Uncategorized Archives - Page 37 of 53

Small World on the MO

The one vehicle that was at the Craig takeout the other day had a Thule on top with a bunch of stickers on it so I did what I usually do in that situation which is to put a WCA sticker on the windshield of the vehicle. Kentucky plates, Orvis Endorsed Guide Stickers, brand new Black Dog Deluxe trailer…must’ve picked up a new Adipose in Helena and doing the maiden voyage on the MO.
Yesterday morning that vehicle pulled up in front of the shop which I thought was cool. Imagine my surprise when Frank Willetts emerged from the vehicle. Who is Frank Willetts you ask? Frank is a co-owner of the Pere Marquette River Lodge in Baldwin Michigan. http://www.pmlodge.com/

The PM Lodge was a significant part of my journey into the sport of fly fishing which has ultimately led me to Montana and to the birth of Wolf Creek Angler.

While I was still on the outside looking in, still bringing the spinning gear along in case the fly fishing didn’t work out (which was pretty much every time), I was given a full day PM guide trip for my birthday through the Pere Marquette Lodge. We ended up doing a late August late afternoon/night float from M-37 to Gleason’s Landing. We spent a lot of time working on casting and presentation and while the fishing was not good that day I did hook into a beast in the darkness which I never saw but I was instantly hooked on night fishing on the Pere Marquette.

Following that first trip with the lodge I would stop there occasionally to get my fly shop fix. I met Frank the winter following that first guide trip. He and his partners had just purchased the shop. Frank’s enthusiasm was contagious and I soon became a regular at the PM Lodge. The second trip I booked through the shop Frank paired us with Brad Turner who would turn out to be the one who would teach me much of what I know about fly fishing and who encouraged me all along to chase this dream. Brad and I are great friends to this day and we fish together whenever we can, sometimes in Montana, sometimes in Michigan.

The two fly shops in Baldwin MI (PM Lodge and Baldwin Bait and Tackle http://www.fishbaldwin.com/index.cfm ) were my shops when I lived in MI and while I drifted from one to the other over the years I consider them both great shops in a great fly fishing community and I visit them every time I’m back there, you should too.

I hadn’t seen Frank since 2012 when I left Michigan so to see him in my parking lot and visit with him in my fly shop was definitely a full circle moment for me.

It just goes to show you, you never know who you’ll run into on the Missouri River.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:42-06:00December 10th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Baldwin Bait and Tackle, Baldwin Michigan, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, Pere Marquette River Lodge, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Gift Ideas from Wolf Creek Angler

WCA Gift Cards make the perfect stocking stuffer.

With Christmas exactly three weeks from today it’s time to get your shopping done!

We are stocked up with great gifts for the fly fishers on your list. We will be highlighting some gift ideas here between now and Christmas so check back daily. If you see something you like come on by the shop or give us a call at (406)235-4350 and we would be happy to ship anything anywhere.
If you aren’t sure what they want we would be happy to give you some ideas or why not get them a Wolf Creek Angler gift card good for anything we sell from shuttles to bugs to guide trips and lodging and everything in-between.

We are your one-stop shop in Wolf Creek for everything Missouri River Fly Fishing.

Today we’re highlighting Fishpond Nomad Nets. These nets have been extremely popular over the last couple of seasons for wade anglers and boat anglers alike. At $125 for the hand net and $239 for the boat net they aren’t cheap but despite the price tag we sell more of these than any less expensive alternatives.

Nomad Nets are constructed with carbon fiber/fiberglass composite material. The result is a very lightweight and durable net. Nomad Nets are built for the conditions that prevail where great fishing exists; they are waterproof, UV protected, and float like a cork. All Nomad Nets come standard with a rubber bag.

The first ever Nomad Net. The basket is big enough to scoop it all, and the short handle/cord & clip combination means it’s always secure behind your back until you need it.

We’ve got plenty of these nets in stock including a limited edition “Montana Camo” mid-length net.

I can’t think of any angler who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive one of these nets for Christmas.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:42-06:00December 4th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, Fishpond Nomad Nets, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

On the Hunt 2015

Starting to get it! – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The general deer and elk season ended on Sunday the 29th. I did not fill the freezer this year however the season was a huge success nonetheless in that it was my son John’s first hunting season. He has gone hunting with me on occasion over the years and he has always had some interest in taking up the sport himself but he is by no means what you would consider a hard-core hunting enthusiast.

He aced the hunter safety course a couple of years ago but chose not to hunt. He’s never been a fan of loud noises so the thought of firing a rifle had zero appeal to him. He has always had an interest in archery however and he’s been shooting for a couple of years. We had him take the archery hunter safety course last summer so he would be ready to hunt with a bow this year.

Something clicked on that first trip out this archery season as we snuck through the woods with our bows in search of deer and elk. We didn’t see any animals that day but I was ecstatic because I could see that he got it. Not that he was begging me to take him hunting but we did make it out a few times and had a great time together. The lack of action however became an issue as he struggled with that whole patience concept.

Once firearm season arrived I figured he was done. I felt bad that we hadn’t had much action. A friend has access to some private land and he suggested that we take John out and find him something to shoot. While he was extremely reluctant I did get him to go to the range with me. It took a fair amount of coaxing and discussion but he finally did squeeze the trigger on the 270. Another obstacle overcome – I could see once again that he got it. He’s been intrigued by guns for the last few years so it was a huge step for him to overcome his fear of the noise and the recoil and to get to the point where he was asking me to take him to shoot. Once again… I was elated.

We did hunt the private land and we did see a bunch of animals. John had a shot at a nice size mule deer buck and it was a perfect scenario with the deer coming ever closer and giving him all the time in the world to settle his nerves and take the shot. He ended up just missing and later that day he passed on a shot at a nice whitetail but it was such a positive experience and we’re so thankful for having had the opportunity to hunt there.

Following this outing we returned to public lands hunting and the frustration started to set in for both of us as we hunted hard yet failed to find any animals. The success of the season was reinforced for me however as I went out a few times alone and felt there was something missing. Hunting has always been a solitary activity for me, I’ve never been much into hunting with a group but now I’ve discovered the magic of hunting as father and son. Hopefully he will stay with it!

Sunday was cold. We decided to drive to a few of our spots and check things out. Lots of people out trying to fill tags. Between the single digit temps and the crowds we ended up just going for a ride. The season came to a close and we committed to putting more time into our hunting next season. From range time to pre-season scouting to making certain we set some blocks of time aside next year where we can hunt for more than a couple of hours at a time, we hope to get things dialed in.

Having grown up hunting in the deer blinds and tree stands of the Michigan woods I am trying to learn a whole different style of hunting here in Montana and I’m thrilled to have my kid out there learning with me.

Elk hunting? I don’t know the first thing about it but I do know I would love to fill the freezer with elk meat. Maybe next year.

The last day of hunting is always filled with mixed emotions for me, especially when I have a season where I failed to harvest anything. I’m bummed out but I’m also ready to put the hunting gear away and start getting back into fishing mode. This year I was also bummed I wouldn’t be hanging out in the woods with my kid for a while. We certainly have our differences, often even when we’re out hunting, but the hunting has added a dimension to our relationship we’ve never had before and I wouldn’t trade these days afield with him for anything.

I had planned on fishing the Missouri on Tuesday but called it off Monday night seeing that the winds were going to howl. No sooner had I cancelled these plans then a friend called to see if I was interested in joining him for an elk hunt on private ranch land. Montana is conducting shoulder season elk hunts in a couple of areas of the state where elk populations are exceeding target numbers.

I shifted back into hunting mode, excited at the prospect of harvesting a cow elk. We figured the odds would be fairly good of finding animals and of getting some opportunities. I awoke at 3:30 AM and made my way to Ulm where I met up with my friends and we made the 2 hour trip to our hunting grounds.

It was a different kind of hunt as we were able to ride our ATV’s anywhere we wanted to go in search of our quarry. We covered miles of prime elk habitat. We found tracks, some fresh, some not. We found an elk highway where a herd estimated at several hundred head judging by the size of the swath of land, had passed at some point in the last day or two. We saw amazing views from atop towering vistas but there were no elk to be seen.

As we made our way to a different section of the ranch we came across a cow laying in apparent distress on the hillside. As we approached she got up and tried to move away. One of her legs was severely broken and we knew we had to dispatch her. Since I have never harvested an elk my friends asked me if I wanted her. This was not the scenario I had envisioned when picturing harvesting my first elk so I passed. We did put her out of her misery and tagged her and while I had no qualms about doing this, I was reacquainted with the weight of our sport.

Thus ends my 2015 hunting season. I didn’t get out nearly enough and I didn’t harvest any animals but I did make a major connection with my son and I did go on my first official elk hunt which just so happened to involve an amazing piece of Montana with open and unlimited access via ATV’s. Meat in the freezer is great and hopefully we will have better luck next year but I consider this season a huge success and can’t wait for the 2016 season.

In the meantime – back to fishing. Report soon to come.

Taking a break to enjoy the view from the top of the world – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00December 2nd, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Monday Morning….All is Quiet

The long Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone. The river continues to be shrouded in freezing fog but the sun is burning through and the cold will loosen its grip over the next few days as we leave behind the frosty single digits for the time being and move back into very comfortable 40’s by mid- week. It looks like the mild weather will hang around for at least the next ten days or so.

Will the break in the weather bring some traffic back to the river? We’ll likely see a slight uptick in traffic once those temps creep back into the 40’s, however things will remain fairly quiet through the end of the year. The holidays are upon us and the next month will fly by for most with plenty of things going on to keep everyone busy.

Should you get a chance to sneak away for a day and wet a line however, we would love to see you. It’s the perfect time to take advantage of our off-season lodging and guide rates. $99 rooms and $400 Missouri River winter guide trips for the rest of the year and through the winter months.

Our winter hours are Wednesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Sunday 8:00 AM – 12 Noon (ish). We will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for the winter months except when the weather is super fishy. We’re open for lodging and guide trips EVERY day and we’ll answer your calls whether we’re here or not. If you happen to come around on a day we aren’t at the shop please stop and see our friends at The Trout Shop or Headhunters in Craig or Trout Montana if you are Cascade bound and tell em’ we sent you!

Thanks to everyone who came out for our Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sales. We definitely appreciate your support and we always look forward to seeing you in the shop and on the water. Remember to pick up Wolf Creek Angler gift cards for all of the fly fishers on your list, available in any amount and good for anything we sell.

Reports from the river have been a bit hard to come by over the past few days but those who have been out have been enjoying some good days with very little competition. Think pink, think firebeads and think slow and deep winter water. We’ve got bins full of winter favorites and we’ll tell you exactly where to go and what to use when for your best shot at winter action on the MO.

We’ve also got the streamer bins fully stocked with a bunch of cool new patterns for your swinging and/or stripping fix.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 30th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Small Business Saturday

Wolf Creek and Craig don’t see much traffic this time of year. The river looks gorgeous and the fish are likely hungry but you have to be pretty hard-core to fish in single digit temps. Not that there aren’t a few of those hard-core anglers around but they are few and far between. Tomorrow is the last day of the general deer and elk season so a lot of folks are still out trying to fill those tags.

Shops like ours can be a little lonely on days like today. Black Friday and Small Business Saturday aren’t much different from any other late November day in the canyon and we would never expect people to make a trip from Helena or Great Falls to shop with us unless of course they were here anyway to fish the Missouri.

We’ve got a SALE going on this weekend just like every other shop and you could get some great deals, though nothing like what you’ll find at the Big Box Retailers. We can’t sell you flies for $1 or give you 50% off much of anything but we can give you what you expect when you choose to shop at a local fly shop rather than a big box retailer. We can give you helpful friendly service, all kinds of honest advice on where to go, when to go and what to use. We can give you our time and our undivided attention and share with you our passion which brought us here and which drives us to do everything we can to welcome you to our world and to earn your business and hopefully your loyalty. Not necessarily loyalty to our shop (though we definitely want that) but loyalty to the fishery and to the local economy. We (the shops on the Missouri) all owe everything to this river. We make our living here selling flies, selling lodging, selling fishing trips….selling dreams.

Some might say we’re exploiting the resource. I’ve heard there are actually some people out there who don’t care for outfitters and guides and fly shops if you can believe that! Those individuals are certainly entitled to their opinions.

We all bear a responsibility as stewards of the river to represent the sport and the industry well and to do everything we can to care for and conserve the resource. Whether it’s being a member of a conservation group like Trout Unlimited, the Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance or Missouri River Fly Fishers (http://patbarnestu.org/ http://www.umowa.org/ http://www.missouririverflyfishers.com/), instructing our customers, clients and guests on river etiquette and conservation or something as simple as picking up the trash we come across when we’re out there on the river we can all play a role in conserving the resource. As fly shops we are ambassadors of the sport and of the resource and we take this responsibility very seriously.

At the end of the day however it is a business and it is how we make our living. We definitely want your business and we will continue to do what we do to earn that business which is to offer you exceptional customer service and the products you want in an ego-free, no pressure environment with no intimidation and zero attitude. We’re not the shop for everyone and we’re ok with that. There are plenty of options to choose from. We are building a loyal following at a pace we are thrilled with and we’re so thankful for all of you who continue to make this possible.

Small Business Saturday is a great way to show support for local brick and mortar businesses. We hope you support us today and every day!

Enjoy your Small Business Saturday.

Go Griz!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 28th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Small Business Saturday, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Black Friday

Shoppers eagerly await the opening of the doors on Black Friday

We’re celebrating Black Friday today by drinking coffee and counting flies and waiting for fishy folks to arrive and take advantage of some amazing holiday deals at Wolf Creek Angler.

We missed the big rush today – maybe it will come tomorrow!. We’re extending Black Friday sale pricing right on through the weekend so be sure and stop in for a sale you can’t afford to miss.

Great deals on all kinds of great gear including blow out pricing on Echo and St Croix rods and select Ross and Nautilus reels. Save 25% or more on Redington wading jackets and KAST cold weather gear. Big savings store wide on everything from flies and fly lines, coolers, clothing, tools and accessories, fly boxes, waders, boots, sunglasses and much more.

One stop shopping for all of the fly fishers on your list. Not sure what to get them? We can help with suggestions. Wolf Creek Angler gift cards in any amount, good for anything we sell, make a great gift. Some people have been loading them with $50 or $100 or more and giving them away as “Shuttle Cards” – a great idea for those that float the MO a lot.

Can’t make it out to Wolf Creek this weekend? Give us a call, we’re happy to ship anything anywhere!

We’re here all weekend, doors open at 8 AM. Stop and shop or just drop in for a visit. The coffee is on us.

We’re proud to be your Missouri River Fly Fishing headquarters.

Sunny with a high in the mid 30’s and calm winds tomorrow and Sunday – could be really good fishing. We’ll let you know.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 27th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving from WCA

It’s a beautiful and frosty Thanksgiving Day in Wolf Creek Montana.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler. We are so thankful for being able to live and work in this amazing place doing what we love and it’s all because of you. Thank you so much to everyone who shops with us, stays with us and fishes with us.

We are truly blessed beyond measure!

Enjoy the day with family and friends and food and whatever traditions make this day what it is for you.

We’ll be back in the shop tomorrow – we hope to see you there.

Go Lions!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 26th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Thanksgiving Eve

Sunshine, calm winds and blue skies in Wolf Creek today with a fresh blanket of snow covering everything. A perfect day to fish the Missouri aside from the fact it’s 14 degrees out there and isn’t going to get any warmer!

We spent a little time this morning pushing/shoveling snow and preparing for tonight’s guests and took a ride out to the river to see if there was anyone crazy enough to be out there fishing today. Didn’t see anybody fishing but took a bunch of pictures – nothing like a sunny morning after a snow storm.

We’ll count a few flies before lunch and get ready for Black Friday before we head out this afternoon. The shop will be closed tomorrow for Thanksgiving. If you happen to be coming out to fish the Missouri tomorrow and need bugs or shuttles or anything else please go see our friends at Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig. They will be open til’ noon or thereabouts. Tell em’ we sent you.

We’ll be back here bright and early on Friday morning. It looks like it could be a nice weekend depending on which weather forecast you go by. We like Weather Underground and they’re calling for sunny skies and low to mid 30’s with calm winds all weekend. NOAA shows a similar scenario though with a bit colder temps. Either way, we expect there will be a few folks around if for no other reason than to take advantage of great Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sale prices on all kinds of gear at Wolf Creek Angler.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at WCA.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 25th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Thanksgiving Week on the MO

Winter Storm Warning in Wolf Creek today and tomorrow. Stay Safe!

Getting things done in the shop this week. We don’t much like the quiet days but they are to be expected and it does give us a chance to get all of our end of season chores completed. Counting flies, completing reports, cleaning, budgeting, reflecting, cleaning some more, finishing pre-season orders, booking rooms and trips for next season, daydreaming, catching up on fishing blogs….on and on it goes. Never a dull moment. And every once in a while someone actually does stop in.

A quiet time to be sure but we are under a winter storm warning and people are getting ready for Thanksgiving so we don’t really expect to see many folks in the shop today or tomorrow.
That being said our lodging is full for Wednesday and Thursday. Who knew Wolf Creek would become such a holiday destination? We’ll take it!

Snow is falling and the wind is starting to howl. Traffic should be nearly non-existent on the water for the next couple of days though the storm will be past and we will be back in the 30’s for the weekend so we’ll be expecting you. Stop in for great deals on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. We are so thankful for all of our customers who have made Wolf Creek Angler a success and we couldn’t be happier with the way the 2015 season went. We’re working hard to bring more of what you want into the shop and we’re super excited about some things we’re working on for 2016. We trust you will share in our excitement. More on this later.

We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday and we hope to see you in the shop weather permitting. Why not take some time and make your plans for fishing the Missouri in 2016. Book your lodging and guide trips now to lock in 2015 rates. June and July lodging vacancies are rapidly disappearing and prime guide dates are filling quickly so don’t wait – give us a call today and book your Missouri River dream vacation with Wolf Creek Angler.

Can’t wait until spring? Keep your eye on the weather and book yourself a Missouri River winter getaway. Rooms for $99 and $400 guide trips. Winter fishing on the Missouri can be downright spectacular on any given day and you’ve got nothing to lose. If the weather turns, even on the morning of your scheduled trip, or if you simply change your mind about winter fishing, no worries, there are no cancellation fees. It’s winter in Montana….we get it!

Our winter hours will go into effect this Sunday, November 29th. Open Wednesday-Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (or later) and Sunday 8:00 AM – noon (or later). We’re a little loose with the shop schedule in the winter but suffice it to say that if the weather is really fishy you can expect to find us here whatever the day and if it’s 20 degrees or colder and/or blizzard conditions we likely won’t be open. If the weather is questionable please call ahead. And remember we’re open EVERY DAY for lodging and guide trips.

See you in the shop and maybe even on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 24th, 2015|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Saturday Scenery

A little brisk out there today with temps in the 30’s and a pesky southwest wind making it feel like 20’s but a few folks rolling through this morning and stocking up on sow bugs and the like on their way to the river.

We recommend you get out there today and tomorrow as we’re about to descend into the first real cold snap of the season come mid-week.

The shop will be open every day but Thanksgiving this week though we may be abbreviating our hours a bit once the cold arrives.

Winter hours will go into effect in December. We will let you know our winter schedule by the middle of next week.

Enjoy autumn’s last breath on the Missouri this weekend. The water temps are dropping fast and we should be settling into winter fishing techniques/locations very soon.

Give us a call or stop by the shop for up-to-the minute reports on fishing and weather conditions and keep us in mind as you start to think about getting your holiday shopping done. We’re loaded up with all kinds of gear the fly anglers on your list would absolutely love to receive. Not sure what to get them? We can help. Our expert staff can give you recommendations or we can sell you a gift card and you can let your fly fisher decide for themselves what they want.

Great end-of-season deals on Echo and St Croix rods and select Nautilus and Ross reels.

See you in the shop and on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 21st, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments