BWO's Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

October Can’t Be Beat

Roughly two weeks in, October has not disappointed.

Cooler air and water temps and plenty of cloud cover have contributed to some excellent days on the water. More of the same ahead weather wise for the remainder of this week with daytime highs in the 50’s and overnight lows dipping into the 30’s with a good shot at some rain tomorrow and overcast skies on Friday.

Temps tick back up into the 60’s over the weekend with lows in the 40’s with a good mix of clouds and sun all week long. You really couldn’t ask for better fishing weather so if you haven’t made it out for much fall fishing now is the time.

Sooner than later the change in the weather is going to come and while there are plenty of folks around to whom the weather is not a determining factor, this next week or two might be it for those looking for idyllic autumn days on the water.

Water temps are in good shape, just shy of 58 degrees making for happy trout.

Flows dropped somewhat dramatically this week and are currently holding around 3000 CFS. Adjust those nymph rigs accordingly.

Varying reports on the dry fly side but there have definitely been some good days and there will be more when the conditions are right. Pseudos, midges, the occasional October Caddis, ants….all on the menu in October with full blown Fall BWO’s on the horizon…fingers crossed.

Nymphing continues to be your best bet for numbers. Zebras, Sows, LGM’s, Psycho Mays, 2 Bits, Peep Show, Split Case BWO, Olive S & M, Olive Micromay, Juju Baetis… all good bets and all available in stock at Wolf Creek Angler.

Let’s face it, fall is STREAMER SEASON and we are loaded up with everything you need for hucking meat on the MO. We are your undisputed Streamer Authority with the gear, the bugs and the know how to get you dialed in.

We like to talk fishing – any kind of fishing. But if you really want to engage us, bring up anything having to do with streamer fishing. We can’t shut up about it!

Cool cloudy autumn days were built for streamer fishing. Get out there!

There’s a lot going on in the world right now, serious times indeed. There’s no better escape than time on the water.

Come enjoy autumn’s PRIME TIME here on the Missouri.

Spring Fishing Heating Up This Week on the MO

Go Time

Following last week’s winter blast it looks like we’ll be settling into a much more seasonable weather pattern this week. We’ll see daily highs in the 50’s with overnight lows in the 30’s and a chance for some rain/snow throughout the week. Sounds like Blue Wing weather to me.

It looks to be on the breezy side tomorrow with a west southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon with gusts up to 37 mph possible but aside from that it really does appear to be quintessential spring fishing conditions this week. No wild swings up or down with the temps, just a good steady run for the foreseeable forecast.

We had confirmed BWO sightings over the weekend so expect good things to start happening this week on the dry fly front, especially towards the end of the week with cloudy skies and a chance of rain and snow in the mix.

Best bets for Blue Wings – Olive Haze, Sprout Baetis, BWO Guide Winna Spinna, Wilcox’s Micro May BWO, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, BWO Film Critic, Flash Cripple, Para BWO, CDC Winged Emerger. We usually have good success running a double rig with a cripple or an emerger in the mix. I like a Sprout Baetis trailed with a DOA Cripple. Keep that BWO dry fly rod rigged and ready. You never know when it might happen so better to be at the ready than to have to spend time rigging when that opportunity is calling for fishing not rigging.

Nymphing will continue to be your numbers game with Sowbugs still leading the charge but it’s time to throw some baetis nymphs in the mix with the sows and scuds and pink stuff. Little Green Machines, Psycho Mays, Split Case BWO’s, BWO Magic Fly, BWO Redemption, Olive Lighting Bug, Radiation Baetis, JuJu Baetis…etc should all be making their way into the mix right now. Don’t abandon the sows and scuds, just expand your offerings.

Flows are steady at right around 3,000 cfs and will likely hold there from here on out. Water temps are bumping up over 40 and should also hold fairly steady for the next while. Fish are on the move. Rainbows are spawning and browns are feasting on caviar. Target the medium fast water in the 2’ – 5’ depth range and please leave the spawners alone. Watch where you step and if you somehow find yourself surrounded by redds and spawning fish resist the temptation to harass those fish.

Conditions are critical for these fish right now with the low water. With the absence of side channels resulting from the low flows they’re right out there in the open for everyone to see and unfortunately some folks just can’t resist the temptation. We urge you to remember that our rivers are not stocked. These are wild fish and this is how they come to be so for the sake of the future please leave the spawning fish alone and let them do their thing. Read all about it here!

Streamer fishing heating up. Smaller patterns are moving more fish but as the water temps come up it changes the game and while smaller sizes may move more fish I still feel like bigger patterns catch fewer but bigger fish and there’s nothing I won’t throw this time of year. Go small, go big…go with both. Fish what you like and commit. Prime Time Streamer fishing for the next 4 weeks!

Traffic will bump this week with the nicer weather and will steadily increase from here on out. We’ve got plenty of lodging and guide trips available for the next few weeks before things start to really go crazy so book now.

We’re open at 8 AM daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.