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Second Season on the Missouri

We are smack dab in the middle of prime fall fishing on the Missouri, our “second season” if you will.

Traffic has been moderate to heavy these past two weeks and while it may not be quite as busy as June and July, these last weeks of the season are a much needed and much appreciated shot in the arm before a long, quiet winter.

The last couple of years we saw our fall busy season extend into mid November. We’re hopeful for that this season but we’ll see what the weather brings. We’ve already experienced a couple of stretches of winter-like weather and we’re less than two weeks into October.

Old man winter could arrive early and bring our season to a close or we could see a late Indian summer which would keep folks fishing until Thanksgiving or even later. Whatever the case may be, we’ll be here at your service, doing everything we can to make your trip to the Missouri a success.

The fishing has been outstanding more days than not with something for everyone. BWO’s have arrived, nymphing has been hot and the fish seem willing to chase the streamer depending on the day.

Chilly evenings, frosty mornings, beautiful blue skies, the yellows and golds of fall soaked in warm sunlight and bursting out of the drab landscapes and hot, hungry fish eager to eat and quick to put on an aerobatic display as they peel the line off of your reel. Autumn is a magical time on the Missouri!

No need for early starts right now. We’re getting out there at the crack of 10 and soaking up the heat of the rising sun. Plenty of boats on the water but plenty of people sticking to the wade game as well. Lodging is jam packed this week but starts to open up next week. Guide trips are starting to taper off which means increased access to some of the best guides on the Missouri. If a guided day of fly fishing on the MO’ sounds like a great day to spend an autumn day now is the time. Before you know it the snow will be flying and the river will be deserted save the waterfowl hunters and the hardest of the hard core anglers.

In some respects the transition to winter has already begun. Shotgun Annie’s is open for business but rather than becoming the much anticipated additional option we were hoping for they’ve become the only option for dining in Wolf Creek as it appears as though The Oasis Café (not the bar) has closed for the season.

Give us a call for up to the minute river reports and conditions and don’t forget to swing by for bugs, Simms cold weather gear, shuttles, drift boat rentals and anything else you need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:02:48-07:00October 10th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|2 Comments

Welcome to October on the MO’. It’s gonna be a good one!

Three days in and October is giving us just what we want and just what we need for a spectacular fall season on the Missouri.

Rain, snow and a north wind made for challenging weather conditions out there yesterday as we caught the edge of the second winter storm of the young season but judging by the reports, those who braved the elements were rewarded with great fishing and we’re just getting started!

Several inches of snow accumulated here yesterday and it sounds like we may see a bit more this morning before things return to more seasonal conditions tomorrow. We’ll see lows in the 20’s tonight but back near 50 tomorrow and in the 60’s by Friday. Sunshine returns tomorrow so today may be the better day to fish but use caution if you decide to come out. The roads are fine by January standards but on the sketchy side by early October standards as drivers re-acclimate to slushy, slippery road conditions.

Thursday looks awesome with a chance of rain and snow showers and highs near 50 and then it looks like a good mix of fall weather. Expect sunshine, expect clouds, expect rain and wind and snow, expect 70 degrees, expect 20 degrees and everything in between. It’s autumn on the MO’ and we’re loving it!

Dry fly fans are continuing to get their pseudo fix but there are whispers of big bug action happening NOW. These rumors have yet to be confirmed…today might just be the day. With any luck it’s time to ditch those #20’s and #22’s and make the switch. Stop by the shop and restock your BWO boxes to get ahead of the game. We like the Brooks Sprout Baetis, Wilcox Micromay BWO, Para Adams (Dark Olive or otherwise), No Hackle BWO’s, Black Fan Wing Baetis (great for low light conditions), BWO Flash Cripples, CDC Baetis Emergers, Nyman’s DOA Cripple and Quigley’s BWO Film Critic just to name a few.

Nymphing is as it should be and will continue to be your go-to if you’re into the numbers game. A lot of different bugs catching fish right now including Missouri River fall staples like Little Green Machines, Tailwater Sows, Pscycho Mays, Peep Shows, Lightning Bugs, Ray Charles, Rainbow Warriors, Zebra Midges, Rainbow Czechs, Military Mays and S & M’s. Pill Poppers, Soft Hackle Sows and Cotton Candy sows are coming on and it won’t be long before the firebeads come into serious play. Wire Worms and Zirdles are still on the menu as well. It’s a virtual smorgasbord out there right now so get creative and show them something they haven’t seen.

We talk a lot about fall dry fly fishing on the Missouri and with good reason but perhaps the best kept secret on the MO’ is fall streamer fishing which has turned on over these past few days and will continue to thrill from here on out, given the right day and the right conditions. The conventional wisdom holds true with the darker days yielding more consistent action but don’t overlook the sunny days. The fish are bulking up for the months ahead and have a hard time passing up a big meal so if you commit odds are you’ll move some fish regardless of the weather but then again you may not…it’s all part of the streamer game.

Judging by the multitude of empty or nearly empty spots in our streamer bin the word is out. Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Streamer Headquarters and we rarely shy away from commitment to the game no matter the water or the time of year. We’ve got some much sought after patterns you won’t find in any other shop thanks to Chewy who you’ll likely find at the vise for the rest of the season, doing his best to keep up with the ever increasing demand. Sparkle Minnows, Circus Peanuts, Dirty Hippies, ZK’s Inflated Ego, MK Ultra, Colonel Kurtz, Polar leeches, JJ’s, Mini Dungeons, Stun Guns and many more. Whites/Greys, blacks, olives, naturals all getting noticed.

Come check out our abundantly adequate fall bug selection as well as new cold weather gear from Simms and great deals to be had during our fall rod sale.

Lodging is pretty well booked up through the middle of the month but we do get the occasional cancellation and we do have some random openings so give us a shout if you want to come out and get in on what could be the best fall we’ve had in years. Guides available anytime for the Missouri and Blackfoot and change underway on the dining scene with the confirmed opening day for Shotgun Annie’s being this Friday, October 6th! We can’t wait! It’s going to be an awesome second season on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:04:07-07:00October 3rd, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Shotgun Annies Eatery and Tavern, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Late September on the Missouri

Rod enjoying the fall colors on the MO!

It’s hard to believe but we’re just a few days out from October. Where has this month gone?

The hot dry weather of early September gave way to rain and snow and below average temps these past two weeks ushering in what has honestly been some of the best fishing we’ve seen all year.

Fire season is now all but over and we’re enjoying the crisp fall air and fall fishing at its finest.

If you haven’t fished the Missouri lately you are missing out.

Nymphing has been on fire and dry fly fishing has been inconsistent but outstanding if you hit it right. That sun feels great on these cold fall mornings but is definitely a hindrance to the dry fly action.

Black Zebras and Tailwater sows are still at the top of the nymph list but we’ve also been picking them up on a bunch of mayfly stuff like Little Green Machines, Split Case BWO’s, Psycho Mays and Peep Shows as well as Pill Poppers, Rays and Rainbow Warriors. Try a Rainbow Czech, Tungsten Tailwater Sow, Fishfinder Worm, Wire Worm or Crayfish as a point fly. Firebeads would not be a bad call at this point either though I have yet to go there.

The dry fly hatch matcher continues to be the tiny pseudo but an olive Para Adams with a CDC caddis emerger will get eaten at some point and a dry/dropper rig with a chubby or October Caddis trailed with an LGM or something similar could offer a welcome alternative to bobber lobbing.

The streamer action is heating up but you should expect a challenge with the weeds and if you throw streamers year round like we do you’ll find that it’s time to share the water again. I was surprised yesterday to see multiple boats downstream and upstream of me, doing the same thing. The upstream I don’t mind, the downstream can make for a slow day. It may be time to think about earlier starts and/or different stretches but not to worry. With 30 some miles of river there’s plenty of water to fish.

We’re moving fish on white and have also done well with olives and naturals in low light conditions. Best bets for brighter days have been JJ or Sculpin Sparkle Minnows, Rainbow Dirty Hippies and Mini Dungeons in natural.

We’re loaded up on bugs and have plenty of Simms cold weather gear to help you contend with that morning and evening chill. Daytime temps are climbing back towards the low 70’s this week but overnight lows in the high 30’s and low 40’s require layering. We’ve been starting our trips a little later to ward off the chill but if you want that prime streamer bank you might want to get an early start.

Either way, we’re here for you. The shop is open daily at 7 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Call today for current river conditions, drift boat rentals, up to the minute fishing reports or to book lodging and/or guides for your fall fly fishing adventure on the Missouri or Blackfoot.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:07:19-07:00September 26th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, streamers, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter on the way?

The weather we’ve been waiting for

I’m not sure we’ll actually see snow or not but we are currently under a winter weather advisory from tomorrow night though Saturday morning for elevations above 6000 feet. Let’s hope we see an abundance of snow to help get these fires under control. Snow or not, we will see plenty of rain starting tomorrow and running through Saturday and low temps dipping into the freezing range Friday and Saturday night.

That’s good for fires and good for fishing and is exactly what we need right now so welcome back rain, snow and cold. We’ve missed you.

Cold weather gear will be back in play for the next couple of days. We’ve got you covered with layering, outerwear and hats and gloves from Simms, KAST and Redington.

We’ll see mid 50’s tomorrow but that soaking rain and north wind can chill you to the bone so dress for it. Rain and snow on Friday and Saturday with highs in the 40’s will give way to sunshine and highs back near 70 on Sunday. Embrace it and enjoy it. With any luck we’ve seen the last of 90 degree days for a while. Let’s hope it’s the beginning of the end of fire season in Montana.

We do have limited lodging and plenty of guides available this weekend should you decide you want to fish the first wintery mix of the fall.

While you’re here don’t miss our Fall Rod Sale….30-50% off some great rods from LOOP, St Croix, Redington and Echo and plenty of warm weather gear on clearance as well.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:10:16-07:00September 13th, 2017|Categories: Local Buzz, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Cooler Weather Ahead

It seems the weather forecasts are wrong more often than not but it looks like cooler weather is on the way, which is exactly what we need right now. It’s a week out so who knows but at this point they are calling for temps in the 60’s and a chance of rain next Thursday and Friday. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

This much hoped for fall weather will coincide nicely with the start of the “second season” with an influx of anglers bringing life back to the quiet Missouri. They are starting to trickle in already but judging by our lodging and trip bookings next week marks the real start of the fall fishing season.

If you happen to be in the area this weekend don’t miss 710 Ashbury Saturday night at 6 PM at Izaak’s Log Stage. From what it sounds like what started out as simply a fall bash has now turned into a full on fundraising event for the local firefighters assisting with the fight with the numerous wild land fires in the area. Resources are rapidly being depleted so come out and enjoy the band and do what you can to help with the war effort.

We’ve got a couple of rooms left for the weekend and things open up the first part of next week before we start to fill up again late next week. Guide trips are revving up again starting this weekend but we’ve got plenty of availability so if a fall guide trip is on your agenda give us a call and book your trip today.

Don’t forget we’ve got our Fall Rod Sale happening all month long with 30 to 50 percent off and also have some great deals on what’s left of the summer gear. We are open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Lodging, guides, shuttles, rental boats, Simms sportswear, outerwear and accessories and a fly selection rivaling that of any shop in the area. We are the COMPLETE PACKAGE….your one stop Missouri River fly shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-09-21T18:53:08-06:00September 8th, 2017|Categories: Local Buzz, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Post Labor Day Report

Autumn is starting to take hold on the Little Prickly Pear

Labor Day Weekend is now behind us and while the calendar still shows a couple weeks of summer remaining, I’ll take this opportunity on a chilly 40 degree morning to proclaim that autumn is unofficially underway. A huge thank you to everyone that came out for our Labor Day Sale. And to whoever made off with a pair of Smith Guide’s Choice Howler Brothers edition sunglasses ….watch out for that Karma.

Archery season is upon us, school is in session, college football is underway, the 2017 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, hockey is less than a month away and with any luck that chill in the air will soon become the prevailing weather pattern.

A Word About the Fires…

Fires are raging around the state and we are fingers crossed, praying for rain and cooler temps to arrive. We are in the midst of Montana’s worst fire season in years with no real end in sight. Please keep those being directly affected by the fires as well as all of those on the front lines battling those fires in your prayers.

All that being said, I’m looking out the window at blue skies this morning. The fires are devastating but not every part of the state is choked with smoke. We get quite a few calls daily from people inquiring about the smoke and to be honest there have only been a couple of days that the smoke has been heavy enough to warrant not coming out to fish the Missouri.

There are plenty of places where the air quality is very poor and the smoke will come and go with shifting winds so clear skies today doesn’t really mean much as far as tomorrow is concerned.

For those with fall trips scheduled just know that while the fires are a serious and unprecedented threat they haven’t really had an effect on our fishing thus far. We don’t want to dwell on the issue but that being said you can rest assured we will always give you an honest report of current and forecasted conditions as far as air quality and fire danger are concerned.

Fishing Report

Fishing remains steady and somewhat status quo. We’re running the majority of our trips starting at Holter Dam right now due to the relative absence of vegetation but we’re having pretty good days out there regardless of the section. Good nymphing at the dam and beyond, still on zebra midges, crayfish, Zirdles, Rainbow Czechs and sowbugs. Terrestrials are a go and streamer fishing is heating up though the weeds will continue to be a challenge, albeit a diminishing one, right on through the fall season.

We’ve got plenty of bugs left in the bins even after our big Labor Day Weekend Sale so make us your first stop on the way to the river for up to the minute updates and info, the biggest and best bug selection in Wolf Creek, Adipose and RO Drift Boat rentals, the best guides on the river, shuttles, Simms sportswear and accessories, clean and affordable lodging and everything else you might need for your day on the water.

We are your Outfitter Owned and Operated Missouri River fly shop of choice and we work hard every day to make sure every aspect of your trip exceeds your expectations. Just to clarify what I mean by outfitter operated…on any given day I’ll likely answer your phone call or email and book your room and sell you your flies and guide you on the MO and sometimes even clean your room or run your shuttle, especially late or early in the season. We run lean with a laser focus on customer service and while we do employ shop help during the summer months it’s Zach and I for the most part behind the counter from here on out.

Stop in and see us and find out what the buzz is all about. We are the best fly shop you never even knew was here!

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:14:54-07:00September 5th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Peter

I met Peter the first year I was out here when I was working for Montana River Outfitters and I liked him from day one.

Peter and his friend John were a major component of a group which takes over the majority of our lodging every summer at Wolf Creek Angler. If you’ve ever fished anywhere near the second trestle below Wolf Creek Bridge during mid June to early July you’ve likely met both of them.

From their friend Matt who’s been joining them on the Missouri since 1994;

Peter loved to fish the 2nd RR trestle below the Wolf Creek bridge. He would literally stay there for hours on end. John told me a couple of times Peter stayed there all day. He would put in at Wolf Creek, row down to the 2nd trestle, fish all day then row out to California Island at dark to take out.

John and Peter have been coming to fish Montana since 1988, originally to the Big Horn then splitting time between the Horn and the MO’ and finally settling exclusively on the Missouri.

Al, John and Peter on the porch at WCA photo by Matt Hanist

Usually between mid June and early to mid July we play host to an awesome group of anglers from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. They fish hard and they spend evenings on the porch talking about it…..LOUDLY!

I’ve come to consider all of these folks good friends and when I talk about how my favorite part of my job is getting to see the same guests and clients year after year, Peter and the rest of these guys are a major part of what I’m talking about.

Peter passed away last week. He will be missed on the MO’ and on his beloved Delaware.

I’ll miss having him around here at WCA. I’ll miss the ball busting and the laughter and I’ll also miss having him around to man the grill at our annual fourth of July cookout. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.

Rest in peace my friend.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:16:58-07:00September 2nd, 2017|Categories: Uncategorized, Wolf Creek Chatter|1 Comment

Labor Day Sale at Wolf Creek Angler

Don’t miss our Labor Day Sale happening all weekend long at Wolf Creek Angler. Great deals to be had on flies and much more starting tomorrow and running through Monday.

THE BEST FLY DEALS OF THE SEASON

30% off all flies. Nymphs, dries, streamers, foam…..they’re all 30 percent off. Fill your boxes this weekend at Wolf Creek Angler.

FALL ROD SALE

We’re kicking off our annual fall rod sale tomorrow with great deals on rods from Loop, Echo and Redington. Clearance pricing on St Croix High Stick Drifters…..half off until they’re gone!

Pair your new rod with a Ross, Nautilus, Loop, Redington or Echo reel and we’ll give you special combo pricing. You’re obviously going to need a new line to go with your new rod and reel, we’ll give you 30 percent off of that as well!

SUMMER SOFT GOODS

We’ve got to move them out to make room for fall gear. Shorts, pants, shirts, select rain gear….all 30 percent off.

WADERS AND BOOTS

30% OFF all waders and wading boots.

Brave the smoke and take a trip to Wolf Creek this weekend. We’ve got limited lodging available if you want to make a weekend of it. We’ve also got RO and Adipose Drift Boats available for rent should you want to float the river. We are your Missouri River Labor Day Destination.

Tons of Bugs at Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:18:18-07:00September 1st, 2017|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Echo, Labor Day Sale, Missouri River, Redington, RO Drift Boats, running line, St Croix, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

LAST CHANCE

There are just a few days left to purchase tickets to win this Adipose Flow Drift Boat from Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited.

Tickets are $100 each and only 200 will be sold so don’t miss this opportunity to support a great cause and in the process maybe win yourself a fancy new drift boat….just in time for fall fishing on the MO’.

Second Prize is one night of lodging and a day of guided fishing for two from Pro Outfitters and Third prize is a Sage X 9′ 5 weight with Nautilus X Reel.

The drawing will take place on Saturday, September 2nd.

There are a limited number of tickets still available at Wolf Creek Angler in Wolf Creek; Headhunters Fly Shop, The Trout Shop and Crosscurrents Fly Shop in Craig and Helena and Montana Fly Goods in Helena. Tickets may also be purchased by contacting Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited directly via Facebook.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:22:21-07:00August 29th, 2017|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Late August on the Missouri

Fall Fishing on the Missouri – photo by Stephan McLeod

It’s the last gasp of summer this week on the MO’.

Most are shifting their sights to autumn though technically we’ve still got almost a month of summer to go.

It definitely still feels like summer with abundant sunshine and highs in the 80’s and 90’s but those cool evenings and mornings are a sign of things to come and we can’t wait!

The fishing remains fairly status quo with plenty of action in the mornings, particularly nymphing at the dam. Afternoons have been slow river-wide and the evenings haven’t produced much though waking rodents in the dark has had it’s moments.

It’s probably best to get an early start and take the afternoon off. Tossing terrestrials through the mid-day isn’t a bad call but don’t expect fast and furious action. Cover a lot of water and hit the banks and the riffles and you just might land yourself a late summer beast cruising the shallows in search of a meaty morsel.

Traffic remains light to almost non-existent on some days so if solitude is your thing this is your time. Weeds are abundant, especially down low and can definitely add to the challenge and it’s been on the smoky side but if you can deal with these issues you can have it virtually to yourself.

Things are quiet around the shop for the most part though we have had a couple of large groups out this past week which has broken up the late summer monotony.

Book your last minute late summer Missouri River getaway this week and take advantage of the last days of our Dog Days of Summer Special. Book a full day guide trip and a night’s stay and get a second night of lodging on us. The offer ends Thursday (8/31) but we’ll extend it through the weekend for those interested in a Labor Day Weekend trip to the MO’. And speaking of booking trips….fall is booking up quickly so don’t wait any longer to book those fall lodging and guided trip dates. It’s also never too early to book for next season. Book now for next year and we’ll hold current pricing which will be increasing for 2018.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-09-21T18:51:55-06:00August 28th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|0 Comments

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