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Welcome to March on the MO

 

Following a couple of days this week where we got, what this winter has been, a rare taste of sunshine, blue skies, moderate temps and calm winds that mark late winter on the MO, it’s back to grey skies and cold gusty winds on this dreary second day of March.

It doesn’t feel much like it today but spring is in fact, on the way. 18 days and counting to be exact. It’ll be a while yet before the weather conditions sync with what the calendar says but sooner or later we’ll emerge from winter’s darkness here at Wolf Creek Angler and that warm spring sun will crowd out the cold and melt this ridiculous accumulation of ice and snow we’ve been haphazardly negotiating since about the middle of November.

Looking at today and tomorrow, conditions look less than ideal for fishing the MO with persistent gusty winds but Saturday looks optimal with sunshine, a high near 40 and south winds just 8-13 mph. Temps drop on Sunday and will hang in the high 20’s for a couple of days with a decent chance for snow but it looks like a moderate warmup underway starting mid-week next week.

We’ll be closed this weekend starting tomorrow for out of town obligations but if the weather trends hold for next week I would expect to have our first lodging units of the season available by next weekend.

Progress continues on our remodels with things really starting to take shape. It’s a huge makeover ushering in a whole different level of accommodation in our ever popular bungalows. And while this is probably the most dramatic of the changes we’ve made, heading into season number 10 and taking account of all the things we’ve done, I couldn’t be more pleased with the slow but steady transformation which has occurred here.

If you hadn’t shopped or stayed here since we bought the business in 2013 I’m confident you would not recognize much of anything about the operation we’ve become. And it’s not just the lodging. Wolf Creek Angler was always meant to be first and foremost a kick ass Missouri River fly shop and while I acknowledge that my opinion is definitely biased, I state truth when I tell you that this is exactly what we have become.

From humble roots we’ve scratched and clawed our way forward, ever expanding our offerings and chasing the top brands in the industry to the point where I’m happy to announce we do indeed offer the best of everything in fly fishing topped off this season with the much sought after and fought for addition of SAGE to our rod and reel inventory.

We firmly believe in and stand behind every product line we carry but those Sage and Simms Authorized Dealer signs are the symbols of victory in a battle, the likes of which I never imagined when we opened Wolf Creek Angler. I know it’s lost on most who walk into a fly shop and expect to see those brands but it’s FAR from a given and our having these industry leading brands is an affirmation of our legitimacy not only as a shop, but as a brand here on the MO.

Obviously Montana is the Big Leagues when it comes to fly fishing in North America and the Missouri River is among the major players. And while we’ll continue to fly under the radar here in Wolf Creek in the shadow of the oft cited and promoted town of Craig, it’s a position we don’t mind at all.

Five and a half river miles upstream we’ve been quietly doing our thing here for the past 9 years, building Wolf Creek Angler into a brand that has carved out a spot here on the Big League Missouri. And while we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, we’re not done.

Onward and Upward!

By |2023-03-02T10:09:00-07:00March 2nd, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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The State of the MO 2022

7,000 Trout Per Mile – source Jason Mullen FWP Fisheries Biologist

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Fisheries Biologist Jason Mullen delivered the annual State of the Missouri presentation last Wednesday in Helena in a meeting held at Montana Wild Education Center by Pat Barnes Missouri River Trout Unlimited and while there were some encouraging revelations, it sounds like the challenges posed by drought conditions will persist in 2022.

First the good news.

6,611 RAINBOW TROUT PER MILE.

Mullen reported the second highest number of rainbow trout over 10” long on record in the Craig section (Wolf Creek Bridge to Craig), more than doubling estimates from surveys from the previous two years. This number is second only to the 2012 estimate of 7,068.

Coupled with the brown trout estimate of 362 fish per mile which is down considerably from the long term average of 560 but still within normal parameters, that’s a trout count of nearly 7000 fish per mile in the Craig stretch. The Missouri fishery continues to amaze.

Drilling down into the data the good news continues. 2021 surveys saw an estimate of 1400 rainbows per mile in the 20 plus inch size class, a number we would expect to see drop off this season, though with the abundance of small fish in the 6” – 7” class we saw in 2020, it’s very possible the big fish trend will continue through 2022. 2021 surveys revealed good numbers of rainbows in the 9” – 10” range which should continue to bode well for big fish numbers on the MO.

The brown trout saw big numbers in the 6” – 8” range, very few in the 9” – 16” range and upward trends in the 17” – 24” range with each of those last size classes numbering somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 fish per mile. We would expect to see a lot of those fish in the 10” – 16” size range this season, hopefully with a stable population of big browns in the mix.

This is all great news on the fishery front in the Craig stretch and truly amazing when you consider the pressure on the fishery which ranked second only to the Madison in 2019, the last year for which we have data, with 154,628 angler days. It’s worth noting that this angler use figure is down from the previous two which were 170,736 and 183,479 in 2017 and 2015 respectively. It’s a lot of use no matter how you cut it but the downward trend is surprising and one I’d expect will change once the 2021 numbers are in which will include last year’s Pandemic Migration to Montana. Trip related expenses for anglers on the Missouri totaled over $60 Million in revenue in 2019 which makes the MO and fishing in Montana in general, a MAMMOTH portion of the state’s economy.

Now the not so good news.

2021 saw extremely low flows and high water temps and with not having had much of a winter the reality is that absent a very wet spring, we’re likely in for more of the same in 2022.

The Missouri saw Hoot Owl restrictions in July of 2021, the first time this has happened in over 20 years, when low flows and water temps in the 70 degree range coupled with high angling pressure caused FWP to announce the closure.

We had essentially self-imposed our own Hoot Owl restrictions for guide trips a couple of weeks prior and stopped booking new trips altogether for the summer season at that same time. It’s unfortunate, but we’re readying ourselves for similar conditions in 2022 and we’re prepared to do the same things again. Canyon Ferry is currently 68 percent full so we’ve got a ways to go and while snowpack is currently in the 70 – 80 percent range, most probable flow conditions project flows to be essentially right where there at, in the 3,000 CFS range, all season long. 

We would love to see massive amounts of precipitation over these next couple of months to bring things back into shape but as always, our main concern is doing what we need to do to take care of the resource and if this means taking a financial hit we’re ready to do so.

Pray for rain!

 

By |2022-04-06T12:06:18-06:00April 6th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Winter Holding On

Winter Holding On

As if on cue, last week’s mild temperatures which spurred us to de-winterize and open up a couple more cabins, were replaced this week with another arctic blast. We’ve seen the brunt of it though temps will dip down into the negative digits tonight with wind chill factors hovering near -10.

The warm up will be underway starting tomorrow with temps back in the 30’s and we will see 50’s by the weekend and into the first part of next week. Expect breezy conditions this weekend with the warmer air moving in with gusts of to 33 mph expected on Saturday.

We’re expecting a busy week on the MO next week. We’ve got a full house starting on Monday and I would expect we aren’t the only ones.

Despite the frigid conditions out there at the moment warm spring days aren’t far off. Spring Fever has started to take hold and the MO is your perfect spring fishing getaway.

Things are still in Winter Mode in Wolf Creek and Craig for the moment but it won’t be long before things start to open up and before you know it we’ll be back in full swing.
In the meantime you’d be smart to make Wolf Creek Angler your destination as we offer kitchenettes in all of our open lodging. And speaking of lodging, there’s just 11 days left to take advantage of our Winter Guide Trip and Lodging Special which means that spring is less than two weeks away!

The expected product floodgates didn’t exactly break open wide last week as we had anticipated. Two words….and I bet you can guess what they are….Supply Chain. So we’re not where we thought we’d be with spring product but we’ve got your essentials covered. Bugs, leader, line and tippet are fully stocked and chances are we’ve got most of what you need outside of that as well. We’re light on waders and boots at the moment but should have those items in very soon.

We’ve got plenty of cold weather gear, nets, tools and accessories, 2022 fishing licenses, 2022 Adipose Flow rental boats and much more.

The pre cold-snap fishing report was EXTREMELY encouraging with a couple more epic days of midge action, consistently good nymphing and ever improving streamer action.

There’s nothing quite like spring fishing on the MO. The action is consistently good and while there is definitely an uptick in traffic it can still be considered the calm before the storm of the busy prime season.

As we enter Season Number 9 at WCA we couldn’t be more excited for things to get underway.

We’re open at 8 AM daily though with Daylight Savings Time beginning this Sunday you’ll probably want to push your start time to allow things to warm up a bit.

Either way, we’ll be here bright and early ready to take care of all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By |2022-03-09T12:57:29-07:00March 9th, 2022|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |2 Comments
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2021 – Year in Review

As we close the books on 2021 it’s worth just taking a quick look back before we embark on season number 9 at Wolf Creek Angler.

With winter finally starting to take hold those hot summer days seem like a lifetime ago. We’re in the midst of the first real cold snap of the winter with single digits and below, daily wind chill advisories and a good start to the snowpack we so desperately need. Fingers crossed for much more of the same for the next couple of months.

Without a doubt the biggest story of 2021 was the drought which continued to stress the west. Low flows and high water temps took a significant toll on the rivers of Montana in 2021, this in the midst of one of the busiest seasons we’ve ever seen following a year of pandemic lockdown.

Hoot Owl Closures came early driving even more traffic to the Missouri and in July the unthinkable, though not unexpected, happened as Hoot Owl Restrictions went into effect on our Missouri for the first time in over 20 years.

The fever pace of spring and early summer subsided in late July as the conditions hastened the arrival of the Dog Days of Summer with a significant angler exodus as many of those who love nothing better than evening dry fly fishing on the MO disappeared in response to the Hoot Owl Restrictions.

It was an unprecedented season for us and while it was our busiest yet through early July things got tough mid through late summer as we dealt with the fall out of FWP restrictions after having already placed self-imposed restrictions on our guide business in early July with abbreviated trip hours and a cap on summer guide trips. It was the right decision and I’d do it again without hesitation with the long view in mind.

As the summer heat finally started to subside we were treated to an amazing autumn with gorgeous weather and awesome fishing on the MO and seemingly everywhere else we fished throughout the fall. The fever pace of business returned and we ended strong, just as we had started in the spring. Even with the challenges of summer we had our best season ever and we intend to maintain the trajectory!

Some highlights from 2021….

Covid still a factor (sort of) in 2021. We did continue to see cancellations due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Not nearly as many as in 2020, but travel was still a problem for some, including our good neighbors to the north in Alberta, many of whom missed yet another season on the MO. We’re counting on you for 2022!

There has been an abundance of political hay made on all sides of this thing and I will continue to steer clear of all of it. That being said, compared to 2020, 2021 felt essentially Post Pandemic at WCA and we’re confident 2022 will feel EVEN MORE that way.

Fishing with the Gov -And speaking of politics, or at least of politicians.…we had the pleasure of taking former Governor of Montana Steve Bullock fishing in late May which was definitely a highlight not only for 2021 but for the entire time we’ve been in business. A very cool thing in my mind and one which transcends party politics. When the Governor asks to go fishing, you take the Governor fishing, regardless of the letter next to their name. At least that’s the way I see it.

The first week of June I had the absolute pleasure of fishing the Salmon fly hatch on Rock Creek with WCA Guide Extraordinaire Luke Koerten. This was a first for me, and hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to do it again. We happened to hit it just right but I think I would’ve enjoyed it immensely even if we hadn’t. Definitely a day I will not forget and an experience I highly recommend to those who’ve not had the pleasure.

Water Problems – I arrived to work one morning in July to find that many of our guests were without water. A quick call to our water/well guy revealed that we were one of over 10 calls he had received that morning for the same problem. With temperatures running high and stream flows running low wells were running dry and it was feared this was what we were experiencing.

A delve into our well later that day revealed this was thankfully NOT the case but the water issues persisted. It was a mortifying experience as the Innkeeper as there was nothing we could do to immediately remedy the situation and get water to our guests who, by the way, were all extremely gracious in spite of the tremendous inconvenience.

Eventually, after digging up a good portion of our property in search of a broken pipe we made the decision to abandon the existing underground plumbing and run a new main line.
We were able to temp in a supply line to get water to our guests after a couple of days without,  and finally in September we dug up our newly replanted lawn once again and buried a new main line. Problem solved! A HUGE Thanks to John Parker and American Septic/Water Net  for all of your help anytime we need it. 

Fire – Around the same time as our water problems were occurring the Wolf Creek/Craig community had a close call with the Rock Creek Fire sparked by a vehicle pulling a trailer on Highway 287. Interstate 15 between Wolf Creek and Craig was closed and some residents were evacuated as the fire made its way towards the river, even crossing the Interstate at one point but thankfully they were able to get things under control working through that first night. The fire ended up burning some 3500 acres and was the first of several which threatened the area through the summer and early fall.

Hoot Owl Restrictions went into effect on the Missouri on July 20th and were in effect for roughly a month. Smoke from regional wild fires actually helped the water temp situation by filtering the sunlight and keeping water temps from rising as much as they would’ve under clear skies.

Jake – On August 25th we said goodbye to our beloved shop dog and companion of 12 years. He is sorely missed! While Jake can never be replaced we did welcome a new pup into our lives in early December. Zeke is our shop dog in training and you will likely meet him this season.

New Dog on Duty at WCA

As previously mentioned, it was an amazing autumn in Montana with awesome weather, awesome colors and more often than not, awesome fishing.

The 2021 fishing season started early, around the second week of March to be exact and current bookings indicate 2022 will be much the same….weather dependent. We’re expecting another LONG and prosperous season and we’re praying for winter to bring us plenty of precipitation to feed our streams in 2022.

Here’s wishing you all a blessed and Happy New Year from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler. We can’t wait to see you in 2022. 

By |2021-12-30T14:22:32-07:00December 30th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: , , , , , , , , |2 Comments
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September Stride

Halfway through September and about a week away from the official first day of fall and we’ve hit our September Stride.

The late summer lull is over and we’re back to bustling mornings at the shop getting trips out the door and making certain all of our guests and clients have everything they need for their day on the water.

The morning and evening chill has arrived and with cooler daytime temps settling in it’s probably about time to put away those shorts and flip flops. Not quite wader weather just yet but it’s coming soon, possibly as soon as this weekend. Hot temps and high winds on Saturday followed by cooler weather and rain on Sunday and Monday with highs in the 60’s and 50’s respectively. Classic autumn days on tap after that with blue skies and sunshine and highs in the 60’s with overnight lows in the high 30’s/low 40’s.

The colors are rapidly changing, the weather is cooling, the fishing is heating up…you really can’t beat autumn fishing on the Missouri.

Nymphing is the go to river wide with most traffic occupying the upper reaches from the dam to Craig. Zebra Midges are the ticket, #18 or #20 in black, olive or purple. Pair it with a weight fly, a Tungsten Tailwater Sow, a Peep Show, any old tungsten bead Pheasant Tail or go with the Double Deadly Double Zebra rig.

Most are running short, some with weight some without. All are keying on the fast moving, choppy water in the 1’ – 3’ range. Crayfish have dropped off but still worth a trial run. If it doesn’t produce relatively quickly, ditch it. It ain’t happening.

Hoppers are hanging on. Maybe the fish have had their fill. It might be worth a try with a Zebra or Green Machine dropper but like the crayfish trial, probably best to not spend a whole lot of time on it if you don’t see something happen in relatively short order. The better bet for your dry selection might be an October Caddis.

Streamers are En Vogue and are worth your time. Weeds will test your patience but the risk/reward ratio favors persistence. And while I’ve advised abandoning crayfish and hoppers if they don’t produce in short order the same does not hold true where streamers are concerned. Stick with it…you’ll be glad you did. Buggers, Clousers, Sparkle Minnows, Circus Peanuts, Dungeons, Dirty Hippies, Swim Coach, Peanut Envy, Autumn Splendor, Lil’ Kims, Inflated Egos and anything and everything else you might want to throw at them. Black, Olive, Brown, Natural, White all fine choices. JJ or Brownie Sparkle Minnows can be $$ on any given day.

River flows are flat-lined at 3100 and change with temps holding in the low 60’s with no big changes on the horizon.

See us at 7 AM daily for shuttles, Adipose boat rentals, the best bug selection on the Missouri, hats, gloves, socks, sun protection, waders and boots, outerwear, layering….and much more. And speaking of waders – get your Simms G3 Waders for 30% off in-store and online, while they last.

Lodging available most nights, guides as busy as they can be with September as close to completely booked as we’ve ever seen. Always worth a call but probably best to look to October if you want to get a day booked this fall.

See you soon for autumn fishing on the MO.

By |2021-09-16T20:14:23-06:00September 16th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Exodus and Opportunity

The traffic has cleared out with the early arrival of The Dog Days of Summer and the implementation of Hoot Owl Restrictions on the Missouri which has thrown the proverbial wrench into the plans of many to whom evening fishing on the MO is nothing short of sacramental.

The late summer lull is nothing new though it has arrived a couple of weeks early this season under smoky skies, low flows and a continued heat wave that has us praying for rain and hoping for early snows.

So with the doom and gloom stage set let’s talk about silver linings embodied by the opportunities being presented by challenging conditions and a steady exodus of anglers.

On the brighter side, dry fly fishing, though far from exceptional, has continued to provide ample measures of opportunities, challenges and just enough success to keep the DFO’s engaged.
First light caddis followed by somewhat inconsistent Trico Spinners and late morning/early afternoon terrestrials. Again, maybe nothing to write home about but certainly enough action to keep things interesting.

Per usual nymphing gets the numbers with Zebra Midges, sow bugs and Caddis Pupae producing at the dam. Split Case PMD’s still getting eaten as are Little Green Machines and Frenchies. Drop any of the above off of a hopper or double your dry fly odds by trailing an ant instead of a nymph. Zirdles, Snapping Crays and the like have been effective on the right day in the fast water chutes.

Work your hoppers off the banks but don’t overlook the mid-river riffles keeping in mind that the low water has transformed our river, eliminating some go-to spots while at the same time creating new potential where before there was nothing.

Fewer folks around creates opportunities and while it’s tempting to get bogged down in the gloom, it’s not all bad. There’s smoke in the air for sure and the Harris Mountain Fire near Cascade is no joke and worthy of your attention but we’ve dealt with smoke before, this isn’t the worst we’ve seen. The water is low but the powers that be have done a good job keeping water temps in check despite air temps nearing 100 degrees daily.

Holter Dam to Craig is your go-to with the coolest water on the river but we would encourage you to explore downstream options as well, starting at first light, frequently checking temps and hanging it up when the water hits 68 degrees or 2 pm, whichever comes first.

We’ve got plenty of vacancies, plenty of flies and plenty of anything and everything you need for a great day on the water. And while we’re committed to not booking any new guide trips for the remainder of July and August and we fully support the Hoot Owl Restrictions we certainly don’t want to discourage folks from fishing during the prescribed hours here on the Missouri and elsewhere.

The resource is fragile and demands our utmost respect and stewardship but it’s also resilient and we have faith in those who have been taxed in an official capacity with managing and regulating use. It’s a smoky hot summer in Montana and we’re indeed struggling through drought but the sky is not falling and the fish are still are still eating so get out there early and enjoy your Montana summer.

Open daily at 6 AM for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By |2021-07-28T15:36:46-06:00July 28th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |1 Comment
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Settling In To Summer on the MO

It’s here! The days we dream about all winter long have arrived. A landscape of green against cloudless blue skies, the backdrop as you drift down the MO in search of rising trout. It really doesn’t get any better than this.

School is out and the summer migration has commenced, swelling our tiny populations of Wolf Creek and Craig. The boat ramps are abuzz with activity each morning as the guides prep and the clients take it all in, anxiously awaiting their turn to climb aboard the drift boat and make that first cast.

It’s going to be a very busy season. The traffic is high and the water is low which means we’ll all have to do our part not just to get along with our fellow anglers but also to care for the resource. Low flows and heavy traffic are stressors for our fish populations and while we are 100 percent in support of catch and release fishing we urge everyone to do whatever you can to reduce stress to the fish including keeping them in the water to the furthest extent possible, not overplaying them with undersized tackle and crushing barbs to facilitate quick and easy hook removal. You may lose an extra fish or two but at least they’ll live to fight another day.

Catch and Release is great but if fish are mishandled or overstressed they often times won’t survive much beyond that release. Water temps are still cool at this point so that definitely works in the favor of the fish but as things heat up and the water temps rise it becomes even more critical that you do what you can to keep them in the water as much as possible. If you absolutely must have a picture of that fish get everything ready to go, wet your hands and then lift the fish out of the water for a quick pic. Ten seconds max!

And speaking of rising temps, the cool weather comes to an end this weekend. Things start to heat up on Sunday as we see highs in the high 80’s and at this point it appears as though we could see temperatures nearing 100 on Tuesday. Don’t forget the sunscreen and your wide brim hat…or better yet, do forget them and come see us at WCA for all of your sun protection needs.

Per the Bureau of Reclamation flows will remain low but steady for the remainder of the season and likely right on through to next spring. Stay tuned. We’ll keep you posted.
The fishing report is relatively speaking, status quo.

PMD’s and Caddis are in the mix however it has not been a DFO’s dream thus far. Those willing to put the time in and go on the hunt are finding limited opportunities daily but it has not been a target rich environment. Indications are that this may be about to change. There has been an abundance of bugs on the lower stretches and not quite as much activity up here however regardless of the presence or absence of bugs rising fish have been a rarity. We’ve finally started to hear some reports however of decent sized pods of smaller fish keying on the surface. Our fingers are crossed, hoping that the bigger fish will soon join the approaching gravy train.

In the meantime sowbugs, caddis pupae and PMD nymphs will get em’ sub surface.

Phones are ringing off the hook this week as folks look for some input regarding their upcoming trips to the MO.

Some of these questions I’ve tried to answer above with my discussion of flows and current fish activity. Here are a few more FAQ’s and our best answers.

Q. Have they started dumping water yet?
A. They’ve dumped what they’re going to dump by all indications. Hoping for flushing flows in spring 2022.

Q. Is everything opened up?
A. Yes and No. Masks are a memory and everyone is open for business HOWEVER due to labor shortages many businesses are unable to operate at full capacity.

Q. Are there restaurants nearby?
A. Izaak’s in Craig is open Wednesday – Sunday 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Shotgun Annie’s in Wolf Creek is open Friday – Sunday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM and Mondays and Tuesdays 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

Q. Do you have any lodging available for June and July?
A. Slim Pickings. We’ve got a few single nights here and there but we’re not really able to string multiple nights together. Things open up in August. Fall is starting to fill up. Don’t wait until the last minute to book. If you are looking for just one night give us a call and we’ll see what we can do.

Q. Do you have guides available?
A. See lodging response above. It’s very similar with guide availability. A few random openings here and there but as busy a guide schedule as we’ve ever had. Book those fall dates NOW!

Q. Do you allow dogs?
A. We do allow dogs for a $25/night fee however we ask that you let us know ahead of time if you’re bringing your pooch and we would ask that dogs not be left unattended in the rooms while you’re on the water unless they are in a kennel.

Q. How close are you guys to Craig?
A. Craig who?

Shop hours are 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily. We hope you make us your first stop on the way to the river for shuttles, bugs, boat rentals, ice, sunscreen, fishing licenses, Simms waders and sportswear, Tornado Anchors, Lamson rods and reels and so much more.

By |2021-06-09T17:22:04-06:00June 9th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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The Winter Grind

Go To Winter Nymphs on the MO

Colder weather on tap this week and through the weekend, though definitely not January in Montana COLD.

Conditions remain prime to get out and enjoy some winter solitude while getting your  trout fix.


Highs in the high 20’s and low 30’s are expected through the weekend with a slight chance for snow Thursday night and Friday. Expect cloudy skies and calm to moderate winds on Thursday and Friday with an abundance of sunshine expected on Saturday and Sunday.


Water conditions remain stable with flows currently holding at 4070 CFS and water temp slowly dropping, currently just shy of 34.5 degrees.


You really couldn’t ask for better conditions as we move towards late January. Classic winter water minus the snow and ice on the ramps. Enjoy it while it lasts. Winter is coming sooner or later (we hope).


Holter Dam to Craig is where you’ll want to concentrate your efforts, especially as the water temperatures drop. Dam to Wolf Creek makes a nice half day float if you want to get a later start while Wolf Creek Bridge to Craig is a good full day float. We’ve emerged from the afternoon darkness so you’ve got some extra light on the back end of the day but even so, Dam to Craig is maybe still a bit much unless you plan to just blow through it.


We are definitely in winter nymphing mode with all of the standards in play. Pink Amex, Bubble Yum Scud, Rainbow Czech, Pill Popper, Hot Bead Rainbow or Pink Weight Fly and the like paired with Tailwater Sows, Soft Hackle Sows, Caviar Scuds, Pederson’s Sow, Pink Lighting Bug, UV Yum Yums and zebra midges.


Swing Season also remains in full effect and the streamer set is taking advantage of the mild weather and extended light to stretch out those floats and cover as much water as possible.


The wind has been a factor as always but as we get into February and beyond look for dry fly opportunities to increase with midge activity increasing.


Remember WCA has the best winter lodging deal in the area at $99/night (plus tax) for a cozy bungalow complete with full kitchen and private bath. And just FYI we have gotten word from the 7R Guest Ranch that they are now serving dinner on the weekends so if not having a restaurant to go to has been keeping you away…problem solved.


And speaking of deals – we invite you to join us for our $550 guide trip and lodging winter special. A full day guide trip for one or two anglers with the best guides on the MO and TWO nights of lodging for the impossibly low rate of $550. Space is limited so book now. Offer runs through the end of March.


Winter Shop Hours remain 8 AM – 2 PM Tuesday through Saturday. Open EVERY DAY for lodging and guide trips. Stop by for bugs, cold weather gear, Adipose Drift Boat rentals and much more. 


While you ponder your winter plans make it a point to call this week to book your spring and summer dates. Prime Time is filling quickly and it looks like it’s going to be a busy year on the MO.

By |2021-01-19T12:50:15-07:00January 19th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Autumn Approaching

Autumn Creeping In

As we approach late August our thoughts have turned toward fall fishing. People often ask when is the best time to fish in Montana and while that answer can change based on our current time and place and mood I always say that based strictly on weather and seasonal transition its damn tough to beat autumn fishing in Montana.

We’re currently in the midst of some of the hottest temps we’ve seen this season but sweater weather isn’t far away. Shorter days, cooler temps and fall colors will usher in the magic of autumn and despite the heat of the afternoons the cool mornings are already hinting at the transition which is underway. Expect highs near 90 for the next 10 days but plenty cool at night with lows int he 50’s. 

Mid week on the Missouri and Wolf Creek and Craig are ghost towns. Traffic is extremely light on the weekdays which is normal for August though we had hoped for an extended summer season in light of the late start we got due to Covid.

And speaking of Covid, we’re continuing to see a steady stream of fall cancellations so if it’s practical for you to make a trip to Montana over the next couple of months the good news for you is that we’ve got plenty of openings for lodging and guide trips both at Wolf Creek Angler and at our partner facility Hidden Canyon Lodge.

Whether you prefer to be pampered in a luxury lodge setting with gourmet meals each day or you’re looking for something a little more rustic and do-it-yourself we’ve got you covered and the fishing experience is the same whichever option you choose. Have questions? Give us a call at the shop or shoot us an email and we’d be happy to answer them.

Current Fishing Report

Fishing has been adequate as of late. Not red hot, not terrible…kind of what you’d expect in late summer.

Tricos have been a disappointment. Hoppers and ants are providing a decent alternative but nymphing (as per usual) is your best bet for numbers.

We have definitely passed the prime for dry fly fishing but there are opportunities if you work at it with sporadic Trico activity, a smattering of caddis and the aforementioned terrestrials which can make for a fun day of blind casting with the occasional chug which could potentially be a mammoth brown trout on the prowl.

Most of naturals I’ve observed have been of the yellow variety but we’ve had our best luck with peach or pink More or Less Hoppers. You can drop a nymph or trail a smaller dry (ant or caddis) but there’s nothing wrong with keeping it simple and running a single hopper. Obviously you won’t be as prone to tangling with single and that’s the eat you’re looking for anyway. Should you choose the tandem rig check it often to make sure your trailer/dropper isn’t wrapped.

Nymphing has been good most days and the Grass Flats below the dam will soon be the place to be. Black Zebras, Tailwater Sows, Purple Lightning Bugs, Pheasant Tails, Purple Weight Flies, Little Green Machines are all solid options and Zirdles, Snapping Crays and Claws R Crays are definitely worth a try.

Streamers will soon be back in play but keep in mind the challenges involved with fishing streamers on the MO in late summer and throughout the fall, namely WEEDS! The same can be said for nymphing though not quite to the same extent. There are big fish to be caught on streamers on the Missouri but prepare to be frustrated and count on spending on an inordinate amount of time removing weeds. If you can get in the right place with this and just accept it as part of the challenge it’s definitely worth your time.

Autumn Shop Hours are 7 AM – 5 PM daily.

Please remember the state mask mandate is still in effect and we are 100 percent committed to complying with it. We cannot allow anyone in the shop without a mask and we are continuing to limit the number of customers in the shop at one time to 4 in an effort to maintain social distance. We appreciate your compliance with these protocols and we can’t express just how much we are looking forward to the day when this is all behind us.

By |2020-08-19T14:58:52-06:00August 19th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Phasing Out Phase One this week on the MO’

As we close out the month of May this week I dare say things around here are actually starting to feel something close to normal.

There’s no doubt, the seemingly parallel universe of life under Covid19 has thrown all of us off. It seems like yesterday we were doing our late winter plotting and strategizing in anticipation of the coming season and then, just like that, time stopped but at the same time accelerated to the point where we’re now looking back at spring and wondering where it went as we begin to approach prime time on the Missouri River.

We got a taste these past couple of days of what’s hopefully to come with holiday traffic streaming into Wolf Creek and Craig. Nice weather, good fishing and the unofficial start of summer brought the crowds to the river this weekend.

A perfect way to end the week which brought us the best news we’ve heard in a long time as Governor Bullock announced that Phase II of Montana’s reopening would begin on June 1st. Included as part of phase II is the lifting of the mandatory 14 day quarantine for out of state travelers which was cause for celebration amongst not only fly shops, fishing guides and outfitters but also amongst the collective outdoor tourism industry in Montana. We spent last week passing the good news on to our out of state clients who’ve been anxiously awaiting a verdict on their summer travel plans.

Mind you we’re not abandoning safe practices and social distancing measures but the continued downward trends in the numbers along with news from the CDC late last week that the virus does not spread easily on contaminated surfaces as had previously been thought, is cause for optimism and yet another step closer to normalcy.

In keeping with the good news, it looks like it’s going to be an absolutely beautiful week on the MO’ and with the Dearborn and Little Prickly Pear on the drop we’ll look forward to spreading out again and seeing what’s happening in the canyon once the mud clears.

The Holter Dam to Craig beat was busy over the weekend but traffic has been light during the week. Make it a point to get out there this week and enjoy the Montana solitude before the out of state traffic returns next week.

Mid 70’s to mid 80’s on tap all week long with plenty of sunshine and highs near 90 on Saturday. I expect we’ll see a busy river again this weekend.

BWO’s and March Browns in the rear view but there have been caddis around and PMD’s won’t be long.

Nymphing has been good to great most days with the best action in the faster water, medium to shallow in depth. The Tailwater Sow Bug continues to rule the day but we’ve also had good action on worms, Rainbow Czechs, Pill Poppers and Little Green Machines. I’ve been cycling in some PMD standards like the Magic Fly and Crack Back PMD but we’re not quite there yet. Keep them in the mix but don’t spend too much time on them it they’re not producing.

Streamer fishing has continued to be inconsistent but could be good this week as things start to clear. Water temps are in the low 50’s and will be on the rise this week so don’t be afraid to move those bugs. Mix it up with short, fast strips with plenty of pauses and a few long strips thrown in for good measure. Switch up your bugs, your colors and your retrieve until you find what works (or until you hit the takeout, whichever comes first)! We’ve got a few weeks left before the aquatic vegetation becomes an issue. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Per the Covid retail protocol we’ve been trying to run as lean as possible but we’re stocked up on essentials with our focus on flies and terminal tackle this season. Plenty of Simms waders, boots and sportswear on the shelves and a workhorse lineup of rods and reels from Loop, Echo, Redington, Ross and Lamson. We’re also stocked up on sun protection from Blackstrap, Buff and Simms (which double nicely as masks) and we’ve got enough packs, tools and accessories to meet most, if not all of your needs. Anything we don’t have we’re more than happy to order for you.

We’ve got plenty of lodging available these next couple of weeks and guides are standing by. We’re happy to be resuming our out of state bookings next week but we have had substantial cancellations and we’d like nothing better than make up some of that ground and get some folks back in our guide boats and cabins. Give us a call if you’re interested in booking lodging, guides or drift boat rentals for PMD season…I think it’s going to be a good one!

By |2020-05-26T19:36:31-06:00May 26th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments
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