Brawl of the Wild Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Winter weather is here and all has gone quiet on the Missouri.

A few hangers on out there last weekend but a different story this week with few souls braving the elements. Empty boat ramps from Holter Dam down and not a wade angler in site. Today looks like it may have fishy potential with cloudy skies and a high of 43 with SW winds 10-15 mph but I wouldn’t expect any lines at the boat ramps.

It could be an epic streamer day today (or not). The chase has been on with swingers and strippers both reporting solid action as of late. I’d opt for a moderately lengthy float today and target everything that looks fishy and some stuff that doesn’t, paying extra attention to transitional water and making sure not to overlook the shallow flats. Status quo on the water conditions with flows holding at around 3100 CFS and water temps in the 45 degree range but soon to drop.

Swingers have been finding concentrations of fish in the obvious spots but don’t limit yourself to the handful of spots you know have produced in the past, study the water and find more just like those…they’re likely holding plenty of fish as well.

Kreelex season is underway but we’ve also had good luck with Skittish Smolts, Sparkle Minnows, Swim Coach, Dirty Hippies, Circus Peanuts, Colonel Kurtz, Polar Leeches, Thin Mints and Fruit Roll Ups. Pearl, white, brown/yellow, copper have all seen some action on the brighter days. Black, brown, natural and Olive have all been good options under cloud cover but don’t get stuck in that conventional wisdom either – throw the kitchen sink at them regardless of light conditions.

Just a reminder – we’re still running our autumn rod and reel sale with 20% off any rod or reel and 25% off and rod/reel and line combo. It might be the perfect opportunity to step up your streamer rig or to surprise your favorite fly fisher with a shiny new SAGE, ECHO, LAMSON or REDINGTON rod and/ or reel.

Each year, around this time it seems a switch is flipped and things go completely quiet on the fishing front. With Thanksgiving a week from today it feels like the focus has shifted. The weekend forecast looks cold and snowy and while it looks like we’ll be precipitation free next week, daily highs only in the 20’s and 30’s will likely keep all but the most hard core anglers away.

Our shop hours will reflect the weather next week which means we’ll be here if there’s a decent chance folks will be around but if not we more than likely won’t. We know for sure we’ll be closed on Thursday. Black Friday looks like lows in the single digits and a high of 25 so maybe not. Suffice it to say you should call ahead before you come out. Published hours are Tuesday – Saturday 9 AM – 3 PM.

Enjoy the run up to Thanksgiving, embrace the winter weather and pray for lots of desperately needed snow all winter long, call the shop and make your gift purchases from the comfort of home including the always popular Wolf Creek Angler Gift Cards and get ready for the Brawl of the Wild, kickoff is Saturday at noon.

Go Griz!

Late October Update

Seasons Collide – late October on the MO. Photo courtesy of Bob Hoyt

We got a taste of winter last weekend with several inches of snow falling on Saturday night and Sunday just in time for the general hunting season opener. Judging by FWP reports it sounds as though opening weekend was a success for many hunters.

The migration of traffic from the water to the woods has left us with the quiet solitude of late fall. From here on out through these next several months crowding will not be an issue on the MO.

You’ll find a few of the Swing Brigade out there on any given day along with the hard core DFO’s awaiting EPIC BWOs and the fall streamer junkies looking for a fix.

More hunters than anglers in the house at WCA right now with a big push of lodging business ahead of next week’s scheduled shut down of the majority of our lodging for winter. We’ll be closing down our Cabins and motel rooms on November 1st, leaving the bungalows open for the time being as we head into the winter months.

We’ll be on normal hours through the first week of November and then weekends only starting the week of the 7th as we close up shop to tend to off-season business though the end of November. Weekends will be weather dependent as our new shop hand Jack has a bit of a haul to get here.

Unfortunately shuttles will be on hiatus until spring unless you happen to show up when there are a couple of us in the shop. We run a minimal crew during the winter months and I haven’t yet figured out how to run shuttles with just one person so in the meantime please check with Headhunters or The Trout Shop for shuttle availability.

Shuttles aside we’ve got everything else you’ll need for late fall and winter fishing on the MO including some awesome Cold Weather and wading gear from Simms and we’re also awaiting the arrival of our Brawl of the Wild Series Griz and Cat themed WCA hoodies. We’ll get them on the online store just as soon as they’re out of the box. Quite a few have already been spoken for so maybe give us a shout and have us hold one for you if you’re interested.

Fishing has been fair with water conditions holding steady. Flows currently holding in the 3200 CFS range with water temps in the low 50s and on the drop. Weeds continue to be a factor but will improve as we head into the winter months. Even so, there’s plenty of clean water out there. You just need to choose your spots.

Status quo on the nymphing scene with sowbugs and small mayfly nymphs getting it done. We haven’t really seen a huge shift to Pink or Firebeads yet but it’s coming. Pill Poppers have been good depending on the day so there’s no reason not to start working those winter offerings into the mix. We’re still fishing the faster water, medium depth but as those water temps drop look to shift your focus to the winter water.

We ran a couple of swing trips this week and had moderate success. Stripping has been hit or miss but definitely worth your time. I trust that if you’re fishing from now through the winter months you don’t need to be talked into anything. If you’re here you know.

Guide trips are coming to a close, just one more on the books at this point. Many of our guides have disappeared but give us a call if you’re looking for a late fall trip. There are a few left here who’d love to take you.

Come enjoy the late fall solitude on the Missouri.

MOvember

Late October Update