You searched for lodging - Page 4 of 56

Indian Summer Coming to a Close

Unseasonably warm weather this week on the MO with plenty of sunshine and highs pushing 80 on Thursday and Friday before we start to trend towards normal for the weekend. Weekend highs will still be on the summery side in the mid to high 60’s. Enjoy it while it lasts.

One week from today we’ll be looking at a high of 40 with a rain/snow mix and by mid-week we’ll be topping out in the mid to high 30’s with overnight lows in the 20’s and snow in the forecast.

BWO weather to be sure to close out the month of October and it could be EPIC!

Get out and enjoy what could be the last gasp of warm autumn weather this week but make time to inventory and organize the real fall fishing gear. Hats/gloves/socks/layering pieces/waders/wading jackets…it’s cold-weather gear time. It might just be the right time to think about a new pair of Simms waders and/or boots for the weeks ahead. We’re fully stocked with G3’s, Freestone and Freestone Z’s as well as a full line of boot options from both Simms and Korkers.

We’ve also got you covered with piles of gloves and hats and flannels and of course all the best Missouri River BWO dry fly and nymph patterns.

Did somebody say streamers? Those cold, dark cloudy days have BWO’s written all over them but these are also the conditions the streamer set dreams of all year round.

Either way, we’ve got you covered, no matter where your heart leads you.

We’re closing out our last busy week of guiding for the season and lodging is fairly booked up from here on out with a busy couple of days ahead. We’ve got a few rooms open for the weekend and the first part of next week before the final push with a full house from next Wednesday through the weekend, after which we will be closing up a good portion of our lodging for the winter.

Shop staff is on through the end of the month so starting the first week of November it will be a staff of one. Per usual we will be open through the winter months though we will likely reduce it to 4-5 days/week and like we did last season we may close the shop for a week or so in early November weather dependent. All this to say…we’ll keep you posted!

In the meantime, get out there and enjoy these last two weeks of what has been an awesome October, capping off another phenomenal fall season on the Missouri.

Shop hours through the end of October are Monday – Saturday 7:30 AM – 5 PM and 7:30 – 4:00 PM on Sundays.

Guide trips are still available but many are wrapping up their guide seasons this week and starting to disappear. That being said, we do offer trips year round, weather permitting so while options are going to be somewhat limited for a few weeks we can usually find someone given enough notice and things get markedly easier once hunting season is over.

Book now for late fall/early winter trips and while you’re at it make sure you have your dates on the books for 2024. Much of prime (June/July) has filled and we’ve recently been filling up our September 2024 calendar to the point where we’re nearing capacity for at least one full week of the month.

We hope to see you soon at WCA, your one stop shop for everything you need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-10-17T14:35:06-06:00October 17th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: bwo, dry fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall on the Fly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-09-28T14:47:03-06:00September 28th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Autumn Magic on the Missouri

A week ago you could barely detect a pulse here on the Missouri but the life force has returned this week as we approach mid-September. I think it’s safe to say that our fall fishing season is in full swing with a major influx of angling traffic underway.

Holter Dam to Craig still holds the majority of the traffic, so much so that you may even find yourself having to endure some short waits at the boat ramp depending on your start time. Cool temps in the morning have most folks opting for later starts which is making for busy boat ramps in the 9 -10 AM window. You can avoid the crowds by layering up and getting an early start, doing the late shift, or choosing a lower stretch of river.

The fall fishing season is a relatively short one and is very much weather dependent as we move towards October. Our lodging and guide books are full for September but at this point there’s not much going on in October. It could be that a month from now we’re still cranking or it could be that the traffic has again disappeared leaving an abundance of empty water to those who love the late fall season regardless of the weather. That’s when the swing season gets underway and we usually see the major fall BWO activity (if any) happen in October and early November.

The water is in good shape, currently flowing at 4840 CFS with water temps hanging in the 63 – 64 degree range. Cool nights are keeping those water temps in check but the continued warm weather during the daytime has thus far prevented a substantial cool down. It looks like a cooling trend will settle in mid-week next week.

While definitely coming to a close, we’re still seeing Tricos more days than not and if Pseudos are your thing this is your time. Ant and hopper fishing has continued to produce and while we haven’t heard many reports of actual bugs, October Caddis fished blind are getting eaten on occasion.

The Zebra Midge and Tailwater Sow game remains strong, especially in the Holter to Wolf Creek run but it’s time to start working the bwo nymphs into the mix. Green Machines, 2 Bits, Psycho Mays, Magic Flies, Redemptions, Split Case BWO’s, Juju’s, Rainbow Warriors and Pheasant Tails have all been getting some looks. Frenchies, Weight Flies, Tung Darts, October Caddis Nymphs and Rainbow Czechs all make for a good lead fly.

Zirdles and other crayfish patterns have been heating up and streamers are in play from here on out though weeds are going to frustrate your efforts throughout the fall fishing campaign.

It’s such an awesome time to fish the MO. We talk about fall traffic but it’s nothing like what you’ll see during prime time. The dam definitely has some traffic but if you’re willing to trade sheer numbers of fish for relative solitude with ample numbers, it’s truly one of the best times to be here.

Cold mornings, hot coffee, busy fly shops, bugling elk, rising fish, streamer madness, autumn light….what’s not to like about fall fishing season on the MO?

We are your FULL SERVICE, ONE STOP FALL FLY FISHING DESTINATION with everything you need for your Missouri River pilgrimage.

Affordable lodging, the best guides on the river, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, SAGE rods and reels, Simms waders and boots, THE CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO and much more, including the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Prove me wrong!

Open daily at 7 AM and closer to the Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge boat launches than ANY OTHER SHOP.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-09-14T11:58:24-06:00September 14th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: blooms weight fly, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, frenchie, Holter Dam, juju baetis, Magic Fly, Missouri River, October Caddis, pseudos, Psycho May, rainbow warrior, Redemption, running line, simms, Split Case BWO, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, tricos, Tung Dart, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges, Zirdle|0 Comments

Goodbye Summer, Autumn is upon us

As we close out August on the MO the anticipation is underway.

Sure it still feels like summer out there (and will for a while) but there’s definitely an autumn vibe in the air with chilly misty mornings, shorter daylight hours, bear poop up and down the Recreation Road, fish stacked at the grass flats below Holter and green leaves transforming to yellows and reds. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year (or one of them anyway).

We’re still in Dog Days mode and things will likely remain quiet for the next couple of weeks before the fall season really gets underway.

In the meantime we’ve got plenty of lodging and the guide calendar has a few openings for the next little while. Weekends will continue to be busy with rec traffic as long as the weather stays nice, particularly the upcoming holiday weekend – the unofficial END of SUMMER. Temps are expected to be in the 80’s with abundant sunshine so don’t expect to have it to yourself if you’d planned on fishing over the Labor Day weekend.

The weekdays will be the time to get out there over these next couple weeks if you’re looking to avoid the crowds but now is the time as it’ll be back to bumper boats before you know it.

Should the weekends be your only option we’d recommend getting an early start. If you shoot for that 10 – 11 AM window thinking you’ll roll in behind the angling traffic you’re likely correct, but you’ll also be smack dab in the middle of the rec floaters.

And while the dam to Wolf Creek has been the go to due to the number of fish currently hanging out in the grass flats and the relatively weed-free water, the lower stretches are also fishing fine and will provide a respite from the traffic. Double zebras or a Zebra and a weight fly or Frenchie has been the ticket in the dam stretch. Nymphing hasn’t been AS good below Wolf Creek Bridge but they’re there as well, you just have to work a little harder for them.

Hoppers and ants will continue to be in play for the next month and while it hasn’t exactly been one for the record books, we’ve had some pretty damn good terrestrial days river-wide. September is also the month for October Caddis so don’t be afraid to work that into the mix.

Tricos are still going fairly strong though definitely waning and caddis should still be a staple in your fly box, especially later in the day. We’ve already started to get calls asking about BWO’s. We’ll likely see them sometime in October but the weather needs to change drastically before we even start thinking about such things.

A lot of folks (myself included) think streamers when they think of fall fishing. Fall is the time for big browns on streamers and there will be plenty of them caught here on the MO but if you’re going to play that game you need to know that you’ll be dealing with weeds from now until the snow flies (and for a while after that). The weeds do not disappear with a turn of the calendar page so know before you go that you’ll be dealing with them. It’s not the end of the world, you just need to choose your spots and work through the challenges, keeping in mind that those super weedy spots you’re avoiding may in fact hold the trophy of a lifetime.

We’re open from 7 AM – 5 PM daily for all of your Montana fall fly fishing needs. The fly bins are loaded up with fall bugs including the best streamer selection on the MO and we’re also fully stocked on lines, leaders and tippet from SA and Rio and we can’t think of a better time to treat yourself to a new Sage R8 or Igniter.

New fall gear arriving daily including Cozy Simms WCA hoodies and a full restock on Simms waders and boots and hats and gloves and much more. And don’t forget, we are the home of the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO!

We are your Missouri River fall fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-30T14:12:18-06:00August 30th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, simms, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Zeke enjoying the Dog Days of Summer

We’re enjoying a lull in the action as summer starts to slip away.

The season has flown by us as they tend to do….seemingly going by more quickly with each year that passes.

Pre-season jitters, Prime Time Chaos, the boat rental blur, green hills, BWO’s, PMD’s, long summer light….all in the rearview now.

The cool, dark mornings, fading greens and sagging choke cherry tree branches heavy laden with ripening fruit all have us thinking fall but there’s still plenty of summer ahead of us.

Trico fishing has been the best it’s been in years and while the hopper bite has been less than stellar it’s still good enough. Last light caddis have provided somewhat consistent evening action and nymphing, while made challenging by the increasing weed mass, has been racking up the numbers more often than not.

Fishing has definitely been better in the mornings and slowing in the afternoon so early starts (not too early) are still recommended.

We’ve been starting most of our trips right around 7 AM which has been working out just fine.

Some days you can count the boats on the water on one hand, other days it’s busier but all in all it’s been a quiet week on the MO.

Less traffic equals fewer shuttles which means we’ve been wrapping up shuttling fairly early in the day most days. There have been a fair number of folks rolling in later whom we’ve had to send away. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask that you get here by noon to get into our shuttle queue on any given day. We expect things to pick up at some point which should extend our shuttle hours though the next challenge is that we’ll soon be losing a significant portion of our shuttle crew with school starting.

I have no doubts we’ll figure it out as we’ve got a busy fall season ahead. And just a reminder, we are the home of the cheapest DAM shuttles on the MO so if you’re doing the top section of the river and you’re getting a shuttle from any other shop, you’re paying more than you need to.

We’ve got an abundance of lodging vacancies all month long as well as some guide availability and plenty of boat rental availability should you decide to work the MO into your late summer schedule.

The river is quiet but the fish have no idea it’s time to chill and relax and enjoy what’s left of our Montana summer. They’re still eating and we’re still looking to feed them. Come see what August has to offer.

The shop is open at 7 AM daily for all of you Missouri River fly fishing needs.

Shuttles, bugs, ice, SAGE R8’s, Korkers wading shoes and sandals, sun protection, fishing licenses, lines from SA, Rio and Airflo for any and all situations and all kinds of summer sportswear/sunwear from Simms and Ouray on sale as we close out the summer season and make room for fall gear arriving soon.

We are your Missouri River late summer fly fishing destination!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-10T15:36:47-06:00August 10th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The Blur Begins to Fade

The second half of June and the first half of July are our busiest part of the season, often referred to as THE BLUR due to the lack of demarcation from one day to the next. It’s a time of pre-dawn boat rental boat launches, chaotic mornings in the shop getting trips out the door and often times working well into the night picking up boats and prepping them for the next day. A few hours a sleep per night is pretty standard during The Blur. Our guides have their own Groundhog Days to deal with during this time, often working three or four weeks straight without a day off. It’s these weeks that test the mettle of those looking to make a go at a career in Montana Fly Fishing.

Now as we move into the latter part of July, the Blur has started to fade. Don’t get me wrong, things are still busy, just not the fever pace of a week or two ago. Slowly but surely, things are slowing down. Traffic has lessened and soon will slow to a relative crawl as the Blur gives way to the Fade and the Fade gives way to the Dog Days of Summer.

The days are already noticeably shorter and while we’re still opening at 6:30 AM daily you can expect later light and cooler temps as summer falls away. We’ll see where the weather goes but for now we’ll likely push you to start as early as possible to counter the triple digit highs on tap for the days ahead. July is our hottest month of the year and we may see this heat wave stick around for a while but sooner or later cooler temps will return as will a 7 AM open. We’ll let you know when that’s happening.

Fishing has been somewhat inconsistent but overall there’s not much to complain about.

Some Like it Hot

The wade anglers are happy with flows having now dropped below 5K (currently 4860 CFS) with water temps holding in the mid 60s range. Keep an eye on those water temps on those hot days as it doesn’t take long to heat up with these lower flows. We encourage every angler to carry a thermometer with them at all times and check water temps often. Once that temp eclipses 68 degrees it’s time to think about giving the fish a break and finding something different to do.

We’re expecting flows to hold where they’re at which should keep things cool but once water temps hit 70 degrees or greater you really shouldn’t be fishing. There’s been no talk of Hoot Owl on the MO this season but self-regulating is something we should all be doing. You can expect us to request 6 AM starts on the really hot days but regardless of whether you start early or not our guides will stop fishing if water temps exceed 68 degrees.

Need a stream thermometer? We have them available for purchase at WCA!

Tricos have been gaining momentum, Caddis have been the consistent evening go to and hoppers and ants are getting the occasional looks. Plenty of options for the DFO. Best-selling dries this week have been Hi Vis Trico, Guide Winna Spinna (Rusty or Trico), Double Wing Trico, Indicator Spinner Trico, Barr’s Trico Emerger, Lighthouse Spinner Trico, Cornfed Caddis, Missouri CDC Caddis, Outrigger Caddis, Blooms’s UV Caddis, Stockingfoot Caddis and CDC Grey Caddis Emerger.

More or Less Hoppers in Peach, Tan and grey have been moving fish and Micro Chubbies are getting plenty of looks as well. Come check out our greatly expanded FOAM section, which, I think it’s safe to say, rivals or exceeds that of any other shop on the MO.

Those chasing bobbers have had good luck with black Zebra Midges, Frenchies, Little Green Machines, Pheasant Tails, Split Case PMD’s, Purple or Gold Weight Flies, Tung Darts, S & M’s and of course, Sowbugs. Zirdles have also continued to have their moments though that has lacked consistency.

Not much to report as far as streamer fishing goes though buggers, particularly Thin Mints, have been effective.

Hot summer nights (though not too hot) are the perfect time to throw a mouse as well. Once again, keep a close eye on those water temps, but when the water temps allow for it why wouldn’t you try your luck at fooling a mammoth Missouri River brown trout with a mouse. Not for the faint at heart!

Just to repeat, we’re open at 6:30 AM daily for all of your Missouri River summer fly fishing needs. Sunscreen, Ice,Headwear, Neck Gators, Sun Gloves, Smith and Suncloud Sun Glasses, Simms Solarflex shirts, flip flops, NEW Korkers wading shoes and sandals and much more. How about a new SAGE R8 or Sonic? We’ve got em’.

Lodging and guides are still locked up but another week and we’ll have rooms available and might even be able to find you that (somewhat) last minute guide trip.

Adipose Drift Boat rentals, Simms waders and boots, Rio and SA lines, leaders and tippet and without a doubt, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Don’t forget, Wolf Creek Angler has the confirmed CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES on the MO. You won’t find a cheaper Dam shuttle anywhere. Our shuttle business has more than doubled from last year but we still can’t help but wonder why anyone would go anywhere else for a shuttle from the Dam down unless they just enjoy spending more money on said shuttles which must be the case because there are all kinds of rigs being shuttled from the dam which we aren’t moving.

The only other thing it could be is that folks don’t know that we’re here. Case in point, we had clients show up a few minutes late the other day for their trip because they “just assumed we were in Craig”. They assumed WOLF CREEK angler was in CRAIG! Help us get the word out – CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO ONLY AT WOLF CREEK ANGLER located in Beautiful WOLF CREEK MONTANA.

We LOVE Craig. We’re perplexed by watching the rigs with drift boats in tow passing us by in the morning presumably en route to Craig, only to see those same rigs at the dam later in the morning. And in this case it’s not just that our shuttles are cheaper, it’s that some folks are driving an extra 15 miles which means more money spent on fuel and at least a half hour later start than what would’ve been the case had they stopped here for a shuttle. Obviously to each their own but we’d love it if you spread the word to your peeps.

We hope you join us for The Fade and beyond this season on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-07-18T16:04:02-06:00July 18th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Summer Solstice

We started this first day of summer on the MO at a chilly 39 degrees. It’s warmed up a bit to the mid 60’s but not exactly what we’d expect on the first day of summer. The cooler weather will persist throughout the week with daytime highs in the low 70’s but it looks like we’ve got some heat arriving Sunday when temps will finally hit 80 again. I can’t even recall an 80 degree day so far in June. We may have had one but overall it’s been a chilly and wet June on the MO.

We are smack dab in the midst of PRIME TIME and conditions are starting to come into shape just in time. Current flows are 10,400 CFS with water temp right around 60 degrees. We should see a continued draw down on those flows over the next couple of weeks.

PMD’s are underway and gaining momentum. Also a few caddis around providing ample opportunities even in these higher flows for the dry fly set.

A benefit of the cooler weather and higher flows is that the weeds are slow in coming. Plenty of clean water out there making things easy on the nymphers and keeping the streamer game alive.

Still a sow bug game but if you aren’t mixing in some Caddis pupae and some PMD nymphs, you should be. And if you haven’t been trying a crayfish or Zirdle here and there, you should be doing that as well.

This is our busiest week of the season by far for guide trips and that doesn’t seem to be limited to us. The river is definitely busy though with most transient guides having returned to their home waters it doesn’t feel quite as busy as it did a few weeks back. Early starts get you ahead of the crowds. Late starts get you behind them. Maybe best to avoid the 8 – 9 window. The busier days have seen waits up to an hour at the ramp.

We’re open early at 7 AM daily and usually around well before that running rental boats to and fro. These next three weeks are the busiest ones of the season for guide trips, lodging and boat rentals so we don’t have much availability but there are a few holes in the schedule here and there so give us a call if you’re in need of a place to stay and we’ll see what we can do.

We’re stocked up on PMD’s and Caddis and terrestrials on the dry side and plenty of nymphs to boot though the sowbug shortage is real! We’re working on it.

Lots of new WCA T’s and sun hoodies and hats in stock with more on the way and all the sun protection you need should summer ever settle in. The brand new Korkers All Axis Wading shoes and Swift Wading sandals are flying out the door – get em’ before they’re gone.

The word is out – WCA has the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO! We appreciate the increase in shuttle business and invite you all to give us a try.

The calendar says summer, the weather says not quite but regardless, we’ll see you soon at your favorite Missouri River Fly Shack.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-06-21T15:32:01-06:00June 21st, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Two weeks into May and we’re rapidly settling into the grind.

The new Wolf Creek Angler crew is continuing to take shape, guides are fully ensconced in the groove and honestly, it feels busier at this point in the season than I can recall it ever being which is obviously partially a product of the influx of guide traffic from other parts of the state but I like to think it’s also a product of WCA continuing to grow and gain momentum as your Missouri River fly fishing destination.

We recently welcomed Keith Tucker aboard as our go to shop guy. Keith’s been doing the salt water thing as a captain in the Florida keys for the past 9 years and brings with him a wealth of experience in the industry. Stop in and meet him next time you’re headed to the MO.

Lodging has been slammed with WCA guests as well as a steady stream of folks fishing with other outfitters and many of those outfitters and guides also staying with us when vacancies allow. We’ve always worked hard to build these relationships with our colleagues in the industry and we’re thrilled that in what is definitely a highly competitive business, we’ve established a trust that allows for working together.

WCA has long been a favorite haunt of many guides and outfitters who prefer the chill nature of our location to the chaos.

Fishing has been consistently spectacular despite the concentration of traffic in the upper stretches. It’s definitely been busy, more days than not.

A steady parade of drift boats can be found at the dam daily from first light to early afternoon with the busiest time generally in the 9 AM – 11 AM range. If you don’t want to see other boats you should probably think about hitting a different river but an extra early start or a post 11 launch will alleviate some of that sense of crowding.

Guides who have worked on the Missouri know the drill and when everyone operates within the accepted parameters things go swimmingly. You’ve seen the fish numbers. There are plenty of fish and even in a short stretch of river there is plenty of water to accommodate the heavy traffic. What’s always amazing is how consistently good the fishing is day after day even with this kind of pressure. It’s truly an amazing fishery.

With the Little Prickly Pear and Dearborn on the drop things are rapidly coming into shape on the lower stretches and traffic has started to spread out accordingly. You’ll still see crowds at the dam but now there are a host of options if you want to get away from some of that traffic.

Current water conditions on the Missouri – 7290 CFS, water temp 47.5 degrees. Little Prickly Pear and Dearborn at 405 and 851 cfs respectively and dropping. We expect we’ll see some traffic on the Dearborn this weekend. Call the day before for shuttles as we’re planning on doing just one or two runs a day to the Dearborn depending on demand.

Nymphing continues to be the numbers game with sow bugs still reigning as the go to food source but with the water temps steadily climbing the baetis action is heating up. BWO nymphs should definitely be a part of your arsenal at this point. Little Green Machines, Psycho Mays, Redemptions, Pheasant Tails, Military Mays, Radiation Baetis, Olive or Pearly Lighting Bugs, Split Case BWO’s….all good options and don’t be afraid to work some PMD nymphs into the mix as well, it won’t be long. You might start with a PMD Magic Fly or a Split Case or Crack Back PMD.

Dry fly anglers are finding targets with midges, BWO’s and a few March Browns around and Caddis waiting in the wings. First or last light is best, cloudy days offer some mid-day opportunities.

Streamer fishing has been hit or miss but definitely worth your time. Brown and Yellow has been good with white, natural and olive all getting some attention as well. Ply the shallows off the banks, dredge the depths, vary your retrieve and if you’re not getting looks then change bugs. It can be slow going. It can turn on just like that and shut down just as quickly.

Need gear? We’ve got you covered with a streamer line for any and all situations or just go with a VersiLeader if you’re not ready to commit. Come by and try a Streamer X or Sage Igniter if you’re in the hunt for a new streamer stick.

Got questions? We’ve got answers. From gear to rigging to bug selection we are the Missouri River Streamer Authority!

The shop is open early, 7 AM daily with everything you need for your day on the water. Simms waders and boots, sun protection, Adipose drift boat rentals, fishing licenses, piles of fresh WCA logo gear, the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO and of course the most extensive selection of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-05-11T12:55:34-06:00May 11th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Muddy Water Blues

It’s been a busy couple of days at the dam with 80 degree temps triggering runoff both locally and regionally which has pretty much concentrated all of Montana angling into a couple mile stretch of the MO below Holter Dam for the time being.

We’re used to seeing this every spring as runoff kicks off the migration of anglers to the Missouri from every other river in the state but sometimes that happens to coincide with substantial runoff in both the Little Prickly Pear and the Dearborn which muddies up our MO and forces everyone up high where the water flows clean.

Some traffic jams on the water and in the lots but all in all, so far so good with most everyone playing nice at the moment.

Not to say it doesn’t get heated out there but the vast majority of guides know the routine and accept the ground rules of our Missouri River row arounds and it all works seamlessly more often than not. Let’s keep it up. It’s a LONG season ahead.

Traffic has already started to spread out with those in the know going to the places that produce even in the mud if you know the where and the what and the how.

Sow bugs remain the meal of choice but with water temps now in the 42 plus range baetis are in play for the nymphers and the dfo’s alike.

Must use nymphs….Tailwater Sow, Pill Popper, Rainbow Czech, Fish Finder Worm, Zebra Midge, Little Green Machine, Psycho May, S & M, BWO Magic Fly, BWO Redemption, Split Case BWO, Military May, Pheasant Tails etc. Pink still on the menu but fading fast. Sows always in the mix, mayfly nymphs rapidly becoming a sought after meal.

Dry Fly Season is definitely underway with BWO’s now in the mix in addition to the billions of midges you’ve been seeing and inhaling. Even a few March Browns out there as well. Must have dries – Sprout Baetis, Olive Haze, BWO Flash Cripple, BWO Film Critic, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, BWO Guide Winna Spinna, Parachute BWO, Parachute Adams, North Wind Cripple, Purple Haze.

Streamer Season is still going strong. We’ve been fishing the mud with large flashy patterns and getting them to move on it but it hasn’t been outstanding. Expect an improvement as the mud thins out and the clouds roll in starting tomorrow. Wedge Heads, Dungeons, Sparkle Minnows, Swim Coach, Skiddish Smolt, Silk Kitty, Double Dirty Hippy all good choices. We’ve had good luck on yellow and brown, black, natural and olive.

This early taste of summer is about to come to an end. 80’s today will give way to 60’s and rain through the weekend and into next week. 80 has sure felt good but not exactly great for river conditions. 80’s triggers huge runoff and we lose our water right away. Snowpack is still looking pretty decent across the region but too much more of this weather could be a problem so we’re happy to see a return to more seasonable conditions.

May hours are 7 AM – 5 PM Monday – Saturday and 7:30 – 3:30 on Sundays. We hope to see you bright and early and we’re here to take care of anything and everything you need for your day on the water. Economical lodging, the best guides on the river, rain gear, boots, waders, the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES on the MO and the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-05-04T11:23:16-06:00May 4th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, pill popper, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Easing Into Spring

As we approach mid-April things are slowly, but surely starting to look (and feel and smell) like spring.

Sunshine and 70’s on Monday FINALLY took care of the snow that had been lingering here around the shop since NOVEMBER.

But don’t swap out the fleece and flannel for flip flops just yet. We’re currently under a WINTER STORM WARNING in effect from 6 PM tonight through 12 AM on Friday. Today looks perfect with a slight chance of rain, mostly cloudy skies, high in the low 50s and light and variable wind.

Rain changes to snow tonight with a low of 34 and tomorrow looks fairly miserable with a high of 42, snow early on changing to rain in the afternoon and north winds 10-13 mph with gusts to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent with 1 – 2 inches of accumulation possible. If this was October it might be the makings of an epic BWO day but with our water temps still well shy of 40 degrees we’re a ways out from that.

Current water flows are higher than we’ve seen in a while at around 5400 cfs. Expect those flows to bump as the spring progresses. We’ll likely see increases up to 8K in May, peaking at around 10K before settling back to the current 5 – 6K in June. These flow predictions are great for the health of the river and obviously indicate a good looking big picture for all of the regional waters for the 2023 season. Snow pack currently ranges from 90 to 120 percent of average for the vast majority of the region.

The warm weather brought out a fair amount of traffic over the Easter weekend and Monday was the busiest day we’ve seen in a while. High wind warnings kept folks away yesterday on a day which turned out to be pretty damn nice. It’s a quiet hump day but the river will be busy this weekend if our bookings are any indication.

We’re close to a full house this weekend but we do have a couple of vacancies if you’re looking to spend your weekend on the MO.

We’ve also got our first big group trip of the season with the Annual Iron Fly Outfitting/Hidden Canyon Lodge Women’s Intermediate Fly Fishing Clinic happening Saturday and Sunday.
Winter Storm Warning aside – it looks to be a perfect spring weekend with plenty of sunshine and ideal temps in the 50’s on Saturday and edging back towards 70 on Sunday.

We’re expecting a busy weekend so get here early and beat the rush. The shop is literally bursting at the seams with new product so please come and take some of this stuff off of our hands. Waders and outerwear from Simms and Redington, boots from Simms and Korkers, rods and reels from SAGE, LAMSON, ECHO and REDINGTON and piles of fly lines from SA, Rio and Airflo. From general purpose weight forward floating lines to a full range of specialty sink lines and EVERYTHING in between we’ve got you covered.

With all of the new product coming in we’ve had to make some room so we’re clearing out a bunch of winter inventory at incredible prices. 30 – 40 percent off on winter wear and fly lines. Get em’ before they’re gone!

Need flies? You won’t find a better selection of Missouri River flies ANYWHERE! Those trendy bugs you’re reading about in all of the fishing reports- we’ve got em’. We’ve got em’ all! Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Tailwater Sows, Radiation Baetis, Amex, Cotton Candy, Yum Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Zebra Midges, Ray Charles, Little Green Machines and on and on. Looking for dries? We’ve got midge patterns galore and more BWO patterns than you’ll know what to do with. Looking for classics? Look no further. Parachute Adams, Purple Haze, Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears…we’re fully stocked on all of the classics in all of the sizes. And these aren’t shop ties or knock offs – these are the real deal from trusted brands like Montana Fly Company, Umpqua, Solitude Flies and Yellowstone Fly Goods.

Skwalas? Of course. We’ve got bins full of them.

Streamers? Ha! Don’t get me started. We are the undisputed Streamer Authority on the MO!

Need a couple more reasons to make Wolf Creek Angler your Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination?

Our guides are amongst the very best in the region with well over a century of combined experience. And not only are they fishy, you won’t find a more patient and humble crew anywhere. If you like a guide with a huge ego who spends half the day yelling at you and the other half telling you what a great guide they are then you’ll want to book elsewhere. You won’t find them here.

Our lodging is still amongst the most affordable in the area and your comfort while staying with us is our number one priority. Following our major remodel this winter we now have rooms ranging from basic motel style rooms to fancy efficiencies, something to fit every budget. We are dog friendly in most of our rooms with the exception of the newly remodeled bungalows.

We offer the cheapest dam shuttles on the MO…spread the word!

we are your source for Fishing licenses, ice, hats and socks and gloves, sunscreen and buffs, piles of tools and accessories from MFC, SA and more.

Wolf Creek Angler is closer to the Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge fishing access sites than any other shop. LPP and the Dearborn are currently dumping mud into the MO so chances are you’ll be starting at one or the other for the time being.

Wolf Creek is the home of Lazy I Beerworks with over 20 beers on tap and also home to the Canyon Store which is the ONLY place for gas and groceries between Helena and Cascade.

Wolf Creek is just 7 miles from Craig, home of Izaaks and the Craig Taphouse and I think there are a couple of other fly shops there as well.

As you can see, Wolf Creek is, by all measures, your Missouri River spring fly fishing destination.

See you in the shop and on the water soon.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-04-12T11:29:18-06:00April 12th, 2023|Categories: Local Buzz, Shop Life|Tags: annual women's intermediate fly fishing clinic, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, Craig Taphouse, dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, green machine, Hidden Canyon Lodge, iron fly outfitting, Izaaks, Lazy I Beerworks, Missouri River, Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination, Montana Fly Company, pill popper, Redington, RIO, Sage, simms, solitude flies, Streamer Fishing, Umpqua, winter storm warning, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, yellowstone fly goods|1 Comment

Previous 345 Next

Need a new search?