green machine Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

ARRIVAL

The spring season is in full swing as we approach April’s close and prepare for a busy month of May.

River Life has returned. Winter’s monochromatic grey has been supplanted by all hues of green as buds are bursting forth and grass is greening by the second. The landscape transforms before our eyes as the season takes hold. Some days it seems you are literally able to watch it happen.

Pelicans have arrived. Goslings are starting to appear under the careful watch of their high-strung and loud parents. Bug life is unfolding at a rapid pace and busy mornings in the fly shop have also returned as spring traffic has also arrived.

We are experiencing a true Montana spring with plenty of cold mornings and the occasional snow shower mixed in with moderate daytime temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Awesome days to be on the water watching it all unfold from the seat of a drift boat. It doesn’t get much better than this!

Nymphing remains the go-to with most traffic, most days camped in the Holter to Craig stretch though with the increased bug activity there has been a fair amount of folks opting for the canyon stretch and below.

It’s still a sow bug game but baetis nymphs like Little Green Machines and Psycho Mays and Magic Flies (among many others) are getting eaten with regularity. No need to make any radical changes to your setup just yet but start to key in on the faster, medium depth water. Leave the slow winter stuff behind, it’s time to move on.

The streamer bite has been decent during low light periods early or late and throughout the day when we get the cloud cover. Again, medium depth and shallow fast water have been productive and there have been plenty of big browns hanging in those soft spots against the bank looking for the ambush. Cast right to the bank and drag your bug off the bank into the shallows. It’s not a high percentage play but you might be surprised how many of those big browns sit in next to no water waiting for a meal to happen by. We’ve got another month of this – PRIME STREAMER TIME on the MO!

As mentioned, there are plenty of bugs around and plenty of dry fly opportunities for those looking to put in the work. You can hunt for risers or just fish blind. Midges are the mainstay but there are baetis around and on the move upstream and we’ve seen a few March Browns around as well. You could even fish a Skwala blind and maybe get an eat or two but for my money it’s hard to beat plying the waters with a #12 Purple Haze or Parachute Adams, especially when you’re seeing sporadic rises.

Published shop hours are still 8:00 – 4:00 daily but we’re generally open for business by 7:30 and here until traffic subsides.

It’s getting to be that time of year where lodging is at a premium, much of it booked last minute. We’re full for the weekend but things open up a bit on Sunday and we have at least a room or two open most nights during next week.

Guide trips are ramping up and we’re starting to get into a rhythm but we’re still a few weeks out from our busy season so we do generally have guides available with a day or two notice if a last minute trip to the MO is in the works for you.

Either way, we invite you to start your day at Wolf Creek Angler for EVERYTHING you need for your day on the water including The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-04-24T12:51:59-06:00April 24th, 2025|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Weekend Outlook

Yesterday was an idyllic day on the Missouri with temperatures in the 70’s, nary a breath of wind, blue skies and a wealth of sunshine. Perhaps not the ideal fishing conditions as the fish prefer overcast skies but what a day to be on the water…just a taste of what’s to come as spring progresses but hopefully well down the road, not in March!

Similar conditions on tap for today with a few more clouds and a bit of a breeze but another gorgeous day overall with highs in the low 70’s and west-southwest winds 12-17 mph, gusting to 24 mph. Enjoy it because a return to normal is imminent.

Cooler temps on the way with a high of 60 tomorrow and a 40% chance of rain in the afternoon and a full return to normal spring conditions for the weekend with rain and snow and highs only in the 40’s but don’t let that deter you as these are perfect conditions as far as spring fishing goes.

Flows are holding steady at 3320 CFS with water temps bumping up to near 38.

Nymphing has been good and will continue to improve from here on out, especially as those water temperatures begin to bump. Sow bugs, sow bugs and sow bugs, perhaps with a zebra thrown in for good measure. Fresh flies in bins at WCA including a bunch of sexy new sow bug variations. Pill Poppers, Tailwater Sows, Pink Sock Sow, Scud Bomb, Pederson’s Sow, Soft Hackle Sow, Pink Lucent Bead Ray, Hot bead Ray, Rainbow Czech, Amex, Red Zebra, Knowle’s Ruby Midge, UV Candy Striper Midge, Caviar Scud etc. and don’t forget the Little Green Machines, BWO Redemptions, Magic Fly BWO, Radiation Baetis and any other baetis nymph faves.

Streamer fishing is heating up and will get better and better as water temps increase. Sparkle Minnows, Dirty Hippies, Skiddish Smolt, Swim Coach, Lil Kim, Kousin Kim, Micro Dungeons, Mod Maidens, Polar Leeches, MK Ultras or your big bug of choice. Conventional wisdom would dictate dredging the depths of the winter water while those water temps remain cold, and this can be effective, however, contrary to convention the faster shallows and flats have been producing the better action as of late so fish it all!

Midge action on top when conditions allow for it.

All of our lodging is now open. We’re being inundated with shipments of new gear and as already mentioned, our fly bins are well stocked and ready for the season and daily shuttle service is up and running.

I anticipate a bit of a slowdown next week as the weather returns to normal but for the time being the season is underway! Spring Hours 8 AM – 4 PM daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-03-27T10:49:21-06:00March 27th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Wolf Creek Angler Missouri River Election Day Update

It’s a cold and gray election day…just as it should be this first full week of November on the MO.

Snow in the forecast for today and tonight. A high of 41 with southwest winds 14 – 17 mph switching to north northwest in the afternoon and gusting to 25 mph. Snow will continue into the evening with patchy blowing snow between 8 pm and 11 pm and an overnight low of 19 degrees. Sunshine returns tomorrow with temps climbing back into the 50’s. Sounds like it could be a BWO day out there though we’re certainly not expecting much in the way of traffic based on what we’ve seen over the past week.

It’s a ghost town out there!

River flows are currently holding at a skinny 3180 CFS with water temps right around 50 degrees. Those flows are lower than we’d like to see but aside from that and those pesky autumn winds, conditions over the past few days have been ideal with plenty of cloud cover and plenty of hungry fish.

With winter on the way those rainbows are bulking up making for some good days out there, especially for those chasing bobbers. Sow bugs, sow bugs and more sow bugs perhaps with a Little Green Machine or other baetis nymph thrown in for good measure. Tungsten Tailwater Sow with a beadles sow, Pill Popper with a beadles sow, Rainbow Czech with a beadles sow…you get the idea. Faster shallows are still going to be your primary target but don’t overlook the tail outs and other holding areas.

The browns are in full, glorious, spawning colors and are amped up and just ornery enough to smash a streamer. If you are wade fishing please be mindful, especially with these low flows, of spawning redds and stay off of them!

Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolt, Mojo Minnows, Thin Mints, Kreelex, Polar Leeches and Swim Coaches all getting plenty of looks depending on the day. And if there was ever a time to go big with your bugs on the MO (some would argue there is not) this would be that time as the perceived threat may trigger an aggressive attack. The better streamer action has been in the upper stretches but don’t let that deter you from hitting the middle and lower sections if conditions allow for it. You never know…

Stop by WCA for the best streamer intel and best bug selection on the MO….hands down!

There’s NO TIME like STREAMER TIME on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

And speaking of stopping by…WINTER HOURS went into effect on November 1st. Published hours are Tuesday – Saturday 8 AM – 4 PM, CLOSED on Sundays and Mondays. Hours may fluctuate based on weather or other factors so it’s never a bad idea to call ahead to confirm we’re going to be here. Our crew is gone for the season so it’s just me which unfortunately means that if there are scheduling conflicts then the shop will be closed. We apologetically acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause but with 11 seasons under our belt we’ve learned that winter sales rarely cover winter staffing.

Along these same lines, I haven’t yet figured out how to do shuttles with no staff so while there may be days we can do them, practically speaking shuttles are done for the season.

Fortunately for you there are other options for winter shuttles on the MO.

We’ve closed and winterized the vast majority of our lodging but we will have our three bungalows open all winter at a great rate of $149/night (plus tax). Bungalows have two twin beds, a full size pull out couch, a kitchenette with cooktop, microwave, fridge and a dishwasher and big screen televisions for all of your streaming services.

Whether fishing the MO, chasing waterfowl or elk or deer hunting these rooms are a great late season option. The kitchens come in handy but we’re also thrilled that Lazy I Beerworks is currently open every day but Wednesday for lunch and dinner.

The seasonably relevant fly bins are fully stocked. We’ve got plenty of Simms waders, boots, hats, gloves, socks and layering for whatever Mother Nature throws at us as well as a few clearance sportswear items still hanging around.

WCA 10th Anniversary drinkware and T’s are on clearance as well and our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale runs through the end of November so a trip to WCA and the MO could be the perfect opportunity to knock out your Christmas shopping.

Adipose drift boat rentals available as long as the weather holds though the Mending Waters vet boats will be on hold for the winter beginning November 15th.

Get out and VOTE today and come see us next time you head out to fish the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-11-05T09:14:40-07:00November 5th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, Election Day, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, vote, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Cray Days on the MO

It hardly seems possible but Labor Day weekend is upon us, the unofficial end to the summer season on the MO.

It looks to be an idyllic late summer weekend with daily highs near 90 each day and overnight lows dipping into the low 50’s. Let the autumn season commence!

We’re enjoying a taste of fall today with morning temps in the low 40’s and highs topping out around 60 this afternoon. Gusty winds will keep river traffic to a minimum today and we don’t anticipate much in the way of angling traffic for the weekend though I would expect to see plenty of rec traffic this weekend with everyone out enjoying summer’s last hurrah.

For those planning to fish the next few days – the upper river has been the best bet with a fair amount of folks just doing the Dam to Bridge stretch and doing row arounds. Don’t plan on that today with the 15 – 25 mph tailwind. Winds diminish tomorrow and look to be manageable through the long weekend.

Weeds become a substantial hindrance the further down river you go but if you’re willing to contend with them the fishing has been just fine in all sections. A lot of folks throwing hoppers and other terrestrial offerings and getting the occasional eats though I wouldn’t say it’s been lights out on that front.

Nymphing has been where the action is with a good crayfish bite underway and zebras, sows and frenchies have each been good options. Try a Zirdle or Snapping Cray paired with a tailwater sow or black zebra rigged moderately deep, with our without weight. You’d also do well to put the BWO nymphs back in play (green machine would be a great place to start) and you could do worse than dropping an October Caddis nymph just to see what happens.

Donkey Kong Hoppers, More or Less and Fancy Pants hoppers have all been hot sellers in all colors though it appears as though pink has the edge at this point. #10’s and #12’s have been our best-selling sizes but don’t be afraid to size down with a #14 or bulk up to a #8. You’d also do well to trail a black or cinnamon ant. Hit the banks and don’t overlook those mid-river riffles.

The cooler weather and the calendar have some folks thinking streamers…music to my ears! Weeds will be a hindrance right on through the fall campaign but don’t let that stop you. Choose your spots and just accept the fact that you’ll likely be cleaning weeds every few casts. It’s not the end of the world though it can be extremely frustrating but the payoff could be well worth the hassle.

We’re open at 7 AM daily with everything you need for your day on the water including The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO and so much more. Simms waders and boots, Sage rods and reels, Smith and Suncloud sun glasses, Fishpond packs and accessories, Rising nets and tools, WCA YETI drinkware, Rio lines and leaders and the biggest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Happy Labor Day! We hope to see you soon for fall fishing at its best!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-08-28T12:30:35-06:00August 28th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Sage, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yeti|0 Comments

It’s been a cold and wet start to May this week on the MO with everything from high winds to winter storms but change is on the way.

We awoke to several inches of wet, heavy snow yesterday in Helena and saw snow and rain showers come and go throughout the day. Temps in the low 40’s and north winds resulted in a few cancelled trips yesterday but plenty braved the elements and were rewarded with a decent (though cold) day of fishing.

The fun continued after fishing as the power went out in Wolf Creek and Craig shutting down dinner plans and leaving a lot of chilled anglers in the dark waiting for power to be restored which it was by 8:30 PM. Just another spring day in Montana.

Temps are considerably warmer today, in the high 50’s and the morning rains have pretty well subsided and it’s only going to get better (and likely busier) as the weekend arrives.

We’ll see temps near 70 tomorrow and will see 80’s on Saturday and Sunday with plenty of sunshine right on through Monday. A chance for rain again starting on Tuesday but it looks like winter weather may be behind us. That being said, while yesterday’s weather did present some challenges all the way around we were thrilled to get some desperately needed precipitation. The snowpack map is looking much better today for the entire region and with the moisture we got yesterday and today and temps warming, things should really start to green up this weekend.

Fishing will continue to be good though you may want to start looking at early or later starts to avoid some of the traffic that is bound to be here throughout the weekend and into next week. Spring bookings are about to be at their height for both guide trips and lodging now through Memorial Day with summer’s PRIME on deck.

Larger sow bugs and worms have been productive on the rainy days and will continue to produce with flows having bumped and the tribs adding a bit of color and volume. We saw a spike to 5600 CFS this morning but that’s been dialed back to 4600 cfs as of this writing. Water temps are right around 46 degrees and will continue to climb. The water conditions are ideal for hungry and happy trout…truly a perfect time to fish the MO.

Getting back to the bugs, baetis nymphs are consistently producing with Green Machines, Crack Backs, Psycho Mays, Radiation Baetis, Mosasons and plain old Pheasant Tails getting it done. Maybe start mixing in some PMD stuff as well, Magic Flies, Split Case, Redemptions…all on deck.

Dry fly action continues to please with ample BWO and midge opportunities to be had and streamer fishing will continue to be productive, especially on the overcast days. Skiddish Smolt continues to rule the 2024 streamer season but don’t limit yourself to what everyone else is throwing. Show them something they haven’t seen.

Even with the wet weather mornings have been extremely busy in the shop so we’re expecting the weekend to be even busier and we’ll be staffed up accordingly. We hope you make Wolf Creek Angler your one stop shop on the way to the river for The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO, the biggest and best bug selection ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, Adipose drift boat rentals, Mending Waters Drift Boats FREE FOR ALL ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND VETS, Sage rods, Simms waders and boots, SA and Rio lines and leaders, tons of WCA 10th Anniversary Logo gear and so much more.

Shop Hours are 7:30 AM – 5 PM Daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-05-09T15:00:35-06:00May 9th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Sage, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Springtime in the Rockies

As predicted we got our first taste of summer weather last weekend with highs in the high 70’s and as you would expect it was a busy couple of days on the MO.

Back to reality on Monday with Tax Day and a big change in the weather as a cold front moved in took us right back to winter with snow showers yesterday and highs struggling to break 40. More of the same today with overnight lows plummeting into the teens but it looks like we’re due for a return to seasonal norms this weekend with daytime highs back to the 60’s and 70’s and lows a bit more reasonable in the 30’s.

Through it all, fishing has been solid with the nymph show at the dam in full swing. Traffic is slowly building and will officially reach “busy” status next week as the guide trips start to pile up.
There have been multiple reports of BWO’s this week so be prepared for both midges and Blue Wings on the dry fly front. Low light is your friend so target those cloudier days or fish last light for consistent action.

We’ve been working on our bugs a lot this winter and have a bunch of new midge and BWO dries that should find a place in your boxes.

Best bets for midge dries….Grizzly Midge Cluster, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Adams Midge Cluster, Hi Vis Griffiths Gnat, Black Sipper, Black Midge, Hi Vis Midge, Adams Midge. BWO’s just getting started so we haven’t sold a ton of them just yet but try a Pederson’s 401K Baetis, Jake’s Hatchback BWO, Brooks Sprout Baetis, Last Chance Cripple BWO, Nyman’s DOA Baetis Cripple, BWO Flash Cripple, Carlson’s Olive Haze, Guide Winna Spinna BWO. Cripples and Emergers though often overlooked, should play a major role in your BWO game.

Nymphing is transitioning from winter fare at the moment but you still can’t go wrong with a Pill Popper, Caviar Scud, Firebead Ray or the like trailed by a tailwater sow in rainbow or pink, a soft hackle sow or a Zebra Midge. We’ve expanded our Zebra and our Sowbug selections and are loaded up with an array of offerings in any color you need. That being said, it is time to start working those Baetis nymphs in as well and we’ve got piles of techy new patterns that are sure to produce. Go with a tried and true Little Green Machine, S & M, Redemption, Psycho May, Magic Fly or Split Case BWO or try something new like a Stocker’s Mosason Baetis, Two Hot Baetis or Radiation Baetis.

Spring is PRIME TIME for Streamer fishing on the Missouri as well and we didn’t stop with nymphs and dries when expanding our bug selection. We are currently loaded up with piles of new bugs including a bunch of new Galloup Micro Dungeons. Come in and check out our streamer bins and see why we are the Missouri River Streamer Fishing Authority. Nobody has a better bug selection.

We’re also sitting on a bunch of new streamer lines from SA, Airflo and Rio…something for any and all situations. And if you’re looking for a new Streamer stick try a Sage Igniter or Payload, an Echo Streamer X or Boost Blue, a Lamson Cobalt or a Redington Predator. All fine streamer sticks with plenty of Sage and Lamson reels to complete the combo.

The shop is bursting at the seams with new products including WCA 10 Year Anniversary gear and plenty of waders and boots for all from Simms and Korkers.

Updated spring hours start Monday, April 22nd. 7:30 AM – 5 PM Monday – Saturday and 8 AM – 2PM on Sundays. Stop in for shuttles, bugs, fishing licenses and so much more at your Missouri River one stop shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-04-18T13:54:05-06:00April 18th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

October Can’t Be Beat

Roughly two weeks in, October has not disappointed.

Cooler air and water temps and plenty of cloud cover have contributed to some excellent days on the water. More of the same ahead weather wise for the remainder of this week with daytime highs in the 50’s and overnight lows dipping into the 30’s with a good shot at some rain tomorrow and overcast skies on Friday.

Temps tick back up into the 60’s over the weekend with lows in the 40’s with a good mix of clouds and sun all week long. You really couldn’t ask for better fishing weather so if you haven’t made it out for much fall fishing now is the time.

Sooner than later the change in the weather is going to come and while there are plenty of folks around to whom the weather is not a determining factor, this next week or two might be it for those looking for idyllic autumn days on the water.

Water temps are in good shape, just shy of 58 degrees making for happy trout.

Flows dropped somewhat dramatically this week and are currently holding around 3000 CFS. Adjust those nymph rigs accordingly.

Varying reports on the dry fly side but there have definitely been some good days and there will be more when the conditions are right. Pseudos, midges, the occasional October Caddis, ants….all on the menu in October with full blown Fall BWO’s on the horizon…fingers crossed.

Nymphing continues to be your best bet for numbers. Zebras, Sows, LGM’s, Psycho Mays, 2 Bits, Peep Show, Split Case BWO, Olive S & M, Olive Micromay, Juju Baetis… all good bets and all available in stock at Wolf Creek Angler.

Let’s face it, fall is STREAMER SEASON and we are loaded up with everything you need for hucking meat on the MO. We are your undisputed Streamer Authority with the gear, the bugs and the know how to get you dialed in.

We like to talk fishing – any kind of fishing. But if you really want to engage us, bring up anything having to do with streamer fishing. We can’t shut up about it!

Cool cloudy autumn days were built for streamer fishing. Get out there!

There’s a lot going on in the world right now, serious times indeed. There’s no better escape than time on the water.

Come enjoy autumn’s PRIME TIME here on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-10-11T14:18:04-06:00October 11th, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: BWO's, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, midge, Missouri River, October, running line, streamer season, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall on the Mighty Missouri

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s Second Season Time on the MO!

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

Late summer on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The late-summer switch has been flipped.

The lull is underway.

Early summer crowds have dwindled as the sun beats down, browning our green landscapes and supercharging the aquatic vegetation and ushering in the challenges (and advantages) of late summer fishing on the MO. More weeds equals fewer anglers. If you’re a regular on the MO you know the deal and while you will hear some chatter out there about how bad the weeds are, there is nothing out of the ordinary here. Embrace it. Deal with the weeds and enjoy the relative solitude August provides.

Low light, cool mornings are the norm as daylight hours continue to diminish. There’s definitely nothing wrong with getting that 6 AM start considering the afternoons have been on the slow side but as daytime highs start to trend downward you might want to extend that float and maximize your terrestrial options with breezy afternoon ants and hoppers.

Tricos in the mornings, Caddis, lingering PMD’s and terrestrials throughout the day and consistently good caddis action in the evenings. Nighttime is also the right time to give those mice a try.

Nymphing has been good (as always) and will continue to be your go-to for numbers. Maybe stick to the upper river to minimize weed-related challenges. Black Zebras, Tung Darts, Weight Flies, Pheasant Tails, Green Machines, Frenchies, Sow bugs, Claws R Crayfish, Zirdles, Nitro Caddis…all fine choices. Fish em’ deep or run short with pinch-ons, plying the fast shallows.

We’re continuously hit with questions about streamer fishing since having established ourselves as The Missouri River Streamer Authority, and we’re always happy to help but suffice it to say that late summer streamers can be a frustrating game with the aforementioned aquatic vegetation in play.

As far as we’re concerned it’s always worth your time to try it but if you’re someone who is just dabbling in the streamer game, you might want to wait until winter/spring or seek out cleaner waters. A couple of hours of hooking into seemingly every string of floating weeds in the river and having to constantly clean your rig could seriously end your desire to join the streamer club. That being said, it could also pay off big and you could hook the brown of a lifetime. The choice is yours but please proceed with caution.

The hopper bite has been so-so. Ants seem to be getting more attention so why not double your odds and run one of each. We like the More or Less hopper in peach and also in grey. Donkey Kong in yellow or pink could also be the ticket. And while these mimic the naturals pretty closely, we’ve found that it can sometimes be effective to mix up your hopper game, trying a Water Walker or Micro Chubby as opposed to a traditional hopper pattern .

Try the hopper – ant combo or drop a pheasant tail or green machine off of your hopper to cover all your bases.

We’ve adjusted our shop hours in accordance with what we’ve been seeing for early traffic and are now open daily at 7 AM for the foreseeable future. We’re continuing to offer early starts for guide trips if you’re into getting off of the water before the hottest part of the day but retail hours will be 7 – 5 for the time being.

Bug bins are stocked, we’re loaded up on sun protection and wet wading gear including the new Korkers sandals and wading shoes, and we’ve got plenty of everything you need for your day on the water including ice, a smorgasbord of floatants and the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO!

How about a new dry fly or nymphing stick? SAGE R8’s have been flying off the rack but we’ve got plenty more and also have Foundations and Sonics as well as great rods from Echo, Lamson and Redington.

Come enjoy one of our favorite months to fish the MO. The crowds have gone (for the moment), the fish have not. Whatever you do, please don’t tell anyone about August on the MO, we’d hate for the secret to get out.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-01T15:04:42-06:00August 1st, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

The Blur Begins to Fade

The second half of June and the first half of July are our busiest part of the season, often referred to as THE BLUR due to the lack of demarcation from one day to the next. It’s a time of pre-dawn boat rental boat launches, chaotic mornings in the shop getting trips out the door and often times working well into the night picking up boats and prepping them for the next day. A few hours a sleep per night is pretty standard during The Blur. Our guides have their own Groundhog Days to deal with during this time, often working three or four weeks straight without a day off. It’s these weeks that test the mettle of those looking to make a go at a career in Montana Fly Fishing.

Now as we move into the latter part of July, the Blur has started to fade. Don’t get me wrong, things are still busy, just not the fever pace of a week or two ago. Slowly but surely, things are slowing down. Traffic has lessened and soon will slow to a relative crawl as the Blur gives way to the Fade and the Fade gives way to the Dog Days of Summer.

The days are already noticeably shorter and while we’re still opening at 6:30 AM daily you can expect later light and cooler temps as summer falls away. We’ll see where the weather goes but for now we’ll likely push you to start as early as possible to counter the triple digit highs on tap for the days ahead. July is our hottest month of the year and we may see this heat wave stick around for a while but sooner or later cooler temps will return as will a 7 AM open. We’ll let you know when that’s happening.

Fishing has been somewhat inconsistent but overall there’s not much to complain about.

Some Like it Hot

The wade anglers are happy with flows having now dropped below 5K (currently 4860 CFS) with water temps holding in the mid 60s range. Keep an eye on those water temps on those hot days as it doesn’t take long to heat up with these lower flows. We encourage every angler to carry a thermometer with them at all times and check water temps often. Once that temp eclipses 68 degrees it’s time to think about giving the fish a break and finding something different to do.

We’re expecting flows to hold where they’re at which should keep things cool but once water temps hit 70 degrees or greater you really shouldn’t be fishing. There’s been no talk of Hoot Owl on the MO this season but self-regulating is something we should all be doing. You can expect us to request 6 AM starts on the really hot days but regardless of whether you start early or not our guides will stop fishing if water temps exceed 68 degrees.

Need a stream thermometer? We have them available for purchase at WCA!

Tricos have been gaining momentum, Caddis have been the consistent evening go to and hoppers and ants are getting the occasional looks. Plenty of options for the DFO. Best-selling dries this week have been Hi Vis Trico, Guide Winna Spinna (Rusty or Trico), Double Wing Trico, Indicator Spinner Trico, Barr’s Trico Emerger, Lighthouse Spinner Trico, Cornfed Caddis, Missouri CDC Caddis, Outrigger Caddis, Blooms’s UV Caddis, Stockingfoot Caddis and CDC Grey Caddis Emerger.

More or Less Hoppers in Peach, Tan and grey have been moving fish and Micro Chubbies are getting plenty of looks as well. Come check out our greatly expanded FOAM section, which, I think it’s safe to say, rivals or exceeds that of any other shop on the MO.

Those chasing bobbers have had good luck with black Zebra Midges, Frenchies, Little Green Machines, Pheasant Tails, Split Case PMD’s, Purple or Gold Weight Flies, Tung Darts, S & M’s and of course, Sowbugs. Zirdles have also continued to have their moments though that has lacked consistency.

Not much to report as far as streamer fishing goes though buggers, particularly Thin Mints, have been effective.

Hot summer nights (though not too hot) are the perfect time to throw a mouse as well. Once again, keep a close eye on those water temps, but when the water temps allow for it why wouldn’t you try your luck at fooling a mammoth Missouri River brown trout with a mouse. Not for the faint at heart!

Just to repeat, we’re open at 6:30 AM daily for all of your Missouri River summer fly fishing needs. Sunscreen, Ice,Headwear, Neck Gators, Sun Gloves, Smith and Suncloud Sun Glasses, Simms Solarflex shirts, flip flops, NEW Korkers wading shoes and sandals and much more. How about a new SAGE R8 or Sonic? We’ve got em’.

Lodging and guides are still locked up but another week and we’ll have rooms available and might even be able to find you that (somewhat) last minute guide trip.

Adipose Drift Boat rentals, Simms waders and boots, Rio and SA lines, leaders and tippet and without a doubt, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Don’t forget, Wolf Creek Angler has the confirmed CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES on the MO. You won’t find a cheaper Dam shuttle anywhere. Our shuttle business has more than doubled from last year but we still can’t help but wonder why anyone would go anywhere else for a shuttle from the Dam down unless they just enjoy spending more money on said shuttles which must be the case because there are all kinds of rigs being shuttled from the dam which we aren’t moving.

The only other thing it could be is that folks don’t know that we’re here. Case in point, we had clients show up a few minutes late the other day for their trip because they “just assumed we were in Craig”. They assumed WOLF CREEK angler was in CRAIG! Help us get the word out – CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO ONLY AT WOLF CREEK ANGLER located in Beautiful WOLF CREEK MONTANA.

We LOVE Craig. We’re perplexed by watching the rigs with drift boats in tow passing us by in the morning presumably en route to Craig, only to see those same rigs at the dam later in the morning. And in this case it’s not just that our shuttles are cheaper, it’s that some folks are driving an extra 15 miles which means more money spent on fuel and at least a half hour later start than what would’ve been the case had they stopped here for a shuttle. Obviously to each their own but we’d love it if you spread the word to your peeps.

We hope you join us for The Fade and beyond this season on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-07-18T16:04:02-06:00July 18th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

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