dry fly fishing Archives - Page 21 of 28

Socked In

True to the forecast from a few days back we’ve been stuck in the clouds/rain/snow for most of the week and while we’re happy to have the precipitation I for one am anxious to see and feel the sun shine again.

Per our predictions there has been some decent dry-fly action out there but still primarily towards the end of the day. A little perplexing but the challenge is what keeps us coming back. I haven’t been out this week but I’ve heard plenty of reports of MASSIVE BWO hatches with no fish up during the day. Those putting in the time and the miles are finding willing fish but you should definitely plan on working for them. Go to dries this week have been Wieses Purple Phase Loop Wing, BWO Drown Spinners, Olive Parachute Adams, Rocky Mountain Mints, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, CDC Baetis Emergers and BWO Hackle Stackers on the baetis side while Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Griffiths Gnats and Buzzballs are good bets for midge imitations.

A bit of a mixed bag as far as nymphing reports go but overall it seems to be getting good out there.

We’ve heard a few lackluster reports but the word from the last couple of days has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s been wet and chilly but we’re seeing plenty of smiling faces regardless. It’s amazing what a couple of tugs can do to make you forget about being cold and miserable. Rainbow Czechs, BWO Angel Case Emergers, Split Case BWO’s, LGM’s, Psycho Mays, Micro Mays, PT’s, Bubble Yum Scuds, S & M’s, Dark Peep Shows, Juans Hi Def Baetis in purple, Black Zebras, Pink or Purple Lightning Bugs, tailwater sows, soft hackle sows……and on and on. A lot of stuff is working but its changing from day-to-day and even by the hour. Giver yourself plenty of options and don’t be afraid to stray from the standards.

And speaking of standards, don’t forget to stop by the shop next Thursday from 6 pm – 9 pm and visit with Vince Wilcox creator of THE quintessential Missouri standard the Little Green Machine. We’ll be hanging out with Vince doing some lying, some tying, some grilling and just kicking back and enjoying springtime on the MO’.

Streamers? Still nothing stellar to report but once again, definitely worth your time. My intention is to spend my next day on the water devoting most if not all of the day to throwing them. We’re loaded up on the big bugs right now with all of your Missouri River standards as well as a bunch of stuff from the mind of Chewy you aren’t going to find anywhere but at WCA. Wolf Creek has never seen the likes of the bug selection you’ll find in our bins and we’re adding to it almost daily!

It looks like we’re going to transition back to sunshine and warmer weather starting Sunday. Take advantage of the cloud cover while you can – it should be a great weekend for fishing as long as you’re dressed for it. Need some cold weather gear or rain gear? We’ve got ridiculous deals on outerwear from KAST, hats and gloves from Outdoor Research and wading gear and layering from Redington and a bunch of new inventory you haven’t seen yet. Make us your first stop on your way out to the river.

Lodging is full tonight and tomorrow but really opens up Sunday and into the first part of next week. Sunshine and mid 70’s expected by the middle of the week. It’s a great time to book yourself a guide trip and a night or two with us. Traffic is still relatively light and the fishing should only get better from here on out.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00April 29th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, green machine, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Redington, running line, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Are there any bugs you ask? Ummm….just a few! photo by Luke Koerten

It looks like the weather is finally going to cooperate and give us what could be the best dry fly fishing this season to date. BWO’s have been consistent and abundant for a couple of weeks now but the heavy dose of sunshine we’ve been getting, while providing some gorgeous days on the water, has kept the daytime dry-fly action to a minimum. The couple of cloudy days we’ve had have provided plenty of opportunities to target rising fish and it looks like we’re in for a stretch of cloudy/rainy/cooler weather so plan on making the Missouri River your destination this week.

BWO Days

The timing couldn’t be better as we’ve got one week left of $400 full day spring guide trips and discounted lodging. We’re full tonight but have a few vacancies starting tomorrow and running through Wednesday. Things fill up again on Thursday so make it an early to mid-week trip. Guides are at the ready, anxious to treat you to a day of legendary dry-fly fishing on the Missouri.

Things have been a little inconsistent this week but there have been solid reports from below Craig, a little less so in the top section where we’ve had to work for them. Winter fare is holding on but really starting to wane. We’re still picking fish up on Bubble Yum Scuds and various firebeads but we’ve definitely noticed a shift to mayfly nymphs. LGM’s (Gray or PT), Trina’s Angel Case Emergers, Split Case BWO, BWO Magic Flies, Olive Psycho Mays, S & M’s, PT’s, Purple, Silver or Pink Lighting Bugs and the good old black zebra. Don’t abandon the pink stuff altogether but mix it up and show them something they haven’t seen.

Go-to dry flies for us this week have been the Parachute BWO, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, BWO Flash Cripple, BWO Drown Spinner, Olive Parachute Adams, Rocky Mountain Mint, Purple Phase Loop Wings and various midge clusters. Stop by and check out our vast and ever-expanding bug selection. We’re dedicated to offering you a fly selection as good as you’ll find anywhere and we’re happy to walk you through it.

We’ve maxed out and outgrown our streamer bins so you may find a little bit of chaos in the shop this week as we install our brand new bin and do some rearranging but not to worry, Zach and I will have things back in order directly.

If streamers are your thing this is go time for that as well. The next four weeks are Prime Time for streamer junkies on the MO’. We’ve heard of very few stellar streamer days thus far but there are plenty of big fish being caught on streamers. Put in your time, commit and eventually you will be rewarded.

Stop by WCA this week for shuttles, bugs, Rep Your Water clothing, LOOP Evotec CAST rods, Fishpond packs, MFC Boat Boxes, piles of logo gear and much more. Open every day at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River Fly Fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00April 23rd, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

3 Pot Days…The Season is Here!

We had the first three coffee pot day of the season Saturday at WCA which means the 2016 season has now REALLY officially begun.
If you were out here this weekend you know the ramps were looking like Mid-June and there was no shortage of company on the water.

Friday brought us a substantial winter storm with several inches of slushy snow, howling north winds, power outages, jack-knifed Semi Trailers….the real deal. Despite having no power for the first hour of the day we persevered for the die-hard anglers who showed up selling bugs by flashlight and we even ended up doing a guide trip that day. A little snow and wind wasn’t enough to deter our clients or our guide. They ended up having a good day out there and liked it so much they returned the next day for more.

Friday’s winter weather gave way to blue skies, sunshine and temps in the 50’s and 60’s for the remainder of the weekend and the people came in droves! It was by far our busiest weekend of the year so far with a full house, a bunch of guide trips out and plenty of day-trippers swinging in for bugs and shuttles and more.

As measured by coffee consumption – winter and early spring days are generally a one-pot affair with a good share of that being consumed by the WCA crew. We’ve definitely had a couple of two-pot days over the past month but now we’ve crossed the line into the busy season with the first of what will be many three and four pot days. Some have proclaimed our coffee to be the best in the canyon, others have not. Regardless, the coffee is on us so the price is right. Stop in for a cup next time you are in Wolf Creek and decide for yourself.

Fishing reports were definitely a mixed bag this weekend but the consensus is that things are inconsistent right now. The blue sky sunny days can make things tough, especially if you’re wanting to play the dry-fly or streamer game. Nymphing can be tough on these days as well but is generally the best bet for putting fish in the net. No big changes on the menu just yet. We’re still getting them on pink stuff and firebeads but LGM’s, Split Case BWO’s, BWO Magic Flies, PT’s, Tailwater Sows, zebras, Lightning Bugs and a host of other Missouri River favorites have started to turn on as well.

Cloud cover is your best bet for streamer fishing and while you will likely see BWO’s and midges coming off in big numbers daily, the sunny days have been a bust. Cloud cover or last light are what you need if you intend to play the dry-fly game.

The bad news if you want to fish dries is that we’re in for a week of sunshine and blue skies. That being said, with temps in the 70’s daily and little wind in the forecast the good news is that we’re going to have some gorgeous days on the water this week. Plenty of lodging available at this point though things fill up for the weekend and will likely fill in for the early part of the week as well as it looks like we’re going to see another Missoula Hatch come off with rivers on the rise again over there.

Things are definitely getting busy out there but you can still find plenty of solitude during the week. It’s a great time of year to book a Missouri River guide trip.

Some great deals still to be had on winter gear and clearance items in the shop. Stop in for bargains and while you are here check out all the new stuff including bins overflowing with great new bugs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:37-06:00April 18th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Arriving Daily – BWO Days Ahead.

It’s another gorgeous start to the week here in Wolf Creek with sunshine and 70 degrees. Another nice day to soak up the sun though not the preferred fishing conditions.

It looks like we’ve got some favorable BWO days coming with a chance of rain every day for the remainder of the week. We might see 70 tomorrow but then things cool down for the rest of the week with more seasonable weather. Cloudy with a chance of rain each day and highs in the 40’s and 50’s. Sunshine returns this weekend.

In the meantime we could see some great fishing this week with prime conditions for throwing dries or chucking streamers. The nymphing will continue to produce as well as we make the transition into full-on spring fishing.

Keep running those Bubble Yum Scuds, Rainbow Czechs, Firebeads etc but make sure to throw some mayfly nymphs into the mix. The time is now. Little Green Machines, Split Case BWO’s, Psycho Mays, Juju’s, LB’s in all flavors, Allen’s Holla-Back Girl in pink or purple, S & M’s, 2 Bits, Juan’s Hi-Def Baetis, Peep Shows, Hot Belly PT’s….it’s time to both broaden and think outside of the box.

Our nymph bins are overflowing with hot new patterns as well as tried and true Missouri River staples. We’ve also got a bunch of new dry flies including some great midge clusters and BWO patterns.

What’s happening on the streamer side of the equation? Still a little slow out there but the conditions say GO and if you’re going to go then you need to commit!

Best bug for me as of late has been the old standby Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Sculpin but we’ve got piles of new bugs (and old ones as well) in the bins which are just a cast and a strip away from being crushed by a hungry 2′ brown. Keller’s Montana Mouthwash in Olive or White, Kraft’s Kreelex in all flavors, Gongas, JJ’s, Polar Leeches and a bunch of WCA exclusives from ZK!

We’re running our spring special rates on lodging and guide trips through the end of the month so don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience world-class fishing on the Missouri River minus the crowds of late spring and summer. $400 guide trips and $99 cabins or bungalows along with our always affordable single and double motel units. While you are here stop in the shop and take advantage of blow out pricing on spring clearance items from all of your favorite companies.

We’ve got vacancies through the early part of the week but only one cabin left for the weekend which will likely be gone by the end of the day. Why not make it yours today. Guides are at the ready so give us a call and put us to work for you.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:37-06:00April 11th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Weekend Outlook 4.01.16

April Fools Day here in Central MT, lots of you fools missing out on some awesome fishing, I pity you. If you’ve been calling or swinging by the shop over the last week you’ve probably noticed a strange absence. No joke, someone is missing. Not to say that we miss him, I’m getting along just fine; but with that said, single handing the shop has had one major drawback: It’s really cutting into my fishing time. In case you’re wondering, the big boss is on Spring Break somewhere in Michigan getting some family time in and of course fishing. So while Jason is having a blast chasing Great Lakes Steel, drinking, what I’m told is some of the best beer in the nation and cruising around in a wicked awesome mini-van (rental), I’m at the shop finding new homes for flies, booking lodging, pimping trout guides and generally, just making sure the place doesn’t burn down. It’s all fun and games until you get a #22 trico spinner buried in your finger, alone, bleeding on the floor. Hopefully the weekend will treat me better.

Weekend ahead is looking good as far as the weather is concerned and based on the reports we’ve been getting, the fishing should follow suite. Still waiting to see the blue wings in mass but I did get into a few yesterday in the canyon. Nothing to go crazy for just yet, but soon. Midges have been out consistently and the dry-fly fishing is picking up. Small, make your eyes bleed size midges have been getting it done when the wind permits. Nymphing is still the main game for now with lots of success being had on a multitude of patterns. Transitional water and the slower runs have been fishing well but remember to keep an eye out for the Redds! Streamer fishing has been hit or miss depending on the stretch and time of day but is still a viable option. Hard banks and deep slower water paired with an intermediate sink tip has been fishing best for me. Leeches, buggers and bait fish all doing getting some attention.

Boss man will be back Monday so keep an eye out for another On The Road Report from, well, wherever the hell I decide to go. I’ll be checking fishing reports over the next few days in between spring cleaning and fly slinging. As for the self impalement with the trico, it was successfully removed and the bleeding was stopped before the situation became dire. As far as a workman’s comp claim, I think some of that fine MI oat-soda and few days fishing with the boys will do, that’s fair right?

Flies to get your fourth month of 2016 off right….

Dries: Q’s Cluster Midge, Baetis Sprout, WCA Trude, Parachute BWO, Cripple Thorax BWO, Black Sippers & Q’s Hackle Stacker BWO.

Nymphs: Amex, Pinkalicious, Firebead Sow, Firebead Rays, Zebras, Split Case Blue Wing, LGM, Olive Psycho Mays & Rainbow Warriors.

Streamers: Polar Leeches, Sparkle Minnows, Ganagas, Kreelex, Iced Out Grills, & Skiddish Smolt.

~Cheers, Chewy.

By Zach King|2016-10-25T16:15:37-06:00April 2nd, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Montana Fly Fishing, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Montana, spring, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Tons of Bugs at Wolf Creek Angler

A nice mix of winter and spring this week on the MO’. Cold and snowy yesterday, sunny and highs near 50 today!

Traffic has been very light this week and should continue to be with rain, wind and snow showers forecast through Friday. The weekend however looks likes it could be awesome with plenty of sunshine and highs in the 50’s.

We’ve got lodging available for the weekend but we anticipate that we will fill up by tomorrow so don’t miss out. Book yourself a room for $99 and while you’re at it why not book yourself a full day Missouri River Guide trip for just $400 through the end of April.

Mixed bag on the fishing reports lately but there have definitely been some decent days as well as some tougher ones. Nymphing is definitely heating up as the water nears that 40 degree mark and the fish are starting to put up a pretty good fight depending on the day. We’re still sticking to the pink and firebead staples but it’s definitely time to start thinking about expanding your offerings to include some mayfly nymphs.

We got a bunch of flies in yesterday for which we’ve been patiently waiting….better late than never. Pink Weight Flies, Ninch’s Bubble Gum Scuds and Thunderbugs and some cool new midge clusters now in stock. We’re also loaded up on all kinds of foam and streamers available only at Wolf Creek Angler.

Bugs you might consider adding to the mix right now include BWO magic flies, LGM’s, Dark Peep Shows, Micromays, BWO Bubble Back and Angel Case Emergers, Military Mays and good old PT’s.

If you’re thinking dry flies try a Grizzly Midge Cluster, Griffiths Gnat, Black Sipper or Peacock Cluster paired with a Parachute Adams – a hard combo to beat. Another spring favorite of ours is Wiese’s Purple Phase Loop Wing. I haven’t thrown it yet this season but there were some days last spring that it was downright deadly!

Streamer wise we’re still liking Polar Leeches, Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, ZK’s Club Drug and Iced Out Grills, various Clouser-type patterns and all kinds of bugger variations.

Come by and check out the ever-expanding fly selection at Wolf Creek Angler, you’re guaranteed to be AMAZED!

While you are here check out all the cool new WCA logo gear from Simms as well as tons of new gear arriving DAILY!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:37-06:00March 23rd, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Spring is beginning to show itself on the MO. Photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Spring officially arrived yesterday with sunshine and 60’s, a nearly perfect day. We were happy to soak it in yesterday, but we’re looking at another week of winter-like weather ahead and we’re happy to have it.

We’re very pleased to report that the snow pack is continuing to build and should be maintained with slightly below average daytime highs and cold nights in the high country.

Here on the Missouri we’re looking at a chance of snow showers every day this week starting tomorrow with temps in the high 30’s and low 40’s. Consequently, we’re going to hold off on opening up more lodging for the time being but we expect to have all the cabins open and available the first week of April and will likely have the motel units up and running by mid to late April, depending on the weather.

Spring lodging and guide dates are filling rapidly so don’t put it off any longer. Book your spring dates with us now. It’s an awesome time to fish the Missouri River with light to moderate traffic and great opportunities no matter what your fly fishing game. Nymphing has already started to really heat up, dry-fly opportunities are becoming more consistent and with the water temp flirting with 40 degrees, the streamer game is also starting to turn on and will only get better from here on out.

Come spend a few days with us and see why we consider spring to be one of the best times to fish the Missouri. Spend a day or two on the water with one of our expert professional guides and then spend a few more on your own either taking advantage of the abundant walk in access or perhaps renting a RO or Adipose Drift Boat to explore the 30 plus miles from Holter Dam to Cascade. Ask about our spring special. We’re offering great prices on lodging, guide trips and boat rentals through the end of April. You can’t afford to pass these deals up!

$99 gets you cozy and quiet accommodations in Wolf Creek with a full kitchen, private bath, access to barbecue grills and to THE UP and COMING Missouri River fly shop fully stocked with everything you need for your day on the water.

New gear arriving daily including LOOP, Echo, St Croix and Redington rods and reels, a bunch of cool new Simms WCA logo gear, tons of bugs added to an already impressive and expansive selection and the most laid-back, ego-free, customer service committed atmosphere you’ll find anywhere.

The Hell Razor Jacket from Kast available at Wolf Creek Angler

Don’t miss Extreme deals on Extreme Fishing Gear from KAST. The calendar may say spring but the weather will continue to say winter for a while ( we hope). Pick up a Hell Razor prima-loft jacket at 40% off and you’ll be laughing at the cold as you experience the hottest fishing of the season.

Your dining options will greatly increase this week as the legendary Izaaks in Craig opens for the season this Thursday, the 24th. We can’t wait! Izaaks will be open Tuesday-Sunday at 4 PM through April and will be open daily come May.

The Oasis in Wolf Creek will continue to be open Thursday – Monday from 8:00 – 7:00 PM serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please support our local businesses.

The shop will be open seven days a week beginning April 4th, from 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM.

Yes the season is upon us! We hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:38-06:00March 21st, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Izaaks, Kast Gear, Loop, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, RO Drift Boats, running line, St Croix, The Oasis, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

First float in the new Adipose – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

A mixed bag of reports this week with things having seemingly slowed a bit since our last report. There are still fish being caught but the good to great days we had experienced last weekend and early this week have given way to a return to more challenging times. There are definitely still fish being caught but you may have to work for them. That being said, it is still February so all things considered I would still say the fishing is pretty damn good overall and should only get better.

We’re still holding out hope for another shot or two of winter weather but as of right now we seem to be settled in to a trend of sunny days with daytime temps in the 50’s and nighttime lows in the 30’s. We’ve had a few really nice days with just a breeze but more often than not there are varying amounts of wind to contend with. Yesterday was one of those rare calm days, today it looks like a return to the normal. No high wind warnings in the immediate forecast but always be prepared for at least a nuisance wind.

We did a quick Wolf Creek to Craig float on Tuesday in our new WCA Adipose rental and had a decent day on the nymphs before switching to streamers which turned out to be a bust. The firebead soft hackle sow in pink was our best bug and the fish we did pick up were where they were supposed to be in the medium slow, medium deep water. Same program we’ve been preaching for the past few weeks though we skipped the super slow winter water and just targeted the transitional stuff. Firebead anything, soft hackle sows, soft hackle rays, Tailwater sows, black zebra midges, Czechs, Amex…by now you know the routine. We didn’t spend any time doing row-arounds but you should.

As I said the streamer thing wasn’t happening for us at all. A couple of tugs early on and then NOTHING. We ran through our go-to bugs and fished hard right to the take-out and nothing. Streamer fishing can be like that. Tomorrow is another day!

There have been a lot of midges around and the occasional fish or pod on them but I have yet to spend a day targeting rising fish. It’s all ahead of us. Great streamer fishing, great nymphing and great dry-fly fishing soon to come.

The river has been relatively quiet this week but there are definitely some people around and it’s only going to get busier as things heat up so it’s a perfect time to come out and enjoy early spring fishing on the Missouri River.

We’ve got one room left for the weekend, you may as well make it yours. $99/night gets you a cozy cabin with a full kitchen just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge. Don’t forget – $400 full day guide trips through the end of March or do it yourself with a RO or Adipose Drift Boat Rental.

Lots of new inventory arriving daily at the shop. Come on by and see what’s new.

We hope to see you this weekend at Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:38-06:00February 25th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, RO Drift Boats, running line, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Like the view? Call Wolf Creek Angler and book your Missouri River Fly Fishing Guide Trip today.

Prime dates are rapidly disappearing. Don’t put it off any longer, book your 2016 Missouri River Fly Fishing trip of a lifetime today.

Lodging is nearing capacity for the months of June and July and it looks like we’re going to have a busy spring as well based on the amount of April and May bookings.

We’ve got a bunch of guide trips already booked for June and early July but don’t despair, it’s not too late. We’ve still got plenty of guides and dates available.

Looking for something a little different? Why not add a little variety to your trip and plan to do a day on the nearby Blackfoot or Dearborn Rivers in addition to the Missouri?

The Dearborn season is early and short, usually just a couple of weeks depending on water levels, but if you can do a late May/early June trip chances are good we can get you on the Dearborn for a day.The Blackfoot offers the same wilderness, freestone experience but with a much wider window of opportunity.

With legendary dry-fly fishing as well as nymphing and streamer fishing, an insane abundance of trout, ease of access and year-round opportunities, the Missouri will keep you coming back time and again but you owe it to yourself to try the quintessential Montana Wilderness fly fishing experience offered by these other rivers. You will likely catch more and bigger fish on the Missouri but you’ll never regret devoting a day to experiencing something so different from the Missouri.

With the Missouri just minutes away and miles of other phenomenal trout waters within easy reach, Wolf Creek Angler is your base camp not just for the Missouri but for Montana fly fishing period.

Many of our guests stay for a week or more at a time and fish the Missouri hard but also venture off to explore the surrounding waters. We encourage you to arm yourself with a can of bear spray and a gazetteer and spend a day or two exploring the blue lines.

The shop of course caters to the Missouri River fly-fisher but we can also get you set up for fishing the smaller waters. We’ve got the rods and reels and lines, the wading staffs and hand nets; the maps and the knowledge and of course the bins full of foam and the BIG DRY FLIES which are a staple of freestone fly fishing and we’re happy to get you pointed in the right direction.

No matter your water preference, we would love to have you as our guest at Wolf Creek Angler this season. Give us a call today and let us help you plan your Montana fly fishing dream vacation on the Missouri River and beyond.

Stop dreaming and start planning. Call the dream vacation HOTLINE at 800-800-4350 and book today.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:38-06:00February 18th, 2016|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing, Uncategorized|Tags: Base Camp, Blackfoot River, Dearborn River, dry fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Photo by Jim Murray

We’ve definitely got a fishable weekend ahead with temps in the 40’s and mostly sunny skies. The wind will be an issue (as it seems to be more often than not) out of the SW at around 20 mph tomorrow and around 30 on Saturday with gusts approaching 40 mph.

This morning looks like the best day of the bunch with cloudy skies and relatively calm winds, it could turn out to be a perfect streamer day.

Next week looks like the time to be here with highs in the 50’s on Monday. We may see 60 on Tuesday. I have a feeling our lodging will be full so if you’re having any thoughts about coming out for a couple of days next week I suggest you book it now.

F3T

It’s going to be a busy weekend off the water for us with the Fly Fishing Film Tour at the Grandstreet in Helena tomorrow night and the Super Bowl on Sunday but we’ll be around the shop all weekend for all of your Missouri River Fly Fishing needs.

We’ve got half a dozen tickets left for the F3T – they will be gone by the end of the day. The show always sells out and is always a great way to spend a winter evening. It’s hard to go wrong with beer and fly fishing films and the chance to win F3T gear and swag from your favorite fly shops, including your 2016 Headline Sponsor – Wolf Creek Angler. We hope to see you there.

Most of the recent fishing traffic has been on Holter Lake

How’s the fishing you ask. We haven’t been out this week and really haven’t seen much traffic aside from the steady stream of traffic headed to Holter Lake. There are literally buckets of perch being caught and the ice is still in decent shape from what we’ve heard but that could definitely change over the next several days with the warming trend so please use caution if you’re heading out there. There is currently around 6″ of ice on the lake.

The few river reports we’ve heard have been less than stellar but it’s always worth your time. You never know when it’s going to turn on. Flows are currently holding right around 3800 and the water temp has bumped up to 35 degrees. Still on the cold side for sure but sometimes all it takes is a warm up of a degree or two to get those fish feeding. You won’t know if you don’t go.

We’ve got Streamers on the brain and we think it’s definitely worth your time to dedicate a couple of hours to throwing them but nypmhing is still going to be your best bet for catching fish. No real changes on that front. Pink stuff, Firebeads, soft hackle sows, Tailwater Sows, Zebra Midges….you know the routine. We would also suggest running some mayfly nymphs. Try a Little Green Machine, a Peep Show or an S & M and see what happens. Continue to focus on the slower, deeper water but don’t overlook the transitional water (a little faster, not quite as deep). The uptick in water temp will often times get the fish moving.

Expect an increase in dry-fly opportunities from here on out as the midges fire up. Check those side channels for rising fish and have your midge cluster of choice rigged and ready.

If you’re going to throw streamers we would suggest smaller/slender patterns. Kreelex, Clousers, Polar Leeches etc. but it never hurts to think outside the box and show them something they haven’t seen.

The shop is open at 8:00 am for all of your Missouri River winter Fly Fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:39-06:00February 4th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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