green machine Archives - Page 4 of 9

Winter Returns

Springtime in the Rockies 2021

Monday we were guiding in shorts and flip flops, searing pale winter skin and feeling like summer with temps just shy of 90 all the while knowing a return to winter was looming later in the week.

A Winter Storm Watch became a Winter Weather Advisory which then became a Winter Storm Warning last night as a few flakes began to fall. This morning we awoke to a steady snow, heavy and wet and temps hovering just above freezing.

That winter storm warning remains in effect through tomorrow morning. We’ll continue to see a mix of rain and snow with temps holding near 40 and a brisk north wind thrown in just for good measure. We’ll dip down to 29 tonight before things start to turn towards more seasonable conditions late this weekend. We’re not expecting much for accumulation down here though Rodgers Pass is getting hammered and could see up to a foot of new snow by the time it’s all said and done.

By far not the worst winter can dish out but quite a contrast from a few days ago. And while 89 degrees felt great we are definitely in need of the precipitation so we’ll try to keep the complaints to a minimum and just be thankful for what we’re getting.

Traffic is light today as you can imagine but there are a few boats out and really, if it wasn’t for the north wind, it wouldn’t be a bad day to be out there. That being said, I’m happy to be in the shop today.

Fishing has been solid this week, status quo for the most part with good nymphing and the occasional dry fly opportunities with plenty of BWO’s around, a few March Browns and sporadic rising fish fairly willing to engage if you’re lucky enough to find them.

There haven’t really been any drastic changes as far as fly selection is concerned though we’ve definitely begun to move away from the pink stuff towards late spring staples like baetis nymphs and caddis pupae. A beaded tailwater sow in size #14 paired with a Little Green Machine is still tough to beat but it could be worth your while to swap that sow for a Tung Dart, a Weight Fly or the like trailing with the LGM, psycho may, nitro caddis, Radiation Baetis, Magic Fly, Split Case BWO etc.

We left the streamer rods home earlier in the week with the cloudless skies and the sun beating down on the water but streamer fishing could be the ticket in the midst of this storm system for the next day or two. And speaking of streamer rods, we’ve got Galloup’s Streamer X Rods from Echo in #7 and #8 back in stock. Get yours before their gone!

Supply chain challenges continue and we do have some holes in our inventory but all things considered we are in pretty good shape right now with newly arrived Echo rods, plenty of bugs, a bunch of new Ross and Lamson reels, a good selection of Simms G3 waders and various wading boots and spring/summer clothing arriving in fits and starts seemingly daily.

We’ve got lodging and guides available this weekend. Things fill up early next week. Call for availability if you’re interested in a last minute trip to the MO and we’ll see what we can do for you.

Official Spring shop hours are 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily. Stop in for shuttles, bugs, leaders, hand warmers and blow out pricing on all remaining cold weather gear from Simms.

We hope to see you soon at WCA, your Missouri River spring fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-05-20T10:48:12-06:00May 20th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Missouri River Pre-Grind Report

With water on the rise around the state, the MO has become a busy place this week with steady low flows providing one of the better fishing options in the region. Traffic remains moderate for the most part as The Grind approaches.

Spring is settling in with some nicer days as of late but cool temps and rain are on tap for this weekend which will likely make for some good baetis opportunities as well as optimal streamer fishing conditions.

Nymphing has been strong, rain or shine, with the baetis nymphs maybe starting to edge out the sowbug/scud selections ever so slightly. There’s still been a run on Pill Poppers, Tailwater Sows and Caviar Scuds but we’re also moving a bunch of Little Green Machines, Olive Psycho Mays, BWO Magic Flies and the like as we move into mayfly season.

For my money I’m still starting out with a Pill Popper and no bead sow and not messing with a good thing but if that rig goes quiet you’d be well advised to show them a green machine or the like.

Sunshine has rendered the streamer game less than stellar but we’re moving fish and getting some good grabs even on the cloudless days. It’s all about persistence!

Bugs have been plentiful and the fish are starting to look up but the majority of the pods I’ve observed lately have been smaller fish. Expect some good top water action this weekend with the weather and study those rise forms to locate the bigger fish. They’re out there. You just need to work for them.

We’re still in the prime of spring fishing where you can realistically expect to have great action with whatever method you choose. I’ll throw streamers all day, any day but I’ve always got the dry fly rig at the ready this time of year as well as a bobber rig for those times we just need to catch a fish.

Mornings in the shop have been increasingly busy with the bump in traffic this week and we continue to be encouraged by bookings for the season ahead. Most of Prime Time is booked solid and fall is just starting to take shape.

Lodging has been busy but it seems to come in waves. We’ll go a day or two with just a couple of rooms occupied and then things blow up and we’re booked solid. At this point the weekend looks to be a little slow but again, that can all change with a couple of phone calls. If you’re looking to come out and enjoy some spring fishing on the Missouri over these next couple of weeks we’ve got you covered with plenty of lodging options and access to some of the best guides on the river. It’s always a challenge to line up a guide for the next day but if you can give us a couple of days to work on it we can generally get you on the water with a great guide.

Bugs are moving from the bins at a fevered pace and so far we’ve been able to keep most of those bins stocked with all of the Missouri River essentials. Other product has been more of a challenge but we have no shortage of gear in stock with more arriving daily and we’d like nothing better than to keep all of these items moving through.

Waders will continue to be a challenge but we’ve got plenty of Simms G3’s in stock as well as Simms Flyweight, Freestone and G3 boots and Korkers a plenty including the new River Ops boot which has been receiving rave reviews.

Fishpond Eddy River and Lowcountry hats are back in stock and we’ll have a large shipment of WCA logo gear arriving soon, including sun hoodies, just in time for the warm weather which should arrive soon.

We’re open from 7:30 – 5 PM daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-05-05T14:20:04-06:00May 5th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, simms, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Low Water, Spring Snows and BWO’s

With April’s end in sight we’re still waiting for spring to settle in, at least where the weather is concerned.

The last couple of weeks have served up a fairly steady diet of spring snow showers coupled with that dreaded north wind making for somewhat less than ideal conditions if sunny and warm spring days are your thing but for those more concerned with the fishing than the forecast April has not disappointed.

As you would expect, nymphing has been the go to for numbers but streamer fishing has been good and dry fly fishing, though lacking consistency, has been good enough to keep things interesting with midges a plenty and some substantial BWO events occurring over the past week.

Our spring special is now in the rearview and despite the lingering winter conditions we managed to book more of these trips than ever before. And while we usually book a fair amount of guide trip and one night stays this year we had multiple parties stay for over a week with multiple trips, something we’ve rarely seen in April and NEVER in March but I think 2021 is going to continue to be a year of firsts.

There have been a few nice days sprinkled in for good measure and some of those days have been approaching “busy” by spring standards, but generally speaking traffic has been light and the fishing has been solid.

River conditions are currently prime for the dry fly angler and look to remain that way all season long with flows holding in the 3700 CFS range with water temps still holding in the 42 degree range. Snow pack is rapidly diminishing and while the map still indicates 80 – 109% of average for much of the region, flow projections indicate status quo flows with no substantial increase on the horizon. Canyon Ferry remains at only 76 percent full so again, barring an extremely wet May/June it appears as though we’ll be settling in to a low water year on the Missouri.

Wade anglers love these flows as wade access increases dramatically which inevitably leads to an increase in wade angler/boat angler conflict but don’t let that get you down and don’t be a part of the problem. There’s still plenty of water for everyone and while technically those floating are required to yield to the wade anglers, it’s extremely helpful for everyone to communicate in an effort to reduce said conflict.

Yes – if you wade out to a spot and stake your claim it is technically yours but just keep in mind that those same low flows that allow you to get to that spot you normally couldn’t get to also limit the navigation options for those in boats so often times they’ll have to come closer than what you’d like simply because it’s the only way to get by you.

Things work great if boats give an extra wide berth to the wade anglers and also if the wade anglers understand that sometimes boats are going to have to come close to them in order to get by. What makes it all work seamlessly is if the person rowing the boat announces their intentions, maybe even asking the wade angler when possible, where they would prefer the boat to go.

It’s really not difficult but when conflict arises it’s generally due to a lack of communication. If everyone understands the rules of the road as dictated by the flows and treats those they encounter with respect and kindness things usually work out just fine.

Best Sellers from thy Nymph Bins – Pill Poppers, Caviar Scuds, Rainbow Czechs, Tailwater Sow Bugs, Firebead Rainbow Czech, Firebead Ray, Little Green Machine, BWO Magic Fly, Soft Hackle Sow, Zebra Midge, Bubble Yum Scud.

Essential Dry Flies – Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Black Sipper, Sprout Baetis, Grizzly Midge Cluster, Hi Vis Griffiths Gant, Olive Parachute Adams, WCA Trude, BWO Film Critic, BWO Flash Cripple, CDC Baetis Emerger, Micro May BWO.

Hot Streamers – Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow (Sculpin), Double Sparkle Minnow, ZK’s Gladio, Galloup’s Mini Dungeon, Galloup’s Silk Kitten, Craven’s Dirty Hippy, Lil’ Kim, ZK’s MK Ultralite, Craven’s Swim Coach. We’ve also been selling plenty of Thin Mints and buggers for the more traditional streamer set.

No need to start any earlier than 9, especially with the days continuing to get longer. As you’d expect Holter Dam to Craig has been the float of choice but Wolf Creek to Stick, Craig to Mid and Mid to Prewett have all been good options as well.

Things are starting to get consistently busier but we do have plenty of lodging and guide availability for the time being as well as Adipose drift boat rentals and a shop full of everything you need for success on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-04-20T11:01:25-06:00April 20th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Early April on the MO

Just back from a week in the Utah desert and trying to settle in to the busy springtime groove this week on the MO’.

The migration from the west side has begun with flows over there bumping enough to send a bunch of traffic our way this week.

Yesterday turned out to be a good day to dig out from under a week’s worth of things left on hold while I was away. The cold snowy morning kept traffic to a minimum which kept things quiet in the shop…perfect conditions to re-acclimate.

Today is a different story. A quintessential early spring day with blue skies and an abundance of sunshine. I started early, launching a couple of rental boats before we opened and since I turned the OPEN sign on it’s been pretty much non-stop traffic, the majority of which has come from the west side.

We’ve got a few folks staying and a number of trips out this week but we’ve got plenty of openings for lodging and guide trips both if you’re looking to take advantage of our Spring Guide Trip and lodging special which comes to an end on April 18th.

$550 for a full day guide trip for one or two anglers plus not one but TWO nights of premium lodging. Guide trips alone are $450 plus tax for a full day while if lodging is all you need kitchenettes are running $99/night. These prices simply can’t be beat but like all good things, they too must come to an end. Regular pricing goes back into effect on April 18th with guide trips back at $550 plus tax and premium lodging back to $135/night (plus tax).

As of late last week all of our lodging is now open so our always popular motel rooms are back in play at $75 for a single room (one full bed) and $85 for a double (one twin and one full bed).

Nymphing turned the corner last week and our clients have been treated to some epic days as of late. The numbers are at the dam but fishing has been good everywhere if you want to separate yourself from the crowds and if streamers are your game then this is your time.

I’ve been out of the shop for a week so I haven’t seen the day to day on what bugs folks are buying but judging by the bins it sure appears as though the tailwater sows, pill poppers and caviar scuds are still leading the charge and I did sell my first Little Green Machines of the season today so look for the baetis nymphs to be starting to play a major role as well.

Sparkle Minnows and Kreelex have been the hot sellers from the streamer bin today but this is the time to throw the kitchen sink at them. As tempting as it is to stick with one or two patterns ( I do it all the time) it is Prime Time for Streamer fishing so mix it up and see if you can’t discover the next hot bug.

The weather looks good for the rest of the week with tomorrow being the nicest day by far with temps reaching near 70. It’ll be 50s for the remainder of the week with a chance for some of that spring snow over the weekend. All in all things are in good shape. Flows continue to hold in the 3800 CFS range with temps climbing into the low 40’s, currently just shy of 41.

The cooler weather will bring things back into shape elsewhere so that west side pressure will taper off over the next couple of days and while there will be some traffic around over the weekend this really is the perfect time to fish the MO’ with hot fish and relatively low pressure.

We hope you make us your first stop on your way to the MO for shuttles, bugs and much much more. The shop is open at 8:00 AM daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-04-06T13:47:15-06:00April 6th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall fishing at its finest. Mom with the assist, netting this Missouri River beast hooked and fought solo by Emma Lawrance. Way to go! Photo by Matthew Lawrance

A couple of weeks into autumn and we’re still waiting for some hint of fall weather.

We’ve had an abundance of sunny, cloudless days with temps holding in the 70’s which is not exactly what you would expect for the first week of October. It definitely feels like fall in the mornings but we’ve yet to have a day where you need a jacket past 10 am.

Water temps are dropping slowly but still hanging in that 58 – 59 degree range and flows are as low as I’ve seen them, currently just shy of 3300 CFS, well below what we normally see this time of year which is somewhere in the 4000 CFS range. Last year at this time we were seeing flows of 4500 CFS with water temps at 54 degrees and dropping. It’s definitely a different year in more ways than one, not the least of which is low water on the MO.

Not to despair though as fishing should do nothing but improve from here on out.

We’ll see a cool down starting Sunday with highs only in the low 50’s and overnight lows dipping into the high 30’s. There’s a chance for some rain and snow showers as well so keep your fingers crossed, we could see BWO’s next week. In the meantime keep those nymphing rigs at the ready or suck it up and commit to throwing the big stuff, weeds be damned.

As stated, nymphing has been the go-to for numbers with most of the traffic concentrated between Holter Dam and Craig. Best bugs have been black or purple Zebra midges, Red 2 Bit Hookers, Brown S & M’s, Little Green Machines, BWO Redemption, Jujus, Tailwater Sows, Frenchies, Pill Poppers and Rainbow Czechs. The crayfish bite seems to have come to an end though I wouldn’t necessarily rule it out completely. Always worth at least a try.

We’ve had a lot of inquiries about dry fly fishing the last week or so and even had a few trips out who were pretty intent on hunting heads. Unfortunately that’s really not a thing right now. That’s not to say there aren’t some opportunities out there if you really work at it and put your time and your miles in but we are definitely languishing in the in between as we await the more fall-like weather and hopefully the bugs that accompany it.

The warm temps and lack of a freeze mean there are still plenty of hoppers around so we are still encouraging folks to blind fish hoppers and ants and October Caddis are a good call as well. Drop a nymph, trail a smaller terrestrial or fish it solo. It’s certainly not as productive as straight up bobber fishing but it’s hard to beat that take on a big dry.

The streamer bins have been getting a lot of attention this past week and it sounds like things are improving daily out there. Like I said, if you’re going to fish streamers you ought to commit to doing it all day long. Like the dry/dropper, it’s a low-percentage method but the return is well worth the investment. The weeds are frustrating to be sure but once you work though all of that and find the right water and the right bugs it’s game on! A few chases, a few takes and you’ll be hooked. Or maybe not, but most of the streamer crowd with whom we run are fully committed (or in some cases should be committed) and passionately addicted and live for fall streamer fishing. I don’t think I know anyone who merely dabbles in the streamer game. You’re either all in or you’re out.

Stop in and check out our streamer selection. Some have proclaimed it to be the best on the MO’. And while you’re at it, if you are in the market for a new streamer stick we’re wheeling and dealing during our annual fall rod and reel sale with 25% off all rods and reel…now until they’re gone.

New shop hours are in effect this week. 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Saturday and 7:30 – 4:00 PM Sundays. We are your one stop destination shop on the Missouri River. The hardest working, most professional guides on the river, clean and affordable lodging, Adipose drift boat rentals, shuttles, bugs, Simms boots, waders and accessories and much much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-10-07T22:01:56-06:00October 7th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, juju baetis, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Autumn Equinox

Autumn has officially arrived and with it the promise of good things to come on the Missouri and surrounding waters.

Terrestrial season is holding on with decent hopper and ant action, particularly in the lower stretches and we’ve begun to see the occasional October Caddis so now would be a good time to work that into your blind dry fly or dry/dropper rotation.

Aside from the terrestrials action we’re in a bit of a holding pattern right now where dry fly fishing is concerned as we await fall BWO’s. Caddis can fill the gap on any given day and pseudos will satisfy the needs of the true dry fly masochists but look for BWO’s to arrive with cooler weather and darker days, hopefully sometime in early October.

The streamer set has begun to arrive on the scene led by our Michigan friends from Schultz Outfitters returning to fish the MO with us this week. It’s a Michigan invasion all week long at Wolf Creek Angler and we’re thrilled to have a bunch of streamer junkies back in the boats with us. Leave the wooly buggers behind, load up the 7 and 8 weights and take cover…it’s time to do this thing Michigan Style! Weeds be damned, it’s big game hunting season on the MO’.

For the less bobber averse set, nymphing is good, especially in the upper stretch and should continue to pad the daily numbers. #18 Black Zebras will be back in stock tomorrow, still no ETA on Frenchies or Purple Weight Flies but fear not, we’ve got bins and bins filled with bugs that will meet or exceed performance expectations. Green Machines, Tung Darts, Gold Weight Flies, Purple or Olive Zebras, Tailwater Sows, Split Case BWO’s, BWO Magic Flies, Soft Hackle Sows, Olive Micromays, Olive or Brown S & M’s, Juju’s, BWO Redemptions, Radiation Baetis, Rainbow Czechs…and on and on.

It looks like we’ll see a nice cool down into the low 60’s this weekend but right back into the mid 70’s the first part of next week. Even so, chilly nights are keeping water temps on the drop. Temps are currently holding at around 61 degrees with flows at or near 4000 CFS. You really couldn’t ask for better conditions for fall fishing but these are definitely the days you’ll want to layer up in the morning knowing that you may be peeling off layers throughout the day but adding them back as that sun dips down.

We’ve got plenty of lodging availability this week though the guide calendar is pretty well filled through early next week. Take the time now while you’re thinking of it to book an October trip with us.
Whether you wish to be pampered with luxury accommodations and gourmet meals at Hidden Canyon Lodge or you prefer the cozy rustic charm offered at Wolf Creek Angler we’ve got you covered. Same great guides and same price for fishing at both, it’s just a matter of what you’re looking for outside of the fishing experience. Give us a call for details or to book your dates at either location.

We welcome fall and hope you join us on the Missouri and Blackfoot Rivers in the coming weeks for the most wonderful time of the year.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-09-22T21:29:52-06:00September 22nd, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Autumn Equinox 2020, caddis, dry fly fishing, green machine, Hidden Canyon Lodge, juju baetis, Michigan, Missouri River, Montana, October Caddis, running line, Schultz Outfitters, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

It’s Trico Time on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

It’s what some of you have been waiting for….Tricos on the MO’.

Others despise the challenges presented by tiny dry flies and finicky fish but for the hard-core DFO purists among you now is the time.

The quiet early mornings at the boat launches are a thing of the past for now as the Trico guys know an early start is critical for a shot at the prime spots during the spinner fall, somewhere around 9 – 10 am.

A week ago I had the ramps to myself at 6 am when I was dropping rental boats. Today I had to wait my turn behind a multitude of early starts with a steady stream coming in behind me.
Early on means early off which works out well as mid-day temps are currently pushing into the 80’s and 90’s with bright sun and minimal cloud cover the norm as of late. Tomorrow looks like a good chance for showers throughout the day before we resume the summer sun and heat through the weekend.

There continues to be a fair amount of evening traffic out there as well. We recommend self-shuttling for these late floats. We’ve been cutting off shuttles at 4 PM and while some may be doing them later than that I don’t think anyone is doing late night shuttling so if night ops are on your agenda please plan accordingly.

There are still some PMD’s around but definitely coming to a close. Tricos in the morning and Caddis in the evening and if that’s not your thing then have it to yourself during the heat of the day and start throwing some foam.

Hoppers and ants are starting to attract some interest. Not a ton of naturals around just yet but there will be soon enough. Fish the hopper (or ant) alone or drop a nymph (LGM, Zebra Midge, magic fly, lightning bug etc) and cover some ground. Hit the banks, hit the mid-river riffles, hit the spots you wouldn’t normally expect to move fish…you might just be surprised by where you find them.

The nymph game has continued to produce albeit somewhat inconsistently with the continued flow fluctuations taking a toll on the fishing depending on the day. We’re sitting at 4920 CFS as of this writing, I’d expect it to maintain in this range from here on out but I’ve been getting this one wrong more often than not so take it for what it is.

On the good days best nymph bets have been Purple Weight Fly, Frenchie, Brown S & M, Split Case PMD, Tailwater Sow, Black Zebra Midge, PMD Magic Fly, Pearl Lightning Bug, Little Green Machine, Peep Show, PMD Redemption, Tung Dart, PT’s, and the occasional hot streak on Olive or Natural Zirdles.

Top movers from the dry fly bin include Rusty Spinners, Buzzballs, Drowned PMD Spinner, Flash Cripple, Film Critic on the PMD menu. Caddis faves include Blooms Hi Vis Parachute Caddis, Stockingfoot Caddis, Outrigger Caddis, Cornfed Caddis and CDC Caddis Emergers. Go to Trico patterns – Indicator Spinner, Hi Vis Spinner, Double Wing, Hi Vis Sprout and other assorted flavors.

We’re open early every day, by 7 at the latest, with boat rentals in the water generally by 6:30 am. The weirdness continues to hamper our lodging and guide trip bookings but we’re plugging along piecing a season together. The point is, we’re getting enough cancellations that we’ve been able to accommodate last minute requests with a fairly high rate of success so don’t shy away from attempting to book those last minute rooms and trips.

It’s summertime on the Missouri, with Dog Days ahead.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-07-22T20:04:58-06:00July 22nd, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, pmd's, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Phasing Out Phase One this week on the MO’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-05-26T19:36:31-06:00May 26th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, Craig MT, Echo, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, pmd's, Redington, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Spring is streamer time on the Missouri

As we emerge from the Covid-19 lockdown the timing couldn’t be better as spring fishing is just starting to hit its stride.

Bumps and drops in flows along with plenty of color coming from the Little Prickly Pear and Dearborn have made things somewhat inconsistent for the past week or so but with the creeks on the drop for the moment and the anticipation of stable flows and water temps for the next while we should be in good shape for the weeks to come.

Per the norm for this time of year the numbers (both fish and boats) have been at Holter Dam. The dam to Wolf Creek run has been the most consistent. Wolf Creek to Craig has had its moments but has been hit or miss for sure. Traffic below Craig is sparse and almost non-existent below the Dearborn save a few of those streamer guys plying the mud for prowling giants.

Nymphing is without a doubt your best bet for numbers right now with all of the usual suspects in play. Point flies of choice in my boat have been Ninch’s Pill Popper, Caviar Scud, Pink Amex, Tan UV Czech, Firebead Steelie Worm and Rainbow Weight Fly. Trail with #16 Tailwater Sow, #18 PT Green Machine, #16 UV Yum Yum Scud Pink, #18 Olive Lightning Bug, #18 Olive S & M, #18 Black Zebra, Soft Hackle Sows, #16 Pink Ray, #18 Magic Fly BWO etc.

The fish are on the move and we’re typically finding them in medium depth, fast (ish) water. Start around 5’ bobber to bb and adjust accordingly. Most of the known hot spots are producing, at least in that dam zone. Follow the traffic flow, observe adequate social distance between boats (much much more than 6’ please) and please don’t anchor up in the middle of the run. If you’re not getting into fish take a look around you and see what’s going on. If others are hooking up and you aren’t watch what they’re doing, where they’re going etc and follow their lead. And those boats with the red and white stickers – those guys generally have a pretty good idea of what’s happening and the vast majority of them are happy to help. Whether you’re having trouble cracking the code or encountering more serious (non-fishing) issues, don’t be afraid to seek help from those with the red and white tags.

Dry fly opportunities are not abundant at this point though there have been BWO’s around. It’s a right time, right place situation so keep that dry fly rod rigged and ready for action. We’ve been doing well with Sprout Baetis, Olive Para Adams or Para BWO’s trailed with your emerger or cripple or choice. Midges are abundant though finding fish eating them has been a challenge. If you find a sipper or two try feeding them a Bucky’s midge cluster or Griffiths gnat. We’ve also had good luck with Black Midges and Black Sippers….all available now at Wolf Creek Angler.

The streamer game should be good right now. It isn’t great. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into it these past two weeks and have come away disappointed more often than not. A few flashes here and there and the occasional hook up but overall not what you’d expect. We did find some success yesterday with a couple of shallow water explosions right on the bank which makes it all worthwhile but it’s important to keep your expectations in check.

I’m not saying you can’t mix streamer fishing with nymphing or dry fly fishing but you can’t crack the streamer code when you’re chasing bobbers or head hunting. Get serious. Grab your streamer boxes and leave the rest behind. Change size, color, retrieve, target water and any combo of these variables often until you crack the code and keep your expectations in check.

The fishing forecast for this week looks good. We’ll see a storm system move through the area tomorrow afternoon into Wednesday bringing cooler temps and some precipitation in the form of rain and a rain/snow mix Wednesday.The weekend looks good with partly sunny conditions and temps in the low 60’s with a slight chance of rain each day.

We’ve got plenty of lodging available and we’re also continuing our spring guide trip special as well as our lodging and guide trip special. $400 Full day guide trips through the end of the month and get a second night of lodging on us when you book two days of guided fishing and a night’s lodging. Please note, due to the 14 day mandatory quarantine for out of state visitors at this time we can only offer our services to Montana residents and those who have met the 14 day quarantine requirements if traveling here from out of state or returning to Montana from out of state travels.

While we’re definitely happy to be back at it this new normal will definitely take some getting used to for all of us. We’re wearing masks in the shop and on the boat and we are encouraging our clients to do the same.We are frequently cleaning and disinfecting in the shop and if you’re fishing with us you can expect your guide’s boat and vehicle to be clean and disinfected prior to and following your trip. We are health screening all guides and employees daily and will not allow anyone to work if they are showing any symptoms of being sick. We’re also health screening clients and we ask that you please not come if you are showing any symptoms of being sick. This goes for lodging guests, fishing clients and everyone shopping with us.

We’re doing our best to adjust and to make the best of these bizarre times in which we’re living. We encourage you to do the same and remind you that there’s no better way to escape the madness, if only for a few hours, than being on moving water with a fly rod in hand.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-05-05T18:10:49-06:00May 5th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|3 Comments

November on the Missouri

November is upon us and it looks like we could be in for a great week of fall fishing ahead and if we’re lucky, maybe even a couple of more weeks of chasing trout before the holidays take over our collective schedules.

Expect good BWO action this afternoon and throughout the week and don’t miss out on what could be our last, best weekend of the season. We’ll see sunshine and highs near 60 on Friday and perfect BWO weather through Veteran’s Day on Monday with a chance or rain and snow each day and temperatures somewhere in the 40’s.

With a forecast like this we’ve decided to delay our closing of the cabins for at least another week so if a weekend retreat to the MO’ sounds appealing give us a call and book your room and while you’re at it why not grab a guide and leave the rowing to us?

Winter rates are now in effect which means you can get a cozy cabin or bungalow for just $99 plus tax. Rooms sleep 3 comfortably and include a full kitchen and private bath. Shotgun Annie’s is open for dinner and is a great dining option during your stay in Wolf Creek but it’s also nice to have kitchen facilities so you can do breakfast etc on your own.

We’ve got plenty of availability from here on out but I expect we’ll book up for the weekend.

Following another round of winter weather last week we’re thrilled with the fishing forecast and can’t wait to get on the water.
Potentially epic dry fly fishing, solid nymphing and good to great streamer fishing are all a possibility so there’s something for everyone right now.

I always have a nymph rig at the ready but this is the time of year I like to roll the streamer rig all day long, only taking breaks for major bugs and irresistible pods of feeding fish. Fall brown trout are among my favorite things in the world!

And speaking of all day long….Daylight Saving Time has ended and while we loved getting that hour of sleep back on Sunday morning the days are now short, and for the meantime, getting shorter. We’ve not been in any rush to get on the water early so with an 11 or 12 o clock start you don’t have a whole lot of time before darkness falls, currently around 5 pm. Keep this in mind when choosing where to float.

Wolf Creek Bridge to Craig (or something in the 5 mile range) is perfect for this time of year though I wouldn’t hesitate to do something a little longer, in the 7-9 mile range, if you want to dedicate your day to streamer fishing.

Best bets for bugs this week are as follows:

Dries – Brook’s Sprout Baetis, Olive Parachute Adams, Wilcox’s Micro May BWO, Para BWO, Drown Spinner BWO, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, Flash Cripple BWO, Quigley’s BWO Hackle Stacker, CDC Caddis Emerger, CDC Baetis Emerger, RS2, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Buzzball.

Nymphs – Rainbow Czech, Bubble Yum Scud, Tungsten Tailwater Sow, Caviar Scud, Little Green Machine, Olive or Pearl Lightning Bug, Juju Baetis, Juan’s Hi-Def Baetis, Firebead Ray, Pill Popper, Black Zebra Midge, Redemption BWO, Split Case BWO, Olive S & M, BWO Magic Fly, Soft Hackle Sow

Streamers – Polar Leech, Hothead Kreelex, Lil’ Kim, MK Ultralite, Craven’s Dirty Hippy, Galloup’s Mini Dungeon, ZK’s Inflated Ego, Circus Peanut.

Best colors on streamers have been olive, tan, natural, brown and black but don’t limit yourself. Throw what you like and switch often until you find what’s working. I’m guilty of running the same bug until I find a fish that wants it rather than the other way around and would probably do well to heed my own advice.

We’re on late fall/early winter hours at the shop opening at 8 am daily and it’s starting to get a little lonely out here so we hope you make us your first stop on your next trip to the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2019-11-05T17:49:54-07:00November 5th, 2019|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Previous 345 Next