Montana Archives - Page 7 of 34

December Puppy Days

New Dog on Duty at WCA

It’s been a LONG time since we’ve had a new puppy in the house…more than a dozen years, and I have very little recollection of those days when our beloved Jake first joined our family.

A few days ago we welcomed a new pup into the fold. Ezekiel Jacob Montana is his name, and he goes by Zeke.

Zeke will be eight weeks old on Sunday and so far he’s everything we hoped he would be and and also a lot of things we maybe weren’t 100 percent ready for, having apparently repressed those memories from the last time we shared a house with a tiny yellow Labrador.

In some ways it’s been easier than I thought it would be. He has absolutely no aversion to being crated and so far it’s been me waking him up at night to take him out, not vice versa. He sleeps a lot. But when he’s not sleeping he requires constant attention and supervision. There’s a lot of eating, biting, playing, going to the bathroom (so far so good for the most part with housebreaking), exploring any and every place he’s able to get to followed by frequent naps and more of the same.

I’ve trained two dogs in my lifetime, both of whom were absolutely amazing but again, I don’t remember what we did to train them. I’ve spent the last month pouring over dog training books and YouTube videos and now I have a mashup of techniques in my head which I’ve been attempting to implement, some with success, some not so much. Zeke is incredibly bright and learns quickly. The stall outs, when they occur, are all on me but we’ll get there!

Part of our strategy with getting a late fall/winter pup was the fact that it’s obviously a slow time for the business which would afford me plenty of time working with the puppy. So far so good. The weather turned cold the day we picked him up so I haven’t been too concerned about not being in the shop the last couple of days. I did take him to work this morning with the thought that I could tend to emails, voicemails, filling and shipping online orders and the like. Zeke had other ideas.

We will try again once I get an enclosed play/hang out area set up for him which will happen this week but until that time there’s not much happening other than puppy supervision while we’re at the shop.

This being the case, I’ve decided to unofficially close the shop for the next couple of weeks. We’ll be around at some point most days and will be OPEN when we’re there but I think it’s in everyone’s best interest if we steer clear of published hours for the remainder of 2021.

We’re still open for lodging and guide trips every day and if there’s anything you need from the shop we’re around and just a phone call away. Visit our online store for shopping made easy, including those coveted WCA gift cards which make an excellent gift for any of the fly fishers on your list.

We wrapped up our shuttle season in November and have been referring all shuttle requests to Headhunters and while I would love to have the shop open from 8 -5 every day for those making the trek to the MO, between staffing challenges and puppy training it’s simply not practical.

Again, Zeke and I will be in the shop more days than not and when we’re there the OPEN sign will be ON but hours will be of a random nature for the next few weeks.

We appreciate your patience and understanding and we can’t wait for the world to meet Zeke (once he’s where he needs to be).

Call forwarding to my cell phone will be turned on as of tomorrow and I am really good about answering messages and emails. If you need a room or a guide give us a call or shoot me an email and we will make it happen. I’ve been busy with 2022 confirmations for the past several days and have most of them done. If you haven’t yet received yours it’s coming shortly. 2022 is going to be another very busy year on the Missouri so if by chance you haven’t yet booked your dates…. time is of the essence.

Cheers!

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-12-07T12:29:33-07:00December 7th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Ezekiel Jacob Montana, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Zeke|2 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving from WCA

On this day of Thanks giving, of reflecting on all of those things with which we are blessed, it’s the perfect time to express our heart-felt thanks to all of you for making all of this possible.

Without you there is no Wolf Creek Angler!

So to each and every one of you whether you fish with us, stay with us, shop with us, follow us on social media or all of the above we can’t thank you enough for allowing us to do what we do and to truly live this dream in magical Montana.

We’re so thankful for just having had our best season yet and we can’t wait to do it all again.

So from our table to yours, we wish you all a happy, safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-11-25T09:23:35-07:00November 25th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Montana, running line, Thanksgiving, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome to MOvember

It’s hard to believe but November is upon us and a very busy 2021 season is coming to a close.

The transition to the off season is almost complete with the majority of seasonal folks having already disappeared. Things are quiet in Wolf Creek and Craig.

That being said, November brings its own dedicated contingent to the MO with swing season underway, streamer fishing still hanging on, fall dry-fly fishing at its apex and pre-winter nymphing providing plenty of action for those seeking a different Missouri River experience, one of solitude, absent the throngs.

Things look and feel deserted right now but a closer look reveals evidence of a different, more subdued season underway. A season where you can have the river seemingly to yourself on most days but a season which lacks not just the crowds but much of the infrastructure enjoyed by the prime season angler.

Commerce has slowed to a crawl with some businesses closing for the season and others shifting to abbreviated hours for the winter months.

Izaaks is closed for the season and Annie’s is open Friday – Sunday 11 AM – 8 PM but will be closing for winter on November 21st. Bottom line… you’d be wise to bring food if you’re headed this way any time before next spring.

The Canyon Store is OPEN all year with fuel, beer,food and other essentials and Wolf Creek Angler remains open every day for the time being. We’ve closed a third of our lodging thus far and have gone to winter rates on our remaining open rooms. $99 (plus tax) for a cozy cabin or bungalow, each with a full kitchen and private bath.

It is indeed our quiet time on the MO but that being said, Wolf Creek shines this time of the season with everything you need all in one place, just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge where the vast majority of Missouri River winter fishing occurs. Why would you go anywhere else? There’s NOBODY closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than Wolf Creek Angler.

We’ve got everything you need for your day on the water from Adipose drift boat rentals to Simms waders and boots and cold weather gear to lines, leaders and tippet from Rio and Airflo to tools and accessories from Fishpond, Rising and Loon to the now near legendary largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Our flies come from Montana Fly Company, Umpqua Feather Merchants, Solitude and Yellowstone Fly Goods and are the highest quality flies available.

So while things may look deserted out there on the river right now, we’re enjoying hosting a good portion of the late-season contingent this early November at Wolf Creek Angler.

We’re near full capacity all week long with awesome fall weather on tap for at least the next 7 days. Cabins 2 and 3 are available through the weekend and next week we’re wide open so if you’re looking to make the trip give us a call.

The late season is generally a DIY affair but if you’re looking for a guide we can likely accommodate. As mentioned above, many of the seasonal folks have left the area but most of our guides at WCA are local so if you’re looking for a late season guided trip let us know.

Great weather, great end of the season deals in the shop, and most importantly, GREAT FISHING happening NOW at Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-11-02T09:45:47-06:00November 2nd, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, MOvember, RIO, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

October Snow – photo by Tony Van Dort

Parts of SW Montana saw a significant winter weather event earlier this week while here on the Missouri we got just a small dose of what’s to come.

While snow blanketed Bozeman and the surrounding area we only saw a dusting down here with a little more at higher elevations but the cold temps and dark skies were just what we needed to get some BWO action going out there.

Winds have limited those opportunities but with water temps continuing to drop we’re in good shape for those seemingly rare days when the wind isn’t howling. Keep an eye on the forecast and plan your trip around those cool and cloudy days….or not. Cloudy conditions are ideal but you can catch plenty of fish on the sunny days as well.

Missouri River Fall streamer fishing is moving towards peak season with plenty of bruiser browns on the prowl and the Bows eager to play as well. For my money a #4 Sparkle Minnow can’t be beat but there are plenty of other bugs that will elicit the chase and the attack. We’ve had good luck with Swim Coaches, Dirty Hippies, Mini Dungeons, Lil’ Kims, Circus Peanuts and MK Ultralights and if you’re more of a traditionalist black buggers and Thin Mints have been solid.

Nymphing will be your go to for numbers with sow bugs starting to take over that top spot which has been occupied by the black zebra midge for the past several weeks. Rainbow Czechs, Amex, Tungsten Tailwater Sow, Pill Poppers, Soft Hackle Sows, LGM’s, BWO Magic Fly, Olive Lightning Bug, Olive S & M, No big changes on the nymphing front. 3 (ish) feet bobber to tungsten lead fly. Fast (ish), medium depth and maybe a deep dive in the swirls for good measure.

Sprout Baetis, Cripple Baetis, Olive Haze, BWO Film Critic, CDC Baetis Spinner and baetis emergers all good bets on top with ants and October Caddis still worth a try.

Warm weather returns this weekend with plenty of sunshine and temps near 70 on Saturday and Sunday. We’ve got a few vacancies remaining for the weekend if you want to come out and enjoy what may very well be the last warm weekend of 2021 and our guide calendar has cleared substantially making guide trips a real possibility this weekend.

We’re in the midst of our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale with 25% off ALL RODS and REELS and 30% off your total if you buy any rod and reel combo.

All remaining Simms summer sportswear as well as Confluence wading sandals and men’s and women’s Flyweight boots and all remaining G3 stockingfoot waders 30% off.

Not only is it what many consider to be the best time of the year to fish the MO, it’s also the time of year for the best deals on the best gear at Wolf Creek Angler.

Fall hours 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-10-13T13:07:34-06:00October 13th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall is in Bloom on the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The mental shift to fall is underway, even as summer returns this week with daytime temps climbing back into the 80’s and 90’s. Not to worry, there’s plenty of cool (followed by COLD and likely even frigid) weather in store for the not too distant future.

Last weekend’s unofficial end of the summer season was a great mix of warm sunny summer days on the water combined with the embrace of the signs of the upcoming season. There was plenty of traffic on the river this weekend, both angling and recreational floating with beautiful weather for both. And while it may still be tubing weather, change is underway.

Fall colors are emerging as the green leaves of summer transform into brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. Choke Cherries are thick this year and the bears have been feasting on them up and down the banks of Little Prickly Pear.

The evening chill in the air is immediate and unmistakable once the sun fades and there’s nothing quite like the feel of that fall morning sun as it climbs over the horizon, warming everything upon which it falls and chasing the chill away.

High school and college football are underway (Go Griz!) and couch-bound NFL Sundays commence this weekend. It’s time to trade in our T shirts, shorts, sun shirts and flip flops for hoodies, long pants and socks and shoes. It’s time for Oktoberfest brews and elk tenderloin on the grill.

But elk aren’t the only big game we’re pursuing. For many, fall is time to put away the fly rod and pick up the bow or rifle. For others, fall IS fishing season and colored up browns are the quarry.

It’s streamer season in Montana now through the end of autumn and we couldn’t be more excited. It’s just getting started mind you so by all means, the best is yet to come.

We’re still on the early side but if yesterday was any indication we could be in for an epic fall streamer season. There’s already a fair amount of aggression out there amongst the brown trout population with plenty of fish of all sizes willing to chase the streamer, if for no other reason than to defend their territory and chase off intruders. Hook ups were hard to come by but if you’re like me and measure streamer fishing success by the number of fish moved rather than just those hooked and landed then you would not have been disappointed with yesterday’s action.

Stop in for everything Missouri River Streamer Fishing. Streamer X rods, a streamer line for every occasion, stripping guards, the best streamer selection on the Missouri and most importantly, all the advice and practical information you could ever want from a staff well-versed in the game and more than ready and willing to talk about it. We live for this.

For those outside of the streamer set the nymphing has been solid with black Zebras and Zirdles still ruling the day. Small mayfly nymphs and sow bugs should also be a staple of your fall nymph arsenal.

Hopper fishing should continue to be solid for the next couple of weeks. Tan and peach hoppers have been working well in sizes ranging from #10 – #14. Trailing an ant is never a bad idea though we have not had a ton of action on the ants as of late. Fish the banks. Fish the mid-river riffles. Fish the non-descript random water whether you think it looks fishy or not. The trout are everywhere. They’re opportunists on the hunt for calories and they may just surprise you when you’re least expecting it so don’t take your eye off of the ball.

We are adjusting our shop hours for fall this week in accordance with the morning darkness and will now be open at 7 AM daily.

Lodging is moderately busy but we do have a fair amount of availability. The guide book is getting busier by the day but we do have some openings here and there and things do open up again around the second week of October. We’re happy to fish any way you like but we absolutely love to guide streamer trips. Book yours today!

Stop in for clean and affordable lodging, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, vehicle shuttles, summer clearance items like Smith Sunglasses and Simms sportswear and amazing fall deals on select waders, boots and more.

Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale coming very soon. Stay Tuned

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-09-07T14:33:20-06:00September 7th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Smith, Streamer Fishing, Streamer X, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges, Zirdle|0 Comments

Dog Days photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Sunday’s rain accompanied by a much-needed cool down has us thinking fall as we power through the Dog Days of what has become one of the doggier late summer seasons in recent memory.

Between the hot weather, the low flows and the resulting Hoot Owl restrictions the MO has become a rather quiet place as of late.

A few weeks from now these Dog Days will be but a memory as we ramp up for the fall fishing season. In the meantime our rooms are getting some extra attention during the lull, the grass is looking better than it has all summer and the shop has undergone de-cluttering and deep cleaning and we’re in the process of re-stocking with everything you need for fall fishing on the Missouri and anywhere else your travels might take you.

Those who have stuck around these past couple of weeks and those who have maintained their August arrival plans have been rewarded with some pretty good fishing as well as an abundance of solitude on the MO.

With Hoot Owl in effect it’s early on and early off though the march of the season continues to shorten our days and those first light 6 AM starts are slowly returning to 6:30 or 7 AM. Regardless, we’re here early at 6 AM for those looking to hit the pre-dawn bite.

Trico action has been spotty by most accounts but those who are working hard at it are finding ample opportunities on any given day provided the conditions are favorable. Many have shifted their focus to terrestrial fishing, giving the hoppers and ants a go with varying degrees of success. It’s always important to keep your expectations in check and that’s especially true this time of year when things tend to get a little weird out there.

Must Have Dries – Trico Indicator Spinner, Double Wing Trico, Hi Vis Trico Spinner, Stockingfoot Caddis, Buzzball, Outrigger Caddis, Missouri River CDC Caddis, Cornfed Caddis, More or Less Hopper, Donkey Kong Hopper, Blooms Stealth Ant, Cinnamon Parachute Ant, Moorish Mouse 2.0, Midnight Express Mouse, Mouse Pouch, Mr. Hankey Hickman Mouse.

Blind fishing a hopper/ant or a dry/dropper rig generally isn’t going to rack up the numbers but if you take it for what it is which is essentially prospecting, it’s really not a bad way to spend your day and you might even get a few big eats and you simply can’t beat hopper eats!

The best shot at numbers is going to be nymphing which has been decent and which will continue to carry the day from here on out. Zirdles and Crays are a go-to this time of year, and like those hopper eats, you’d be hard pressed to find a better sub-surface hit than that of a hungry trout annihilating a cray! Pair that Zirdle or Cray with a Black Zebra or tailwater sow and fish it hard.

Other productive options have been Frenchies, Little Green Machines, Peep Shows, PT’s, Weight Flies, Tung Darts, Nitro Caddis and Soft Hackle Sows.

The swingers and strippers have been quiet for the most part though all of this unoccupied water has been an open invitation to the swing set who have begun to show up in various haunts up and down the river. Light traffic equals perfect swing conditions. And what about stripping you ask? As you know, it’s ALWAYS streamer season at Wolf Creek Angler so while I’m not going to say conditions are optimal I will say that the low-light early starts are the perfect time to target those Missouri River giants with an intermediate or sinking line and your go-to big bug selections. Hit the banks with a quick retrieve or do a slow sink off the drops with a varied retrieve and prepare for that unexpected grab. Weeds will be a hindrance though definitely not enough to shut you down. Like the terrestrial fishing, streamer fishing is basically prospecting which involves a lot of blind casting, a lot of stripping and hopefully a good grab every now and then to keep things interesting.

And while hot summer nights have traditionally been the time to skate a rodent Hoot Owl has eliminated that option so why not smack that mouse down and skate it in the pre-dawn darkness just to see what happens. The mice don’t care how hot it is and they don’t care if it’s late night or early morning darkness and those carnivorous browns are opportunists and will eat when fed so have at it.

Shop hours are 6 AM – 5 PM daily. A glut of lodging currently available as well as Adipose rental boats and a shop full of everything you need for your short day on the water. We’re sticking with no new August guide trips for the time being but we’re booking trips for fall and also filling in the blanks for Prime Time 2022.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-08-10T13:16:06-06:00August 10th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Hoot Owl, Midnight Express Mouse, Missouri River, Montana, Moorish Mouse 2.0, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Exodus and Opportunity

The traffic has cleared out with the early arrival of The Dog Days of Summer and the implementation of Hoot Owl Restrictions on the Missouri which has thrown the proverbial wrench into the plans of many to whom evening fishing on the MO is nothing short of sacramental.

The late summer lull is nothing new though it has arrived a couple of weeks early this season under smoky skies, low flows and a continued heat wave that has us praying for rain and hoping for early snows.

So with the doom and gloom stage set let’s talk about silver linings embodied by the opportunities being presented by challenging conditions and a steady exodus of anglers.

On the brighter side, dry fly fishing, though far from exceptional, has continued to provide ample measures of opportunities, challenges and just enough success to keep the DFO’s engaged.
First light caddis followed by somewhat inconsistent Trico Spinners and late morning/early afternoon terrestrials. Again, maybe nothing to write home about but certainly enough action to keep things interesting.

Per usual nymphing gets the numbers with Zebra Midges, sow bugs and Caddis Pupae producing at the dam. Split Case PMD’s still getting eaten as are Little Green Machines and Frenchies. Drop any of the above off of a hopper or double your dry fly odds by trailing an ant instead of a nymph. Zirdles, Snapping Crays and the like have been effective on the right day in the fast water chutes.

Work your hoppers off the banks but don’t overlook the mid-river riffles keeping in mind that the low water has transformed our river, eliminating some go-to spots while at the same time creating new potential where before there was nothing.

Fewer folks around creates opportunities and while it’s tempting to get bogged down in the gloom, it’s not all bad. There’s smoke in the air for sure and the Harris Mountain Fire near Cascade is no joke and worthy of your attention but we’ve dealt with smoke before, this isn’t the worst we’ve seen. The water is low but the powers that be have done a good job keeping water temps in check despite air temps nearing 100 degrees daily.

Holter Dam to Craig is your go-to with the coolest water on the river but we would encourage you to explore downstream options as well, starting at first light, frequently checking temps and hanging it up when the water hits 68 degrees or 2 pm, whichever comes first.

We’ve got plenty of vacancies, plenty of flies and plenty of anything and everything you need for a great day on the water. And while we’re committed to not booking any new guide trips for the remainder of July and August and we fully support the Hoot Owl Restrictions we certainly don’t want to discourage folks from fishing during the prescribed hours here on the Missouri and elsewhere.

The resource is fragile and demands our utmost respect and stewardship but it’s also resilient and we have faith in those who have been taxed in an official capacity with managing and regulating use. It’s a smoky hot summer in Montana and we’re indeed struggling through drought but the sky is not falling and the fish are still are still eating so get out there early and enjoy your Montana summer.

Open daily at 6 AM for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-07-28T15:36:46-06:00July 28th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, Craig MT, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Hoot Owl Comes to the MO

As drought conditions persist in the region, FWP announced additional waterbody closures and restrictions yesterday including Hoot Owl Restrictions on the Missouri from Holter Dam to Cascade.

Almost immediately following the announcement the pushback began from some citing that the criteria had not yet been met for Hoot Owl Restrictions referring to FWP’s water temperature threshold which states that max water temp of 73 degrees for three consecutive days trigger implementation of Hoot Owl Restrictions. Water temps however are not the only criteria triggering restrictions.

From FWP…

Flow below Holter Dam is near the 10th percentile for the daily average on record and the temperatures recorded throughout the section have exceeded 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Although flow and temperature are not exceeding established criteria for restrictions, continued forecast high temperatures coupled with high angling pressure could lead to excessive fish mortality, leading FWP to implement the restrictions.

Having made the decision to suspend new trip bookings for the remainder of the summer a couple of weeks ago and having voluntarily implemented Hoot Owl fishing hours on our existing guide trips, we are in full support of FWP for implementing restrictions on the MO and elsewhere.

We definitely understand the inconvenience of these restrictions and we sympathize with all of those who have traveled to Montana to fish this summer but we’re trying our best to focus on the big picture rather than the immediate impact of lost fishing opportunities for our guests and what has already amounted to thousands of dollars in lost revenue for our business.

This is about the preservation of the future of the fishery here on the Missouri and throughout the state of Montana. And while the effectiveness of these restrictions in limiting angler-induced fish mortality can be debated, our position is that doing something is better than doing nothing and if limiting our hours on the water helps even a little bit then it’s not that big of a sacrifice when you consider what’s at stake.

We hope for cooler conditions and we’d love to see restrictions lifted prior to September but in the meantime we’d like to share these tips for HOT WEATHER FISHING.

This past June for SW Montana ranked in the top 5 driest and hottest for SW Montana. Correspondingly, water temperatures are also greater than normal. Angling for trout under these warmer-than-usual conditions, fish become more impacted by catch-and-release, which increases the amount of time it takes them to recover and the chance that they will not survive.

Warmer water contains less oxygen than colder water. As temperature rises and dissolved oxygen decreases, fish begin to experience stress. These stresses occur well before the water temperature reaches lethal limits. For example, rainbow trout can survive in temperatures up to and exceeding 77°F (24°C), but stop growing at 73°F (23° C). Therefore, a fish, one which is already oxygen stressed while positioned carefully in current that minimizes its energy use, will be dramatically more stressed after being hooked and played to the net. In fact, in many cases, a fish otherwise properly handled and released under thermally-stressful conditions may be likely to not survive.

The following are best practices for angling during warmer weather:

• Carry a thermometer and stop fishing as water temperatures approach 68 degrees F.

• Use larger tippet sizes to decrease the amount of time playing a fish.

• Use a net.

• Get the fish as quickly as possible to the net.

• Use a dehooking tool to quickly remove the hook.

• Keep the fish in the water.

• Forego the grip-and-grin photo opportunities.

We don’t want to come off preachy, we’re just trying to do right by the resource. We’re not saying you shouldn’t fish, we just ask that you abide by thw restrictions the state has implemented in an effort to protect a fragile resource.

We’re open at 6 AM daily so you can get your day off to an early start and we’re happy to get you set up with what’s working and send you off to the spots where you are likely to have the most success.

Thank you for doing your part to take care of our precious resource.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-07-21T12:45:24-06:00July 21st, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Hoot Owl Closures, Hot Weather Fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Hot Summer Update

It’s been an eventful week since our last post with the main story being the Rock Creek Fire which occurred Saturday afternoon on the Dearborn Ranch and which posed a significant threat to our Missouri River Community. Thankfully fire personnel launched a full on assault to fight this thing on Saturday night and by Sunday morning the threat had been neutralized and at this point the fire is all but a memory at 95 % containment.

A huge thanks to all of our friends and clients who have called and emailed to check on us over these past couple of days. It means a lot.

Fortunately all is well in Wolf Creek and Craig for the moment, at least as far as wild land fires are concerned. We did get a nice rain shower yesterday morning but aside from that it’s been extremely hot and dry which unfortunately are the perfect conditions for extreme fire danger. All it takes is a spark and the next thing you know thousands of acres are burning so please be extra careful with trailer chains, cigarettes and anything else that might spark a wildfire.

That’s the big news of the week but you’re probably wondering how the fishing is.

First….River Conditions. Flows bumped slightly and are currently at around 3400 CFS. Water temps started around 63 this morning. We’re currently looking at 66.5 degrees at the dam….not great.

Daytime highs will continue to cook in the mid to high 90’s through the first part of next week and likely beyond. We’re dipping into the high 50’s overnight which is keeping water temps tolerable, but without a substantial bump in flows which I have no reason to believe we’ll see, the fear is that Hoot Owl restrictions could very well come to the MO. We’re not here to spread rumors, just data-based observations.

So while the fishing has been pretty damn good as of late we urge you to keep water conditions in mind regardless of whether there are restrictions in place or not, and respond accordingly. Get a stream thermometer if you don’t already have one and check those water temps often. If you see temps climbing into that 68 degree range call it a day. Once again, the hoot owl threshold is 73 degrees for three consecutive days. That being said, trout are not loving life once water temps exceed 68 degrees.

We’re doing 6 AM starts and will likely continue to do so for the remainder of the summer season. Early on, early off.

Tricos, Caddis and PMD’s, though waning, are all in the mix right now for the many DFO’s wandering the river corridor. The story this morning was Tricos covering the water and fish ignoring them. They seem to be willing to eat a well-placed Stockingfoot, Outrigger or Cornfed Caddis or even a Buzzball. Tricos… not so much. That being said, every day is different so don’t let yesterday’s report dictate today’s tactics.

And for those not into trying to find their #20 dry fly amidst of sea of naturals, Terrestrial Season is upon us. Hoppers, ants, beetles and Spruce Moths could all make it happen from here on out. Try a hopper with an ant trailer or drop a green machine off your hopper and see what happens.

Nymphing has continued to be the best bet for numbers. Status quo on the bugs with Weight Flies in gold or purple paired with a split case PMD, LGM, Black Zebra, PT’s etc.

The shop is open 6 AM – 6 PM daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-07-14T15:48:41-06:00July 14th, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, DRY, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, HOT, Missouri River, Montana, Rock Creek Fire, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Our Hot Weather, Low Flow Summertime Strategy

2021 has, without a doubt, been our busiest season to date. Retail is up, lodging is up and as I’m sure you’ve noticed if you’ve been anywhere near the MO this past month, guide trips are also WAY up for everyone. And while we’re thrilled about the recovery after last year’s Pandemic debacle, the low flows coupled with the high temps and the heavy traffic have us re-thinking our game plan for the remainder of the summer season.

We have no knowledge of restrictions or closures coming to the MO but current flow and temperature conditions are definitely trending towards the thresholds which would dictate some sort of restrictions, especially on the lower river.

In light of this we have decided to do what we can to reduce the stress on the fishery by implementing a couple of self-imposed restrictions for the remainder of the summer season.

First – we are asking all of our clients to do a 6:00 AM start which puts our trips on the water from 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM which is essentially what we would be doing if Hoot Owl restrictions went into effect on the Missouri. At this point it’s more of a suggestion than a mandate but we are doing our best to make sure everyone is on the water at least by 7:00 AM at the latest.

Second- we are capping our guide trips for the remainder of the summer season and will be taking no more bookings for guide trips for July and August. We hope to resume bookings in September at which time we will re-evaluate and proceed accordingly. Hopefully things will improve as fall approaches. We recognize that this is an inconvenience for those making last minute plans for a guided day on the Missouri and we apologize for not being able to accommodate those plans but we feel it’s in the best interest of the river, the fish and all of our clients to do what we can to reduce our impact for the remainder of the summer season.

Daytime temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s will persist for the foreseeable future with Sunday looking like a scorcher with temps approaching 100 degrees.

Current river conditions – 2980 CFS with water temp 65 degrees at the dam. Please keep any eye on those water temps further down-stream and take appropriate measures to protect the fish. FWP policy is to implement Hoot Owl restrictions when max water temps reach 73 degrees for three consecutive days however anything over 67 degrees is stressful to the fish so Hoot Owl restrictions or not, it’s a good idea to stop fishing and seek cooler waters or other activities once water temps reach that point.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ drought policy provides for angling closures when flows drop below critical levels for fish, when water quality is diminished, or when maximum daily water temperatures reach at least 73 degrees for three consecutive days. These restrictions and closures are designed to protect fish, such as trout, that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when drought and warm water conditions combine with additional stressors, including catch-and-release fishing.

All stress to fish at this time of year is cumulative, and anglers should consider fishing in cooler waters during times of low flows and high water temperatures in rivers. Anglers can help reduce stress for fish by following these practices when catching and releasing fish, though fish mortality may still occur:

• Fish during the coolest times of day, where permitted.
• Land the fish quickly.
• Keep the fish in water as much as possible.
• Remove the hook gently. Using artificial lures with single and barbless hooks can make hook removal faster and easier.
• Let the fish recover before releasing it.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-07-08T12:08:11-06:00July 8th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: hoot owl restrictions, Missouri River, Montana, running line|2 Comments

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