Montana Archives - Page 17 of 34

The March Toward Spring

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

Missouri River Winter Fare – Left to Right from the Top. Pink Soft Hackle Sow, Ninch’s Bubble Yum Scud, Ninch’s Pill Popper, Casne’s Pinkalicious, Blooms Weight Fly Pink, Pink Radiation Baetis, Cotton Candy LGM, Pink Lightning Bug, Wayno’s Cotton Candy, Pederson’s Sow, Pink UV Crush, Ninch’s Thunderbug, Pink AmEx, Firebead Rainbow Czech

We’re hoping for winter weather to arrive soon but while we wait we’re taking advantage of the current conditions and enjoying LATE fall fishing on the Missouri at its absolute best.

We’ll see temps in the low to mid 40’s and plenty of sunshine for the next seven days with relatively calm winds in the 7-10 mph range at least for the weekend.

Cancel those Christmas shopping plans, drop whatever it is you are doing and get out here NOW!

Fish the dam, fish Wolf Creek down, fish the canyon…good nymphing reports river-wide this week. Pink is coming on strong so stock up on Lightning bugs, Pill Poppers, Cotton Candy LGM’s, Wayno’s Cotton Candy, Thunder Bugs, Pink Weight Flies, Bubble Yums etc and keep those Tailwater Sows and Firebead Rays in the mix as well.

Fish the island tail outs, the shelves, the drop offs and the winter runs….they’re settling in.

Streamers? Always worth a try in my mind but stick to the nymphs for numbers. If you do decide to try streamers keep them on the small side (Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex, Thin Mints, Polar Leeches, Dirty Hippies etc) and go with a super SLOW retrieve with plenty of pauses or swing those island tail outs.

We are your Missouri River winter fly fishing destination with the best deals around on lodging and guide trips and a shop full of everything you need for winter fishing on the MO’. Stop in and see us for up to the minute reports and conditions, the best coffee in the canyon, shuttles, drift boat rentals and the biggest and best bug selection ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek MT.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-08T17:19:34-07:00December 8th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

The Return

If you’ve been following this blog for a while you probably know that my Michigan roots run deep. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Montana and Montana is where I shall stay but there are many things I love about Michigan and as you know, every once in a while I just cant help but self indulge on this blog and share.

In addition to the friends and family who keep us coming back, some of the things I love about Michigan in no particular order are Lions; Tigers; Red Wings; Two Hearted Ale; Oberon; Montague; Traverse City; Mackinac Island; the Pere Marquette, Upper Manistee, White, Muskegon and Au Sable Rivers; Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior; Norwood; White Lake; Bells; Founders; Legs Inn; Ludington State Park; The Mitten Bar; St Ignace; Leland; Art’s Tavern; Old Channel Inn; Old Channel Trail; Wildcats and Tahquamenon Falls just to name a few.

One of the things I really miss which hits home every November 15th is Michigan’s firearm deer season. Last year I talked about why which if you’re interested in you can check out here, and I also decided that I was going to return to the Michigan woods in 2017 which is exactly what I did last week.

The reaction I got from most everyone here at home when I announced I was going to Michigan to deer hunt was the same, a look of bewilderment generally accompanied by some comment regarding the unprecedented hunting opportunities afforded us here in Montana. I get it. Believe me. I’m well aware of the opportunities here and it’s not lost on me that leaving Montana to hunt deer in Michigan would be something akin to leaving the Missouri River to trout fish most ANYWHERE ELSE! There’s simply no comparison but sometimes we’re looking for something more than the best. Sometimes it’s the fabric of a place along with those with whom you share it that makes it great.

So off to Michigan I went to reconnect with lifelong friends and to spend a few days in the deer woods. Opening day was Wednesday so we spent Tuesday scouting the woods and making sure all was in order for Wednesday’s pre-dawn ritual. It had been six years since I was last in these woods so I wanted to take some time to reacquaint myself with the surroundings. A major wind storm had taken down many trees some time last year, blocking many of our old trails so we spent the good part of the day brushing out new routes to our blinds but aside from that not much had changed. What did strike me was the sweet smell of decaying leaves and soil which I can’t say I missed or even thought about but which I haven’t experienced since moving to Montana.

We hunt on the shores of Lake Michigan in an enchanted mix of sand dunes and cedar swamps and hardwood stands. The smell of the swamp and the carpet of oak and maple and beech leaves underfoot coupled with a few peeks of the late fall sun and a stiff breeze off of the lake made for a magical return. An abundance of huge scrapes and shredded saplings and scarred trees made it clear that there was no shortage of bucks in the area and made for a restless night of anticipation.

We awoke to a steady rain on Wednesday and spent the better part of the day fighting off the chill in our blinds before retreating to the comforts of camp. The nights of reminiscing about the past, of bourbon and beer in our glasses and wild game on our plates and the daylight hours in the blind watching and waiting blurred into one. And just like that it was over. I found myself tearing down my doghouse blind and once again fighting off the familiar melancholy that starts to creep in on that last day of deer camp. This is when the ghosts of the past are most active and I exit the woods sad that the trip has come to an end but on a deeper level saddened by the fact that I have to leave this portal to the past. These woods that hold the memories of times long past and of those who have departed stand in stoic silence, indifferent to our presence or absence. Life continues, lives end, change is constant and the woods remain.

As happens more often than not when hunting public land in Michigan we came away empty handed, at least as far as game goes. We saw plenty of does and a few nice bucks but were not able to seal the deal. My heart was heavy as we drove out of the woods on that last day but the sadness was temporary. By that evening my thoughts had turned towards home. I was ready to see my family and to be back in Montana but the trip turned out to be everything I had expected and more.

It’s often said that you can’t go home again and in some respects I agree. We can go to the physical place we once called home but we can never return to the essence and the actuality of what that place was when we lived there…that place still lives only in our minds. These deer woods on the shores of Lake Michigan still feel like home to me if for no other reason than the majority of my time spent in these woods has been spent one on one, just the woods and me. Midwest hunting is essentially sitting for hours on end with nothing but your thoughts, waiting for the deer to appear. The actuality of these woods has not changed and it will always be the same. The people and the events occurring outside of those hours in the blind continue to change but when it’s just the woods and me I feel the presence of home in my thoughts magnified by familiar surroundings.

I wonder if perhaps I will turn my back on this place when the rest are gone, I suppose that I may. But for now I am happy to have this place that binds together the present and past. This place that allows me to return.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-06T22:25:43-07:00November 21st, 2017|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: deer hunting, Lake Michigan, Michigan, Missouri River, Montana, running line|3 Comments

Prime Fishing Days Ahead

While last week’s winter storm essentially shut things down on the MO’ the forecast looks encouraging.

What a change from last year when the first weeks of November were abuzz with activity. I’m pretty sure we talked about early November being the new October after a couple of mild autumns that saw summerlike temps well into October and prime fall conditions in early November, but not so this year!

It’s amazing what a few days of single digit temps and a substantial blanket of snow will do to take the mind off of fishing. As quiet as it’s been around the shop I had all but settled on closing more lodging for the winter this week but then the forecast changed, the phone started to ring and just like that, it’s back on….at least for the time being.

It’s going to remain on the cold side today but the warm up is underway and we should see 30’s tomorrow, 40’s through the weekend and possibly near 50 on Monday. It’s the perfect opportunity for one more trip to the MO’ this season and with our winter lodging and guide trip special in effect you can’t afford to pass this up.

We’re offering a full day guide trip for one or two anglers and two nights of premium lodging for the unbelievable price of $500 (plus tax). You won’t find a better deal ANYWHERE! Don’t need the lodging? Full Day Guide Trips are $350 (plus tax) for one or two anglers ALL WINTER LONG. Don’t need a guide? That’s ok too. Winter lodging rates are just $99/night plus tax for a cozy cabin or bungalow with a private bath and a full kitchen.

Sound too good to be true? Wait….there’s more! Not only are we offering the best deal on the river….hands down, we’re also giving you an out with NO CANCELLATION FEES for lodging or guide trips. Winter weather can be unpredictable and as we approach the holidays things start to get really busy for everyone. Book your trip today and if the weather changes or your plans change or you simply change your mind you’re off the hook…no questions asked!

Give us a call today to book your late fall/early winter escape to the Missouri. We’re expecting some traffic this weekend with the break in the weather but you can still plan on an abundance of solitude as increased traffic by late fall standards bears little resemblance to anything you would experience during the prime.

Nymphing and streamer fishing will continue to be your methods of choice from here on out though you may stumble upon some dry fly opportunities as well, especially on Thursday and Friday with overcast skies and rain and snow in the mix.

Stop by the shop for the latest reports on the what, where when and how. You’ll find everything you need for late season fishing on the Missouri and beyond. We’re loaded up with Simms cold weather gear (including cold weather shirts and cold weather pants, both Montana winter staples) and we’re fully stocked with waders and boots from Redington and Korkers. We’ve got fly lines, leaders and tippet from Rio and ARC; eye wear from Smith; packs, bags and accessories from Simms and Fishpond; rods and reels from LOOP, Echo, Redington, Nautilus and Ross and as always, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Come enjoy what could be the last gasp of autumn this weekend on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T15:51:20-07:00November 7th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Book Now and Save

It’s the perfect time to book your 2018 fishing and lodging dates with Wolf Creek Angler. Prices are going up but if you book your 2018 dates by November 30th we will hold 2017 pricing.

We’re also excited to announce our Winter Guide Trip and Lodging Special which starts next week and runs through March.

Beginning Thursday, November 9th we are offering full day Missouri River Guided float trips for one or two anglers for $350 or two nights of lodging and a full day on the water for $500. That’s over a $250 savings!

Mind you we’re starting trips later in the morning this time of year and with the dwindling hours of daylight you’re getting a shorter trip but you won’t find a better deal anywhere. Some aren’t offering winter trips at all, others are offering them at full price. We’re offering two nights of lodging and a full day on the water for one or two anglers for less than what you’ll pay just for your guide trip elsewhere.

Keep in mind also that while the lodging tax is always in effect, the resort tax is about to go on hiatus until April so that’s an additional 3% savings on EVERYTHING beginning November 15th. Lodging, Guide Trips, Shuttles, Flies, Simms sportswear and accessories, Drift Boat Rentals…..EVERYTHING!

And the best part of the deal? No cancellation fees! When you book a trip during the season you are locked in and under most circumstances you will end up losing your 50% deposit if you cancel. That’s not the case now. Winter can be a challenging time to book a trip because the weather can change without notice and while we don’t mind being on the water in sub-zero conditions we realize that this isn’t for everyone.

Not to worry. Book your trip and rest assured that if the weather turns or if you simply change your mind you’re off the hook. No fees. No questions asked!

Winter fishing on the Missouri can be downright fantastic. It can also be slow. It’s fishing! We’re concentrating primarily on nymphing and streamer fishing right now though there are occasional dry fly opportunities as well. As we move into December and into the heart of winter fishing those dry fly opportunities will dwindle but will return in the late winter as midge fishing becomes a viable option.

Winter fishing is not for everyone but once that cabin fever begins to set in a day on the Missouri might be just what the doctor ordered. Things are quiet in Wolf Creek and Craig for the winter months but we do have Shotgun Annie’s for dining and night life; The Canyon Store for gas, groceries and a great Montana Microbrew selection and of course Wolf Creek Angler for all of your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing Needs.

We’ve got more on-site lodging than anyone, the best winter bug selection around and all the cold weather gear you’ll need to eliminate being cold from the equation.

Don’t forget our lodging units are all furnished with a full kitchen and access to barbecue grills so bring your own food with you and you won’t have to go anywhere!

We hope to see you soon for HOT fishing on COLD days with Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T15:52:59-07:00November 2nd, 2017|Categories: Wolf Creek Chatter|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Wolf Creek Angler Winter Guide Trip and Lodging Special|0 Comments

October Woods

Just back from my annual autumn wandering weekend in the Flathead feeling well rested, refreshed and ready to finish this season out strong.

Fall is an awesome time for road trips. It’s the season of the harvest offering great fishing and hunting opportunities as well as a spectacular display of nature’s bounty. The radiance of autumn leaves contrasted with bright blue skies or high country snow or brooding grey clouds….it doesn’t get any better does it?

Fall has always been my favorite season and for whatever reason I have a lifetime of memories (good and bad) which burn brighter than most against the backdrops of fall. The smell of burning leaves on crisp October nights or heavenly mesquite or apple wood smoke billowing from the smoker on cold rainy mornings after the hunt. The crunch of frosty ground underfoot while navigating the dark deer woods. October baseball, November steelhead, lazy football Sundays, apple orchards, pumpkin patches, venison, campfires and road trips through the autumn landscapes. These are a few of my favorite things!

I often mourn the exit of summer during those first weeks of fall but as October arrives the sadness goes away and I embrace the awesomeness of autumn. For as long as I can remember we’ve celebrated fall with a road trip. The U.P., Mackinac Island, Traverse City, Bannack, Glacier and Yellowstone…they all go great with autumn.

The sun is shining on the Missouri today and it seems the wind has gone away for the time being. Great weather for fall fishing this week with plenty of sunshine and highs in the 60’s. The next chance for any weather looks to be Thursday with a slight chance of rain or snow in the morning but aside from that it’s looking like blue bird days right on through the weekend.

It could be the perfect opportunity for you to do some fall wandering of your own and if you’re going to do it why not wander to the Missouri where you can not only get your fall fix but you can also get in on some of the best fishing we’ve had all year. It’s definitely been a fall to remember where the fishing is concerned and it should remain great well into November.

We’ve got plenty of lodging available and guides are at the ready, having reached the end of their busy season and wanting to do whatever they can to prepare for the long winter ahead. The shop is fully stocked with cold weather gear from Simms and Redington, hand warmers, streamer lines (and streamer sticks), the largest selection of Missouri River fall flies ever gathered under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, Adipose and RO drift boat rentals (including a brand new Project Healing Waters Adipose boat available free of charge to all active duty and vets of the US Armed Services), Wading gear from Redington and Korkers and much more.

Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River fall fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T15:57:26-07:00October 23rd, 2017|Categories: Wolf Creek Chatter|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

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