Montana Archives - Page 16 of 33

Goodbye May…Prime Time Coming Soon

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

As we bid farewell to May we can’t help but look forward to what lies ahead.

High water has obviously been the major topic of conversation state-wide for the past several weeks and while we expect the Missouri to bump up against 20K by tomorrow, the hope is that the peak is soon to be behind us.

From today’s Bureau of Reclamation water order…
Tributary flows downstream of Canyon Ferry to the Missouri River have decreased which has created additional river capacity. Therefore, releases to the Missouri River will be increased in order to continue to manage the rate of fill at Canyon Ferry Reservoir.

Based on the SNOTEL data as well as conditions at Canyon Ferry we can surmise that we should be close to seeing peak flows followed by stabilization , hopefully somewhere in the 12-15K range which will keep things on target for filling the reservoir by mid June. As of today the reservoir is at roughly 88% full.

Snowpack Going Green.

So what does this mean for your 2018 Missouri River fly fishing plans?

The bottom line is that while conditions may not be what you’re used to and may in fact not be ideal, there are plenty of fish to be caught. If you don’t mind nymphing from a boat and you are willing to make some basic adjustments to your game or better yet, let our guides take care of making those adjustments to your game, fishy days await.

We who make a living in the fly fishing industry and who write about it have been challenged this season. The winter dragged on and then the waters started to rise. Winter weather in the spring and big water are not great selling points so blogging has not been easy. We won’t tell you everything is great when it isn’t but it’s obviously not in our best interest to publish doom and gloom. There’s a fine line there between accurate reporting and embellishment and we are totally committed to providing you with honest information no matter what. We are your glass half full fly shop on the Missouri, greeting and meeting each challenge and feeling incredibly blessed to be doing so.

The fact of the matter is, that despite having to figure things out again with each big push of water, overall the fishing has been consistently good for most of the spring. This is as big as I’ve seen the river since I’ve been here. I missed 2011 by a season which is the last time we saw water this big and I’ll be honest, it’s not only been a challenge to write about it but it’s been a real challenge learning how to fish it.

Long rigs, worms, big bobbers and lots of split shot are elementary…it’s where to fish that can be puzzling but not so puzzling that you can’t get it figured out. Just remember those thousands of trout per mile are still here and while the water is big it’s also clean for the most part. Those big muddy flood waters you’ve perhaps been seeing on the nightly news…that is not the Missouri. So if you’ve been picturing yourself in a drift boat careening down a raging torrent, dodging trees and house trailers think again. It’s big water but it’s clean water and controlled water.

The fish are hot and hungry and while you may have to work a little harder to dial it in there is no better place to be fishing in the state of Montana right now than the Missouri. A visit to your favorite local fly shop will get you half way there with the latest info on rigging, bugs and where to go. Beyond that, spend some time watching what other folks (guides in particular) are doing out there and follow suit.

If numbers are your game your time is best spent nymphing but bring the streamer stick as well and don’t hesitate to use it, especially on the overcast days.

Traffic has been light despite what you may have heard. Its’ true that the Missouri is one of just a couple of options you have right now if you’re planning on fishing in Montana but despite this fact we are far from overcrowded. Come experience the best fly fishing in the state, you’ll be glad you did.

That being said, if dry fly fishing is what you seek the wait continues but the good news is that when flows drop (which they’re bound to sooner or later) the dry fly fishing could just be off the charts and maybe even a little on the easy side as most of these trout have yet to be fished to with a dry fly this season. Will you be here when it happens?

Stay tuned for updates and don’t hesitate to give us a call at the shop anytime for the latest. We’re open at 7 AM daily for all of your big water Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-05-29T22:27:20-06:00May 29th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Canyon Ferry, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

May Day on the MO’

Welcome to May on the Missouri.

It’s one of our favorite months to fish the MO’ and this year is no exception.

Snow is melting and rivers are swollen and dirty leaving the Missouri River one of very few Montana fly fishing options available in the state right now. Lucky for you it just so happens that your only fishing option is a one of the premier trout fisheries on the planet!

We’re currently looking at some big water which happens to be on the dirty side as well below Little Prickly Pear and the Dearborn. The flows (currently 10,900 cfs) are not a problem. The stain we could do without but we’ll make the best of it as we wait for LPP and the Dearborn to clear.

Don’t curse the mud, embrace it and use it to your advantage. The Double Dirt Snake in the mud is never a bad call and there’s no better time to fish large water pushing streamers. Work the mud line and work the banks. There are plenty of hungry fish willing to grab a fly…you just need to find them.

That being said the consensus from the last few days is that overall the fishing has been on the tough side. Fluctuations in flows and the influx of muddy water tend to make things challenging. We’ve had plenty of both as of late but those who are putting their time in and adjusting to the conditions seem to be enjoying moderate success.

We will continue to see increases in flows this week which will keep things challenging but with another warm up on the way for the remainder of the week we’re expecting a busy river right on through the weekend. Expect to have some company out there.

Traffic is definitely a thing right now with wade fishing all but eliminated from the equation but it’s not so bad…there’s plenty of river for everyone. River etiquette should always be observed but it becomes even more important during times like these when we’re seeing high concentrations of traffic.

If you want to avoid being stuck in the middle of it try starting early (or late for that matter). Most are getting on the water between 9 am and 10 am so if you’re on by 8 you keep moving you should have plenty of water to your yourself all day long. The other option is to wait until 11 or so and roll in behind the crowds.

The hottest selling nymphs this week have been Firebead Steelies, Caviar Scuds, Tailwater Sows, Rainbow Czechs, Little Green Machines, Fishfinder Worms, Bubble Yum Scuds, Pill Poppers and Pink Amexes.

Fish are eating dry flies regularly but it’s tough to make a day out of it. There are bazillions of midges and plenty of BWO’s as well. I haven’t seen much going on with the midges lately (as far as fish eating them) but we’ve had good luck with the Para Adams/BWO trailer rigs.

Best Dry fly bets… Brooks Sprout Baetis, BWO Flash Cripples, Quigley’s Film Critic BWO, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, Wilcox’s Micromay BWO, WCA Trudes and don’t forget the potential for March Browns if you’re fishing low. The big, muddy is not ideal for dry fly action but we’re anticipating plenty of dry fly love once things start to clear.

Streamer Fishing has been a little tough but if you ask me it’s ALWAYS worth your while. The higher flows have forced us to expand our target areas but there is plenty of good streamer water out there. Even some of the old stand-by streamer banks which have been become less desirable in these flows are still worth your time, but just like you’re doing with the longer nymph rigs, you’re going to have to change your approach in many of these areas.

While you may be used to throwing at the bank and stripping all the way to the boat in some of these places the bigger flows have, in many cases, taken a bunch of that water out of play. That soft water on the bank will still hold fish but now that’s the only thing you’re fishing. Once you’ve stripped through that couple of feet of water directly off the bank then you should pick it up and throw it to the next spot because once your line and your streamer catch the current you’re wasting your time.

That being said, I did have a fish attack my sparkle minnow in the middle of a Mega Boil the other day so you just never know.

We’ve been throwing 280 grains or more and will continue to do so for the duration of the higher flows. Get it down and move it with plenty of pauses in between strips. Takes have been aggressive and with the water warming into the mid 40’s you can expect more of the same.

Best bugs have been the aforementioned Sparkle Minnow Sculpin, Olive Dungeons, ZK’s MK Ultras, Montana Minnows, Rainbow Clousers, Dirty Hippies, Circus Peanuts etc. If you like it and you believe in it then throw it…you’ll be amazed what a difference having confidence in your fly will make.

Whether or not streamers are your game do yourself a favor and spend a day (or at least a few hours) giving it a try. If you hit it right you’ll never be the same! Better yet, do yourself an even bigger favor and book yourself a streamer trip with WCA. Take the guesswork out of where to go and what to throw. Leave that up to us and cast away to your heart’s content.

Don’t let the flows deter you. It’s going to be an awesome spring on the Missouri and we’d like nothing better than to assist you in any way we can.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-05-01T21:10:21-06:00May 1st, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Old School High Water. Holter Dam circa 1928 – photo Helena as She Was

The Missouri has become a VERY busy place this week with displaced anglers, guides and outfitters arriving in droves.

There has been plenty of discussion recently about how high flows will end up going this season on the MO’, but the fact is it’s about the only game in town at this point so if you had plans to fish in Montana in the near future chances are you’re going to end up here.

We’re still not comfortable making predictions so we’ll leave that up to the experts but what we do know is that we’re currently sitting at around 120 – 180% of normal Snow Water Equivalent in western Montana. There’s plenty of snow in them there hills though it sounds like we’ll begin to see a reduction in snowpack as we get our first real heat wave of the season at the end of this week. It won’t be quite so warm in the high country but down here they’re calling for 80 degrees on Friday and Saturday. Things will return to more seasonable conditions on Sunday and early next week as we return to daytime highs in the 50’s.

The current flow on the Missouri below Holter Dam is 9670 CFS. The flows have increased steadily over the past week as Canyon Ferry prepares for the imminent spike in inflows coming soon with runoff. How much water will we see? Again, we’ll leave the predictions to the experts but what we can tell you is that you have nothing to fear at these flows.

We wouldn’t necessarily recommend wade fishing at this point but you’ll be fine in a boat and there are plenty of fish being caught our there, primarily on nymphs and streamers, but we’ve heard of some successful dry fly outings as well. Look for these trends to continue as that water continues to warm.

It’s time to break out the split shot, the long leaders and the wire worms. Things have been consistently inconsistent out there due in large part to the frequent changes in flows but your best bet for the time being is definitely going to be deep nymphing.

I’d recommend starting out with something in the 7 – 8′ overall length. Go with a firebead wire worm or something on the large (#10 or #12) side with a tungsten bead (Amex/Weight Fly/Rainbow Czech) paired with a Tailwater sow, Pill Popper, Caviar Scud or something BWO ish like a Grey Little Green Machine, a dark Peep Show or a Psycho May. Add a bb or two and start probing your way through the likely runs. Which runs are the likely ones? The fish are going to be in many of the runs you’ve historically found them in but daisy chains of guide boats are a pretty good indicator of where the fish are.

Go deeper than you normally would and make sure you’re occasionally touching the floor. Start tighter to the bank than you’d normally be, fishing inside out and work your way out. Row arounds can be a challenge in these flows but not always. There are plenty of spots where the extra water actually creates easy row arounds where before there were none.

Bug selection has been a challenge with a bunch of different patterns catching fish here and there and nothing really lighting them up. You’ll want to make frequent changes until you find what works but make sure you’ve got the depth thing figured out before you start changing your bugs. Stop by the shop on your way to the water and we’ll tell you what we know whether you buy bugs from us or not. We’re always here to help you find success on the water. Whether that’s guiding you or just giving you honest information about where to go or what to use you can always count on Wolf Creek Angler for open, honest and up to date Missouri River intel.

Streamer fishing has been decent but you’ve got to choose your spots. Many of the go to banks are just too fast right now making it virtually impossible to get down where you need to be. That being said, if you know what you’re looking for there’s an abundance of great streamer water to be fished and these bigger flows often give up some monster browns seeking a soft water respite. Swing by WCA for the best streamer selection on the Missouri including a bunch of bugs you wont’ find anywhere else.

Like the streamer fishing, the dry fly fishing is somewhat limited right now for the same reason…too much water but once again, if you know where to look you could be in for some phenomenal dry fly fishing over the next couple of weeks as the water warms and the BWO’s flourish. Think quiet water…that’s where you’ll find the sippers.

Once again, if you’re planning to fish in Montana over the next month or so then you should plan on fishing the Missouri. As you might expect we are very busy with lodging and guide trips but we definitely have openings and we’d like nothing better than to get you booked and on the water. We’re full this weekend but things open up on Sunday and we do have availability next week.

Keep in mind you’ve only got a few days left to take advantage of the best deal on the Missouri. Two nights of premium lodging and a full day guide trip for just $550 (plus tax). We invite you to look for a better deal…you won’t find one.

Regular season rates resume on Tuesday, May 1st.

We hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler. We are your Full Service Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-04-25T17:29:16-06:00April 25th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Out like a Lion

It’s hard to believe but March has all but passed us by and while we traditionally expect March to come in fiercely like a lion and go out gently like a lamb it looks like the winter lion is going to stick around for a while yet.

Rain and snow are likely tomorrow with gusty south southwest winds in the afternoon ushering in a cold front which will drop us into the teens tomorrow night. We’ll see a high of only 32 on Saturday with a chance for some snow but Sunday looks better with temps back near 50. Maybe not the ideal weekend to fish the Missouri but sooner or later we’ll get there.

We definitely saw an increase in traffic this week with spring breakers taking advantage of some decent weather and enjoying the sunshine on the windy MO’. Fishing reports have been inconsistent but overall I’d say it’s been fair for most. As you would expect those who fish here often are having pretty good luck out there while those who are here for the first time or only hit it once or twice a year have been having a tougher go of it.

Nymphing is your best bet for numbers and not much has changed on the bug front. Anything with a pink bead works more often than not and firebeads are getting it done as well. The hottest bug of the spring thus far has been Pederson’s Sow (available exclusively at Wolf Creek Angler and currently in short supply but more are on the way). Pill poppers, Lucent Bead Rays, UV Crush, Bubble Yums, Pink Radiation Baetis and Wayno’s Cotton Candy have all been catching plenty of fish. Don’t shy away from black Zebras, tailwater sows, firebead rays etc. I’m still sticking with a #12 Pink Amex for a lead fly more often than not but Tungsten Rainbow Czechs, Casne’s Pinkalicious, Pink Weight Flies and Bubble Yums work too. Some have gone to the worm and done well.

Fish are still holding in the slower, deeper runs but we are starting to see a migration to transitional water so fish the slow stuff but don’t be afraid to hit that medium fast, medium depth water as well. Some are fishing deep rigs and doing fine, we’ve been sticking with a 7′ – 8′ overall depth, sometimes with no weight, sometimes with a bb.

Streamer fishing has been hit or miss but if you stick with it throughout the day you should encounter at least a hot stretch or two. Kreelex, Craven’s Dirty Hippy, Sparkle Minnows, Lynch’s Drunk and Disorderly, Baby Gongas, Polar Leeches, Montana Minnows, Clousers and ZK’s Son of Bunny in pearl and MK Ultra in grey (both available exclusively at WCA) have all been effective. Greys, whites and olives have been good but as I say often fish what you like and what you have confidence in…it makes all the difference in the world.

Midges a plenty daily. Some days the fish are on them, some days they aren’t. Keep that dry fly rig at the ready. I’ve been running a hi-vis para adams with a Bucky’s Midge Cluster and haven’t seen any reason to switch it up but any Griffiths gnat or midge cluster ought to do the trick.

Overcast days have definitely been better overall (especially for streamer fishing) but we’re catching plenty of fish in the sun as well. Fish when you can.

Our spring lodging and guide trip special has been gaining in popularity as folks come to realize what an absolute STEAL of a Deal it is. Once again, that’s two nights of premium lodging and a full day guide trip for one or two anglers for just $550. We challenge you to find a better deal on the MO’.

We’re at about 50% open on our lodging just waiting for temps to stabilize before we open the rest but hopefully it won’t be long. Cabins and bungalows available now, motel rooms open soon.

The shop is rapidly filling up with new gear from Simms, Redington, Echo, Ross and more and we’re thrilled to announce that we are now your Exclusive Missouri River dealer for Damsel Fly Fishing, an AWESOME line of women’s fly fishing gear and apparel made right here in Montana. Check them out at www.damselflyfishing.com. We’re also excited to announce that we are now featuring Douglas Fly Rods. More on this soon but in the meantime check them out at douglasoutdoors.com We’ll let you know as soon as we have them in. We’re sure you’re going to love these rods and we’re hearing nothing but good things from the other dealers around the region.

It may not feel like it and it may not look like it just yet but spring is definitely here and we can’t wait to see you back on the Missouri.

Remember Izaak’s opens Thursday, April 5th and we can’t wait!!

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-03-29T18:44:51-06:00March 29th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Damsel Fly Fishing, Douglas Fly Rods, dry fly fishing, Echo, Fishpond, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, Pederson's Sow, Redington, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Early Spring on the Missouri River – photo by Luke Koerten

Today we celebrate the first day of spring. The weather is right on cue with blue skies, sunshine and 50’s today. We’ll see temps near 60 tomorrow and Thursday but don’t put away the cold weather gear just yet.

Those in the know are calling for below average temps and above average precipitation for the next four to six weeks so expect the unexpected and be prepared for all weather conditions if you plan to join us on the Missouri this spring.

And speaking of spring…our spring lodging and guide trip special is definitely getting noticed. It’s a deal you’re not going to want to miss out on. $550 for two nights of premium lodging in one of our cabins or bungalows and a full day guide trip with some of the best guides on the Missouri River.

There are plenty of deals being offered out there right now. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can touch this one! Prime dates are going fast, don’t miss this opportunity. Don’t need the lodging? Spring Special trip rates are just $400 for a full day for one or two anglers.

Things are still pretty quiet around here but you can definitely feel a pulse returning. A few more boats on the water, a few more folks hanging around the shop, boxes of new product showing up daily and a steady stream of phone calls and emails…the season is underway and will soon be shifting into high gear.

Two weeks from Thursday Izaak’s will be open and then it will really feel like the season has begun. In the meantime, Shotgun Annie’s has been doing a great job of keeping people fed and hydrated all winter long and they will continue to do so. They’re currently serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day but Monday. It’s been awesome having a reliable restaurant open in Wolf Creek this winter. The food is great, the service is friendly and it’s just nice to be able to sit at that bar again, even though it bears little resemblance to the Frenchman of old.

We’re busy finishing up a couple of remodeling projects in our motel units and plan to have those rooms available sometime the first week of April (weather depending). The cabins should all be open by next week so we’ll have no problem accommodating all of you who are looking to cash in on the best deal on the river.

Look for lots of shiny new items in the shop and don’t miss out on great deals on winter wear as we clear the racks to make room for spring and summer gear.

Yes, spring is here. The fishing is good and getting better every day, the weather is showing glimpses of what’s to come and we can’t wait to see all of you back on the MO’.

We are your Full Service Missouri River fly fishing destination with everything you need from lodging to guides to gear to boat rentals and much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-03-20T18:11:17-06:00March 20th, 2018|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|3 Comments

The spring streamer game on the MO’ has commenced – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Last week I proclaimed that winter was loosening its grip. Winter countered my proclamation with yet another round of cold and snow.

Today I repeat my proclamation.

The sun is shining and the forecast is calling for highs in the 40’s for the next several days, trending towards 50’s next week.

Like the weather, fishing has been improving over the past several days though the ramps are still a problem and will likely continue to be for the next few days. Hopefully by the weekend the warmer temps and plentiful sunshine will have things in better shape but we encourage you to check out your put in and take out prior to committing to a float. At the very least give us a call before you come out and we’ll tell you what we know.

We did Craig to Spite Hill yesterday after hearing Mid Canon was a no – go. Both Craig and Spite were fine but they may get worse before they get better. We’ll keep you posted.

Nymphing was so-so yesterday and will be the preferred method for most for the next while. You’ll still want to concentrate your efforts on the slow, deep winter water…typically working inside out. Pill Popper was the bug of choice yesterday but you should do fine with anything pink. For my money it’s hard to beat a pink Amex trailed with a pill popper or a firebead anything but black zebra midges should also be a staple in your spring nymph arsenal. Tailwater sows, Bubble Yum Scuds, Rainbow Czechs, Rainbow Warriors, Wayno’s Cotton Candy, firebead rays, Rainbow Weight fly, Pinkalicious, Pederson’s Sow…you get the idea…status quo.

Dry fly fishing opportunities abound right now with an abundance of midges on the water and plenty of fish up. Yesterday was the most fish I’ve seen up so far this season. Keep your midge rig at the ready.

You won’t be surprised to hear that yesterday’s focus was streamer fishing. We fished some water I don’t spend a lot of time streamer fishing as well as some go-to spots and had a pretty good day overall. Slower, deep water and drop offs were productive. A slow and varied retrieve was effective but we got some action with a little more aggressive and active retrieve as well.

Olive, natural and white variations have been getting noticed. Slender, leechy patterns are a good bet but don’t be afraid to try something different. The browns are hungry and seem to be on the hunt. One rainbow and one mammoth whitey yesterday, all of the rest were browns.

If you haven’t done so yet this season it’s time to break out the streamer stick and go to work. Granted there are likely more fish still being caught on the swing right now but stripping season is upon us. We’ve got what is considered by some to be the best streamer selection on the Missouri and while we love dry fly fishing and nymphing, there are few things we are as passionate about as the streamer game. Stop in and check out our bugs and pick our brains…we’d love to feed your streamer addiction.

Our Spring Special has been on for weeks though the weather has kept trips to a minimum. That’s all about to change.

Shake that cabin fever and get out there. It’s time for spring fishing on the Missouri. $550 for two nights lodging and a full day guide trip now through the end of April. There are other deals out there…nobody, and I mean NOBODY can touch this one! It’s the BEST DEAL and longest running special on the MO hands down.

Look for more lodging to open up within the next week or two as traffic continues to increase. It’s been a long cold winter (and is likely not over) but spring is definitely in the air. Book your spring trip with Wolf Creek Angler today.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-03-07T21:12:33-07:00March 7th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Wintering in Wolf Creek

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

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

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

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

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

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

Someone has to write blog posts and maintain social media.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mid January Report – What Lies Ahead?

It’s hard to believe but we’re already more than half way through January. Spring will be here before you know it…just 63 days away!

As you might expect the talk has turned to snowpack and spring flows. Everybody wants to know what the water situation will be when they arrive to the Missouri this spring.

Per usual, our response has been non-committal but if pressed on the issue we’ll tell you we are cautiously optimistic that we will see a similar season to last year and that we are hopeful for, but not counting on, a good flushing flow in the 12,000 – 15,ooo cfs range for at least a few days.

Most Missouri River blogs will spend at least a little time on flow predictions, as they should. Some have already proclaimed a great season ahead based on SNOTEL Snow Water Equivalent info which does look good at the moment but which is always subject to dramatic change.

Others have voiced a less optimistic outlook. We are in the camp of the moderate majority believing the glass is currently half full. The glass could remain half full, it could end up near empty, it could overflow. The data we are looking at today will change as the winter progresses. It’s important to keep this in mind when trying to predict the future but there is definitely value in keeping abreast of current conditions.

Snow pack and precipitation forecasts are elements of the map. The map is not the destination but it gets us there one way or another.

So what does this mean for your 2018 Missouri River fly fishing pilgrimage? Probably not a whole lot just yet but we will be keeping an eye on the map for you and will always be happy give your our best guess of what the spring will bring.

Based on today’s map it looks like the most probable outcome will be flows in 4200 cfs range for the remainder of the winter bumping up near 7000 in May and peaking at around 8000 before leveling off in the 4500 range for the summer season.

There could me more water, there could be less but statistically speaking the probability is high that we will see flows falling somewhere in the range presented in this chart…or not.

Our cut and paste water report proclamation….there will be water. How little or how much we don’t know. What we do know is that we will be enjoying awesome fishing on the Missouri no matter what the flows. It could be better fished from a boat, it could be a wade angler’s dream, it will likely be somewhere right in the middle.

We understand the desire to know so you can plan ahead but the best that anyone can do is keep a close eye on the available data and adjust one’s plans accordingly. A word of caution though, prime dates are filling rapidly and will continue to do so. Don’t wait too long or you will end up without a room and/or a guide for 2018.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-01-17T17:21:38-07:00January 17th, 2018|Categories: Uncategorized, Wolf Creek Chatter|Tags: Missouri River, Montana, Montana SNOTEL, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

New Year on the MO’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2017 The Year in Review

Another year and another season in the books.

As we sit through the latest round of winter weather we can’t help but think back to those warm sunny days on the water. And while winter is barely a week underway we know that spring will be here before we know it, at least we hope it will!

Looking back over posts from the year it looks as though 2017 started out much as 2018 will, in winter’s icy grasp. With any luck however it won’t be long until we see that first January warm-up and get back to fishing the MO’. In the meantime, the ice has formed and the hard water anglers have started booking rooms for the days ahead, a welcome development after a slow and quiet December.

The early months of 2017 were quiet around the shop, as they always tend to be with the biggest story of the winter being the renovations to our motel.

Unit number eight received a much needed makeover and our guests loved it. Look for a similar transformation in number 9 this year. A paint job in Cabin #2 and new flooring in Cabin #3 were also welcomed changes.

River life resumed normalcy in late February as the winter weather began to retreat. March and early April brought phenomenal fishing on the Missouri and elsewhere and things got off to an early start at WCA with many eager anglers descending on the MO’. Run off began in mid May and kept things busy as the Missouri was the only fishable water in the region for a time.

We announced our new guide lineup in April, welcoming Kelly Harrison and Jeff Jennings to our team. Both were, and continue to be a great fit and will resume work for us in 2018. Prime dates are filling quickly so don’t miss your chance to fish with Kelly or Jeff or any one of our other amazing guides.

The spring fishing was nothing short of spectacular with the hatches coming off right on schedule and plenty of healthy Missouri River bows and browns willing to play.

The idyllic spring season soon transitioned into an equally idyllic summer and then around the 4th of July things got a little weird. On July 5th I experienced my first earth quake, a 5.8 mag centered near Lincoln which rattled much of the west central part of the state. It was Montana’s biggest quake in decades and did not go unnoticed by many.

By mid July the heat and lack of precipitation brought Hoot Owl closures to many rivers around the region and also opened the door to what ended up being one of the worse fire seasons in our history with over a million acres burned state-wide.

Smokey skies, poor air quality and evacuations were the story for the remainder of the summer. Fishing was fine but the poor air quality led to a noticeable drop in business as we awaited the cooler weather of fall and prayed for precipitation which we finally got in mid September in the form of an early winter storm which delivered rain and snow and effectively brought the fire season to an end.

The Lookout Fire west of Wolf Creek MT Photo by Rocky Infanger

October brought with it more winter weather along with some of the best fall fishing in recent memory. We had a handful of awesome BWO days throughout the course of the fall and streamer fishing was as good as I’ve seen it since I’ve been in Montana.

The BIG news in October was that after a couple of seasons of trying to make it happen, Wolf Creek Angler received a brand new Project Healing Waters Adipose Flow Drift Boat available to all US Military Active Duty and veterans FREE of charge.

Wolf Creek Angler has partnered with Montana Project Healing Waters, Adipose Boatworks and Headhunters Fly Shop to expand this popular program which up until now had been administered exclusively through Headhunters in Craig. Now with one boat at Wolf Creek Angler in Wolf Creek and two at Headhunters in Craig we will be able to accommodate even more vets. If you are a vet or an active duty US Military member you qualify for a free rental boat courtesy of Project Healing Waters, Helena Chapter.

Of course the other BIG news of October in Wolf Creek MT was the much anticipated Grand Opening of Shotgun Annie’s Eatery and Tavern.

The wait was worth it and we are so pleased to be dining and drinking in this establishment again. It was the topic of conversation all summer long amongst our guests, most of whom were unable to experience Shotgun Annie’s during their 2017 visit. We’re pleased to announce that dining has returned to Wolf Creek…breakfast, lunch AND dinner.

It appeared as though it was going to shape up to be an excellent late season on the Missouri with some off-the-charts fishing action and a brand new eatery and tavern in town. We were fully stocked with cold-weather bugs and gear and ready for that coveted last gasp of the retail and lodging season but alas it was not to be.

Mother Nature had different plans and early November brought snow and arctic air, essentially bringing the 2017 season to a close. The weather improved and the fishing stayed hot through the month of November and the first half of December but aside from local traffic the river was empty.

Late November Days on the MO’

Christmas brought more winter weather which brings us back to where we are today. Two days remain in 2017 and we are in the midst of a significant winter storm. I’ve fished my last day of 2017 (over a week ago) and it looks like it will be mid week next week at the soonest before I fish the new year.

Snowpack is in great shape and the season forecast is for below average temps and above average precipitation so all is well but watching the snow pile up outside I can’t help but dream of spring.

Happy New Year from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler. Thank you for making 2017 our best yet. I have a feeling 2018 will be even better!

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-29T21:44:12-07:00December 29th, 2017|Categories: Wolf Creek Chatter|Tags: Adipose, Christmas, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|3 Comments

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