Little Prickly Pear Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Mid May Rundown

May is already half gone as the blur of the busy season starts to overtake the rhythms of daily routine, replacing them with a steady immersion in the day to day essentials of the fly shop/guide trip/lodging/shuttle business.

With the accelerated passage of time that always ensues this time of year in the Montana fly fishing world it’s easy to let it fly by unnoticed which will likely happen at times during the season but while we’re thinking of it here’s a rundown of what’s happening.

Bugs – BWO’s have made a decent showing but are likely on the downward trend as the month of May slips past. Caddis have emerged. Good reports from the mid to lower stretches the last couple of days. PMD’s are next and generally show up late May/early June, weather dependent. The dry fly set is thrilled for the Caddis and waiting patiently for PMD days. Regardless of when those days arrive, if you’re nymphing you should be breaking out the PMD nymphs now. Baetis nymphs are getting plenty of attention so don’t abandon them just yet but do add Split Case PMD’s and the like to your repertoire sooner rather than later.

Streamer fishing has been hit or miss but with what looks to be a spell of wet, cooler weather ahead, if streamers are your game the week ahead could be good.

Creek Opener – The 2024 General Fishing Season opener is Saturday which is more of a Western District thing as much of the Central District is open all year but there are plenty of exceptions like the Dearborn and Little Prickly Pear in our neighborhood that open this weekend.

Dearborn Shuttles – And speaking of the Dearborn…flows are currently around 480 CFS, leveling off after peaking at around 540. It’s hard to say what will happen with these flows but it is floatable at the moment and we’ve done a few shuttles up there already and have gotten a number of inquiries about shuttles this weekend. Please call at least a day in advance to get on the list for Dearborn shuttles as we’ll be limiting them to just a couple of runs/day. We’ve got reservations on the books for both Saturday and Sunday and we have room to do a couple more each day but please do call ahead. We won’t be able to do them on a same day/walk in basis.

Guiding for the Future Featured Fly Shop of the Month – We are honored to be the first G4F Fly Shop of the Month in Montana. Guiding For The Future is part of a new continuing education program developed by the Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana to inspire dedicated stewardship of aquatic ecosystems while increasing knowledge, professionalism, and ethics of fishing guides, outfitters, and the fly-fishing industry. I had the pleasure of attending the first Guiding for the Future program in 2019 and since that time nearly half of our guide staff has been through the program and those individuals are now acting Guiding for the Future Ambassadors. Please consider rounding up your next purchase at Wolf Creek Angler to donate to the annual program which is provided free of charge to guides and outfitters in Montana and is funded by monies raised by FOAM as well as by private and corporate donations. G4F is the future of guiding in Montana and beyond. Donations can also be made directly to G4F at https://donations.guidingforthefuture.org/…

You’ll notice the G4F flag and sign out in front of the shop for the remainder of this month and hopefully our fly shop associates will ask you if you’d like to round up your purchase as a donation. We’ve gotten overwhelmingly positive responses when we’ve been asking customers if they’d like to round up though not everyone wants to support the program. If it’s busy when you’re here we’ll likely not go into the whole spiel but as a G4F Ambassador I can tell you that it is a program worthy of your support. G4F has thus far graduated 80 Montana Guiding for the Future Ambassadors, all of whom have chosen to go above and beyond by seeking continuing education designed enhance their already superior guiding skills with a deep understanding of ethics and professionalism in the industry. Thus far the average “roundup” seems to be right around .30 – .45, a small sacrifice to fund an amazing program that is provided free of charge to participants.

Guiding for the Future operates on a $50k annual budget which is completely funded by a portion of FOAM Memberships and donations from outside individuals and businesses. If you are feeling particularly moved by our mission we are also accepting Sponsorships at the following levels…

$2500 – Silver Level Sponsorship (Annual Per Student Cost)
$5000 – Gold Level Sponsorship (Half of Annual Practicum Cost)
$50,000 – Platinum Sponsorship (Covers entire annual budget of G4F)

Every little bit helps. Please consider making a donation in any amount today and if you’d like to hear more about the program we love talking about Guiding for the Future.
G4F is delivered through FOAM’s separate non-profit organization, the Montana Fishing Outfitters Conservation Fund. The Conservation Fund is an exempt organization as described in Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 81-0523165. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution.

Shop Hours – Currently 7:30 AM – 5 PM Daily. 7 AM Daily Open coming soon.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-05-16T14:43:04-06:00May 16th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, Dearborn, Dearborn Shuttles, dry fly fishing, Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana, fly fishing, Guiding for the Future, Little Prickly Pear, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Rainy Days…Summer in Sight

The Missouri River is a very busy place this week despite the less than ideal fishing conditions. We started the week with more snow on Sunday. Most of that disappeared by Monday as temperatures warmed but with those warmer temps came gusty winds and the makings of a pretty substantial soaker starting last night and continuing through today.

It looks like the sunshine will return tomorrow with things becoming more and more summer-like through the holiday weekend and into the first part of next week when we’ll see sunshine and temps near 80.

Expect a BUSY MO this weekend as warm sunny weather for the unofficial start of summer brings with it a parade of recreational traffic added to the steady flow of anglers who have converged here in search of fishable water as flows bump most everywhere else in the region.

And speaking of flows, the Dearborn bumped this week and jumped up over 1000 CFS last night and continues to rise (currently 1400 cfs). Similarly, Little Prickly Pear doubled in size overnight and is currently running at 425 cfs. Suffice it to say, things are getting a little muddy on the MO so expect HEAVY traffic at the dam for the time being and if you’ve been wondering when the best time would be to break out those San Juan and Squirmy Worms….that time would be NOW.

I’d expect some traffic on the Dearborn this weekend so please call ahead if you’d like to set up a shuttle as demand will likely be high.

With the rain subsiding this afternoon and temps remaining moderately cool for the next few days I’d expect things to come back into shape fairly quickly on the MO though the hot weather early next week will likely continue to feed the runoff elsewhere ensuring a busy start to June on the Missouri.

We do have a couple of rooms left for the weekend if you’re looking and I expect those will book by tomorrow. Guides may be tough to come by but we do have a few remaining openings if you want to give it a try.

We’re feeling blessed by the precipitation but I for one am ready for some hot sunny days and I think the anticipated traffic this weekend will likely reflect this sentiment amongst a good portion of the local population.

Best flies through the weekend….Tailwater Sow, Pill Popper, UV Yum Yum, Rainbow Czech, Fish Finder and Depth Charge Worms, Little Green Machines, Split Case BWO’s (And soon PMD’s) Psycho Mays, Magic Flies, Tung Darts, Weight Flies, Two Bit Hookers, Jig Duracell, Jig Crack Backs, Rainbow Warriors, Peep Shows, Olive or Purple Lightning Bugs and many more.

The high and muddy will also bring out the streamer set. Sparkle Minnows, Baby Gongas, Swim Coach, ZK’s Gladio, Mini Dungeons, Mojo Minnows, Peanut Envy, Wedge Head, Silk Kitten and more. If you like to throw the big stuff NOW is the time. Streamer season is coming to a close but these next couple of days could be the peak of the action.

We hope to see you in Wolf Creek this weekend as we welcome the sun and the unofficial start of Summer Fishing on the MO. The shop is fully stocked with summer gear including a bunch of SolarFlex hoodies just received from Simms, Eddy River and Lowcountry hats from Fishpond, piles of packs and bags, waders and boots and wading sandals, reels from Ross, Redington, Echo and Lamson, Loop and Echo rods and much, much more. We’re anxiously awaiting our shipment of Lamson rods, just released for 2021. Judging by the calls we’ve been getting on them they aren’t going to last long.

Stop in and see us for shuttles, bugs, sun protection, fishing licenses, logo wear, ice, Fishpond and Rising nets, lines and leaders from Rio and Airflo or the latest intel on the where and when and how.

We are your Missouri River Summer fly fishing destination, your one stop shop for everything you need from guides to rental boats to gear to a place to lay your head…it’s all here at WCA.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-05-26T12:27:51-06:00May 26th, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Baby Gonga, Dearborn River, Depth Charge Worm, Duracell, Echo, Fish Finder Worm, Fishpond, fly fishing, Gladio, Lamson, Little Green Machine, Little Prickly Pear, Magic Fly, Missouri River, Mojo Minnow, Peep Show, pill popper, Psycho May, Rainbow Czech, Redington, RIO, running line, simms, streamers, Swim Coach, Tailwater Sow, Tung Dart, UV Yum Yum, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The Big Muddy. Blackfoot River from Scotty Brown Bridge on May 6th. Photo by Blackfoot Angler Fly Shop

The BIG PUSH has begun. Runoff has started and with it the migration of guides from around the state to the Missouri seeking fishable water for their clients.

The MO’ is definitely where you need to be if you plan on fishing western Montana in the immediate future and while we are largely immune to the blow out conditions found on the freestones during runoff we do have some big pushes of water coming from Little Prickly Pear and the Dearborn adding cold water and color which present challenges but also opportunities. LPP is currently running at a muddy 274 CFS while the Dearborn is cranking at 800 making flows on the MO below Dearborn somewhere in the neighborhood of 8500 CFS. Above Prickly Pear the Missouri is currently flowing at 7440 CFS with a water temp of 47 degrees.

Reports from Sunday were mixed but it sounds like the rain and cooler air temps so sought after by the dry fly and streamer guys were negated by the influx of cold, muddy water from the tribs. Solid nymphing reports from the Dam, not so much from Wolf Creek on down.

Conditions will remain somewhat status quo this week as temps in the 70’s and 80’s continue to contribute to runoff. Plenty of sunshine this week as well which may not be what you want if you can’t wait to throw a dry fly but don’t rule it out, we could have some great evening activity this week. Again, blue skies and sunshine are not exactly optimal for streamer fishing either but you might be surprised. Sunshine or clouds, I know what I’ll be throwing this week and it ain’t nymphs or dry flies.

Speaking of nymphs though, we would definitely recommend including a worm in your offering, especially if you’re fishing low. Sow bugs are still getting the biggest nod but it’s time to start throwing the kitchen sink at them. Purple Lighting Bugs, LGM’s, Hot Belly Pheasant Tails, Hi Def, Radiation and Juju Baetis, Split Case BWO’s, Dark Peep Shows, Rainbow Warriors, 2 Bits, S & M’s…..you get the idea.

We’re pretty well booked up for lodging through mid-week but we do have openings for later in the week and through the weekend and we’ve got guides at the ready each and every day.

The shop is full of all kinds of new gear from Simms, Korkers, Fishpond, Redington and more and the fly bins are overflowing with every bug you need for the MO’ and beyond.

Stop in for shuttles, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, Realtime Missouri River updates and intel and what has frequently been referred to as the best coffee in the canyon.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-08T15:43:22-07:00May 8th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Dearborn, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, Little Prickly Pear, Missouri River, Montana, Redington, RO Drift Boats, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Blue Skies, plenty of sunshine and lots of yellow flowers along Little Prickly Pear make everything ok. photo by Wolf Creek Angler

We had a break from the gloomy wet weather yesterday with a bright and sunny day that lifted everyone’s spirits. We’re loving all of the precipitation for sure but it’s amazing what a little sunshine can do to change your state of mind.
Back to the gloomy weather today but looking on the bright side, it’s perfect streamer weather and it sounds like nymphing has been just fine as well save a few tough reports I heard from yesterday. What about dries you ask? On the spotty side right now as we await the arrival of the PMDs but that’s not to say there are no opportunities. Those who know where to go are finding plenty of action on top.

The weather pattern looks to be holding for the coming week with a chance for showers and thunderstorms most days. Highs in the 80’s tomorrow and Monday – more normal temps in the low 70’s for the remainder of the week.
We’ve got several vacancies for the early part of the week before we kick into full-on summer season mode late in the week. Book a night or two for yourself today and while you’re at it why not book yourself a guide trip and let our guides do all the work while you just catch fish?

Just back from Missoula this morning where the rivers are running muddy so if you are from that neck of the woods and you want to fish this week – make it the Missouri. We are here to help you out with anything you may need for your day on the water. Lodging, shuttles, , RO drift boats (including the brand new, much anticipated and much talked about Tailwater Skiff), friendly service and advice, all kinds of packs and accessories and wading gear and clothing from the likes of Fishpond, Kast, Redington, Umpqua and Simms and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Stop in and see us today and see what the buzz is about. Open daily at 7 am.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:52-06:00May 30th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, Fishpond, Kast Gear, Little Prickly Pear, Missouri River, Montana, RO Drift Boats, RO Tailwater Skiff, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments