Montana Archives - Page 22 of 34

A Taste of Autumn

Feeling like October this 11th of July as we sit in the middle of a cold front that has brought unseasonably cool temps and some much-needed precipitation in the form of rain and possibly a few snow flakes in the higher elevations. Summer will return tomorrow with sunshine and temps moving back towards the norm with high 70’s and low 80’s for the remainder of the week.

Rainy and cold and windy today which may not be the ideal conditions for dry fly fishing on the Missouri but we’re happy to have the relief as waters around the state have been dropping and warming already forcing Hoot Owl closures in some places. Long-term forecasts predict higher than average temps and lower than average precipitation for the rest of the summer so if nothing else we’re grateful for the temporary arrest of the trends that will undoubtedly result in more Hoot Owl closures in the future.

Here on the Missouri we are in great shape with current flows at 4440 and temps in the low 60’s. Canyon Ferry is full and it looks as though flows will be maintained in the 4000 cfs range for the summer months. Expect a busy river for the rest of the summer as anglers migrate to the MO seeking cooler waters.

Tricos and Caddis will be the game for the next while with PMD’s still holding on and the fish reportedly opting for those PMD’s when given a choice. Add your favorite PMD to the smorgasbord of tricos on the water and hold on. Best selling trico patterns have been Indicator Spinners, Double Wings, Eric’s Trico Spinner, Quigley’s Trico Hackle Stacker and Drowned Tricos in #20. Helen Keller and Almost Dun PMD’s paired with a rusty spinner have been the go-to on the PMD front and the good old #16 CDC Caddis Emerger paired with an Outrigger Caddis or X Caddis have been effective caddis patterns. All of these and many more available now at Wolf Creek Angler.

Nymphing has continued to produce good numbers, especially at the dam, with Purple or Gold Weight flies paired with a PMD S & M or Split Case PMD. Other good options have been Military Mays, black Zebra midges, brown 2 Bit Hookers, Peep Shows, Tan UV Czechs, Gold or Purple Lightning bugs, LGM’s, PT’s, and on and on.

It’s not exactly streamer season on the Missouri but given the conditions today I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to throw them. Sparkle Minnows, Rainbow Baby Gongas, Space Invaders, JJ’s, Polar Leeches, Buggers and all kinds of creations from the mind of Chewy available exclusively at WCA. The ever-increasing vegetation may present some challenges when you’re stripping streamers but it’s definitely worth your efforts to power through. Choose your water carefully and change your bugs and your retrieve frequently and you may just be rewarded with a Missouri River Giant.

DFO’s may sit this day out so it would be a great day to take advantage of the conditions and have the river to yourself, relatively speaking of course.

We’ve got a few lodging openings this week due to cancellations and we’ve got guides available each and every day so if you’re considering a spur of the moment trip to fly fish the legendary Missouri this week give us a call. Things open up next week as we start to enter the late summer lull which is a lull only as measured by the amount of traffic. If you want to experience great Trico and terrestrial fishing without the crowds, August is the perfect month to fish the MO’. We’ve got plenty of openings for lodging and guides so don’t hesitate to book a trip today. If you’re looking to book fall fishing don’t wait another day….October and early November are filling quickly.

Make us your first stop on your way to the river for shuttles, RO and Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, sun protection, rain and wading gear, LOOP rods and reels, ARC and Rio lines, leaders and tippet and the largest and best selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:34-06:00July 11th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, RIO, RO Drift Boats, running line, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Caddis Sunset – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Beautiful (though somewhat windy) summer weather following Monday’s Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. We love all seasons on the MO’ but summer holds a special place in our hearts with the long hot days, gentle summer breezes and bugs a plenty. It’s dry fly Nirvana on one of the best trout rivers on the planet!

It’s the time of year when our long-time regulars return and friendships are rekindled over post-fishing cocktails around the trout camp at WCA. Come by most any evening and you’ll find folks relaxing on our porches taking in the canyon views and swapping lies from the day.

Come by most any morning and you’ll find a shop abuzz with activity as our guests and customers get ready for their day on the water. What bugs to use, what section to float, what time the bugs come off, how long it takes to float from the dam to Craig…..these questions and many more are asked and answered daily as we get you set up with premium flies from our ever expanding selection which is rapidly becoming the talk of the canyon.

The OPEN sign goes on at 6:30 AM but the coffee is usually on and the door open by 6:15 making us by far your earliest fly shop option around. We tried this last season and generally found that first half hour to be a quiet time with an occasional customer but the word has apparently gotten out because now we’re more often than not seeing a steady flow of customers from before the sign is even turned on.

Fishing conditions are optimal right now though a few clouds would likely help increase dry fly opportunities. Flows are holding in the 4500 range, currently at 4320 and water temps are in the 60 degree range. PMD’s are abundant, caddis are present and rising fish are plentiful. The wading is easy and the fish, though wising up quickly, are eager to take a well presented fly. Our guests, with few exceptions, have been all smiles the past few days save for some frustration with the wind yesterday which was way more than a gentle breeze but the fishing has been good and the anglers have been happy.

Nymphing remains challenging in the top sections though with a little work you should be able to find some fish willing to eat. The Split Case PMD has been the bug of choice but we’re continuing to pick them up on San Juan worms, Caddis Pupae and a host of mayfly nymphs as well. Lightning bugs, S & M’s, Military Mays, Magic Fly, Psycho May….there are a lot of things working though not much of it working all of the time so plan on changing those bugs and those rigs until you get into them.

We are certainly in our Prime Time right now so we suggest you call well ahead of time if you are seeking lodging, guide trips or boat rentals. The rest of the week looks like it’s going to be nice with sunshine and 70’s. We’re looking at cooler temps and a good chance for some thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday returning to sunshine and 70’s early next week.

We’ll see you bright and early each and every day at Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:34-06:00June 22nd, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid June Missouri River Report

Mid to late June brings the PMD's

We’re already looking back at the first half of June as we find ourselves fully immersed in PRIME TIME on the Missouri. It’s hard to believe the summer solstice is but a couple of days away. Time marches on!

Snow and cold and frozen fingers and frozen guides don’t seem that long ago but believe it or not we have somehow reached the meat of the season. Dry Fly Nirvana on the MO’.

I’m still getting plenty of calls inquiring about whether the PMD’s have started yet. Yes…yes they have. Bugs a plenty here and plenty of dry fly opportunities. PMD’s are the main course with a smattering of caddis served up daily and it’s not too early to think about terrestrials.

Our bins are fully stocked with all kinds of new PMD and Caddis patterns, both dries and nymphs. We’ve got so many new bugs we’ve had to clear out some of the old to make way for the new so don’t miss our $1 fly bin – great bugs at a ridiculous price. Don’t forget those hard-to-find Purple Buggers….just $1 at Wolf Creek Angler. Get em’ before they’re gone!

Our Go-To PMD’s have been Eric’s Rusty Spinner, CDC Winged PMD Emergers, Quigley’s Film Critic, Wilcox’s Micromay , Knock Down Duns and PMD Flash Cripples among many many more. Caddis staples include Outrigger Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger, Cornfed Caddis and X Caddis. If you’re still plying sub-surface the worm continues to produce, especially paired with a tailwater sow. We’ve also done well with purple or gold weight flies or Tung Darts paired with LGM’s, S& M’s, Military Mays, 2 Bit Hookers, Summer Bugs and on and on.

Looking for more great deals? Don’t miss our inaugural fourth of July fly sale coming soon and our sale racks are always worth a look for screaming deals on great gear from the likes of Simms, Redington and Kast. Nothing wrong with any of it….just need to move it out. Hopefully you won’t need any cold weather gear for the next little while but come that next chilly day on the water you’ll have the layers you need to stay warm and you’ll feel great about having gotten a killer deal.

Speaking of the weather it looks like we’ll see a return to 80’s on Tuesday, right on cue for the official start of summer. Sunshine and 80’s expected most of the week. Perfect weather for a just arrived Simms Solarflex featuring our new and improved logo.

Lodging is slammed but we have had a few cancellations here and there, give us a call and we’ll see if we can find you some room at the inn. Guides are slammed as well, making hay as they do, but if a June or July Missouri River guide trip is on your bucket list don’t hesitate to call…we’ll make it happen. As one of the only Outfitter Owned and Operated Fly Shops on the Missouri we’ve got the edge when it comes to putting you on the water with some of the best guides on the river.

We are open daily at 6:30 AM – earlier than anyone else so make us your early morning Missouri River fly fishing one stop. Shuttles, bugs, strong coffee, sun protection and a wealth of friendly advice and up-to-the minute info on what’s happening on the MO’. You are our number one priority….every day of the year.

See you bright and early at WCA.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:34-06:00June 17th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Early June on the MO’

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It feels like summer. Sunshine and 90’s and plenty of bugs.

With this weather it won’t be long until our lush green landscapes become much less so as the hills are scorched by the summer sun but we’re holding out hope for some more precipitation and maybe even another bump in the flows which are currently at 5370 cfs. Water predictions are on the shelf for now as we simply don’t know. It feels like we could see another low water year but as I write the sky is darkening with storm clouds. A few big rains could change the whole story. Canyon Ferry is currently sitting at close to 96% full so while runoff may be over or close to it, a few days of rain could very well bring us the water we’re looking for. We’ll see 80’s and 90’s and a chance of showers and thunderstorms all week long before a cool down this weekend returns us to more seasonable temps in the 60’s and 70’s.

Angling traffic has picked up on the river this week after a busy weekend of rec floaters and little angling pressure. It’s a different story today with no shortage of drift boats on the water river wide. We’re heading into Prime Time on the Missouri if you are a dry fly angler….The Big Show! PMD’s and Caddis are on the menu right now and finding rising fish is becoming more and more consistent with every passing day. The majority of the dry fly action is still concentrated in the stretches below Craig and consequently this is where we continue to see the most angling pressure but there is plenty of good fishing to be had in the upper stretches as well.

We’ve had some good days out there powering through what at times has been some very challenging nymphing while on the hunt for rising fish. The fish we’ve found on top have been more than willing to eat for the most part provided you feed them what they want. We’ve had good luck with a gray CDC Caddis Emerger or Cornfed Caddis trailed behind a Sloans Outrigger Caddis or a Parachute Adams, particularly the sparkle variety. Consistently good PMD patterns include the Helen Keller PMD, Almost Dun PMD, Flash Cripple PMD and various PMD and Rusty Spinners. Throw an emerger on with one of these or try the amazingly effective Buzzball.

We’re loaded up with all kinds of cool Caddis and PMD patterns both nymphs and dries. We’ve got more than 50 PMD patterns and at least as many Caddis varieties. Best Bets on the nymphing side right now include Split Case PMD’s, Doc’s PMD, Doc’s Summer Bug, Hares Ear Tung Dart, Light Peep Show, S & M PMD, Brown 2 Bit Hooker, Military May PMD, UV Yum Yum, Purple, Pearl or Olive Lightning Bugs, PT’s, UV Czechs and on and on. It’s a virtual smorgasbord this time of year. Fish what you like and fish it well.

As we mentioned, nymphing has had its challenging moments over the past few days. Maybe it’s the fluctuations in flows, maybe it’s the abundance of sunshine, maybe it’s just fishing….who knows. Work the water you like, change bugs, change depths, move to the water you may not like as much and repeat. If you put the time in you will likely find some level of success, if not, there’s always tomorrow.

Streamer fishing remains an option, especially under cloud cover. Try Space Invaders, Sparkle Minnows, Baby Gongas, Lil’ Kims, ZK’s S.O.B., Circus Peanuts, ZK’s Club Drug, Dirty Hippies and Montana Mouthwash just to name a few. We’ve had good luck with Olives, Naturals and white. Once again, fish what you like and fish it well. With water temps in that mid 50’s range you’ll want to keep those bugs on the move. Make them chase!

We’re open every day at 7 am for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Lodging, shuttles, sun protection, the best guides on the Missouri River and an ever-expanding fly selection that’s already come to be known as one of, if not the best, in the area. We are your exclusive dealer of LOOP rods and reels and ARC fly lines on the Missouri River. Outfitter Owned and Operated and having as much fun being your fly shop as you are fly fishing one of the best trout rivers on the planet.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:34-06:00June 7th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Weekend Outlook

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We heard a bunch of good dry fly reports from yesterday, most having found success in the canyon and below. Along with midges and the waning BWO’s PMD’s and Caddis are on the menu, not a ton of either but enough to keep you fairly occupied. Reports yesterday were that Parachute Adams, Trudes and CDC Caddis Emergers all drew some attention.

We just received a big part of our summer bug shipment so our bins are fully loaded with all kinds of cool PMD and Caddis patterns, both dry flies and nymphs. We’re also re-stocked on Green Machines and S & M’s amongst others. You can expect to find all the hot bugs you are looking for at Wolf Creek Angler along with a bunch of other patterns you won’t believe you’ve been missing out on. We’re fully stocked for the MO’ and beyond with plenty of freestone stuff as well and more foam then you’ll find anywhere!

We’re fighting some gusty winds today. Tomorrow will be better and the weekend looks like it could be perfect with temps in the mid to high 80’s and light and variable winds in the forecast. It might be a great weekend to come out and do the dry fly thing on the Missouri before things really get busy out there which looks like next week. We’ve got our busiest couple of weeks on the water thus far starting next week and I can only assume the story is the same with the other shops and outfitters so come out and enjoy the relative solitude on the MO’ now and expect a lot of traffic (and plenty of fish) in the weeks to come.

PMD’s are what’s on the menu. Stop by Wolf Creek Angler for the widest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

There haven’t been many PMD’s around as of yet so we haven’t really started fishing these patterns but it’s definitely time to dig out your PMD box and organize, inventory, re-stock and expand your selection. Some of our favorites are Nyman’s DOA Cripple, Flash Cripple, Powell’s Helen Keller PMD, Almost Dun, Knock Down Dun, No Hackle PMD, Captive Dun, PMD Drowned Spinner, Eric’s Rusty Spinner, CDC Rusty Spinner and various Hi Vis PMD and Rusty Spinners. My go-to PMD nymphs are the PMD Magic Fly, Split Case PMD, S & M PMD, Light Peep Show, Doc’s PMD, Doc’s Summer Bug, Psycho May PMD, Trina’s PMD Angel Case Emerger and the good old Gold LB.

On the caddis side we like Sloan’s Outrigger trailed with a cdc emerger or Cornfed Caddis. Try a purple or gold Weight Fly or a Tung Dart if you’re in search of a good caddis pupae nymph and don’t forget the buzzballs as they represent pieces and parts of pretty much any hatch you might be fishing.

It seems as though we’ve had our peak flows, at least for the time being. Expect flows to continue to drop as the runoff flows into Canyon Ferry dwindle. We’re stoked to have a hot sunny weekend on tap but we’re holding out hope for cooler temps and plenty of precip throughout June. Fingers crossed! LPP and the Dearborn are on the drop and are in great shape right now if small water happens to be your game.

We’ve got the calm before the storm happening now with a quiet weekend before guide trips and lodging kick into high gear on Monday. Plenty of availability for both for the next three days if a spur-of-the moment trip to the MO’ is in the cards for you. Book a room and a guide trip or grab one of our RO or Adipose Drift Boats and explore the river on your own. Just coming for the day? Stop by the shop for everything you need. Shuttles, sun protection, Smith Optics, LOOP rods and reels, Obscene Clearance Prices on winter gear from KAST and Outdoor Research and the best bug selection around.

See you this weekend at Wolf Creek Angler!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:34-06:00June 2nd, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Memorial Day Weekend

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It’s hard to believe but Memorial Day is already here – the unofficial start of the summer season. In some respects it feels like it’s been a long time coming but mostly it feels like another season is absolutely flying by.

The early start we had with an extremely busy April means we’ve already been somewhere close to, or at Full Tilt for almost two months already and while we’ve had a few slower times during these last few weeks for the most part we’ve been busy settling in to our prime-season routines.

Things have been so busy that I let April 1st get by without talking about WCA celebrating birthday #2. As we head into this third season we’re thrilled with the growth we’ve already seen and we’re excited about things to come.

Part of growing a business is building a team to meet the increased demands that come with a busier shop and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing. If you’ve been in the shop recently you’ve likely noticed a bit more variety behind the counter with Zach and I sharing these duties. We’ve recently added another shop guy Tyler, whom you’ll be hearing more about soon. Behind the scenes on the housekeeping side Cindy has things dialed in as always with help from Jeanette who has returned to help us out this season. These two are definitely the unsung heroes of the operation!

My intent is to spend a bit more time on the water guiding this season so I may not be in the shop quite as much but more often than not I will be here. When I’m not, you’re in good hands with Chewy!

New faces, new logo, new products…..same old commitment to customer service. You will always be our number one priority, whether in the shop or on the water. You’ve got plenty of choices when it comes to fly shops and guides…not as much when it comes to lodging but we’re definitely not the only game in town. We get it! This is why your satisfaction is our number one priority whether you are shopping with us, lodging with us, fishing with us or all of the above and this is why you can expect exceptional service every time you set foot in our shop.

If you haven’t been by the shop in a while you should definitely stop in and see what’s new. Product highlights for this season include the addition of LOOP rods and reels, more great gear from industry leaders like KAST, Rio, Nautilus, Redington, Smith and more; awesome WCA logo gear from Simms, Hydro Flask and Stanley; and an ever-expanding fly selection the likes of which has never seen in Wolf Creek Montana. It won’t take long for you to see why so many Missouri River guides frequent our shop. It might be the free coffee, it might be our smiling faces but my bet is it’s the bugs!

Looking for a guide? We’ve got the hardest working guide crew on the river and as the “new shop” we can’t wait to show you how that same commitment to customer satisfaction you find in our shop also applies on the water. There’s no shortage of guides on the Missouri River so you’ve got plenty of choices. We hope you choose us.

As one of the only Outfitter Owned and Operated shops in the area we have the edge when it comes to getting you on the water with an exceptional professional guide even with very little notice. We offer the complete package. Clean, affordable lodging; an up and coming fly shop with everything you need for your day on the Missouri and the hardest working guides you’ll find anywhere. We are full-time Missouri River guides. 24/7/365. This is our home water and we fish it year round. We don’t winter in the tropics. We winter on the MO’.

We hope to see you this Memorial Day weekend at Wolf Creek Angler. Start your summer off right with a weekend on the Missouri. Lodging and guides available – book today.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00May 26th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Echo, fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid Week Missouri River Report

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The sun is shining today…intermittently, but enough to brighten our day. Much needed and much appreciated precipitation continues.

Your 10 day forecast? Partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms and highs ranging somewhere in the high 50’s/low 60’s daily.

Flows are up – currently 6360 cfs. We will continue to see increases as the folks in the know make room in Canyon Ferry for runoff. How high will it go? Only time and precipitation amounts will tell but at this point we’re happy with the water forecast and we’re optimistic about the season.

We get a lot of questions about whether or not fluctuations in the water flow have a negative effect on the fishing and I think some days it does but the running joke amongst guides is that it depends what kind of day you have. If you end up getting it handed to you then you have your excuse for the day. A couple of hundred CFS is definitely substantial and if nothing else it does move the fish around and I’ve seen it happen enough where it’s been good in the morning and then they bump the flows (or drop them) and things shut down so I would say that more often than not it does affect the fish.

So should you plan to come fish the MO’ this week? Absolutely you should. We love 6 – 7,000, you will too. Nymphing continues to be strong and we’ve had some very good streamer days as well as some ok dry fly days. Same story on the nymphs – tailwater sows, wire worms, LGM’s, Tung Darts, Purple Weight Flies etc. My go-to streamer is still Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow Sculpin but we’ve got bins full of bugs that are getting eaten with some regularity so come check out our selection and pick up a few you won’t find at any other shop.

The weather will be perfect for all of the above for the next little while so make it a point to beat the crowds and get out here ASAP. We do have lodging available for the end of May and the first few days of June before things go crazy so give us a call and book yourself a few nights at WCA and a few days on the legendary Missouri with some of the best guides on the river.

Shop open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River Fly Fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00May 24th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Caddis Fest Weekend Report

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It’s going to be a soggy but fun weekend on the MO’ with the 10th Annual Craig Caddis Fest happening tomorrow at 4 PM. Rain or shine Caddis Fest is always a great time with great food and tons of cool silent auction items including guide trips, art and plenty of swag and gear from all of your favorite local fly shops. Live music at 5:30 at Izaak’s Log Jam from Up in the Air Band.

Don’t miss the Sage ON THE WATER tour with casting clinics, demo rods and more. We hope you come out and enjoy the festivities while supporting the Craig Volunteer Fire Department. Why not make a day of it and do a Holter Dam or Wolf Creek to Craig float landing you smack dab in the middle of the action just as things are firing up.

Start your day at Wolf Creek Angler. We’ll get you set up with shuttles, bugs, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, rain gear and wading gear, lines, leaders and tippet, KAST Steelhead Gloves and anything else you might need for your day of fly fishing on the MO’. Better yet book yourself a guide trip this weekend and leave all of the work to us. Guides are at the ready.

We’re looking at a possibility of rain and thunderstorms each day, right on through the early part of next week. A rain-free Caddis Fest would be great (and it may happen) but as we’ve been saying all along through this wet spring the precipitation is exactly what we need and we’re happy to have it. Don’t let a little rain keep you from enjoying some fantastic fishing on the MO’.

Nymphing has been consistently good this week (think WORMS) and while not great the dry-fly opportunities have definitely been there. I did a couple of evening outings this week and found enough fish up to keep it interesting each time out. It’s always a great time to fish the Missouri but right now in particular you can count on pretty good action no matter what method of fishing you prefer. We love to do a big float and throw streamers while hunting heads – the best of both worlds!

Don’t forget tomorrow is the opener for general stream fishing, mostly pertaining to the Western District but there’s plenty of water opening here in the Central as well. It’s our favorite time of year for fishing in Montana and we LOVE to fish the creeks. While our fly selection is definitely focused on the Missouri you’ll find plenty of what you need for freestone fishing as well. From packs and wading staffs and 3 and 4 weight rods to the biggest selection of foam and attractors ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, WCA has you covered no matter where you plan to fish.

See you this weekend in the shop and on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00May 20th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Craig Caddis Fest, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, RO Drift Boats, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

On The Road Report: Secret Spots.

April has faded into May, which will give way to June in a few weeks and before we know it, Tamaracks in the high country will go gold. I don’t want to think that far ahead just yet though, so lets talk about the time in between. Specifically the latter part of spring and summer. As runoff subsides and the swollen banks fade to friendlier wading levels, loads of us ditch the boats for packs, 4 wts, bear spray & back roads. How do I know this? Because I do it (obviously) and because I, along with every other shop dog around, get asked on a pretty regular basis to divulge, my spots. If you just rolled your eyes, thinking this is going to be a post telling everyone off and to find your own damn water, well you’re sort of right, but hear me out. Especially if you’re reading this shortly after it is published, there’s a good chance you inspired it.

Inevitably the calls start coming in from guys planning summer excursions to the Missouri and surrounding areas looking for that, ya know, off the radar, next level shi….(whatever that is). If you’re one of those people, you know I am a master of ambiguity, to an infuriating level to some, at points. Most think I just do it out of spite or selfishness, but I promise that is not my motivation. Okay, it’s a little bit of me being selfish, but it serves a purpose. I’m apprehensive to share a handful of spots for just as many reasons. First and foremost, many places I consider to be even remotely secret are in fact no secret at all, lets just get that out of the way. Some of them were shown to me by close friends, usually under the pretense of silence on my part; and just as many were the end result of a few hours shooting between Google Maps and Montana Cadastral then putting rubber on road.

The main reason I hold back revealing some of the spots I frequent is I’d like to think I’m fostering some sense, minuscule as it may be, of exploration in someone who would rather just have the answer given to them. Ideological of me? Yeah, but I can’t understand why people want to be told where to find the most beautiful trout stream they’ve seen, instead of stumbling across it themselves. With that said, if you call or swing by the shop and you’ve been looking into River X and wondering if I knew anything about it, I won’t lie. It’s not covered in rattlesnakes, bears aren’t around every corner and the rancher won’t chase you off with a shotgun if he see’s you fishing through his property. Though I will tell you if that’s the case, because places like that do exist. But I promise I won’t draw you a map either. I’m not trying to hoard these spots for the simple fact that the spots I try to keep quiet are in fact, not my spots. They’re all of our spots, I just happen to believe you should take the time to find them.

~Cheers, Chewy.

By Zach King|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00May 10th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Montana Fly Fishing, Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Montana|0 Comments

Book your Missouri River trip of a lifetime today.

May is off to a somewhat quiet start after the busiest April we’ve seen at Wolf Creek Angler.

We’ve traded in the clouds and cold and snow and rain of last week for blue skies, sunshine and temps in the 80’s through the later part of the week. Things will return to more seasonable conditions on Friday with cooler temps and a chance for some rain over the weekend. If dry-fly fishing is what you long for then maybe wait until the weekend. In the meantime we’ll be taking advantage of the pause this week to recalibrate our nymphing rigs while holding out hope for some decent streamer action and perhaps a head or two during the low-light hours of the day.

If you’re just looking to get out and enjoy the sunshine and maybe work on that tan the next couple days will be ideal. If you’re planning on making a serious effort to catch some fish look to mayfly nymphs and deepish rigs. We’ve been having our best luck on Split Case BWO’s, Olive Psycho Mays, PT’s, Grey LGM’s, Tungsten Juju’s, Soft Hackle Sows, Yum Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Angel Case Emergers, Bubble Yums, Purple Lightning Bugs, S & M’s, Military Mays and various other standard and not-so standard Missouri Spring Go-To’s.

Fish are where they should be, adjust until you find them. Think medium fast, medium depth and don’t forget the swirlies!

Again, not the best conditions this week for dry-fly fishing though there certainly have been plenty of BWO’s and midges around as well as March Browns and rumors of caddis clouds in a few locations. Stop by the shop for the rest of the story! Olive Adams, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Flash Cripples, Quigley’s Film Critic BWO, Wilcox’s Micro Mayfly BWO, Buzzballs, Keller’s Rocky Mountain Mint, CDC BWO Emergers, BWO Drown Spinner and BWO Hackle Stackers all getting some attention out there on the right day. We’ve also got you covered on March Browns and Mother’s Day Caddis Patterns.

If it’s streamers you’re after we’ve got you covered there as well with all of your Missouri River favorites and a bunch of WCA Exclusives you’ll only find in one shop! Looking for foam? We’ve got more foam than we’ve ever had. Come check out the ever-expanding largest selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Plenty of lodging available this week, not so much in the weeks to come. Call today and book your Missouri River fly fishing trip of a lifetime. We are your go-to Missouri River fly fishing destination with on-site lodging, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, a fully stocked first-rate fly shop featuring anything and everything you need for fishing the MO’ and beyond and a guide crew and shop staff unmatched in their commitment to professionalism and exceptional customer service. WCA is the best fly shop you never knew existed! We hear it all of the time….”I never knew you guys were here.”

Stop by soon and see for yourself what the buzz is about.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00May 3rd, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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