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Mid September on the MO

Autumn Magic on the Missouri

Fall fishing has commenced.

Traffic has resumed.

Fish are stacked in the grass flats below Holter Dam. So too are drift boats.

Frenchies, Zebras, Sows and Zirdles are probably all you need.

Dry fly fishing is not the best right now but an ant or October Caddis could hunt.

And speaking of the hunt…Streamer Season is upon us. Weeds will frustrate your efforts but your efforts could very well pay off.
Balanced Leeches, Thin Mints and Buggers are fine but don’t be afraid to size up.

The river is fishing decent in most stretches though some days are certainly better than others. Obviously the dam is as close to a sure thing as you’re going to get but if you’re asking me where I’d go it wouldn’t be there.

I’ll always opt for fewer boats even if it means fewer fish but that’s just me.

We’re just wrapping up our busiest guide week of the fall and should have good availability from here on out. Lodging is moderately busy but we do have availability most nights.

We’re open from 7:30 AM – 5 PM Daily for all of your Missouri River Fall Fly Fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-09-19T16:09:26-06:00September 19th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Autumn in the Air

Summer has continued to hang around this week but autumn vibes are emerging, especially on these chilly Missouri River mornings.

Cooler, wet weather is on the way for the remainder of the week and into the early part of next week with a chance for showers each day, daytime highs in the 70’s and overnight lows dipping into the 40’s. The same system will deliver our first mountain snows of the season at elevations over 10,000 feet. We’ll see none of that but we’re excited to see fall weather shaping up as it should with fall technically still two weeks away. Bring it on!

Fall fishing is about to heat up as water temps cool. The Holter Dam to Craig run continues to see the most activity with double zebras getting it done in the grass flats. Your best bet for numbers for the next while will be nymphing that stretch but it’s obviously also where the traffic will be so if you’d prefer fewer boats and less competition don’t be afraid to work the middle and lower sections where you’ll likely end up with fewer fish but it’s a worthy trade for a bit more solitude on the water.

Best bets for nymphs right now would be your aforementioned Zebra Midges along with Frenchies, Little Green Machines, PT’s, October Caddis Nymphs, Sowbugs, Olive 2 Bits, Olive Psycho Mays and a host of other baetis nymphs.

Those looking for dry fly action have been hoping for better days with a lack of opportunities presenting themselves as of late. The waning tricos have all but wrapped up and terrestrials, while always a good fall option, haven’t been overly productive. Hoppers were hit and miss this season but will continue to play throughout September. Ants have historically been the preferred terrestrial but like the hoppers, just haven’t been overly productive this year. Keep at it with those terrestrials and start adding the October Caddis to your repertoire. September is the best month for the October Caddis on the MO…go figure.

If you’re into the tiny dry fly game you’re trico days are likely done for this season but you’ll be pleased to know that the oft despised Pseudocleoens have arrived. If fishing #22 dry flies makes you happy this is your time.

Personally, I could take or leave the Pseudos. Fall is STREAMER TIME as far as I’m concerned and weeds be damned; we’ll be ripping streamers from here on out. Our streamer bins have just been restocked with something for everyone. Whether buggers or balanced leeches or Sparkle Minnows or D & D’s or Wedge Heads and so much more, we’ve got you covered. Stop in and see why we’re known as THE BEST STREAMER SHOP ON THE MO hands down.

Need a new streamer line or maybe even a new rod and reel? We’ve got what you need with all the best sinking and intermediate options from SA, Rio and Airflo and rods and reels for every budget from Redington, Echo, Lamson and SAGE. Look for our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale COMING SOON!

We’re closing out a moderately busy guide week getting back into the swing of things while preparing for chaos next week with our busiest week of the fall by far. No guides available next week but if you’re looking to book that last minute trip things open up the following week through the end of the season.

Lodging is somewhat busy but we generally have at least a few vacancies nightly.

Our Autumn hours are now in effect, 7:30 AM – 5 PM daily. We hope you make us your first stop on your way to the river for shuttles, bugs and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-09-10T10:28:30-06:00September 10th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, October Caddis, running line, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Autumn Magic on the Missouri

Lonely days on the MO persist as the summer season slips away somewhat unceremoniously.

As much as we all covet summertime in Montana and summer fishing in particular, Autumn always seems to come at just the right time, ushering in our second season in conjunction with all the things that make fall so special.

Daylight has already begun to dwindle, and soon enough cooler temps will prevail. The transition from summer greens to autumn color is already well underway and it’s starting to smell like fall.

College football gets underway this weekend with the NFL season kicking off a week from yesterday. Baseball’s pennant race is taking shape and hockey and basketball aren’t far off. For those of us who take comfort in the rhythms of the various competitive sports seasons, order is about to be restored to the world.

More importantly, at least for this audience, changes are underway on the waters surrounding us as the cycles of the season trigger a transition in trout behavior from a focus on aquatic bug life and consumption of the same to a focus on spawning for brown trout and on an increase in caloric intake and a decrease in energy expenditure for rainbow populations preparing for the winter ahead.

What does this mean in terms of fall fishing? It means predatory behavior amongst the brown trout populations and a focus on larger meals for rainbows. Terrestrials and crayfish are on the menu for rainbows but they’ll still eat a #20 Zebra Midge or a sow bug and will not turn down a well-presented dry fly. The appeal is in the options!

For the streamer junkie, things are about to get real where the aforementioned predatory behavior is concerned. Streamer season is rapidly approaching and while the MO is still choked with aquatic vegetation, and will be throughout the fall, those in the know will work around that challenge with the knowledge that aggression is about to overtake the brains of pre-spawn browns and the chances of enticing a predatory strike from a mammoth brown trout don’t get any better.

That’s what’s coming. But we’re not there yet. In fact, fishing has been on the slow side with many reporting significant challenges over these past two weeks. Unsurprisingly, Holter Dam to Wolf Creek Bridge has been the productive water with Zirdles and double zebras consistently producing. Beyond the grass flats things have been challenging for more days than not.

Even so, the river has been void of anglers which isn’t a horrible trade. Slow fishing and solitude….could be much worse!

August hours are in effect through Labor Day, 7 AM – 4 PM daily. Fall hours will go into effect on Tuesday, September 2nd. We will be open from 7:30 AM – 5 PM daily.

We’ve got another two weeks of quiet time with plenty of rooms available and we’ve generally been able to come up with guides with at least a couple of day notice but once we hit the middle of September that will change. Mid-September through mid-October are going to be very busy with guide trips and lodging as well though we do have availability where lodging is concerned.

Enjoy the end of the summer season this long weekend and we’ll see you soon for fall fishing on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-08-29T10:20:01-06:00August 29th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Autumn Creeping In

The Ghost Town persists here on the MO with angling traffic all but absent as the minutes tick away on what’s left of the summer.

The hot and hazy late summer days seem better suited for splash and giggle floats than any serious angling pursuits though you could do much worse than spending the day in a drift boat seeking a random hopper take or two.

It’s nothing new, it’s just that time of year when angling pressure drops dramatically as folks opt for squeezing every last bit out of summer before getting back to the grind.

Meanwhile, our trout are enjoying a well-deserved break from the pressure and while flows remain on the low side at 3700 CFS, water temps are well in the safe zone in the 62-65 degree range. For those few who are taking advantage of the late summer lull and enjoying summer solitude on the MO the early part of the day has been best with things generally shutting down by early afternoon.

The Missouri has never been known for the hopper bite but that is what most folks are doing these days, either pairing that hopper with an ant or maybe dropping a small nymph like a Little Green Machine or Pheasant Tail but it’s fine to fish a solo hopper as well. Nothing quite like brown trout hopper eats!

Nymphers are fighting the weed mass and finding success in the shallow fast runs with Zebra Midges, Frenchies, LGM’s and crayfish patterns. The dam down has been the best bet for the bobber crowd with the grass flats coming into early fall form. You can’t go wrong with double zebras or a zebra and a zirdle.

Things are quiet on the streets of Wolf Creek and Craig. These are lonely days in the fly shop, save the occasional abbreviated morning rush. You’ll likely see more boats in our parking lot than you will on the water for the next little while, at least until the fall season gets underway in another couple of weeks.

And speaking of that…autumn is definitely creeping in. The choke cherries are ripe, leaves are starting to change color, daylight is shrinking and those evening and early morning temps certainly feel like fall. Enjoy these last weeks of summer while you still can.

Considering the current conditions we’re modifying our hours through the end of August and will be closing at 4 PM but still opening every day at 7. With the cooler mornings we’ve been pushing trip start times to 7:30-8 AM but if you’d like to start earlier we’re more than happy to do so.

We have an abundance of rooms available through the end of the month and we’d love to be your late summer Missouri River destination. Fall is booking up though we still have plenty of openings in October and early November for guide trips and lodging. Book you Missouri River fall getaway today!

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-08-21T08:35:41-06:00August 21st, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Happy Independence Day from Wolf Creek Angler

Summer continues its frenetic pace with Independence Day upon us. We are definitely in the midst of the blur with a brief respite during the Fourth as the fishing set typically leaves the river to the splash and giggle crowd for the holiday.

It could be a relatively quiet weekend on the water with the forecast calling for cooler temps and rain tomorrow afternoon into Saturday but Sunday looks like a return to summer with sunshine and temps in the 80’s headed back to 90’s by the middle of next week.

The epic PMD campaign of 2025 is coming to a close but it’s not over just yet. Tricos have been ramping up this week so if early mornings and tiny bugs are your thing then this is your time.

Evening caddis action has been hit or miss but there are ample opportunities out there for those willing to put the time in.

We’re loaded up with a bunch of new Trico and Caddis patterns and well stocked on the old stand byes as well. Hopper bins are full, meticulously curated by yours truly yesterday afternoon. It’s on the early side for actual hoppers but ants and spruce moths are coming into play. We are your terrestrial source on the MO with piles of foam and the best selection of Micro chubbies in the canyon.

Still on the bobber program? Fear not! The nymph bins have been picked over pretty good this season but we’re pretty good at staying well stocked on the necessities. Frenchies, Weight Flies, LGM’s, PT’s, mountains of sow bugs and bin after bin of Zirdles and Crays.

There’s not much we don’t have in the bins at WCA. After all, it is the largest selection of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Rental boats are spoken for through the middle of the month. Guides will be hard to come by until August and though there is a slight lull in lodging just for these couple of days around the holiday we’re back to a full house starting Sunday.

Stop in for shuttles, bugs, ice, fishing licenses, sun gear, rain gear and so much more.

We’re open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River summer fly fishing needs.

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at WCA!

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-07-03T12:01:06-06:00July 3rd, 2025|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Summer Solstice

On this, the eve of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, we’re left wondering how it’s possible that June has nearly passed us by.

Summer is being ushered in with a cold front paired with rain and mountain snow. Perhaps not the preferred forecast for those seeking summer sun but definitely the weather we need as much of the region is already grappling with drought conditions.

Soggy Summer Solstice

Enjoy your summer weather today with sunshine and highs near 90. Tomorrow brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day with a high of 73 degrees. Chance of rain is 100 percent. More of the same tomorrow night with lows in the low 40’s.

The trend continues on Saturday with rain and highs in the low 60s and more of the same on Sunday with highs struggling to hit 60 degrees.

Summer sun and heat will return early next week with temps climbing back into the 70’s and 80’s.

The weekend weather could put a damper on the phenomenal PMD fishing we’ve been experiencing these past couple of weeks but we’ll trade a day or two of dry fly fishing for any precipitation we can get.

As summer heat returns next week expect plenty of company out there. Expect a bunch of boat traffic, an army of wade anglers and no shortage of rec floaters also enjoying this amazing water we call home. It’s officially SUMMERTIME on the MO!

Did I mention phenomenal PMD action? Why yes, I did and it is. The best in years! How long will it last? It’s hard to know but there’s only one way to find out.

Visit Wolf Creek Angler on your way to the water and stock up on the latest and greatest techy PMD patterns. We like a GWS spinner or Jake’s Hatchback paired with a Film Critic, Last Chance Cripple or CDC emerger. You’d also do well to add a few Rusty Spinners into your mix.

Arm yourself with an ample supply of bugs and prepare to deliver perfect presentations (or as close to it as you can get). Fishing to a pod of sippers is NOT the ideal place to practice your casting technique or to perfect your drift, you had all winter to work on it.

Fishing a caddis allows for some level of sub-perfect drift as a skating/skittering caddis often attracts a violent take. Try a Missouri River CDC Caddis, Outrigger Caddis, Stockingfoot Caddis, Cornfed Caddis or any number of classic variations of Elk Hair offerings. And while you’re stocking up on dry flies don’t forget the Buzzballs. Summertime is Buzzball time on the MO.

Terrestrials are starting to come into play. Ants will get some looks. Hoppers on deck.

Those chasing bobbers are also faring well with Split Case PMD’s, Crackbacks and Frenchies leading the charge. PT Little Green Machines, PMD Psycho May and Magic Fly, Doc’s PMD, Stockers Two Hot PMD, Purple or Gold Weight Fly, Tung Darts all good options.

Streamers….not so much but if you can contend with the rapidly increasing volume of aquatic vegetation and you’re convinced you’re going to entice that fish of a lifetime knock yourself out.

Water levels are currently at 4380 CFS with water temps just north of 60 degrees. We’ve likely seen the peak flows come and go; it wasn’t much.

We’re open early, 7 AM daily, and we literally have EVERYTHING you need for your day on the water including sunscreen, ice, the best free coffee in the canyon and The CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO.

We’re in the midst of PRIME TIME so lodging is pretty well spoken for, guides are booked solid and rental boats are in heavy rotation and are pretty tough to come by. Disappointing for those looking for that last minute pilgrimage to the MO but it’s a good reminder to make those plans now for 2026. The vast majority of our PRIME TIME bookings are made a year in advance, just something to keep in mind.

Happy Summer Solstice! We hope to see you soon for PRIME TIME on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-06-19T13:33:45-06:00June 19th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, pmd's, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Missouri River Memorial Day Weekend

It’s hard to believe but it’s already here. The unofficial start of the summer season. Memorial Day Weekend is upon us and it’s going to feel like summertime with abundant sunshine and highs climbing into the low 70’s tomorrow and near 80 on Sunday and Monday.

More of the same for the rest of next week as we close out the month of May with a week of sunshine and 80 plus degree days and it looks like we’re finally moving on from those chilly mornings in the 30’s to overnight lows hovering around 50. Sounds like a summer forecast to me.

Memorial Day weekend has traditionally been somewhat of a quiet angling weekend with the fishing crowd leaving the river to the rec floaters but I’m not sure that will be the case this year. Our lodging is full for the holiday weekend which has not generally been the case in the past so should you venture to the MO expect plenty of every kind of traffic with rec floaters, wade anglers and float anglers all converging on the MO to commemorate the kickoff to the summer season.

Be kind. Be patient. Be considerate. And if you don’t like a crowd maybe think about staying home.

We’ve got just a couple of trips out this weekend which is the norm for most outfitters on Memorial Day so know that most of the traffic you encounter out there will not be commercial traffic.

The boat ramps will be busy with folks that maybe don’t do this every day so again, please be patient and do your best to extend some grace if things seem to be devolving into a junk show.
Fishing has been up and down this week as it tends to be this time of year but the hot take from the past couple of days has been that PMD’s have arrived weeks ahead of what we normally see here on the MO. These have not been consistent hatches and the fish, while sporadically feeding, have not really keyed in on them just yet. It could just be a random occurrence which may go quiet for the next week or two or it could be that we’re starting early. Either way, you’ll want to have those PMD boxes organized and at the ready just in case.

Coincidentally, or not, we just received many of our PMD patterns over the past couple of days so we’ll be working this weekend on shuffling the bins to move the PMD’s front and center and the BWO’s to the back burner.

Whether we see more bugs this weekend or not you would do well to get some PMD nymphs into your mix. Split Case PMD’s, Magic Flies, Psycho Mays, Redemptions, Crack Backs, Gold Lightning Bugs and PT Little Green Machines all good options. The sows aren’t going anywhere so keep them in the mix and maybe try a worm as recent bumps in the flows have triggered the worm bite.

Streamers continue to be more miss than hit and with all of that sunshine in the forecast conditions are not optimal but we are nearing the end of spring streamer season so if you’re going to do it this is the time. Soon the summer aquatic vegetation will be taking hold making stripping an exercise in futility.

Go flashy, go yellow, go copper and strip fast, still incorporating plenty of pauses. The big browns are still on the hunt, setting up in the shallows for the ambush so you’ve still got a shot at that day maker or maybe even the fish of a lifetime.

We are open early at 7 AM every day for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Tons of bugs, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO, ice, fishing licenses, sun protection and so much more. We hope you make us your Missouri River One Stop on your way to the MO this Memorial Day Weekend.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-05-23T13:10:19-06:00May 23rd, 2025|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Soggy Spring on the MO

It’s been a wet week here on the MO but that’s really had no effect on traffic. This time of year it’s go time – rain or shine. Spring bookings are a roll of the dice weather wise with April – June being our rainiest months of the year but those booking spring trips generally know what they’re in for.

It can be sunny and hot one day with temps plummeting the next accompanied by rain or snow. The fish don’t mind. The bugs do but sooner or later it all comes together.

Sunshine has been scarce this week making this morning’s break from the constant cloud cover a welcome site. Cloudy wet days are actually the preferred conditions on the water as far as fishing goes but after a few chilly rain soaked days it’s nice to see and feel the sun.

We’ll see a mixed bag this weekend with rain in the forecast for later today and on Sunday. A drier start to the week next week but still cooler with highs in the 60’s edging upwards late next week into the 70’s.

The cool, cloudy wet days have been perfect for BWO’s but not so much for Caddis. Look for BWO’s to continue to dwindle as we head into the second half of May. Caddis will pop with a little heat. March Browns will continue to tease. PMD’s are on the horizon and midges will persist.

Many are here seeking the dry fly bite and while we’ve had bugs and ample opportunities on the right days those opportunities can often seem to be somewhat elusive. Keep after it and don’t be afraid to fish blind with a caddis or Parachute Adams or Purple Haze. Pods should obviously be targeted by matching the hatch but in the absence of pods and/or bugs you could do worse than running the aforementioned Caddis or Adams tight to the bank and seeing what happens.

As always, nymphing is your go to. They’re still eating the sow but baetis nymphs like the Little Green Machine, PsychoMay and Magic Fly have been the better bugs as of late. Keep fishing those and start to work in some PMD nymphs like the Split Case, Crackback, Magic Fly or Redemption.

Flows have been jumping around a bit, currently 4920 CFS with water temps at 51 degrees. Changes in flows can sometimes have a negative effect on feeding patterns, as can changes in weather patterns. I guess what I’m trying to say is that despite what you may have read or heard elsewhere, it hasn’t exactly been lights out every day. There have certainly been some hot windows but a fair number of lulls in the action as well…and not just for the DIY anglers.

The MO may be as close to a guarantee as you can get when it comes to numbers and quality of fish but…NEWSFLASH…we do have slow days on the MO as well so keep those expectations in check and don’t let a tough day get you down. After all, no matter how many fish you catch or don’t catch you are blessed to be on these fabled waters, drifting through these magical landscapes seeking encounters with these amazing creatures. At least that’s how I see it.

We’ve been busy in the shop and on the shuttle circuit and lodging has been full for the most part more nights than not…it’s a fun time of year to be in the business! We’re open daily from 7 AM – 5 PM and we’re here for anything and everything you need for your day on the water. From The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO to the largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana to rain and wading gear from Simms and Korkers to fishing licenses to ice to sunscreen to Sage rods and Lamson reels and so much more. We hope you make us your first stop on your way to the MO.

Save Gas. Save Time. Shop at Wolf Creek Angler!

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-05-16T09:47:22-06:00May 16th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Settling In

Spring presents a grind, a minor league grind by comparison to what’s to come but a good warm up nonetheless and a chance to Settle In To Spring.

There have been a handful of genuinely busy days but as per usual, spring traffic is moderate, it just feels really busy sometimes after a winter of achieving customer counts in the single digits more days than not.

Fishing has been solid though the default conditions of sunshine and cloudless skies with varying degrees of breeziness can sometimes make for challenging days, especially for those in dry fly mode.

Not to say it isn’t happening. It is. You just need to be in the right place at the right time and the right time is typically the later part of the day when the sun is low and mid-day breezes have dissipated. Evening midge fishing has been consistently good for a couple of months now and should provide ample entertainment for those who despise the bobber but if you’re looking for BWO’s it’s far from clockwork.

In other words, take advantage of the overcast, not so nice days. Those are the BWO days. Sometimes it happens. Sometimes it doesn’t. We’ve seen a couple of good bug days with some good pods and some very respectable fish willing to eat a well-presented fly. As you’ve no doubt heard, it ain’t like it used to be but it is like it is and you can still catch a behemoth on a dry fly on any given day during spring fishing on the Missouri.

March Browns are not something you’ll typically find in abundance but they’re around and the fish LOVE them. We recommend you keep a few in reach for quick rigging should the opportunity present itself. Mother’s Day this Sunday…the Mother’s Day Caddis have been alerted and have begun to show themselves.

So back to the default weather conditions…nymphing has, and will almost always be, the go to method for those looking to bend the rod with relative frequency. Sunny days still aren’t the best but if you’re fishing deep it shouldn’t matter much. That being said, we’ve certainly had some tougher days as of late where they just didn’t seem to be eating but other days have been what you’ve come to expect on the MO, constant action with a good number of fish to hand.

It’s still a Sow Bug game as it seemingly always is, but baetis nymphs have been the better option as of late with Grey Little Green Machines, Olive Psycho Mays, BWO Redemption, BWO Magic Fly, Split Case BWO’s and plain old Pheasant Tails leading the charge.

Streamer fishing has been somewhat sub-par due I think mostly to the aforementioned weather conditions but low light periods have been good so if you’re going to do it maybe look to that extra early start or those same BWO type grey/rainy/snowy days.

Some days it feels like we’ve hit our season stride in the shop and lodging world with boats and rigs packed in the parking lot, all rooms occupied and multitudes awaiting their turn at the register for bugs and shuttles. Other days it feels like winter again with sparse occupancy and maybe just a few folks poking around the shop. Such is springtime on the MO but it only get’s busier from here so we’re thankful for the gradual start.

Our WCA team has been assembled and I honestly think it’s our best one yet. You’ll mostly see Phil and yours truly in the shop but we’ve also welcomed back Shalon who has been here on and off over the years and Bryan who joined us last year and helps part time with the shop and shuttles. We’re also excited to have Shaniah on board helping with the shop and shuttles and Carson will return in June for a second year of doing anything and everything that needs to be done. Rhonda and Gary have returned to round out the shuttle staff and Missy is back for year number 5 as Head of Housekeeping.

We hope you stop in and meet all of our awesome crew members.

We’re open earlier than most at 7 AM daily and will be extending our hours beginning on Monday, May 12th when we’ll be open from 7 AM – 5 PM Daily.

Stop in for The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO (unless you want to pay more elsewhere) and restock your bug boxes while you’re here. We’ve got more bugs than we’ve ever had and that’s saying something as we’ve always been proud co possess the biggest selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Fishing licenses, Ice, Trxstle Rod Racks, Sage R8 Classics, Ross Coors reels and SO MUCH MORE.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-05-08T16:01:58-06:00May 8th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

ARRIVAL

The spring season is in full swing as we approach April’s close and prepare for a busy month of May.

River Life has returned. Winter’s monochromatic grey has been supplanted by all hues of green as buds are bursting forth and grass is greening by the second. The landscape transforms before our eyes as the season takes hold. Some days it seems you are literally able to watch it happen.

Pelicans have arrived. Goslings are starting to appear under the careful watch of their high-strung and loud parents. Bug life is unfolding at a rapid pace and busy mornings in the fly shop have also returned as spring traffic has also arrived.

We are experiencing a true Montana spring with plenty of cold mornings and the occasional snow shower mixed in with moderate daytime temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Awesome days to be on the water watching it all unfold from the seat of a drift boat. It doesn’t get much better than this!

Nymphing remains the go-to with most traffic, most days camped in the Holter to Craig stretch though with the increased bug activity there has been a fair amount of folks opting for the canyon stretch and below.

It’s still a sow bug game but baetis nymphs like Little Green Machines and Psycho Mays and Magic Flies (among many others) are getting eaten with regularity. No need to make any radical changes to your setup just yet but start to key in on the faster, medium depth water. Leave the slow winter stuff behind, it’s time to move on.

The streamer bite has been decent during low light periods early or late and throughout the day when we get the cloud cover. Again, medium depth and shallow fast water have been productive and there have been plenty of big browns hanging in those soft spots against the bank looking for the ambush. Cast right to the bank and drag your bug off the bank into the shallows. It’s not a high percentage play but you might be surprised how many of those big browns sit in next to no water waiting for a meal to happen by. We’ve got another month of this – PRIME STREAMER TIME on the MO!

As mentioned, there are plenty of bugs around and plenty of dry fly opportunities for those looking to put in the work. You can hunt for risers or just fish blind. Midges are the mainstay but there are baetis around and on the move upstream and we’ve seen a few March Browns around as well. You could even fish a Skwala blind and maybe get an eat or two but for my money it’s hard to beat plying the waters with a #12 Purple Haze or Parachute Adams, especially when you’re seeing sporadic rises.

Published shop hours are still 8:00 – 4:00 daily but we’re generally open for business by 7:30 and here until traffic subsides.

It’s getting to be that time of year where lodging is at a premium, much of it booked last minute. We’re full for the weekend but things open up a bit on Sunday and we have at least a room or two open most nights during next week.

Guide trips are ramping up and we’re starting to get into a rhythm but we’re still a few weeks out from our busy season so we do generally have guides available with a day or two notice if a last minute trip to the MO is in the works for you.

Either way, we invite you to start your day at Wolf Creek Angler for EVERYTHING you need for your day on the water including The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-04-24T12:51:59-06:00April 24th, 2025|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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