Missouri River Winter Fishing Archives

February Thaw Underway

Following a couple of weeks of arctic air and a good amount of much-needed snow, it looks like we’re about to enter the February thaw.

Sunny skies and a high of 28 expected today with 40’s tomorrow bumping into the 50’s over the weekend and into the early part of next week. As you would expect we’ll have plenty of wind to go along with those balmy temps. Tomorrow (Thursday) actually looks to be the calmest day with a high near 40 and SW wind 8 to 11 mph but after a couple of weeks of ice making temps and accumulating snow, ramp and river conditions are not optimal.

If you do decide to give it a go expect unplowed parking lots and snowdrifts on the ramps and if you’re wade fishing expect to do plenty of wading through the snow enroute to the river with an abundance of shelf ice when you get there.

Give it a few days and let the sun work its magic. I’d expect we’ll see much improved ramp and river conditions next week.

And speaking of sun, as I write I’m happy to report that the sun is slowly inching ever closer to my parking lot and the shop. It’s still stuck in the road for the time being but it won’t be long and it will be thawing the frozen tundra at WCA.

Not much to report from the river. A lot of ice, a lot of ducks and geese and not a soul to be seen. It’ll be a different story soon.

Once access is restored plan on plying the depths with those sowbugs and other winter fare and if you happen upon a spot sheltered from the winds this is prime time for winter midges.

Water temps are cold, currently 33 degrees with flows holding in the 3100 CFS range. Fish will not be overly active in these conditions but a sunny day with midges on the water sometimes sets up for good action in the flats with the bugs and the slightly warmer shallows giving them multiple reasons to emerge from the winter depths.

Swingers will return next week, targeting the buckets and tailouts and single handers will start to work that slow winter swing/strip off the banks while also dredging the winter depths. Fish are hungry and running caloric deficits at this point of the winter cycle but it’ll be another month before conditions allow for them to expend the energy required for the chase.

Shop hours will start to normalize as the weather dictates but you can expect us to be here ready to run your shuttles once some semblance of daily traffic has returned. In the meantime – please call ahead.

Enjoy the sunshine and not shoveling and we’ll see you soon at WCA.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-02-19T13:31:14-07:00February 19th, 2025|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Missouri River Freeze Out

We’re just over a week into our first Arctic Blast of 2025 and as you would expect All is Quiet on the MO.

With current temps hanging around 20 below we’re seeing the worst of it right now. A high near 7 expected today before we plunge back into the negatives tonight but the heat arrives on Wednesday with a high of 8 and overnight lows of 1. Snow showers expected on Friday but the weekend will see a return to tolerable with temperatures back in the 30’s heading into next week.

Prior to the Deep Freeze fishing was good, especially on the nymphing side, with Pill Poppers, Tailwater Sows and Pederson’s Sow doing most of the damage. Those committed to the dry fly were also reporting varying levels of success on the calmer days and evenings and while I assume the swingers were hooking up at moderate rates as they do, our last streamer outing prior to the arctic blast, though extremely short-lived, was unsuccessful.

I’d expect to see a brave angler or two around next week as cabin fever has started to set in for many, but with iced up guides still a constant, I’ll personally be holding out for warmer days.

It’s hard to think about it when worrying about frozen plumbing and the like but the season is rapidly approaching. Spring is just over a month away and while it may feel like we’re firmly in winter’s grip at the moment, we’re literally weeks away from the start of the season.

Hopefully between now and then we see a bunch of snow and avoid any major thaws as we’re still in major need of the moisture but it’s looking better now than it had been for most of the winter. Keep it coming.

It’s always fun to complain about the cold but honestly, I’m ok with it and I hope it hangs around. I don’t necessarily need to see a bunch more of 20 below, but I’d be fine with winter hanging on until mid to late March. Bring it!

We’re putting the final touches on rounding out our crew for the season and getting a plan in the works for when to start opening up the lodging. Soon the shop will be full of boxes of new gear to unpack and check in and we’ll have to begin to re-acclimate to what’s it’s like to actually have customers coming through the door on a regular basis.

For now it’ll continue to be hit and miss with shop hours as there’s simply not much reason to be here on days like today save checking the status of the aforementioned plumbing but as soon as the weather dictates we will be back with normal hours and daily shuttle service. We’ll let you know when that’s going to be just as soon as we know.

In the meantime we hope you’re staying warm and we urge to you use extreme caution if you do venture out to the river anytime soon as shelf ice has definitely taken hold out there.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-02-11T10:17:32-07:00February 11th, 2025|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing, Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

The Window is Open

For those looking to thwart that cabin fever, this is a good time to fish the MO but the window is about to close as winter regroups and returns this weekend.

We’ll see highs near 40 tomorrow through Saturday before the bottom drops out Saturday night and we plunge back into single digits and snow next week.

Expect breezy conditions each day with winds SSW at 10 – 20 mph…could be worse!

Nymphing has been solid with sow bugs leading the charge and pink definitely in play. Pill Poppers, Tailwater Sows, Amex, Rainbow Czech, Soft Hackle Sows, Pink Lightning Bugs, Cotton Candy, Pink Rays, Pederson’s Sow, Bubble Yum Scud….all fine choices. You might also try a black zebra as there has been no shortage of midges around.

Slow winter depths are your target water but don’t be afraid to shorten up and give the faster shallows and flats a try, especially on the sunny days when the sun hits the water and the temps tick up. It doesn’t take much of a bump to draw the fish into the warmer shallows.

Calm, cloudy days, though few and far between, have provided plenty of dry fly action, especially late afternoon when the sun drops below the horizon. Midge clusters and Griffiths Gnats have been money when conditions are right.

Swingers are finding some willing players in the go-to spots depending on the day with Kreelex and Polar Leeches and Thin Mints all producing. Haven’t heard much from the strippers lately but there’s no reason a Sparkle Minnow or Skittish Smolt stripped deep and SLOW won’t produce. On the MO, stripping is best done from a boat no matter the time of year. Leave the standing in cold water to the swingers!

I’m almost always using a heavy sinking line, working rapidly through the shallows so as not to hang up on the bottom and then free falling off the drops and ledges with a twitch or two before a SLOW ascent.

It’s definitely not a numbers game so patience is everything. Fish a bug you believe in and switch up the retrieve until you find what works, incorporating plenty of pauses and keeping in mind that the pauses are for the fish, not for you. Be ready for the grab on the pause. It happens all the time and missing those grabs is a more common occurrence than it should be.

My mantra for streamer fishing is generally to go big with your float and cover as many miles as you can but that’s not the best plan during the winter months as it tends to get cold no matter how many layers you’re wearing. No matter if you’re hunting heads, nymphing or streamer fishing it’s best to keep your floats short during the winter if you’re fishing from the boat.

Best nymphing runs – Holter Dam to Wolf or Wolf to Craig. Best Dry Fly fishing – Holter Dam to Wolf. Best Streamers Craig to Stick. That being said, you’ll find every stretch has its great spots for whatever you are doing and the fish are EVERYWHERE so don’t think you’re limited to any particular stretch for whichever discipline you happen to be employing for the day.

Shuttles at WCA are hit and miss while we await a steady stream of traffic. Please call ahead if you’re counting on us being able to move you. We will be here tomorrow (Wednesday) and likely able to help you. We’re fishing Thursday but will be back in on Friday and Saturday. I wouldn’t expect we’ll be around much next week. Weather will be the determining factor but it looks like the window is about to close.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-01-28T10:50:41-07:00January 28th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Amex, Bubble Yum Scud, cotton candy, dry fly fishing, Holter Dam, Kreelex, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Pederson's Sow, pill popper, Pink Lightning Bug, Rainbow Czech, running line, skittish smolt, Soft Hackle Sow, sparkle minnow, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, Thin Mint, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

January Blues

The heart of winter is here.

It’s cold and gray and windy on the MO this day- seems to be the case more days than not in the Heart of Winter.

The holidays are long past.

Football had been my focus and obsession as my Lions wrapped up an unprecedented season, seemingly on their march to a first-ever Super Bowl, claiming the first seed in the NFC and then unceremoniously exiting the playoffs in a disastrous divisional round. Now the wait for September and the eternal hope for next season. It is familiar territory in the Heart of Winter.

Tax season is looming in the Heart of Winter.

We’re counting the days until spring and it can’t come soon enough!

It’s not all doom and gloom though. Snowpack is building, days are getting longer and with time doing its thing, spring fishing will be here before you know it.

Are you ready?

We’re in a bit of a holding pattern at the moment in the heart of winter but a few weeks from now the boxes of spring gear will start to arrive, angler traffic will start to bump and the faint pulse will quicken on the MO as life returns.

The Hard Core Winter anglers exist outside of these rhythms and have been here all along – into the heart of winter. They’ve been enjoying an abundance of solitude and reportedly some solid action as of late and will continue to have it to themselves for a few more weeks.

Prime Time is full for the most part. Spring and fall are wide open.

It’s time to think about those spring bookings. March and April can certainly be a crap shoot weather wise, but you can’t really go wrong with May fishing on the MO. Spring action is unrivaled with ridiculously good nymphing, consistent dry fly action on midges and later BWO’s, and of course, spring is king if streamers are your game.

Book a DIY adventure or leave all of the work to us and book a guided day or several. In the heart of winter our guides have grown weary of tying flies and are ready to get back on the water. Please put them to work!

Snow on the way tonight and tomorrow with another cold snap to go along with it but things look pretty good as we hit the middle of next week with the return of highs near 40 and plenty of sunshine.

We’re open Tuesday – Saturday from 9 AM – 4 PM, weather dependent. We won’t likely be around much this weekend with the weather on the way but we hope you make us your first stop on the way to the river next week whether its shuttles, bugs, beds, boats or anything else you might need.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-01-23T12:16:00-07:00January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Arctic Blast On The Way

To say it’s been a mild winter would be an understatement. It’s been a steady weather pattern for most of the winter with highs in the 30’s and overnight lows in the teens and 20’s with the occasional snow event as well as the occasional heat wave. Unremarkable would be a good way to describe it but that’s FINALLY all about to change.

We’ll see one of those aforementioned heat waves today with highs in the low 50’s (and plenty of wind to go along with the warm temps) but things take a turn this evening as the coldest air of the year and the coldest we’ve seen since last winter, moves in accompanied by snow showers through Saturday and bitter cold temps through Monday.

We’ll see a high of only 22 tomorrow before temps start to drop mid-day and continue to descent into single and negative digits of the weekend. A high of 9 on Saturday with overnight lows of -12. High of 4 on Sunday with lows nearing -20 Sunday night. MLK Day will bring plenty of sunshine but only a high of 12.

It’ll be short-lived as the arctic air moves out on Tuesday and we return to the more “normal” winter weather of highs in the 20’s and 30’s.

We are under a Winter Weather Advisory from 9 PM tonight through 3 PM tomorrow for snow and blowing snow with 1-3 inches possible across the lower elevations and 3-6 inches possible over passes and in the mountains.

Bottom line – if you’re thinking you’re wanting to fish the MO today is the day but expect breezy conditions with sustained south southwest winds of 20 – 28 mph and gusts up to 40 mph possible.

While fishing the river may be off the table for the time being we’re happy to have the winter weather. We did get some snow last week and this cold snap is exactly what we need to lock up and hopefully add to that snowpack.

Conditions have improved over the past week but we’re still in desperate need of snow to feed spring flows throughout much of the region.

So settle in this weekend. Tie flies, organize your gear, clean those fly lines, watch football, maybe even start your taxes…there’s always plenty to do inside and the fish will be there on the other side of the arctic blast.

Tight Lines and GO LIONS!

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-01-16T10:08:14-07:00January 16th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Your Winter Solstice Running Line

Winter starts tomorrow according to the calendar.

What will the weather say?

Partly sunny with a high of 52…not very wintery and no chance of a white Christmas on the MO this year with more of the same expected for the week ahead.

Not bad temps for being outside if Christmas fishing is in your plans for the week but expect breezy conditions on these warm winter days.

The countdown to summer is underway…let’s hope we get some winter ASAP!

Snowpack was looking good a few weeks ago, not as good now but still a decent start. Hopefully winter weather arrives soon.

We’ve seen a slight bump in angling traffic over the past week with the mild conditions and I’d expect that to continue next week with folks off for the holidays.

The fishing has been good by winter standards with nymphs accounting for the better numbers but the swingers and strippers are doing fine as well and when the wind isn’t howling you’re likely to even find some decent dry fly opportunities with plenty of fish keying on midges.

Things don’t change much this time of year as far as the bugs go. Sow bugs, Scuds, Rainbow Czechs and zebra midges should be your go to nymphs. Hot beads and Pink beads are preferred.
Swingers are reporting success on the Hot Head Kreelex, Thin Mints, Fruit Roll ups, Polar Leeches and the like while strippers are having moderate to decent luck with Sparkle Minnows, Skittish Smolts, Micro Dungeons, MoJo Minnows and more.

Try an Adams Midge, a black midge, a Hi-Vis midge, a Griffiths gnat or any midge cluster you like should you find any top water action.

Boat traffic has been minimal but those floating have mostly been in the Dam to Craig stretch with a few venturing below Craig as well. Most of the traffic has been wade anglers who are hitting all of the usual winter spots though you needn’t limit yourself to winter water as temps are still relatively warm for this time of year, currently hanging around 38 – 39 degrees. Flows have bumped back into the 3K range, currently 3210 CFS. You can count on those flows remaining stable for the brunt of the winter season.

We will be here today and tomorrow with limited shuttle service early on both days. Starting Sunday we will be closed for the remainder of the year with Christmas travels on the docket. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Get those last minute Christmas gifts while you can. WCA logo gear, including a bunch of new Richardson lids, has been a hot holiday seller and gift cards have been flying out the door the past week. You can purchase in-store, online or give us a call and we’ll be happy to get those in the mail for you.

As we close out 2024 we just want to thank you all again for making us your Missouri River Fly Shop, guide service and lodging destination. We can’t thank you enough and we can’t wait to do it all again.

Happy Winter Solstice and Warmest holiday wishes from your WCA crew.

See you in 2025!

The Shortest Day

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-12-20T10:09:23-07:00December 20th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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

Just over a week out from the first day of winter (Saturday, December 21st) but based on our current conditions you sure wouldn’t know it.

A few patches of ice in the driveway but the snow from two weeks ago has all but disappeared which is a feat here at the shop where the sunlight won’t touch the ground again until mid-March. Once the snow covers the ground it’s generally here until spring but with daily highs in the mid to high 40’s seemingly for the entire month of December, it looks much more like the middle of autumn than a week out from winter.

As is always the case, regardless of the weather, December is among our slowest months. If you look hard enough you can usually find at least a wade angler or two around on any given day but for the most part the ramps are empty, boat traffic is essentially non-existent and the shop hours drag by even as 2024 speeds to a close.

The fly shops are open, the Canyon Store is open, the post office is open and Joe’s and the Oasis are open…aside from that there’s not much going on here on the MO.

Those still fishing are finding they have the river to themselves for the most part and the fishing, while not on fire, is definitely good enough.

Most are swinging or stripping with moderate success. Some are nymphing the winter water and finding willing players still after the sow bug. We haven’t heard much on the dry fly front but you’ll usually find a fish or two eating on top depending on where you go. Throw a Griffiths gnat or a midge cluster at them. They just might eat it.

Flows remain on the low side, currently 2840 cfs with water temps hanging right around 38 – 40 degrees. Sooner or later winter weather will arrive and water temps will plummet but it looks like flows will likely stay right where they’re at all winter long.

No major changes in the weather expected anytime soon so count on more of the same through next weekend with partly sunny skies and daily highs in the high 30’s or low to mid 40’s and overnight lows in the 20’s. The wind is the wild card. Not much today but more starting tomorrow with gusts in the 25 mph range through the weekend.

You really couldn’t ask for better weather in December but a little bit of wind can make moderate feel cold fast so be prepared.

We’re open at 9 AM Tuesday – Saturday and we’re able to do shuttles during the week though Saturdays have been a challenge. Not to fear, if we can’t do your shuttle we know who can.

We’ve had a steady stream of gift cards going in the mail this week and haven’t even come close to running out so if you haven’t done so already give us a call or go on our web store and pick up gift cards for all the fly fishers on your list. You can purchase gift cards in any amount. They NEVER expire and they are good for absolutely everything we sell including shuttles. Is there a more perfect gift?

Our Fall Rod and Reel Sale continues through Christmas and we’ve got a shop full of items that would all make great gifts. How about a new pair of Simms Waders or boots or a cozy Simms flannel. New fly lines, sun glasses, books, drinkware, fly boxes, nets, Fishpond packs, tools and accessories….great gifts all!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-12-12T09:27:25-07:00December 12th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, simms, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas from all of us as Wolf Creek Angler!

Winter’s Quiet has settled in on the MO. We’re still roughly two weeks out from the Winter Solstice, that shortest of the days, after which the march towards summer sun gets underway. It’ll be here before you know it.

In the meantime all is quiet on the MO. Mild temps this week have seen a slight uptick in angling traffic but Missouri River Solitude is still in great abundance even on the busiest of December days. The mild weather trend will continue through Saturday with highs in the low 50’s though you can expect breezy conditions all weekend with sustained south southwest winds in the 20 mph range gusting to 30-40 mph. Next week looks to be more of the same with no major weather events on the horizon. We’re hoping to start seeing some precipitation in the forecast but nothing much happening at this point.

River flows are definitely on the low end currently being held at around 2800 CFS with water temps holding around 40 degrees.

Reports from the river are few and far between these days but it sounds like the nymphing game is going just fine from what we’ve heard with, you guessed it, Sow Bugs still leading the charge. Tailwater Sows, Soft Hackle Sows, Poxyback Sows, Carpet Bugs, Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Amex, UV Sows, Pederson’s Sow…all fine choices from now until spring. Double them up and don’t be afraid to throw in a Zebra Midge or Rainbow Warrior for good measure. With those water temps still in the 40’s you can expect to find fish in the transitional water, medium depth, moderately fast as well as moving into the slower winter holding water.

There have been plenty of people swinging with moderate success and we’re still in the prime season for stripping as far as I’m concerned. Thin mints, polar leeches and Kreelex on the swing. Skiddish Smolt, Sparke Minnows, Swim Coach, Lil’ Kim, Dirty Hippy, Peanut Envy and Micro Dungeons all producing for the strippers. Fish that same transitional water you’re nymphing and don’t overlook the flats. Fish are everywhere! You’d also do well to dive deep and bottom out with a moderately slow strip/pause retrieve. You never know what might be lying in the deepest of the depths.

I’m not ashamed to report that some of the inventory is on the thin side right now, as it should be in December, but fear not, streamer bins are FULL and we’ve got plenty of streamer lines running the gamut from intermediate to triple density to super heavy shovel heads and everything in between. You’d also be foolish to pass up the opportunity to treat yourself to a new streamer stick for Christmas as our fall rod and reel sale runs through the end of the year.

Boat ramps were a little sketchy early this week but 60 degrees cleared most of them as of yesterday so you should be in good shape wherever you decide to float though I wouldn’t recommend the Dearborn launch right now. Best nymphing float this time of year is Holter Dam to Craig. My go to streamer stretch is Craig to Mid with Wolf Creek to Stickney a close second.

Shop hours are kind of all over the board but you will find us here at 9 AM Tuesday – Saturday for sure and shuttles are at least a possibility on most of those days though it all depends on staff availability so please call ahead. If we’re not able to do them we’re happy to refer you to someone who can.

Remember WCA Gift Cards make great stocking stuffers and can be purchased in store, over the phone or online. It’s tough to know what your fishing friends already have or need but everyone loves gift cards which are good for EVERYTHING we sell including shuttles. We’ve also got a shop full of great gifts to fit any budget and as we close out our 10th Year Anniversary we’re giving away WCA 10 Year Koozies free with any purchase while supplies last.

These tend to be lonely days for Missouri River fly shop staff. We’d love to see you if you find yourself on the MO this holiday season.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-12-05T11:30:23-07:00December 5th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: Christmas, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, pill popper, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

February Delivers Winter to the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

February continues to deliver some much needed winter weather.

The snow is piling up in the high country but we’ve still got a long ways to go. Snowpack is improving slowly but surely and while I’m tempted to curse the weather while I’m digging out my driveway in the pre-dawn hours, so far I’ve resisted that urge and powered through it, thankful we are getting exactly what we need.

This latest round of precipitation is being accompanied by a blast of cold arctic air which has us in the teens today with single digits on tap overnight. Friday will see an end to the snow but continued cold with a high of 20 and overnight low near 5 degrees. Things start to warm up on Saturday with a high near 37 and Sunday we’re back up near 40’s and bumping up against 50 again on Monday.

Friday fishing will be on the chilly side but the holiday weekend and into next week could be exceptional with those daytime temps in the low 40’s and an abundance of sunshine making for some ideal February conditions on the MO.

Expect plenty of top water action with winter midge madness underway. Pair a #18 Bucky’s Midge Cluster with a #18 or #20 Black Midge and feed those steady risers.

The nymphing action should be good as well with no real changes on the bug front. Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Amex, Weight Flies paired with Tailwater Sows, Soft hackle sows, Zebra midges, Pederson’s Sow, Radiation Baetis, Pink Lighting bugs or really any other of your go to winter offerings.

Target the slow, deep winter water and run as close to the bottom as practical but don’t get stuck on that. Especially on the sunny days when the sun is warming the water up a tick or two, don’t be afraid to target the moderately faster runs. Shorten up your rig accordingly and see what happens. You might be surprised.

Streamer action should be good as well, primarily working the slower tail outs and deep, slow buckets with a combination swing and super slow and long strip. But again, don’t get stuck on that. Bomb the banks, switch up your bugs, switch up your retrieve. You might find an aggressive retrieve off the bank to be effective, it all depends on the day.

The established winter techniques are a great starting point but the fish don’t always follow the script. Break those winter rules and see what happens.

The shop will be closed for the weekend as we make the trek up to Calgary for a long overdue return to a Wings/Flames game on Saturday but we do have lodging available for the holiday weekend and beyond.

We’ll be back in the shop on Monday for the big President’s Day rush which could well end up with getting out on the water ourselves for an afternoon outing.

Let’s hope the snow continues to pile up throughout the second half of February. Spring is just 33 days away and will be here before we know it.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-02-15T12:43:25-07:00February 15th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, nymphs, pill popper, running line, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Settling In To Winter

It seems the wild weather swings have subsided for the moment.

No Arctic Blasts and no 60 degree days in the forecast for the time being. We’re currently seeing highs in the 30’s, lows in the 20’s with occasional snow showers (as it should be) and the snowpack map is slowly but steadily starting to improve. Let’s hope winter sticks around for a while. We could certainly stand another six weeks of this.

We did our first guide trips of 2024 last week during the tail end of the heat wave. Things have gone quiet again this week but we’re ok with that. It’s supposed to be quiet in February.

There are still a couple of folks out there most days, the hardest of the hard core anglers, but for the most part it’s empty lots and vacant water and will likely remain so for some time. We are looking at a slight warm up this weekend with highs near 40 starting on Sunday and running through Tuesday but with it being Super bowl Sunday and all I wouldn’t expect much traffic.

The next system moves in on Wednesday with colder temps and a good shot at some snow showers.

Should you decide you’d rather watch a bobber than the 49ers and Chiefs, like if you’re a lifelong Detroit Lions fan and felt like you had this and can’t believe that second half went the way it did and have been in mourning for two weeks, the river is here for you.

Flows are holding steady in the 4000 CFS range with water temps at Holter Dam hanging right around 34 degrees. Shelf ice pretty much disappeared during the heat wave last week though there are still some sketchy spots out there so use caution as always.

The ramps at the dam and Wolf Creek Bridge and Craig are in decent shape and shouldn’t pose a problem though you’ll want to thoroughly inspect them before backing down as an icy ramp is tough to escape once you’re on it. If you have any doubts slide that boat down the ramp to launch and make sure you have a tow strap or plenty of rope for getting out.

Status quo on your bugs. Pill Poppers and Tailwater Sows or some variation thereof if you’re nymphing and midge clusters or any number of individual midge patterns to target those top water fish. Streamer action has been good, at least that was the word last week. White, Olive, Tan all producing on the strip with standard swing fare like Thin Mints, Polar Leeches and Kreelex in play.

We’ve got kitchenettes for rent at $149/night plus tax. A must this time of year with not much for dining out options between Helena and Cascade save the occasional weekend offerings at the Craig Taphouse which will incidentally be serving up pizza tomorrow (Saturday).

New arrivals for spring gear will be here soon. In the meantime we’re loaded up on Simms Waders and boots (and cold weather gear), Sage rods and reels, fly lines from SA, Rio and Airflo for any and all applications and situations, WCA Yeti drinkware as well as WCA 10th Anniversary gear arriving weekly. We’ll do your shuttles whenever possible and we’ll rent you a brand new Adipose Flow provided conditions allow for it.

Settle in for these next few weeks and prepare for what’s ahead. It’s a great time to inventory and organize your gear and figure out what you need to buy for the 2024 campaign.

Winter schedule will remain in effect as long as it makes sense, opening at 8 AM Tuesday – Saturday and lodging is available anytime whether the shop is open or not. Give us a call to book your room and we’ll take care of the rest.

Best of luck this weekend to Chiefs and Niners fans…enjoy it while you can, the Lions will be on the prowl and in the hunt for years to come. Mark my words.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-02-09T11:33:10-07:00February 9th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Detroit Lions, fly fishing, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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