Uncategorized Archives - Page 24 of 53

Last Minute Gift Idea

Have you reached your wits end searching for the perfect gift for the fly fisher on your list?

Why not leave it up to them?

A Wolf Creek Angler gift card is the logical choice.

WCA Gift Cards can be purchased in any amount, they never expire, and they can be used for absolutely ANYTHING we sell.

Flies, shuttles, waders, Simms sportswear and accessories, Smith Sunglasses, Loop Rods and Reels, Fishpond packs, lodging, guide trips on the World Famous Missouri or Blackfoot Rivers, ARC, Rio and Airflo fly lines, Yeti coolers and drink ware, WCA Logo Gear…..ANYTHING and EVERYTHING we sell.

And they’re super easy to purchase. You needn’t leave the house. Just pick up the phone and give us a call and we’d be glad to send your gift card anywhere in the world.

You really can’t go wrong with this one.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-12-20T18:32:18-07:00December 20th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

The Big Thaw

What a difference a couple of days makes! We’ve gone from “feels like” temps of -50 a couple of days a ago to highs near 40 today and tomorrow and it appears as though we’ll be above freezing all week until the next blast of cold air arrives on the weekend.

Unfortunately with the warm up we’re getting the wind. We’re under a high wind warning today with periods of 35-45 mph southwest winds with gusts as high as 65. Expect sustained winds of 20-24 mph.

I expect there may be a few folks out there today taking advantage of time off and moderate temperatures but the winds will keep many off of the water. Personally I would rather fish in below freezing temps with no wind than what we’re seeing today and tomorrow but that’s just me.

Water temps have dropped into the 35 degree range so I would definitely plan on shifting gears into winter fishing mode if you’re going out. Firebeads and/or anything pink should be coming into play and the assumption would be that the majority of the fish have made the transition to the slow deep winter water. I don’t have a recent fishing update as it’s been just too cold to fish or to do much of anything outside but we’ll likely be out later today and will post what we know as soon as we know it.

In the meantime target that winter water with a deep nymph rig, be patient and stay warm! I also wouldn’t hesitate to swing as it’s getting to be prime time for Polar Leeches and the Hot Head Kreelex!

It’s been tough trying to put together a consistent schedule in the shop with the weather being what it’s been. We had settled on regular hours of Wednesday – Saturday 8 AM – 2 PM, closed Sunday – Tuesday but then we ended up being closed most of last week because it was insanely cold. We’re here today and tomorrow because it’s warm and because we figure there may be some people around with the college crowd home from school and looking to spend some time on the MO’. We’ll be around all week if the forecast holds with limited hours on Saturday which is Christmas Eve and closed on Sunday for Christmas.

As we move past the holidays and get into the heart of winter we will try to stick to that Wednesday – Saturday schedule for the most part but once again if the weather returns to what we saw last week with treacherous temps we probably won’t be here and likewise if we have really fishy weather on the days we’re supposed to be closed we will more than likely be here, at least in the mornings. The best thing to do would be to give us a call before you come out if there is any doubt and if you’re coming out regardless of who is open when, you can see the shop from the Interstate so you’ll be able to see if we’re open or not before you hit the Wolf Creek Exit when traveling from the south.

Thank you for your patience with what has been a screwy schedule thus far this winter and remember if you happen to be out here to fish on a day we are closed we encourage you to see our friends at Headhunters in Craig for shuttles and bugs and more.

Looking at the long-term forecast for the winter months it looks like we’re still expecting below average temperatures for the most part but as we hit these periods of warmer weather keep in mind we’re offering our winter guide trip and lodging special all winter long. Two nights lodging in one of our cozy bungalows and a full day on the water with some of the fishiest, hardest working guides on the Missouri. Regardless of shop hours we are open EVERY DAY for lodging and guide trips…just give us a call. We can do it on extremely short notice but if you do choose to book ahead of time and are worried about the weather, worry no more. Rest assured there are NO CANCELLATION FEES for winter guide trips.

We hope you make Wolf Creek Angler your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing Destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-12-19T17:14:49-07:00December 19th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

This Week on the MO’

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Cold and snowy.

There’s not much else to say other than we are happy to see next year’s water flows continuing to develop.

Expect continued cold weather for the remainder of the week with temps in the teens for the next couple of days and bitter cold returning for the weekend. We’ll see a high of -2 on Friday with a low near -20 Friday night. Saturday looks similar but we begin to warm back to the mid teens on Sunday and it looks like we may see a bit of a warm up next week with temperatures back in the high 20’s.

We’re under a winter storm watch beginning tomorrow evening and running through Thursday night for widespread snow and gusty winds, something we thankfully haven’t seen much of recently. 4-6″ of snow possible with up to 18″ expected at higher elevations. Keep it coming!

We don’t expect much in the way of traffic on the river this week but there will definitely be some anglers joining the waterfowl hunters out there next week with the warm-up and with the college crowd home for the holidays.

If the weather cooperates we will be in the shop every day next week, at least first thing in the morning and may just get out and do a little fishing ourselves as we’re already starting to exhibit symptoms of withdrawal.

If you’re looking for last-minute Christmas gifts we can help and you don’t even need to make the trek to Wolf Creek. Give us a call and let us know what you need and we’ll get it shipped out in time for Christmas.

A Wolf Creek Angler gift card makes the perfect gift for all the fly fishers on your list. You can purchase them in any amount, they never expire, and they are good for absolutely everything we sell.

You don’t need to know what weight Loop, Echo or Redington rod; which Nautilus, Ross, Loop, Echo or Redington reel; which flies; what size Simms or Kast gear; when to book the guide trip and lodging….you don’t need to know any of it, all you need to know is WCA Gift Cards cover it all!

Enjoy the snow, stay warm and start making plans for a great 2017 on the World-Class Missouri River.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-12-13T16:39:22-07:00December 13th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Weekend Warm Up

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Time to bust out the flip-flops and sunscreen.

Highs will reach near 30 today and tomorrow before we return to single digits on Monday.

I expect there may be a few folks out there taking advantage of the warm up though all the rigs I saw parked along the river this morning had kennels in the back so it appears as though the focus has turned to waterfowl hunting rather than fishing.

We won’t break single digits next week and from the forecasts I’m looking at it doesn’t appear as though we’ll make it above freezing for the remainder of the month so it really could be your last chance to fish the MO’ in 2016.

I’ll pass.

We’ll be here for a spell this morning wrapping up the fly count and taking care of some other year – end chores so if you’re planning on fishing today stop in for some bugs and maybe knock out the last of your Christmas shopping. We’ve got some great gift ideas for all of the fly fishers on your list and even if they don’t fly fish but love to spend time floating the river we’ve got something in mind. How about a WCA Gift Card they can use for vehicle shuttles all summer long?

Zach will be in tomorrow morning to handle the warm Sunday rush but we’re going to adjust our hours for the deep freeze conditions as there simply isn’t much of a call for us to be open when it’s this cold.

After tomorrow until further notice our normal hours will be from 8 AM – 2 PM Wednesday – Saturday. We’ll be closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays for certain and let’s just say that if the temps are in the single or negative digits and/or road conditions are hazardous we may or may not be here so please call before making a special trip out and as always if we are closed and you need shuttles or bugs or other shop stuff we encourage you to visit our friends in Craig who can take care of you.

It won’t be long before the lake freezes and the hard water anglers arrive so keep in mind that we’re open EVERY DAY for lodging…..just give us a call. And don’t forget our winter lodging/guide trip special if we get another heat wave. Two night’s lodging and a full day of guided fishing for one or two anglers for just $500 with no cancellation fees. It’s the best deal on the river.

Flows have been cranked up to 5500 cfs to keep things moving in the cold weather and the water temp is currently sitting at just over 40 degrees and dropping rapidly. It’s a safe bet the fish will be in full on winter mode whenever we get back out there.

We’ll keep you posted on weather conditions, zebra mussels, snow pack and more and we’ll let you know when there is ice on the lake.

At some point we’ll be back with a fishing report but for now we suggest you continue to enjoy the holiday season and maybe start making those plans for a 2017 trip to the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-12-10T17:05:04-07:00December 10th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

December Outlook – COLD

Winter continues to tighten its grip on the MO’.

We’re currently sitting at -1 with snow on the way tonight and tomorrow and looking at the 10 day it doesn’t appear as though we’re going to make it above freezing anytime soon.

We’ll see a slight warming trend this weekend as temps reach into the high 20’s on Saturday and Sunday but the bottom drops out again on Monday with a return to single (and negative) digits and more snow on the way for next week.

Once again, we’re happy to have it. We’re building snowpack and hopefully we’re on our way to an awesome 2017 water year.

Current SNOTEL snow water equivalent (SWE) shows we are well below average at this point but not to worry, we’re just getting started and these numbers will all change over the next weeks as snowfall continues to accumulate, especially in the high country.

screenshot-84 Current “Most Probable” projections look good for the 2017 water year on the Missouri with a nice steady 4000 cfs through the winter months and a peak of around 8,000 in June followed by low 4’s for the remainder of the season. Max probable shows something closer to 5K for the winter with a peak near 12K and evening out around 6K for the remainder of the season while Minimum Probable essentially mirrors what we saw in 2016 with steady flows at 3500 – 4000 cfs and no real peak to speak of in the spring. Fingers are crossed for Max Probable!

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So how does all of this affect your 2017 fishing plans? Hard to say for sure but the long and short of it is that at this point is shouldn’t really have any bearing on your plans. Sure if you are a wade angler you might want to think about not coming in early June when we generally see our peak flows but we’ve got a long winter ahead of us and nobody knows for sure what that winter is going to hold in store for us. We say it every year, there will be water. How much or how little we don’t know but what we do know is that regardless of whether we see minimum or maximum or most probable flows (or none of the above for that matter) we will be fishing and we hope you will be here fishing with us.

As all of you who regularly fish the Missouri know, we are somewhat isolated from the challenges of extreme high and low flows. Regulated flows keep us fishing all year long while other waters around the state are unfishable due to high water (runoff) in the spring and low flows/high water temps resulting in Hoot Owl Closures in the summer as we’ve seen each year during the current drought conditions.

That’s not to say it can’t happen here. If we end up getting an above average amount of snowpack coupled with a wet spring then we’re obviously going to have an above average amount of water to contend with. It has to go somewhere! And while the folks in charge of managing the water do a pretty good job (and a thankless one at that) of regulating the reservoirs, if drought conditions persist and we don’t get adequate precipitation then even the Missouri will suffer from low flows and increased water temps. I’ve yet to see Hoot Owl hit the MO’ but it’s not out of the question.

All that being said, we’re looking forward to another spectacular season on the Missouri and while our fishing has been shut down by the weather for the time being we’ll gladly sacrifice December nymphing for more water in the spring. In the meantime stay inside, keep warm and think happy thoughts about summer days on the MO’…we are.

Summer Days on the Missouri

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-12-08T18:05:27-07:00December 8th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Holiday Gift Guide Part 2 – Stocking Stuffer Edition

Looking for stocking stuffers?

We’ve got all kinds of goodies and gadgets that will fit the bill.

Here are just a few ideas…..

Flasks from Stanley and Simms and Montana Fly Co.
$27.99-$29.99

Flasks make great gifts and they are the perfect size to fit into stockings. We’ve got several sizes and styles to choose from including the 5 Oz Stanley Adventure Flask engraved with the WCA logo.

Super Size Loon Aquel or Top Ride
$39.95

Surprise the guide in your life with a supersize container of Loon Aquel Gel Floatant or Top Ride Powder Floatant. The Aquel is 4 Oz and the Top Ride is 10 Oz. We’ve got the normal sized ones as well if that is a better fit.

Fly Boxes

$29.99-$149.99

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We’ve got all kinds of fly boxes, one to fit every budget. We’ve got nymph boxes, dry fly boxes, streamer boxes….wood boxes, plastic boxes…unlimited options. The boxes pictured above are handmade my Al Swanson in Helena MT and range from $129.00-$149.99. Maybe not the box you would choose for everyday use but definitely an awesome gift and one that will likely be passed down from generation to generation. How about a box filled with flies? Give us a call and let us know what you have in mind or if you don’t have anything in mind but think it sounds like a great gift idea let us figure it out for you.

Hats, Gloves and Socks from SIMMS

Good hats and gloves and socks are a must this time of year and you won’t find any better than those made by Simms. We’ve got plenty of options to choose from.

Leaders, Tippet, Tools and Accessories

Wolf Creek Angler is your full service Missouri River Fly Shop – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Terminal Tackle is our bread and butter, meaning everybody needs it all of the time. Maybe a pack of leaders or a tippet spool aren’t as glamourous as a Yeti Cooler or Simms Guide Jacket (both of which we can set you up with as well) but I don’t know of anyone who wouldn’t be absolutely thrilled with a bunch of leaders and a couple of tippet spools….again these are things we always need. If you’re not sure what they need we can probably figure it out for you fairly easily with just a few quick questions. Our walls are filled with tools and accessories as well and while these items start to lean towards the personal preference category we’re confident we can get you set up with stuff they’ll love!

WCA Gift Cards – The Ultimate Stocking Stuffer

Whether you’re not sure what to get them or you want to treat them to the Ultimate Missouri River Fly Fishing Vacation a WCA Gift Card is the right call. You can purchase them in ANY amount and they are good for absolutely anything we sell. A dozen flies? A Season’s worth of vehicle shuttles? A new pair of waders or boots or both? A weekend getaway with lodging and a day of guided fishing? A week retreat with lodging and guided fishing on the Missouri and the Blackfoot? The possibilities are endless and can all be covered with a WCA Gift Card.

Give us a call and let us know what you have in mind. We’ll be happy to send gift cards (and anything else for that matter) anywhere you would like.

We are your one stop Christmas shop for the fly fishers on your list.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-12-07T17:15:42-07:00December 7th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Too cold to fish? Nah….Tire Tracks on the ramp at Holter Dam.

Winter has finally arrived in Wolf Creek and we’re happy to have it!

It’s not likely to be a banner week in retail sales but that’s to be expected in December in Montana.

The bright side is that we’re building and maintaining snowpack and we would love to see it continue to dump snow in the high country to bring us a great water year in Montana in 2017.

And speaking of water, flows on the Missouri are cranked up right now during the extreme cold. We’re just shy of 4600 cfs with water temps currently around 43 degrees and plummeting.

Expect to fish “winter water” when the warm up comes. Whenever that might be. We’re looking at highs in the teens and lows in the single digits or below for the whole week and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get above freezing anytime soon so you can expect the fish to finally retreat to the slower, warmer winter depths.

Stock up on pink and on firebeads and prepare to dredge the still water.

I did notice a set of tracks on the ramp at Holter Dam this morning so there are in fact some hard core types crazy enough to fish in this weather. We’re holding off at least until it hits the 20’s! If you do go please use EXTREME caution. The ramps can be slick and the wind chill can make a 10 degree day feel like 20 below.

We’re open for a spell today working on year-end stuff and the plan is to be here tomorrow but it would be a good idea to give a call before you come out as -11 tonight warming up to 6 tomorrow with -20 wind chill may very well keep us home.

While we haven’t seen many folks in the shop for a while the phones have been busy with people booking 2017 dates, some of which are filling quickly. If you are thinking about a June or July trip we would suggest you make that call sooner rather than later.

Still shopping for the fly fishers on your list? Give us a call or stop in and we’ll help you find the perfect gift. WCA Gift Cards are a great option. They can be purchased in any amount and are good for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING we sell. Save yourself a trip and just give us a call, we’re happy to send gift cards (or anything else for that matter) anywhere in the world!

Stay Warm!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-12-06T17:53:10-07:00December 6th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Weekend Update – The Calm Before the Storm

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Currently 38 degrees and relatively calm in Wolf Creek with a light snow falling….that’s all about to change.

If you’re looking to get out today and/or tomorrow would be the time as winter is about to arrive in a big way.

We’re under a winter storm watch from tomorrow morning through Monday evening with several inches of snow possible and much more in the high country and then it gets real with arctic air arriving and temps plummeting.

We’ll see daytime highs in the single digits and overnight temps below zero throughout the first part of the week before things return to more seasonable conditions at the end of the week.

I wouldn’t expect much competition out there today and tomorrow as the breezy conditions will keep many away but it should be good fishing, especially on Sunday with mostly cloudy skies, a little less wind and highs near 40.

Stop by the shop for all of the essentials….shuttles, bugs, the best free coffee in the canyon and much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-12-03T16:19:21-07:00December 3rd, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Need We Say More?

With all this talk about the coldest weather of the season arriving on Sunday night this weekend could very well be your last chance to get in on what many have considered to be the best fall fishing in several years.

Not that it won’t fish after the cold snap but the water is going to get cold and things are going to change dramatically next week.

Winter is on the way

Traffic remains extremely light so why not take advantage of these last few days of unseasonably warm weather and treat yourself to an early Christmas present….a December getaway to the MO’. We’ve got a couple of rooms left and guides available if you are interested in our INSANELY AFFORDABLE winter lodging and guide trip package. $500 for two nights lodging and a full day of guided fishing on the Missouri for one or two anglers with NO CANCELLATION FEES!

There are other specials out there but nobody can touch this deal!

Prefer to do it yourself? We’ve got a deal for you as well. $99/night (plus tax) for cozy lodging in one of our cabins or bungalows. Each room is furnished with a full kitchen and all of the cookware/dishes/silverware etc. you’ll need. If you’d prefer to dine out The Oasis is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (8AM – 8 PM) Thursday – Monday.

If you’re going to come out this weekend we suggest you load up on Tailwater sows and Rainbow Czechs and keep doing what you’ve been doing for the past six weeks. And speaking of Tailwater Sows, we were out of #14’s and perilously low on #16’s for a couple of days last week but we have no shortage of either now so no need to look elsewhere, we’ve got all the bugs you need at Wolf Creek Angler.

Once again, for effective nymphing, a #10 or #12 Tungsten Czech (we like Rainbow or Tan UV) paired with a #16 Tailwater Sow or some variation thereof fished on a medium length rig (4 – 5ish feet from indicator to bb or point fly) in medium fast , mid depth water should do the trick. Some have been fishing deeper, some have been short leashing the faster shallows….most are catching fish. That’s not to say that there haven’t been some slow days but overall when it’s on it seems you can catch fish in all zones but again, all that’s about to change as falling water temps force the fish into the slow deep winter runs.

Following next weeks arctic blast we’ll definitely be rigging up the firebeads and the pink stuff though there’s no reason to abandon the sows as they will continue to work. You’ll just need to change your approach and your presentation and start targeting that deep slow winter water. Not sure where that is? Stop in the shop and we’d be happy to point you in the right direction.

This weekend will also be a bit of a last hurrah for the streamer stripping crowd as we transition into winter swing techniques. There’s plenty of sunshine today but thankfully Saturday and Sunday look to be cloudy with snow showers….perfect streamer conditions. Try black, olive or natural and don’t forget the Hot Head Kreelex, a winter staple which has already started to produce.

We hope to see you this weekend at Wolf Creek Angler. We are your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing Headquarters with more on-site lodging than anyone, some of the fishiest guides on the river, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, vehicle shuttles, cold-weather gear from Simms, an amazing sale rack filled with ridiculous deals and of course the almost legendary largest selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. All this and just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-12-02T18:08:12-07:00December 2nd, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

December is upon us

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It’s hard to believe but we’ve actually reached the last month of another fantastic year on the Missouri. Year number three for Wolf Creek Angler. Our best yet by far but we’re not focusing on that. As always, we’re looking towards the future.

I tell my clients this all the time when they cast behind the boat…look to the future not the past. Downstream is where you need to focus to maximize your success. Take a look at what is coming your way and do what you need to do in order to make it happen. The world downstream is filled with possibilities, the world behind the boat has passed.

Sure you might pick up a fish or two behind the boat but when you focus on the past you tend to miss opportunities coming your way.

It is in business as it is in the boat. 2016 will soon be behind us and we had great success but now is the time to look downstream and see what’s coming in 2017.

New challenges, new opportunities, new improvements and the hope that 2017 will again go down as our best season yet.

So December is a great time to reflect on the successes and contemplate the challenges we had in 2016 as we look ahead and make necessary adjustments in order to best capitalize on the opportunities coming our way.

We hope you join us in closing out the year over these next weeks whether that is by taking advantage of the best lodging/guided fishing deal on the river (BY FAR!), by stopping in for shuttles and bugs on your next trip out, by allowing us to assist you with finding the perfect gift for the fly fishers on your list or simply by following our blog and Facebook page.

These next few days would be a great time to get your Missouri fix. The weather is still tolerable and the fishing is better than what you would expect. We’ve got plenty of lodging available and guides are standing by. Once again – $500 for two nights lodging and a full day on the river with one of our exceptional guides for one or two anglers with absolutely NO CANCELLATION FEES. You won’t find a better deal anywhere on the MO’ – Guaranteed!

The forecast is for highs near 40 through Sunday though it may be on the breezy side but not to worry, we’ve got a shop full of gear designed to remove being cold from the equation. Simms gloves and hats and socks galore as well as ColdWeather shirts and pants, waderwick layering, Kinetic Jackets, Guide jackets and more.

Arctic air arrives on Monday night and while we swear by the gear we carry and love the Simms #ForgetTheForecast hashtag there comes a point where no matter how many layers of GoreTex and Primaloft and Windstopper gear you have you are going to get cold. With a high of 9 expected on Tuesday I think we’ll have reached that point!

Make it a Missouri River weekend with Wolf Creek Angler!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-12-01T18:29:32-07:00December 1st, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, simms, Simms Guide Jacket, Simms Kinetic Jacket, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

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