Thursday Report

Dog days of Fall. With Fred back in Michigan for the winter Jake has been spending a lot of time in the shop and on the water with me. He’s a great fishing partner though his rowing skills are lacking… photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The weather couldn’t be better for November fishing on the Missouri. We’re looking at cloudy skies and 40’s for the next couple of days before we drop back to colder temps early next week. It doesn’t appear as though we’re headed back into single digits for a while but this week definitely seems like the favorable weather window. Could be on the breezy side but we’ll definitely take it.

I was out Tuesday looking for fish up and doing some nymphing. No fish up – a few to hand on nymphs – not a great day but certainly nice to be on the water after spending all of last week battling frozen plumbing.

Matt was out on Monday and did pretty well on pink stuff so I ran with that and ended up having most of my hook-ups on a pink lightning bug though the tailwater sow was getting some attention as well.

Streamers would be a good call today. They’re a good call any day. Polar Leeches in olive and copper, Kreelex in brown and gold, Sculpin Sparkle Minnows, Circus Peanuts in tan, Dirty Hippies in brown…the options are limitless. Stop by the shop on your way to the water and we’ll get you set up with everything you need.

I had the Wolf Creek to Craig stretch all to myself on Tuesday but expect some traffic out there for the next few days. We’ve got a full house here for the weekend so I know of at least a few folks who will definitely be out there.

We’re open at 8:00 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Bugs, shuttles, drift boat rentals, lodging and much more and we’re right on your way! We’ll be here all day today and tomorrow and will be here to get you going on Saturday morning before we head off to Missoula for the Brawl of the Wild. The shop is closed on Sundays for the winter but we’re always open for lodging and guide trips. We will be closed on Thanksgiving but will see you bright and early on Black Friday with great deals on most everything. Wolf Creek Angler gift cards make the perfect gift and can be used for merchandise, lodging, shuttles and guide trips. Who wouldn’t want a $100 worth of shuttles? We’re happy to send gift cards anywhere in the world so while we’d love to see you in the shop you can save yourself the trip and get all your Christmas shopping done from wherever your are with a call to us at (406)235-4350.

See you in the shop and on the water.

~Jason O.

Wolf Creek Bridge. Cloudy November days are perfect for streamer fishing the Missouri River – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:03-06:00November 20th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Christmas, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, nymphs, running line, Streamer Fishing, streamers, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

SECRET SEASON – Wolf Creek may be Montana’s best kept winter fishing secret…

The Missouri River is a year-round fishery – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

We’re just a couple days into a bit of a cold snap which has brought with it some much needed winter precipitation but it looks like a warm up underway for the remainder of the week. It doesn’t take long to grow tired of the cold and while we appreciate the fact that many love Montana for the winter activities it offers, we love to fish. We love to fish any and every month of the year and it just so happens that we have a year-round fishery here on the Missouri River.

We love the summer crowds and the hustle and bustle on and off the river but we also love the solitude afforded us by the colder months. Traffic on the river is minimal but the fishing can be downright spectacular depending on the day. The first time I fished the Missouri was a February day with temps in the high 30’s and lots of sunshine and we had one of the best days of winter fishing I’ve ever had anywhere.

Winter nymphing is nearly always productive on the MO and the late fall and early winter can offer some of the best streamer fishing you will have on this river. Add to this the the ever-present midge hatches offering dry fly fishing opportunities and you have everything you could want no matter what your game.

Well into the winter fishing season, we’ve entered the time of year when nymph selection is a no-brainer. Firebeads, pink anything, sowbugs, lightning bugs…you know the drill. I should spend more time trying different patterns out in the winter but since cold hands are kind of part of the deal and since one double nymph rig often works for weeks at a time, I usually leave things alone for as long as I can.

Some of our favorite winter nymph patterns. Top – purple lightning bug. 2nd row Rainbow Weight Fly with firebead. 3rd row left to right pink san juan worm, Rainbow Czech, Firebead Soft Hackle Sow Bug, Keller’s Payczech Rainbow, Hot Bead Wire Worm. 4th Row Firebead Rainbow Czech, Pink Scud, Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug. 5th row Casne’s Pinkalicious, Rainbow Warrior, Firebead Pink Ray. 6th row PInk Lightning Bug, Black Tungsten Zebra Midge, Purple Tungsten Zebra Midge. All available at Wolf Creek Angler. Photo – Wolf Creek Angler

Wolf Creek is your year-round Missouri River fishing destination – photo Wolf Creek Angler

So where to stay?

There is a common misconception that EVERYTHING shuts down in Craig and Wolf Creek once winter sets in. This is simply not the case. While things are quiet you can still find everything you need from flies to shuttles to boat rentals to lodging to dining…it’s all right here in Wolf Creek. With Shotgun Annie’s open for food and drinks, The Oasis serving up plenty of strong winter libations, the only gas station and only grocery store between Helena and Cascade (The Canyon Store) and Wolf Creek Angler, your 12-month full service fly shop, guide service and lodging operation you need go no further than Wolf Creek. And since most of the winter fishing on the Missouri River takes place between Holter Dam and Craig, by staying in Wolf Creek you are just minutes from both the dam and Wolf Creek Bridge launch sights.

Winter really is the secret season on the Missouri and while there are some hardcore anglers who will fish in single digits we prefer 30 and above. Fortunately we see a fair amount of these 30 plus degree days over the course of the winter so watch the weather and find time to come fish the Mighty Mo this winter. We typically fill our weekend lodging up by mid-week when the forecast is for nice weather so keep an eye on the 10-day and don’t wait. We understand that the weather can change quickly and we wouldn’t expect you to fish through a polar vortex so don’t worry about cancellation fees for lodging or guide trips due to cold weather. Book your trips and worry not – we get it! Take advantage of our off-season lodging rates ($99/night) and guide trips for $400 while the snow flies. Better yet, book your winter guide trip and lodging special for just $500. That’s a full day Missouri River guide trip for one or two anglers AND two night’s premium lodging for just $500. It’s the best deal on the Missouri River Hands Down. Nobody…and I mean NOBODY can touch this one.

We look forward to seeing you in Wolf Creek this winter.

The Canyon Store is the only gas station/convenience store between Helena and Cascade and has an awesome Montana Microbrew selection.

Winter Solitude on the MO’

By Jason Orzechowski|2019-01-22T19:51:05-07:00November 18th, 2014|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing, Shop Life|Tags: Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, nymphs, RO Drift Boats, running line, Streamer Fishing, streamers, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Deep Freeze

Deep Freeze on the MO this week – come out and have the river to yourself! – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Winter has arrived in Montana this week with temps in the single digits and wind chill values as low as -30 tonight. When we decided we were going to remain open and also keep limited lodging available for the winter these were the types of conditions we were concerned about as most of our buildings are not exactly designed for winter use. So far so good! If we make it through the next couple of days without having frozen plumbing we will know that we are on the right track. That being said, it’s all a gamble as these are not ideal conditions for fishing the Missouri so we will definitely need mother nature’s cooperation to make a go of it this winter. We do have guests staying with us this week and they reportedly did pretty well yesterday during the early part of the day but we’re not sure how long they will stick around as it appears we’re going to be stuck in single digits at least trough tomorrow. Teens through the weekend and a warm up on Sunday. The way it looks now we should be back to comfortable fishing conditions by the first part of next week. Might we see some BWO’s next week? We hope so but there are plenty of other options including throwing streamers which has been good and getting better over the past week or two. Our WCA Polar Leeces, particularly in Olive/Copper, have been moving a ton of fish and we’ve also been doing well with the Gold/Brown Kreelex and Sculpin Sparkle Minnows – all available at Wolf Creek Angler. Nymphing has been hit or miss with the go-to’s still being Rainbow Czechs, Green Machines and Tailwater Sows. Heard of a few guys doing ok on the hot bead wire worm as well.

Flows are back up toi 4460 today after dropping below 4000 for the past few days. The water temperature is at around 49 and dropping.

Stop by the shop for bugs, shuttles, boat rentals, lodging and cold weather gear from Outdoor Research and more. It’s not too early to start your Christmas shopping and we’ve got all kinds of gear for the fly angler in your life. Wolf Creek Angler gift cards can be purchased in any amount and are good for everything from merchandise to shuttles to lodging and guide trips. We’re happy to send gift cards to anywhere in the world so give us a call at 800-800-4350 and purchase one today.

After careful consideration we have come up with the following winter schedule. The shop will be open from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday – Saturday with lodging and guide trips available any and every day at special winter rates. Should things get really fishy we will be here on Mondays and Tuesdays as well and should we see a bunch of single digit weather this winter we may NOT be here on some of the stated days. It would be a good idea to call before you come in but again, if it’s fishy weather we will likely be here. We will be closed on Sundays for the winter months.

We are anxious to see how things go this winter and we would love for you to make Wolf Creek Angler your year-round Missouri River fishing and lodging destination. We’ve got a busy winter ahead and have a lot of things we will be working on for next season and beyond.

Stay Warm!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:05-06:00November 11th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Christmas, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

CONNECT

Team Wolf Creek Angler toasting our inaugural season at our first Craig Caddis Festival. – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The theme for today’s photo 101 challenge is CONNECT. This was a cool shot from the 2014 Craig Caddis Festival where Fred and Sheila and myself toasted Wolf Creek Angler which has certainly connected us as partners but which has also connected us to a community, a lifestyle, a state of mind and to a bunch of awesome people. It was a great first season and we learned a lot about what it takes to run a fly shop and lodging operation. We’ve got all kinds of ideas for the coming seasons and we will implement them as our budget allows. Stay tuned….

~Jason O.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:05-06:00November 10th, 2014|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing, Uncategorized|Tags: connect, photo 101, photo101, running line, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Weekend Report – Fish NOW – Winter is on the Way

Frozen Boots on the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Today is the day to fish the Missouri with abundant sunshine and temps in the 50’s. Looks like rain and steady temps tomorrow but with winds at 20-30 mph and gusting to 44 it sounds like a good day to stay home and watch football. Tomorrow night the temperature plummets and the snow arrives, possibly 2-4 inches with a couple more on Monday and single digits through the week. We’re not exactly sure what our schedule is going to be for winter but it will probably be dictated in large part by the weather. The shop will be closed on Sundays through the winter but we will have lodging available.

Fishing was hit or miss yesterday but if you’re willing to work for them you’ll do ok. Not much in the way of fish up but some have been doing fair throwing streamers and nymphing continues to yield the best return. Rainbow Czechs and Tailwater Sows were getting it done for us yesterday and it sounds like Green Machines and San Juan Worms are continuing to produce fish.

See you in the shop and on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:05-06:00November 8th, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: green machine, Missouri River, nymphs, running line, streamers, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome November

Our New England crew has the island at Bull Pasture surrounded – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Reports from yesterday ranged from good to great to “the best day we’ve ever had here”, particularly in the dam to Wolf Creek Bridge stretch. Our returning guests from New England have taken over the Bull Pasture and seem to have figured things out for the time being. Rainbow Czechs and Little Green Machines have been the bugs of choice – at least for this crew.
We’ve got weather on the way! The winter storm watch has been cancelled and we are now under a winter storm warning from 6pm tonight to 11 pm Sunday night. We are currently sitting at 55 with blue skies and sunshine however rain is slated to develop this afternoon, changing to snow overnight. 100 percent chance of snow tomorrow with a high of 39 and a possible 3-5 inches of accumulation. The sun will be back on Monday but the rest of the week looks promising for a BWO event with cloudy skies and a chance of rain. Temps will be in the high 40’s and low 50’s so chances are good we will get the bugs this week.

We’ve got limited lodging available this week starting on Tuesday so give us a call and get your rooms and your guide trips booked. It could be an epic week here on the Missouri.

We’re about to close the doors for the day and head to Helena for our first annual staff and guide appreciation party so we’d like to just take a minute and say thank you to Matt and Cindy and Janette for all of their effort in helping make our first season such a great one. We’d also like to take this opportunity to recognize our awesome guides Neale Streeks, Brian Scott, Matt Hargrave, Eric Mondragon, Mike Niles, Ardy Neuman, Russ Dobrzynski, Justin Lawrence, Rob Weiker, Jerel Beougher, Jim Murray, Nick Kaufman and Luke Koerten. We’re looking forward to another great season with all of you next year.

The shop will be open at 7:30 AM tomorrow for all of you who decide to brave the storm.

See you in the shop and on the water.

~ Jason O.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:06-06:00November 1st, 2014|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

Farewell to October

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM WOLF CREEK ANGLER

Halloween 2015. The weather conditions remain the same, unseasonably warm and sunny, however we are under our first winter storm watch of the season beginning Saturday night with the potential for 5-10 inches of snow at the higher elevations and 1-4 here on the Missouri. Could see rain or snow or both but the hope is that whatever weather we see it is accompanied by the BWO’s which have yet to make a real appearance. Fingers are crossed.
Fred and I traveled to Livingston Wednesday night and spent yesterday ripping streamers on the Yellowstone. Having been MO bound for the most part since April it was a great opportunity to get out and see some of the other awesome waters of the state. While I’ve fished the Yellowstone a time or two, neither of us had ever floated it. We were not disappointed! We committed to the streamer all day long and moved a ton of fish and even managed to boat a few. We will definitely be back.

Shades of brown on the Yellowstone – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Floating the Yellowstone – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Fred with a solid Yellowstone River Brown – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Best of the day – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Thanks to Matt for holding down the fort yesterday on his last “official day” in the shop. Hard to believe that the season is already over, it seems like we just opened the doors. Our inaugural season can only be described as a “blur” in the best possible way. We certainly had our hands full trying to figure this thing out and while I don’t think we’ll ever have it completely figured out we did learn a lot this season and we can’t wait to do it again. A huge THANK YOU to each and every one of our customers for allowing us to pursue our dream and to the fly fishing community in general for welcoming us into the fold. We are thrilled to be a part of this family, as dysfunctional as it sometimes seems. Special thanks to The Trout Shop, Crosscurrents, Headhunters Fly Shop and Trout Montana for doing what you do and for helping us do what we do. Thank you also to The Canyon Store, The Frenchman, The Oasis, Izaaks and the other businesses in the area as well as to all the folks in Wolf Creek and Craig who have gone out of their way to make us feel like we belong.

As always there are exciting changes coming to Wolf Creek Angler, changes which are, in large part, a result of your requests and suggestions. We are confident you will be pleased with the changes you will continue to see in Wolf Creek as we evolve and grow and continue to convert our inspired visions into reality.
A big topic of conversation amongst Fred and Sheila and myself has been what to do this winter. We’ve been contemplating everything from being fully open to fully closed for the winter months and believe we’ve found a happy medium that may or may not change depending on what kind of winter we get. As it stands now we will have cabins and bungalows available at least through the end of November and we plan to offer limited lodging through the winter months. We will have a couple of units available and will see how it goes. The shop is currently open daily from 7:30 am – 5 pm. With Fred heading back to Michigan soon for the winter we will likely be adopting a winter schedule which will probably mean 4-5 days/week. We’re still trying to figure out which days would work best but as of now we are leaning Thursday-Monday. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

For now we will see you daily 7:30 AM – 5 PM. Lodging is booked solid for the weekend but we do have availability next week should you decide to make the trek to the Missouri in search of BWO’s and the fish that love to eat them. Winter rates are in effect with cabins and bungalows going for $99/night. Give us a call to book lodging or guide trips or stop by on your way to the river for bugs, shuttles, boats and a bunch of great cold weather gear which just arrived from Outdoor Research.

Don’t forget the big Halloween party tonight at 7 PM at Uncle Joe’s Oasis Bar and Grill, it should be a great time.

See you in the shop and on the water.

~Jason O.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:06-06:00October 31st, 2014|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Craig MT, Headhunters Fly Shop, Missouri River, Outdoor Research, running line, Streamer Fishing, Uncle Joe's Oasis Bar and Grill, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yellowstone River|0 Comments

Another one in the books…

Overcast day on Hemingway’s Flat

As I sit here writing this, the boys (Jason and Fred) are fishing their way down the Yellowstone, I’m a little jealous. But, someone has to keep the shop open and that’s me. This is my last day of the season in the shop for me. I’m back at Great Divide, where aging snow cats and snowmobiles are waiting to break down, so I can fix them again.

I would like to say thank you to Jason, Sheila, Fred, Cindy, and Jannette, the Wolf Creek Angler crew, for another absolutely enjoyable season on the Missouri, here in Wolf Creek.

A big thank you to all my fellow guides…the beer drinking behind the shop, going over our days, good or bad, what worked, what didn’t, well, you guys know how much fun that is!

And of course a huge thank you to the Wolf Creek Angler Customers! You guys and gals are what make being here so much fun (well that and the fishing’s pretty good too)! Over the last four years I’ve come to know a lot of you very well, I can’t name you all, but when I see your names in the lodging book, I always look forward to your arrival. Exchanging fishing stories with you guys is great, I never tire of the enthusiasm everyone has for this great fishery. Success stories, whether it’s something I turned you on to, or vice versa, always makes my day!

The fishing isn’t done yet…I think mother nature owes us a good dose of blue winged olive before Winter really sets in. If not that, then at least throwing streamers and hoping for that big brown that you know is hiding in that seam coming off that rock will do.

Again, thank you to all that made my 2014 season successful, and filled with lot’s of fun! Stay warm, see you next year!—Matt

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:06-06:00October 30th, 2014|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, bwo, Missouri River, Montana, rainbow trout, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome Autumn

oxbow

Autumn is starting to take hold on the Little Prickly Pear

fallbridge

Join us all this weekend as we bid farewell to our first summer with huge savings on everything in the shop where we are clearing space to make room for new fall merchandise arriving daily. Twenty percent off everything storewide. Flies, rods, reels, waders, hydroflasks, Simms logo wear, fly lines, leaders, tippet – everything is on sale!

It’s been a great inaugural summer for Wolf Creek Angler. We’ve met so many great people over the past 5 months in the shop and on the water and out and about at various community and industry events. We’ve learned a lot since April about what works and what doesn’t and we’re making changes as we go. Look for constant growth and constant improvement and a constant committment to customer service from Wolf Creek Angler.

The cool weather and the rain last weekend flipped the switch on the MO and the fishing has been crazy good – downright ridiculous at times. The crayfish craze has been in effect for a couple of weeks now and we’ve done extremely well dead drifting various crayfish patterns in tandem with zebra midges at the dam and a whole host of bugs below the Wolf Creek bridge. Peep Shows, Little Green Machines, Micro Mays, Soft Hackle Sows, Shop Vacs and flashback PT’s have all had some strong showings over the past few days. The fish are where you would expect to find them and also where you might not expect them to be. Hit the water you like and the water you don’t – it’s all good right now.

There are still plenty of tricos around and there have been a few heads up here and there for the DFO’s to target. We’ve also had moderate success on hoppers, especially below Craig. We like to trail with an ant or drop a weight fly to bump the odds.

Fall lodging and guide trips are booking up quickly – especially for October so don’t wait too long. We are a little sad to see summer go but we’re ready for fall in Wolf Creek. Awesome days of fishing the MO followed by dinner and libations at the Oasis and/or the Frenchman followed by a good night’s rest at Wolf Creek Angler – does it get any better?

Rooms, boats, bugs, shuttles and all the terminal tackle you need along with rain gear, wading gear, layering gear and more all at Wolf Creek Angler – minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge. Nobody is closer!

axelbow

bradbow

monahan

By kschrader|2016-10-25T16:16:06-06:00October 21st, 2014|Categories: Uncategorized|0 Comments

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This is Montana. This is fly fishing.

It’s a special feeling. Rising before dawn, knowing that as the sun peeks over the mountains you’ll be on the Missouri River. Casting tiny dry flies to pods of rising fish — the likes of which you’ve never seen. At Wolf Creek Angler we know that feeling – it’s what brought us here. As a result we share your passion for fly fishing. We are ready to deliver the ultimate fly-fishing adventure on the famed Missouri River as well as the other world-class waters of Montana.

Having a fly shop located just off Interstate 15 in the historic town of Wolf Creek, Montana, just minutes from the Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge access sites, makes fly fishing on the Missouri River even better. We have one of the largest selections of fly patterns on the Missouri River.

At Wolf Creek Angler, we pride ourselves on having the hardest-working guides you will find anywhere in Montana. Our guides have spent their entire careers fishing the Missouri and other legendary waters of the West. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned angler, a great fishing adventure on one of our guided tours is a can’t-miss experience.

The historic town of Wolf Creek, Montana, is tucked in the heart of the Big Belt Mountains and has everything you need in a classic, small-town Montana setting. Read more about all that our area has to offer here. We have plenty of lodging options to make your stay in our area all the better.

Don’t forget to check out our blog, The Running Line. Wolf Creek Angler’s blog is updated frequently by our owner Jason Orzechowski. Here you’ll find information about all things Montana and fishing, including reports and local happenings.

Interested in a Missouri River fly fishing trip? Call us at 406.235.4350.

By kschrader|2022-12-06T08:22:08-07:00October 20th, 2014|0 Comments

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This is Montana. This is fly fishing.

Interested in a Missouri River fly fishing trip? Call us at 406.235.4350.