Missouri River Winter Fishing Archives - Page 7 of 17

MOvember Special

Judging by the abundance of vacancies and the lack of traffic in the shop I’d say the 2018 season has pretty much drawn to a close. We’re currently sitting just shy of 30 degrees with a light snow falling. More of the same on tap through tomorrow with lows dropping into the teens the next couple of nights.

While these aren’t exactly prime fishing conditions we’ll see highs climbing back near 40 by the end of the week which could translate into good fishing and a good opportunity to spend a little more time on the water before winter sets in.

To encourage you to make the journey we’re offering a late fall/winter special you can’t afford to pass up. We’re calling it the MOvember SPECIAL but it will be in effect all winter long.

We are offering full day Missouri River Guided float trips for one or two anglers for $400 or two nights of lodging and a full day on the water for $500. That’s a savings of over $300!

Mind you we’re starting trips later in the morning this time of year and with the dwindling hours of daylight you’re getting a shorter trip but you won’t find a better deal anywhere.

Some aren’t offering winter trips at all. Others are offering them at full price and some are offering a discount but nobody else is offering a lodging and fishing package deal and NOBODY can come close to what we’re doing. We’re offering two nights of premium lodging and a full day on the water for less than a guide trip will cost you elsewhere.

Keep in mind also that while the lodging tax is always in effect, beginning November 15th the resort tax will be on hiatus until April so that’s an additional 3% savings on EVERYTHING. Lodging, Guide Trips, Shuttles, Flies, Simms sportswear and accessories, Drift Boat Rentals…..EVERYTHING!

And the best part of the deal? No cancellation fees! When you book a trip during the season you are locked in and under most circumstances you will end up losing your 50% deposit. That’s not the case now. Winter can be a challenging time to book a trip because the weather can change without notice and while we don’t mind being on the water in sub-zero conditions we realize that this isn’t for everyone.

Not to worry. Book your trip and rest assured that if the weather turns or if you simply change your mind you’re off the hook. No fees. No questions asked!

Just looking for a place to stay on your DIY hunting or fishing adventure? Winter lodging rates are $99/night plus tax. All available units are completely furnished with a kitchen and private bath.

Winter fishing on the Missouri can be downright fantastic. It can also be slow. It’s fishing! We’re concentrating primarily on nymphing and streamer fishing right now but there are plenty of dry fly opportunities as well. As we move into December and into the heart of winter fishing those dry fly opportunities will dwindle but will return in the late winter as midge fishing becomes a viable option.

Winter fishing is not for everyone but once that cabin fever begins to set in a day on the Missouri might be just what the doctor ordered. Things are quiet in Wolf Creek and Craig for the winter months but we do have Shotgun Annie’s and The Oasis for dining and night life; The Canyon Store for gas, groceries and a great Montana Microbrew selection and of course Wolf Creek Angler for all of your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing Needs.

We’ve got more on-site lodging than anyone, the best winter bug selection around and all the cold weather gear you’ll need to eliminate cold from the equation.

Don’t forget our lodging units are all furnished with a full kitchen and access to barbecue grills so bring your own food with you and you won’t have to go anywhere!

We hope to see you this MOVEMBER and all winter long for HOT fishing on COLD days with Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-11-06T16:43:47-07:00November 6th, 2018|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing, Shop Life, Uncategorized, Wolf Creek Chatter|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, MOvember, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome March

Just a quick follow-up on Monday’s ramp report. I did check all the launches yesterday and everything I said in that report holds true. A rope and a 4 x 4 for all of them, avoid Dearborn and Mt Palace altogether.

Mid Canon

Mountain Palace

Stickney

Prewett Creek

It felt like February would NEVER end but here we are, March 1st and it actually feels like winter may FINALLY be loosening its grip. It’s still cold and we’re still looking at snow in the forecast but those single digit temps seem to be gone for now, replaced with mid 30’s. The days are noticeably longer and it just feels like the shift is underway.

Traffic has increased ever so slightly both on the river and in the shop and we’re actually moving some bugs again. Lots of folks stopping in for their 2018 fishing licenses this morning. Don’t forget to purchase yours before you hit the water again.

There’s still plenty of ice on Holter and most of the fishing traffic continues to be out there but that will all change soon enough. March is midge madness month on the MO’ so dust off that dry fly rod and get out here. I’ve made it a point to try to catch a fish on a dry fly by the end of February each year but it got away from me this year. It was a brutally cold month for the most part so I barely fished and the couple times I did make it out I stuck to streamers and nymphs.

Nymphing will always be your best bet for numbers but streamer fishing and early spring dry fly fishing are definitely worth your time. Hot nymphs for March….status quo. Black Zebra midges, Rainbow Czechs, Pink Amex, Pill Poppers, Pinkalicious, Firebead anything, pink lighting bugs, UV Crush…you get the idea.

There’s really no time I don’t like to streamer fish but Mid March through April is probably my favorite time to throw streamers on the Missouri. Swinging and slow stripping is fine but once the water warms up you can really start to move those bugs and the fish will chase them down, sometimes following them all the way to the boat.

We’ve still been doing well with polar leeches, kreelex and clousers but it’s time to show them something they haven’t seen. Try some different patterns and some different colors and don’t be afraid to go big. It’s been a long, cold winter with very little fishing pressure…those big browns will soon be on the move looking for calorie rich targets, give em’ what they want.

Best bets for dry fly selection include Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Hi Vis Midge, Black Sipper, Hi vis Sprout, Adams Midge, Griffiths Gnat, Grizzly Midge Cluster…really any midge cluster will do. I like to lead mine with a parachute Adams just to provide a visual as most of these midge patterns are a little tough to see.

Once again, it’s still winter fishing but our sense is that things are about to change so get ready for the 2018 season to officially get underway soon.

Make us your first stop on the way to the river for licenses, flies, great deals on winter gear and the friendliest service and most laid back atmosphere you’ll find anywhere.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-03-01T19:42:13-07:00March 1st, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Ramps are in rough shape right now….use extreme caution when launching or taking out

The wait is over….we’re finally looking at some fishable weather for the week ahead. We’re looking at a high of 33 today with light and variable south winds increasing to 9-11 mph later today.

Conditions on the water couldn’t be more perfect but before you hook up the drift boat and come out for a late February float be aware that the conditions on the boat ramps are far from ideal.

Blowing and drifting snow have made a mess of things and as temps warm and the snow begins to melt expect icy conditions to prevail.

A quick tour of the Holter Dam, Wolf Creek Bridge and Craig launches this morning confirmed the reports we’ve heard from the past couple of days. If you’re going to float come prepared with plenty of rope and don’t expect a conventional launch or take out.

If ramp conditions are in any way sketchy or questionable DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BACK DOWN THE RAMP! Four Wheel Drive is great but don’t expect it to do much for you on an icy ramp. We see it every year, four wheel drives stuck on the ramp. Best case scenario you’ll need someone to pull you up the ramp, worse case scenario you’ll end up sliding your vehicle into the river along with your boat and trailer which is NOT the way you want to start or end your day.

When floating in the winter or spring it’s always a good idea to keep a rope in your rig, in fact it’s ALWAYS recommended you have a rope in your rig, why wouldn’t you? I keep 150′ of 3/4″ nylon braided rope in mine at all times and keep another 100′ in my boat.

The majority of the ramps on the MO’ are not steep but they are steep enough to be a problem!

All you need to do is back your trailer as close to the top of the ramp as you can safely get, attach the rope to the bow eye of your boat, dump the boat onto the ramp using your winch and strap and then unhook the strap and rope your boat down the ramp to the water. Again, most of these ramps aren’t steep but it’s a good idea to wrap the rope around the back of your trailer frame to keep the boat from getting away from you.

Launching is the easy part! Maybe the ramp you launched at was clear, maybe you just dumped the boat on the ramp and slid it down without using a rope (not recommended). What if you get to your take out and you can’t safely back down the ramp to retrieve your boat? Now what?

It’s easy to slide your boat down an icy or snow covered ramp. Pushing or pulling your boat up a ramp? Not so much!

Without a rope you could be in for trouble. The best way to retrieve your boat is to again back your trailer as close to the ramp as you can safely get, attach your rope to the bow eye of your boat and tie the other end of the boat to your trailer. Pull forward as far as you need to drag the boat safely to level ground and then back up to the boat and load it on your trailer with your winch and strap.

When pulling your boat up a ramp with a rope tell your fishing partners to stand clear and try to do it all in one smooth motion without repeatedly stopping and starting. Herky Jerky = Broken Ropes. Broken Ropes = A bad way to end your day.

You should have no problem with most of the ramps using these methods, though I would definitely avoid Mountain Palace and the Dearborn Launch for the time being. A couple of sunny warm days will go a long way in improving things. The Wolf Creek Bridge ramp is on it’s way to being clear though it looks like someone backed down it recently and came perilously close to the edge of the ramp. I would recommend sliding your boat down for the time being. Just because there are tire tracks on the ramp it doesn’t mean it’s safe.

The Holter and Craig launches are definitely in slide/rope condition and from what I’ve heard conditions down river aren’t much better. I’ll probably take a run down river today and check them all out, which incidentally is never a bad call if you have time to do it prior to your float. The shops will generally have a pretty good idea of conditions but it’s always best to check for yourself to avoid any end of day unexpected surprises at the take out.

Spring is rapidly approaching. The fish are hungry after this long, cold winter which means it’s about to get really good out there. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be here fishing it, just please use common sense when you do.

Stay Safe !

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-02-26T17:23:59-07:00February 26th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Craig MT, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Wintering in Wolf Creek

I often get asked the question what do you do in the winter?

I think there’s a misconception out there amongst some that if you work in the Montana fly fishing industry then you must spend your winters in exotic tropical destinations, living on all of that money you made during the season, roaming the flats in search of tarpon and permit and bonefish and sipping on pina coladas on the beaches at night as you await the return of spring time in Montana.

I’m not saying there aren’t those who actually do this but I sure haven’t figured out how to pull it off.

It’s true that Wolf Creek and Craig are transformed into near ghost towns during the long winter months. There are plenty of days during the dead of winter we won’t see a customer come through the door so why even stay open?

It’s a good question, and one I often ask myself as I’m white knuckling it out to Wolf Creek from Helena. The answer is that there’s a little more to it than selling flies and telling lies in the shop. What goes on behind the counter is much more than ringing up sales. All the product hanging on the walls and all of the flies sitting in the bins don’t just magically appear. Someone has to order all of it, trying not to order too much (or too little). Someone has to figure out what (and how much) we should carry based on predicting what will sell during the coming season.

Someone has to negotiate favorable terms with vendors to maximize profitability and go to battle with reps to try to bring in more of what you expect and demand from your Missouri River fly shop.

Someone has to write blog posts and maintain social media.

How about lodging and guide trips? The rooms and boats obviously don’t book themselves. Those summer mornings with a parking lot full of guide rigs and those nights of a full house of happy clients relaxing on the decks telling fish stories over cocktails all start behind this counter at this keyboard in the dead of winter. Someone takes those calls, answers those emails and books and confirms those reservations.

And speaking of lodging, it’s our intention to continuously improve on all levels but we’ve made a truly dedicated commitment from the start to tackle major lodging improvements as time and money allow. Someone has to make those improvements and they can’t be made during the season.

In each of these cases that someone just happens to be me. Of course I have some help, especially with the lodging improvements as a handy man I am not, but the long and short of it is there are plenty of things to be done during the winter months. And while much of this could be done remotely from elsewhere, there remains an amazing fishery here year round so why wouldn’t we be here to provide winter anglers with everything they need for winter fishing on the Missouri?

Along those lines, why wouldn’t we be here to enjoy this amazing river all winter long when we can have it virtually to ourselves on any given day?

For the past three winters we’ve kept limited lodging open to provide a place to stay for those braving the cold and fishing the river and in doing so we’ve become a destination for hard water anglers from around the region who come to fish Holter Lake. Our lodging has been full more weekends than not this winter which has been a pleasant and much welcomed surprise. Obviously things are a little lean during the winter so we’re thankful for anything we can generate to help offset heating and other operational costs incurred during the offseason.

Consequently, when people stay rooms need to be cleaned and while we’ve been busy enough this winter to warrant some help with housekeeping, I’ve spent more than a couple of days cleaning rooms and doing laundry. Just another aspect of living the dream!

So what do I do in the winter? I do the same thing I do the other three seasons of the year, I run my business (and try to not let it run me). Wolf Creek Angler is a living, breathing, ever-growing, ever improving outfitter owned and operated business. It is my life’s dream and it is the way I feed my family. This ain’t no hobby shop, this is how I make a living.

Come see us this winter at Wolf Creek Angler, we’d love to have you as our guest.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-02-08T19:08:27-07:00February 8th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Craig MT, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, montana fly shops, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|4 Comments

Game On – Photo by Jim Murray

Mild conditions persist as January draws to a close.

River traffic remains surprisingly light and while our lodging has been extremely busy this month, the majority of those staying have been ice guys who’ve been cleaning up on the perch on Holter.

Speaking of lodging, we’re full for the remainder of this week but next week looks like continued nice weather with highs near 50 on Monday. We should see a gradual increase in river traffic from here on out so if fishing the Missouri is on your to do list then make that call today and book your lodging and/or guide trips. Weekends have been booking up generally by Monday or Tuesday.

Waiting for our spring special? The wait is over.

Spring may be two months away but the WCA Spring Special is here! $550 for two nights lodging and a full day guide trip now through the end of April. There are other deals out there…nobody, and I mean NOBODY can touch this one! It’s the BEST DEAL on the MO hands down and the best part is you don’t have to wait until spring. As if that weren’t enough there are NO CANCELLATION FEES for these trips. Book today, if the weather turns or if you simply change your mind you’re off the hook.

If you’re looking for a guide trip this weekend we won’t be able to do the lodging but we’ll do the trip for $400. Guides are getting HUNGRY. Book the best today.

Spring merchandise is starting to trickle in, look for great deals on winter gear soon as we make room for the new.

Good reports from the ice, decent reports from the river though the wind has been ever-present lately making things a little unpleasant out there. Expect more of that the next several days and deal with it. Nymphing has been good, definitely better on some days than others. Status quo on the bugs. Streamer fishing has not disappointed. Strip or Swing…the choice is yours. Midges in small numbers but that will ramp up soon if you’re itching for dry fly action.

Don’t forget to stop by the shop if you’re out here this weekend. We are your Missouri River Winter fly fishing one stop shop with everything you need for your day on the water. Shuttles, hand warmers, cold weather gear from Simms, the largest selection of Redington gear on the river, Adipose and RO drift boat rentals (including a brand new Project Healing Waters Adipose Flow free to all vets and active duty military) and the near legendary largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

We’ve also got a few tickets left for Tuesday’s Fly Fishing Film Tour in Helena. Get yours before they’re gone!

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-01-24T20:21:13-07:00January 24th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Redington, running line, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The way to start the New Year!

I made it out Tuesday for the first float of 2018. It was a great way to kick off the season in every sense. The weather could not have been better, especially by January standards, with partly cloudy skies, calm winds and temps hovering around 50 all day. Not another boat on the water and just three wade anglers in seven miles of river…it doesn’t get much better.

Or does it? Yes it does when rods are bent for the better part of the day.

We nymphed a few rainbows up right away on the usual suspects (pink amex and various lucent pink beaded offerings). We wouldn’t see another rainbow all day.

The plan all along was to spend most of the day streamer fishing and despite the water temps hanging in the 34 degree range I was optimistic. The day just felt right. And while it seems many on the MO’ have taken to swinging through the winter months I’ve spent enough time floating dead of winter days stripping frigid waters to know that big trout will chase down a slow moving, big meal target.

My optimism was rewarded as I connected with one of the meatier browns I’ve caught on the Missouri just a few casts in. What a way to start the year! And it didn’t end there. A couple of hundred yards downstream after a swing and a miss by an equally impressive specimen I hooked and landed another 20″ beast and decided my day was complete…for the time being!

The action continued as we boated several more solid fish and broke off on a beast, all on the slow strip and all on variations of white. Things slowed after 3 pm and we only connected with one fish the last two miles of the float.

Every day is different but we’re finding that early afternoon 1-3 pm time slot to be the window for streamer action. Bomb the banks, let it sink and retrieve with slow, erratic strips with plenty of pauses in between. We fished relatively large patterns all day long and had action on everything we tried but it was ZK’s MK Ultra in grey which delivered for me.

ZK’s MK Ultra

I’m due for a slow day out there but thus far this has been the best winter streamer season I’ve had on the Missouri. The strip has produced and I’ve heard plenty of successful reports from the swingers as well so it’s dealer’s choice. Polar Leeches, Kreelex, Dungeons, MK Ultras, Sparkle Minnows all finding targets on the strip and the swing. White, grey, black, olive all good options.

We dipped into the single digits the following day and have been there for the remainder of this week but a warm up is underway just in time for the holiday weekend and we should see high 30’s and even some 40’s for the weekend and well into next week.

Grab your sink tips and your streamers or your nymph rigs and get out here, the fishing should be good and even if it’s not, what else do you have to do?

If you really want to treat yourself why not leave the rowing to us? Remember our Winter Special, full day Missouri River Guided float trips for one or two anglers for $350 or two nights of lodging and a full day on the water for $500.

Either way, stop in and see us on your way to the river. Shuttles, bugs, lodging and so much more. We are your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing Destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-01-12T18:06:04-07:00January 12th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, ZK's MK Ultra|1 Comment

Fishing the January Thaw on the Missouri – photo by Zach King

As expected, we definitely saw a bump in river traffic this weekend though the ice guys still far outnumbered the river anglers.

Most have been opting for wade fishing but the ramps are in decent shape after a few days pushing 50 degrees. We recommend you take the time to inspect the ramps you plan to use before you launch. At the very least give us a call or stop in for a report before you go. Four Wheel Drive is great, and often-times a necessity but there have been plenty of 4 x 4’s stuck on icy winter ramps. Don’t be that guy!

Today and tomorrow look like the days to fish this week with continued temps in the 40’s and a manageable wind forecast. We’re back in the low 20’s on Wednesday, Thursday looks good with cloudy skies and 33 degrees and back into the 20’s for the weekend. We’re almost full for the weekend so whether your looking to wade or float the river or hit the ice, don’t wait too long. We will more than likely be full.

The fishing has been moderately good most days, slow on others and even approaching HOT on some. Nymphing is going to be your best bet but there have been plenty of fish being caught on the swing as well.

The cut and paste winter report holds true. Slow, deep winter water. The water temps have dropped into the 34 degree range with flows holding around 4200 cfs. The fish are in the winter water. We recommend one or two of the following fished deep under an indicator, extra weight at your discretion. POINT FLY RECOMMENDATIONS Pink Amex, Pinkalicious, Rainbow Czech, Pink Weight Fly, Rainbow Weight Fly, Bubble Yum Scud, Fish Finder Worm, Firebead Wire Worm. TRAIL WITH – soft hackle sow, tailwater sow, UV Crush, Pink Lightning Bug, Firebead Ray, Cotton Candy LGM, Firebead soft hackle sow, Rainbow Warrior etc.

Per usual with winter fishing on the Missouri the bug selection is far less critical than the water you are fishing. Once you find the water and the depth you’ve solved the equation. If the fish are hungry they’ll likely eat any of the above. If they aren’t feeding it’s unlikely you will change their minds by changing bugs… but then again, you might.

Best streamers have been black polar leeches, Hot Head Kreelex, Clousers, Sparkle Minnows, buggers and various smallish selections in white. Chewy has been busy at the vise and we’ve got all kinds of new bugs in the streamer bins. Stop in and have a look. Must Try Fly — ZK’s Rodeo Clown.

Target the same winter water with streamers but don’t overlook the island tail outs and some of the shallow, faster water you might not think of as winter water. You never know what might be lurking in the shallows in ambush mode looking to crush that bait fish or leech pattern no matter the month.

Cabin Fever has begun to set in and the countdown to spring has begun. Why not bide your time with a winter getaway to the MO’? Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing Destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-01-08T16:33:39-07:00January 8th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

New Year on the MO’

As expected 2018 has gotten off to a sleepy start here in Wolf Creek with snow and cold still keeping folks off of the water. It’s all duck hunting and ice fishing right now but with a warm up underway we’re expecting a bit more activity towards the end of the week when we’ll see temps approaching 40.

Not quite spring weather but after enduring a week of arctic air and significant snow fall I think it’s going to feel that way.

The ramps are snow and ice covered at the moment so please use extreme caution if you’re going to attempt a New Year’s float on the MO’. Give us a call at the shop for the latest conditions before you head out here.

The holidays are over and based on bookings for the upcoming weekend people are ready to get out and do something. We’re full for the weekend but we do have plenty of openings during the week.

We recommend you call early in the week if you’re looking for weekend lodging. With our limited availability during the winter months things fill quickly. If you can get away during the week the lodging is wide open.

We’re settling in for what looks like could be a long winter but I’m sure we’ll have plenty of days to get out and fish despite the wintery long term forecast. We don’t have a current fishing report to pass along as it’s just been too damn cold to fish. Chewy talked about getting out today so we’ll see if that happens. If not today, we’ll definitely be out there Thursday and Friday and this weekend so expect the first official fishing report of 2018 some time early next week.

In the meantime if you’re going to give it a go might I suggest slow, deep water and something pink. I have a sneaking suspicion this might be the ticket.

Barring future winter storms we’ll be in the shop Wednesdays – Saturdays, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Sundays from 8:00 AM to noon for the next couple of months. As always we are open every day for lodging and guide trips.

Welcome to 2018. We hope to see you soon on the MO’.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-01-02T20:22:15-07:00January 2nd, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Shotgun Annie's Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Brent with a streamer eating Missouri River piggy.

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect window of opportunity to come out and fish the Missouri it doesn’t get much better than this!

We are currently looking at 26 degrees, overcast skies, a few snow flurries and not a breath of wind (as of 7:45 this morning). The forecast is calling for a chance of snow, and possibly some rain this afternoon with calm winds. Tomorrow looks to be almost as good with partly sunny skies, a high near 40 and winds in the 7-10 mph range. These conditions will persist through early next week though winds return on Friday. We’ll see a return to more seasonable conditions late next week.

How’s the fishing?

It doesn’t suck.

More good days than bad as of late with the prime time slot between 11 AM and 3 PM. Nymphing is good. Go PINK or go home.

Streamer fishing is definitely worth your time as well, especially on overcast days like today. Swing is King during the winter months on the MO’ but that being said, there’s absolutely NO reason you shouldn’t be bombing the banks with a SLOW strip right now. The water is definitely getting colder (currently 37.5 degrees) so you need to keep this in mind and adjust your tactics whether you’re fishing nymphs or streamers but don’t think for a second that you cant catch fish on the strip all winter long.

We hit it just right yesterday afternoon and had one of the better hours of streamer fishing I’ve had this season bringing four nice fish to hand and moving a bunch of others. And then it was over. Just like that.

Will the window be open again today? You won’t know if you don’t go.

Conditions are abundantly adequate right now. Cloudy skies, unseasonably warm temps, CALM winds and NO traffic. What are you waiting for?

Stop by on your way to the river and stock up on Tailwater Sows, Firebead Rays, Pill Poppers , Pink Amex’s, Polar Leeches, Kreelex, Sparkle Minnows and anything else you think you might need but I’m here to tell you, you don’t need much else.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-13T17:02:33-07:00December 13th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Missouri River Winter Fare – Left to Right from the Top. Pink Soft Hackle Sow, Ninch’s Bubble Yum Scud, Ninch’s Pill Popper, Casne’s Pinkalicious, Blooms Weight Fly Pink, Pink Radiation Baetis, Cotton Candy LGM, Pink Lightning Bug, Wayno’s Cotton Candy, Pederson’s Sow, Pink UV Crush, Ninch’s Thunderbug, Pink AmEx, Firebead Rainbow Czech

We’re hoping for winter weather to arrive soon but while we wait we’re taking advantage of the current conditions and enjoying LATE fall fishing on the Missouri at its absolute best.

We’ll see temps in the low to mid 40’s and plenty of sunshine for the next seven days with relatively calm winds in the 7-10 mph range at least for the weekend.

Cancel those Christmas shopping plans, drop whatever it is you are doing and get out here NOW!

Fish the dam, fish Wolf Creek down, fish the canyon…good nymphing reports river-wide this week. Pink is coming on strong so stock up on Lightning bugs, Pill Poppers, Cotton Candy LGM’s, Wayno’s Cotton Candy, Thunder Bugs, Pink Weight Flies, Bubble Yums etc and keep those Tailwater Sows and Firebead Rays in the mix as well.

Fish the island tail outs, the shelves, the drop offs and the winter runs….they’re settling in.

Streamers? Always worth a try in my mind but stick to the nymphs for numbers. If you do decide to try streamers keep them on the small side (Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex, Thin Mints, Polar Leeches, Dirty Hippies etc) and go with a super SLOW retrieve with plenty of pauses or swing those island tail outs.

We are your Missouri River winter fly fishing destination with the best deals around on lodging and guide trips and a shop full of everything you need for winter fishing on the MO’. Stop in and see us for up to the minute reports and conditions, the best coffee in the canyon, shuttles, drift boat rentals and the biggest and best bug selection ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek MT.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-08T17:19:34-07:00December 8th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

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