to all. May you enjoy this blessed day.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-11-28T06:58:09-07:00November 28th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Montana, running line, Thanksgiving, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall on the Mighty Missouri

The exodus is underway.

In spite of the fact that we’re still sitting under cloudless blue skies with temps in the 70’s and little to no wind, it feels as though the switch has been flipped. The river is quiet. The shop is quiet. So much so that I’m tempted to close up shop and hit the water on this gorgeous autumn day!

Another one of these on tap for tomorrow followed FINALLY by cooler weather on Thursday with highs only in the 40’s, as you might expect in mid-October in the Rockies. Highs in the low 60’s and mid to high 50’s through the weekend and into next week with overnight lows in the low 30’s so look for those water temps to begin to plummet. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll see those BWO’s you’ve been anxiously awaiting. Thursday could be the day with the arrival of that cold front coupled with cloudy skies.

Guides have started to clock their last days of the 2024 season and hunters have already vacated the river. The season of solitude is soon to be underway.

We’ve still got a few large groups inbound over the next two weeks along with a small handful of guide trips and you can count on some local traffic especially on the weekends but for all intents and purposes the sun is indeed setting on what has been a phenomenal 11th season at Wolf Creek Angler.

We’ll be shutting down the majority of our lodging for the winter after Halloween though we will have our bungalows available all winter long and will be offering discounted rates of just $149/night plus tax.

The last day for most of the crew will be October 31st but we will maintain our current shop hours throughout the remainder of the fall, weather dependent. We’ll do our best to continue to provide shuttle service though staffing will now be an issue so please call ahead to check availability once we get into November and beyond.

We hope to see you over these next couple of weeks as we clear our inventory and prepare for the long winter ahead. We’re in the midst of our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale and there are great deals to be had on most everything that remains of our summer inventory as well as all of our 10th Anniversary gear.

Thank you for another great season. As always we are honored and humbled by your patronage and we couldn’t feel more blessed to be able to do what we do here at WCA.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-10-15T13:31:34-06:00October 15th, 2024|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

The Obligatory Dog Days Upon Us Blog 2024

As we close out a very busy and an extremely fishy month of July the switch has been flipped and now we will settle into the lonely Dog Days of Summer for the next few weeks before things kick back into action roughly a month from now.

The crowds have dispersed, traffic at the boat ramps has greatly diminished and the fish are no doubt enjoying this brief respite.

Mind you these are not the August Dog Days of Old where we literally went for days at a time without a guide trip or an overnight guest but after having grown accustomed to a full house and a full slate of guide trips daily for the past 8 – 10 weeks it feel eerily quiet around the fly shop once that abbreviated morning rush subsides.

This year we’ve got a decent smattering of trips and a few folks booking a night or two while they’re here but you’ll notice immediately if you’re in the area that the river is quiet and the streets of Wolf Creek and Craig have that ghost town feel.

It’s a welcome break from what has been our busiest season to date by far. Shop kids are heading back to college soon and many guides (and shop folks) are taking advantage of the lull to enjoy some mid-season R & R before the second season gets rolling.

September is shaping up to be one of the busiest we’ve seen so enjoy this lull while it lasts.

And if you do happen do connect the dots and you’re thinking this all sounds like an ideal time to enjoy some solitude on the Missouri you are correct. The slowdown in traffic opens up a world of possibilities and while there are challenges with which to contend, August truly is a great month to fish the MO.

Challenges include hot weather, smoky skies and the peak of the weeds but it’s nothing you can’t deal with. In fact we’re looking at clear skies today following yesterday’s brief cold front making its way through the region and 80’s don’t feel bad after the triple digits we saw last week. Unfortunately, record high temps return starting tomorrow and run at least through the weekend which will likely mean a bump in rec floaters on Saturday so maybe skip the weekend if you’re in search of summer solitude.

Weeds are a challenge regardless of which section you float right now but not the worst you’ve seen. Most are sticking with the Dam to Craig float for cleaner water and good numbers of fish hanging in the grass flats.

Best bets for nymphs are Purple Weight flies, Purple Zebras, Black Zebras, Frenchies, Tung Darts, Pheasant Tails and various caddis pupae and emergers.

Tricos have been hit or miss. We had a couple of really good mornings over the last couple of weeks but this week has been sporadic at best. I expect we might have some better days ahead with warmer temps and calm winds but no guarantees.

Decent Caddis action and hoppers starting to get some looks.

The fishing is fine. The weather is quintessential Montana late summer swelter. The traffic is light. Come enjoy late summer on the Missouri and pay us a visit while you’re here. We’ve got all of your Missouri River essentials.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-07-31T16:21:51-06:00July 31st, 2024|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, Dog Days of Summer, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

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