Montana Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Mid-May on the MO

Halfway through May and the BLUR is on!

With rivers on the west side blown it’s been a busy week on the MO with a variety of weather conditions and what can only be called a mixed bag on the fishing and bug front.

We saw quite a Mother’s Day Caddis Event last week but that’s come and gone for the most part as has the BWO fishing. Midges continue to be a consistent option and the rumors are true…PMD’s have begun, weeks ahead of schedule.

Summer-like weather has had the river feeling more like July than mid-May but yesterday’s highs in the 80’s have been replaced by much more seasonal 50’s and 60’s and it looks like we’ll hold where we’re at for a while and even see some 30’s and 40’s on Sunday and Monday with a few snow showers possible before we climb back into the 60’s and 70’s next week.

The shuttle business has been booming with this week being our busiest of the season by far. We’ve seen a bit of a lull in lodging this week but that changes this weekend as we fill up and vacancies become scarce from here on out. We have had some cancellations here and there so please give us a call if you need lodging anytime over the next couple of weeks. We might just be able to help you out.

Nymphing has continued to produce with Tailwater sows and baetis nymphs still the go to’s but it’s definitely time to work some PMD nymphs into your offerings. Frenchies, PT Green Machines, Redemptions, Magic Flies, Gold Lighting Bugs, PMD Psycho Mays, PMD Perdigons and more. You might also swap out that Pill Popper lead fly for a Blow Torch, Tung Dart, Weight Fly or other Caddis offering.

Low light streamer fishing has continued to be a viable option with plenty of big-shouldered browns still on the hunt. Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolt , Micro Dungeons and Space Invaders all good options.

Creek opener this Saturday….NOW you can fish the Little Prickly Pear! Unfortunately it’s been getting fished plenty this spring so it’s not exactly untouched water but it’s always nice to be back on the small water.

Shop Hours are 7 AM – 5 PM Daily and you’ve still got a week left to take advantage of our Spring Wader and Boot Sale. 20% off all waders and boots.

Make us your first and only stop on your way to the MO for the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO and the largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. We’re confident that once you give WCA a try you’ll see no reason to go anywhere else.

We are proud to be your one stop Missouri River Fly Fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-05-14T13:21:10-06:00May 14th, 2026|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Missouri River Mother’s Day

Just over a week into the month of May and things are busy as ever on the MO.

Some mornings it’s already been feeling like June with a steady stream of traffic in and out of the shop from doors open to around 11 AM.

Lodging is off and on with a full house some nights and a ghost town on others but usually somewhere in between.

Shuttles have been hard to plan for with a handful one day and hitting max capacity the next and while spring usually means a bunch of shuttles at the dam, traffic has been moving around a lot.

One day it feels like we’ve already entered the grind phase of the season, the next might be crickets or close to it.

Such is springtime on the MO.

As indicated by the movement of guide trip traffic, fishing has been solid river-wide with good nymphing most anywhere you go and localized dry fly opportunities ranging from waning BWO events to the old standby midge fishing and most recently loads of Caddis, particularly in the canyon stretch and a few March Browns in the mix making things interesting. More of this please!

Streamer fishing continues to be worth your time though I wouldn’t say this has ranked as one of our better spring streamer seasons. There have been some great browns chasing the streamer and some nice fish landed, but overall, I’d rate the streamer fishing a solid Meh…and that’s coming from someone who lives for this time of year as it relates to said streamers, so it pains me to say it.

You’ve heard it already and you will hear it again but for all sorts of reasons we need some water on the MO (and most every other river in the state of Montana). It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen this year, and we’ll be fine, but as we look beyond the current season, I for one have already added a daily appeal to the higher power for a real winter and an abundance of water in 2027 so if we see high water next year you’ll know why!

Just a few days left for our Mother’s Day Wader and Boot Sale which ends on Sunday. Forty percent OFF ALL WOMEN’S WADERS AND WADING BOOTS! This is in conjunction with our Spring Wader and Boot Sale running through Memorial Day with all waders and boots 20 percent off.

If you’re spending Mother’s Day on the MO stop by the shop for bugs and shuttles and pick up some new waders and boots for mom at the best prices you’ll see in 2026.

Springtime is in Full Bloom, and it looks like a gorgeous weekend ahead with sunny skies and temps in the 70’s tomorrow and Saturday. We will hit 80 on Mother’s Day with more of the same on tap for next week. Highs in the 70’s, overnight lows in the 40 and plenty of sunshine. It doesn’t get much better!

New Shop Hours starting Monday, May 11th. 7 AM – 5 PM Daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-05-07T12:08:55-06:00May 7th, 2026|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, March Browns, Missouri River, Montana, Mother's Day, running line, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Spring Fishing at its Finest – photo by Luke Koerten

Early last week it seemed as though summer-like weather was settling in. Bluebird days with temperatures in the 80’s and landscapes of green all around had things feeling much more like early June than the end of April.

But right on cue, Mother Nature did her thing and just like that winter returned. Starting last Thursday those highs in the 80’s we saw earlier in the week were replaced by temps struggling to reach 40 and plunging into the 20’s overnight. Snow has been falling off and on all weekend and while the conditions were a disappointment to some who happened to have guide trips booked for this time, this weather pattern is exactly what we need, pumping the brakes on spring.

Warmer weather on tap for the coming week with highs back in the 50’s and 60’s and overnight lows in the 30’s and 40’s. These are much more seasonable conditions which will prolong spring fishing for the time being.

Prior to the change in the weather, fishing had been heating up with some good BWO action in the canyon and good nymphing all around. The streamer bite had been on the slow side, more miss than hit, but with enough action to keep things interesting.

The arrival of the cold front seemed to have much more of an affect on the anglers than on the fishing per se with DIY action dropping off dramatically and many of those guide trips getting cut short but we expect a return to normalcy this week with a warm up underway.

Sow bugs and Zebra Midges are still the staple for your nymph rigs but baetis nymphs like the Little Green Machine, Mosason, Two Hot Baetis, BWO Magic Fly, Olive Psycho May and Olive Crack Back Bullets have definitely been getting some attention.

We should see plenty of dry fly opportunities as well as normal spring conditions resume. Late morning/early afternoon BWO’s and midges throughout the day and into the evening hours. Sprout Baetis, 401 K Baetis, Flash Cripples, Last Chance Cripples, BWO Hatchback, BWO Guide Winna Spinna and Olive Haze are all good baetis options while Grizzly Midge Clusters, Griffiths Gnats, Black Midges and Adams Midge Clusters have been the go-to midge options.

Streamer options are wide open – dealer’s choice, but for my money, if I could only have one streamer it would be the Sculpin Sparkle Minnow…hands down the most productive streamer in my box.

Spring shop hours are 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM daily with most guide trips getting started in the 8:30 – 9 Am window. Don’t miss our Spring Wader Sale with 20% ALL WADERS and WADING BOOTS through Memorial Day.

We hope you make WCA your first stop of the day on your way to the MO for shuttles, bugs and so much more. As of today, it appears as though the Craig Bridge is still closed. Hopefully that work will be completed soon but until that time WCA is, without a doubt, your best shuttle option on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-04-26T12:43:55-06:00April 26th, 2026|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Go Time

While we’ve been anxiously awaiting a shot of spring snow and cold to slow things down and keep us in that early-season window, it doesn’t seem like Mother Nature got the memo. Buds are popping, grass is greening, and more days than not we’re seeing sunshine and temps that feel a lot more like mid-May than early April.

What’s also popping? Bugs.

Midges are everywhere, and we’ve been hearing reports of BWO’s showing up in fishable numbers in the canyon over the past week. Dry fly opportunities are on the table most days now, and only getting better. Midges are the Spring Training of the dry fly game—reliable, consistent, and a great way to knock the rust off—but the regular season is just getting underway. Look for BWO’s and midges to carry the load over the next 4–6 weeks, with March Browns and caddis not far behind.

Best Bets for midges…Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Black Midge, Griffith’s Gnat, Hi-Vis Midge, Grizzly Midge Cluster, Adams Midge Cluster. GO To BWO’s – Guide Winna Spinna BWO, Olive Haze, Hi Vis BWO, Pederson’s 401K Baetis, Sprout Baetis, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, Last Chance Cripple, Flash Cripple, Jake’s Hatchback Baetis…and so many more.

Spawning is still in full swing on the MO, so please be mindful of where you’re wading. Give those fish some space and let them do their thing—the future of this fishery depends on it.

If you’re looking for numbers, nymphing remains the go-to. Double sows are still punching the ticket more often than not. Zebra Midges, Ruby Midges, Little Green Machines, Magic Flies, Caviar Scuds, Pill Poppers, Amex, Pederson’s Sow, Bubble Yums, worms, and soft hackle sows are all getting it done.

The streamer bite has been solid—even under bluebird skies—but as always, low light is your best friend. Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, Swim Coaches, MoJo Minnows, Micro Dungeons, Baby Gongas, Polar Leeches, Dirty Hippies, Lil’ Kims…you know the drill. Fish what you believe in. Water temps are still hanging in the low 40’s, so no need to get wild with the strip, but fish are definitely getting more aggressive and will chase on the right days. Mix up your retrieve, build in pauses, and don’t be afraid to fish everything from the depths to the shallows and tailouts—it’s all in play right now.

There’s truly no better time of year to fish streamers on the Missouri, and with some rain, snow, and cloud cover in the forecast for Sunday and Monday, things could get downright epic.

We’re open daily at 8 AM with everything you need for your day on the water—Cheapest DAM shuttles on the MO, the biggest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, and all the latest gear from the best brands in the business. New rods, reels, waders, boots, lines, leaders—you name it—arriving almost daily. ’Tis the season.

Lodging is fully open and guides are standing by. Give us a call or book your trip online—we’ll see you out there.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-04-09T10:41:38-06:00April 9th, 2026|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, midge, Missouri River, Montana, pill popper, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|Comments Off

Spring is beginning to show itself on the MO. Photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Last Friday marked the official first day of spring and while in Montana we’re accustomed to winter weather for at least a portion of the start of spring, this year we got a taste of summer to kick things off with temperatures in the 70’s over the weekend and more mild weather this week.

Weekend traffic was moderately heavy and barring a return of winter weather, which is not currently predicted, it seems as though the 2026 season is officially underway on the Missouri.

Here’s what you need to know.

The new license year started on March 1st so if you haven’t yet purchased a 2026 fishing license you’ll need to do so before hitting the water. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks eliminated retail license sales at the end of 2025, so WE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO SELL YOU A FISHING LICENSE. All license sales are now done through the FWP website. Some shops may, at their own cost, provide you with a tablet or a computer from which to purchase your license, but all sales run through the FWP online licensing process. You can purchase your license here.

Spring means spawning fish and with the mild weather we’ve had all winter, spawning is well underway. Spawning means fish on gravel and eggs in the spawning redds. Rivers in the state of Montana are not stocked so the success of the fishery relies exclusively on wild fish doing wild fish things and anglers taking the utmost care to not disturb that process.

Please do not target spawning fish and avoid treading on redds at all costs! The future of our fishery depends on it.

In season rates go into effect on April 1st so you’ve got about a week left to take advantage of our lodging and guide trip special. Two nights of premium lodging and a full day guided trip for one or two anglers for just $750. Guide trips alone without lodging $550 through the end of the month and winter rates on premium lodging just $149 through the end of the month. One week from today regular rates return as does the 3% Resort Tax.

All of our cabins and bungalows are now open, and the motel rooms will be open the week of April 5th.

Izaaks in Craig is open for business Wednesday – Sunday from 3 – 9 PM. Lazy I Beerworks in Wolf Creek opens on Monday, March 30th. Their early season hours are Monday and Tuesday from 3-9 PM. Closed Wednesday. Thursday 3-9 PM, Friday 3-10 PM, Saturday Noon – 10 PM and Sunday from Noon to 9.

Here at WCA we are still assembling our crew for the season but we’re doing our best to be here from 8 – 4 daily. We’re busy checking in all the new gear for spring so come see what’s new. We hope you make us your first stop on the way to the MO for shuttles and bugs and anything else you might need for your day on the water.

There’s nothing quite like springtime on the Missouri. Come experience it today!

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-03-25T10:40:50-06:00March 25th, 2026|Categories: Local Buzz, Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Izaaks, Lazy I Beerworks, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Sticking with the Best

If you fish and spend even a little time on social media, you’ve probably noticed a big push from wader manufacturers over the past several months. That increased visibility comes at a time when wader sales across the industry have softened somewhat after the COVID surge that saw fly-fishing gear sales spike in 2021 and 2022 before returning to more normal levels.

Like most things in this industry, the reasons are varied. Some are environmental, some economic, and some simply reflect the durability of modern gear.

Recent seasons have brought unusually mild winters, limited spring runoff, and inconsistent flows tied to ongoing drought conditions, all of which have changed the wade-fishing dynamic in many places. When water levels are low and access is easier, anglers tend to get more mileage out of the waders they already own.

At the same time, today’s premium waders are built to last. A high-quality pair that’s well cared for and used occasionally can easily last five seasons or more. That’s a far cry from the disposable waders of decades past that might survive a season if you were lucky. Many of the waders purchased during the COVID boom are still performing just fine, which means anglers simply aren’t in the market for replacements yet.

Add in some tightening of discretionary spending for many households and it’s no surprise that wader and boot sales have been a bit slower the past couple of seasons. Still, we’re confident those cycles will turn—as they always do—and when they do we’re proud to continue offering what we believe are the best waders in the business, built right here in Montana.

Simms has been the industry leader in wading gear for as long as we’ve been in business—and long before that. While there are many excellent options in today’s marketplace, we still view Simms as the benchmark when it comes to performance, durability, and innovation in wading gear.

The Simms G3 Guide Wader, the company’s all-time best-selling model, has long been the wader by which others are measured. It remains one of the most widely trusted waders in fly fishing and continues to be a top seller year after year. In fact, Simms waders occupy multiple spots among the top-selling waders in the industry—more than any other single brand.

At Wolf Creek Angler, we’re proud to continue serving as your Authorized Simms Dealer on the Missouri River, offering products that have proven themselves season after season in some of the most demanding fisheries in the world. And importantly, Simms’ premium waders are built right here in Bozeman, Montana, USA, a fact no other company can claim.

We carry a full lineup of Simms G3 and Freestone waders, along with a range of wading boots for every type of water you might encounter. You’ll also find Simms rain gear, wading jackets, hats, gloves, and sun protection in the shop. Our selection of Simms sportswear is more limited—mostly a matter of space—but we’re always happy to special order anything you’re looking for and can have it shipped either to the shop or directly to your door.

After more than a decade of working with Simms as a dealer, we’ve seen firsthand the quality of their products and the way they stand behind them. Like any technical gear, issues occasionally arise, but in our experience Simms has consistently supported their products and made things right when needed.

It’s great to see so many companies investing in innovation and working hard to build excellent wading gear. Competition pushes everyone forward, and anglers ultimately benefit from that. For us, though, Simms remains the standard, and we’re proud to continue offering their gear to our customers.

If you’re thinking about upgrading your waders or boots this spring, we hope you’ll stop by Wolf Creek Angler and take a look at the latest from Simms. We’d love to help you get into your next pair.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-03-03T15:09:26-07:00March 3rd, 2026|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, Freestone, G3, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Simms Fishing Products, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

This Weekend on the MO

If you’re thinking about hitting the river today (Thursday), we’d strongly suggest sitting this one out. A High Wind Warning is in effect through 11 a.m. tomorrow, with sustained west winds of 35–45 mph and gusts pushing 65 mph. Simply put—not ideal fishing conditions.

Things improve a bit tomorrow afternoon, but it will remain breezy with south winds at 14–22 mph and gusts up to 30. Fishable? Maybe. Enjoyable? Debatable. It might be worth giving Friday a pass as well.

The weekend, however, looks nearly perfect.

Saturday brings mostly sunny skies, calm winds, and a high near 46, with just a slight chance of snow in the morning. Sunday looks even better—partly sunny, calm winds, and a high around 55. That pattern carries into next week with continued mild, stable weather.

That’s great news for those itching to fish right now. From a longer-term perspective, we’re still keeping an eye on conditions. We’re about to put another winter month behind us with below-average snowfall and above-average temperatures. With spring just a few weeks away, all we can do is hope March delivers some late winter moisture and that spring trends wetter. While concern is warranted, pessimism isn’t productive—and regardless of conditions, we’ll fish on.

Current Situation in Montana

If you’re planning to be out this weekend, we hope you start your day with a stop at Wolf Creek Angler. We’ll be fully staffed for shuttles, and as of this writing, lodging is still available.

Winter lodging rates are $149/night, and all currently available rooms include kitchen facilities. These rooms are not pet-friendly, but pet-friendly units will begin opening up over the next couple of weeks.

Our guides are ready to get back on the water and have availability. While we don’t play the discount game, we are offering a lodging and guide trip special through the end of March:
$850 for two nights of premium lodging and a full-day guided trip for one or two anglers—essentially standard trip pricing with BOGO lodging.

We’re also excited to roll out updates to our website that now allow you to request a guided trip online—no phone call required. Look for the BOOK NOW buttons throughout the site.

Spring shipments are arriving daily, and the shop is well stocked for current conditions. We’re loaded up on Pill Poppers and Tailwater Sows (arguably all you really need right now), along with plenty of other effective options for nymphing, streamer fishing, and swinging flies. Expect some solid midge activity top water this weekend as well.

We also have Adipose drift boat rentals, Trxstle rod carriers, rods and reels from Sage, Lamson, Echo, and Redington. Simms wading gear, Korkers boots, eyewear from Smith and Suncloud, and a full lineup of WCA logo gear, with new items arriving weekly.

The shop will open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with shuttle service available both days. We’ll do our best to offer shuttles throughout the week as well.

And finally—feel free to pray for snow. You might as well do it while floating the Missouri and enjoying this stretch of spring-like weather.

Reminder: Your 2025 fishing license expires Saturday, February 28. FWP has eliminated retail license sales and moved to a “License Ambassador Program,” which we have opted out of. As a result, WE CAN NO LONGER SELL YOU A FISHING LICENSE. Licenses must now be purchased online.

See you on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-02-26T09:15:23-07:00February 26th, 2026|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, Echo, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Montana, pill popper, Redington, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Image created by ChatGPT5.2

We’re not sure what to make of this “winter” but regardless of what weather we get or don’t get over the next two months, one thing is for sure, the spring fishing season is rapidly approaching, and this is the time to start sorting your gear as you prepare of the 2026 campaign.

For me, the usual routine involves being inside where it’s warm, watching the snow fly outside where it’s frigid, while emptying out my gear bags and fly pucks and trying to restore some order to the chaos generated over months of chasing trout in Montana. This routine often involves sipping a tasty beverage or two while contemplating the season ahead.

It’s a little different this year. I’ve spent plenty of time being inside where it’s warm but rare have been the days of flying snow or frigid cold outside my cozy confines and while there have been plenty of tasty beverages consumed, I just can’t seem to get motivated to tackle the task at hand. I’ve been waiting for that stretch of snowy days where there is nowhere to go and nothing to do but start sorting flies and gear. Now February is knocking and as has been the case all winter long, the weather says go fishing. There’s no reason not to, other than the fact that the chaos in the gear bags and in the back of the rig hasn’t been addressed since fall and is in desperate need of attention.

In my defense, my fishing rig (and everything in it) has been out of my possession since Thanksgiving, thanks to an unfortunate run in with a deer, so I really couldn’t get going on this project even if I wanted to, but supposedly I’ll have my rig back sometime this week and then I’ll have no excuses! Snow or no snow – it’s time to do the work!

For me, the brunt of “the work” is fly inventory and organization. Every season I swear off the fly puck system (which is chaos defined) and tell myself I’m going to keep my flies in my fly boxes where they will be organized and easy to access. No more will I dig through puck after puck in my boat storage box, looking for that puck of flies I just grabbed from the shop prior to the outing. No more will I sift through spool after spool of tippet looking for that fresh guide spool of 4X I just bought.

A place for everything and everything in its place! It would make things so much easier and would substantially cut down on fly purchases because I would always know exactly what I have and exactly what I need.

It all begins to come into focus as each puck is emptied and the flies are placed in the proper slot in the proper box with the boxes stowed in the proper bags, arranged in seasonal order and further organized according to hatches.

Boxes upon boxes of nymphs, dry flies and streamers…. each exactly where they belong. Old tippet spools tossed, fresh spools organized and accessible, empty leader packages in the garbage where they belong and all those fat used leaders coiled and stashed for future use (I’ll save this for hopper season) GONE.

A well-organized boat bag full of well-organized boxes in the well-organized storage area of a clean and orderly rig. Boat storage absent of clutter and ready for the season ahead.

Order emerges from the chaos, and the experience of that order is nothing short of bliss but alas, chaos will not be denied but will in fact return with a vengeance, soon overtaking your next season on the water.

It’s a battle we all fight and the struggle is real and I’m here to tell you (and to convince myself) that restoration of order must commence. The time is now!

Just a heads up, we are well stocked with boat bags and fly boxes and everything you need to bring order to your chaos to start the 2026 season out right and if you’re emptying pucks we’re happy to put them back into circulation, regardless of what shop logo is on them.

Image Created by ChatGPT5.2

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-01-28T16:56:04-07:00January 28th, 2026|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: chaos, leaders, Montana, nymphs, order, running line, streamers, tippet spools, winter, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Welcome 2026

Happy New Year from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler and welcome to 2026 on the legendary Missouri.

Here is the latest.

It feels much more like early November than the first of January. There is zero snow on the ground here in Wolf Creek and the short-term forecast is anything but wintery with daily highs near 50 through the weekend. Temperatures will trend downward starting early next week with daily highs in 30’s. No snow on the horizon. As you would expect with the unseasonably warm weather, conditions will be breezy with SSW winds at 10 – 20 mph for the next several days but that aside, if you’re looking to get out on the river anytime soon conditions are ideal by January standards.

We are checking the forecast regularly and hoping for that plunge into winter but not seeing anything just yet. Fingers crossed and hoping for that much needed snow to arrive starting sometime soon. Admittedly the outlook seems a little dire from where we sit with a snowless landscape but there is snow in the high country and we are still early in the snow cycle.

Water conditions are typical for this time of year with flows holding around 3100 CFS and water temperatures lingering in the high 30’s. There is no shelf ice, and the ramps are in great shape.

Despite the mild weather and favorable water conditions things remain quiet with extraordinarily little boat traffic and only a handful of wade anglers to be found on any given day.

Those who are out there have primarily been nymphing or swinging but on the right days you can punch your dry fly ticket as well.

Winter fare is in play with Tailwater sowbugs (pink or rainbow), Pill Poppers, Pederson’s Sow, Cotton Candy, Pink Ray, Pink Amex, Rainbow Warriors, Rainbow Czechs, Scud Bombs, Bubble Yums all good options.

Slow and deep winter water is your target with double nymphs and a split 5ish feet under a bobber. The fish are in that water. Adjust depth accordingly until you find them.

Swingers are targeting that same water but also still finding success in some of the transitional (faster) runs and tailouts. Kreelex, Polar Leeches, Thin Mints and soft hackles are producing on the swing and those stripping are moving fish on Sparkle Minnows, Mojo Minnows, Skiddish Smolt and the like.

Most of the wade traffic has been concentrated in the Holter Dam to Wolf Creek Bridge stretch, primarily in the Bull Pasture zone.

Our favorite float this time of year is Wolf Creek Bridge to Craig. It is just the right length and there’s a plethora of good winter water in that run which means that if you happen upon a spot occupied by wade anglers or another boat you don’t need to go far to find the next good spot.

Craig to Stickney is also a good option this time of year, especially for the streamer set.

Now that the holidays have passed and we are inching towards longer days we expect things will start to pick up (at least until winter weather arrives) and we will adjust our hours accordingly.

We are here Tuesday – Saturday at 8 AM with winter lodging available anytime. Winter rates are $149/night (plus tax) for one of our cozy bungalows which sleep three and feature kitchens and private baths. Unfortunately, we do not allow pets in these rooms. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We have been getting a few calls about guided trips lately, wondering if we offer a winter special. We do not offer discounted trips, but we do offer a winter lodging and guide trip special for $850 (plus tax) which gets you a full day guided trip for one or two anglers and two nights of premium lodging. This offer runs through the end of March.

Guides are in somewhat short supply during the winter months, so we encourage you to call well in advance if you are interested in doing a winter trip on the MO. Winter conditions can obviously be a challenge so there are no penalties for cancellation of winter trips. Cancel anytime for any reason.

WCA is your Missouri River winter fly fishing destination, and we hope to see you soon.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-01-02T13:44:39-07:00January 2nd, 2026|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, pill popper, running line, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Quiet on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

As we approach Thanksgiving it appears as though we’re FINALLY in for at least a taste of winter weather later this week with temperatures plunging and a chance for some snow on Thursday and Friday.

Tomorrow looks good for travel and good for fishing with partly cloudy skies and a high near 40 with SW winds at 10 – 15 mph. Thanksgiving Day we’ll see snow showers and a high of 36 before the cold blast arrives on Friday with a high of 23 and lows in the single digits along with the possibility of another couple inches of snow.

The weekend will be cold with highs near twenty on Saturday and Sunday and lows near zero on Saturday night but moderating Sunday. Temperatures will stabilize next week with highs in the 30’s and low 40’s and lows in the 20’s, much more what we expect in late November!

River flows remain low, currently at 2950 CFS with water temperatures holding in the mid 40’s but look for those temperatures to drop as we head into the holiday weekend.
Traffic this week has been non-existent and while there may be a few folks taking advantage of the holiday to hit the water over the next couple of days, I’d expect the winter weather will likely keep traffic to a minimum.

If you are planning to hit the MO this Thanksgiving week you might opt for wade fishing rather than committing to a float just so you can bail at will. If you are going to float, I’d recommend staying in the Holter Dam to Craig zone, keeping it super short with a Dam to Wolf Creek Bridge run or stretching the day with a Wolf to Craig campaign.

Nymphing will produce with Sowbugs being your go-to and you may find a fish or two rising for a surface meal but for my money streamers are the ticket, either swung or stripped. Leeches and soft hackles on the swing, Sparkle Minnows and Smolts on the strip. Swing the tailouts and drop offs, hit the banks and shallows with a moderately fast strip and plenty of pauses.

We are taking advantage of the downtime to get some maintenance items knocked off the list and also to enjoy some time with loved ones. Shop hours are on the hit and miss side this time of year, but we can say for certain that we will be CLOSED for the Thanksgiving holiday starting on Thursday and won’t be back in the shop until Monday, December 1st.

We do have lodging available so give us a shout if you need accommodations, but the shop will be closed. If you need shuttles over the weekend, please give our friends in Craig a call.

We have got our best deals of the season on rods and reels and waders and boots right now or you can get your Christmas shopping done with a quick phone call. WCA Gift Cards make a great gift for the fly fishers on your list and can be purchased in any amount and are good for anything and everything we sell from shuttles to lodging to guide trips to merchandise.

As we reflect on this season that has now come to a close, we couldn’t be more thankful to all of you for making us a part of your Missouri River fly fishing experience. Whether you stayed with us, fished with us, shopped with us or all the above, we extend a heart-felt thank you for your business and for giving us the opportunity to take care of you.

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler!

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-11-25T12:01:27-07:00November 25th, 2025|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

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