Mid February on the Missouri

Valentine Sky at Holter Dam - photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Valentine Sky at Holter Dam – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

We’re looking at continued unseasonably warm temperatures, likely for the remainder of the month. Let’s hope for at least one more winter blast in March. In the meantime why not brave the winds and come out and do some February fishing on the Missouri.

We’ve opened additional lodging to accommodate the increase in traffic and we would love to have you as our guest. $99 (plus tax) gets you a cozy cabin or bungalow complete with full kitchen facilities. Stock up on groceries and set up camp in Wolf Creek.

The Oasis Bar is open every day if it’s a taste of Wolf Creek night life you seek but if you’re hoping for dining out options be sure to book your trip Thursday – Monday as these are the days they are serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Oasis from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Once again, with lodging equipped with full kitchens and barbecue grills you don’t need to worry about dining out during your stay with us.

Need a boat? No problem. Wolf Creek Angler features RO Drift Boats for rent including the Tailwater Skiff and Deville. Better yet, leave the rowing to us and book a winter guide trip for just $400.

We’ve had a few trips out and a bunch of people staying with us the past couple of weeks making it feel like the 2016 season is getting underway. Sure there are still some quiet days in the shop but we’ve had plenty of busy mornings and we keep busy throughout the day running shuttles, cleaning rooms, adding inventory for spring and booking guide trips and lodging.

We invite you to swing by and check out our new selection of rods and reels from LOOP Tackle as well as a bunch of great gear from KAST Extreme Fishing. Why not treat yourself to a pair of Kast Steelhead gloves and a Kast Hell Razor jacket? It’s awesome gear and definitely stands out from the rest. Deals to be had at Wolf Creek Angler as we make the transition to spring gear.

The shop is open REGULARLY Wednesday – Sunday at 8:00 AM and we’re usually around on Mondays and Tuesdays as well if the weather is fishy. Call ahead if you have any doubts but you’ll see the OPEN sign ON from the northbound Interstate as you approach the Wolf Creek Exit. If you don’t see the sign on we encourage you to continue to Craig and visit our friends at The Trout Shop or Headhunters. It all depends on the weather but we will likely go to a 7 day schedule starting sometime in March.

Keep in mind we are open EVERY DAY for lodging and guide trips, it’s only the shop that is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

We hope to see you in the shop this week. We’ve got you covered with shuttles, bugs, cold weather gear, the biggest and best streamer selection ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana and much more.

Valentine’s Weekend Outlook

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The spring weather continues and the migration to the Missouri will be in full effect this weekend as people from all around the state take advantage of the opportunity to leave winter behind and get an early start on spring fishing. The Missouri River is without a doubt the hottest fishing destination in Montana right now.

It’s been our busiest lodging week of the season so far and the shop has been abuzz daily with folks getting shuttles and stocking up on flies and other Missouri River essentials.

We’ve got one cabin left for the weekend and we expect it will be gone by lunchtime. It’s not exactly the Honeymoon Suite but it would still make a great place to spend your Valentines Day weekend with your significant other. Throw in a $400 Missouri River Guide Trip or do it yourself with a RO Drift Boat rental and watch the romance bloom!

Wolf Creek Angler Lodging Options

Nothing says Love like a new fly rod, particularly a new LOOP Cross S1 or Opti Stream fly rod and reel to match. If you are in the market for a new rod be sure to stop in and check out our new expanded selection from LOOP, ECHO, ST CROIX and REDINGTON along with reels from ROSS, LOOP, NAUTILUS and more including the acclaimed BEHEMOTH reel from Redington, an awesome value at $110.

Valentine Deals to be had store-wide.

Wolf Creek is the nexus of Missouri River winter fly fishing with the only OPEN restaurant and the only gas station/convenience store between Helena and Cascade. Pair that with an up and coming Missouri River fly shop and guide service offering clean and comfortable rooms complete with full kitchens all minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge and you’ve got yourself a Montana winter fly fishing destination like no other.

Expect a fair amount of traffic at the dam this weekend and don’t be afraid to spread out as we’ve been hearing decent reports from the dam down to Mid. I wouldn’t hesitate to go even lower, the fishing should be fine, we just haven’t heard much from the lower stretches as of yet.

Stop in for up-to-date info on the what to use when and where.

Missouri River Mid Week Fishing Report

Hungry Browns are on the Move. photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Hungry Browns are on the move. photo by Wolf Creek Angler

It’s not just the weather that’s been heating up this week. With temps in the 60’s and the water temp on the move upwards of 36 degrees the fishing, specifically streamer fishing, has really started to come on.

Nymphing has been good with fish starting to move into the more transitional water which is just a little bit faster and perhaps a little bit shallower than what we’ve been concentrating on for the past couple of months. Pink continues to rule, typically paired with some kind of firebead but tailwater sows and soft hackle sows are definitely coming into their own with zebra midges also getting some love.

Don’t switch things up too much – it’s still basically winter water you want to target using winter nymphs but it’s also time to start throwing some different bugs into the mix. Mayfly nymphs and the aforementioned sow bugs and zebra midges should definitely be part of your arsenal as the water warms up a touch and the fish start to move.

The streamer fishing has definitely been getting better and while we haven’t had any days where it was absolutely lights out, we’re definitely getting enough action to continue to devote some time to the swing/strip. I spent a couple of hours on Monday throwing the Olive/Copper Polar Leech and boated a nice brown just a few casts in followed by a few tugs and a few chases over the next couple of miles. Again, certainly not lights out – but definitely enough action to keep me interested.

Polar Leech in Brown or Olive/Copper, Kreelex in various flavors, assorted Clouser style bugs and black leech patterns have all been getting noticed. Don’t be afraid to experiment, maybe even try two bugs at a time. A slow but steady strip was getting it done for me but many have been getting them on the swing as well.

We’ve been targeting that same transitional water with the streamers but also working the super slow stuff and moving some fish. I’ve also heard of a few  people picking them up in some faster water but you still want to work those bugs slowly. River flows are holding right around 3700 and the water temp will hit 36 today and may gain another degree or two this week with highs near 60 and lows in the 40’s for the next several days.

The word is definitely out and there has been an increase in traffic this week though there is still plenty of solitude to be had. We opened some additional lodging today to keep up with the demand so if you’re thinking of coming out we should be able to accommodate you. $99 gets you a comfy room with a full kitchen which is critical if you happen to be here on Tuesday or Wednesday when the kitchen at The Oasis is closed. They are serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Thursday – Monday but the other two days you’re on your own. Bring food and put that kitchen to good use and feel free to use our barbecue grills as well if you so desire.

How about a $400 Missouri River Guide Trip? There are a bunch of unemployed guides wandering around right now who would like nothing better than to spend the day showing you what an awesome winter fishery the Missouri River can be. Whether you want to fish dries or streamers or nymphs, there’s a little something for everyone right now.

Make Wolf Creek Angler your first stop on your way to the river for bugs, boats, shuttles and much more. We are your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing Headquarters.

 

Weekend Report

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Thanks to everyone who came out last night for the Fly Fishing Film tour in Helena. Great films, great company and a great time as always. It’s not a coincidence that the film tour comes around in the dead of winter when folks are looking for a fly fishing fix and the films never fail to get us primed for the season ahead.

The good news is you don’t have to wait until spring to fish. We fish all year on the Missouri – you should too! The bad news is we’re under a high wind warning today. It’s not horrible now but expect some serious winds if you’re coming out.

From the National Weather Service….

…HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST THIS
AFTERNOON…

* TIMING…SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE EARLY THIS
MORNING AND REMAIN STRONG THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON. STRONGEST
WINDS ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR THIS MORNING THROUGH MID-DAY.

* WINDS…SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 70
MPH.

* IMPACTS…STRONG WINDS MAY CAUSE DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS
FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ENDANGER TRANSPORTATION AND COULD
CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Maybe not the best day to come out and fish but the week ahead looks awesome starting with sunny skies and a high of 44 tomorrow with much less wind and into the 50’s all week long.

Give us a call today and book your lodging for this week. We already have a few people booked and chances are good we will be full much of the week.

It would be a good week to book yourself a $400 Missouri River Guide Trip as well. Guide trips make Great Valentine’s Day presents.

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

One of the most frequently asked questions I get from folks calling to book their spring and summer dates is “so what do you do in the winter?”  Well, there is always plenty to do in the fly shop. There are orders to place, reservations to confirm, new items to check in, blogs to write,  parking lots to shovel, rooms to clean, laundry to do… And then of course there’s the fishing. I try to do plenty of that all winter long and then there’s a bunch of off-season engagements to attend.

Here’s a list of some upcoming events that may be of interest.

 

February 5th, Fly Fishing Film Tour – Helena

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Tonight, February 5th at 6:30 pm at the Grandstreet Theater.

Sponsored by Cutthroat Creek-Elk Mountain and Wolf Creek Angler this Independent Screening is hosted by the Pat Barnes Chapter of Trout Unlimited. $15 Discount Tickets available at CrossCurrents Fly Shop, Elk Mountain Sports, Montana Fly Goods and Wolf Creek Angler. Tickets, if availablle, at the door at $20.

2016 marks The F3T’s 10th lap around North America and this year’s lineup of films is without question the best the Tour has ever presented. From Bolivia to the Seychelles, British Columbia and Patagonia, from Saskatchewan to Zambia and Virginia to Montana, the notable characters, unique storylines and unparalleled fishing in these films will lead you on an adventure around the globe!

February 16th – Travelogue: Fly Fishing in Cuba (Hosted at the Montana WILD Center, 7:00 PM, FREE)

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Brought to you by Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited. Come explore the hottest fly fishing destination,  Cuba.

February 24th – State of the Missouri – Montana Wild Center Helena , 7:00 PM

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Fish counts, water flows and much more. Presented by FWP and hosted by Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited.

February 29th, Community Pint Night to benefit Pat Barnes TU at Blackfoot River Brewing Company

BR-logo_copyCome enjoy a pint or four at Blackfoot River Brewing Company in Helena with $1 from each pint going to benefit Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited.

March 11th and 12th – FOAM Annual Membership Meeting, Missoula Holiday Inn Downtown

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Join outfitters and guides from around the state for the annual membership meeting of the Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana.  Two days of great sessions and speakers. Check out http://www.foam-montana.org/   for more information.

March 12th, Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited Annual Banquet – The Gateway Center, Helena MT

topbannerJoin us in support of the Pat Barnes Missouri River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. The annual banquet is a great opportunity to get together with friends and colleagues  and enjoy an evening of raffles, silent and live auctions and great food. There are some tremendous items up for bid as well as the opportunity to enter various raffles including one for a Hyde Pro Series Drift Boat. Banquet tickets and Boat Raffle Tickets are available for purchase at Wolf Creek Angler.

For more information check out http://www.patbarnestu.org/

As you can see there’s a lot going on in the Montana Fly Fishing World, even in the dead of winter. We hope to see you at all of these events.

 

 

 

Weekend Outlook

Photo by Jim Murray

Photo by Jim Murray

We’ve definitely got a fishable weekend ahead with temps in the 40’s and mostly sunny skies. The wind will be an issue (as it seems to be more often than not) out of the SW at around 20 mph tomorrow and around 30 on Saturday with gusts approaching 40 mph.

This morning looks like the best day of the bunch with cloudy skies and relatively calm winds, it could turn out to be a perfect streamer day.

Next week looks like the time to be here with highs in the 50’s on Monday. We may see 60 on Tuesday. I have a feeling our lodging will be full so if you’re having any thoughts about coming out for a couple of days next week I suggest you book it now.

F3T

 

 

It’s going to be a busy weekend off the water for us with the Fly Fishing Film Tour at the Grandstreet in Helena tomorrow night and the Super Bowl on Sunday but we’ll be around the shop all weekend for all of your Missouri River Fly Fishing needs.

We’ve got half a dozen tickets left for the F3T – they will be gone by the end of the day. The show always sells out and is always a great way to spend a winter evening. It’s hard to go wrong with beer and fly fishing films and the chance to win F3T gear and swag from your favorite fly shops, including your 2016 Headline Sponsor – Wolf Creek Angler. We hope to see you there.

 

 

Most of the recent fishing traffic has been on Holter Lake

Most of the recent fishing traffic has been on Holter Lake

How’s the fishing you ask. We haven’t been out this week and really haven’t seen much traffic aside from the steady stream of traffic headed to Holter Lake. There are literally buckets of perch being caught and the ice is still in decent shape from what we’ve heard but that could definitely change over the next several days with the warming trend so please use caution if you’re heading out there. There is currently around 6″ of ice on the lake.

The few river reports we’ve heard have been less than stellar but it’s always worth your time. You never know when it’s going to turn on. Flows are currently holding right around 3800 and the water temp has bumped up to 35 degrees. Still on the cold side for sure but sometimes all it takes is a warm up of a degree or two to get those fish feeding. You won’t know if you don’t go.

 

 

We’ve got Streamers on the brain and we think it’s definitely worth your time to dedicate a couple of hours to throwing them but nypmhing is still going to be your best bet for catching fish. No real changes on that front. Pink stuff, Firebeads, soft hackle sows, Tailwater Sows, Zebra Midges….you know the routine. We would also suggest running some mayfly nymphs. Try a Little Green Machine, a Peep Show or an S & M and see what happens. Continue to focus on the slower, deeper water but don’t overlook the transitional water (a little faster, not quite as deep). The uptick in water temp will often times get the fish moving.

Expect an increase in dry-fly opportunities from here on out as the midges fire up. Check those side channels for rising fish and have your midge cluster of choice rigged and ready.

If you’re going to throw streamers we would suggest smaller/slender patterns. Kreelex, Clousers, Polar Leeches etc. but it never hurts to think outside the box and show them something they haven’t seen.

The shop is open at 8:00 am for all of your Missouri River winter Fly Fishing needs.

 

Welcome February

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It’s feeling a little more like winter right now with a current temperature of 24 but we’re headed back into spring-like weather later this week with temps in the 40’s and near 50 on Saturday.

The groundhog has predicted an early spring, let’s hope it’s not too early.

Despite the unseasonably warm temps here on the Missouri our snowpack isn’t looking too bad, currently at 90 percent of average. We would definitely like to see that continue to increase. It’s really an ideal situation to have the cold and snow in the high country building our spring flows while we experience above average temps here making winter fishing on the Missouri a fairly constant option.

We’ve got lodging available throughout the week, though the weekend is almost full so don’t wait too long to book that room. We’ve been staying busy with lodging all winter long between the hard water anglers and those coming out to fish the Missouri. We’ll keep an eye on the long-term forecast and will likely open up a few more units sooner rather than later as the weather and the demand dictate.

Don’t forget $400 guide trips all winter long. Book it now, if you don’t like what the weather brings on the day of your trip you are free to cancel with no penalty for doing so. Guides are starting to get restless and are ready to get back at it. Give us a call and put them to work today.

Be sure to stop in on your way to the river for shuttles and bugs and anything else you might need for your day on the water.

 

 

Get Those Guide Days Booked Soon

Like the view? Call Wolf Creek Angler  and book your Missouri River Fly Fishing Guide Trip today.

Like the view? Call Wolf Creek Angler and book your Missouri River Guide Trip today.

The last couple of weeks have been extremely busy reservation weeks with folks booking lodging and guide trips for the coming season.

There’s still time to make your plans but the prime dates are rapidly disappearing both for lodging and guide trips. Not to despair! We’ve got a  deep roster of guides who work for us so you should be able to get the dates you want but the opportunity to pick who you want on the days you want is definitely coming to an end. Where lodging is concerned, we still have openings but things have filled rapidly these last few weeks and it feels like it’s definitely going to be a busy season at WCA.

We have made a few changes to our guide roster, adding a few and losing a few but what we haven’t changed is our commitment to providing you with top-notch, professional guides who share our passion for the sport, for the fishery and most importantly for providing you with an unforgettable experience.

The Missouri River below Holter Dam will always be our specialty and we pride ourselves on having guides who know the entire river and who can show you what a diverse fishery we have between the dam and Cascade but we also offer trips on the nearby Dearborn and Blackfoot Rivers as well as the Missouri River below Hauser Dam, known as the Land of the Giants. We have extensive contacts throughout Montana and the rest of the Mountain West and we would be happy to help you with your Montana fishing plans, wherever they may take you.

Give us a call today and book your Missouri River Fly Fishing trip of a lifetime.

Don and Leda doubled up on the MO - photo by Jim Murray

Don and Leda doubled up on the MO – photo by Jim Murray

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Eloise

 

Missouri River Weekend Report

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Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing Destination

They’re calling for big winds today, with gusts near 30 mph. We haven’t seen it yet. It’s a beautiful morning on the Missouri with sunny skies and temps closing in on 40.

The flows are up a bit at 3840 with the water temp just shy of 35. The wind will likely pick up this afternoon but if you’re contemplating coming out to fish this morning I would definitely encourage you to do so.

It’s a stark contrast to last Saturday when we saw the busiest day on the water so far of 2016. I did the loop to Craig and back and saw one rig at Craig – aside from that not a soul between Wolf Creek and Craig but it is early yet.

More seasonable weather on the way with 30’s and a chance for snow right through next week. Definitely fishable weather but not the spring-like temps we’ve been getting accustomed to again. Let’s hope for more winter….we need it!

We’ve got limited lodging available tonight and we’re wide open for next week as it stands now. Why not pick a day or two and come out and treat yourself to a day of winter fishing on the Missouri. You deserve it! $99 lodging and $400 guide trips all winter long. It’s the best value on the river.

If you’re wondering about dining options during these winter months The Oasis Bar and Grill is serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday-Monday. You can also bring your own provisions and do it yourself. All of our available units offer fully furnished kitchens and we’ve got barbeque grills available for your use.

With the only open restaurant and the only gas station/convenience store between Helena and Cascade, Wolf Creek is definitely the hub of activity in the canyon during the winter months. Throw in our comfortable and affordable lodging and an up and coming, extremely well-provisioned Missouri River Fly Shop located closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than any other shop and you’ve got your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing destination.

We’ve got new gear arriving daily, including some awesome rods and reels from LOOP you just have to try. We’re also featuring the new Behemoth Reels from Redington, an incredible value at $110. The Behemoth combines the most powerful drag in its class with stunning aesthetics that push the limits of fly reel design.

Shuttles, cold-weather gear from KAST, RO Drift Boat Rentals and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Come check us out. Our normal winter schedule in the shop is 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Wednesday-Sunday but when fishing conditions are prime on Mondays and Tuesdays you will likely find us here on those days too. Open every day for lodging and guide trips.

Make Wolf Creek Angler your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing Destination.

Wolf Creek Angler welcomes LOOP to the Missouri

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We are super stoked to announce that we have become the Exclusive Dealer of Loop Tackle on the Missouri River.

Probably best know for the creation of the large arbor reel in 1984, Loop has developed a cult following of hardcore anglers worldwide who come from all walks of life and comprise what has come to be known as the LOOP ARMY. We are thrilled to be affiliated with LOOP USA and we’re excited to help build the brand of one of the elite companies in the fly fishing industry here on one of the best trout rivers in the world.

Loop was founded in Sweden in 1979 by Christer Sjöberg and Tony Karpestam – two young enthusiastic fly fishers with one goal in mind; to make a living doing what they loved. They wanted to be involved in the developing world of fly fishing and to explore and fly fish in areas previously impossible to reach.

We have been on the hunt since we opened our doors two years ago for great products which we can get behind and which are not available at every other shop in the area. Along with KAST GEAR which we brought in last year, LOOP certainly falls into this category.

Loop is a complete fly-fishing company. Today Loop designs, develops and manages every manufacturing process of their gear themselves. All of their  products are designed and built to last and function in the world’s toughest conditions and to last for season after season. Experience, enthusiasm and an unbreakable will has led them to only put the Loop brand on the best products.  Loop started out as a dream and for over twenty years Loop has been a leader in the fly fishing industry. Today that dream has evolved into an international company focused on delivering dreams to their customers.

Along with an impressive lineup of rods and reels Loop also offers an extensive assortment of fly lines and some limited apparel. We are currently featuring rods and reels and will add to our inventory offerings as we build the brand but for those already in the LOOP ARMY, we are your authorized LOOP dealer on the Missouri and we are happy to special order anything you need.

These are great rods and reels, on par with any of the big names in the industry. I just started fishing the S1 and have found my new favorite rod! We invite you to come by and cast the flagship Cross S1 and see for yourself.

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The new LOOP Cross S1 fly rod series is the single most important revolution to occur in fly fishing since we introduced the large arbor reel over 20 years ago. It’s that big.

If the large arbor provided revolutionary function that made the fly reel exponentially better, you won’t believe the difference Cross S1 construction makes with fly rods. We could write an entire book on the adventure that has led to the Cross S1 series of fly rods. We could look up and write down all the available superlatives that are yet unused by other manufacturers (not many left nowadays), but the only way to truly describe what we mean is to hand one to you and let you test it for yourself. If there has ever been a time in our history of development of high-performance fly fishing gear where Loop merited a “look” and a test from the fly fishing world, it is now. Over a period of two years we have developed these fly rods where we used the new 3M™ Powerlux™ Composites. The result is amazing, the strength associated with the 3M™ Powerlux™ Composites generates a lightness and controllable elasticity that simply must be experienced.

We have carefully restricted the inherent elasticity of the Loop Cross S1 so that the rod is working evenly over a much wider range than other fly rods. We have managed to make super-strong featherweight fly rods, with an emphasis on fishing where the rod is working with minimum vibration through an entire load range – from close-in and out to even extreme distances. The design requires minimal input power where the rod does the job. It has never been so easy and taken so little effort to deliver precision loops at 10-meters or 30-meters while easily controlling the line or changing the pace of the cast.

3M and Powerlux are trademarks of 3M Company.

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We’re currently stocking the Cross S1 and Opti Stream rods and both the Classic and Opti Reels and we will be adding more products as we move towards the spring season. We invite you to check out http://www.loopflyusa.com/ to learn all about LOOP and the great products they offer.

 

 

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