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5/22/18 Status Quo on the MO’

With much more of May behind us than ahead of us and just a month to go until the official start of summer things have settled into a biggish water groove here on the Missouri River.

We did hit that 15K CFS mark last Saturday and it looks like we’ll hold there (give or take) for the foreseeable future. We did make the call that day that drift boat rentals will not happen at 15K or more. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused over the weekend or may cause for the weeks ahead. The safety of our customers is our number one concern when it comes to boat rentals and we’d much rather pass on the rentals than have any of our clients get into trouble out there. Not that something drastic happens on the water at 15K that isn’t happening at 14,500K but you have to draw the line somewhere.

That being said we would be more than happy to book you with one of our guides for an awesome day on the water. Our guides are out there every day and know the water better than anyone. They know where it’s safe to drop anchor and where it’s not and more importantly…they know where the fish are and they will do everything they can to put you on them.

Fishing has been good and will continue to be from here on out. It’s never a given but suffice it to say that we’ve had many more good days than bad as of late. Nymphing has been where it’s at though we have done a few streamer trips as well with moderate success most days.

The year of the Tailwater Sow continues and judging by the empty sow bug bins in all of the shops it’s time to find the next HOT bug. Stick with worms (we like firebead steelies and Fish Finders) and don’t get stuck on the one bug mentality. It may seem like #14 Tailwater Sows are the ONLY thing that’s working but there are all kinds of sow bug patterns and despite the fact we are often humbled by these fish they really aren’t THAT smart or that discerning. Show them something similar and they’ll likely eat it. Or show them something completely different and you just might be surprised.

Other good bets from the nymph bins right now include Rainbow Czechs, Tan UV Czechs, Pink Amex, Firebead Rays, Soft Hackle Sows, Purple Lightning Bugs, Pill Poppers, UV Crush, Tung Darts, weight flies, Little Green Machines, Psycho Mays, Bubbleback Emergers, Peep Shows, Split Case BWO’s, Micromays, Zebras and straight up old school Pheasant Tails.

Dry Fly action has been sporadic at best. There are bugs. There are always a few fish rising but they seem to be few and far between. Don’t count on making a day out of it.

Streamer Fishing continues to have its moments but you’ve got to know what you are looking for water wise and you have to have the right line to get down fast. The higher flows haven’t made for the best streamer fishing but as always we encourage you to keep at it. It’s totally worth your while!

Need a new streamer line or a whole streamer set up? We’d love to walk you through your options and get you set up with what works best for you.

Following an extremely busy Caddis Fest Weekend things have quieted down considerably this week. We’ve got plenty of lodging available through the weekend though we’ve been busy with bookings this morning so don’t wait too long.

What better way to spend the UNOFFICIAL start of the summer season than a fly fishing getaway to the Missouri River? The small streams opened last weekend and while I did see a few folks trying their luck on the churning muddy waters of the LPP your best bet for clean, fishable water and lots of hungry trout is without a doubt, the Missouri.

Dawn is coming earlier each day which has led to some earlier starts but there still aren’t many on the water before 8 am. We’re open daily at 7 am, earlier than most, for everything you need for your day on the water. Shuttles, ice, sun protection, rain gear, wading gear and the biggest and best bug selection ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-05-22T21:48:20-06:00May 22nd, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Book your Missouri River trip of a lifetime today.

The busy spring season is now fully upon us and while there have been some challenging days out there you can rest assured that there are plenty fish being caught. We’ve been getting a lot of calls about the river flows and where they might be headed and many are wondering, understandably so, what effect these bigger flows are going to have on the fishing.

Here’s what we know.
At the time of this writing flows below Holter continue to hold at 12,400 cfs which is where they’ve been for the last couple of days. Water temperature continues to climb and is currently just over 46 degrees.

We have received notice that flows will be increased this afternoon and again tomorrow afternoon to control the rate of fill at Canyon Ferry which is currently 70 percent full.

Snow pack for the Missouri mainstem remains at around 125% of average. There is some rain in the forecast for the next couple of days but cooler temps will go a long way in slowing the snow melt.

So what does this all mean for your Missouri River fly fishing plans?

Here are some answers to FAQ’s.

How’s the fishing? Fair to good. The majority of the fishing is happening between Holter Dam and Craig right now. Nymphing is by far your best bet. Some days its ON, some days it’s a little tougher. Some who are fishing on their own have had a tough go of it, some have had exceptional days. As you would expect guided anglers have had more success overall than those fishing on their own but guided or not, the majority of the traffic has been and will continue to be between the dam and Craig. The water between the dam and Little Prickly Pear is of course the cleanest which would explain the traffic jams happening on occasion up there. Don’t be afraid to launch at Wolf Creek though as there is plenty of good water between Wolf Creek and Craig. At these flows you can cover that stretch fairly quickly with plenty of time to go up and do the dam to Wolf Creek for the second half of your day. Don’t tell anyone about this sneaky move! Tailwater sows, Pill Poppers, Wire Worms, Caviar Scuds, Pink Amex, Rainbow Czechs, Grey Little Green Machines…pretty much the same stuff you’ve been running for the past couple of weeks. All available now at Wolf Creek Angler. Some are running short, more are running long with more weight than they want to but it’s all about adjusting to the conditions. Keep this in mind, act on it and you should do just fine.
Is there any wade fishing? Some. Not a lot. Fishing is definitely best done from a drift boat these days but there are a few guys wading out there. Should you decide to wade please use extreme caution and don’t try to wade out too far. Keep in mind while you may think you need to get out further look at what the guys in the boats are doing. More often than not they’re hugging the banks and fishing out to the same water you’d be fishing to from your wade spot. We aren’t expecting ideal wade conditions this spring. Think summer!
Is it worth coming out? Absolutely it is. If you made plans ahead of time to fish in Montana in May then the Missouri is the place to be. The clean water flowing from Holter Dam and the awesome trout population make the MO’ THE place to be no matter the flows.
What will the flows be in June? We don’t know. There are many variables, most of which have to do with the weather. Temps and amount of precipitation are key. The graph below is what the experts expect….we’ll go with that for now.

5. Do you have amazing Missouri River Fly Fishing Guides and clean and affordable lodging available for prime dates? Why yes, yes we do. It just so happens that we’ve had a few prime dates open up with some of the most sought after guides on the river. Give us a call at (406)235-4350 or drop us a line at info@wolfcreekangler.com to see what we can do for you.

It’s going to be a good, long season here in Montana and we’d love for you to be here. We understand and appreciate your concerns about the water and we encourage you to give us a call if you would like to talk about it. The bottom line at this point is that wading is not going to be optimal, at least not for the immediate future but if you don’t mind fishing from a boat we are of the opinion that you’re in for great times on the Missouri this spring. Green hills, blue skies, sunshine and hot fish…does it get any better?

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-05-09T20:59:59-06:00May 9th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|1 Comment

Keeping up the Fight

Wolf Creek Angler recently celebrated a birthday. We turned four years old on April 1st and while it feels like we’ve come a LONG way the journey has not been without setbacks. Every season has unique challenges and I enjoy taking them on but every once in a while you run into a wall and feel like giving up.

It’s on these days I just have to step back and take a breath and realize that the problems aren’t going to solve themselves so I’ll continue to do my best to not let the bastards grind me down.

Lodging

Since day one we’ve done our best to bring continuous improvement to our accommodations. We’ve done a ton of small things over the past four years and some major things as well that you’ll probably never notice.

Replacing broken, excessively worn and/or dated furniture and fixtures is a never-ending task. New blinds, new curtains, new bed frames, new dishes, new appliances, new towels, new paint, new mattresses, new art, new couches, new chairs, new paper towel holders, new sheets, new shower curtains….and on and on. These are things you probably don’t notice but you might if we didn’t stay on top of them so when folks compliment us on our rooms or write reviews on Trip Advisor or Facebook it means a lot and we very much appreciate it.

By the same token, we absolutely appreciate when guests let us know when something isn’t right and we always do our best to address the problem immediately.

We’ve also made some more substantial improvements that you will have a hard time not noticing.

From the day we opened for business we’ve been not quite embarrassed, but definitely not thrilled with our motel units (rooms 8 – 11). These rooms, while among our most popular, were dated at best and while we certainly kept them clean and in working order, three of the four have now been completely renovated into rooms we’re proud to rent and we’re confident you’re going to love what we’ve done with them.

Our double rooms (9 and 10) were the major project this winter and so far our returning guests have been thrilled with the changes and our new guests have been pleased with our accommodations. We’re always excited to have returning guests since they see the dramatic changes but if you’re staying with us for the first time then we’re hopeful our improvements go a long way in making a good first impression and hopefully in keeping you coming back .

Guide Service

Our guiding business continues to grow as we distinguish ourselves from the rest with a humble commitment to providing our customers with an unparalleled Montana Fly Fishing experience that goes well beyond the numbers. Sure we want you to catch a bunch of fish and we’ll do everything in our power to make that happen but when you sign up for a guided day of fly fishing with Wolf Creek Angler you can expect a day designed to optimize your experience and to exceed all of your expectations, whatever they may be. Whether you’re completely new to the sport or looking to sharpen and expand your skills a day on the water with WCA is money well spent.

Each one of our guides has been selected based not only on their skill as an angler but more importantly on their ability to teach and to tailor the day to meet your expectations and desires. A day on the water with WCA is all about you, not your guide.

There are a lot of big egos in the guiding profession…you won’t find them on our guide list. We steer clear of the drama and we are committed solely to providing you with the best possible experience we can give you. We can’t guarantee you’ll catch 50 fish but we can guarantee that we’ll do our very best each and every day to provide you with an excellent experience you won’t soon forget.

Some folks are all about the big ego guides and outfitters and that’s ok…there are plenty of them around. We didn’t invent fly fishing, we didn’t discover the Missouri River, we don’t measure our success solely by the number of fish we catch and we don’t spend our time proclaiming our greatness or our expertise. We are Professional Fly Fishing Guides in the great state of Montana and we consider it an honor and a privilege and a blessing to be able to guide our clients on these storied waters.

We invite you to book a trip with us today and discover the difference.

Retail

Wolf Creek Angler is Your Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination

I could go on and on but I won’t.

I’m learning new things every season about the retail business and feel like I’m getting a handle on it.

We’ve continued to expand our inventory each year and we’re always on the lookout for items you might not find in other shops in the area. The other side of that coin however is the fact that there’s a good reason we all carry a lot of the same items. That reason being these items sell.

Without a doubt the most frustrating part of this business has been trying to bring in products our customers demand and going up against the vendor/rep/retail competitor machine by which we are held in check. It’s an exhausting and frustrating battle and one which thus far has not yielded the results we have hoped for but we’ll keep on fighting and maybe someday will be allowed the privilege of being able to sell certain brands/items.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…if there are brands and/or items you don’t see in our shop it’s not because we’ve chosen not to carry them. We are very well aware of what we don’t have and it’s not for lack of trying.

Let’s leave it at that for now.

Challenges aside we’ve got a shop filled with fantastic products from some of the best brands in the industry and we remain committed to providing our customers with a great selection and competitive pricing. Our bug selection rivals that of any of our competitors and we are fully stocked on terminal tackle, tools and accessories, rods and reels, sun protection, hot and cold weather clothing for men and women, WCA logo gear, waders and boots, packs and gear bags and boat boxes, books and gifty items and much more.

Come by and check out the best fly shop you never knew was here!

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-26T20:32:08-06:00April 26th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life|0 Comments

Old School High Water. Holter Dam circa 1928 – photo Helena as She Was

The Missouri has become a VERY busy place this week with displaced anglers, guides and outfitters arriving in droves.

There has been plenty of discussion recently about how high flows will end up going this season on the MO’, but the fact is it’s about the only game in town at this point so if you had plans to fish in Montana in the near future chances are you’re going to end up here.

We’re still not comfortable making predictions so we’ll leave that up to the experts but what we do know is that we’re currently sitting at around 120 – 180% of normal Snow Water Equivalent in western Montana. There’s plenty of snow in them there hills though it sounds like we’ll begin to see a reduction in snowpack as we get our first real heat wave of the season at the end of this week. It won’t be quite so warm in the high country but down here they’re calling for 80 degrees on Friday and Saturday. Things will return to more seasonable conditions on Sunday and early next week as we return to daytime highs in the 50’s.

The current flow on the Missouri below Holter Dam is 9670 CFS. The flows have increased steadily over the past week as Canyon Ferry prepares for the imminent spike in inflows coming soon with runoff. How much water will we see? Again, we’ll leave the predictions to the experts but what we can tell you is that you have nothing to fear at these flows.

We wouldn’t necessarily recommend wade fishing at this point but you’ll be fine in a boat and there are plenty of fish being caught our there, primarily on nymphs and streamers, but we’ve heard of some successful dry fly outings as well. Look for these trends to continue as that water continues to warm.

It’s time to break out the split shot, the long leaders and the wire worms. Things have been consistently inconsistent out there due in large part to the frequent changes in flows but your best bet for the time being is definitely going to be deep nymphing.

I’d recommend starting out with something in the 7 – 8′ overall length. Go with a firebead wire worm or something on the large (#10 or #12) side with a tungsten bead (Amex/Weight Fly/Rainbow Czech) paired with a Tailwater sow, Pill Popper, Caviar Scud or something BWO ish like a Grey Little Green Machine, a dark Peep Show or a Psycho May. Add a bb or two and start probing your way through the likely runs. Which runs are the likely ones? The fish are going to be in many of the runs you’ve historically found them in but daisy chains of guide boats are a pretty good indicator of where the fish are.

Go deeper than you normally would and make sure you’re occasionally touching the floor. Start tighter to the bank than you’d normally be, fishing inside out and work your way out. Row arounds can be a challenge in these flows but not always. There are plenty of spots where the extra water actually creates easy row arounds where before there were none.

Bug selection has been a challenge with a bunch of different patterns catching fish here and there and nothing really lighting them up. You’ll want to make frequent changes until you find what works but make sure you’ve got the depth thing figured out before you start changing your bugs. Stop by the shop on your way to the water and we’ll tell you what we know whether you buy bugs from us or not. We’re always here to help you find success on the water. Whether that’s guiding you or just giving you honest information about where to go or what to use you can always count on Wolf Creek Angler for open, honest and up to date Missouri River intel.

Streamer fishing has been decent but you’ve got to choose your spots. Many of the go to banks are just too fast right now making it virtually impossible to get down where you need to be. That being said, if you know what you’re looking for there’s an abundance of great streamer water to be fished and these bigger flows often give up some monster browns seeking a soft water respite. Swing by WCA for the best streamer selection on the Missouri including a bunch of bugs you wont’ find anywhere else.

Like the streamer fishing, the dry fly fishing is somewhat limited right now for the same reason…too much water but once again, if you know where to look you could be in for some phenomenal dry fly fishing over the next couple of weeks as the water warms and the BWO’s flourish. Think quiet water…that’s where you’ll find the sippers.

Once again, if you’re planning to fish in Montana over the next month or so then you should plan on fishing the Missouri. As you might expect we are very busy with lodging and guide trips but we definitely have openings and we’d like nothing better than to get you booked and on the water. We’re full this weekend but things open up on Sunday and we do have availability next week.

Keep in mind you’ve only got a few days left to take advantage of the best deal on the Missouri. Two nights of premium lodging and a full day guide trip for just $550 (plus tax). We invite you to look for a better deal…you won’t find one.

Regular season rates resume on Tuesday, May 1st.

We hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler. We are your Full Service Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-25T17:29:16-06:00April 25th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid April on the MO

We’ve been flirting with actual spring weather a few times over these past two weeks only to be rudely thrust back into winter. This time it looks like it might be for real.

The weekend ahead could be the nicest we’ve seen in 2018 with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low 60’s on Friday and Saturday and looking ahead to next week it looks like that trend will continue.

If you’ve been itching to get out and fish but have been waiting for the weather to turn it’s GO TIME!

Most of the water around the region is on the rise and the Missouri is about to become a VERY busy place as anglers, outfitters and guides from around the state converge on our little corner of the world in search of fishable water.

The Missouri has also been bumping up over the past week and while the current flows may present some challenges for the wading angler, we’re LOVING where we’re at (7800 cfs). If you like nymphing and/or streamer fishing and you don’t mind fishing from a boat you won’t be disappointed.

Bring plenty of Wire Worms and Tailwater Sows and run a little deeper than what you’ve been doing, maybe with an extra bb or two. It’s about to turn on! How’s the streamer fishing you ask? As always, it has its moments. If you’re looking for numbers stick with the nymphing. If you’re looking for that one monster brown to crush your streamer then you should expect to spend a lot of time casting and stripping and NOT catching fish but it could happen at any time…you just never know.

A lot of folks like the idea of streamer fishing and like the possibility of hooking into a Missouri River Leviathan but lack the patience to spend hours not catching fish when they could be cleaning up bobber fishing.

I overheard a pretty typical conversation between a guide and his client the other day. The client had expressed interest in streamer fishing (likely after spending too much time in the shop at WCA immersed in streamer speak). The guide was attempting to put together a plan for the day to accommodate only to be told by the client that if there was a good streamer spot where they could anchor up and fish for ten minutes then that would be enough streamer fishing for the day.

Now I’m not saying you can’t eye up a good streamer spot and anchor and beat up the water for ten minutes and hook a good fish but it generally doesn’t work that way. It usually requires committing to it for at least a few hours. Action comes in spurts….sometimes it doesn’t come at all. It’s all part of the deal. We love fishing streamers and we love guiding streamer trips but if you’re looking for numbers you should stick to nymphing.

Waiting for Dry Fly Fishing? It’s happening daily! Widespread reports of BWO’s and midges a plenty and even the occasional Skwala getting crushed in the canyon.

Reports from the past few days have been all over the board but that’s due in part to having to re-adjust to these higher flows. We’re on the verge of being completely dialed at these flows so do yourself a favor and hire a guide for the day…you’ll be glad you did and you’ll be especially glad if you do it by the end of April and take advantage of our spring special. Get two nights of premium lodging and a full day on the water for just $550. Starting May 1st this same package will cost you over $800!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. The fishing and the weather are heating up and you’ve still got two weeks to save a bundle while fishing one of the best trout rivers in the world with some of the best guides in the west.

Lodging is filling nicely but we’ve got everything opened up now so chances are if you’re looking to head this way we should be able to accommodate.

Don’t let April pass you by.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-17T21:47:28-06:00April 17th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|0 Comments

Spring Fishing Heating Up

It’s finally starting to feel like spring this week. The weather has been trending in the right direction with some nice days in the mid to high 50’s though there’s snow in the forecast yet again for today and tomorrow and we’re actually under yet another Winter Weather Advisory through tonight and we could see up to three inches of heavy, wet snow.

Traffic has picked up with a lot of folks taking advantage of some great spring deals. It’s been so nice to have a shop full of people again. We’re bursting with new gear arriving daily and still trying to clear out some of the old. Great deals on all kinds of premium cold weather gear for everyone!

The fishing has been consistently good sub-surface with nymphing and streamer fishing heating up. We’ve seen river flows increase all week, a trend which will likely continue. As of this writing we’re sitting at 7260 CFS. and while we’re anxiously awaiting a bump in water temps to bring the BWO’s into play we’re currently holding at a chilly 38 degrees. Look for the water temp to bump up this weekend and into the first part of next week. Fingers crossed for 40+ degree water, overcast skies and BWO’s coming soon.

In the meantime the nymphing will bring the numbers. The status quo pinks and firebeads have continued to be effective though we are definitely seeing a transition to a spring diet. Tailwater Sows are in play as are Pill Poppers, Caviar Scuds, Worms, Lightning bugs of the purple and pink variety, Rainbow Czechs, Rainbow Warriors and if we do see that bump in the water temps the baetis nymphs will definitely come in to play. Think Green Machine!

This is a favorite time of year for the streamer addicts on the hunt for hungry browns and while the action has been hit or miss it’s tough to resist those soft edges and transitional zones created by the higher flows. Work those banks, keeping the strip on the slow side with plenty of pauses…they love to hit it on the pause. Whites, Greys, Olives, Blacks….lots of bugs getting noticed right now. MK Ultras, Circus Peanuts, Polar Leeches, SPARKLE MINNOWS, Baby Gongas, Kreelex, Clousers… etc. As always, fish the bugs you believe in changing patterns and colors until you find one that works.

Lodging is 100 percent open and our spring special runs through the end of the month. Shotgun Annie’s and Izaak’s are open for business and Upland Angler is a great option as well but their schedule varies so call ahead for reservations at (406)468-0080.

Don’t let the lingering winter weather get you down…plenty of nice weather ahead including what looks to be an awesome weekend. We hope to see you out here.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-12T17:31:22-06:00April 12th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The Winter that won’t let go

It’s been another wintery week on the Missouri with those April showers in the form of snow, not rain. If you look closely you can see the buds on the trees starting to take shape but for the most part it still looks and feels like winter.

The spring sun feels great when we’ve seen it and it generally makes quick work of melting the snow but we can’t seem to break away from winter precipitation and ridiculously cold temps in the forecast.

All that being said it could be worse….much worse. Spring precipitation and cold temps at night are exactly what we need to ensure a great season ahead so while we’re all anxious for sunshine, green vegetation, a steady stream of customs and warm spring days on the water we do appreciate the conditions and what they mean for the season ahead.

Looking towards next week it looks like we may just be emerging from winter’s grip, not that you haven’t heard that a time or two over the past few weeks but this time I think it might be for real.

We’ll see 50’s early next week, maybe even close to 60 on Tuesday. Unfortunately it looks like its going to blow but that’s to be expected and will come as no surprise to anyone who fishes here regularly. The better news is that overnight lows in the 30’s rather than the teens mean we may finally get the green light to open up the rest of our lodging including the newly remodeled #9 and #10.

Spring lodging and guide trip special going strong and running through the end of the month. $550 for two nights of premium lodging at WCA and a full day guide trip for one or two anglers with the best guides on the Missouri.

Don’t miss opening night at Izaak’s tomorrow night and whether or not you’re coming to stay with us you owe it to yourself to come check out the obscene deals on all kinds of great winter gear from all of your favorite brands. Amazing Deals while they last!

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-04T16:13:56-06:00April 4th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Out like a Lion

It’s hard to believe but March has all but passed us by and while we traditionally expect March to come in fiercely like a lion and go out gently like a lamb it looks like the winter lion is going to stick around for a while yet.

Rain and snow are likely tomorrow with gusty south southwest winds in the afternoon ushering in a cold front which will drop us into the teens tomorrow night. We’ll see a high of only 32 on Saturday with a chance for some snow but Sunday looks better with temps back near 50. Maybe not the ideal weekend to fish the Missouri but sooner or later we’ll get there.

We definitely saw an increase in traffic this week with spring breakers taking advantage of some decent weather and enjoying the sunshine on the windy MO’. Fishing reports have been inconsistent but overall I’d say it’s been fair for most. As you would expect those who fish here often are having pretty good luck out there while those who are here for the first time or only hit it once or twice a year have been having a tougher go of it.

Nymphing is your best bet for numbers and not much has changed on the bug front. Anything with a pink bead works more often than not and firebeads are getting it done as well. The hottest bug of the spring thus far has been Pederson’s Sow (available exclusively at Wolf Creek Angler and currently in short supply but more are on the way). Pill poppers, Lucent Bead Rays, UV Crush, Bubble Yums, Pink Radiation Baetis and Wayno’s Cotton Candy have all been catching plenty of fish. Don’t shy away from black Zebras, tailwater sows, firebead rays etc. I’m still sticking with a #12 Pink Amex for a lead fly more often than not but Tungsten Rainbow Czechs, Casne’s Pinkalicious, Pink Weight Flies and Bubble Yums work too. Some have gone to the worm and done well.

Fish are still holding in the slower, deeper runs but we are starting to see a migration to transitional water so fish the slow stuff but don’t be afraid to hit that medium fast, medium depth water as well. Some are fishing deep rigs and doing fine, we’ve been sticking with a 7′ – 8′ overall depth, sometimes with no weight, sometimes with a bb.

Streamer fishing has been hit or miss but if you stick with it throughout the day you should encounter at least a hot stretch or two. Kreelex, Craven’s Dirty Hippy, Sparkle Minnows, Lynch’s Drunk and Disorderly, Baby Gongas, Polar Leeches, Montana Minnows, Clousers and ZK’s Son of Bunny in pearl and MK Ultra in grey (both available exclusively at WCA) have all been effective. Greys, whites and olives have been good but as I say often fish what you like and what you have confidence in…it makes all the difference in the world.

Midges a plenty daily. Some days the fish are on them, some days they aren’t. Keep that dry fly rig at the ready. I’ve been running a hi-vis para adams with a Bucky’s Midge Cluster and haven’t seen any reason to switch it up but any Griffiths gnat or midge cluster ought to do the trick.

Overcast days have definitely been better overall (especially for streamer fishing) but we’re catching plenty of fish in the sun as well. Fish when you can.

Our spring lodging and guide trip special has been gaining in popularity as folks come to realize what an absolute STEAL of a Deal it is. Once again, that’s two nights of premium lodging and a full day guide trip for one or two anglers for just $550. We challenge you to find a better deal on the MO’.

We’re at about 50% open on our lodging just waiting for temps to stabilize before we open the rest but hopefully it won’t be long. Cabins and bungalows available now, motel rooms open soon.

The shop is rapidly filling up with new gear from Simms, Redington, Echo, Ross and more and we’re thrilled to announce that we are now your Exclusive Missouri River dealer for Damsel Fly Fishing, an AWESOME line of women’s fly fishing gear and apparel made right here in Montana. Check them out at www.damselflyfishing.com. We’re also excited to announce that we are now featuring Douglas Fly Rods. More on this soon but in the meantime check them out at douglasoutdoors.com We’ll let you know as soon as we have them in. We’re sure you’re going to love these rods and we’re hearing nothing but good things from the other dealers around the region.

It may not feel like it and it may not look like it just yet but spring is definitely here and we can’t wait to see you back on the Missouri.

Remember Izaak’s opens Thursday, April 5th and we can’t wait!!

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-03-29T18:44:51-06:00March 29th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Damsel Fly Fishing, Douglas Fly Rods, dry fly fishing, Echo, Fishpond, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, Pederson's Sow, Redington, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Early Spring on the Missouri River – photo by Luke Koerten

Today we celebrate the first day of spring. The weather is right on cue with blue skies, sunshine and 50’s today. We’ll see temps near 60 tomorrow and Thursday but don’t put away the cold weather gear just yet.

Those in the know are calling for below average temps and above average precipitation for the next four to six weeks so expect the unexpected and be prepared for all weather conditions if you plan to join us on the Missouri this spring.

And speaking of spring…our spring lodging and guide trip special is definitely getting noticed. It’s a deal you’re not going to want to miss out on. $550 for two nights of premium lodging in one of our cabins or bungalows and a full day guide trip with some of the best guides on the Missouri River.

There are plenty of deals being offered out there right now. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can touch this one! Prime dates are going fast, don’t miss this opportunity. Don’t need the lodging? Spring Special trip rates are just $400 for a full day for one or two anglers.

Things are still pretty quiet around here but you can definitely feel a pulse returning. A few more boats on the water, a few more folks hanging around the shop, boxes of new product showing up daily and a steady stream of phone calls and emails…the season is underway and will soon be shifting into high gear.

Two weeks from Thursday Izaak’s will be open and then it will really feel like the season has begun. In the meantime, Shotgun Annie’s has been doing a great job of keeping people fed and hydrated all winter long and they will continue to do so. They’re currently serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day but Monday. It’s been awesome having a reliable restaurant open in Wolf Creek this winter. The food is great, the service is friendly and it’s just nice to be able to sit at that bar again, even though it bears little resemblance to the Frenchman of old.

We’re busy finishing up a couple of remodeling projects in our motel units and plan to have those rooms available sometime the first week of April (weather depending). The cabins should all be open by next week so we’ll have no problem accommodating all of you who are looking to cash in on the best deal on the river.

Look for lots of shiny new items in the shop and don’t miss out on great deals on winter wear as we clear the racks to make room for spring and summer gear.

Yes, spring is here. The fishing is good and getting better every day, the weather is showing glimpses of what’s to come and we can’t wait to see all of you back on the MO’.

We are your Full Service Missouri River fly fishing destination with everything you need from lodging to guides to gear to boat rentals and much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-03-20T18:11:17-06:00March 20th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|3 Comments

Spring is on the way – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Not quite the spring weather you may have been hoping for this weekend but definitely fishable and more than likely worth your time.

We’ve been enjoying decent weather this week and a nice respite from the wind. Bright sunshine early in the week kind of killed the streamer action but these past couple days conditions have been optimal with partly cloudy skies and temps hanging in the low to mid 40’s.

The forecast is calling for a chance of rain and snow all weekend with temps in the high 30’s tomorrow and near 40 on Sunday. Once again, we’re all anxious for warm spring days and can’t wait to see some buds on the trees but that will all come soon enough. In the meantime take advantage of the overcast skies and get on the water.

It appears as though we’ll begin to see a warming trend starting on Monday which will have us back into the 50’s by late next week.

The fishing is heating up and will continue to do so from here on out. These next six weeks are one of my absolute favorite times of year to fish the MO’. The nymphing is already consistently good, there are all kinds of midges on the water providing ample dry fly opportunities most days and the streamer fishing, while hit and miss, has been solid overall and is only going to get better.

No real changes on the bugs. Think pink anything, firebead anything, zebra midges and sow bugs fished fairly deep in slow winter water as well as slightly faster transitional water. We’ve been running 7′ – 8′ overall length sans split shot but usually with at least one tungsten beaded bug. Others are adding weight (most commonly a single bb) and doing fine as well. Pink Amex, Rainbow Czechs, Pinkalicious, Firebead Rainbow Weight Fly, Rainbow Warriors, Black Zebra Midges, Tailwater Sows, Pink Lighting Bugs, Bubble Yums, Pill Poppers, UV Crush etc. We’ve even got a couple of patterns exclusive to WCA that have been absolutely crushing more often than not these last two weeks. All you need to do is stop in and ask and we’ll grant you access!

Don’t miss the big St Patrick’s Day Parade tomorrow in Wolf Creek at 3 pm. We’ve got lodging available for the weekend and will likely be opening a few more units next week to accommodate the increase in traffic.

Don’t forget to book your spring special guide trips ASAP. $550 for two nights premium lodging and a full day on the water. You won’t find a better deal ANYWHERE!

The shop is now open daily at 8:00 AM for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-03-16T20:02:23-06:00March 16th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|2 Comments

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