Missouri River Archives - Page 11 of 62

MARCHing into Spring

Our current weather forecast looks much more like May than March with highs in the 60’s all week and likely breaking 70 this weekend. It’s warmer than it should be and this weather isn’t going to do our snowpack any favors but boy that sun feels good!

Angling traffic has been moderate during the week and downright busy on the weekends with plenty of folks getting out and enjoying the spring weather. Has winter left us for the season? I wouldn’t count on it but it’s hard to imagine winter’s return with spring really starting to take hold. We generally end up getting at least one final blast of winter at some point in April. Let’s hope it happens, at least in the high country as we’re in desperate need of precipitation.

At this point it looks like river flows will likely hold where they’re at (currently 2980 CFS) right on through the season. Late snows and spring rains could, and hopefully will, change the equation but my gut feeling is that these are the conditions we’ll be seeing for 2022.

Obviously water and weather conditions are out of our hands and not really worth obsessing over. As we always do we’ll work with what we’ve got and do everything we can to successfully strike the balance between keeping our clients happy and preserving and protecting the resource, the latter of which will always take precedence.

But enough about that for now, there’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealing’s done.

In the meantime I’m pleased to report that we just happen to be in the midst of one of the best early spring fishing seasons we’ve seen.

As previously reported, dry fly fishing has been outstanding with plenty of opportunities more days than not. Midges galore and plenty of hungry trout looking up. #18 Griffiths Gnat is money but you’d be smart to mix it up with various midge clusters or a parachute Adams. And speaking of dry fly fishing, you could do much worse than rolling with a big bug, prospecting, as there have been a few reports of Skwala sightings out there. Try a True Skwala or a chubby and cover all of those fishy spots that scream large lurking trout.

Nymphing? Yes. Your best bet for numbers as always. Pill Poppers, Yum Yums, Tailwater Sows, Pederson’s Sow, Radiation Baetis, Zebra Midge, Little Green Machine, Amex, Rainbow Czechs, Caviar Scuds, Soft Hackle Sows, Psycho Mays, Magic Fly BWO…..all in play. Favor the slowish water but don’t ignore the moderately fast stuff. Water temps are on the rise (currently 36.5) and fish are on the move. Expect more of this as air and water temps climb.

And yes, if Streamers are your game it is indeed the most wonderful time of the year and it’s just getting started. Swinging has been solid, stripping just starting to come into its own. Swing a Balanced leech, a Thin Mint, a bugger, a Fruit Rollup, a Kreelex etc. Strip what you like and commit to doing it all day long…or not. Good reports on Olive, black and natural but every day is different. Find one that works and roll with it. And don’t be afraid to go big. Conventional wisdom on the MO might say otherwise but conventional wisdom catches conventional trout. We prefer to defy convention and I don’t mind telling you that we do just fine.

Our streamer bins are overflowing with bugs you won’t likely find anywhere else on the MO. Come have a look for yourself and let us know if you’ve seen a better streamer selection on this river.

We also just got a bunch of new SA streamer lines in that we can’t wait to try. I’ve been fishing Airflo Streamer Max Short for years and I love it but I’m anxious to try a couple of these new lines. It’s our first season carrying SA and we’re super stoked to have them in the shop. I learned the streamer game back in Michigan on SA Streamer Express and swore by it so I wouldn’t be surprised if I happened to find a new favorite among these.

Spring shipments are arriving daily and the shop is filling up quickly. We’d be honored as always, if you came by to have a look at what we have to offer and we’d like nothing better than to be your Missouri River go to.

The shop is open at 8 AM daily with everything you need for your day on the water. Brand new 2022 Adipose Flows for rent and Mending Waters boats are back free of charge for all vets and active duty military personnel.

Lodging is two thirds open and we will likely open the rest within the next week or so.

Guides are chomping at the bit and are about to be extremely busy so book em’ while you can.

The season is upon us and we couldn’t be more excited. We hope to see you soon.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-03-23T13:20:54-06:00March 23rd, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, Airflo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, SA, Skwala, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

March Midge Madness on the MO’

Last week’s arctic blast is but a memory now as spring weather and spring traffic have arrived on the MO this week.

Seven cabins open, Seven Cabins full as we host our friends from Freestone Fly Shop in Hamilton this week. Despite the standard intermittent breezy conditions most days, you really couldn’t ask for better Mid-March weather. And the fishing? Suffice it to say, it has not sucked.

The midge action has delivered the most consistent late winter/early spring dry fly fishing I’ve experienced here on the Missouri. I reported a couple of weeks back about an epic dry fly outing I’d had while on a puppy training float and at the time I felt like I lucked out and happened upon the best day of 2022 midge action but from the reports we’re getting in the shop it seems it was just one of many epic dry fly days. It seems that most days, absent the wind, the fish are up in big numbers, feasting on tiny midges. Mind you it’s not everywhere, but if you know where to look and the wind conditions allow for it, most afternoons are providing an abundance of opportunities. Smiles all around for those seeking out the early season dry fly experience as well as those rocking the bobber and stumbling into it. It’s been a fun few weeks and it appears the fun will continue with midges indefinitely with BWO’s not too far out on the horizon.

The Griffiths Gnat has been king in a size #18 but we’ve also heard of plenty of success with midge clusters, parachute Adams, Buzzballs and more. Bins and bins of midge patterns at WCA, each worth at least a try. If you’re a member of the deteriorating vision crowd such as myself and love the idea of sticking with the same rig all day long then by all means go with the GG and call it good but if you’re a techy type and love the process of feeding them pattern after pattern to see just how many they’ll eat we’ve got plenty of options for you.

Nymphing has been solid and status quo for the time of season with Pill Poppers, UV Yum Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Caviar Scuds, Soft Hackle Sows, Zebras and the like keeping things easy but the times they are a changing and Mayflies are now integrating into the sub surface buffet. Maybe think about a Little Green Machine or Psycho May or BWO Magic Fly or Radiation Baetis…they sky is the limit.

Most are finding a Pill Popper and a tailwater Sow rig will get it done all day long but if you want to show them something different you may increase your odds by throwing in a mayfly nymph now and again. Totally your call but regardless of the route you pursue we’ve got you covered with full bins of every flavor including all of your favorite jig patterns. Spanish Bullets, Perdigons and standard jigs…we’ve got piles of them.

And as if all of this wasn’t enough, don’t forget spring is Streamer TIME on the MO. Swing or strip, you decide. Both methods are effective and are currently being utilized with varying degrees of success daily. We’ve got a string of Swing trips slated for the next two weeks and the single hand set is starting to show up as well. Polar Leeches, Balanced Leeches, Kreelex, Thin Mints, Buggers, Fruit Rollups on the Swing. Meatier offerings if you’re bombing the banks. Just make sure you’re swimming deep and slow as not to discourage would-be aggressors from putting forth the effort. Strip too fast and they’ll watch it fly by as it just doesn’t make sense for them to expend that kind of energy to chase it down under the current conditions. That being said, water temps are on the slow climb so it might not hurt to try a fast retrieve or two just to see what happens.

We’re open daily at 8 AM with everything you need for your day on the water. Bugs, Shuttles, Boats, Lodging, 2022 Fishing Licenses, Cold Weather Gear, Rain Gear, Wading Gear, Lines, Leaders, Tippet, Nets, Tools, Sunscreen, Ice, Headwear, Footwear, Hand wear, Eyewear and more.

Lodging is full through the weekend but opens up next week. Guide trips are starting to roll but plenty of availability both below Holter and at the Land of the Giants. Call and book your trip today!

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-03-16T08:18:47-06:00March 15th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter Holding On

As if on cue, last week’s mild temperatures which spurred us to de-winterize and open up a couple more cabins, were replaced this week with another arctic blast. We’ve seen the brunt of it though temps will dip down into the negative digits tonight with wind chill factors hovering near -10.

The warm up will be underway starting tomorrow with temps back in the 30’s and we will see 50’s by the weekend and into the first part of next week. Expect breezy conditions this weekend with the warmer air moving in with gusts of to 33 mph expected on Saturday.

We’re expecting a busy week on the MO next week. We’ve got a full house starting on Monday and I would expect we aren’t the only ones.

Despite the frigid conditions out there at the moment warm spring days aren’t far off. Spring Fever has started to take hold and the MO is your perfect spring fishing getaway.

Things are still in Winter Mode in Wolf Creek and Craig for the moment but it won’t be long before things start to open up and before you know it we’ll be back in full swing.
In the meantime you’d be smart to make Wolf Creek Angler your destination as we offer kitchenettes in all of our open lodging. And speaking of lodging, there’s just 11 days left to take advantage of our Winter Guide Trip and Lodging Special which means that spring is less than two weeks away!

The expected product floodgates didn’t exactly break open wide last week as we had anticipated. Two words….and I bet you can guess what they are….Supply Chain. So we’re not where we thought we’d be with spring product but we’ve got your essentials covered. Bugs, leader, line and tippet are fully stocked and chances are we’ve got most of what you need outside of that as well. We’re light on waders and boots at the moment but should have those items in very soon.

We’ve got plenty of cold weather gear, nets, tools and accessories, 2022 fishing licenses, 2022 Adipose Flow rental boats and much more.

The pre cold-snap fishing report was EXTREMELY encouraging with a couple more epic days of midge action, consistently good nymphing and ever improving streamer action.

There’s nothing quite like spring fishing on the MO. The action is consistently good and while there is definitely an uptick in traffic it can still be considered the calm before the storm of the busy prime season.

As we enter Season Number 9 at WCA we couldn’t be more excited for things to get underway.

We’re open at 8 AM daily though with Daylight Savings Time beginning this Sunday you’ll probably want to push your start time to allow things to warm up a bit.

Either way, we’ll be here bright and early ready to take care of all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-03-09T12:57:29-07:00March 9th, 2022|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, Craig MT, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|2 Comments

In Like a Lamb

Spring is in the air this first morning of March with temps nearing 60 today and just enough moisture in the air to impart that unmistakable scent of spring. A bit of rain in the forecast starting tonight and running through Thursday. We’re under a high wind warning through this afternoon but tomorrow looks like the best day of the bunch with temps in the 50’s, a chance of rain and winds out of the south at 7-10 mph. These spring-like conditions will begin to recede at the end of the week as temps drop and the chance for snow returns. Let’s hope this next round of winter happening next week delivers as we’re in desperate need of precipitation.

It looks to be a quiet week on the MO….the calm before the storm. Winter weather or not, the switch will flip next week as spring traffic begins to arrive. We’ll likely see busier weekends and mid-week traffic will come and go but March has become the unofficial start of the season so be prepared to share the water. Mind you we’re not talking about anything remotely resembling summer traffic but to those who have been enjoying the winter solitude over the last couple of months the bubble is about to burst.

March also means busy days in the shop as the majority of our spring orders are scheduled for arrival this week. We’ll be flooded with new gear and scrambling to maximize space while attempting to transition from the puppy pen to behavioral modifications to keep Zeke out of mischief. It’s going to be an interesting spring around WCA…please bear with us as we continue to work on building a well-behaved Shop Dog.

It’s also time to open more lodging which we’ll plan on doing likely following next week’s winter (ish) weather. We’ll see what the weather brings but I would expect to have all of our cabins open by the middle of the month with the motel target date right around April 1st.

Our Winter Lodging and Guide Trip Special comes to an end on March 19th so time is running out to take advantage of the best deal on the MO.

Fishing continues to be good following last week’s deep freeze. Continue to utilize the tried and true techniques and patterns of late winter/early spring and you should be in for plenty of action. If you’re nymphing think pink with a side of Sowbug or Zebra Midge. Fire beads will also be money for the next while. Firebead Rays, Firebead Czechs, Rainbow Weight Flies and Caviar Scuds all good choices at this point. Keep your major focus on the deep slow winter water but don’t completely ignore the tail outs and similar runs with a little more speed and a little less depth. Water temps are still cold at around 35 degrees but they’ll be ticking upward from here on out, signaling to the fish that the long-awaited time to move is underway.

Look for abundant midge action on the calm days, keeping that dry fly rod rigged and ready with a Hi-Vis Adams and a Griffiths gnat in #18 or #20.

The swing action continues with Polar Leeches, Balanced Leeches, Thin Mints, Kreelex, Fruit Rollups, Buggers and the like still on the menu but look for the single hand strippers to begin to take over the streamer set as water temps come up and the energy expelled/caloric intake equation starts to favor hunting and running down those high calorie meals.

It’s our FAVORITE time for streamer fishing the MO’.

The shop is open at 8 AM daily. Brand new Adipose Flow Drift Boats for rent, 2022 Fishing Licenses and anything and everything you need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-03-01T09:42:01-07:00March 1st, 2022|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Arctic Blast on the MO.

We’re currently emerging from an arctic blast which arrived on Sunday night and which bottomed out at -19 in Wolf Creek this morning with wind chill values as low as -30. Suffice it to say…not a lot of traffic on the river so far this week.

We’ll see highs back in the teens today, twenties tomorrow, 30’s on Friday and back in the 40’s and low 50’s over the weekend and into the first part of next week. The warmup is welcomed, especially considering the cold blast brought very little in the way of precipitation. Arctic air is much more tolerable when it comes with much needed snow. Without the snow there’s not much good about it. Cold hands, frozen pipes, too cold to do much of anything outside AND the necessity of dumping more of our precious water as increased flows are necessary to keep things from freezing at the dams.

I’d expect a somewhat busy weekend ahead with abundant sunshine and temps bumping into the 50’s Sunday – Tuesday. It’ll likely be breezy with the warmer air moving in but you shouldn’t let that deter you because if the pre-arctic blast fishing is any indication we should see a return to some damn good fishing, especially following several days of zero fishing pressure.

Nymphing will be your go to for numbers with pink in play. Try a #12 Pink Amex, Rainbow Czech, Bubble Yum Scud, Pill Popper, Caviar Scud, Pink Weight Fly, Pinkalicious etc. trailed with a black Zebra Midge, Tailwater Sow, Soft Hackle Sow, Pederson’s Sow or Lucent Bead Pink Ray. Fish the deep, slow winter water thoroughly, starting in close and working your way out. 5’ indicator to split should be a good starting point. Adjust as necessary.

Streamer fishing will be gaining steam from here on out with plenty of winter swingers still around and the single hand set starting to make an appearance as well. I hope we’ll see winter’s return yet again but as spring weather takes hold expect streamer action to heat up. March and April are probably my favorite months for streamer fishing the MO with minimal weeds and hungry trout on the hunt for maximum caloric intake. Sparkle Minnows are my go to, serving as the proverbial canary in the coal mine.

Swingers are finding success with the usual winter fare….Kreelex, Polar Leech, Thin Mint, Black or Olive Buggers, MoJo Minnows, Fruit Rollups, Pine Squirrel Leech, Balanced Leech etc.

As the water temps tick upward don’t be afraid to go bigger with your bugs and do what you can to make them dance! A varied retrieve with plenty of pauses in between generally proves to be effective but keep the strips on the SLOOOOW side for the time being.

Midge fishing last week was phenomenal. Let’s hope for some calm afternoons and hopefully a few hours here and there of epic winter dry fly fishing. Griffiths gnat is the go to but you’ll likely want to pair that with something hi-vis so you can see where you’re at. An Adams or Hi Vis Midge should do the trick.

We’ve got trips scheduled for this weekend and will likely be busy by winter standards over these next few weeks as folks take advantage of the last of the Winter Lodging and Guide Trip Special which comes to an end on March 19th. That’s 2 nights of premium lodging AND a Full Day Missouri River Guided Trip for one or two anglers for just $550. You won’t find a better deal ANYWHERE!

The shop is open daily at 8 AM for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Our winter/spring dry fly and nymph bins are fully stocked and you won’t find a better streamer selection on the MO. Simms waders, boots and cold weather gear. Oros Strike Indicators. Rio lines, leaders and tippet. Rising nets and accessories and your 2022 Montana Fishing Licenses starting March 1st.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-02-23T14:37:55-07:00February 23rd, 2022|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Winter Lodging and Guide Trip Special, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Training Days

The weather hasn’t felt much like winter as of late so while worrying about lack of precipitation definitely has its place, I’ve opted to forego the handwringing for the time being and instead to take advantage of the situation. With plenty of sunshine, mild temps and not much wind, conditions have been ideal several days to put the boat in the water and begin the process of hopefully building a boat dog.

So far Zeke doesn’t quite know what to make of the boat or the water. He did dip a tow and most of the rest of him in the water one day last week and didn’t seem overly impressed. With water temps still holding in that 34 degree range we’ll likely look towards warmer days to get him acclimated to the water. As of yet he has not given any indication that he’s apt to launch himself out of the boat but I fear that day is coming.

We started slow with a couple of days rowing around at the dam last week but graduated to a short float yesterday afternoon with a quick run from the dam to Wolf Creek Bridge. Last week was just about letting the pup explore the boat. Yesterday I actually brought along a fly rod, thinking that perhaps we might encounter a rising fish or two. I rigged up my Lamson Velocity #5 (available now at Wolf Creek Angler) in double midge fashion hoping for the best. It was not a disappointing first fishing outing for 2022!

There was no shortage of rising fish and none of them could seem to resist a Griffiths gnat placed anywhere in their general vicinity. By far the best day of dry fly fishing in February I’ve ever had and that was keeping it short as to keep the pup engaged.

Next we’ll tackle a Wolf Creek to Craig run and maybe even get a second body in the boat so we can concentrate more on actually fishing while also getting pup and owner both accustomed to this scenario.

We’re in the midst of a couple of dreary days with some rain and snow falling and we’re not complaining. Things clear up beginning Thursday and look good through the weekend though it may be on the breezy side.

Nymphing has been off the charts more days than not, streamer fishing is beginning to pick up steam and now we can officially proclaim epic midge fishing is underway….or at least it was yesterday. The fish are definitely looking up and while there are a fair amount of juveniles feasting on the midge train it’s always worthwhile to take some time and observe the rise forms around you. There are usually a few larger fish seated at the table and maybe even a beast somewhere in the mix. Throwing to every rising fish (and hooking many of them) is fun as hell but what’s even more fun is sitting back and watching what’s happening all around you and then targeting the alpha. It doesn’t get any better!

We’re all booked up for weekend lodging with things clearing out on Sunday but it looks like winter could very well be making a comeback with snow in the forecast for Sunday and much colder temps on the way.

Keep an eye on the forecast and make the call if you see the window open. Guides are starting to get hungry and the fishing has been as good as winter fishing gets on more than a couple of days. Take advantage of our Winter Lodging and Guide Trip Special all winter long. Two nights lodging and a full day on the water for one or two anglers for just $550 (plus tax). You won’t find a better deal ANYWHERE!

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-02-15T13:32:48-07:00February 15th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Craig, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Griffiths gnat, Lamson, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Velocity, Winter Lodging and Guide Trip Special, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Wolf Creek Bridge|0 Comments

Spring Fishing Arrives Early on the MO

Just a week into February and it feels like spring is upon us….hopefully winter will return.

For the time being we’re seeing unseasonably warm temps with daily highs in the 40’s and low 50’s and overnight lows just barely below freezing. Not great news at this point for the long term water prognosis as we look towards the summer season but it’s only February so we remain optimistic. There’s a lot of winter yet to go and some late season snow coupled with a wet spring would go a long way in setting us up for more favorable water conditions.

We’ve been getting a lot of calls recently regarding snowpack and the outlook for the season and while we’re always hopeful, the simple fact is that drought conditions continue to persist in much of the region. Consequently, as always, the bottom line is that we will have water, how much is unclear but whatever the case may be, we will take it as it comes and react accordingly.

All that being said, current conditions are optimal for getting out and enjoying some outstanding mid-Winter fishing on the Missouri. We’ve seen quite an uptick in business this week with a busy week of lodging and retail starting to regain a pulse.

Air temps are extremely moderate, winds have been tolerable and the fishing has been good to great more days than not. A consistent emergence of midges has resulted in good dry fly fishing opportunities, nymphing has been predictably solid and swingers and strippers alike are finding plenty of willing players as our resident wild trout react to spring weather conditions by doing what they do as they emerge from winter’s grip, which is EAT.

Water temps are still cold which will keep the bulk of the fish concentrated in the slow winter depths but bugs on top tend to attract attention as do baitfish exposing themselves to predation by hungry trout looking for maximum caloric intake.

It looks like this weather is going to hold at least through the early part of next week. We encourage you to take advantage of the situation while you can as hopefully we will soon see winter’s return.

There’s no better time than NOW to take advantage of our Annual Winter Guide Trip and Lodging Special. That’s 2 nights of lodging and a full day guide trip for one or two anglers for the ridiculously low rate of $550. We challenge you to find a better deal ANYWHERE….you won’t!

We’re open at 8 AM every day but Sunday for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. We’re loaded up on winter/spring bugs, including an impressive midge selection, all the hottest winter nymphs and THE best streamer selection on the MO…hands down.

We’ve got a great selection of cold weather gear and waders and boots from Simms Fishing Products and a great selection of fly lines, leaders, tippet and accessories for any and all situations from Rio and Airflo.

And don’t miss this opportunity to pick up a pair of Simms G3 waders at 50% OFF!! G3’s were redesigned for 2022 so we’re looking to move our remaining stock. Currently we have Medium, Large 12-13 and Large King in Cinder and Medium and Large 9-11 in Shadow Green. You’ll never see a better deal on G3 waders.

Spring gear trickling in…the new product flood gates open March 1st.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-02-09T12:51:36-07:00February 9th, 2022|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

February on the MO

We’re one month in to 2022 and though it feels like the dead of winter as we settle into the current cold front, the season will be upon us before you know it. January felt LONG, as it always does but as we turn the page to February today the countdown is underway.

Enjoy these final weeks of solitude because very soon we’re going to be in the thick of it. We got a little taste of what’s to come over the weekend with a fair amount of traffic both the wade and boat varieties. A mild weather weekend in late January always brings out the crowds by winter standards but nothing like we’ll see in a few more weeks as spring approaches.

Fishing has been good, especially on the front side of this weather system which arrived last night. The nymphing has been solid with plenty of fish being caught on the swing as well. More often than not you’ll have at least a little wind to contend with but if you somehow hit it on a calm day you can expect some dry fly action as well as the midge action begins to heat up.

It’s the time of year you can often run the same nymph rig all day long, never changing flies or depths and hooking up throughout the day.

Rainbow Czechs, Tailwater Sows, Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Pederson’s Sow, Soft Hackle Sows etc. Bug selection is not critical. If you happen to be out there on the right day and you’re fishing the right water you should have plenty of success.

Slow and deep is your target water but don’t overlook those tailouts, especially if you’re swinging. Polar Leeches, Kreelex, Fruit Rollups, Thin Mints and Black Buggers have all been deadly on the swing.

Winter has returned today with temps back in the teens and wind chills in the single digits and below. More of the same on tap for tomorrow but we start to warm up again Thursday and into the weekend with highs back in the 40’s and pushing 50 on Monday. Expect some traffic out there this weekend and look for things to get busier as winter progresses. Cabin Fever usually starts to hit folks pretty hard in February with the promise of spring on the not-too-distant horizon.

It’s the perfect time to take advantage of our Winter Guide Trip and Lodging Special. Get Two nights of lodging and a full day guided trip for one or two anglers for just $550 with NO CANCELLATION FEES FOR ANY REASON.

It’s always a roll of the dice with the weather in the winter but rest assured that if things end up going south with the weather, or if you just have a change of heart and decide you don’t want to catch a bunch of Missouri River trout on a winter afternoon, you’re not on the hook for anything. With nothing to lose there’s no reason you shouldn’t be booking your winter guide trip on the MO. An abundance of fish and winter solitude await!

If you’re looking for things to do in Helena this weekend don’t miss Pat Barnes TU 2022 Ice Bowl Membership Drive and Winter Social at Sleeping Giant Lanes on Saturday at 4 PM. Bowling compliments of PBTU, pizza compliments of Rocky Mountain Credit Union. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday evening in February.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-02-01T12:37:13-07:00February 1st, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report, Local Buzz, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited Ice Bowl, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

A Different Season

25 days into 2022 and I have yet to wet a line.

It’s a different season than what I’ve become accustomed to.

Puppy parenthood has altered my existence in ways I really hadn’t anticipated….and I’m not complaining. Zeke is a blessing but he’s also a bit of an albatross at this point. I realize I’m far outside the norm in being able to bring him to work with me every day and for this I’m thankful. I’m lucky to have all of this time to bond with him. Unfortunately it will be a few more weeks before he’ll be fully immunized and ready to interact with the outside world and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t counting the days.

His world is small right now. Our house and yard, my vehicle and the shop and shop property. That’s it. These are the places he can go and consequently, for the past seven weeks these are now the places to which I am limited as well.

It’s been an adjustment for sure. Adding to the fun of 2022 I got a breakthrough case of Covid last week which has shrunk my world even more, removing going to work form the equation and keeping Zeke and I cooped up in the house for days on end.

That has now run its course and it’s nice to be back in Wolf Creek this sunny day. Now I’ll be biding my time, dreaming of hot summer days (and nights) on the water while making preparations for the coming season. And very soon Zeke will be introduced to the MO. I’ve had him in the boat a few times in the garage getting him used to the confines of a drift boat but I can’t wait to actually get him out on the water.

Fishing has been good from what I’ve heard and the weather has been moderate to say the least, at least by January standards. Sure it tends to be breezy more often than not but temps are tolerable and traffic is minimal, ideal conditions for winter fishing on the MO.

It’s usually around this time of year I start thinking about winter dry fly fishing and from what I understand there have already been some decent days out there. Let’s hope it turns out to be a phenomenal midge season which, if everything goes according to plan, should be prime about the time I start getting Zeke on the water.

Lodging has been moderately busy but all in all things have been pretty quiet. We’re expecting an uptick in traffic as we close out January should the mild weather persist which it appears it’s going to. Highs in the high 30’s and low to mid 40’s expected through the weekend and into the first part of next week.

Flows are holding steady at 2900 CFS and water temps are hanging right in that 34 degree range.

If you’re starting to suffer from cabin fever I know all about it and I know a trip to the MO will cure what ails you. Nymphing, swinging, stripping and maybe even some dry fly fishing to be had if you’re lucky.

Winter rates are $99/night (plus tax) for a cozy bungalow with a full kitchen and private bath. Bungalows sleep three comfortably with two twin beds and a full size pull out couch. Treat yourself to a winter guide trip on the MO. We’ve got the best deal you’ll find anywhere….Two nights of lodging and a full day guided trip for one or two anglers for just $550 with NO CANCELLATION FEES FOR ANY REASON.

Our bins are freshly stocked with all the hottest Missouri River winter bugs and we’ve got all the cold weather gear you need as well as blow out pricing on all remaining Simms G3 waders and boots.

These next few weeks are PRIME TIME for winter fishing with an abundance of hungry trout and winter solitude. Before you know it that solitude will start to be in short supply so get it while you can.

The shop is open at 8:30 AM every day but Sunday for all of your Missouri River winter fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-01-25T10:59:46-07:00January 25th, 2022|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, simms, Simms G3 Waders, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Quiet on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The cold snap which lingered over the holidays is but a memory now as we settle in to more seasonal conditions with daily high temps hanging right in that average, or slightly above average, 35 – 40 degree zone for the next while.

It’s been breezy more often than not as you would expect but the breeziness is much easier to contend with on a 40 degree day than a single digit day. While snowpack conditions are holding fairly steady in the high country the snow is all but gone here in Wolf Creek and on the Missouri. A bit of shelf ice hanging around here and there and the occasional chunks of ice falling off of the dam but wading conditions by winter standards, are actually optimal right now.

Flows are low and steady currently at 2840 CFS with water temps just shy of 34 degrees.

This is winter fishing at its best. Mild temps, low flows and hungry trout.

Hungry yes, aggressive….not so much. While there are no shortage of hungry fish, their primary concern right now is conserving energy. Winter is hard. Water temps are cold. It’s a whole different game from an angling perspective.

Sexy riffles and seams are not your winter targets. Holding in cold fast water requires energy the fish simply don’t have during the winter months.

Slow and deep….that’s where you’ll find them. And you’ll need to pick that water apart because they aren’t going to move much for a meal. Grid your water starting in close and working from the inside out. If you’ve covered the grid without success try going a little deeper and cover it again. Once you find one, you’ll generally find more in that same zone as they tend to stack up where favorable conditions prevail.

Bug selection is usually not the issue, it’s just a matter of putting the bugs in the right place.

A tungsten bead lead fly, usually along with a bb or two, will help you achieve your desired depth. Good options include Rainbow Czechs, Pink Amex, Caviar Scuds, Pill Poppers, Bubble Yum Scuds, Pink Weight Fly, Rainbow Weight Fly, Firebead Sows…you get the picture. Trail with a soft hackle sow, tailwater sow, Pederson’s sow, Pink Ray, Pink Lightning bug etc. and you should be in business.

Start with 5’ – 6’ from your indicator to your split and see what happens.

Or you could swing.

Or you could strip.

These methods tend to be less effective in cold water conditions but that’s not to say you won’t coax a few into breaking the rules. Nymphing is where the winter numbers are but you’ll still find plenty of folks swinging and a few even sticking to the single handed stripping game. Go DEEP and strip PAINFULLY SLOW…you might be surprised what you dredge up from the depths.

A high calorie target moving lethargically through the zone with plenty of pauses in between strips is often too great a temptation for our resident hogs to resist. It’s a low percentage method you might not want to commit your whole day to but I would. The largest brown trout I’ve caught on the Missouri was on a cold early January day. Dredged up from impossible depths.

It’s a great time to fish the MO and you can pretty much have it to yourself for at least another month.

We’re not quite ready to commit to published daily hours but we’re working in that direction and as it stands now we’re here more often than not at 8:30 AM with the definite exception of Sundays.

Open for lodging and guide trips EVERY DAY. Call, email or direct message us on Facebook and we’ll respond promptly.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-01-13T12:53:09-07:00January 13th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, indicator, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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