And just like that, September is all but in the books as we draw ever closer to the end of the 2023 season.

It’s been a busy month on the MO and while we do have a couple of large groups arriving over the next week or two, things are definitely winding down.

The topics of conversation have shifted as we plot out October and early November. From April on it’s always a case of planning ahead to meet the demands of the coming busy season but that’s behind us.

Now is the time to strategize best practices for the wind down. When to close the lodging, when to start end of season clearance sales, when to go to shift to winter hours, whether or not to close for a week or two at the end of the season….these are the things we consider as September draws to a close.

Slowly but surely the shift will come and things will start to shut down. We will have lodging available at least through the middle of November though we will likely close the motel and cabins at the end of October leaving the bungalows open for November and possibly through the winter. We’ll keep you posted on that.

Per my last blog we will shift to fall shop hours on Sunday, October 1st, moving our open time to 7:30 AM daily.

It sounds like Izaaks in Craig will be closing on October 27th or thereabouts and I haven’t heard what he other restaurants are doing though I’d expect Lazy I here in Wolf Creek will be open well into the fall season.

We will likely shave a day or two off the weekly schedule come winter but we plan to offer shuttles all winter long and we’re always happy to put together late fall/early winter guide trips if the weather allows for it.

We’ve already reached the point in the season where we stop ordering things in preparation for the lean months ahead but most of the spring 2024 orders are submitted and we’ll start it all over again come March.

That being said, we’ve got a shop full of gear so don’t feel like we’re not going to have what you need. We’re loaded up on waders and boots and cold weather gear and flies and rods and reels and tools and accessories…we’ve got all the stuff we normally do, we’re just allowing those shelves to empty as we head into winter rather than restocking everything as it sells.

We’ll be offering vehicle shuttle service for as long as there’s a demand for it and we’ll likely have at least a few rooms open through the winter especially if it turns out to be on the mild side.

It looks like a rainy, cool weekend ahead with overnight lows in the mid 30’s and daytime highs in the 50’s. I’d expect the fishing to be excellent.

Next week looks like more of the same temperature wise with a mix of clouds and sun. Perfect autumn weather!

Don’t let the fall season get away from you, it’s nearly half over already. Fishing has been exceptional more days than not and we’re expecting that trend to continue right on through November.

We hope you start your trip to the Missouri with a stop at Wolf Creek Angler for everything you need for your day on the water.