Sun Setting on Summer 2023

These are lonely days in the fly shop and quiet days on the river as summer continues to slip away.

We saw a small bump in river traffic over the weekend with Caddis Fest happening in Craig but for all intents and purposes, it’s a Missouri River Ghost Town.

And while it’s not great for us, it is great for you if you’re planning on coming out to fish the MO anytime soon.

What little angling traffic we’ve seen has been concentrated at the dam where a double zebra rig has been lethal more days than not. Tung Darts and Weight flies and Frenchies make a good point fly if you want to give them some variety but make sure to run at least one black zebra on those rigs…trust me.

For those more interested in hopper eats, it’s been on the slow side but it’s not due to angling pressure so keep at it. You can have seemingly MILES of river all to yourself most days which will likely be the case for the next couple of weeks as people shift gears and return to fall routines.

I prefer a single hopper, keeping things simple and tangle free but you can certainly drop a nymph or trail with an ant to boost your odds.

Donkey Kong and More or Less Hoppers in peach, tan, pink and grey have all been getting some looks and while I wouldn’t NOT fish a larger hopper (#8 or bigger) #12’s and #14’s seem to be more effective overall this year.

You might also try a chubby or Water Walker or the micro version of either to show them something different.

The canyon offers some Classic Hopper water as does the lower river but terrestrials are everywhere and can be effective anywhere and everywhere from Holter Dam to Cascade.

Some days they’re on it, some days not so much but it’s a bit like streamer fishing in that the hookups can be few and far between but when that monster brown finally smashes that hopper or simply inhales it, barely disturbing the water’s surface, it makes it all worthwhile. If you want numbers go do the double zebras at the dam. If you want the thrill of the hunt commit to the big bugs and cover some water.

And that’s not to say there isn’t classic dry fly fishing to be had if that’s your preference. Tricos are definitely dwindling but they’re around and you can find fish eating them. The same with caddis. You’ll see a few around throughout the day and more around in the evening and if you put your time in you should be able to find a fish willing to eat your well-presented dry fly offering.

A few weeks from now the traffic will start to bump as we head into the fall “second season” so this is your chance to enjoy some Missouri River solitude while also enjoying late summer weather in Montana.

We’re open daily from 7 AM – 5 PM with everything you need for your day on the water. We’ve got plenty of rooms, plenty of rental boats and a shop full of Missouri River essentials including clearance pricing on all summer sportswear. The only thing we don’t have plenty of are guides though we encourage you to give us a try if you’re thinking a guide trip is the way to go.

We’ve lost a portion of our guides, the educator class, who are back to their real jobs as school gets underway and it’s also fairly common for those who’ve been grinding for months straight to take some time to themselves during the lull, recharging for a busy fall ahead. That being said, we’re always more than happy to do anything we can to get you on the water.

Stop in for ice, bugs, sunscreen, the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES on the MO and so much more. How about a new pair of Simms G3 Waders or a Sage R8 or Igniter for the upcoming fall season? Look no further than Wolf Creek Angler, your Missouri River Fly Fishing Emporium.