caddis Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Life Returns to the MO

Autumn Magic on the Missouri

A week ago you could barely detect a pulse here on the Missouri but the life force has returned this week as we approach mid-September. I think it’s safe to say that our fall fishing season is in full swing with a major influx of angling traffic underway.

Holter Dam to Craig still holds the majority of the traffic, so much so that you may even find yourself having to endure some short waits at the boat ramp depending on your start time. Cool temps in the morning have most folks opting for later starts which is making for busy boat ramps in the 9 -10 AM window. You can avoid the crowds by layering up and getting an early start, doing the late shift, or choosing a lower stretch of river.

The fall fishing season is a relatively short one and is very much weather dependent as we move towards October. Our lodging and guide books are full for September but at this point there’s not much going on in October. It could be that a month from now we’re still cranking or it could be that the traffic has again disappeared leaving an abundance of empty water to those who love the late fall season regardless of the weather. That’s when the swing season gets underway and we usually see the major fall BWO activity (if any) happen in October and early November.

The water is in good shape, currently flowing at 4840 CFS with water temps hanging in the 63 – 64 degree range. Cool nights are keeping those water temps in check but the continued warm weather during the daytime has thus far prevented a substantial cool down. It looks like a cooling trend will settle in mid-week next week.

While definitely coming to a close, we’re still seeing Tricos more days than not and if Pseudos are your thing this is your time. Ant and hopper fishing has continued to produce and while we haven’t heard many reports of actual bugs, October Caddis fished blind are getting eaten on occasion.

The Zebra Midge and Tailwater Sow game remains strong, especially in the Holter to Wolf Creek run but it’s time to start working the bwo nymphs into the mix. Green Machines, 2 Bits, Psycho Mays, Magic Flies, Redemptions, Split Case BWO’s, Juju’s, Rainbow Warriors and Pheasant Tails have all been getting some looks. Frenchies, Weight Flies, Tung Darts, October Caddis Nymphs and Rainbow Czechs all make for a good lead fly.

Zirdles and other crayfish patterns have been heating up and streamers are in play from here on out though weeds are going to frustrate your efforts throughout the fall fishing campaign.

It’s such an awesome time to fish the MO. We talk about fall traffic but it’s nothing like what you’ll see during prime time. The dam definitely has some traffic but if you’re willing to trade sheer numbers of fish for relative solitude with ample numbers, it’s truly one of the best times to be here.

Cold mornings, hot coffee, busy fly shops, bugling elk, rising fish, streamer madness, autumn light….what’s not to like about fall fishing season on the MO?

We are your FULL SERVICE, ONE STOP FALL FLY FISHING DESTINATION with everything you need for your Missouri River pilgrimage.

Affordable lodging, the best guides on the river, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, SAGE rods and reels, Simms waders and boots, THE CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO and much more, including the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Prove me wrong!

Open daily at 7 AM and closer to the Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge boat launches than ANY OTHER SHOP.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-09-14T11:58:24-06:00September 14th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: blooms weight fly, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, frenchie, Holter Dam, juju baetis, Magic Fly, Missouri River, October Caddis, pseudos, Psycho May, rainbow warrior, Redemption, running line, simms, Split Case BWO, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, tricos, Tung Dart, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges, Zirdle|0 Comments

Fall on the Mighty Missouri

We’re already a week into September and although we’ve yet to emerge from the late summer lull, the clock is steadily ticking on what’s left of the season.

Things continue to be quiet around these parts though traffic has started to increase, ever so slightly.

A few more rooms filled each week, a few more guide trips out each day and a slow but steady trickle of folks through the shop.

The fall fishing season will ramp up over the next week or two, peaking in early to mid-October but fall busy is not summer busy so don’t despair. It’s a laid back time to fish the MO with moderate traffic, often times gorgeous autumn weather and excellent fishing opportunities as the water temps drop with the abbreviated daylight hours.

Many turn their interests elsewhere this time of year, trading the fly rod for the bow or shotgun. The summer tourist migration has reversed course making fall one of THE BEST TIMES to fly fish the Missouri River and Montana in general.

September is, for the most part, a terrestrial fishery on the MO though there are Pseudos around and we’re still seeing the occasional Trico event as well as the start of October Caddis.

More or Less Hoppers, Donkey Kong Hoppers, Stealth Ants, Water Walkers, Beetles and October Caddis all great dry fly options right now.

Trail your meaty hopper with a snack size ant and see what happens or drop a zebra or Psycho May or Green Machine and ply the banks and mid-river riffles. Common knowledge says fish close to the bank as those terrestrials do in fact heavily inhabit those riparian zones and do in fact fall in the water. That’s a good method but as the season goes on those fish are seeing a billion foamy hoppers off the banks and they may in fact get a little wary and a bit more selective about what they’re going to eat which could result in some slower days if you limit your fishing to the banks.

What also happens frequently is those flying terrestrials catch a gust and get carried out and over the water. They could end up anywhere but as you’ve no doubt experienced when throwing a caddis blind, those trout love to hang out in the shallow riffles and pick off whatever happens to come their way. It’s no different with the terrestrials. They do end up out there and they do get eaten. So by all means beat the banks, but don’t overlook the mid-river stuff. The largest trout I’ve landed on the MO ate a #10 More or Less Hopper presented randomly ahead of the boat in non-descript, non fishy water essentially during casting practice. You never know!

If you want to stick strictly to nymphing the dam is the place to be with plenty of Zebra Midges on hand. We’ve been having good luck with a purple or gold weight fly, a Tung Dart or an Olive Psycho May as a lead fly but double zebras with a split will get it done as well.

Cool mornings and autumn cloud cover have many thinking fall streamers and rightly so. Our resident browns are gearing up for the autumn spawn and will soon be overtaken by aggression which is what the streamer junkies are eagerly awaiting.

Weeds are going to challenge you, increasingly so as you move down to the lower stretches, but they are not the worst they’ve ever been. Just something you need to factor in and deal with. It’s not a surprise to those who know but if you’re just getting into the streamer game you’ll want to mentally prepare for the challenges (and rewards) of fall streamer fishing.

We’re on the cusp, not there yet but there’s no time like the present. Fish live by the changes in their environments, not by a calendar. Shorter daylight hours, long nights and cooler water tell the fish what time it is. These triggers roughly coincide with dates on the calendar but don’t get hung up on dates – just start throwing and see what happens.

We’re stocked up on all the best streamer patterns big and small as well as streamer lines for any and all situations/water types, and plenty of great options if you’re in the market for a new streamer stick including my personal go to, the Sage Igniter #7. It’s the best streamer stick I’ve fished and I’ve fished a bunch of them.

We’re open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River (and surrounding waters) Fall fly fishing needs. The greatest selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO, Adipose Flow drift boat rentals, Simms waders and cold weather gear, a fresh shipment of Richardson WCA logo hats, Bad Ass Korkers River Ops wading boots, SA, Rio and Airflo lines, Fishpond Nomad nets and much more.

It’s Second Season Time on the MO!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-09-07T13:14:26-06:00September 7th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose Flow, Airflo, brown trout, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Fishpond Nomad, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, RIO, SA, Sage Ignitor, simms, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Goodbye Summer, Autumn is upon us

As we close out August on the MO the anticipation is underway.

Sure it still feels like summer out there (and will for a while) but there’s definitely an autumn vibe in the air with chilly misty mornings, shorter daylight hours, bear poop up and down the Recreation Road, fish stacked at the grass flats below Holter and green leaves transforming to yellows and reds. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year (or one of them anyway).

We’re still in Dog Days mode and things will likely remain quiet for the next couple of weeks before the fall season really gets underway.

In the meantime we’ve got plenty of lodging and the guide calendar has a few openings for the next little while. Weekends will continue to be busy with rec traffic as long as the weather stays nice, particularly the upcoming holiday weekend – the unofficial END of SUMMER. Temps are expected to be in the 80’s with abundant sunshine so don’t expect to have it to yourself if you’d planned on fishing over the Labor Day weekend.

The weekdays will be the time to get out there over these next couple weeks if you’re looking to avoid the crowds but now is the time as it’ll be back to bumper boats before you know it.

Should the weekends be your only option we’d recommend getting an early start. If you shoot for that 10 – 11 AM window thinking you’ll roll in behind the angling traffic you’re likely correct, but you’ll also be smack dab in the middle of the rec floaters.

And while the dam to Wolf Creek has been the go to due to the number of fish currently hanging out in the grass flats and the relatively weed-free water, the lower stretches are also fishing fine and will provide a respite from the traffic. Double zebras or a Zebra and a weight fly or Frenchie has been the ticket in the dam stretch. Nymphing hasn’t been AS good below Wolf Creek Bridge but they’re there as well, you just have to work a little harder for them.

Hoppers and ants will continue to be in play for the next month and while it hasn’t exactly been one for the record books, we’ve had some pretty damn good terrestrial days river-wide. September is also the month for October Caddis so don’t be afraid to work that into the mix.

Tricos are still going fairly strong though definitely waning and caddis should still be a staple in your fly box, especially later in the day. We’ve already started to get calls asking about BWO’s. We’ll likely see them sometime in October but the weather needs to change drastically before we even start thinking about such things.

A lot of folks (myself included) think streamers when they think of fall fishing. Fall is the time for big browns on streamers and there will be plenty of them caught here on the MO but if you’re going to play that game you need to know that you’ll be dealing with weeds from now until the snow flies (and for a while after that). The weeds do not disappear with a turn of the calendar page so know before you go that you’ll be dealing with them. It’s not the end of the world, you just need to choose your spots and work through the challenges, keeping in mind that those super weedy spots you’re avoiding may in fact hold the trophy of a lifetime.

We’re open from 7 AM – 5 PM daily for all of your Montana fall fly fishing needs. The fly bins are loaded up with fall bugs including the best streamer selection on the MO and we’re also fully stocked on lines, leaders and tippet from SA and Rio and we can’t think of a better time to treat yourself to a new Sage R8 or Igniter.

New fall gear arriving daily including Cozy Simms WCA hoodies and a full restock on Simms waders and boots and hats and gloves and much more. And don’t forget, we are the home of the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO!

We are your Missouri River fall fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-30T14:12:18-06:00August 30th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, simms, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Sun Setting on Summer 2023

These are lonely days in the fly shop and quiet days on the river as summer continues to slip away.

We saw a small bump in river traffic over the weekend with Caddis Fest happening in Craig but for all intents and purposes, it’s a Missouri River Ghost Town.

And while it’s not great for us, it is great for you if you’re planning on coming out to fish the MO anytime soon.

What little angling traffic we’ve seen has been concentrated at the dam where a double zebra rig has been lethal more days than not. Tung Darts and Weight flies and Frenchies make a good point fly if you want to give them some variety but make sure to run at least one black zebra on those rigs…trust me.

For those more interested in hopper eats, it’s been on the slow side but it’s not due to angling pressure so keep at it. You can have seemingly MILES of river all to yourself most days which will likely be the case for the next couple of weeks as people shift gears and return to fall routines.

I prefer a single hopper, keeping things simple and tangle free but you can certainly drop a nymph or trail with an ant to boost your odds.

Donkey Kong and More or Less Hoppers in peach, tan, pink and grey have all been getting some looks and while I wouldn’t NOT fish a larger hopper (#8 or bigger) #12’s and #14’s seem to be more effective overall this year.

You might also try a chubby or Water Walker or the micro version of either to show them something different.

The canyon offers some Classic Hopper water as does the lower river but terrestrials are everywhere and can be effective anywhere and everywhere from Holter Dam to Cascade.

Some days they’re on it, some days not so much but it’s a bit like streamer fishing in that the hookups can be few and far between but when that monster brown finally smashes that hopper or simply inhales it, barely disturbing the water’s surface, it makes it all worthwhile. If you want numbers go do the double zebras at the dam. If you want the thrill of the hunt commit to the big bugs and cover some water.

And that’s not to say there isn’t classic dry fly fishing to be had if that’s your preference. Tricos are definitely dwindling but they’re around and you can find fish eating them. The same with caddis. You’ll see a few around throughout the day and more around in the evening and if you put your time in you should be able to find a fish willing to eat your well-presented dry fly offering.

A few weeks from now the traffic will start to bump as we head into the fall “second season” so this is your chance to enjoy some Missouri River solitude while also enjoying late summer weather in Montana.

We’re open daily from 7 AM – 5 PM with everything you need for your day on the water. We’ve got plenty of rooms, plenty of rental boats and a shop full of Missouri River essentials including clearance pricing on all summer sportswear. The only thing we don’t have plenty of are guides though we encourage you to give us a try if you’re thinking a guide trip is the way to go.

We’ve lost a portion of our guides, the educator class, who are back to their real jobs as school gets underway and it’s also fairly common for those who’ve been grinding for months straight to take some time to themselves during the lull, recharging for a busy fall ahead. That being said, we’re always more than happy to do anything we can to get you on the water.

Stop in for ice, bugs, sunscreen, the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES on the MO and so much more. How about a new pair of Simms G3 Waders or a Sage R8 or Igniter for the upcoming fall season? Look no further than Wolf Creek Angler, your Missouri River Fly Fishing Emporium.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-22T14:32:51-06:00August 22nd, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Igniter, Missouri River, running line, Sage R8, simms, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Zeke enjoying the Dog Days of Summer

We’re enjoying a lull in the action as summer starts to slip away.

The season has flown by us as they tend to do….seemingly going by more quickly with each year that passes.

Pre-season jitters, Prime Time Chaos, the boat rental blur, green hills, BWO’s, PMD’s, long summer light….all in the rearview now.

The cool, dark mornings, fading greens and sagging choke cherry tree branches heavy laden with ripening fruit all have us thinking fall but there’s still plenty of summer ahead of us.

Trico fishing has been the best it’s been in years and while the hopper bite has been less than stellar it’s still good enough. Last light caddis have provided somewhat consistent evening action and nymphing, while made challenging by the increasing weed mass, has been racking up the numbers more often than not.

Fishing has definitely been better in the mornings and slowing in the afternoon so early starts (not too early) are still recommended.

We’ve been starting most of our trips right around 7 AM which has been working out just fine.

Some days you can count the boats on the water on one hand, other days it’s busier but all in all it’s been a quiet week on the MO.

Less traffic equals fewer shuttles which means we’ve been wrapping up shuttling fairly early in the day most days. There have been a fair number of folks rolling in later whom we’ve had to send away. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask that you get here by noon to get into our shuttle queue on any given day. We expect things to pick up at some point which should extend our shuttle hours though the next challenge is that we’ll soon be losing a significant portion of our shuttle crew with school starting.

I have no doubts we’ll figure it out as we’ve got a busy fall season ahead. And just a reminder, we are the home of the cheapest DAM shuttles on the MO so if you’re doing the top section of the river and you’re getting a shuttle from any other shop, you’re paying more than you need to.

We’ve got an abundance of lodging vacancies all month long as well as some guide availability and plenty of boat rental availability should you decide to work the MO into your late summer schedule.

The river is quiet but the fish have no idea it’s time to chill and relax and enjoy what’s left of our Montana summer. They’re still eating and we’re still looking to feed them. Come see what August has to offer.

The shop is open at 7 AM daily for all of you Missouri River fly fishing needs.

Shuttles, bugs, ice, SAGE R8’s, Korkers wading shoes and sandals, sun protection, fishing licenses, lines from SA, Rio and Airflo for any and all situations and all kinds of summer sportswear/sunwear from Simms and Ouray on sale as we close out the summer season and make room for fall gear arriving soon.

We are your Missouri River late summer fly fishing destination!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-10T15:36:47-06:00August 10th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Goodbye June….Hello Summer

It’s a sleepy Wednesday with intermittent rain showers and a general sense that it’s a good day to wait it out in anticipation of a very summer-like forecast ahead.

Sunshine and 90’s on the way starting tomorrow just in time for the kickoff to the pre 4th of July weekend…the real start of summer. It’s time to bid farewell to this cool wet June and get the Montana summer underway.

Finally there are consecutive days without “a chance of showers and thunderstorms” in the forecast. Not that we won’t continue to see the occasional summer storm but it’s nice to see a forecast with sunshine as the headline rather than the carbon copy chance of rain and thunderstorms we’ve seen for most of June.

What’s that mean for your PRIME TIME dry fly season on the Missouri? Hopefully good things to come.

PMD’s have been sporadic at best and now that we’re approaching the time when they tend to begin to taper off it’s unclear whether we’ll see a late surge or if my favorite hatch on the MO just fades away giving way to Caddis and Tricos and terrestrials.

Our council is to remain prepared for any and all of it.

Good reports this week on the Caddis front from those doing the late shift. Cornfed, Missouri CDC, Iceberg and Stockingfoot Caddis in tandem with the old standby CDC Caddis emerger all money right now in the right place at the right time.

Nymphing continues to be the numbers game. Broken Record Nymphing Report…..Sowbugs should be your go to. There isn’t a #14 Tailwater Sow to be found in any shop right now but we’ve got a pretty good stock of #16’s at the moment.

Split Case PMD’s, Frenchies, Little Green Machines, Faucii’s, PMD Magic Flies, PMD Redemptions are all producing as are go to caddis pupae like the gold or purple weight fly, Translucent Caddis Emerger, Nitro Caddis, Tung Dart, Pulsating Caddis, Deep Six Caddis Pupae and more. All in stock now at Wolf Creek Angler.

Boat rentals are full bore right now and the Mending Waters boats for vets and active duty military have never been so busy. Our summer guide season has peaked but chances of getting a last minute guide will continue to be slim to none for the next few weeks. Not that you shouldn’t at least give us a call though. We do get the occasional cancellation.

Same with rooms. We’re full from now to the third week of July but we do get cancellations once in a while so make the call. And just a note, our regulars have been extremely intentional about getting things booked for next year so if you had intentions on coming in 2024 I’d suggest you make those plans now before everything fills up.

Fall dates have started to fill but we’re still looking pretty good for late September and much of October if fall fishing on the MO is on your agenda.

These are the long days of summer but the march to darkness is underway with each passing day shaving off moments of light. Before we know it the morning light will arrive a little later and will not linger quite so long as darkness returns.

But for now – enjoy the Montana summer.

Plenty of sunshine on the way and the heat to go with it. The river will soon be busy with rec floaters looking for a cool respite so just be aware of that going in. The resource is here for everyone and we should all make it a point to go out of our way to get along and promote harmony on the water.

Starting July 1st we’ll be open earlier yet at 6:30 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-06-28T13:31:17-06:00June 28th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Nothing like October Browns on the MO

Day after day of blue skies and sunshine and temps in the 70’s make it feel more like September out there than mid October but things are about to change. A couple of more days of this and then something more like what you’d expect with November looming.

Those unseasonably warm daytime highs will start to head towards normal starting on Friday as the clouds roll in and we drop into the 40’s for the weekend with overnight lows dropping into the high 20’s and low 30’s. There’s a good chance we’ll see a rain and snow mix on Saturday and Sunday and while sunshine will return starting on Monday, highs in the 40’s will confirm we’re a third of the way into fall.

Could Saturday and Sunday bring the BWO’s you’ve all been asking about for the past 4 weeks? There’s only one way to find out. And while I expect there will be a few folks around this weekend, Saturday’s General Hunting Opener and the weather to go with it will likely keep the river fairly quiet.

If you’re skipping the hunt then grab those BWO and streamer boxes and spend your weekend on the Missouri. I feel like there’s a good chance one or both of those weekend days could be epic dry fly events but even if they aren’t, I’d bet on awesome streamer action. It’s been moderately good even on these bright and sunny days with plenty of fall shadows in which to find the fish hiding but if we get the conditions they’re calling for this weekend it could very well be the best streamer fishing we’ve seen since spring.

We’re still selling a ton of Balanced Leeches and Kreelex and Thin Mints and the like but the big stuff is moving now as well so you know the hard core streamer junkies have arrived. We’ve got a couple of new must haves like a Brown and Yellow Wedge Head and Swim Coaches in all flavors as well as piles of Sparkle Minnows in the full spectrum of colors. Dirty Hippies and Circus Peanuts are never a bad call in the fall and ZK’s Colonel Kurtz and MK Ultras have been hot sellers these past weeks.

We are your streamer shop on the MO with bins full of bugs and a full range of Streamer Lines for any and all situations. Rio Predator and Streamer Tip, Airflo Streamer Max, SA Sonar…we’ve got em’ all. Our fall rod/reel sale has gone so well we’re a bit thin on inventory at this point….right where we want to be heading into the winter, but we do have some awesome streamer sticks still available at 25% off. Redington Predator, Echo Streamer X and Boost Blue, Lamson Cobalt fine rods all and at a price that can’t be beat. Pair it with a Redington or Lamson reel and a line and take 30% off the entire package. And just to help you feed your addiction we’ll knock 30% off any streamers you purchase with a rod/reel/line package now through the end of October.

Nymphing is still going strong though we have seen a bit of a lull in the action these past couple of days. It’s still a sowbug game with Tailwater Sows, Pill Poppers, Poxyback Sows, Soft Hackle Sows, Yum Yums, UV Sows and Cotton Candies all getting it done. You can’t go wrong with a double sow rig but you’d also be right to mix in some baetis nymphs. Little Green Machines, Olive Psycho Mays, Olive S & M’s, BWO Magic Flies, Split Case BWO’s, Pheasant Tails…all good options. Firebeads? Worms? Sure – they’ll eat all of it. Show them something a little different and reap the rewards.

Dry fly action is spotty though there seem to be ample opportunities more days than not for those on the hunt. A few caddis bouncing around including the occasional October variety. Tiny BWO’s as well. Fish blind with a Foamy October Caddis or Purple Haze or Parachute Adams or come over to the Dark Side and get your streamer fix while you wait for rain and snow and BWO’s, keeping in mind that those same conditions you’re praying for if you’re a DFO are exactly the conditions we streamer junkies have been awaiting as well. If the weather comes but the bugs don’t, rest assured the possibility of epic streamer fishing is at hand.

We’re open at 7:30 AM Monday – Saturday and 8:00 AM on Sunday. Mornings are cold and dark so there’s certainly no shame in waiting until after 8 to get your start. We’ve been starting our guide trips closer to 9 and doing just fine.

Guides are wrapping up for the season and trips are coming to a close. Lodging is available with everything open until the end of October.

Stop in tomorrow for sun screen and ice and on Saturday for hand warmers, flannel shirts, winter hats and gloves!

We are your four season Missouri River full service fly shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-10-18T15:58:03-06:00October 18th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, caddis, dry fly fishing, green machine, Lamson, Missouri River, Redington, running line, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Summer Solitude

Deep in the heart of summer here on the MO and all is well in our world.

The hatches have been consistent. The flows are near perfect when they’re not getting bounced around. The weather, while a little unstable, has been pleasant with cool evenings and mornings and just enough heat in the day to remind you it’s our hottest month of the year. The fish are happy and hungry and the crowds have thinned to the point where there is plenty of solitude to be found on the water which isn’t great for us but which should make you drop what you’re doing and head to the MO for one of the better dry fly seasons we’ve had in recent memory.

A good number of inflatables out there on the weekends so maybe skip those days or just get a super early start and be off the water before they get there. Or just fish in the midst of them and be happy that everyone is out there enjoying the resource.

We’ve been starting our trips early (6:30 – 7), leaving the heat of the day to the rec crowd. The heat of summer has started to have an effect on some of our regional waters with the Sun, the Smith and the Madison all on Hoot Owl restrictions. Hopefully with these steady flows in the 4K range, plenty of water in Canyon Ferry and these cool overnight temps we’ll steer clear of the Hoot Owl here on the Missouri.

Tricos are your early morning and daytime target with caddis providing some near-dark evening action. Hoppers and ants should also be in the mix with or without a nymph dropper.

Those choosing to chase the bobber are getting the numbers with sow bugs, Green Machines, Zebra midges, Frenchies, Purple or Gold Weight flies, Nitro Caddis, S & M’s and pheasant tails.

Plenty of lodging available right now and maybe even a guide or two available though that’s definitely been hit or miss.

Rental boats are finally available again after a busy three weeks.

It’s really the perfect time to sneak away to the MO where the fishing has been epic, the weather and water conditions couldn’t be any better and you might just have it to yourself. Whatever you do, don’t tell anybody!!

We’re open at 6:30 AM daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-07-19T13:15:20-06:00July 19th, 2022|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Heat Wave on the Horizon

Following a week filled with scattered thunderstorms and fluctuating but pleasant daytime temps it looks like we’re in for our first sustained heatwave of the summer as the mercury starts to climb early next week into the mid to high 90’s, bumping up against 100 on Wednesday.

Not much in the forecast for precipitation but always be prepared as summer storms are common in the west and often come from out of nowhere. Have some rain gear at the least, preferably something with a sturdy hood to perhaps protect your noggin from the painful hail that can sometimes accompany these summer storms.

These hot summer days on the water are what many come for and there’s nothing quite as relaxing as floating down the river on a blue bird summer day but it’s important to be prepared for hazards like variations in the weather, lightning, wind and hail and the potential for overexposure to sun and/or heat. Keep yourself hydrated and don’t forget the sunblock.

Humans like the heat – so do the bugs. Waning days of PMD’s happening NOW with Caddis action building and Tricos making their way up river. Fishable numbers in the middle and lower sections now should give way to river-wide action over the next week or two.

In the absence of bugs try blind fishing a caddis, you might be surprised how effective the blind technique can be. And while it may be a little early, I never hesitate to give the hoppers a try any time after the fourth of July. Prime terrestrial season is still a ways out but if you spend enough time throwing a hopper or ant you’ll likely find a few willing players.

Rusty Spinners have been effective trailed with a PMD emerger, a CDc caddis emerger or a Buzzball. Double Wing Tricos or Indicator Spinners paired with a Trico emerger will soon be your go to rig. Outrigger Caddis, Front End Loaders, Stocking Foot Caddis, Iceberg Caddis, Missouri River CDC Caddis, Cornfed Caddis and Blooms Parachute Caddis are all good options thrown blind or to mimic what you’re seeing on the water.

Nymphing continues to be amazingly consistent with PMD and Caddis nymphs complementing the sowbug fare. Best bets for nymphing include Split Case PMD’s, Frenchies, PMD Redemptions, S & M’s, Little Green Machines, Gold or Purple Weight Flies, Tung Darts, Nitro Caddis, Rusty Magic Fly, Peep Show, Zebra Midges and black or olive Zebras. The water is still surprisingly clean with weeds just now getting started. Not bad considering we’re heading into the second week of July. Expect exponential growth once the temps skyrocket next week but with the relatively stable flows we’re seeing some of this will be mitigated.

Traffic has slowed slightly and many of those who remain are solidly situated in the DFO camp. A lot of folks wading and more evening angling activity than you’ll generally see on the Missouri.
The season is flying by us, so much so that bookings have seen a seismic shift to fall inquiries over this past week.

August seems a bit busier than usual but will still feel like a ghost town after these past couple of months. And things pick right back up in September so if you’re looking for fall dates on the MO we encourage you to make those plans now. October is fairly wide open at this point and is, in my opinion, the better month for fall fishing on the Missouri. More on that soon.

We’re open at 6:30 AM daily with limited shuttles, unlimited bugs and everything you need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-07-08T11:31:14-06:00July 8th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, pmd's, running line, summer, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

NOT the Missouri River NPS / Jacob W. Frank

The calls have been non-stop the past few days with concerned guests calling to check on conditions in response to national news coverage of the devastating flooding on the Yellowstone River and elsewhere in the region.

Our hearts go out to our friends in Gardiner, Livingston, Red Lodge and elsewhere as they pick up the pieces following this historic flood event. Still on the rebound from suffering through the effects of the Covid economy the past two seasons, this is a tough pill to swallow. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected.

That being said, Montana is a BIG state and what’s happening 150 miles away is not happening here on the Missouri. Even so, conditions have evolved dramatically over the past few weeks and what looked like a season of low flows on the MO now looks to be the ideal conditions we hope for every season.

We’re seeing a big bump in flows right now, currently at 8380 CFS, a far cry from the static 3K flows predicted for the entire season just a month ago but nothing to be worried about. Bumps and drops definitely have an immediate effect on the fishing, don’t get me wrong, but we’re looking at the Big Picture here and we’re loving what we’re seeing.

A couple thousand CFS increase carries with it a lot of debris as the waters rise and carry away the accumulation of wood and other objects lining our low flow exposed river bed but once it’s carried said debris downstream things tend to settle and stabilize fairly quickly. We haven’t reached peak flows and I won’t venture a guess where that’s going to end up but we do have a high confidence that flows will recede to a steady 4-5K in the not too distant future, perfect conditions for our summer season.

The bottom line is that if you’re coming to fish the MO you can expect great conditions and great fishing. It may not be that 3K loved by so many of the wade angling crowd but the fact of the matter is 3K is simply not good for the MO.

There may be a few challenging days here and there with bumps and drops in the flows but overall the 2022 water outlook is shaping up to be so much better than we thought possible just a month ago.

We’re happy to take your calls of concern and we’re ready to talk some of you off of the ledge if necessary but rest assured, your 2022 Missouri River fly fishing pilgrimage is not in jeopardy.

PMD’s are here and will be the mainstay for the next several weeks. Caddis in play as well with Tricos just around the corner.

Higher flows are perfect for the nymphers with Sows and Scuds and Worms and Crays on the menu along with those Split Case PMD’s, Magic Flies, Psycho Mays, Frenchies, etc.

Streamer fishing is typically on the wane this time of year but with this unexpected increase in flows and the cool conditions which have kept our water relatively clean and weed free we would most certainly recommend chucking meat if that’s your thing.

We’ve had a few cancellations from the wade crowd, scared off by the flows so if a last minute trip to the MO is on the agenda give us a call, we may just have a room for you and we most certainly have rental boats available most days for the next couple of weeks.

We’re open 7 AM – 5 PM daily with everything you need for your day on the MO. High water nymphs, the best dry fly selection in the canyon, streamers a plenty, Simms waders and boots, Flyagra, Sun Protection, Oros indicators, shuttles, Adipose Drift Boat rentals and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-06-16T14:00:22-06:00June 16th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yellowstone River|0 Comments

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