It seems like winter just keeps dishing it out this year with the arctic temps and the frequent snowfall.

We’ve already been fielding some calls about the potential for high water this spring and while there is no arguing that we’ve seen well below average temperatures for much of the winter we really haven’t seen all that much precipitation.

This isn’t to say we couldn’t end up with above average precipitation this winter and above average flows this spring but at this point it’s not really looking like it as evidenced by this latest SNOTEL map which shows things at or below the 30 year average for the most part.

The amount of precipitation we see in the spring will, as always, be the key factor determining what we see for flows. Current projections look much like 2016 with most probable flows holding in the 4000 cfs range for most of the season.

Canyon Ferry is currently at 76% capacity which is 94% of average for this date. The anticipated inflow for the April through July runoff period is forecasted to be 1,493.6 kaf, or 89 percent of the 30 year average according to the latest report from the Bureau of Reclamation.

So what does this mean for your 2017 trip to the MO’. At this point not much. We’ll leave the projections/predictions to the experts and concentrate our efforts on providing you with up to date information as we get it while continuing to assist you in making your plans.

Speaking of making plans, the phones have been ringing off the hook this week with folks booking spring and summer dates and we’re looking forward to another busy season at WCA.

If you’re contemplating a trip to the Missouri this year we encourage you to book sooner rather than later to get those prime lodging and guide dates in June and July but we’re also encouraging folks to think about late summer/early fall dates.

Operators are standing by waiting for your call!

Most of the recent fishing traffic has been on Holter Lake

It’s been a quiet start to 2017 in the shop as we continue to struggle to break single digits during this current arctic blast.

It’s been a real Montana winter thus far with only a handful of days over the past month that we’ve even thought about getting out there to wet a line.

We’re tying flies. We’re booking for spring and summer and we’re spending more screen time than what we normally would. Cabin Fever is definitely creeping in.

While the shop has been quiet, lodging has become quite a commodity these past two weeks with ice fishing on Holter heating up so housekeeping has definitely been keeping us busy.

We’ll close out the week with a slight warm up into the 20’s on Saturday and near 30 on Sunday and Monday and at this point it looks like more cold and snow on the way for next week. We would love to be fishing the river right now but we’re happy to wait. This weather is just what we need for a great water year in 2017.

Keep us in mind if you’re headed this way to try your luck on the ice. We’re just minutes from the lake and all of our units are equipped with a full kitchen and all the pots/pans/dishes/silverware etc. Each room sleeps three comfortably with two twin beds and a pull out couch. Again, our lodging has definitely been in demand and we’ve had to turn plenty of people away so we would recommend booking sooner rather than later. We’re already full for Friday but we do have rooms available tomorrow and for the weekend. Book yours today.

Wolf Creek is your Holter Lake ice fishing and Missouri River winter fly fishing destination with the only bar/restaurant and the only gas station/convenience store you’ll find between Helena and Cascade. Uncle Joe’s Oasis is open every day but they are only serving food Thursday – Monday so plan on utilizing that kitchen in your room if you’re coming out Tuesday or Wednesday. The Canyon Store is open daily for fuel and necessities  including beer and wine and one of the best selections of Montana Micro Brews you’ll find anywhere.

Game On – Photo by Jim Murray

We’ve seen an uptick in traffic these last few days with people taking advantage of the nice weather to get out and enjoy the last days of 2016 on the Missouri.

I wouldn’t call it busy by any means but if you’re coming out today or tomorrow expecting to have the river to yourself that’s not going to happen.

Those runs you like to fish in the winter, they aren’t a secret. Others like to fish them too. Expect to find folks in most of those places and be prepared to share. There’s plenty of water for everyone.

Give it a few days however and you can probably have the whole thing to yourself as it appears as though we’re heading into a prolonged arctic blast, the likes of which reportedly hasn’t been seen in 20 years.

From KBZK.COM

An Arctic cold front is expected to drop through Montana on Sunday. Pacific moisture will also move into Montana producing widespread snow. Gusty winds are likely as the Arctic front drops through Montana. This will bring dangerous travel conditions to Montana Sunday into Monday. Snowfall of 2″ to 4″ is possible with heavier snow in higher elevations, wind will be increasing Sunday into Monday 15 to 30 with gusts to 40 mph, wind chill values of -15 to -30 are possible, considerable blowing and drifting snow is also likely Sunday and Monday.

High pressure will build into Montana beginning Monday night clearing skies and settling the gusty winds down. However, the combination of valley snow, clear skies and Arctic air digging into most valleys forecast lows will be well below zero beginning Tuesday morning. National Weather Service office in Missoula is predicting a low of -41 below for Butte by Tuesday morning and with a light 5 mph NE wind the “Feels Like” temperature could be closer to -60. Bozeman area could see lows drop down to or lower than -25 below and possible wind chills down to or lower than -30 below zero.

It’s been about 20 years since the last long duration extreme cold event, according to the National Weather Service, the last time temperatures were this cold and for over a week was back in 1998.

We won’t see quite those extremes here on the Missouri but it’s definitely going to be bitterly cold so our advice would be to get out and fish today and tomorrow if you want to fish the river because it may be a while once the Arctic Blast arrives.

While the fishing opportunities on the river may be diminishing for the time being things are really starting to heat up on Holter Lake for the hard water anglers judging by the amount of calls we’ve gotten for lodging over the last few days. We are full for the weekend and have already booked a few rooms for next week. If this keeps up we may just need to think about opening some additional lodging units as demand is definitely exceeding supply at this point. We’ll keep you posted.

We’ll be in the shop today and tomorrow for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. We’re closed on New Year’s Day and will play it by ear for next week. As has become our mantra this winter,  if we’re looking at single digit temps and/or hazardous travel conditions the shop will more than likely be closed but we are open for lodging EVERY DAY.

A Very Merry Christmas from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler.

A huge thanks to everyone who shopped, stayed or fished with us this year. We are sincerely grateful for all of your business and we look forward to seeing you back in 2017.

We’re closing in on Christmas….just a couple of days left to pick up those last minute gifts and to make final preparations for whatever you’ll be doing this weekend.

All it takes is a quick call to the shop and we can help you wrap up your shopping with WCA Gift Cards or if you happen to be traveling to Wolf Creek today or tomorrow stop in for free coffee and free cookies and let us help you pick out the perfect gift for the fly fishers on your list. While you’re at it why not treat yourself to something new?

What do I want for Christmas?

I’m hoping for a trip to the playoffs for the Detroit Lions via their first NFC North Title in 23 years but we’ll take it any way we can get it. So this is my wish list for the weekend….Vikings over Packers and Lions over Cowboys and just to keep that wildcard option viable, Saints over Bucs. These outcomes would be an awesome Christmas present though not a likely scenario so looking beyond this weekend we may have a very big showdown on New Year’s Day in Detroit between the Packers and the Lions for the Division.

Go Lions!

It sounds like we could see another winter storm rolling in on Friday night and lasting through Sunday so safe travels to all of you who will be traveling. The shop will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.