Adipose Archives - Page 2 of 4

Thinking Autumn while feeling Summer’s Return

Fall is in Bloom on the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The mental shift to fall is underway, even as summer returns this week with daytime temps climbing back into the 80’s and 90’s. Not to worry, there’s plenty of cool (followed by COLD and likely even frigid) weather in store for the not too distant future.

Last weekend’s unofficial end of the summer season was a great mix of warm sunny summer days on the water combined with the embrace of the signs of the upcoming season. There was plenty of traffic on the river this weekend, both angling and recreational floating with beautiful weather for both. And while it may still be tubing weather, change is underway.

Fall colors are emerging as the green leaves of summer transform into brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. Choke Cherries are thick this year and the bears have been feasting on them up and down the banks of Little Prickly Pear.

The evening chill in the air is immediate and unmistakable once the sun fades and there’s nothing quite like the feel of that fall morning sun as it climbs over the horizon, warming everything upon which it falls and chasing the chill away.

High school and college football are underway (Go Griz!) and couch-bound NFL Sundays commence this weekend. It’s time to trade in our T shirts, shorts, sun shirts and flip flops for hoodies, long pants and socks and shoes. It’s time for Oktoberfest brews and elk tenderloin on the grill.

But elk aren’t the only big game we’re pursuing. For many, fall is time to put away the fly rod and pick up the bow or rifle. For others, fall IS fishing season and colored up browns are the quarry.

It’s streamer season in Montana now through the end of autumn and we couldn’t be more excited. It’s just getting started mind you so by all means, the best is yet to come.

We’re still on the early side but if yesterday was any indication we could be in for an epic fall streamer season. There’s already a fair amount of aggression out there amongst the brown trout population with plenty of fish of all sizes willing to chase the streamer, if for no other reason than to defend their territory and chase off intruders. Hook ups were hard to come by but if you’re like me and measure streamer fishing success by the number of fish moved rather than just those hooked and landed then you would not have been disappointed with yesterday’s action.

Stop in for everything Missouri River Streamer Fishing. Streamer X rods, a streamer line for every occasion, stripping guards, the best streamer selection on the Missouri and most importantly, all the advice and practical information you could ever want from a staff well-versed in the game and more than ready and willing to talk about it. We live for this.

For those outside of the streamer set the nymphing has been solid with black Zebras and Zirdles still ruling the day. Small mayfly nymphs and sow bugs should also be a staple of your fall nymph arsenal.

Hopper fishing should continue to be solid for the next couple of weeks. Tan and peach hoppers have been working well in sizes ranging from #10 – #14. Trailing an ant is never a bad idea though we have not had a ton of action on the ants as of late. Fish the banks. Fish the mid-river riffles. Fish the non-descript random water whether you think it looks fishy or not. The trout are everywhere. They’re opportunists on the hunt for calories and they may just surprise you when you’re least expecting it so don’t take your eye off of the ball.

We are adjusting our shop hours for fall this week in accordance with the morning darkness and will now be open at 7 AM daily.

Lodging is moderately busy but we do have a fair amount of availability. The guide book is getting busier by the day but we do have some openings here and there and things do open up again around the second week of October. We’re happy to fish any way you like but we absolutely love to guide streamer trips. Book yours today!

Stop in for clean and affordable lodging, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, vehicle shuttles, summer clearance items like Smith Sunglasses and Simms sportswear and amazing fall deals on select waders, boots and more.

Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale coming very soon. Stay Tuned

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-09-07T14:33:20-06:00September 7th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Smith, Streamer Fishing, Streamer X, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges, Zirdle|0 Comments

Dog Days photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Sunday’s rain accompanied by a much-needed cool down has us thinking fall as we power through the Dog Days of what has become one of the doggier late summer seasons in recent memory.

Between the hot weather, the low flows and the resulting Hoot Owl restrictions the MO has become a rather quiet place as of late.

A few weeks from now these Dog Days will be but a memory as we ramp up for the fall fishing season. In the meantime our rooms are getting some extra attention during the lull, the grass is looking better than it has all summer and the shop has undergone de-cluttering and deep cleaning and we’re in the process of re-stocking with everything you need for fall fishing on the Missouri and anywhere else your travels might take you.

Those who have stuck around these past couple of weeks and those who have maintained their August arrival plans have been rewarded with some pretty good fishing as well as an abundance of solitude on the MO.

With Hoot Owl in effect it’s early on and early off though the march of the season continues to shorten our days and those first light 6 AM starts are slowly returning to 6:30 or 7 AM. Regardless, we’re here early at 6 AM for those looking to hit the pre-dawn bite.

Trico action has been spotty by most accounts but those who are working hard at it are finding ample opportunities on any given day provided the conditions are favorable. Many have shifted their focus to terrestrial fishing, giving the hoppers and ants a go with varying degrees of success. It’s always important to keep your expectations in check and that’s especially true this time of year when things tend to get a little weird out there.

Must Have Dries – Trico Indicator Spinner, Double Wing Trico, Hi Vis Trico Spinner, Stockingfoot Caddis, Buzzball, Outrigger Caddis, Missouri River CDC Caddis, Cornfed Caddis, More or Less Hopper, Donkey Kong Hopper, Blooms Stealth Ant, Cinnamon Parachute Ant, Moorish Mouse 2.0, Midnight Express Mouse, Mouse Pouch, Mr. Hankey Hickman Mouse.

Blind fishing a hopper/ant or a dry/dropper rig generally isn’t going to rack up the numbers but if you take it for what it is which is essentially prospecting, it’s really not a bad way to spend your day and you might even get a few big eats and you simply can’t beat hopper eats!

The best shot at numbers is going to be nymphing which has been decent and which will continue to carry the day from here on out. Zirdles and Crays are a go-to this time of year, and like those hopper eats, you’d be hard pressed to find a better sub-surface hit than that of a hungry trout annihilating a cray! Pair that Zirdle or Cray with a Black Zebra or tailwater sow and fish it hard.

Other productive options have been Frenchies, Little Green Machines, Peep Shows, PT’s, Weight Flies, Tung Darts, Nitro Caddis and Soft Hackle Sows.

The swingers and strippers have been quiet for the most part though all of this unoccupied water has been an open invitation to the swing set who have begun to show up in various haunts up and down the river. Light traffic equals perfect swing conditions. And what about stripping you ask? As you know, it’s ALWAYS streamer season at Wolf Creek Angler so while I’m not going to say conditions are optimal I will say that the low-light early starts are the perfect time to target those Missouri River giants with an intermediate or sinking line and your go-to big bug selections. Hit the banks with a quick retrieve or do a slow sink off the drops with a varied retrieve and prepare for that unexpected grab. Weeds will be a hindrance though definitely not enough to shut you down. Like the terrestrial fishing, streamer fishing is basically prospecting which involves a lot of blind casting, a lot of stripping and hopefully a good grab every now and then to keep things interesting.

And while hot summer nights have traditionally been the time to skate a rodent Hoot Owl has eliminated that option so why not smack that mouse down and skate it in the pre-dawn darkness just to see what happens. The mice don’t care how hot it is and they don’t care if it’s late night or early morning darkness and those carnivorous browns are opportunists and will eat when fed so have at it.

Shop hours are 6 AM – 5 PM daily. A glut of lodging currently available as well as Adipose rental boats and a shop full of everything you need for your short day on the water. We’re sticking with no new August guide trips for the time being but we’re booking trips for fall and also filling in the blanks for Prime Time 2022.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-08-10T13:16:06-06:00August 10th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Hoot Owl, Midnight Express Mouse, Missouri River, Montana, Moorish Mouse 2.0, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Low Water, Spring Snows and BWO’s

With April’s end in sight we’re still waiting for spring to settle in, at least where the weather is concerned.

The last couple of weeks have served up a fairly steady diet of spring snow showers coupled with that dreaded north wind making for somewhat less than ideal conditions if sunny and warm spring days are your thing but for those more concerned with the fishing than the forecast April has not disappointed.

As you would expect, nymphing has been the go to for numbers but streamer fishing has been good and dry fly fishing, though lacking consistency, has been good enough to keep things interesting with midges a plenty and some substantial BWO events occurring over the past week.

Our spring special is now in the rearview and despite the lingering winter conditions we managed to book more of these trips than ever before. And while we usually book a fair amount of guide trip and one night stays this year we had multiple parties stay for over a week with multiple trips, something we’ve rarely seen in April and NEVER in March but I think 2021 is going to continue to be a year of firsts.

There have been a few nice days sprinkled in for good measure and some of those days have been approaching “busy” by spring standards, but generally speaking traffic has been light and the fishing has been solid.

River conditions are currently prime for the dry fly angler and look to remain that way all season long with flows holding in the 3700 CFS range with water temps still holding in the 42 degree range. Snow pack is rapidly diminishing and while the map still indicates 80 – 109% of average for much of the region, flow projections indicate status quo flows with no substantial increase on the horizon. Canyon Ferry remains at only 76 percent full so again, barring an extremely wet May/June it appears as though we’ll be settling in to a low water year on the Missouri.

Wade anglers love these flows as wade access increases dramatically which inevitably leads to an increase in wade angler/boat angler conflict but don’t let that get you down and don’t be a part of the problem. There’s still plenty of water for everyone and while technically those floating are required to yield to the wade anglers, it’s extremely helpful for everyone to communicate in an effort to reduce said conflict.

Yes – if you wade out to a spot and stake your claim it is technically yours but just keep in mind that those same low flows that allow you to get to that spot you normally couldn’t get to also limit the navigation options for those in boats so often times they’ll have to come closer than what you’d like simply because it’s the only way to get by you.

Things work great if boats give an extra wide berth to the wade anglers and also if the wade anglers understand that sometimes boats are going to have to come close to them in order to get by. What makes it all work seamlessly is if the person rowing the boat announces their intentions, maybe even asking the wade angler when possible, where they would prefer the boat to go.

It’s really not difficult but when conflict arises it’s generally due to a lack of communication. If everyone understands the rules of the road as dictated by the flows and treats those they encounter with respect and kindness things usually work out just fine.

Best Sellers from thy Nymph Bins – Pill Poppers, Caviar Scuds, Rainbow Czechs, Tailwater Sow Bugs, Firebead Rainbow Czech, Firebead Ray, Little Green Machine, BWO Magic Fly, Soft Hackle Sow, Zebra Midge, Bubble Yum Scud.

Essential Dry Flies – Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Black Sipper, Sprout Baetis, Grizzly Midge Cluster, Hi Vis Griffiths Gant, Olive Parachute Adams, WCA Trude, BWO Film Critic, BWO Flash Cripple, CDC Baetis Emerger, Micro May BWO.

Hot Streamers – Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow (Sculpin), Double Sparkle Minnow, ZK’s Gladio, Galloup’s Mini Dungeon, Galloup’s Silk Kitten, Craven’s Dirty Hippy, Lil’ Kim, ZK’s MK Ultralite, Craven’s Swim Coach. We’ve also been selling plenty of Thin Mints and buggers for the more traditional streamer set.

No need to start any earlier than 9, especially with the days continuing to get longer. As you’d expect Holter Dam to Craig has been the float of choice but Wolf Creek to Stick, Craig to Mid and Mid to Prewett have all been good options as well.

Things are starting to get consistently busier but we do have plenty of lodging and guide availability for the time being as well as Adipose drift boat rentals and a shop full of everything you need for success on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-04-20T11:01:25-06:00April 20th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome to February on the MO

The season is rapidly approaching and will be here before you know it with the first month of 2021 already in the books.

The Groundhog says six more weeks of winter…let’s hope so. The bare ground and blue skies tell a different story this second day of February and while it appears as though we’ve got some colder temps in the forecast, winter continues to elude us.

We’ll see 50’s today and highs in the high 30’s for the remainder of the week. A chance for some rain and snow on Friday and cold Friday night with lows in the single digits and only climbing into the 20’s on Saturday. Perhaps not the best conditions for weekend fishing but it couldn’t be much better than it is right now.

We’ve got rooms and guides and rental boats available daily and the best deal on the river all winter long…$550 for a full day guide trip with the best guides on the river and not one but TWO NIGHTS of premium lodging in our cozy bungalows. Offer good through the end of March.

If you prefer to DIY winter lodging rates are $99/night (plus tax) and if you just want to make a day out of it we’re doing guide trips without the lodging for $450 for a full day for one or two anglers.

Water conditions are status quo with flows hanging around 4100 CFS and water temps back up near 35 degrees. Holter Dam to Craig continues to be the go-to but don’t hesitate to work the water below Craig. Things were getting a little slushy last down low so I’d recommend staying above mid canon.

Winter Nymphing, Swinging and stripping are all good options right now and midge activity should be ramping up this month if you’re set on dry fly fishing.

We like to mix it up on winter floats, generally switching methods according to location, with the dry fly rig always at the ready.

Status quo all winter long as far as the bugs go. Think Pink! Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Amex, Cotton Candy, Pederson’s Sow, Pink Lucent Bead Rays, Firebead Rays, Firebead Czechs, Soft Hackle Sows, Pink or Rainbow Weight Fly, Zebra Midge, Caviar Scud, Rainbow Czechs…you get the picture. Target those super slow winter buckets and work them thoroughly.

Best bets on the streamer front – go small (ish) and leechy….or not. Polar leeches, Fruit Roll Ups, Balanced Leeches, Thin Mints, Pine Squirrel Leeches and black buggers or if you want to size up go with Kreelex, Sparkle Minnows, Mini Dungeons, Clousers and the like. A lot of swinging going on these days with plenty of takers and moderate success on the strip as well. Keep your retrieve slow with plenty of pauses in between and be ready for the take on the pause.

Griffiths gnats and midge clusters for all of your top water action. Keep your dry fly rod rigged and ready so you’re able to target those rising fish immediately as a lot of the winter feeding tends to be somewhat sporadic.

It kind of felt like spring around here last week with multiple guests staying multiple nights and keeping us busy all week long in the shop and with a few guide trips. It’s always nice to see trucks and trailers filling the parking lot after a few lonely weeks and judging by the early bookings it’s going to be a busy season. So while we’re praying for snow and cold we’re also keeping a close eye on the long-term forecast and we’re ready to spring into action with more lodging as soon as conditions look like they’re going to be stable. We’ve been waiting for that arctic cold snap all winter long and we’re holding out hope that it’s still coming but if we don’t see it materializing sometime soon we may just go ahead and open things up so we’re ready for the inevitable rush.

Spring gear is starting to trickle in and we’re well stocked this winter with everything you need for your day on the water.

We are your Missouri River mild winter fly fishing destination with everything you need all in one place. Lodging, guides, Adipose boat rentals, Simms wading gear and accessories, cold weather gear, fishing licenses, eye wear from Smith and Suncloud, lines and leaders from Airflo and Rio (including MOW tips and versi leaders for the swing set) and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.
Swing in or shop online.

The shop is open Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM with expanded and extended hours likely coming soon. Open EVERY DAY for lodging and guide trips.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-02-02T11:44:33-07:00February 2nd, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, simms, spring fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Sunrise on 2021

As the sun rises on 2021 the promise of a new day gives us plenty of reason for optimism as we anticipate the coming season.

Summer bookings continue to fill the calendar, giving shape to what we hope will be another strong season as we begin year number eight. As previously stated the outdoor recreation industry was a good one to be in during a pandemic and indications are that this will continue to be the case indefinitely, even as the world starts make a return to normal. Even so, having lost our spring last year due to the shut down and having suffered through plenty of cancellations throughout the 2020 season due to travel difficulties and Covid concerns, we’ve got some ground to make up. Early indications based on our current 2021 bookings are that we’re headed in the right direction.

That’s the outlook for prime-time but what about now?

As I write I’m looking out the window at bare ground as has been the case for much of this winter thus far. The thermometer reads 32 degrees with cloudy skies and relatively calm conditions. River flows are currently around 3800 CFS with water temps holding at 35 degrees. In short, winter fishing conditions on the Missouri are prime, especially by January standards, with no big changes on the horizon.

There hasn’t been much variation in the forecast for the past several weeks. Highs around 40, overnight lows in the 20’s, a mix of clouds and sun with little precipitation. Wind has been an issue at times but all things considered, it’s been an extremely fishable winter season with very light traffic.

As previously announced we are back in the business of winter lodging so there’s really no reason to not take a couple of days off and spend some time on the Missouri. Book a guide or bring your boat (or rent one of ours) or just do the winter walk/wade. Most are settling in to winter nymphing, some are opting to swing and a few are intent on logging that first dry fly eat of the year. All are good options given the current conditions.

Nymphs – Think Pink! Pill Poppers, Bubble Yum Scuds, Amex, Yum Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Pink Weight Flies, Pederson’s Sow, Pink LB, Cotton Candy, Tailwater Sow, Pink Lucent Bead Rays, Soft Hackle Sows, Caviar Scuds…just to name a few. Slow, deep winter water fished deep with a bb or two to get you down.

Streamers – Winter Standards like Kreelex, Polar Leeches, Thin Mints, Balance Leeches, Buggers etc. but don’t be afraid to stray from the standards. Dredge the depths with a SLOW retrieve or swing the tailouts.

Dries – Griffiths Gnat, Grizzly Midge Cluster, Hi Vis Midge, Black Midge, Adams Midge, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Black Sipper. Midges are it for the next couple of months and may or not be present, all depends on the day but it’s never a bad idea to keep a dry fly rod rigged and ready just in case.

The Winter Program

Guided Fishing – WCA Guides are the BEST on the river. Book yourself a trip today and leave the rowing and rigging to us. $450 winter rate for a full day float for one or two anglers and no risk with no cancellation fees for any reason for winter trips.

Lodging – Wolf Creek Angler is your best option and the best deal you’ll find anywhere. $99/night (plus tax) for a cozy, clean bungalow with two twin beds, a pull out couch, full kitchen and private bath just minutes from the river.

Dining – You’re pretty much on your own so all the more reason to book one of our bungalows, each with a full size fridge, range, microwave, coffee maker and all cookware provided.

Boat Rental – Adipose Flow drift boats. $100/day. You haul. $150 if you need us to haul it for you.

Shuttle Service – Headhunters remains the only game in town at this point but we’re currently mulling over options based on the persistent mild weather. Stay tuned!

Shop Hours – Officially still Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM but it’s a safe assumption we’ll be here on Mondays if it’s nice (at least long enough to get our boats hooked up and hit the river) and if winter ever returns we likely won’t be here on days it doesn’t make sense to make the trip out. Regardless, we’re open for lodging and guide trips EVERY day.

We’re excited for the New Year and the coming new season and we hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-01-04T11:32:17-07:00January 4th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $450 Winter Rate guide trips, 2021, Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall Fading Fast in Wolf Creek

All is quiet on the Missouri as we cruise through October with the end of the 2020 season in sight.

Traffic has slowed to a crawl and will likely stay that way with more winter weather on the way. A very pleasant autumn day today with highs nearing 50 but that’s all about to change as we’ll see a cold front arrive tonight.

Tomorrow looks like it could be that Baetis day we’ve been waiting for with rain and snow in the morning changing to all snow in the afternoon with a high of 38. We may see up to four inches of accumulation tomorrow night as lows drop into the teens and it will be more of the same for the remainder of the week with a chance for snow each day and highs in the 20’s with overnight lows plummeting into the single digits.

Things warm up starting the first part of next week but the forecast is extreme enough through the weekend that we’ll be closing/winterizing our motel rooms tomorrow. We’ll have cabins available at least through the end of the month and the bungalows are open all winter long.

Fall is never as busy as you might expect but it’s particularly quiet this year which should be music to your ears if you don’t mind a little cold weather and you’re looking to extend your 2020 season. Fishing is worth your while on all fronts with solid nymphing, the potential for silly dry fly fishing any day now and streamer fishing good enough and only getting better from here on out.

All of this AND you can have it virtually to yourself.

We are running our last guide trips on the books this week but expect they’ll trickle in as we close out the season. Give us a call today and book your fall guided fishing trip on the Missouri or if DIY is more your style we’ve got plenty of lodging available and the shop is fully stocked with everything you need for fall fishing. Cold Weather gear, shuttles, bugs, Adipose drift boat rentals, Simms waders and boots and a bunch of cool new logo gear just in time for holiday shopping either in store or very soon to be online with our web store which is currently under construction and expected to be live in the coming days.

We are your streamer specialists on the MO with a full assortment of specialty lines for any and all sub-surface scenarios and the expertise to get you dialed in with the perfect streamer set up. We’ve also got what has been proclaimed by many to be the best streamer selection on the river so look no further than WCA.

Nymphing or dry fly fishing? We’ve got you covered too with fully stocked baetis bins and the best selection of Missouri River nymphs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

We are your Missouri River full service fall fishing one stop shop ready to serve you.

Fall shop hours 7:30 – 5:00 PM Monday – Saturday and 7:30 – 4:00 PM Sunday.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-10-20T18:24:43-06:00October 20th, 2020|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Caddis Sunset – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Rapidly approaching mid-July and everything is falling into place.

The flows have been cut in half since last week and are currently leveling off at a wade-friendly 5900 CFS. July operation plans from the Bureau of Reclamation are predicting most probable flows to be right about where they are for the month before falling in August and leveling out at around 4500 CFS for the remainder of 2020. Water temps are holding at around 63 degrees.
The late push of water had many singing the blues these last two weeks but to be honest with you, the conditions couldn’t be much better than they are right now as far as flow and water temperature go. The weeds are definitely starting to take hold but we’re in really good shape for Mid-July.

So it took a while but the water conditions which are the first piece of the puzzle just fell into place. Obviously the other critical component of the Missouri River dry fly extravaganza is the bugs and we’re happy to report that this component has also been shaping up nicely throughout the season.

This time of the season is what makes the MO a legend in the lore of western fly fishing. PMD’s? Check. Caddis? Check. Tricos? Check. And some pseudos in the mix for good measure. So many bugs, so many trout and nothing but time.

These are the days of pre-dawn launches and of picking boats after dark. These are the days of sleep deprivation amongst crazed dry-fly anglers and shop staff alike. These are the days of hunting heads, of blanket hatches, of putting pods of fish down with blown casts and with any luck, of artfully delivered casts being rewarded with the take and the fight and just maybe landing the fish of a lifetime. Big fish. Small flies. Delicate tippet and a highly developed combination of steely determination, resolve and finesse (as well as one hell of a well-rehearsed and more often than not, perfectly executed reach cast) culminating in an oddity known in our world as the DFO.

They’re a rare breed and the banks of the Missouri are crawling with them right now. That being said, “crawling” might be a stretch. After all, it’s the season of Covid and nothing is quite as it should be. Don’t get me wrong, there are folks here and we’re “busy” by 2020 standards but in a normal year with these bugs and these conditions you would expect the Missouri to be overrun with anglers which it is not.

That being said, we’ve been doing this dawn and darkness boat thing for years and while it’s definitely not every night, there have been a couple evenings at the ramp, the likes of which I’ve never seen with the parking lot at the takeout looking like 3:30 pm on a summer afternoon with nearly every trailer spot occupied.

Other days (and nights) it’s already feeling like the coming Dog Days of August with next to no one around.

Weekends are a different story as it seems Covid has kept folks close to home. A ton of rafts and SUP’s and all manner of floaty things assembled on all stretches of the river have made Saturday the day you probably don’t want to try to fish the MO.

Aside from Saturdays however, this is the season to be here if you want to experience the Missouri River at PRIME TIME like you’ve never experienced it before and hopefully won’t again with light to moderate traffic and an abundance of target-rich water there for the taking.

A recent lull in our lodging caused by Covid cancellations has ended and we’re back to full bore with a nearly full house for the remainder of the month.

Guide trips are filling in nicely and requests have reached a point where we’re having to turn down days because all of our guides are booked. This is a welcome development in a season we feared we might lose altogether.
We continue to play the fill-in game with inventory at the shop, walking the fine line between cautious purchasing and having everything on hand you might ask for. We still don’t know where this thing is going so we’re continuing to cautiously plot the remainder of the season but rest assured we do have bugs a plenty as well as a full stock of leaders/tippet/lines/tools/accessories/ etc. and we’ve also just placed a couple of logo orders to replenish our depleted stocks of WCA gear. New stuff coming soon.

The fly bins are full with all of the PMD, Caddis and Trico patterns (as well as the largest assortment of Missouri River nymphs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek MT) And don’t miss our drawer of foam fully stocked with all of the best hopper patterns for the rapidly approaching terrestrial season.

Summer hours 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM officially, and usually someone around before and after those hours. Shuttles, sun protection, Adipose Drift Boat rentals, Affordable lodging and the hardest working guide crew on the MO’.

We are your Missouri River summer fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-07-14T21:30:56-06:00July 14th, 2020|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, pmd's, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter Returns

And just like that winter is on its way once again.

You didn’t think it was over did you? It’s barely even begun!

Winter Storm Warning in Effect from 2 PM today through 11 AM Friday above 5500 feet, Winter Weather Advisory in Effect for areas below 5500 feet.

For the Winter Storm Warning heavy snow is expected. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 30 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. For the Winter Weather Advisory total snow accumulations of 1 to 6 inches possible.

Just the way we like it! Another big shot of snow for the high country adding to our snow pack which is already in decent shape and manageable accumulations (or possibly none at all) where we live. It’s the best of both worlds!

It looks like highs near 40 for the remainder of the week with lows hanging right around 30 for the next few nights. We’ll see a blast of arctic air mid-week next week with high temperatures dropping back into the teens with lows in the single digits or colder. Now is the time to get on the water.

It’s on the breezy side today but the rest of the week could provide excellent fishing conditions with overcast skies, the potential for snow each day, moderate temperatures and relatively calm winds in the 6 – 8 mph range through Friday.

Often times the leading edge of these weather systems can flip the switch on the fishing. It’s been decent all week by most reports we’ve heard but it could be downright epic these next couple of days. There’s only one way to find out. You won’t know if you don’t go!

We offer the best winter lodging value on the MO at just $99/night (plus tax) for a cozy bungalow with full kitchen and private bath. Two twin beds and a Full pull-out sofa sleep 3 very comfortably and a rollaway will accommodate a fourth if need be.

And while a lot of the competition offers discount “Spring Special” trips come March, Wolf Creek Angler offers the best deal on the river ALL WINTER LONG. $400 for a FULL DAY GUIDE TRIP with the best guides on the water. And as if that weren’t enough we’re giving away FREE LODGING. That’s right….FREE as in ZERO Dollars!

Book two days of guided fishing and your second night of lodging is on us. Try to find a better deal…you won’t. And the best part…NO CANCELLATION FEES, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Winter weather can change rapidly which makes planning a trip tough to do. If the weather turns or if you simply change your mind you’re off the hook.

We hope you take advantage of the weather these next couple of days and enjoy what could be the best fishing yet of 2020.

Even if you decide to pass on this amazing deal and do things on your own we hope you make us your one-stop on the way to the river. We’ve got anything and everything you need for winter fly fishing on the Missouri. The best and biggest selection of Missouri River winter bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, shuttles, Simms waders and boots, cold weather gear and the best deals of the winter on rods/reels and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-02-05T18:22:42-07:00February 5th, 2020|Categories: Local Buzz, Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, fly fishing, Free Lodging, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter Solitude on the MO’

Just back from sunny Sacramento and the International Sportsmen’s Expo. We escaped the arctic blast just in time and have returned to a January Thaw so the timing couldn’t be better.

Photo by John Orzechowski

I spent the first part of last week just before we left for California crawling around under the shop thawing frozen pipes in the midst of the coldest temps we’ve seen in quite a while. Fast forward a week and we’re in the midst of a serious warm up that has us thinking spring.

High temps will be at or near 50 degrees all week long and while tomorrow looks to be breezy, conditions couldn’t be much better than they are today. Wind on these warmer days is to be expected but with the exception of tomorrow it really doesn’t look to be too bad. Even tomorrow at 19-24 mph out of the southwest, gusting to 32 mph I wouldn’t let that stop you.

After spending four days talking fishing with prospective clients and returning to this spring-like weather I can’t wait to get back on the water and I’m definitely ready for the season to get underway. I’m well aware there’s plenty of winter ahead but we’re definitely going to take advantage of these current conditions while they last and you should too!

The river is in great shape at 4220 CFS and 34 degrees….perfect winter water. Get out there and get your winter trout fix this week. We’ve got lodging available for just $99/night (plus tax) and full day guide trips for just $400 for one or two anglers all winter long. We’ve gotten a few bookings for the weekend already and I’m sure we’ll be full come Friday so don’t waste any more time. Call and book yourself a mid-winter trip to the Missouri before the cold and snow return.

And speaking of bookings, late June and most of July are rapidly approaching FULL so don’t put off those summer plans any longer if you want in on some of the best trout fishing on the planet.

We’ll delve into flow predictions in more detail in the coming weeks but for now all you need to know is that we’re looking good as far as far as snow water equivalent goes with everything sitting at, near or over 100 percent of average. The latest flow predictions are indicating a decent water year with flows most likely peaking at around 6500 cfs. It’s way too early to tell what we’ll actually see come spring but we’ll keep you posted throughout the winter months as a more accurate flow picture begins to come into focus.

We hope you’ll make us your first stop on the way to the Missouri this week. We’re fully stocked on all the hottest winter nymphs and streamers and we’ve got plenty of midge patterns as well if you’re looking for top water action. We’ve also got some great deals going on fall/winter inventory as we make way for spring gear arriving soon.

30% off all Simms winter outerwear and base layers and don’t miss our Mid-Winter Rod and Reel sale…25% off ALL RODS and REELS and a FREE ARC fly line when you purchase a rod/reel combo.

We’ve got everything you need and more for your day on the water including Adipose Flow drift boat rentals, Simms waders and boots, Hand Warmers, nets from Rising and Fishpond, lines, leaders and tippet from RIO, the best coffee in the canyon and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-01-21T18:05:16-07:00January 21st, 2020|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, Fishpond, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, RIO, Rising, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Pre-Thanksgiving Fishing this weekend on the MO

There are all sorts of reasons you ought to include fishing the Missouri in your weekend plans, not the least of which is the fact that these next few days of 50 ish degree weather could in fact be the last of the nice weather for a while.

Add to that the certainty that we’re all about to be swept up into a busy holiday season starting next week and I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t try to get out for one last Missouri River hurrah before the holidays (and winter) are upon us.

Oh, and it just so happens we do have limited availability for lodging this weekend as well as a number of guides still hanging around who’d like nothing better than to log another day or two before calling it a season.

And while the Mending Waters Montana boats for veterans are in dry dock for the winter we do still have Adipose Flow drift boats available for rent all winter long.

So if you’re not interested in watching Saturday’s Brawl of the Wild and you’re not going to take advantage of the nice days to put up those Christmas lights before the snow flies again then I’d expect you might want to be on the water this weekend.

Angler traffic has been sparse to say the least which means you can have it all to yourself. I expect we’ll see some folks around this weekend but it’s doubtful you’ll be waiting in line at the boat ramp and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a piece of water to call your own.

We’re still dedicating most of our time on the water to streamer fishing with mixed results but nymphing continues to be productive and you may still encounter some dry fly opportunities though that window is rapidly closing.

Water temps are continuing to drop (currently 40.5 degrees) which will get those fish moving into the slow winter water. I wouldn’t say they’re all there yet but they are likely moving in that direction so don’t overlook those spots.

What traffic there is seems to be favoring the Wolf Creek to Craig stretch but there’s no reason you shouldn’t fish the dam and we also really like the Craig to Mid (or even just to Stickney) float this time of year. Just keep in mind that our daylight is continuing to shrink so don’t over commit or you’ll be rowing out in the dark.

We’re here at 8 am daily, anxiously waiting to help you out with whatever you need. Whether that’s bugs, leaders, indicators, hand warmers, gloves, socks, hats, waders, boots, sunglasses, free coffee (the best in the canyon), advice, a room, a guide….whatever it is, we’re happy to help. And while our shuttle service can be hit or miss this time of year we’re always happy to help hook you up with a shuttle whether we’re the ones doing it or not.

How about Christmas shopping? We can help you out there as well.

Great deals on rods and reels and something for all of the fly anglers on your list including Wolf Creek Angler gift cards in any amount good for anything and everything we sell from merch to guide trips to lodging and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2019-11-21T16:59:32-07:00November 21st, 2019|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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