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Late April Missouri River Fishing Report 4/24/15

Don and Leda doubled up on the MO – photo by Jim Murray

Guest Blog from WCA Guide Jim Murray. Call the shop and book a trip with Jim or any of our other guides. Six days left to take advantage of our $300 spring special guide trips. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

With April turning into May, the 2015 season on the Missouri is heading into full swing. I’ve been out guiding a few times this past week, and if you’ve been fortunate enough to be on the water you know what I’m going to say. The Mo is a pretty good trout river. Flows are down, water temps are up, and bugs are EVERYWHERE. Lots of bugs make for lots of happy fish. In these conditions, the fish are acting like it’s summer out there. Fish are holding in riffles, runs, scum lines, and shallow water. Fish are deep in the water column. Fish are shallow in the water column. Fish are EVERYWHERE. I’ve had a lot of success throwing the short leash rig with no weight my last couple of trips, but I’ve talked to other guides who are getting them down deep as well. Pick your favorite mayfly nymph and have at it. And don’t be afraid to throw a little bit bigger bug. You don’t have to throw a size 20 Green Machine to get ‘em out there. You like throwing dry flies? Well have at it, because while we aren’t seeing a ton of heads up, they are there if you know where to find them, and they seem more than happy to eat a properly presented dry/cripple/cluster/spinner pattern of your choice.
I’ve spent the last few trips down in the Canyon, but I’ve been hearing pretty much the same from the guys fishing between the Dam and Spite Hill. Fishing is good. If you aren’t here fishing the Mo right now, you should be! Grab a buddy to row. Teach your husband/wife how to row. Book a guide. Whatever you have to do, come out and fish the Mo….it’s a pretty good trout river.

Doubled up again! Photo by Jim Murray

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:54-06:00April 24th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid Week Fishing Report

Warm and sunny spring days have limited the dry fly fishing opportunities for the past couple of days but it looks like we could be in for a great baetis weekend with cloud cover and a chance of rain and/or snow each day.

Nymphing has been good river-wide though the best reports we’re hearing are from Craig down. Green Machines and S & M’s have been the most popular nymphs by far leaving our bins this week but why limit yourself to two patterns? We’ve got bins and bins stuffed full of bugs that will get it done. Take some time and peruse our selection, LGM’s and S & M’s are great but there’s a bunch of other stuff that you should be trying and who knows, you may just stumble upon the next big thing.

When you find that bug you think is cool and you fish it and it happens to work it definitely builds your confidence. One of my go-to nymphs is Mason’s Peep Show. I was introduced to the Peep Show by a fishing buddy several years ago and I’ve always done well with it so I use it a lot. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients come into the shop to load up on them after a guide trip. Sometimes they find success with it, sometimes they dont. I think it’s a great bug – I’ve got friends who are excellent guides who hate it – it’s all personal preference.

Bottom line – we’ve got well over 100,000 flies not including a bunch of cool streamers. There are a lot of patterns besides S & M’s and Little Green Machines that will crush fish on the Missouri. Last season there was a few weeks where Two Bit Hookers were reportedly the hottest bug around. We didn’t have them. We do now. Guys would come in and ask for them and turn around and leave when we told them we didn’t have them – apparently when it’s a Two Bit Hooker you desire nothing else will do!

Stop in and check out our fly selection, we are confident you won’t be disappointed.

Lodging is full tonight and busy through the weekend. We did have one cancellation for Friday and Saturday so we do have one cabin available for the weekend. We’re busy with spring special guide trips this week but have plenty of guides around if you are interested in taking advantage of this great deal before it’s too late. It’s the last weekend for spring special rates and discounted lodging. Book your trips and rooms now!

The days are getting longer, the bugs are plentiful and the pulse is starting to return to Wolf Creek and Craig Montana.

See you in the shop and on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:54-06:00April 22nd, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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

By all accounts from the past several days it’s GAME ON on the Missouri right now. Unfortunately the only bugs I’ve seen recently are the ones in our fly bins but I hope to rectify this situtation soon. I’ve been hearing good reports from all of our guides and our guests are raving as well, one calling his Saturday afternoon outing “the best dry fly day he’s had in years”.

Plenty of dry fly action on baetis and midges river-wide and if it’s nymphing you prefer it’s happening right now! I’m still hearing the occasional complaints of tough days from those fishing the top section but it’s been lights out in the middle and lower sections so spread out and have at it. Best selling bugs over the past couple of days have been Hogan’s S & M, LGM’s , MicroMay in Olive, firebead soft hackle sow, hot belly PT in purple, Purple phase loop wing, BWO Flash Cripple, BWO Drown Spinner, DOA Cripple Baetis, 2 Bit Hooker in Red, Kyle’s Superflash PT in Olive, Circus Peanut, Polar Leech, Sparkle Minnow, Beadless Zebra Midge in Black and a bunch of other baetis stuff. We’ve got the bugs you want and the bugs you need and many many more. Come check out our selection, we’re confident you won’t be disappointed.

Bins full of BWO’s at Wolf Creek Angler

Weather wise we’re looking at sunny warm days through Thursday, possibly reaching near 80 on Wednesday. A 50 percent chance of rain on Friday may mean a better bwo day but the bottom line is that you really couldn’t pick a better week to come hit the MO. The weather is great, the bugs are plentiful, the fish are happy and hungry…what more could you ask for?

Remember our $300 spring special guide trips and our discounted lodging rates run through the end of April so time is running out. You’ve got 10 days left to make it happen so don’t put it off any longer. Give us a call at the shop today and book your Missouri River trip of a lifetime. It’s the best fishing we’ve seen this year and traffic remains relatively light, especially during the week.

Flows are holding around 3800 with water temps around 45. The lower water means more access for the wade anglers and less navigable water for boats and the increased potential for conflicts. Please be courteous to your fellow anglers whether wading or floating and try to give each other as much room as possible. There are miles and miles of water and there are fish everywhere. There is no reason to crowd each other.

Lodging is filling quickly for the coming weeks. We’ve got plenty of availability tonight and tomorrow but things start to become scarce starting on Wednesday. A couple of rooms remain for the weekend -they will likely be gone by the end of the day.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:54-06:00April 20th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, dry fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid Week Missouri River Fishing Report 4/15/15

Cooler, cloudier weather yesterday and today has ushered in some solid nymphing action and some prime conditions for streamer fishing.

It sounds like Holter to Craig was the section yesterday with fish congregating in most of the go-to spots. From what we’ve heard the fish are not consistently eating anything in particular so you may have to switch it up often to get them to go. Rainbow Czechs, S & M’s, Hot Bead worms, Military Mays, Green Machines, Sow Bugs, PT’s, Zebras…they are all getting eaten so don’t be afraid to change bugs often.

Streamer action continues to be hit or miss but it’s definitely worth the effort in our humble opinion. Dry fly fishing has been good with a fair amount of BWO’s around and plenty of midges. We saw a lot of fish up in the canyon section on Monday and landed a few on the Parachute Adams/midge rig and even got a couple to go on the bigger bugs.

Sunny skies return tomorrow and Friday with highs back in the mid to high 60’s. Why not use that tax refund and book yourself a $300 Spring Special Guide Trip on the Missouri, you only have 15 days left before regular season rates return on both guide trips and lodging.

Stop by Wolf Creek Angler on your way to the river for everything you need for your day on the Missouri. The hardest working guides on the river, lodging, shuttles, RO drift boat rentals, all-conditions gear from KAST Extreme Fishing Gear, hand warmers, gloves and hats from Outdoor Research and of course the recently expanded largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.
See you in the shop and on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:55-06:00April 15th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, dry fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Outdoor Research, RO Drift Boats, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fully Stocked with more arriving daily! photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Back to work today and arrived this morning to find a shop full of goodies that weren’t here a week ago. Lots of new flies, a bunch of Fishpond and Loon tools and accessories, the best selection of fly lines we’ve ever had, eyewear from Smith Optics, more Kast Extreme fishing gear, Simms logo wear, fully stocked Rio and Trouthunter leader/tippet inventory, Hydroflask cofee flasks, watter bottles and growlers in all kinds of cool colors….just to name a few.

The shop has never looked better and we invite you to stop in and see what the buzz is about.

Traffic on the river is still relatively light though that will begin to change from here on out as things heat up out there.
Flows continue to hold around 4000 and water temps are currently hanging in that low 40’s range – perfect for this transition period as we move from targeting slow deep water and the semi-lethargic fish holding there to faster shallows and flats and fish willing to chase and ready to put up a fight.
We’ve got a chance for rain and snow each day this week with highs in the 50’s which could make for some great fishing whether you’re looking for dry fly action or you prefer the sub-surface game. We’ve heard good reports from the last couple of days on both.
Hot bugs for today in no particular order have been Pink Amex, Grey LGM, Parachute Adams, Olive Smolt, BWO Magic Fly, Rainbow Czech, Juju Baetis, Hi-Vis Griffiths Gnat, Brown Polar Leech, Beadless Black Zebra and Tailwater Sowbugs…all available at Wolf Creek Angler.

Plenty of lodging available this week and don’t forget to book your $300 Full Day Spring Special Guide Trip through the end of the month. Make Wolf Creek Angler your first stop on the way to the river – we’ve got everything you need for Missouri River fly fishing and we are closer to the Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge access sites than ANYONE.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:55-06:00April 7th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, RO Drift Boats, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Leslie with one of many from Sunday’s float. Things are heating up on the MO. – photo by Jim Murray

Guest Blog from WCA Guide Jim Murray

Things are heating up on the Missouri. Literally. With the water temperatures pushing past that 40 degree mark, the river is really turning on. I had a chance to get out on the river Sunday with my ~~girlfriend~~ fiancé, and the Mighty Mo did not disappoint. Fellow WCA guide Matt Hargrave had told me that the fish were keying in on mayfly nymphs, and boy was he right. It seems with the warmer water temperatures, the baetis nymphs are getting really active subsurface and the fish are keying in on them. Little Green Machines, Micro Mays, Hogan S&M, and the Ju Ju Baetis in sizes 16-18 all produced fish. And don’t forget the Zebra Midge. We managed to bring one fish to the boat on a Firebead Rainbow Weight Fly, but the fish definitely seem to be moving off the pink/firebead stuff for the time being.
Along with bugs getting active, the warmer temps have the fish feeling a little more feisty and moving out of those deep winter holes. Fish were found primarily in 2-4 of water. Soft bends and shelf lines seem to be the key.
Adding to the fun is the fact that the dry fly bite is really turning on as well. Heads were spotted up between Wolf Creek and Craig, with trout willing to eat a well presented midge pattern. Rumors of big bugs being spotted in the canyon have started to be discussed over beers at the end of the day, and I know of a few anglers who have had some success giving it a try.
The streamer bite still seems to be hit or miss, (many times dependent on the angler) but only figures to improve in the coming days and weeks as the fish start to really shake off the winter doldrums and get a little nasty and aggressive. I know I have a new 8 weight rod that I’m just itching to get out and throw.
All in all, the Missouri is fishing well, and figures to only get better as conditions continue to heat up. It should be a great Spring on the Missouri. Now if we can just get some precipitation to keep it a great summer…

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:56-06:00March 31st, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), juju baetis, midge, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|1 Comment

Danya with one of many from Friday’s float. photo by Matt Hargrave

Montana experienced a very mild winter this year, which created plenty of fishing opportunities for local anglers. Personally, I kept my eyeballs on the ten day forecast, and made sure I was on the water whenever air temps were 40 degrees and above. While the fishing wasn’t always on fire, it was nice to be in the boat, on what became “bonus” days for all us trout bums. Most of those “bonus” days proved to be slow fishing with few fish to the net, and some of those days the only thing caught was a buzz and a minor case of hypothermia.

Yesterday was the day that I had been waiting for. The forecast called for a high of 75 with gusty winds. It never reached 75, but it didn’t get windy either. Perfect. Danya and I floated Dam to Craig. I did the usual row around just below the wire. We touched a fish on the first pass, landed a fish on the next two consecutive passes, and touched another on the fourth. The fish were definitely hungry yesterday, and Danya was crushing fish in the front of the boat. I had a nymph rig set at around 6 feet from bobber to split shot, with a #14 Tungsten Tailwater Sow bug, trailed by a #20 silver bead black zebra midge.

I finally bailed due to a handful of boats anchored up around me. Things slowed down below the grass flats. I changed out the zebra midge for a #16 grey Little Green Machine. The trout were all over that! Most of the fish seemed to be holding in knee to waist high water. I avoided the riffles because Rainbows are starting to build redds. As a reminder please avoid wading across the riffles, and be sure to look where you are a wading!

Below the Wolf Creek bridge, it continued to nymph well, but I also saw a lot of heads up eating midges, including a few legitimate pods. Some were rising here and there, but there were plenty that were consistently feeding. It was really exciting to see them come up and eat! You could see the cotton white on the inside of their mouth, which means you got a pretty good shot of catching that fish. Well, if you can set the hook at least. I blew about 8 or 10 hook sets. Call it first day dry fly fishing jitters. Or you could say that I didn’t check my hook after missing a fish. I got a couple more eats, but no hook set. Upon closer inspection, my Quigley’s Midge Cluster had a bent hook. Either I was ambitious or just care less, but my next fly choice was an impossible to see Griffith’s Gnat, which may or may not have induced an eat. All I know is that I set on eats that I thought was my fly. No fish to hand, just pulling up the anchor and looking for the next fish because those guys I spooked ain’t coming back up.

I managed to find another midge cluster, missed more eats, and put down more trout before realizing it was getting late and we had to go. I motored from spot to spot, Danya caught a couple more fish on the Little Green Machine and the Tung Tailwater Sow Bug. It was the fishiest day of the year so far. I expect there to be more days like this in the future as water temps are on the rise. Spring fishing is here, get out there and enjoy it my friends!—Matt

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:57-06:00March 29th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Let the spring games begin….what to use?

A bit of semi-seasonable weather back yesterday and today with scattered precipitation and temps hanging in the 40’s but back to spring tomorrow with temperatures climbing into the 60’s and 70’s by Friday.
As has been the case for the last several weeks it’s been a mixed bag of reports out there but it sounds like Sunday was a pretty good day all the way around with periods of good dry fly action and some good streamer reports from the canyon stretch. Black buggers, Polar leeches, olive smolts and sparkle minnows have all been producing fish. Most of the reports we heard from Monday and Tuesday sounded like things were on the slow side but we’re hoping for the rebound today.
Nymphing will continue to be your best bet though it seems the transition from winter fare to spring bugs has certainly gotten underway. Not that the pink stuff won’t work but we’ve heard of a lot of people having more success with tailwater sows and zebra midges and the like. It’s the time of year to start experimenting with your flies which makes for a bit more of a challenge than running a #12 Pinkalicious trailed with a firebead soft hackle sow for days on end but it’s all part of the fun. Green Machines, Micromays, Juju’s, Wondernymphs,Rainbow Warriors ,Peep Shows, AmX, the aforementioned Tailwater Sows and Zebra Midges…..and on and on. What will they be eating today? Start with a black zebra and something that feels right and go with it and change until you find what’s working.
The one part of the game that has remained fairly constant is the water the fish are holding in. Slow, deep winter runs will continue to be your target for the time being but as we creep towards 40 and beyond that will change as well. It’s a great time of year to fish the Missouri. Change is underway and soon the crowds will return. Take advantage of the relative solitude while you can. It’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a $300 Spring Special Guide Trip with one of our expert guides.
Stop by the shop on your way to the river for shuttles, bugs, bobbers, boats and all kinds of cool new gear arriving daily. We are your one-stop full service Missouri River fly shop and THE place to stay in Wolf Creek. We are Outfitter owned and operated and anxious to share our knowledge of and passion for Montana fly fishing with you soon.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 25th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, juju baetis, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

The Icy Solitude will soon be gone as spring weather arrives – photo Wolf Creek Angler

Fishing traffic has been essentially non existent for the past week but all that’s about to change with spring-like weather in the forecast for the weekend. Not that the fishing hasn’t been good – I’ve seen plenty of fish up each day I’ve gone out to scout the river but there is no amount of Stanley’s Ice Off Paste that can overcome the almost immedieate freeze-up that happens with temperatures in the teens and low 20’s where they’ve been camped for the last little while. Not to mention the ever-present flirtation with frostbite that occurs when fishing in these conditions. A sunny day with little wind certainly makes things tolerable (for a while) but we are anxious to leave the handwarmers and balaclavas behind and get back to some serious fishing rather than the two cast-pop ice out of guides-warm hands repeat routine we’ve been doing.
Looks like partly sunny skies with a high of 50 tomorrow, cloudy and 52 on Saturday and sunny and 55 on Sunday. It looks like we may see 60 on Monday and Tuesday! We’ve still got one vacancy for Friday and Saturday night and a couple for tonight. We will be full this weekend so don’t hesitate, make the call right now and claim your spot at Wolf Creek Angler. We will definitely be opening more lodging soon weather permitting.
The fishing should be good out there as the water warms back up a tick or two. It dropped back below 34 yesterday with the subzero nighttime temps. Flows remain steady at right around 4900. My go-to nymphing rig remains the Pinkalicious trailed by either a soft hackle FB sow, a pink or purple lighting bug, a black zebra midge, a tailwater sowbug, a Rainbow Keller’s Payczech or any number of similar options. Other good options for a point fly if the Pinkalicious for some reason isn’t working would be a Tungsten Tailwater Sow, A Rainbow or Purple Weight Fly or a Hotbead Wire Worm. I simply don’t change my bugs much this time of year, especially if it’s below freezing. Any and all of the above usually work if you find the right depth though I have seen a few patterns really heat up and really shut down depending on the day.
My recommendation would be to have your dry fly rod rigged up and ready with a buzzball or griffiths gnat or midge cluster etc. and be on the lookout for rising fish. It’s also never a bad idea in my opinion to throw a streamer and while you may not want to commit your entire day to it just yet, you never know when the streamer bite is going to turn on.
We’re anticipating a busy weekend at the shop. Call ahead for lodging and guide trips. Stop in for shuttles, drift boat rentals, hats and gloves, leaders and tippet, hot coffee, great buys on clearance items and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:59-06:00March 5th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Missouri River Fishing Forecast for 2015

March seems to be the time of year when people start getting serious about the coming fishing season. We did see plenty of anglers around during late January and early February but it is early March, as winter’s grasp begins to loosen everywhere, that those who have already planned their trip to the Missouri or are in the process of doing so really begin to go to work. It’s the time of year to assemble and evaluate gear and to purchase new gear if need be….we can help you out with that. It’s also the time to inventory your fly boxes and replenish your supply. We can definitely help you out with this as well. This is the time of year when we start to get a lot of calls about what will be hatching when and while we can’t give you specific dates and we can’t guarantee anything – the following will give you some idea of what’s happening when.

Have you booked your guided fishing trip on the Missouri yet? Wolf Creek Angler is Outfitter Owned and Operated and ready to book you and guide you on the trip of a lifetime.

March means midge madness on the MO photo by Wolf Creek Angler

March – It’s the month for midges if you are seeking a late winter dry-fly experience. The past couple of weeks have provided some awesome midge days out there and while it’s sometimes tough to find the fish eating them with any regularity if you know where to look and you are patient you will find that opportunities will present themselves. Griffiths Gnats, Buzzballs and various midge clusters are a good call and if you’re having a tough time seeing the fly try a Hi-vis parachute Adams as your point fly and trail your midge pattern off of it. Nymphing is good and will continue to get better. We’re still sticking with the pink stuff and the FB’s but we’ve heard of success on some small baetis nymphs. Black zebra midges both with and without beads have been effective as well, especially around the dam. March 20th marks the start of our $300 Spring Special Full Day Missouri River Guide Trips which runs through the end of April. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity for a guided day on the Missouri at a fraction of the regular season price.

April – The dry-fly game in April continues to be about midges but BWO’s typically also enter the equation at this time. Nymphing heats up with mayfly nymphs replacing the colorful winter fare. A double zebra rig can also be very effective in the spring. Streamer action also starts to heat up in April. With many of the rainbows in the tribs spawning, the browns are on the move gorging on nymphs and dries and chasing down streamers.

May is BWO time on the MO

May – BWO’s are the May staple with midges still on the menu and larger March Browns (up to #14) and, depending on the location, Caddis also making an appearance. May also tends to be the most popular month for streamer fishing and the nymphing is always strong. It’s an awesome time to fish the Missouri with things greening up and the ability to do it all in one day. Longer days mean longer floats ripping streamers or nymphing – while always on the lookout for bugs on the water and pods of fish eating them.

Mid to late June brings the PMD’s

June – Caddis gaining strength, nymphing strong and by late June PMD’s! Streamer fishing still an option but coming into the true dry-fly season on the Missouri.

July – By far the most popular (and crowded) month on the Missouri. It’s a dry-fly Nirvana with PMD’s, Caddis and Tricos as well as terrestrials like hoppers and ants and beetles all coming into the mix.

August – More of the same but less crowded, a fair amount of weeds to deal with and more emphasis on the hopper fishing. Last season we saw little in the way of crowds in August and had spectacular days of Trico fishing throughout the month with the river to ourselves.

Are you ready for the 2015 season on the Missouri? Much of June and July are already booked solid as you might expect with rooms and guides very difficult to come by. That being said, part of the advantage to being an Outfitter Owned and Operated Shop is that we have a deep guide roster which includes your humble owners. Fred and I try to keep our summer schedules somewhat open to accommodate last-minute requests so if you haven’t yet booked your prime dates and you think it’s too late – give us a call – we may just be able to help you out. (406)235-4350 or Toll-Free 1-800-800-4350.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:59-06:00March 4th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, nymphs, rainbow trout, running line, Streamer Fishing, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

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