Craig MT Archives - Page 3 of 4

Mid May Missouri River Report

John and daughter Ellie were all smiles for a couple of wet days on the MO’.

So far May has not disappointed.

The fishing has been good for most and Mother Nature continues to please with plenty of precipitation and cool temps keeping us optimistic about what we’ll see for water on the MO’ this season.

On the flip side we have heard a few complaints about the weather (and maybe even complained about it ourselves from time to time) with a lot of folks ready for some warm, dry days on the water. We’re selling plenty of Kast Steelhead Gloves and we’ve yet to put away the Hand Warmers and it’s been a good spring for wader and rain gear sales so we’ll take it but it’s sure nice to see the sun shine every now and again! Don’t get me wrong – we’re thrilled to be getting the precipitation and the fishing in the rain is just fine but a bit of sunshine is good for the soul.

We fished through a rainy weekend and transitioned from rain and cold yesterday morning to a gorgeous afternoon/evening and a couple of warm sunny days today and tomorrow before rain returns for the weekend. Expect plenty of traffic this weekend, rain or shine, with the 10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook Off happening on Saturday. Come out and enjoy some great food along with awesome silent auction items including fishing trips, original art and gear from your favorite local fly shops. The festivities get underway at 4:00 PM.

Good nymphing out there the past couple of days with the stronger reports coming from the middle and lower stretches. The canyon has been fishing particularly well but there are plenty of fish and plenty of opportunities river-wide. Wire worms and sow bugs have been a good go-to combo but we’re starting to get some solid action on various caddis pupa as well. Weight flies in purple or gold are a great choice for a point fly right now, trailed with your favorite sow bug, mayfly or midge imitation. LGM’s, S & M’s in brown, Yum Yums, Tailwater Sows, Granato’s Snack Nasty Sows, Psycho Mays, Dark Peep Shows, black zebra midges, split case bwo’s, Hot Belly PT’s, Pearl Lightning Bugs and on and on.

Fish the bugs you have confidence in and think depth before you think bug changes. There are certainly some bugs that are consistently working out there but it’s funny how we all get caught up in fishing the “Hot Flies”. We are happy to sell you the HOT FLIES but it’s not uncommon to have people return to the shop after fishing these HOT FLIES having not had any luck with them. Fish what you like. If you thinks it’s going to catch fish you tend to fish it well and often times this is the difference between success and failure.

Dry-fly fishing has been hit and miss at best with BWO’s on the wane and caddis few and far between in the stretches below Craig. It’s been a great BWO spring as far as bugs go but more often than not we’re hearing reports of very few fish up on them. Not to worry though, there is plenty of dry-fly fishing ahead. Keep that dry fly rig at the ready.

Streamers have continued to produce for us to the point where I will say it’s been a pretty damn good couple of weeks. Not exactly HOT but definitely worth committing to for a day, or at least for a couple of hours. Zach and I share a passion for streamer fishing and it shows in our bug selection. Stop by and see what’s new. We’ve got a bunch of new bugs including some WCA/Chewy Exclusives you won’t find in any other shop. We’re happy to set you up with everything you need for streamer fishing on the MO’ and beyond. We’ve got a wide selection of specialty lines from RIO , SA and Airflo and we’ve got some great streamer sticks from LOOP, Echo and St Croix. We’ve been referred to by some as having the best streamer selection in the canyon. Whether or not this is the case we definitely take great pride in our selection and we hope you make WCA your Missouri River Streamer Fishing Headquarters.

We do have a few vacancies in the motel this week and we’ve always got top notch guides at the ready. Give us a call today and book a Missouri River Fly Fishing getaway you won’t soon forget. We’ve also got Adipose and RO drift boat rentals, shuttle service and a shop full of everything you need for fly fishing the Missouri River and beyond. We are your full service Missouri River Fly Fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00May 17th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Craig MT, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, RO Drift Boats, running line, St Croix, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Upcoming Events

Plenty going on around here these days as the 2016 season continues to get underway. Here’s a look at what’s happening in and around Wolf Creek and Craig as well as the surrounding area. We’d love to see you at all of these events.

April 29th – Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance Annual Membership Meeting and Barbecue. Craig Firehouse.

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The Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance (UMOWA) would like to invite the public to the annual members meeting and barbecue to be held April 29^th 2016 at the Craig fire hall in Craig Montana. Rocky Harbor of the Dearborn Ranch will be barbecuing with the serving to begin at 6:00. The program will start at 7:00

Speaking on the program will be Dave Stagliano who will give a rundown on UMOWA’s 2015 Aquatic bug sampling project. He will also provide a look at the 2016 bug project which will expand into a water sampling project as well.

Craig McLane from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) will talk about aquatic plants and invasive species in the Missouri River. UMOWA is planning to implement a plant sampling program for 2016 with the support of FWP.

Filling out the program will be the annual fisheries shocking and fish count report for the Missouri river from Holter Dam to Cascade and the state of the Canyon Ferry Fishery. This is always a highlight of the program as it will give us an idea of what to expect of the fishery for the coming year.

On Saturday the 30^th we will be giving a bug and water sampling demonstration. That will be a chance for you to get some hands on experience. For more information for either the meeting or the sampling demonstration call 406-431-5084

This region of Montana is proud to be home of one of the most unique and productive natural resources in America. This event will give you a chance to show your support for the preservation and improvement of the Missouri river.

May 5th – Bugs & Suds Fly Tying Night featuring Vince Wilcox. Wolf Creek Angler

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May 13th – Helena Ales for Trails, Pioneer Park – Downtown Helena MT

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Wolf Creek Angler is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s Ales for Trails.

Helena Ales for Trails is about contributing to the common good in Helena by raising funds for the Helena trail system. This year’s event will benefit Centennial Trail which is a paved non-vehicle path that will connect Spring Meadow Lake to East Helena.

The event is led by a consortium of community leaders from a variety of sectors. We’re proud to partner with local businesses, city and county government and private citizens to host and sponsor Helena Ales for Trails. In addition to the myriad people involved in planning, Helena Ales for Trails utilizes over 100 volunteers on the day of the event.

Keeping it Downtown:
This year’s event will happen in Pioneer Park (located next to Lewis & Clark Library at the far southern end of the walking mall). We’re excited to partner with Downtown Helena and the Spring Art Walk.

Date & Time:
The 6th Annual Helena Ales for Trails is scheduled for Friday, May 13th from 4 to 9pm. (Please note that 3:30pm to 5:00pm is reserved for the VIP Pre Event while the main event experience is from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.)

VIP Pre Event:
Every year we strive to turn Helena Ales for Trails more and more toward a unique tasting experience by inviting breweries who share the vision of a beer tasting event that showcases limited production, small batch, hard to find, special reserve, artisan, experimental, barrel-aged, sour and other unique craft beers. While we recognize the place of flagship beers, we hope to showcase breweries who welcome the chance to “bring us their weird!” VIP is your best chance to experience the wide variety of beer showcased at Helena Ales for Trails.

To further enhance the VIP Event we limit the experience to 150 VIP participants (as well as event sponsors and brewers). VIP starts promptly at 330pm at which time participants can enjoy an unlimited number of beer tastings while interacting with brewers and snacking from the professionally prepared complementary artisan appetizers. Tickets for VIP are $35 and in addition to the above include a custom printed 2016 Helena Ales for Trails Spiegelau Stout Glass (valued at $20 per glass) and 1 token that can be used for a 6oz. pour at the end of the VIP experience (5pm). The VIP Ticket also buys entrance into the main event which includes additional 6 oz beer tasting for $1, as well as live music provided by The Cottonwood Club.

* VIP has a history of selling out prior to the event.

Participating Breweries
This year we’re featuring 15 craft breweries, 1 cidery and 1 winery. The breweries are: Blackfoot River (Helena), 10 Mile (Helena), Lewis and Clark (Helena), Draught Works (Missoula), Uberbrew (Billings), Carter’s (Billings), Meadowlark (Sidney), Selkirk Abbey (Post Falls, ID), Blacksmith (Stevensville), Cabinet Mountain (Libby), Bower’s (Great Falls), Homestead (Eureka), Flathead Lake (Lakeside), MAP (Bozeman), and 2Basset (White Sulphur Springs). Montana Cider Works (Libby) and Sean Minor (wine) will also showcase cider and wine.

Regular Event Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 day of
Each ticket includes a custom printed 12 oz 2016 Helena Ales for Trails Belgian Tulip glass along with 3 tokens which can be redeemed for three (3) 6 oz. pours.

Ticketed attendees will also have the opportunity to buy addition 6 oz. pours at $1 each or 12 oz. pours for $2. Tickets may be purchased from Blackfoot River Brewing, Lewis & Clark Brewing, 10 Mile Brewing or online via Eventbrite.

For more information find Helena Ales for Trails on Facebook or email Jodi at jodi@narratechurch.org.

MUST BE 21 YEARS OR OLDER TO ATTEND.

May 21st – 10th Annual Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off. Craig MT

10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off

10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off Saturday May 21st starting at 4pm. Parade, 10+ BBQ Competitors, arts and crafts, kids events, Live MUSIC, Live & Silent Auction Items…family friendly

May 21st – Western District General Fishing Season River and Stream Opener

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Get out and fish the creeks! We can’t wait! The small stream opener is like Christmas morning for us.

As you can see there is no shortage of stuff to keep you busy for the next few weeks in addition to great fishing on the MO’.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00April 27th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Ales for Trails, Craig Caddis Festival, Craig MT, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, UMOWA, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Hitting our fall stride

The fall season is well underway as we close out September and welcome the cooler weather and hopefully the more consistent fishing of October.

Reports have been all over the boards with a few folks having some tremendous fall fishing days while most slog through sporadic bug activity and somewhat hit or miss conditions.

River traffic is still on the light side though you wouldn’t think so based on the parking lot at WCA which is, on more nights than not, choked with trucks and boats and campers etc. Definitely a July atmosphere here with folks trading lies at the end of the day over cocktails while enjoying the full moon, the starry skies and the crisp fall air. What an awesome time to be here!

Our lodging is full for the most part for the next couple of weeks though there are a few vacancies here and there and we do get the occasional cancellation so don’t give up – give us a call and inquire. Guides available daily or do it yourself with one of our RO Drift Boats.

Dry-fly fishing could explode any day now and the nymphing and streamer fishing will continue to get better from here on out.

Lodging opens up for the second half of October and there’s no reason it shouldn’t be great fishing so get your guide trips and lodging booked now for late October. This truly is our favorite time of year on the Missouri. Spend your days on the river fishing how you like to fish be it dries, nymphs or streamers and then unwind over dinner either here in Wolf Creek at The Frenchman or The Oasis or venture down to Craig for dinner at Izaaks or The Trout Shop Café which is serving some amazing dishes for breakfast and dinner Friday – Monday. I highly recommend the grilled rib eye which I had last night and which was one of the best steaks I’ve had in Montana. Seating is very limited but it’s definitely worth the wait.

Stop by the shop for the full range of fall fly fishing fare. We’ve got you covered with everything from base layers to fleece to waders to boots to Kast Steelhead Gloves and much more. Shuttles, Rods, Reels, lines, leaders and tippet and of course the largest selection of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. We’re proud to be your Go-To Missouri River Fly Shop and Guide Service. If you haven’t been in lately stop by and see what the Buzz is about.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:46-06:00September 29th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Craig MT, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, RO Drift Boats, running line, streamers, The Trout Shop Cafe, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Weekend Report September 26th

Fall in Wolf Creek Montana

Some good days, some great days, some not so good days this past week as fall fishing continues to ramp up on the Missouri.

Nymphing is still the go-to for numbers but there’s enough happening on top between Trico hold overs, Pseudos, terrestrials, the occasional caddis and the promise of baetis to keep the DFO’s interested. Sub surface options remain somewhat status quo with black Zebras leading the charge followed by Grey LGM’s, Red 2 Bits, Micromays, Psychomays, Purple Weight Flies, Hot Belly and standard PT’s, Grey WD-40’s, Purple Lightning Bugs, BWO Magic Flies and a host of other baetis-themed bugs.

Streamers? Not on fire by any means but definitely worth your time. Stop by the shop and check out our ever-expanding streamer selection which is definitely starting to get noticed. We love the streamer game and we understand the addiction. Get your fix at WCA. Demo a St Croix Bank Robber designed by streamer legend Kelly Galloup. You might just get hooked!

The leaves aren’t the only colors of fall. The brown trout are colored up in spawning splendor this time of year and we’ve been catching some great ones this week.

It’s nice to have the shop abuzz with activity again in the mornings as we get the trips out the door each day and get you set up with everything you need for your day on the water.

Afternoons have been spent meeting with reps and looking at new products as we put together our plans for next season and work on getting those pre-season orders written. Can it really be that time again already

We’re really excited to see all the new products being offered for next season and as always we’re working hard to bring you the products you want from the brands you love as we continue to try to earn your business and become your Missouri River fly shop and guide service of choice. Expect big things from Wolf Creek Angler and rest assured that we will always be doing everything we can to meet your expectations.

Lodging vacancies have been hard to come by for the past couple of weeks and will continue to be a challenge as we head into October. Things start to open up towards the end of October but if the fishing is half as good as we anticipate in the weeks to come we will remain fairly full right on into November. Don’t hesitate to book your mid to late October lodging and guide trips – they’re going quickly!

Speaking of late fall – remember we’re open all year so keep us in mind when you are making your late fall/winter fishing plans. Once things start to shut down in Craig later in the fall Wolf Creek becomes the place to be with lodging, dining, gas, groceries and of course the best fly shop ever to call Wolf Creek Montana home. Look no further than Wolf Creek Angler for your late season Missouri River fly fishing needs. We’ve got everything you need and we’re closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than anyone.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:46-06:00September 26th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Craig MT, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, nymphs, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Labor Day Weekend Forecast

Spend your Labor Day Weekend at Wolf Creek Angler

We’ll close out summer with a wet weekend and cooler temps, just what we need right now to help get the wildfire situation under control. Expect rain this afternoon and then off and on right on through Sunday night. At this point it looks like Labor Day will be pleasant with mostly sunny skies and a high near 70.

In the meantime think nymphs, streamers, huge savings on almost everything at WCA and Montana brewed beer.

Overcast skies, rain and temps south of 70 could make for some spectacular nymphing and streamer days so change those heliocentric weekend plans and get out here.

Leave summer behind and embrace the awesomeness of fall with a weekend in Wolf Creek and Craig- we’ve got plenty of lodging available with rates starting at $69.

Why not splurge and book yourself a cabin or bungalow for under $120/night plus tax. As part of our Labor Day Blow Out SALE book Friday and Saturday night and we’ll throw in Sunday night for free (Bungalows and Cabins only).

Speaking of the Labor Day Blow Out – WCA is the place for great deals on most everything this Saturday and Sunday. Take 20 percent off of all merchandise store-wide and more on select items including 30 percent off men’s and women’s Simms WCA solarflex shirts and up to 40 percent off select clearance items. The best deals of the season this weekend at Wolf Creek Angler.

The best deals of the season this weekend at WCA

You can’t afford to miss these deals!

Make sure to include the Inaugural Browns and Brews Craft Beer Festival in your plans. The event will be held under the tent in Craig on Saturday, September 5th from 4 pm – 8 pm rain or shine and will include live music, live and silent auctions and of course amazing craft beer from Katabatic, Bozeman Brewing Co., The Mighty Mo, The Front, and Bowser Brewing. $25 entry fee gets you in and also gets you a cool Derek DeYoung glass with which to sample your brews.

Bid on all sorts of cool items including what may be the coolest item of all – a WCA Hydro Flask growler and matching Hydro Flask True Pint glasses. Who knows, you may even be able to talk one of the breweries into filling it for you!

Hydro Flask WCA growler and True Pint glasses could be yours.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:46-06:00September 3rd, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Browns and Brews, Craig MT, Missouri River, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Summer Fading Fast

As we enter the last full week of August the shorter days and cooler nights have us eagerly anticipating fall and the second season on the Missouri. Summer is winding down, the kids are going back to school this week and while it still feels like summer out there the chilly mornings we’ve had as of late are a welcome sign of things to come. The breather that comes with the August Lull has been nice but we’re ready to get back to the business of making your Missouri River fly fishing experience all that it can be.

The fishing has been decent most days with the nymphers having the most success but if you commit to the terrestrials you should get at least a fish or two to move and their have been some absolute piggy browns being caught on hoppers, chubbies and ants so don’t give up!

Summer and smoke will return this week with highs in the 90’s each day.

Don’t miss our Labor Day Sale September 5th and 6th. Great deals on almost everything in the shop including Simms Solarflex WCA logo wear and KAST summer Guide Wear. We’ve got plenty of lodging available for the big Labor Day weekend so why not make Wolf Creek and the Missouri River your Labor Day Getaway this year. Browns and Brews Beer Fest happening in Craig on Saturday, September 5th from 4 to 8 PM with live music and plenty of great Montana Made Beer from Bozeman Brewing Company, Bowser Brewing Company, Katabatic Brewing Company, The Front Brewing Co. and Mighty Mo Brewing Company. This brewfest will have live and silent auctions, to raise money for the betterment or improvement of Craig. Don’t miss you chance to bid on some great auction items including Wolf Creek Angler gear and a guide trip/lodging package.

Enjoy late summer on the Missouri and make WCA your one stop before you hit the river for shuttles, guide trips, lodging, Montana Maid Coffee, fishing licenses, ice, Fishpond Nomad nets, Yeti Ramblers, Colsters and Hoppers, Rio and Trout Hunter leaders and tippet, Sun Protection from Buff, Simms and Outdoor Research, friendly honest info and advice, and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 24th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Browns and Brews, Craig MT, Labor Day Sale, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yeti|0 Comments

Wolf Creek Angler Spring Calendar

Looking forward to another great season on the Missouri – photo Wolf Creek Angler

Things are starting to get busy as the season draws closer. Take a look at what’s happening over the next couple of months.

March 14th – FOAM Annual Membership Meeting, Magnusson Grand City Center Hotel – Bozeman

March 14th – Missouri River Flyfishers IF4 Event, Hilton Garden Inn, Great Falls at 7:30 PM.

March 20th – Hank Patterson’s Reel Montana Adventure – hosted by Hank Patterson himself. 8:00 PM at the Grandstreet Theatre in Helena. Brought to you by Pat Barnes Missouri River Trout Unlimited. Pre-party at 5:00 PM at Crosscurrents Fly Shop. Tickets available at Wolf Creek Angler. Details here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hank-pattersons-reel-montana-adventure-helena-mt-tickets-15736965688

March 20th – Vernal Equinox and start of WCA’s Spring Special Guide Trips running through the end of April. Full day guide trips $300. Discounted lodging also runs through the end of April with cabins and bungalows for $99/night.

March 23rd – Community Pint Night at the Blackfoot River Brewing Company in Helena benefitting Pat Barnes Missouri River Trout Unlimited.

April 1st – Izaak’s in Craig open for business.

April 25th – Pat Barnes Missouri River Trout Unlimited Annual Banquet – Gateway Center in Helena.

May 16th – 9th Annual Craig Caddis Festival – Craig MT. Wolf Creek Angler will again be participating in the BBQ Cook-Off. Come out and support your favorite Missouri River Fly Shop and help raise money for the Craig Volunteer Fire Department.

May 16th – Opening Day of the 2015 Montana General Fishing Season.

Wolf Creek Angler – Missouri River Soiree– Date to be determined. Food, Live Music and Fun at Wolf Creek Angler. Join us in celebrating the start of another great season on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:00-06:00February 28th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, Craig MT, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Why Wolf Creek? 10 Reasons you should make Wolf Creek your Missouri River fly fishing destination

10. Location, Location, Location

Wolf Creek is located just 3 miles from the Wolf Creek Bridge and 4.5 miles from Holter Dam. Chances are if you are traveling by car to fish the Missouri from much of Western, Southwestern and Central Montana and beyond you will be passing through Wolf Creek before you reach the river. Whether you are coming from Helena, Missoula, Kalispell, Billings, Bozeman, Butte or a host of other cities Wolf Creek is your first access to the Missouri River. Since Holter Dam to Craig is the most popular section of the river to float/fish it only makes sense to exit at Wolf Creek, buy your flies and arrange your shuttles at Wolf Creek Angler and proceed to your adventure on the MO. We will shuttle your rig to Craig or wherever you choose to float and you will have saved yourself all kinds of time and substantial mileage. If you choose to bypass Wolf Creek and start your day in Craig you have already added eight miles to your trip. Not the end of the world but by the time you travel eight miles back to Holter Dam or Wolf Creek Bridge you’ve added roughly 15-20 miles to your trip and shaved 30 minutes to an hour off of your fishing time. If you come out once a week to fish you are looking at 60-80 extra miles and a loss of several hours of fishing time over the course of the month. If you fish every month of the year it could be costing you up to several hundred dollars (depending on gas prices) and up to two days of lost fishing time over the course of a year! That’s a steep price to pay and we would love to help you save your time and money.

9. Food, Gas and Lodging

Looking to have access to amenities during your trip to the Missouri any time of the year? Wolf Creek is your destination. With two bar/restaurants and the ONLY gas station/convenience store and the ONLY US Post Office between Helena and Cascade, Wolf Creek is your first choice. Need lodging? Wolf Creek Angler has you covered with affordable lodging options year round. We’ve got units with full kitchens and full baths which sleep up to four comfortably and during the warmer months we’ve got no-frills motel rooms for under $70/night. We are dog friendly, we offer guide discounts and all of our units are clean and comfortable and right next door to a first-rate Missouri River fly shop.

8. A River Runs Through It

Much of Norman Maclean’s novel A River Runs Through It takes place in and around Wolf Creek. Wolf Creek is mentioned in the story many times – other Missouri River fishing destinations are not.

7. Little Prickly Pear/Wolf Creek Canyon

Postcard view of Little Prickly Pear Canyon

Our awe-inspiring canyon goes by both names. Whatever you choose to call it it’s an amazing place. Please keep your eyes on the road as you wind your way through the canyon along Little Prickly Pear Creek. More than a billion years ago,during the Precambrian Era, an ancient inland seaway deposited these shales and sands, which over time,became these vibrant red and green mudstones called“Spokane Shale”. Many of our guests enjoy relaxing times on the porch gazing at the rugged hillside across from the shop where we often see mule deer and big horn sheep and the occasional black bear.

6. The Oasis

Located within walking distance of Wolf Creek Angler, The Oasis offers dining during the season and is a great place to unwind anytime of the year with a game of pool or just watching the game and relaxing in the bar.

5. Welcome to Wolf Creek MT

Wolf Creek is made up of an eclectic mix of residents, some with deep Montana roots spanning generations, others who’ve arrived here from anywhere and elsewhere and have fallen in love with all that Wolf Creek has to offer. It might get a little weird around Wolf Creek sometimes but that’s part of what we love about it. Come discover for yourself the charm of Wolf Creek MT.

4. Wolf Creek Bridge

To call the Wolf Creek Bridge iconic is an understatement. Everyone who has fished the Missouri knows the bridge. It is probably our most photographed local landmark and images of our bridge often appear on the blogs and facebook pages of local fly shops and outfitters. We love our bridge so much we made it a part of our logo and while we love to see pictures of our bridge on social media, Wolf Creek Angler is the only shop with a rightful claim to the Wolf Creek Bridge.

3. Shotgun Annie’s

A Wolf Creek institution, Shotgun Annie’s (formerly The Frenchman and Me) is the only year-round restaurant between Helena and Cascade. It is a classic small town Montana saloon and is a favorite amongst our guests. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner and Shotgun Annie’s. They serve up great steaks, ribs, burgers and more.

2. Montana Microbrews at The Canyon Store

Rivaling the Montana-Made beer selection of large grocery stores in the bigger cities, The Canyon Store has fully embraced the Montana Microbrew craze. Check out their great selections from Lewis and Clark, Bitterroot Brewing, Bayern, Mighty Mo, Bozone and more.

1. Wolf Creek Angler

On the move and at your service since April of 2014, we are here for the long haul and fully intend to do our part to put Wolf Creek back on the map as a Missouri River fly fishing destination. We are your full service Missouri River fly shop offering lodging, guided fly fishing, drift boat and equipment rentals, shuttle service and a first-rate shop with an ever-growing inventory of everything you need for success on the Missouri River including the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

This season make Wolf Creek your Missouri River fly fishing destination!

By Jason Orzechowski|2019-01-16T18:31:03-07:00February 19th, 2015|Categories: Local Buzz, Montana Fly Fishing, Shop Life|Tags: A River Runs Through It, Craig MT, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, montana fly shops, running line, The Canyon Store, The Frenchman and Me, The Oasis, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|5 Comments

Friday Fishing Report

January Brown – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Late January streamer fishing on the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Fishing heated up yesterday, especially in the afternoon. It sounds like Holter to Wolf Creek is still on the slow side but nymphing and streamer fishing from Wolf Creek to Craig was as good for us as it’s been in a while.
Firebead soft hackle sow bugs were the nymphing ticket throughout the day, accounting for all but a couple of fish. Casne’s Pinkalicious and the Pink Firebead Sow also saw some action.
The real surprise of the day was the streamer bite. The Polar Leech continues to produce on the slow retrieve. We committed one shift to the streamer which produced three nice browns and a couple of other misses. I haven’t changed that streamer out in two weeks!
Sunny skies and breezy yesterday, just a few other boats around and a handful of wading anglers. Expect more of the same today, maybe with a little less breeziness. It looks like it could potentially be a perfect day to fish the Missouri – especially by January standards. There is snow in the forecast for the next several days with temps in the 30’s and low 40’s. Water temps are still holding at a cold 34 with flows at 4900. It’s shaping up to be a great year for winter fishing on the Missouri.
Lodging available for the weekend and don’t forget our winter special $395 full day guide trips. During the month of February book a guide trip and get a night’s lodging for $59. Our guides are amped up and ready to start putting you on some fish. Winter days on the MO can be awesome. Let us do all the work for you. Full day includes a hot lunch and hot and cold beverages. Worried about the weather? Don’t be. If you book your trip and the day arrives and it’s too cold or too snowy or too windy for your preference you are free to bag it with no cancellation penalty. It’s the nature of winter fishing – we get it!
Don’t forget to check out the Fly Fishing Film Tour in Helena tomorrow night at the Grandstreet Theater at 6pm.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:02-06:00January 30th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Craig MT, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Mid Week Missouri River Fishing Report 1/28/15

Wolf Creek Angler guide Luke Koerten with a bright and feisy 5 O'Clock bow. - photo Wolf Creek Angler, LLC

It was another awesome spring-like day in Wolf Creek yesterday so I decided to tag along with WCA guide Luke Koerten, his girlfriend Betsy and their dogs. We floated Holter Dam to Craig with high expectations, excited about some January streamer action after having heard about some great streamer action over the weekend.
We figured we would start out chasing the bobber and get a few fish to hand before settling in to the streamer quest. Good plan but didn’t really pan out as we had anticipated. We ended up spending a lot of time changing bugs trying to find the HOT fly and never really did find anything that was working consistently. We had a tough run from the dam to Wolf Creek Bridge but started to piece a decent day together from there to Craig. The bite seemed a little off, maybe a result of the surge from LIttle Prickly Pear the last couple of days but the water was in great shape and I expect things will normalize over the next day or two.
We did ok with Firebead Soft Hackle Sows, Pink Lightning Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Wire Worms, Soft Hackle Rays and the almost-famous WCA Casne’s Pinkalicious, which started to turn on at the end of the day.
Everything came from the slow deep winter runs but we rarely picked up more than two fish out of a run. Our lack of success delayed the streamer quest though we did spend an hour or two stripping SLOW and managed to connect a couple of times with the Polar Leech which has been our go-to at WCA since October. Weise’s Swimming Minnow got a few looks and Luke had some custom ties which moved a few fish but as was the case with the nymphing, there didn’t seem to be any one thing in particular they were looking for.
The late afternoon/early evening proved to be the best time slot, which reportedly has been the case for the last couple of days. All in all a decent day, in fact a damn good day by January standards. This weather pattern looks like it is going to hold through the weekend so get out there and enjoy it before winter returns, which it inevitably will. We currently have lodging available for the weekend and expect it will fill so book your room today and while you’re at it why not take advantage of our ridiculously reasonable winter trip rates of $395 for a full day on the MO.
See you in the shop and on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:16:02-06:00January 28th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Craig MT, Fish, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, nymphs, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments