Missouri River Archives - Page 9 of 62

Back At It

What a difference a week makes!

A week ago we were looking for ways to pass the time with the late summer lull in full effect. The days in the shop tend to drag during the lull, especially after 9 am when you often don’t see much in the way of customers for the rest of the day. A few folks stopping in out of curiosity or maybe asking for change for the pop machine or directions to the river. Suffice it to say, we haven’t been setting any retail records over these past few weeks but the switch flipped this week and we’re back in the thick of it.

A full house and a pile of guide trips going out most days these next couple of weeks. It’s taken a minute to get back into the swing of things but we’re there now and ready to finish this season strong.

Not much has changed on the river since last week. It’s still primarily a nymphing game but there are some surface opportunities as well with terrestrials and the occasional callibaetis and October Caddis which may be few and far between but our trout LOVE them so don’t be afraid to invest some time in an October Caddis dry/dropper rig.

Weeds are definitely creating challenges for the sub-surface set but you’ve likely dealt with much worse. Check those rigs often and keep em’ clean. Trout prefer NO SALAD with their meal!

Weeds aside, the water is in great shape with flows holding steady in the 4200 CFS range and temps on the drop (currently 63 degrees).

Smoke from wild fires in the region has been pretty thick this past week for the first time this season but seems to have started to dissipate today. Cooler weather trends ahead with a chance for precipitation most days should continue to cool the water temps while the fishing heats up.

There’s nothing like fall fishing on the MO. Chilly mornings and evenings, fall colors popping and big browns on the prowl. Get out there!

We’re open at 7 AM daily with everything you need for your day on the water. Hats, Gloves, Sun protection, the best streamer selection on the MO and the sale of the season happening NOW on all rods and reels.

Lodging is busy but plenty of last minute options available most nights. We can’t really say the same thing where guide trips are concerned. It’s a busy month on the MO with many of our summer guides who moonlight as educators during the off season back to work, shrinking our guide pool substantially. It never hurts to call and ask but September is pretty well full. We do have plenty of openings in October though which in my opinion is the better month to fish but that’s neither here nor there. Give us a shout if you’d like to set something up for October or early November.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-09-14T13:00:17-06:00September 14th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Another Summer Season in the Books

The calendar still says summer. The weather at the moment definitely concurs but Labor Day has come and gone and with it Summer Season Number Nine at Wolf Creek Angler.

Summer angling crowds have been absent for weeks now and the river has been busy with rec floaters enjoying one last summer fling before it’s back to the fall grind.

Things have been on the lonely side these past few weeks for those of us in the fly shops but that’s about to change as we close the books on the summer season and make the shift to fall. It appears as though it will continue to feel like summer for the time being with a taste of what’s on the horizon coming Friday with expected daytime highs in the 50’s. The heat returns for the weekend but we’re definitely in the transition from sweltering heat to cooler days and nights. The leaves are turning, ever so slowly and the vibe has turned from Endless Summer to everything fall.

Fall sports are either already or very soon to be underway and many have already put away the fishing gear for the season, making the switch from hunting heads to hunting horns. Big Game Season is here which means the pursuit of deer and elk for many but for others Big Game Season means the pursuit of monster browns on the prowl as the fall spawning season gets underway.

I spent Saturday afternoon in Missoula sweating through a convincing Griz win for their season opener. Sweating aside – it felt GREAT to be back in the stands watching football again. It’s the time of year when hopes are high for all of our favorite teams with a clean slate from which to start. It’s hard to be anything other than optimistic prior to that first snap, even if you’re a Detroit Lions fan. This could be our year!!

September and October are among my favorite months of the year. I love everything about the fall and find myself savoring these autumn months more and more as the years pass by. Many of you share this love for autumn as evidenced by our bookings for September. It’s going to be a busy month on the MO but at this point availability for lodging and guides in October looks good.

You simply can’t beat autumn days on the MO. As those cooler temps begin to take hold and our water temps start to drop you can expect fishing to improve dramatically. Terrestrials will continue to be your go to for surface action while the nymphing and streamer fishing start to heat up. Folks have already started asking about BWO’s…it typically doesn’t happen until mid-October or later depending on the weather but we’ll certainly keep you posted. A few Callibaetis here and there for the hard core DFO and a great time to throw an October Caddis.

It was a fun summer and a hot one at that. And so we bid farewell to Summer 22. We’ll miss those green hills and long days and warm nights but we shall not mourn summer’s passing. Instead we embrace the change and welcome this season of the harvest.

We hope to see you on the MO this fall.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-09-05T14:25:35-06:00September 5th, 2022|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, Griz, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, summer, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Farewell August…Autumn is upon us

We enjoyed a brief respite from the heat last weekend but we’re right back in it this week with highs in the 90’s and pushing triple digits. The good news is we’re cooling WAY down overnight with temps dipping into the 40’s and 50’s. This bodes well for keeping water temps in the comfort zone and as we close out the month of August it’s certain that cooler weather will be here soon.

In the meantime start early and skip the heat of the day. 7 AM has felt like the ideal as of late with darkness starting to overtake that summertime early morning light.

River flows are holding steady at around 4,000 CFS with water temps in the 64 – 66 degree range. With an abundance of our regional waters on Hoot Owl Restrictions right now you really couldn’t ask for better water conditions that what we’re seeing right now…especially by late summer standards. Yes, weeds are an ever-present challenge but definitely not nearly as bad as they could be.

The shift in the weather seemed to trigger the autumn bite these past few days. We’ll see if that maintains through this next run of hot days which looks like it’s going to run into the middle part of next week.

Black Zebra midges getting it done, autumn style. Pair it with a purple weight fly, beaded sow or beaded Pheasant Tail or do the double zebra, medium to shallow depth on your rig with or without a bb. Pairing with a Zirdle could also be the right call but whatever nymph rig you’re running be sure to check it often and keep it clean.

The hopper bite has slowed a bit but it’s still good enough that you should be able to move at least a few fish it you put your time in. Trail with an ant or drop a zebra or green machine to up your odds or just run solo if casting proficiency is an issue. Grassy banks are the obvious target, mid-river riffles and shallow flats might surprise you.

We’re clearing out summer gear at 40 percent off….get it while it lasts. Fall gear arriving daily including killer WCA logo Simms Challenger Hoodies.

We’re fully stocked with Simms G3 and Freestone waders as well as wading pants and waders from Redington and a bunch of boot options from Korkers and Simms.

Summer fly bins are being rapidly depleted. Streamers, October Caddis and fall/winter options are in great shape.

Our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale is underway with 25 % off ALL RODS AND REELS. Lamson, Echo, Redington, Ross, Loop….all 25% off. The best deals of the season happening NOW.

We’re open at 7 AM daily with everything you need for your day on the water. Shuttles, bugs, ice, fishing licenses, sun protection, stream thermometers, anchors, nets, fly boxes in all shapes and sizes, lines, leaders…if you need it we more than likely have it. If we don’t have it you probably don’t really need it.

We are your Missouri River Fall Fly Fishing One Stop Shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-08-30T11:07:45-06:00August 30th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Summer Fading Fast

It’s hard to believe but August is already coming to a close. Summer 22 is about to be but a memory as we turn the page and start to look towards fall fishing.

It’s been one of the hotter summers in recent memory with the number of days above 90 degrees far outpacing the average. We’ll see 90 today but cooler temps and maybe even some rain are on the way for the remainder of this week.

We’ll see highs in the high 70’s and low 80’s all week with a good chance for rain showers and possible thunderstorms starting tomorrow and running through Friday. Overnight lows will continue to dip into the low 50’s which should provide some relief to our stressed waters around the region. Fingers crossed that we get some precipitation and hopefully avoid any serious fire activity.

We anticipate solid fishing this week with the change in conditions, especially on the days with cloud cover which we should see starting tomorrow. The hopper bite continues to be strong on the right days with the hopper/ant rig outperforming the hopper/dropper rig but both have been effective. A single hopper or ant also gets it done for those who are working to improve their casting proficiency but perhaps aren’t quite there yet.

We’ve had better luck on smaller hoppers in the #12 – #14 range but don’t be afraid to mix it up and try the #8’s and #10’s. Tan Donkey Kong and Morrish and More or Less hoppers in Tan, Peach and Yellow have been money. Trail with a Stealth Ant and work the banks as well as the mid-river riffles.

Tricos have been hit or miss but there have definitely been some stellar days. Those opportunities should persist into early September.

Sow bugs, Green Machines, PT’s, black or olive zebra midges, weight flies in purple or gold, Peep Shows, Frenchies and Zirdles have all been good nymphing options though weeds are making things challenging so be mentally prepared for that.

The river remains quiet for the time being. Most traffic is concentrated at the dam as you might expect with most opting for the coldest and cleanest water but as those water temps hopefully start to drop a bit this week it might be worth your while exploring lower river options.

Rec traffic has been heavy, especially on the weekends but that’s all about to change as the world shifts out of summer mode and back to the grind.

Angling traffic will increase next month. It’s one of our busier Septembers as far as guide trips go with folks looking to get the jump on fall fishing. We’ve got several large groups coming in for annual trips starting the second week of the month so last minute bookings in September will be tough to fill but October is pretty wide open at this point if you’re looking to make plans for a fall pilgrimage to the MO.

With the days getting shorter and things hopefully cooling down soon we’re going back to opening at 7 AM this week. End of Summer Sale happening now with 40% OFF ALL SUMMER GEAR including cool T’s from Yakoda and all WCA summer logo wear. Annual Fall Rod and Reel SALE coming SOON.

Enjoy these late summer days on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-08-22T10:08:40-06:00August 22nd, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Hoppers, Missouri River, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yakoda, zebra midges|0 Comments

Ten Years After

It was ten years ago this week we left our Michigan home in the rearview and headed west.

With no jobs, no prospects and no real plan we chased a dream to Helena MT in search of the next chapter. What materialized over these last ten years I could never have imagined…I could never have dreamed this Big.

Montana felt right from day one which was a good thing as the first job I found was working in the warehouse at George’s Distributing with a crew half my age picking orders, loading and unloading trucks and moving product around the warehouse, sometimes into the wee hours of the night.

I was thankful for the job but extremely humbled as I’d gone from business owner to entry-level laborer with no clear path before me but it was all providential as we would soon find out.

Following a couple of years of unsuccessfully negotiating purchases of a few different fly shops in Montana I’d all but given up on that dream and settled for a move to the state which was the object of my obsession with the thought that whatever I ended up doing would be just fine because I’d be doing it in Montana. And while this was in fact the case in those early days I wasn’t so sure about the next chapter consisting of spending the next stage of my career working in a wine warehouse.

Fast forward to the spring of 2013…seven months into our new life in Montana I found myself going to work for Montana River Outfitters in Wolf Creek as Fly Shop Manager and also guiding on the Missouri River.

My desperate search for an opportunity to purchase a fly shop had been put on hold as I sought other avenues but just like that the opportunity materialized, providentially, just as it was meant to.

A year and four months into our journey I found myself the co-owner of a fly shop and lodging operation. And not just a fly shop, but a clean slate of a fly shop which we were able to develop into our own unique brand.

The next nine years would of course see change as we worked to improve our fly shop offerings while chipping away at making improvements to the lodging…a process which it turns out is never ending.

Nine years in we like where we’re at with Wolf Creek Angler. Our brand is well established and we continue to grow our business and to look for opportunities to improve and expand our services.

My outfitting business Iron Fly Outfitting has steadily grown and the future, as they say, is wide open.

Ten years after arriving here in Montana it still feels like a dream. This decade has flown past and while living here still in some ways feels new, life is happening as the narrative continues to develop.

My wife Sheila found work at one of the high schools in Helena as a career counselor when we arrived and returned to school for a degree in education. She is now a fixture at Helena High where her gifts and talents are on display every day as she makes a meaningful impact on the lives of so many students. There are challenges with every job. I can’t imagine the challenges of being a high school teacher but she rolls with those challenges better than anyone I know and for this season she is where she is supposed to be. Just ask her students.

Our son John was starting sixth grade when we arrived here. To me, there is no clearer gauge of the ridiculously accelerated passage of time than the fact that middle school, high school and three years of college are now behind us. Our “kid” is now an adult, making his way in Missoula with a world filled with possibilities laid out before him.

As those who read this blog know we lost our dear dog Jake last summer. His life of 12 years encompassed this immense amount of change. A complete reinvention of our lives in a new place and the adolescent years of our son come and gone.

We now have Zeke, just shy of 10 months into his life journey with us. He is amazing and as we embark on this journey with him we don’t know what changes his lifetime will bring but we do know his life with us is yet another hourglass of mortality counting down our days.

Our first ten years in Montana have been an amazing journey…a story we could not have imagined. And though we still miss our friends and family back in Michigan and I sometimes romanticize my days working in the foundry…there is simply no place I would rather be than here in Montana and we continue to feel blessed beyond measure.

Here’s to the next 10 and beyond!

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-08-17T13:13:52-06:00August 17th, 2022|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: George's Distributing, Missouri River, Montana, Montana River Outfitters, running line, Wolf Creek Angler|4 Comments

Summer Heat

Summer heat has started to take its toll around the state with an increase in wild fire activity and Hoot Owl closures on many of our rivers. That being said, the Missouri is still flowing relatively cold and has not yet approached the water conditions which would dictate a Hoot Owl closure, that being three consecutive days with water temps reaching 73 degrees. We’re currently seeing water temps in the 65 – 67 degree range at the dam which means lower river temps are likely considerably warmer. It’s time to put that stream thermometer to work and start keeping track of water temps throughout the day. Once that water hits 67 it’s time to stop fishing!

Daytime highs in the 90’s all this week will exacerbate the situation but hopefully the relatively cool nighttime lows will keep us in good shape until things cool down. We’ve been starting our guide trips early (6 – 6:30 AM ) and will continue to do so until conditions improve. Traffic has thinned to the point where we’re not as concerned about the pressure on the fish but you can expect your guide to check water temps frequently and as stated above, once that temp hits 68 degrees, it’s time to quit fishing and sit back and enjoy the summer scenery.

The bite has slowed a bit but hopper fishing has been good enough and Tricos are providing daily opportunities for those who can get it done. Nymphing has been hit or miss and has been increasingly challenging with a fair amount of weeds now in the system. Warm water, hot sun, weeds….it’s August on the MO but don’t let that scare you. There are plenty of fish to be caught out there, it’s just a matter of modifying your techniques to fit the conditions and perhaps adjusting your expectations.

The crowds are gone and the bugs are here. Get on early. Get off early and leave the heat of the day to the rec floaters.

The shop is still opening at 6:30 AM Monday – Saturday. Closing time has been somewhat random as we’ve been known to cut out early when it’s blazing hot out there. We’ve officially changed our Sunday hours to 7 AM – 2 PM to accommodate staff changes as our summer crew is soon to be cut in half as Phil returns to school next week.

Should you decide to add a visit to the MO to your late summer agenda we’ve got all kinds of lodging available and could likely even come up with a guide for you.

Great end of summer deals on Simms summer gear and much more at Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-08-09T11:50:25-06:00August 9th, 2022|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, Hoot Owl Closures, Hoppers, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Dog Days of Summer

The Dog Days of Summer have officially arrived.

It’s the time of the summer season when angling traffic slows to a crawl and most of those on the water are there to keep cool while enjoying the summer sun. If you find yourself fishing on the weekend you will likely be outnumbered by at least 3:1, rec floaters to drift boats.

With daytime highs in the 90’s and nearing 100 over the weekend I’d expect this trend to continue.

Fishing has remained good though it’s been markedly slower as of late with the added challenge of weeds now a part of the equation. They aren’t terrible. We’ve seen them much worse but you’d be wise to prepare yourself mentally for the challenge.

Tricos have been consistent with an abundance of bugs daily. Fish up have not been as consistent but if you put in the time you’ll find some willing players. Evening caddis action has been the better option, particularly at last light and into the darkness.

Small hoppers, Chubbys, Micro Chubbys and various ants have all provided decent mid-day action with or without a nymph dropper and blind fishing a Caddis throughout the day will get some looks as well.

And speaking of nymphs…if you opt for the bobber game Tailwater Sows, Frenchies, S & M’s, Green Machines, Purple Weight Flies, Tung Darts, Peep Shows, PT’s, Black or Olive Zebra midges, Olive or Purple lightning bugs and Nitro Caddis are all good options.

We even tried some night ops this week with the fur balls but were thwarted by the after-dark caddis smorgasbord and later by a howling north wind.

The traffic has been primarily in the Wolf Creek to Stickney section so maybe opt for the canyon or below if you’re looking to minimize contact with other humans. What the lower river lacks in ease of access it often makes up for in solitude and the occasional hopper hunting big brown but be prepared to deal with a fair amount of weed mass.

We’re continuing to open at 6:30 AM for the time being but will likely adjust accordingly as traffic and daylight dictate.

End of Summer Sale on now with 25% off most summer gear as we make room for fall arrivals.

Lodging is plentiful and guide trips are more or less available for the next few weeks as we close out the summer season and shift our focus towards fall. Take advantage of the solitude while you can as it looks to be a busy September/October on the MO. And if fall fishing is your plan we’d advise you book those dates sooner rather than later as we’re filling up fast.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-07-28T08:08:37-06:00July 28th, 2022|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Summer Solitude

Deep in the heart of summer here on the MO and all is well in our world.

The hatches have been consistent. The flows are near perfect when they’re not getting bounced around. The weather, while a little unstable, has been pleasant with cool evenings and mornings and just enough heat in the day to remind you it’s our hottest month of the year. The fish are happy and hungry and the crowds have thinned to the point where there is plenty of solitude to be found on the water which isn’t great for us but which should make you drop what you’re doing and head to the MO for one of the better dry fly seasons we’ve had in recent memory.

A good number of inflatables out there on the weekends so maybe skip those days or just get a super early start and be off the water before they get there. Or just fish in the midst of them and be happy that everyone is out there enjoying the resource.

We’ve been starting our trips early (6:30 – 7), leaving the heat of the day to the rec crowd. The heat of summer has started to have an effect on some of our regional waters with the Sun, the Smith and the Madison all on Hoot Owl restrictions. Hopefully with these steady flows in the 4K range, plenty of water in Canyon Ferry and these cool overnight temps we’ll steer clear of the Hoot Owl here on the Missouri.

Tricos are your early morning and daytime target with caddis providing some near-dark evening action. Hoppers and ants should also be in the mix with or without a nymph dropper.

Those choosing to chase the bobber are getting the numbers with sow bugs, Green Machines, Zebra midges, Frenchies, Purple or Gold Weight flies, Nitro Caddis, S & M’s and pheasant tails.

Plenty of lodging available right now and maybe even a guide or two available though that’s definitely been hit or miss.

Rental boats are finally available again after a busy three weeks.

It’s really the perfect time to sneak away to the MO where the fishing has been epic, the weather and water conditions couldn’t be any better and you might just have it to yourself. Whatever you do, don’t tell anybody!!

We’re open at 6:30 AM daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-07-19T13:15:20-06:00July 19th, 2022|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

The Shift

And just like that the BLUR shifts to the break as the traffic thins and we’re able to take a breath.

It seems the crowds have gone the way of the PMD’s….waning. Even as Tricos continue to move up river and the evening caddis action is heating up there has been a noticeable shift in angling pressure and while I wouldn’t exactly call the daytime traffic “light” if you wait until evening to fish you may not see another boat.

Many of the out of area guides have headed to their home waters as most everything has come into shape leaving us with a bit of a break in the traffic smack dab in the middle of PRIME DRY FLY TIME.

Tricos, Caddis and Terrestrials all on the menu right now and you can even continue to drown nymphs if you choose though it would seemingly be a shame to do so considering the dry fly madness happening around you. Hunt those heads and deliver the goods to your chosen fish or fish blind with a caddis, an ant, or a hopper and see what happens if the head hunting thing stresses you out.

Unlike the past several weeks we do have a few lodging vacancies. Guide trips are still going full tilt and available guides will continue to be hard to come by. Boat rentals have been at capacity these past couple of weeks continuing through this weekend and then things open up. Shuttles have continued to sell out daily so make sure to get here early or arrange the day before if you want to guarantee your shuttle.

Summer heat has arrived. We’ll be seeing temps approaching 100 a few times over the next few days but whether it’s 90 or 100, it’s going to be HOT regardless. Expect an abundance of rec float traffic this weekend with a high of 97 expected and plan accordingly. Start your day early and take the hottest part of the day off leaving the river to the float brigade. Return in the evening for awesome caddis action.

River flows continue to fluctuate and are currently at 5730 CFS. We should see it settle out at around 4K soon but we’re liking where we’re at for mid-July with good flow and temps holding in the low 60s, especially considering that a couple of months ago we were all but sounding the alarm as low snow pack had us wondering if we wouldn’t be on Hoot Owl in June. As it turns out, the late spring precipitation coupled with cool temps has us halfway through the season with the landscape still predominantly green and the water in great shape.

Weeds are in the early stages. Not bad at this point but a factor from here on out.

The shop is open from 6:30 AM – 5 PM daily with all of your Missouri River Summer Heat Fly Fishing Essentials. Sun Screen, Buffs, Eyewear, Simms SolarFlex Hoodies, shorts and flip flops; Fishpond and Simms sun hats, Ice, Fishing Licenses, Shuttles and of course the largest selection of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-07-12T10:27:39-06:00July 12th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Heat Wave on the Horizon

Following a week filled with scattered thunderstorms and fluctuating but pleasant daytime temps it looks like we’re in for our first sustained heatwave of the summer as the mercury starts to climb early next week into the mid to high 90’s, bumping up against 100 on Wednesday.

Not much in the forecast for precipitation but always be prepared as summer storms are common in the west and often come from out of nowhere. Have some rain gear at the least, preferably something with a sturdy hood to perhaps protect your noggin from the painful hail that can sometimes accompany these summer storms.

These hot summer days on the water are what many come for and there’s nothing quite as relaxing as floating down the river on a blue bird summer day but it’s important to be prepared for hazards like variations in the weather, lightning, wind and hail and the potential for overexposure to sun and/or heat. Keep yourself hydrated and don’t forget the sunblock.

Humans like the heat – so do the bugs. Waning days of PMD’s happening NOW with Caddis action building and Tricos making their way up river. Fishable numbers in the middle and lower sections now should give way to river-wide action over the next week or two.

In the absence of bugs try blind fishing a caddis, you might be surprised how effective the blind technique can be. And while it may be a little early, I never hesitate to give the hoppers a try any time after the fourth of July. Prime terrestrial season is still a ways out but if you spend enough time throwing a hopper or ant you’ll likely find a few willing players.

Rusty Spinners have been effective trailed with a PMD emerger, a CDc caddis emerger or a Buzzball. Double Wing Tricos or Indicator Spinners paired with a Trico emerger will soon be your go to rig. Outrigger Caddis, Front End Loaders, Stocking Foot Caddis, Iceberg Caddis, Missouri River CDC Caddis, Cornfed Caddis and Blooms Parachute Caddis are all good options thrown blind or to mimic what you’re seeing on the water.

Nymphing continues to be amazingly consistent with PMD and Caddis nymphs complementing the sowbug fare. Best bets for nymphing include Split Case PMD’s, Frenchies, PMD Redemptions, S & M’s, Little Green Machines, Gold or Purple Weight Flies, Tung Darts, Nitro Caddis, Rusty Magic Fly, Peep Show, Zebra Midges and black or olive Zebras. The water is still surprisingly clean with weeds just now getting started. Not bad considering we’re heading into the second week of July. Expect exponential growth once the temps skyrocket next week but with the relatively stable flows we’re seeing some of this will be mitigated.

Traffic has slowed slightly and many of those who remain are solidly situated in the DFO camp. A lot of folks wading and more evening angling activity than you’ll generally see on the Missouri.
The season is flying by us, so much so that bookings have seen a seismic shift to fall inquiries over this past week.

August seems a bit busier than usual but will still feel like a ghost town after these past couple of months. And things pick right back up in September so if you’re looking for fall dates on the MO we encourage you to make those plans now. October is fairly wide open at this point and is, in my opinion, the better month for fall fishing on the Missouri. More on that soon.

We’re open at 6:30 AM daily with limited shuttles, unlimited bugs and everything you need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-07-08T11:31:14-06:00July 8th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, pmd's, running line, summer, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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