Need a new search?

Autumn is a magical time on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Eventually the smoky haze of August will clear and we will begin to clearly see the changes of the season which are already underway. Average daytime temps will begin to cool into the low to mid 70’s for September and the long, cool nights will usher in change on the Missouri. Cool water, bright blue skies and the golden light of autumn make fall a magical time to fish the Missouri.

Terrestrials will continue to produce throughout the fall months but it’s also the time we start to think about streamers. Weeds will continue to frustrate your efforts but that first 20+” brown smashing your streamer will make it all worth while.

We LOVE summer – it’s what pays the bills, but it’s hard to not love the fall just as much. What’s not to love? Cooler temps, fleece, football, fall colors, hunting, big brown trout, hunting big brown trout, BWO’s, Oktoberfest beer, hockey, streamer fishing, the World Series, October Caddis….the list goes on and on.

Make Wolf Creek Montana and the Missouri River your fall getaway. September and October are filling quickly but we’ve still got plenty of lodging available so book yourself a Missouri River guide trip and a stay at Wolf Creek Angler. Start your day with a hearty breakfast at The Frenchman and then spend the day fishing the Missouri. Dinner at Izaaks in Craig or The Frenchman or Oasis in Wolf Creek followed by a night cap on the porch or at the WCA lounge…sleep and repeat. Does it get any better or any more quintessential Montana than that?

See you this fall at Wolf Creek Angler.

Smoky Blue Sky Sunflowers photo by Lasha Turner

The wildfire smoke has settled in on the Missouri making it a little tough to breathe but the fish don’t seem to mind. Traffic continues to be very light and the fishing has been fair most days and occasionally very good.

Nymphing is the way to go if you’re looking for numbers and while there are fish everywhere, the highest concentrations of fish (and anglers) are at the dam so choose your float accordingly. Black Zebra Midges, Red Two-Bit Hookers, Tung Darts, LGM’s, PT’s, Weight Flies, Dark Peep Shows, Crayfish and an array of mayfly nymphs are all getting plenty of action.

We’ve been spending a lot of our time working the terrestrial angle and while the hopper game never really seems to be “on fire” on the Missouri, a day spent throwing big dries will likely result in at least a couple of good eats. Trail an ant or a caddis pattern or go with a nymph dropper to up your odds. We’ve had some luck with #16 purple weight flies and also zebra midges and PT’s dropped off of a gold or purple chubby or a tan Moorish Hopper.

Tricos around on any given day and fish eating them if you really want a challenge. Callibaetis and Pseudos around as well so coupled with the terrestrials there are plenty of dry fly opportunities to be had.

Streamers? There has been some chatter about a good streamer bite but it’s not our favorite time of the year to throw streamers as the weeds make a clean retrieve a real challenge. Not to say you wont move some fish but for me the frustration level resulting from frequent hook ups with large clumps of vegetation outweighs the appeal of the potential of possibly hooking up with a big fish or two.

Come join us for August on the Missouri. The air is a little heavy and the fishing can be hit or miss but the weather is awesome with comfortable days and cool nights and you can have miles of water virtually to yourself if you are willing to leave the dam.

Stop by the shop for all the bugs you need and friendly advice on where to go and what to throw. We’ve also got you covered with lodging, RO Drift Boat Rentals, Expert Guides, fishing licenses, sun protection, Extreme Fishing Gear from KAST, Yeti Colsters, Simms logo wear and much, much more.

No waiting at the boat ramps for the time being. The fish are here, where are you? Photo by Wolf Creek Angler

In the midst of the August lull on the Missouri, enjoying some downtime and preparing for the next wave.

We’re still fishing and having some decent days considering, but there have certainly been plenty of tough days as well. Early morning starts seem to be the key as things tend to get quiet in the afternoons.

There have been a few bugs around but it’s nymphing for the most part in the morning followed by terrestrials later in the day. Zebra Midges, Gold Weight Flies, Tung Darts, Gold Czechs, LGM’s, Peep Shows, Psycho Mays, S & M’s , Gold LB’s, PT’s and various crayfish patterns have all been getting some attention while Moorish Hoppers in yellow, tan or pink and tan White Cloud hoppers have been our go to terrestrials. We are usually trailing our hoppers with some sort of ant pattern and while there are all kinds of ants to choose from a plain old parachute black ant seems to work just as well, if not better, than most.

We’re open daily at 6 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing and lodging needs. Plenty of vacancies and plenty of guides ready to show you a great day on the MO regardless of the August Lull. Fishing is definitely hit or miss this time of year but that being said with virtually zero pressure out there when things turn on it can really be good and you’ll have it all to yourself.

We’re running lodging specials all month. Book a full day guide trip and one night’s lodging in one of our motel rooms and receive a second night of lodging on us. We’re also running special rates for our cabins through the end of the month. Call for rates and availability.