Montana Archives - Page 18 of 34

Late September on the Missouri

Rod enjoying the fall colors on the MO!

It’s hard to believe but we’re just a few days out from October. Where has this month gone?

The hot dry weather of early September gave way to rain and snow and below average temps these past two weeks ushering in what has honestly been some of the best fishing we’ve seen all year.

Fire season is now all but over and we’re enjoying the crisp fall air and fall fishing at its finest.

If you haven’t fished the Missouri lately you are missing out.

Nymphing has been on fire and dry fly fishing has been inconsistent but outstanding if you hit it right. That sun feels great on these cold fall mornings but is definitely a hindrance to the dry fly action.

Black Zebras and Tailwater sows are still at the top of the nymph list but we’ve also been picking them up on a bunch of mayfly stuff like Little Green Machines, Split Case BWO’s, Psycho Mays and Peep Shows as well as Pill Poppers, Rays and Rainbow Warriors. Try a Rainbow Czech, Tungsten Tailwater Sow, Fishfinder Worm, Wire Worm or Crayfish as a point fly. Firebeads would not be a bad call at this point either though I have yet to go there.

The dry fly hatch matcher continues to be the tiny pseudo but an olive Para Adams with a CDC caddis emerger will get eaten at some point and a dry/dropper rig with a chubby or October Caddis trailed with an LGM or something similar could offer a welcome alternative to bobber lobbing.

The streamer action is heating up but you should expect a challenge with the weeds and if you throw streamers year round like we do you’ll find that it’s time to share the water again. I was surprised yesterday to see multiple boats downstream and upstream of me, doing the same thing. The upstream I don’t mind, the downstream can make for a slow day. It may be time to think about earlier starts and/or different stretches but not to worry. With 30 some miles of river there’s plenty of water to fish.

We’re moving fish on white and have also done well with olives and naturals in low light conditions. Best bets for brighter days have been JJ or Sculpin Sparkle Minnows, Rainbow Dirty Hippies and Mini Dungeons in natural.

We’re loaded up on bugs and have plenty of Simms cold weather gear to help you contend with that morning and evening chill. Daytime temps are climbing back towards the low 70’s this week but overnight lows in the high 30’s and low 40’s require layering. We’ve been starting our trips a little later to ward off the chill but if you want that prime streamer bank you might want to get an early start.

Either way, we’re here for you. The shop is open daily at 7 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Call today for current river conditions, drift boat rentals, up to the minute fishing reports or to book lodging and/or guides for your fall fly fishing adventure on the Missouri or Blackfoot.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:07:19-07:00September 26th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, streamers, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Autumn is starting to take hold on the Little Prickly Pear

Labor Day Weekend is now behind us and while the calendar still shows a couple weeks of summer remaining, I’ll take this opportunity on a chilly 40 degree morning to proclaim that autumn is unofficially underway. A huge thank you to everyone that came out for our Labor Day Sale. And to whoever made off with a pair of Smith Guide’s Choice Howler Brothers edition sunglasses ….watch out for that Karma.

Archery season is upon us, school is in session, college football is underway, the 2017 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, hockey is less than a month away and with any luck that chill in the air will soon become the prevailing weather pattern.

A Word About the Fires…

Fires are raging around the state and we are fingers crossed, praying for rain and cooler temps to arrive. We are in the midst of Montana’s worst fire season in years with no real end in sight. Please keep those being directly affected by the fires as well as all of those on the front lines battling those fires in your prayers.

All that being said, I’m looking out the window at blue skies this morning. The fires are devastating but not every part of the state is choked with smoke. We get quite a few calls daily from people inquiring about the smoke and to be honest there have only been a couple of days that the smoke has been heavy enough to warrant not coming out to fish the Missouri.

There are plenty of places where the air quality is very poor and the smoke will come and go with shifting winds so clear skies today doesn’t really mean much as far as tomorrow is concerned.

For those with fall trips scheduled just know that while the fires are a serious and unprecedented threat they haven’t really had an effect on our fishing thus far. We don’t want to dwell on the issue but that being said you can rest assured we will always give you an honest report of current and forecasted conditions as far as air quality and fire danger are concerned.

Fishing Report

Fishing remains steady and somewhat status quo. We’re running the majority of our trips starting at Holter Dam right now due to the relative absence of vegetation but we’re having pretty good days out there regardless of the section. Good nymphing at the dam and beyond, still on zebra midges, crayfish, Zirdles, Rainbow Czechs and sowbugs. Terrestrials are a go and streamer fishing is heating up though the weeds will continue to be a challenge, albeit a diminishing one, right on through the fall season.

We’ve got plenty of bugs left in the bins even after our big Labor Day Weekend Sale so make us your first stop on the way to the river for up to the minute updates and info, the biggest and best bug selection in Wolf Creek, Adipose and RO Drift Boat rentals, the best guides on the river, shuttles, Simms sportswear and accessories, clean and affordable lodging and everything else you might need for your day on the water.

We are your Outfitter Owned and Operated Missouri River fly shop of choice and we work hard every day to make sure every aspect of your trip exceeds your expectations. Just to clarify what I mean by outfitter operated…on any given day I’ll likely answer your phone call or email and book your room and sell you your flies and guide you on the MO and sometimes even clean your room or run your shuttle, especially late or early in the season. We run lean with a laser focus on customer service and while we do employ shop help during the summer months it’s Zach and I for the most part behind the counter from here on out.

Stop in and see us and find out what the buzz is all about. We are the best fly shop you never even knew was here!

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:14:54-07:00September 5th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Autumn is a magical time on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Cool mornings, shorter days, hungry browns, back to school specials, preseason football and the first of the Oktoberfest beers hitting the shelves has us thinking autumn. Have you booked your dates yet for fall fishing on the Missouri?

The leaves are beginning to change and while we’re still experiencing summer weather with abundant sunshine and highs in the 80s and 90’s it won’t be long before cooler temps will prevail.

It’s hard to pick a favorite season on the Missouri but if I had to choose, autumn definitely ranks right up there and is considered by many to be the most wonderful time of the year.

It’s been a great summer but we’re ready for the change.

The fishing has remained solid this past week with good nymphing, especially in the top section, and plenty of hopper and ant eats to keep things interesting.

There are a lot of bugs you could be using right now and catching fish but I’ve found no reason to stray from the black zebra midge/crayfish combo. Other good options would be Peep Shows, Pheasant Tails, Green Machines, Weight Flies, PsychoMays, S & M’s, Two Bits, Tailwater Sows, Fishfinder Worms, Wire Worms, UV Czechs, Lightning Bugs and Rainbow Warriors. Claws R Cray and Snapping Craws have been effective on the Crayfish front.

Moorish Hoppers in pink, peach or yellow have been effective as have Cinnamon Ants, Black Parachute Ants and Blooms Stealth Ant in purple. Chernobyl Ants, purple or gold chubbys and spruce moths have also been getting noticed.

There are still tricos to be found and you might find fish on them but we’ve pretty much abandoned that game and committed to the terrestrials.

Streamer fishing is heating up and will only improve from here on out. The weeds are definitely an issue but if you can work through it and maintain your composure you could have some outstanding streamer action.

October lodging is filling rapidly and we’re starting to book a good number of guide trips as well. We know the end of summer is a busy time for everyone but we urge you to take a few minutes and book your Missouri River fall fly fishing trip of a lifetime with Wolf Creek Angler soon.

We are your Missouri River fall fly fishing destination with everything you need for your visit. Clean and affordable lodging; the hardest working guides on the river; RO and Adipose drift boat rentals; shuttles; Simms outerwear, sportswear and accessories; lines, leaders and tipped from Rio, ARC and Trout Hunter; rods and reels from LOOP, Redington, Echo, Ross and Nautilus; Smith optics; piles of WCA hats and logo gear; tools and accessories from Loon and Fishpond and the near legendary largest and best selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Stop in and check out the best Missouri River fly shop you never knew was here.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:24:30-07:00August 22nd, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, Echo, Fishpond, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, Redington, RIO, RO Drift Boats, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

photo by Sam Casne

It’s time to take advantage of our annual Dog Days of Summer Special, going on now through the end of August.

Book a full day guide trip and a night of lodging and your second night of lodging is on us.

We’re still doing early starts to beat the heat so why not arrive the night before your trip and relax. Get a great night’s sleep and save yourself the morning drive. Your guide awaits…just a few steps from your door.

Spend a gorgeous summer day on the water with your guide and then return for another night of relaxation at Wolf Creek Angler. The sun and the heat (and all that reeling in fish) will take it out of you and you probably won’t feel like doing much of anything after your trip. You definitely won’t feel like driving home so kick back on the deck and relax. Share your stories from the day over a cocktail or two with the other guests or venture out on your own for an evening of hunting heads.

Fishing has been challenging as of late to say the least and we’re not going to tell you that the fishing is going to be great but as we’ve touched on before if you simply lower your expectations and just enjoy the late summer fishing for what it is you’re in for a great time regardless of the numbers.

It’s an awesome time of year to avoid the crowds of primetime and there’s no reason you couldn’t stumble into a spectacular fishing day. You just never know.

Prepare for the challenges of the season, embrace those challenges and you’ll have a great day.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:41:30-07:00August 1st, 2017|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Dog Days of Summer, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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

High water fears have given way to earthquakes and wildfires. It’s been an interesting couple of weeks here with Montana’s largest earthquake in decades taking place a couple of weeks back and now the Lookout Fire burning just a few miles west of Wolf Creek. Thankfully evacuation orders issued on Saturday have been lifted as crews have launched an aggressive approach to contain the 390 acre fire which they hope to have a line around by Thursday.

It wasn’t but a few weeks ago we were still getting calls about high water. That’s all changed and the wade anglers are loving it. 4100 cfs from here on out is what they’re saying. We were hoping for a little more water but we’ll take it. Things could be much worse.

From FWP –

Waterbody Restrictions, Closures & Reopenings – Region 3

Tue Jul 18 09:37:17 MDT 2017

(BOZEMAN, Mont.)—High water temperatures and low stream flows have prompted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to implement “hoot owl” restrictions on several rivers in Southwest Montana starting Wednesday.

The following sections of rivers will be closed to fishing daily from 2 p.m. to midnight until conditions improve effective Wednesday:

Big Hole River from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the Mouth of the North Fork Big Hole River;
Big Hole River from Notch Bottom Fishing Access Site to the confluence with the Beaverhead River;
Lower Beaverhead River from Anderson Lane to confluence with Big Hole River;
Lower Madison River from Ennis Dam to the mouth;
Lower Gallatin River from the confluence with the Madison River at Three Forks to Sheds Bridge (Hwy 84) near Four Corners;
East Gallatin River from Spring Hill Road Bridge (Hwy 411) to the confluence with the Gallatin River;
The entire Jefferson River

These restrictions come two weeks later in the year than the first restrictions seen in 2015 and 2016.

Regional Fisheries Manager Travis Horton said, “We’ve been fairly fortunate so far this year with flows in general, but temperatures are high and could stay that way for a while.”

Additional restrictions are possible on other stretches of these or other southwest Montana rivers in the coming weeks.

For up-to-date information on restrictions related to drought, visit http://fwp.mt.gov/news/restrictions/.

Dry Fly fishing continues to be off the charts and with the decrease we’ve seen in traffic as of late if you aren’t here fishing the MO’ right now you’re missing out on some of the best fishing we’ve seen in recent memory and you can have it virtually all to yourself (at least by July standards).

PMD’s are all but over leaving Tricos as the current focus though it might be hard to tell whether it’s trico columns or smoke you are seeing because there’s no shortage of either right now. Caddis are present throughout the day and more so in the evenings. It’s hopper time as well. I haven’t heard of any great hopper reports just yet but I’ve seen plenty of hoppers around and while this is not the best hopper river in the west there’s no reason you shouldn’t dedicate some time to throwing the big bugs. Like anything if you put your time in you will eventually be rewarded. My biggest fish on the Missouri to date was a completely random eat on a pink More or Less hopper last summer.

We like the Moorish and More or Less Hoppers in pink, purple, yellow or tan and also the Carnage and Panty Dropper Hoppers. Plenty of these and many more in the giant drawer of FOAM at Wolf Creek Angler!

Best bets for tricos include Indicator Spinners, Double Wing Tricos, Quigley’s Trico Hackle Stackers and Griffiths gnats and buzzballs. Our go-to Caddis rig is the Outrigger Caddis paired with a Grey CDC Caddis emerger. There are all sorts of other options but it’s been my experience that this rig rarely disappoints.

Hot nymphs this week include tungsten bead black zebra midges, Peep Shows, Brown 2 Bits, PT LGM’s, gold weight flies, tung darts, tan UV Czechs, Nitro Caddis, Doc’s Summer Bug, Rusty Magic Flies and Psycho Mays.

Lodging and guide availability are opening up, slowly but surely. Don’t let the hot weather and the smoke get you down. We’re continuing to do early starts to get you off of the water before the real heat sets in and the fishing goes south.

We’d love to have you as our guest but whether you’re staying with us or not stop by on your way to the river for bugs, shuttles, sun protection and anything else you need including what some consider to be “the best coffee in the canyon”. We are your Missouri River fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:49:02-07:00July 18th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Lookout Fire, Missouri River, Montana, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|1 Comment

It’s Trico Time on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

We’ve been enjoying this brief respite from the scorching heat these last two days with daytime temps only in the 80’s but it’s about to heat up again and we’ll be pushing 100 beginning on Thursday and running right on through the weekend.

Early starts are a good idea, something in the 6:00 – 6:30 AM range. Be off the water by early afternoon and refresh and refocus for the evening hatch. The hours spent in the hot sun can be exhausting but nothing a good old fashioned afternoon nap can’t fix.

It’s prime time for dry fly fishing right now with PMD’s, Tricos and Caddis all in play. PMD’s wont last much longer but not to worry. Tricos and caddis are going strong and terrestrials are about to become a major part of the mix. Bring your A game and come experience some of the best dry fly fishing in the country, if not the world.

Like you, we’ve got our favorite dry fly patterns. Unlike you, we’re happy to share them. Best sellers from the dry fly bins this season include Rusty Spinners, PMD snowshoe emergers, PMD smoke jumpers, Hi-Vis PMD Spinners, Nyman’s DOA Cripple PMD, Brooks Sprout PMD, Blooms Parachute Caddis, Cornfed Caddis, CDC Caddis Emergers, Outrigger Caddis, Extended Body Caddis, Trico Indicator Spinners, Barrs Trico Emergers, Double Wing Tricos, Quigley’s Trico Hackle Stacker, Eric’s Trico Spinner, Bloom’s Stealth Ant, Micro Chubby, Purple Haze, Parachute Adams and WCA Trudes. These are all great patterns to be sure but don’t get hung up on what’s HOT. Take some time to explore the countless other patterns we stock for every hatch. Show them something different.

The focus this time of year is obviously on dry fly fishing but there’s no shame whatsoever in nymphing so have at it. Zebra midges at the grass flats below the dam have been money. Pair them with a gold or purple weight fly or a Tan UV Czech Nymph. Other hot nymphs have been Little Green Machines, S & M’s, Magic Flies, Psycho Mays, Peep Shows, Nitro Caddis, Doc’s Summer Bug, Purple Lighting Bugs along with a host of other offerings. Once again, don’t get hung up on what’s HOT. Get creative and show them something they haven’t seen. You could also go the other direction and show them something they’ve seen since the start. Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears, Copper Johns…..there’s a reason they’ve been around forever. Never overlook the classics.

Streamer fishing has been getting tougher as the weed mass continues to build but it’s definitely still worth your time.

Stop by the shop and stock up on leaders, tippet, bugs floatant and anything else you might need. We’re still officially open at 7 AM daily but more often than not coffee is on and we’re milling about the shop by 6 or 6:30. Stop by if you’re getting an early start.

Traffic is down considerably this week, particularly of the drift boat variety. Plenty of wading anglers out there but overall expect fewer anglers then we saw throughout last month.

Missouri and Blackfoot Guide trips are available and while it is getting easier to find guides on short notice we still recommend you book as far in advance as possible. We’ve got limited lodging available for the next couple of weeks and then things open right up for late July and the entire month of August.

Fall is a different story. If you haven’t booked your fall dates yet we suggest you do it now.

Stay cool and stay fishy my friends.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-08T15:22:33-07:00July 11th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

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

It’s hard to believe we’re already into June but that is the case so welcome to PRIME TIME on the Missouri.

The river continues to drop (8310 cfs as of now) and we’re likely just on the cusp of potential dry fly Nirvana depending on what happens with the water. More on this soon!

This last week of May into the first of June has proven to be a bit of a lull in the action as folks wrap up their pre-summer activities but it’s about to get real as people from all around the country and in fact all around the world descend on the MO’ for a healthy dose of legendary Montana trout fishing.

Much of the water around the state is on the rise leaving the amazing MO’ one of the only options available for the time being and what an option it is.

Expect nymphing to continue to be the go-to for now but the dry fly game will soon come into play. We’re shifting those BWO patterns out of the bins to make room for the PMD’s which have already started to make an occasional appearance. The dry fly side of the bin has been a lonely place thus far this season with the higher water so as you can imagine we are anxious to see those bugs begin to move.

The nymphs of choice continue to be Tailwater sows, Fish Finder Worms, Wire Worms, Zebra Midges, Rainbow Czechs and the like but we’re starting to see a shift to PMD nymphs including split case PMD’s, Light Peep Shows, PMD S & M’s , Rusty and PMD Magic Fly and PMD Military Mays. Caddis pupae are also in play. Think Tung Darts, Weight Flies and Tan or Caddis UV Czech Nymphs.

It’s also time to get your dry fly boxes in order. Midges are still on the menu along with the occasional BWO but it’s soon to be a PMD and Caddis game.

Streamers are still an effective option on the right day. Cloudy days? Yes. Sunny days? Yes. Early in the morning ? Yes Mid day? Not so much but you never know….

We’ve got a few holes in the lodging and guide book for the next week or so and then it’s slim pickings until mid July but we do get the occasional cancellation and there are a few vacancies sprinkled in here and there so if you haven’t yet made plans and a trip to the MO’ sounds like something you’d like to do then by all means give us a call and we’ll do our best to make it happen.

We know you’ve got a lot of options when it comes to fly shops and outfitters and we are sincerely thankful for each and every customer. We will never take your business for granted. We hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler, your Full Service Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-08T15:35:17-07:00June 1st, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

The Big Muddy. Blackfoot River from Scotty Brown Bridge on May 6th. Photo by Blackfoot Angler Fly Shop

The BIG PUSH has begun. Runoff has started and with it the migration of guides from around the state to the Missouri seeking fishable water for their clients.

The MO’ is definitely where you need to be if you plan on fishing western Montana in the immediate future and while we are largely immune to the blow out conditions found on the freestones during runoff we do have some big pushes of water coming from Little Prickly Pear and the Dearborn adding cold water and color which present challenges but also opportunities. LPP is currently running at a muddy 274 CFS while the Dearborn is cranking at 800 making flows on the MO below Dearborn somewhere in the neighborhood of 8500 CFS. Above Prickly Pear the Missouri is currently flowing at 7440 CFS with a water temp of 47 degrees.

Reports from Sunday were mixed but it sounds like the rain and cooler air temps so sought after by the dry fly and streamer guys were negated by the influx of cold, muddy water from the tribs. Solid nymphing reports from the Dam, not so much from Wolf Creek on down.

Conditions will remain somewhat status quo this week as temps in the 70’s and 80’s continue to contribute to runoff. Plenty of sunshine this week as well which may not be what you want if you can’t wait to throw a dry fly but don’t rule it out, we could have some great evening activity this week. Again, blue skies and sunshine are not exactly optimal for streamer fishing either but you might be surprised. Sunshine or clouds, I know what I’ll be throwing this week and it ain’t nymphs or dry flies.

Speaking of nymphs though, we would definitely recommend including a worm in your offering, especially if you’re fishing low. Sow bugs are still getting the biggest nod but it’s time to start throwing the kitchen sink at them. Purple Lighting Bugs, LGM’s, Hot Belly Pheasant Tails, Hi Def, Radiation and Juju Baetis, Split Case BWO’s, Dark Peep Shows, Rainbow Warriors, 2 Bits, S & M’s…..you get the idea.

We’re pretty well booked up for lodging through mid-week but we do have openings for later in the week and through the weekend and we’ve got guides at the ready each and every day.

The shop is full of all kinds of new gear from Simms, Korkers, Fishpond, Redington and more and the fly bins are overflowing with every bug you need for the MO’ and beyond.

Stop in for shuttles, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, Realtime Missouri River updates and intel and what has frequently been referred to as the best coffee in the canyon.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-08T15:43:22-07:00May 8th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Dearborn, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, Little Prickly Pear, Missouri River, Montana, Redington, RO Drift Boats, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Are there any bugs you ask? Ummm….just a few! photo by Luke Koerten

As we close out the month of April and head into the heart of the spring season things are shaping up nicely on the Missouri with plenty of water (but not too much), plenty of bugs and plenty of hungry trout.

The fishing has been tough on some days, pretty damn good on others. Overall I would still call it “spotty” but there are stretches which are consistently fishing pretty good and some go to areas within said stretches which are holding good concentrations of fish as you would expect them to in mid to late spring.

We’ve still seen better numbers of fish being caught in the canyon but we’ve also had some fair days in the dam to Craig stretch which seems to be improving by the day.

Flows have stabilized in the 7000 cfs range but we are still seeing drops and bumps of a couple of hundred cfs on a fairly regular basis which may be contributing to the spottiness. Water temps are on the rise and are currently holding in the 45 degree range which has the trout on the move.

Streamer fishing has been inconsistent but if you hit it right you can expect plenty of chases and some aggressive takes. The same could be said for the dry fly action. There has been no shortage of bugs with gobs of midges and plenty of BWO’s in the mix but finding feeding fish has been a challenge on most days. Again, if you hit it right you could be in for some epic dry fly fishing….the best of this young season. Obviously “hitting it right” is the key and therein lies the challenge. Our advice….fish early and fish often. You may or may not hit it right but we can say with 100 percent certainty that if you aren’t on the water you aren’t going to catch fish. It’s as simple as that.

Nymphing has been less of a roll of the dice and will continue to be the best bet for numbers. With the increase in flows some of the slots you may be used to holding fish may have moved so if you come up empty fishing your usual line go back and do it again, changing your path rather than the depth of your rig, generally moving towards the bank a foot or two to find your desired water column.

We’ve found most of the fish in the top section are still concentrated in slower, deeper, winterish water which has been producing good results river-wide however we have definitely begun to see a transition to shallow, faster water in the canyon stretch. Fish the slow stuff down there and if you can’t find them then try shortening up your rig and fishing the faster shallow summer water.

Sow bugs have been our go-to as of late with the Tailwater sow leading everything else in my box. We’ve also had good luck with soft hackle sows, yum yums and Firebead sows. Caviar Scuds, Bubble Yums, Rainbow Czechs, LGM’s, Rainbow Warriors, black zebras, Pink Amex, Radiation Baetis, S & M’s , Juju’s, pink or purple Lightning Bugs and hot bead wire worms have all been good options depending on the day.

Keep your midge clusters and BWO’s at the ready as well just in case you happen upon some heads. A hi vis parachute Adams or a Purple Haze paired with a Griffiths Gnat or midge cluster is hard to beat but we’ve also had BWO rigs at the ready. Sprout Baetis, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, BWO Film Critic, Wilcox’s Micromay BWO’s , No Hackle BWO’s, Flash Cripples and Hackle Stackers are all good dry fly options you have at your disposal.

On the streamer side we haven’t seen any one bug leading the charge. It’s kind of been all over the place but greys, whites and olives have been producing in various sizes. I’ve had good luck lately with ZK’s Bunny Wailer in olive and in white and we’ve also been moving fish with brown Dirty Hippies, Sculpin and JJ Sparkle Minnows, Godzilla Sculpins, Baby Gongas in rust, tan and olive Circus Peanuts and black and olive Dolly Llamas. I say it all the time…fish what you like because you’ll fish it with confidence and if you are fishing with confidence you’ll up your odds. Give it a solid hour or more. Change colors, change patterns, vary your retrieve. Streamer fishing requires a commitment which often times leaves you blanked but when you see that chase or feel that slam you’ll definitely want more.

Come on by the shop and check out our much talked about amazing fly selection. We’ve got bugs you won’t find anywhere else as well as plenty you’ll find everywhere else. We pride ourselves on our extremely well-stocked fly bins and we’re confident that if you’ve never shopped our bins you’ll likely be shocked and awed by our selection and if not shocked and awed than at least pleasantly surprised. Buy your Missouri River flies where many of the best guides on the river do…Wolf Creek Angler!

We’re open daily at 7:30 am for all of you Missouri River fly fishing needs. Shuttles, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, LOOP rods and reels, Redington wading gear, Simms outerwear and accessories, clean and affordable lodging, the best guides on the water, the aforementioned biggest and best selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek MT and much more.

We’ll be looking at cloudy skies and a chance of precipitation (rain and snow) most of this week. BWO and Streamer weather to be sure. We did have a couple of cancellations for the weekend which has been booked solid for some time. If a last-minute trip to the MO sounds like something you’d be interested in give us a call and book today. It’s the final weekend to take advantage of our spring lodging and guide trip special….2 nights and a full day on the water for the ridiculous price of $500. You heard right. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Starting Monday this same trip will cost you over $750.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-08T15:45:28-07:00April 26th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Paula with her first ever on a fly rod…priceless!

There’s nothing quite like landing that first fish on a fly rod and as a guide, there’s nothing quite as rewarding as making that happen and seeing the pure joy expressed in the smile on the face of a client.

Every once in a while we are reminded of just how lucky we are to be doing what we do and to be able to bring joy to our clients. And sometimes those clients just happen to be good friends.

We sometimes get bogged down in the numbers game and measure our success by the quantity or size of the fish we catch (or don’t catch) but seeing a smile like the one above puts it all back into perspective, or at lest it should. If it doesn’t then you might be in the wrong line of work.

Anytime I have family or friends come to visit I have the privilege of getting to share the awesomeness of Montana with them. Some have fallen under the spell of this place and can’t stay away (or maybe they just really like to hang out with us but I can’t imagine why that would be). A few are avid anglers. Others have never held a fly rod or likely had any desire to do so, but all have had a chance to experience floating down a river in Montana casting a fly rod and maybe even catching a trout or two and I have yet to hear any complaints.

Along with our friends Dan and Tara who visit us regularly, friends Jim and Paula from back east made their first visit last week as part of an expertly devised plan by yours truly to throw an unforgettable 50th Birthday Party for my wife Sheila. I’m not sure if Jim and Paula were all that excited about fly fishing while they were here but they were agreeable to it and we got them on the water for a day while they were being kept in hiding from my wife. I don’t know what they expected but by all indications they had an awesome day learning to fish, taking in the sights and catching some fine trout on the Missouri.

The party was a rousing success as well and we had a great time showing off our fly shop and our city and our state.

As we get into the busy season and I settle into my work routine I never take any of this for granted but it tends to feel less like a leisurely lifestyle and more like a job during these months. Watching friends or guests or guided clients experience this place, especially when it’s for the first time, brings things back into perspective and I step back and take a look around and remember how utterly blessed I am to be here in this amazing place, with the people I love more than anything doing what I love to do. Add to it, getting the opportunity to hang out with friends we left behind who mean the world to us and it doesn’t get much better!

So thank you Dan and Tara and Jim and Paula for making the long trek from Michigan and thanks to all of our friends here for helping to make this a birthday Sheila won’t soon forget. You all mean the world to us. And a huge thanks to all of you who shop with us, fish with us, stay with us and follow us. You make all of this possible and we are thrilled and humbled to be your Missouri River fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-09-21T19:03:40-06:00April 21st, 2017|Categories: Uncategorized, Wolf Creek Chatter|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|3 Comments

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