Loop Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

The State of the Missouri (Spring 2024)

Summer weather on tap for this weekend with highs in the mid 70’s tomorrow and Saturday and pushing 80 on Sunday before we return to rain and more seasonable 60’s on Monday and back to winter starting Tuesday with snow and highs only in the 40’s. Welcome to springtime in the Rockies!

We’re expecting a busy weekend on the river with the weather being what it is and we’re ready for you with piles of new inventory on hand and a good number of open rooms if you’re looking to spend the weekend on the MO. We could probably even get you on the river with one of our exceptional guides if you call us today.

Fishing has been solid all week, especially the nymphing which is producing big numbers daily, but late afternoon/early evening dry fly fishing has also been good with plenty of midges on hand and the streamer crowd is also loving life on the Missouri at the moment. It’s all happening NOW and the best is yet to come.

The glum snowpack/water forecast has really turned around over these past few weeks to the point where what was looking like a substantially low water year is now predicted to be in the normal range, at least what we’ve come to know as normal in recent times. Canyon Ferry is currently sitting at 83.5% full and is expected to fill completely which is great news for the MO.

Flow predictions have improved substantially and while we could still definitely use more precipitation current most probable forecast has us at around 4,000 CFS right on through the season with a peak of around 4500 CFS in May. Minimum probable modeling shows flows kind of where we’ve been seeing them at for the winter months at just shy of 3,000 CFS and Max Probable would have us at around 5,000 CFS for the season with a peak of 9K in May.

As is always the case, Mother Nature will have the final say but confidence is high that flows will be in good shape on the Missouri in 2024. Obviously we’re lacking the flushing flows of 15K + that seem to have such a positive effect on the fishery but compared to what we were looking at 6 weeks ago we feel like we’re in great shape.

Currently flows are 3660 CFS with afternoon water temps pushing 42 degrees. Look for that temp to continue to tick upwards with these warm sunny days making for hot spring fish.

And speaking of spring fish….rainbows are spawning both up the tribs and on the river so if you’re wade fishing the MO PLEASE be mindful of where you are walking taking care not to trample those redds.

You’ll also be happy to hear that fish counts in the Craig stretch are as healthy as ever with over 8,000 fish over 10” per mile. With a ton of both browns and bows in the 15” – 17” range we should see a bunch of big fish this season.

All that being said, we are in draught stage and while things have improved considerably over the past few weeks, the overall picture for Montana waters is less than ideal. Without substantial precipitation this spring low flows and high water temps and high fire risk are all legitimate concerns so keep praying for that precip.

We are now open every day at 8 AM with the Cheapest Shuttles on the MO, the best lodging on the MO, legendary guides and a shop packed FULL of EVERYTHING you need for your day on the water and likely some things you don’t.

We are your EXCLUSIVE Simms dealer in Wolf Creek and the oldest dealer on the MO with plenty of waders and boots for men and women as well as sportswear and accessories. We are also your exclusive Sage dealer in Wolf Creek and we’re loaded up with all the best rods money can buy. Swing in for that new R8, Sonic or Igniter and a Spectrum series reel to match. We also feature rods and reels from Lamson, Echo, Redington and Loop.

If it’s flies you’re looking for then look no further. Our selection rivals that of any shop on the MO and with the new shipments continuing to come in we’ve got so many bugs we’re running out of bins in which to put them. We’ve got all of your Missouri River standards and much more.

WCA is also your Streamer Authority on the MO and while we’ve always had the biggest and best streamer selection around we’ve outdone ourselves this spring with an expanded selection of all of your favorites and likely some you haven’t seen before.

We’re also loaded up on Streamer lines from SA, Rio and Airflo…something for everyone.

It’s Go Time on the MO.

See you soon at Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-04-11T15:00:45-06:00April 11th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, Igniter, Loop, midge, Missouri River, Montana, R8, running line, Sage, simms, Sonic, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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

December has arrived and the weather couldn’t be better (by late fall standards) for getting in a few more days on the water in 2020. We’re currently in the midst of a very stable weather pattern with daily highs reaching into the 40’s and overnight lows in the 20’s. The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies each day right on through the weekend though we are seeing some perfect cloud cover this morning. And best of all – winds are light and variable, in the 6-11 mph range for the next several days and hopefully through the weekend.

Traffic will likely continue to be very light so not only are weather conditions favorable for late fall fishing but there is an abundance of solitude to be found on the river right now which means you can pretty much pick and choose where you want to fish and have it virtually to yourself.

The last couple of times out we saw no one. I expected a bit more activity on Black Friday – the Friday after Thanksgiving, with most everyone having the day off of work and near-perfect weather conditions and I was right. We saw two other boats between Craig and Mid…quite the traffic jam. I assume there may have been some nymphing traffic up at the Dam but all in all the Missouri is currently a Ghost Town which spells opportunity for anyone looking to get back out on the water now that hunting has wrapped up.

I’m sure the lack of available services are contributing to the absence of anglers this fall but once again, the Missouri is your best option for late-season angling state-wide.
You may have to spend some time on the road traveling to and from but there’s no reason you shouldn’t be spending these days on the water. We are continuing to keep our lodging closed for the time being due to the Covid situation and from what I can tell Annie’s remains closed but we’re just a short drive from Helena or Great Falls (or Cascade for that matter) where you’ll find plenty of lodging and dining options. With the weather being what it is camping is still an option as well though I’d personally opt for a heated trailer over a tent right now.

Regardless, fishing is good, especially if you’re into stripping, swinging or nymphing.

Flows have bumped to 3760 with water temps having recently dipped below 40, currently hanging at 39.5 degrees. If you’re nymphing this spells winter fishing protocol so dust off the pink stuff and start concentrating your efforts in the slow, deep winter water. That being said, with the air temps being relatively warm the water temps will tick up each day which is likely going to prevent those fish from totally committing to the winter slumber so don’t overlook the medium fast, shallow to medium depth water including those island tail outs.

And speaking of island tail outs – if there’s anywhere on the river you’re going to have to compete for water it’s at those tail outs and other easily accessible runs where the swingers like to camp out. Polar Leeches, buggers, Pine Squirrel Leeches, Kreelex, Fruit Rollups and the like are the preferred Swing Selections.

Old School Strippers are covering vast stretches of water and still finding fish everywhere you’d expect and in some places you wouldn’t. Big Streamers, Small streamers, black streamers, Yellow streamers, flashy streamers, natural streamers…it’s been all over the board with plenty of willing players both of the Bruiser Brown and Rainbow Trout varieties. Get after it!

Once again, store hours are 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM Tuesday – Saturday and while we’re unfortunately not currently doing lodging or shuttles we do have a shop full of things you need for your day on the water or perhaps to occupy space under your tree for your favorite fly anglers.

Simms waders, boots, sportswear and accessories; Fishpond packs and accessories; Rods and Reels a plenty (ON SALE NOW) from Echo, Redington, Ross, Loop, Lamson and more; lots of WCA logo gear and of course, the BIGGEST and BEST selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Sheltering in Place? No problem. Shop wolfcreekangler.com from the comfort of your home. We are adding items daily. ALWAYS FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50. Check out our online store today.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate these times. We can’t wait for things to get back to normal and we are so thankful and proud to be your Missouri River Fly Fishing Headquarters.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-12-01T11:36:15-07:00December 1st, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Echo, Fishpond, fly fishing, Lamson, Loop, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, Redington, running line, simms, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|2 Comments

A Different June for sure but regardless, PMD’s have emerged on the MO’ – photo courtesy of montana-riverboats.com

We’re three days into June and while in some respects things seem to be approaching normal, in many others the sense of Covid weirdness still pervades.

The biggest stride towards normalcy we’ve seen in months happened on Monday as Montana entered Phase II of reopening which included the lifting of the mandatory 14 day quarantine for those coming from out of state. We did have some spur of the moment lodging and guide trip bookings from out of state residents on Monday and Tuesday but for the most part Phase II feels about like Phase One did with light traffic on the river and an eerily quiet atmosphere in Wolf Creek and Craig.

Weekends have been a different story, feeling much more like the heart of the season with overflowing parking lots and flotillas of drift boats, rafts and all manner of floating apparatuses. Montanans were out in force over the weekend taking advantage of the clean, controlled flows of the MO and also re-discovering the Dearborn River in droves.

We’ve always advised against scheduling your guide trips on weekends, particularly on Saturdays. It’s no different this season. There has been a well-documented shift towards outdoor activities since things began to open up and we’re expecting that this trend will keep things busy here on the weekends as Montana residents stay close to home.

Obviously, our hope is that things get steadily busier during the week as we transition into Phase II but at this point our loss of out-of-state business is your gain as this could be the least fishing pressure the Missouri River has seen in decades. Between the continued Covid restrictions around the country and the travel complications caused by a reduction in air traffic the MO will likely see a relatively quiet June so if you have avoided the Missouri in the past due to the crowds and you are within a day’s drive we would love to be your June destination on the Missouri.

Conditions couldn’t be better. The weather has been nice and the water is in great shape. Flows are currently at 5100 but will bump over the next two days, nearing 7,000 cfs on Friday. Water temps are ideal at around 57 degrees and the Dearborn and Little Prickly Pear are dropping rapidly and should not be a factor going forward unless we get a bunch of precipitation.
Snowpack is dwindling but we’re in good shape for a good water year.

Oh, and the fishing? The fishing has been consistently solid and is about to get super fun as PMD’s emerge on the scene. We’ve had some sporadic bugs but it’s just getting started so if you’ve ever wanted to fish the PMD hatches on the MO’ now is the time. We’re also seeing plenty of caddis around though the fish have yet to settle into surface feeding mode. Rising fish have been few and far between but fear not, it’ll happen soon. Make sure you’re out there when it does.

In the meantime, nymphing has continued to be the go-to with, you guessed it, tailwater sow bugs continuing to be the nymph of choice. Split Case and Crack Back PMD’s, PMD Magic Fly, PMD Redemption, Psycho Mays, Peep Shows, S & M’s, Frenchies all on the menu right now. Gold or Purple Weight Flies, Tung Darts and other Caddis pupae patterns are all good choices for a point fly and we’ve heard a few rumors of the Zirdle getting eaten as well. Medium depth, fast (ish) water with or without lead, depending on the day. Target those nymph runs while keeping an eye on those PMD flats for bugs and rising fish. Rusty Spinners, Buzzballs, PMD Sprouts, HI Vis PMD’s, Film Critics, Flash Cripples, Doc’s PMD all good PMD Go To’s. All these and more currently filling the bins at WCA.

Restock that caddis box as well with Outrigger Caddis, Cornfed Caddis, Bloom’s Hi Vis Caddis, Stockingfoot Caddis and the ALMOST ALWAYS EFFECTIVE CDC Caddis Emerger. The time is drawing near!

We haven’t heard much on the streamer front this week but with the bump in flows coming and hopefully at least a couple of weeks left before the weeds arrive you could do worse than bombing the banks with big bugs as you hunt for rising fish.

The bottom line is the fish are here, the bugs are here….the people really aren’t. It’s a rare and golden opportunity to enjoy some summer solitude on the Missouri.

The shop is open at 7:30 daily and while we may be a little skinny on T shirts and trinkets this season we’re fully stocked on the stuff that matters. Bugs, Bugs and more bugs. Lines, leaders and tippet a plenty.

We’ve got good availability on lodging and guide trips through around the third week of June and limited availability of both right on through prime time. Shuttles, sun protection, Air Lock Indicators, Simms wading gear and sportswear, Adipose drift boat rentals, essential tools and accessories and a sensible inventory of rods and reels from Loop, Echo, Redington, Ross and Lamson.

We are the preferred fly fishing destination operation on the Missouri, close enough to the action but far removed from the chaos. We are closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than any other shop and it won’t take but a few minutes spent on the porch at cocktail hour, scanning the hillsides for roaming critters, to realize that what the town of Wolf Creek lacks in publicity it more than makes up for in genuine Montana Ambiance.

Shotgun Annie’s is open daily from 11 AM to 8 PM and serving breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 am – 11:00 am and our friends at Izaak’s just down the road in Craig is open Wednesday – Sunday from 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM. We urge you to support them both.

We’re also loving the breakfast and dinner delivery right to your door from MO’ River Eats. Call your order in the night before and have an amazing breakfast delivered to your door. Order the morning of and Kelli will return in the evening with absolutely delicious dinner once again delivered right to your door.

Are things weird this season in Wolf Creek and Craig? Of course they are, but we can’t stress enough the opportunity this is presenting to those in close proximity to enjoy relative solitude on one of, if not THE BEST fishery in the lower 48.

Book it!

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-06-03T19:25:44-06:00June 3rd, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, Echo, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Loop, Missouri River, Montana, pmd's, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Second Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale happening NOW at Wolf Creek Angler

We’re in the midst of our second annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale at Wolf Creek Angler.

These are the best deals of the season. Don’t miss your chance to snatch up a great new rod and reel (or several) at prices that can’t be beat.

25% Off all rods and reels and deeper discounts up to 40 percent off on discontinued items from Ross, Echo and more.

We carry rods from Loop, Redington and ECHO and reels from Lamson, Ross, Redington and ECHO and they’re ALL on SALE now.

Here’s what we carry;

Loop Rods – Cross S1 in #5 and #6 and Evotec Cast ranging from #3 – #7 in various actions.

Redington Rods – Hydrogen, Crux, Vice and Predator. We’ve got the Vice and Crux in #5 and #6, the Predator in #7 and #8 and the Hydrogen in #5 as well as in an 11’ #2 two-handed Trout Spey rod.
Redington reels include the Behemoth and Zero.

Echo Rods – Ion XL, Carbon XL, Boost, Dry, Echo 3, Gecko and Echo Glass in a 7’6” #4 as well as a 10’6” #3 2-handed trout spey rod. We carry a full lineup of Echo Ion and Bravo reels.

Lamson Reels – A full lineup including Speedster, Guru, Remix and Liquid 3 Packs (Reel and two extra spools).

CLOSEOUT ITEMS

Ross Gunnison, Colorado LT, Cimarron II and Animas reels all 40 percent off.

Loop – Multi 3/6 and Evotec 3/5 40 percent off.

Sale runs through October 31st.

By Jason Orzechowski|2019-09-19T19:11:07-06:00September 19th, 2019|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: 2nd Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale, Echo, Echo 3, Echo Boost, Echo Carbon XL, Echo Ion XL, Lamson, Loop, Loop Cross S1, Loop Evotec Cast, Redington, Redington Behemoth, Redington Crux, Redington Hyderogen, Redington Vice, Redington Zero, Ross, Ross Animas, Ross Cimarron II, Ross Gunnison|2 Comments

Autumn is starting to take hold

September is rapidly disappearing as the 2019 season continues to fly by. The lonely days of late August/early September are gone and the river is getting to be a very busy place again. The official start of autumn is just a few days away and if this week is any indication it’s going to be one busy fall on the MO’.

No more sitting around drinking coffee and staring at the computer screen all morning…its go time again.

Traffic has been heavy in the shop this week with a bunch of guide trips and drift boat rentals and more and more folks just stopping by for shuttles and bugs having heard about us and wanting to check out the shop. The word is out, especially for those coming in from Helena, Bozeman, Billings, and Missoula…really anywhere other than Great Falls. We are your first stop on the way to the Missouri and we are closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than any other shop. And even if you’re coming from Great Falls, if you’re planning on fishing at the dam, WCA is the most logical place to stop for your shuttles and flies and anything else you need for your day on the water.

We are your outfitter owned and operated full service Missouri River fly shop. We’re your one stop shop for guides, affordable lodging, drift boat rentals, Shuttles, Simms waders and boots, Loop rods, Lamson reels and so much more including the largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Don’t miss our Annual Fall Rod and Reel sale going on now. 25% off all rods and reels and deeper discounts up to 40% off on clearance items from Ross, Redington and more.

Fishing has been good enough and it’s about to get much better.

Some slow days out there last week (and this week as well depending on who you ask) but things seem to be trending in the right direction as we await Autumn Splendor and Fall Fishing Nirvana on the Mighty Missouri.

Holter Dam has been crowded this week, both with anglers and with trout. It’s where most will be concentrating their efforts from here on out but just because most people are fishing at the dam that doesn’t mean you have to.

There are plenty of fish from Craig down as well so don’t limit yourself. If you’d prefer a more solitary experience then by all means spread out and try something new.

Nymphing has been and will continue to be your best bet for numbers. Purple weight flies, black Zebra Midges, LGM’s, Tailwater sows, Olive Redemptions, Peep Shows, 2 Bits, Tung Darts, Nitro Caddis, Radiation Baetis, Purple or Pearl Lightning Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Juju’s….lots of bugs on the menu right now in the sub-surface game.

Hoppers have peaked and will continue to fade, ants are where it’s at. Caddis are getting eaten as well with the standard tan elk hair caddis and the larger October varieties all getting looks. Tricos on some days, with pseudos and callibaetis also in the mix. Fall BWO’s still a few weeks away. Dry Fly tip of the day – try trailing a CDC Caddis emerger when you’re targeting those sipping trout. They might not like your dry fly game but a CDC Caddis emerger fished in the film gets eaten way more often than you’d think even by the most discerning fish.

Streamer fishing has been heating up and will only get better as we move through the fall. If you’re a streamer junkie this is your time. A detailed report coming soon but suffice it to say that Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Streamer headquarters. We’ve got the right streamer lines for any and all situations and while we don’t like to brag we have heard it said that we’ve got THE BEST STREAMER SELECTION on the MISSOURI. A word of caution for those just getting into the game….weeds, though not as bad as they could be, are an ever-present challenge when fishing the MO in the fall. Anticipate the challenge and STAY CALM. Streamer fishing is hard work. Weeds make it harder work and can drive even the most patient angler to the brink. Just try to stay focused on the hoped for results….the big payoff…the BEHEMOTH dwelling in the hidden depths of the MO.

Fall shop hours are 7 AM to 5 PM daily.

We hope to see you soon for the best of Montana fall fishing.

By Jason Orzechowski|2019-09-18T20:47:25-06:00September 18th, 2019|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Loop, Missouri River, Montana, Redington, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Big Game Season coming soon

Good bye summer, fall is on the way and with it our “second season” on the Missouri.

Soon the empty parking lots at the boat ramps and the empty beds at WCA will be filled again as the crowds return to experience what many feel is the absolute best time of the year to fly fish in Montana.

Mind you “crowds” is a relative term and while there will be a marked increase in traffic over what we’ve seen for the past month or so it won’t be anything like what we see during the height of the season in June and July.

Fall is busy, but not CRAZY busy which is a large part of the appeal for those who skip the summer months and reserve autumn for their Missouri River pilgrimage.

Chilly mornings and evenings separated by an abundance of blue sky and sunshine (with a few dark and cloudy days mixed in) and temps that are not too hot, nor too cold. It’s the PERFECT season as far as I’m concerned.

And the fishing? The fishing can be absolutely phenomenal (and sometimes not) but if I had to choose a favorite time to fish the Missouri (and actually to fish in general) this is the time!

Flannel shirt hot coffee mornings followed with a good soaking of autumn sunshine…does it get any better? Why yes, actually it does. Pair the above with a good long float, your favorite streamer stick and colored up browns on the prowl….it’s NIRVANA. We live for this!

Or, if you prefer the top water game Tricos are sporadic but still going strong and there’s plenty of hopper and ant fishing ahead of us. It won’t be long before we see October Caddis in the mix followed by the eagerly anticipated fall baetis hatch but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. After all, it’s just barely September.

Nymphing has been hit or miss but overall we’ve enjoyed pretty damn good nymph fishing all season long and while we may have hit a late summer lull things should start to pick up from here on out. Keep focusing your efforts on the medium fast to fast water as well as the swirly water where you’ll likely find the fish suspended.

Keep fishing those crayfish along with beatis nymphs, zebra midges and sow bugs. Best sellers as of late have been 2 Bit Hookers, Peep Shows, LGM’s, Jujus, Tailwater Sows, Black Zebra Midges, purple Lightning Bugs, Pheasant Tails, tan UV Czechs and for some reason Crack Back and Split Case PMD’s. Split Case BWO’s, BWO Magic Flies and Soft Hackle Sow bugs should get it done as well.

Rooms are starting to fill and last minute guide trips have been the norm as of late which works out great during the lull but that’s all about to change. Starting around mid-September our guide calendar gets pretty full so if you’re thinking of a fall guide trip on the Missouri or Blackfoot don’t wait any longer.

Lodging availability is good through early October when we hit the prime of our second season but even then we’ve got some holes to fill so call and book your guides, rooms and drift boat rentals today.

We’re fully stocked for fall with new cold weather gear and waders and boots a plenty from Simms. And don’t miss out on the best deals of the season during our second annual Fall Rod and Reel sale…25% off all rods and reels. It’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a new Loop, Echo or Redington rod and Lamson or Ross reel.

Fall shop hours are 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2019-09-03T16:47:25-06:00September 3rd, 2019|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, Loop, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Chris with a Pre-Autumn Streamer Eater from this past weekend. A sign of things to come!

There’s plenty of summer left on the calendar, six weeks to be exact, but with the cooler temps and cloudy wet weather we’ve been experiencing one can’t help but feel like Autumn is starting to creep in. The weather trend will continue through this week with highs struggling to reach 80 and nighttime lows dipping into the high 40’s. We got a good dose of thunder, lighting, rain and hail yesterday and it looks like the next chance we have for that will be towards the end of this week but whether it’s in the forecast or not you should always be prepared. There’s nothing worse than being caught out in it without the proper gear.

The greens are starting to fade to browns, yellows, oranges and reds. There’s a chill in the air most mornings and evenings and the black bears have started to show up to feast on the choke cherries which are rapidly ripening. Antlers are reaching full growth and many are starting to turn their attention to hunting with Upland Bird Season and Archery season just weeks away.

Pre-season football has begun and college football begins in earnest two weeks from Saturday. School starts two weeks from Wednesday so yeah, summer is slipping away from us.

Fishing this past weekend felt fallish as well with a good crowd in the grass flats and plenty of fish willing to play. It’s been a long-time coming but we did finally have a good day on the Zirdle with all but a few fish opting for the big bug. Plenty of dry fly opportunities as well with ample Tricos and caddis. Ants were a good option as well between thunderstorms. Hoppers not so much but look for that to improve this week with a little sunshine and a little heat.

Streamer fishing will try your patience right now with the challenge of weeds and other floating and submerged debris but if you can maintain your composure and work through it you’ll likely find some willing players exactly where you’d think you’d be finding them. Bring on the fall fishing!
The late August doldrums are definitely in full swing as evidenced by the lack of traffic out there but those in the know will tell you that August fishing on the MO can often be nothing short of exceptional. Not to say that’s always the case but we normally manage to put together some pretty good days out there in August and the best part is that with the exception of the dam you’ll more than likely have it all to yourself (relatively speaking of course).

Lodging is wide open and guides are suddenly finding themselves with time to kill so book a trip today and put them to work. Remember now through the end of the month you can take advantage of our Dog Days of Summer Guide Trip and Lodging Special. Book a full day guide trip and a night of lodging and the second night of lodging is on us.

Summer deals in the shop are still in full swing but the goods are rapidly disappearing. 25% Off Simms summer sportswear including Guide Pants, Guide Shorts, Stone Cold and Big Sky shirts, Rip Rap wading sandals and more. And don’t miss our Annual Fall Rod Sale coming soon….25% off all 2019 rods and reels from Echo, Redington, Loop, Ross, Lamson and more.

Enjoy these last weeks of summer and don’t despair. Autumn is coming soon and just happens to be our absolute favorite time of the year to fish in Montana. It’s a magical time on the MO and beyond.

By Jason Orzechowski|2019-08-12T18:30:08-06:00August 12th, 2019|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: Autumn, Dog Days of Summer Special, Echo, fly fishing, Loop, Missouri River, Montana, Redington, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Zirdle|0 Comments

Farewell (for now) to Rainy Days on the MO’

Following what seemed like weeks of cloudy, wet cold days the clouds have parted, giving way to the soul-warming, psyche lifting giant yellow orb in the sky.

It’s a mixed bag of clouds and sunshine today but it looks like we’re headed for warmer temperatures and an abundance of sunshine over these next ten days with highs inching into the 70’s tomorrow and near 80 by the end of the week.

Sure it may have been the most epic early spring fishing we’ve seen in some time on the Missouri but I think everyone is ready for some nicer weather.
In spite of insane March Brown madness these past weeks in addition to some solid streamer days and off the charts nymphing more days than not, traffic has been somewhat light so while we’ve been loving the fishing this spring on a personal level we’re ready for business to blow up which it looks like it’s about to.

The assumption is that the bright skies ahead may put a damper on the dry fly fishing but regardless, PMD’s and Caddis await and it won’t be long before we’re in the summer dry fly groove on the MO.

Following the weekend rain event we’re seeing traffic concentrated at the dam again with Little Prickly Pear and the Dearborn dumping mud. We’re finally looking at a relatively precipitation free extended forecast but the warmer temps will obviously keep runoff moving.

Snowpack remains in the 120 percent of average range for the Missouri main stem and right around 100 percent for the Upper Clark Fork and Sun, Teton and Marias drainages. The Madison, Gallatin and Smith drainages are all in good shape at close to 140 percent of average while the Flathead is trending in the 80 percent range with only the Kootenai running low at 50 percent of average.

What’s this mean for your Missouri River late spring and early summer fishing plans? We’re expecting flows to hold in the 8,000 CFS range for the remainder of May and into early June. The Dearborn is dropping so look for things to clear over the course of the week and look for traffic to steadily increase from here on out.

Runoff will soon push much of Montana’s fly fishing traffic to the Missouri so if you’re headed here expect to have some company.
We do have limited availability on lodging and guides for the next two weeks so it’s the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy great fishing and great weather on the Missouri.

We are your one-stop shop on the way to the MO with lodging; guides; shuttle service; lunches; Simms boots, waders and sportswear; rods from Loop, Echo and Redington; reels from Lamson, Ross, Nautilus and Echo; sun protection; lines, leaders and tippet from Rio; optics from Smith and Suncloud and don’t forget….we have the largest selection of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. And these aren’t cheap shop ties, these are the real deal highest quality bugs money can buy from Umpqua, MFC, Solitude and YFG.

You’ve found your new Go To on the MO and need go no further than Wolf Creek. If you’re starting at the dam or Wolf Creek and coming from anywhere other than Great Falls then why would you add 15 miles to your trip by driving to Craig for shuttles and provisions and then driving back to the dam or Wolf Creek to launch. There’s absolutely no need to do that because we’ve got everything right here that you’re driving to Craig to buy.

We love Craig too but we want to save you the time, the money and the hassle.

We sincerely hope you’ll make Wolf Creek Angler your first stop on your next trip to the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2019-05-28T20:32:00-06:00May 28th, 2019|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: caddis, Craig MT, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Lamson, Loop, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Coming Soon?

The shortest month of the year feels like it’s been the longest as winter drags on with no end in sight.

March will pick up right where February left off with single digit temps through the weekend and into the first part of next week but then it looks like something might just be starting to happen. Things could change between now and then but at this point it looks like we’ll be bathed in sunshine Sunday through Tuesday and while the temps will be far from warm we all know how good that late winter sun feels.

We’ll climb into the 20’s on Wednesday and Thursday and near 30 on Friday. Is it a warming trend? Here’s hoping so!

We’re thankful to have made up for winter’s slow start with plenty of precipitation throughout the last month but I for one have had just about enough. I’ve had enough of shoveling snow. I’ve had enough of fighting ice dams on the roof. I’ve had enough of NOT FISHING!

Snowpack has edged up to 110 – 120 percent of normal in our region and most of the state looks good right now at or near 100 percent of average. Only the Kootenai and the Sun, Teton and Marias drainages are lagging behind but are currently right around 90 percent of average. We like the looks of this map and we’re remaining cautiously optimistic that high water will not be an issue however Mother Nature always gets the final say on this so no guarantees here.

Ideally we’d see a return to normal temperatures sooner rather than later. The average high for February is 39 degrees, we’ve seen highs in the single digits or below zero more days than not this month. The average high for March is 47. We obviously won’t see that the first week of the month but sooner or later it has to warm up and when it does we’re expecting an extremely busy spring as the throngs arrive to satisfy that long-delayed Missouri River Fix.

And speaking of spring fishing, don’t forget it’s time to buy your 2019 Montana fishing license. 2018 licenses expire tomorrow.

Sadly we still have no fishing report to share but as you look towards the eventuality of spring fishing here’s what you need to know.

Water temps are currently holding in the 33 degree range….COLD! We would expect much of March to be full on winter fishing as far as the nymphing goes. Slow, deep water is what you’ll want to target with winter fare. Pink should be in the mix along with firebeads, tailwater sows, Yum Yums, Caviar Scuds, Zebra Midges, Rainbow Czechs, Soft Hackle Sows, Lightning Bugs, Ray Charles etc. Fish deep with weight (tungsten bead nymphs or split shot or both) and cover the water from the inside out, shortening the depth of your rig until you find where they’re at.

Warming water will get them moving at which time we’ll start to key in on the traditional spring hot spots, typically a little faster current with a little less depth. We like to run sowbugs all season long as they’re a constant food source but as we move into spring we will typically swap out the winter fare for mayfly nymphs and maybe even a dirt snake. Little Green Machines and the like tend to shine as the water conditions hit the spring prime.

Spring is brown trout time as the spawning rainbows become scarce. Watch those redds and please don’t target spawning fish. Late March through April and into the first part of May are the prime weeks for streamer fishing on the Missouri. We can’t wait!

Spring is also dry fly time as the Midge Machine churns out piles of bugs. We typically start fishing midges in late February but since nobody has been on the river harassing and educating the fish this year, those first few fishable days could be lights out with relatively easy pickings.
Don’t care for fishing midges? Spring is also Skwalla time so if throwing big dries is your thing don’t miss this opportunity. Many of the larger browns we catch each spring fall for the Skwalla.

I think we could be in for one phenomenal spring if this weather ever breaks and while it’s tough to shift gears to fishing mode while winter continues to have a stranglehold, it’s coming soon so there’s no time like the present to prepare.
It’s time to dig out your gear and get it organized. It’s a great time to replace those old, worn fly lines and this is the spring you should treat yourself to a new pair of Simms waders and boots. We’d be happy to help you with that!

How about a brand new Lamson, Ross or Redington reel or maybe a new LOOP, Redington or Echo rod. We’ve also got a limited supply of Nautilus reels we’re clearing out at 25% off. Once they’re gone they’re gone.

Great deals on Simms winter wear including Cold Weather Pants and Shirts and guide flannels….all 25 % off. Help us make space for the new gear arriving daily.

Remember spring is also time for the WCA Spring lodging and guide trip special….we guarantee it’s the best deal you’ll find on the MO’ and it’s happening right now!

$500 for two nights of premium lodging at Wolf Creek Angler and a full day guide trip for one or two anglers through the end of April. This same package will cost you over $800 starting May 1st so don’t miss this opportunity.

By Jason Orzechowski|2019-02-27T19:55:21-07:00February 27th, 2019|Categories: Fishing Report, Montana Fly Fishing, Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, Loop, midge, Missouri River, Montana, Redington, running line, simms, WCA Spring Lodging and Guide Trip Special, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The snow continues to pile up but we’re thinking spring at Wolf Creek Angler

It’s two degrees in Wolf Creek today but as we close in on just under six weeks until the first day of spring we cant help but begin to get excited about the rapidly approaching season.

Winter continues to make its presence felt with frigid temps and plenty of snow over the past couple of days. We’ve got more snow piled up around the shop right now than I’ve seen in my years here and we didn’t get a fraction of what our friends in NW Montana got over the last couple of days with some areas receiving up to 50″ of new snow.

The Montana SNOTEL Snow Water Equivalent map is beginning to transform into what we like to see and while much of the region is still below 90 percent of average we’re seeing more and more green (and some blue) daily which we’re hopeful will mean a good water year again on the MO’ and hopefully around the region. With plenty of winter ahead we are optimistic conditions will be ideal.

The SNOTEL Water Year map for total precipitation (% of average) looks even better but keep in mind this is total precipitation, not snow pack.

So what’s it all mean?

Once again, it’s still early to tell but we like what we’re seeing. We will hopefully continue to accumulate snow pack in the high country but as always, the unknown is the amount of precipitation we will see in the spring which will ultimately determine what we see for water this year.

The latest predictions from the Bureau of Reclamation are calling for most probable average flows on the Missouri below Holter in the 4ooo cfs range based on current conditions at Canyon Ferry Reservoir which at this point is 75% full which is 95% of the 30 year average for this date. Translation….good most probable flows but the Max Probable would be even better with a nice 10K flush in June.

It looks like we will see a hint of spring at the end of this week with temps in the high 30’s and low 40’s beginning on Thursday. The 10 day is calling for plenty of sunshine and sustained moderate temps through the end of next week so we may be on our way.

As we move towards the more mild temps of mid to late winter keep in mind Wolf Creek Angler has the undisputed best deal on the water this winter with two nights lodging and a full day of guided fishing with the best guides on the river for just $500 plus tax and NO CANCELLATION FEES!

Whether you’re fishing with our guides or doing things on your own, make us your first stop on the way to the MO’.

We are your Missouri River fly fishing one stop shop with clean and affordable accommodations, great guides and THE up and coming Missouri River fly shop fully stocked with anything you need for your day on the water.

Shuttles; Adipose and RO drift boat rentals; cold-weather gear from Simms and Kast; wading gear from Redington; rods from Loop, Echo and Redington; reels from Ross, Nautilus, Loop and Echo; Nomad nets and accessories a plenty from Fishpond; all kinds of great WCA logo gear and of course the biggest and best selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-02-07T19:32:02-07:00February 7th, 2017|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Echo, Fishpond, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Kast Gear, Loop, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, Redington, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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