Missouri River Winter Fishing Archives

President’s Day Weekend Forecast

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

January Thaw

Spring-like conditions have taken hold this week with temperatures in the 40’s through the weekend, climbing into the 50’s and near 60 by mid-week next week. And yes, it’s a nice switch from the 30 below we saw last week but there is certainly cause for concern as we approach the end of January with regional snowpack at record lows.

Birds are singing, the sun is shining, the snow is melting, the fish are feasting…feels much more like March than January but these things are beyond our control so I guess the best thing to do is embrace it.

Traffic has increased this week and by increased I mean that we actually had a customer or two through the doors this week and even ended up running a few shuttles. A welcome change for sure!

Conditions on the water really couldn’t be better so if you’re looking for a quick Missouri River trout fix you’d do well to make your way out here in the next week or so and cure that cabin fever.

We’ve got our newly remodeled bungalows available for rent at the special winter rate of $149/night (plus tax) and I’d bet with that feel of spring in the air we could very likely find you a guide willing to spend a day on the water doing all of the work while leaving it up to you to catch all of the fish.

Predictably, nymphing has been the go-to as of late but winter midges are providing ample dry fly opportunities as well. Cover a short section of river on a relatively calm day and you will undoubtedly find plenty of opportunities to hone those dry fly skills. And one of the nice thing about dry fly fishing in the winter is that it’s not all that hard to fool them. Having had months of relief from the barrage of dry flies they tend to be much less wary and much more forgiving of a less-than-perfect presentation.

Black midges, midge clusters, Griffith’s gnats or a small (#18 or #20) parachute Adams should do the trick.

Best bets for nymphs are all of the broken record variety….pink anything and a sowbug! Pill Poppers, Pederson’s Sow, Bubble Yum Scud, Rainbow Czech, Amex, Naughty Bunny, Pink Weight Fly, Caviar Scud and the like trailed with a tailwater sow, pink lighting bug, pink radiation baetis, soft hackle sow, lucent bead Ray, zebra midge, rainbow warrior or a standard PT should get it done.

Following the deep freeze we’ve still not really heard any streamer reports but with the water temps back on the rise there’s no reason not to be doing the swing thing or even a measured strip/swing from the boat. Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex, Polar Leeches, Skittish Smolt, Thin Mints, Pine Squirrel Leeches, Balanced Leeches, Buggers…all good options.

As of early this week the lower river remains locked up with ice so you’ll likely want to concentrate your efforts between Holter Dam and Craig. The upper river ramps are usable and shelf ice, while a factor, is rapidly disappearing. As we mentioned last week, the dam is weeping large chunks of ice regularly so BE AWARE when you are wade fishing. One of these chunks could definitely cause you issues if you happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In fishing, as in life, situational awareness is KEY. Have it! Heed it!

This ice chunk doesn’t look like much from afar but up close and personal it could and would cause the wading angler problems

We’re open at 8 AM Tuesday – Saturday and offering shuttles when we can. Bug bins are fully stocked and we’ve got plenty of hand warmers, gloves, hats, socks, waders, boots and whatever else you might need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-01-25T14:46:45-07:00January 25th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, situational awareness, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Arctic Blast

Following last week’s arctic blast which saw temps bottom out at near -40 with wind chills of -65 we are now looking at another stretch of above average temps with highs in the low to mid 40’s starting tomorrow and running at least through late next week.

We did receive a few inches of snow with this system which is great but unfortunately there is nothing in the immediate forecast for more precipitation. We are still in desperate need of precipitation as we’re over a third of the way through our snow pack building season with most of the state sitting at 40% – 60% of normal.

Some of the infrastructure at WCA didn’t fare particularly well through this arctic blast. Leaving the faucets running thorough the arctic blast was not enough to prevent the dreaded frozen pipes so here we are again with a substantial plumbing project in the works. We have yet to get the water moving again but we’re hoping to make some progress as temperatures warm this weekend and into next week.

We will be open next week but without restroom facilities available. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Fishing has come to a standstill with the lower river choked with ice at the moment. I’d expect winter traffic to resume with the warm up. Please use caution if you’re headed out there as shelf ice could be a hazard for a while and the dam will be shedding ice as well so watch out for those chunks heading downstream. Many of them will be large enough to cause problems for you.

No official reports at this time but you’d do well to think pink if you’re headed out in the days to come. Flows are currently at 5160 CFS and water temps are cold, just shy of 33 degrees so you’ll want to target the deep and slow winter water.

Pill Poppers, Amex, Rainbow Czechs, Pederson’s Sow, Caviar Scuds, Bubble Yum Scuds etc should all be fine options trailed with tailwater sows, Rainbow Warriors, Soft hackle sows, zebra midges and the like. And don’t forget the midges for your January Dry Fly Fix.

Tomorrow looks to be a little breezy but the next few days don’t look bad. Partly sunny days with temps in the 40’s and relatively calm winds could result in some decent dry fly opportunities.

Winter is also swing season on the MO and I’d expect we’ll see a bump in that traffic as well this week.

The ramps are likely not in the best shape but it shouldn’t be long with those warmer temps and a little bit of sun. We’ll get you a ramp report in the next couple of days. In the meantime, be prepared for bad ramps with plenty of rope in case you aren’t able to back down the ramp. If there’s any doubt just slide your boat down the ramp. It’s a little more work but much better than getting your vehicle stuck on the ramp or worse.

Shop hours are spotty, especially with our repair projects underway, but you can expect us to be here Tuesday – Saturday from 9 AM to mid-afternoon. Shuttles available most days and winter lodging is available for $149/night plus tax.

We’re praying for snow and more winter to arrive soon but in the meantime we’ll look forward to seeing you during this January Thaw.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-01-19T12:20:35-07:00January 19th, 2024|Categories: Local Buzz, Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Snow Dance Please

It’s been over two months since the late October snow storm that kicked us into winter mode only to set us up for a ridiculously mild late fall and early winter. Hopefully that’s all about to change.

There’s not a lot of precipitation in the forecast just yet but it does appear that temps will start to trend towards normal by this weekend and we should see single digits and below by the middle part of next week.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not in love with the thought of single digits but it is January and it’s time for it to happen. Hopefully the cold will be accompanied by snow, at least in the high country, as we desperately need winter to start taking hold around the state. The ski hills need it desperately and our rivers DEMAND it.

Get your fishing in this afternoon and tomorrow and Saturday. The cold starts on Sunday when you should be somewhere watching the Montana Grizzlies compete for the National Championship anyway, followed by the last slate of games in the NFL regular season? Where did the time go?

Once this cold snap has come and gone you’ll likely find the fish have all settled in to the winter depths as water temps which are currently sitting at right around 35 degrees, will plummet. Classic winter nymphing techniques ahead.

It’s been an interesting early winter with fish still holding in faster, shallow water but that should soon correct itself.

Swinging will still be an option with long, deep tailouts being your prime winter targets.

Summer is booking quickly with the mid June to mid-July prime pretty well full and the early season rapidly following. Fall dates are booking up as well with September looking to be another record-setting month on the MO.

Bottom line – if you’re planning on a Missouri River fly fishing adventure anytime in 2024 you best get those dates on the books.

We’ll be here sporadically next week, weather dependent and we’d love to see you. We’d love even more to fire up the POS and sell you some bugs or a shuttle but I have a sneaking suspicion that if it’s been dead with temps in the 40’s and 50’s we’re not likely to see much traffic with temps in the single digits. Prove me wrong! (But call first and make sure I’m here!)

Welcome winter! Praying for Snow.

Go Griz!!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-01-04T12:49:40-07:00January 4th, 2024|Categories: Local Buzz, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Go Griz, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter Solstice

The first day of winter has arrived though you certainly wouldn’t know it judging by the weather.

Regardless, today is the shortest day of the year and tomorrow marks the start of the slow, but steady ascent out of darkness.

Daylight will begin to stretch which means we are on our way to summer and it won’t be long before sunlight again creeps across our parking lot and eventually returns to illuminate the shop in a warm, spring glow.

Of course the coldest days still lie ahead and we’re hoping and praying for the snow to fly but in the meantime we’re enjoying 50 degree December days and wrapping up 2023 by hitting the water.

It doesn’t feel much like Christmas without a trace of snow on the ground but alas, we are four days out which means there is but 10 days left in 2023. The time seems to pass more quickly every year, a symptom of aging no doubt, but on the bright side, those warm spring and summer days will be here before you know it.

Here’s wishing you all a Happy Winter Solstice from Wolf Creek Angler. We are here today for anyone lucky enough to be spending this Solstice on the MO and we will return on Saturday. The shop will be closed tomorrow (Friday, December 22nd) for our Annual WCA/Iron Fly Christmas Float and per usual we will be closed on Sunday and Christmas Day and will be back in the shop on Tuesday.

It looks like we’ll see cooler temps and some rain and snow on Saturday with mild weather on tap throughout next week.

Nymphing and Streamer Fishing have been excellent (by December standards) and you may even find a fish or two willing to hit a dry fly if you’re in the right place at the right time. Sow bug game for the nymphers with Tailwater Sows, Pill Poppers, Pederson’s Sow and the like topping the list. The usual suspects for streamers with Olive, Tan, Yellow and White all having their moments. Swinging and Stripping have both been effective and we’re finding willing players in the slow depths as well as the fast water flats.

Good action to be had everywhere though the Holter Dam to Craig stretch seems to be attracting most of the traffic as is generally the case during the winter months. Daylight is certainly a limiting factor but there’s no reason to start early as that 11 AM – 2 PM window has been the most productive by far.

We recommend shorter floats this time of year with 5 ish miles being ideal for the amount of daylight available if you’re going to start your float in that 10 AM – 11 AM time slot.

We just restocked those sparse Tailwater Sow bins so we’ve got you covered on the Sow Bug front as well as having the best streamer selection on the river. WCA Gift Cards make excellent stocking stuffers so you can load up on those as well when you stop in for bugs and the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-12-21T09:53:03-07:00December 21st, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, Christmas, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter solstice, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter Weather on the Way

Did you make it out for that fall fishing fix on the MO last weekend?

Positively gorgeous weather but change is underway.

A little cooler, a little cloudier yesterday to kick the week off with some reports of epic dry fly fishing yesterday afternoon.

A lot colder today with a WINTER STORM on the way.

We had several guests bail early, leaving this morning in order to beat the weather. The temperature has been dropping all morning, currently 27 and on the way to a low in the low teens this evening. In spite of this I would venture a guess that the fishing could be off the charts today on the front side of this weather system.

Snow in the forecast for tonight…3-5 inches possible this evening with another 2- 4 tomorrow when we’ll see a high of just 26 with 14 mph north winds gusting to 21 mph. We’re not anticipating much traffic for the remainder of the week with snow in the forecast each day, highs in the 20’s and lows in the single digits. Things appear to begin to normalize on Sunday and into the early part of next week with temps back above freezing and into the 40’s by the middle of the week.

We’ve got one hearty group arriving tomorrow and filling the property for the rest of the week. These will be our last guests of the season in our cabins and motel rooms which we will be closing for the winter early next week.

Our bungalows will remain open with winter rates taking effect on November 15th. Our winter rate will be $149/night (plus tax), $100 off the regular season rate.

We’ve only got three of these units so they will likely all book if we get breaks in the weather. Book well ahead of time if you’ve got your eye on specific winter dates and cancel anytime. No questions. No fees.

The approaching system has stymied my own fishing plans. This last week of October has developed into a bit of a tradition over the years. The Annual Late Season Streamer Odyssey will have to wait but I’m holding out hope that we’ll get it done before the season comes to an end.

The shop will be open daily (for the most part) 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM through the end of November, weather permitting, though it’s never a bad idea to call ahead this time of year as we’ve been known to open late, close early or not be here at all if the conditions prevent safe travel (or if we happen to on a streamer odyssey).

Case in point – while I do fully intend on making it to Wolf Creek in the snow tomorrow it might not be until after 8 AM. I don’t think I’ll be missing much, but if you’re reading this and planning on being here at 7:30 for a shuttle you might want to adjust your plans.

Enjoy this first winter weather event of the season. We’ll see you on the other side.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-10-24T12:47:32-06:00October 24th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Coutning down the days to Spring

By Montana standards we’ve had a very mild winter here on the MO.

After an early November arctic blast conditions have remained relatively mild and relatively stable all winter long with daily high temps averaging somewhere in the low 30’s with lows hovering in the teens.

We’re currently in the midst of a somewhat rare cold snap with highs in the single digits today and tomorrow and lows dipping into the negative double digits. A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect through Friday with wind chills as low as -35 possible. Mild weather returns this weekend with highs back in the 40’s and the winds you would expect with the warmer temps.

So yes, a mild winter for sure and a FAR cry from a couple of years ago when our average high for the entire month of February was in the single digits. But even so, as we near the end of February and creep ever closer towards spring (26 days and counting) winter has started to feel really LONG and monotonous and I’m sure I’m among many who are over it. Spring can’t get here soon enough!

I say that, but at the same time we need all of the days between now and then to complete our winter projects and to finish preparations for a busy upcoming season. Definitely a Catch 22 as winter conditions certainly add challenges to getting things done. Our parking lot has been covered in ice for the most part since November. The snow comes and goes. The ice remains and will likely do so for at least another couple of weeks until the sun finally inches its way onto our property and starts to melt the winter away.

So yes, I’m breaking my own rules regarding complaining about the weather and every year those posts I see from seemingly everyone but me from their winter fishing trips to South America, Belize, Cuba, Louisiana, Arkansas etcetera look more and more appealing. I’ve had it with whiteouts, black ice, wind chill advisories, shoveling snow, NOT fishing….bring on the spring weather!

While we wait for spring and try to focus on the bright side there are definitely reasons for optimism. Snowpack conditions look pretty good at the moment provided things stay cold in the high country. We’ll continue to build on that snowpack through much of March so by all indications it should be a good water year on the MO.

Traffic has been very light for much of the winter, save a few nice days that saw substantial fiberglass and Gore-Tex hatches but I expect that will change very soon, likely with the next warmup which looks to be happening this weekend.

We’re a ways out on the remodel but we will be looking to get some lodging opened up in the next week or two as we’ve got a number of groups scheduled for the middle of March and judging by the calls I’ve been getting lately I don’t think we’ll have any problems filling rooms once that warming trend has been established. It sounds like people are READY TO FISH! I know I am!

Give us a call to book your spring lodging and guide trips. We’re anxious to see some lodging traffic again and to see some cash flowing IN rather than OUT which is pretty much the only direction it’s been flowing this winter. Guides are HUNGRY and the fish are as well.

Wolf Creek is ready to be your Missouri River spring fishing destination with everything you need right here. Affordable lodging, the friendliest fly shop on the MO, great food and over 20 amazing beers on tap at Lazy I Beerworks which is OPEN EVERY DAY, the ONLY spot for gas and provisions between Helena and Cascade at The Canyon Store and all within a couple of miles of Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge, as close as you can get.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-02-22T11:13:12-07:00February 22nd, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Holter Dam, Lazy I Beerworks, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, spring fishing, The Canyon Store, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Wolf Creek Bridge|0 Comments

February on the MO

If the recent past is any indication we’re in for plenty of wintery weather in the coming weeks as February has established itself as our coldest month of the winter as of late.

That being said, this first day of February 2023 is a far cry from what we’ve grown accustomed to.

With temps in the mid 40’s and howling winds on tap through the weekend it feels more like late March than early February but I suspect that could all change very soon.

If you’re looking to take advantage of the situation and get out on the water, tomorrow and Friday look to be your best bets with sustained south southwest winds of 14-16 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. Saturday looks windy with gusts up to 35 mph.

Water flows are on the drop following last weekend’s cold snap. We’re currently looking at 4200 CFS dropping back to that 3500 CFS range by the end of the week. Water temps have been holding fairly steady and are currently 34.5 degrees.

Near perfect winter water conditions. If it wasn’t for the wind these would be can’t miss February days on the MO.

As it is, I’d expect some traffic out there but there will be plenty of solitude as long as the winds persist.

Stick to the nymphing for the numbers, mix it up with some stripping or swinging and keep that midge rod rigged and ready. Should you happen to find fish up, it’s nice to be able to switch gears immediately and target those fish rather than taking the time to rig a dry fly rod when you should be fishing.

February is about to fly by and then it’ll be GO TIME. Take some time over these next couple of weeks to sort/organize your gear, replace those worn out fly lines (or those worn out rods and reels) and organize those fly boxes.

We’re doing the same here in the shop, sorting through the inventory and making room for all the spring gear that will be arriving soon.

Enjoy this last month of winter’s quiet.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-02-01T15:38:47-07:00February 1st, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome 2023

Welcome to 2023 and to near- perfect fishy winter weather for the next few weeks.

We’re expecting a busy (by January standards) month on the MO with winter having retreated for the time being and folks itching to get out and do something after having hunkered down during much of the last two months due to the the early onset of winter conditions and the holidays.

Gone are the negative double digits we recently experienced and the majority of the snow and ice we’ve been dealing with since mid-November replaced by open water and highs in the high 30’s and low 40’s for the foreseeable forecast. Overnight lows will drop into the high teens and 20’s so no need to get an early start and be prepared to deal with some breezy conditions as you might expect with the warmer temps but once again, by January standards you really couldn’t ask for better conditions for getting out and curing that cabin fever.

Nymphing has been good and should be your go to for numbers all winter long but that being said, it’s also swing season and midge season on the MO if you prefer. And you won’t be surprised to hear me say that I’ll be spending plenty of time stripping streamers now through May. April/May are the Prime Months for streamers on the MO but there’s no reason not to strip all winter long if conditions allow it. The biggest brown I’ve caught on the Missouri ate a ZK’s MK Ultra stripped slow and deep on an early January float. I’ll be looking for a repeat this year.

Once again, nymphing is going to be your best bet for numbers. Think Pink and go deep. Pink Amex, Caviar Scud, Bubble Yum Scud, Pill Popper, Pederson’s Sow, Rainbow Czech, Pink Weight Fly…all good options paired with a soft hackle sow, tailwater sow, pink lighting bug, zebra midge, Pink or Firebead Ray. It’s a little bit about the bug. It’s more about the location. We don’t spend a lot of time changing flies when winter nymphing. Find the slow, deep winter depths and start deep. Adjust depth accordingly until you find hungry fish.

Best bets on the swing include Polar Leeches, Kreelex, Thin Mints, MoJo Minnows, Fruit Rollups, Pine Squirrel Leeches or any old bugger.

Likewise for stripping but don’t be afraid to branch out. Sparkle Minnows, the aforementioned MK Ultra, Skiddish Smolt, Dirty Hippy, Swim Coach…there’s really nothing in your streamer box you shouldn’t be throwing. Fish the ones you like. Fish the ones that work. Slow and varied retrieve with an abundance of pauses. They generally aren’t going to move fast or far in cold water so make sure you work the water thoroughly in an effort to meet them where they are.

Floating is definitely an option again, at least in the top section from the Dam to Craig and I’d imagine Craig down to the canyon should be fine as well. The ramps are in good shape and most of the shelf ice has dissipated. Watch for those chunks of floating ice if you’re wade fishing, they can make a day go bad! Current flow is 3370 CFS with water temp just shy of 34 degres.

Shop hours will be more consistent in accordance with the weather conditions. Posted hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 9 AM – 4 PM though it’s always a good idea to give a call to make sure we’re going to be here if it’s later in the day. Also, we are a staff of 1 during the winter months so other engagements/appointments may at times result in the shop being closed on days we would normally be open. Case in point – the shop will be closed this Friday, January 6th.

We’ve had a fairly steady stream of calls for lodging this past week and unfortunately, as of this week, we will not be offering lodging for the remainder of the winter. The good news? The reason we don’t have lodging is because we’re remodeling. More on this to come.

In the meantime we will still do Adipose boat rentals, weather permitting and we’ll do our best to provide shuttle service. More importantly, we’re fully stocked with winter bugs, cold weather gear, lines and leaders, Simms Waders and Boots (Still the BEST IN THE BUSINESS) despite of what you may have heard elsewhere and much more.

We’ve got a few rods and reels left following our most successful Fall Rod and Reel Sale to date and we’ll extend that sale pricing for the next while as we clear out space for incoming spring arrivals. More on this to come as well but suffice it to say that this is the most excited we’ve ever been about incoming rods and reels.

It’s good to be back in the shop with fishy weather at hand and we’re stoked to see traffic resume.

Happy New Year! We think 2023 is going to be a great year on the MO and at WCA.

Cheers!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-01-03T13:43:07-07:00January 3rd, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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