October Caddis Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Life Returns to the MO

Autumn Magic on the Missouri

A week ago you could barely detect a pulse here on the Missouri but the life force has returned this week as we approach mid-September. I think it’s safe to say that our fall fishing season is in full swing with a major influx of angling traffic underway.

Holter Dam to Craig still holds the majority of the traffic, so much so that you may even find yourself having to endure some short waits at the boat ramp depending on your start time. Cool temps in the morning have most folks opting for later starts which is making for busy boat ramps in the 9 -10 AM window. You can avoid the crowds by layering up and getting an early start, doing the late shift, or choosing a lower stretch of river.

The fall fishing season is a relatively short one and is very much weather dependent as we move towards October. Our lodging and guide books are full for September but at this point there’s not much going on in October. It could be that a month from now we’re still cranking or it could be that the traffic has again disappeared leaving an abundance of empty water to those who love the late fall season regardless of the weather. That’s when the swing season gets underway and we usually see the major fall BWO activity (if any) happen in October and early November.

The water is in good shape, currently flowing at 4840 CFS with water temps hanging in the 63 – 64 degree range. Cool nights are keeping those water temps in check but the continued warm weather during the daytime has thus far prevented a substantial cool down. It looks like a cooling trend will settle in mid-week next week.

While definitely coming to a close, we’re still seeing Tricos more days than not and if Pseudos are your thing this is your time. Ant and hopper fishing has continued to produce and while we haven’t heard many reports of actual bugs, October Caddis fished blind are getting eaten on occasion.

The Zebra Midge and Tailwater Sow game remains strong, especially in the Holter to Wolf Creek run but it’s time to start working the bwo nymphs into the mix. Green Machines, 2 Bits, Psycho Mays, Magic Flies, Redemptions, Split Case BWO’s, Juju’s, Rainbow Warriors and Pheasant Tails have all been getting some looks. Frenchies, Weight Flies, Tung Darts, October Caddis Nymphs and Rainbow Czechs all make for a good lead fly.

Zirdles and other crayfish patterns have been heating up and streamers are in play from here on out though weeds are going to frustrate your efforts throughout the fall fishing campaign.

It’s such an awesome time to fish the MO. We talk about fall traffic but it’s nothing like what you’ll see during prime time. The dam definitely has some traffic but if you’re willing to trade sheer numbers of fish for relative solitude with ample numbers, it’s truly one of the best times to be here.

Cold mornings, hot coffee, busy fly shops, bugling elk, rising fish, streamer madness, autumn light….what’s not to like about fall fishing season on the MO?

We are your FULL SERVICE, ONE STOP FALL FLY FISHING DESTINATION with everything you need for your Missouri River pilgrimage.

Affordable lodging, the best guides on the river, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, SAGE rods and reels, Simms waders and boots, THE CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO and much more, including the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Prove me wrong!

Open daily at 7 AM and closer to the Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge boat launches than ANY OTHER SHOP.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-09-14T11:58:24-06:00September 14th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: blooms weight fly, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, frenchie, Holter Dam, juju baetis, Magic Fly, Missouri River, October Caddis, pseudos, Psycho May, rainbow warrior, Redemption, running line, simms, Split Case BWO, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, tricos, Tung Dart, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges, Zirdle|0 Comments

Autumn Fade

As we approach the middle of October the season’s end is looming.

You wouldn’t know it, based on the weather which has been consistently pleasant. Daytime highs have been in the 60’s and low 70’s with blue skies and sunshine more often than not. Overnight lows are chilly, dipping into the high 30’s and 40’s but you really couldn’t ask for nicer weather.

Even so, every good thing must come to an end and while it may feel like September, time is marching on. Soon the 2022 campaign will be in the rearview and we’ll all be sitting back and reflecting on what went well and what could’ve gone better as we look toward the next.

Fall traffic has been fairly heavy, especially these last two weeks but this week feels like things are coming to a close. Just a handful of trips out this week and while our lodging is still fully open there aren’t quite as many folks around.

Many guides have either completed or are counting down to their last trips of the season and as is always the case, while we hate to see it come to an end, everyone is ready for a much-anticipated break in the action.

The fishing remains good with nymphing and streamer fishing continuing to make up for the majority of our trips. BWO’s have yet to make a showing but dry fly fishing is still an option if that’s where your heart lies. Terrestrials and October Caddis could still get a look and you might find success prospecting with a Purple Haze or Parachute Adams. Try trailing a CDC Caddis Emerger behind whatever it is you choose to lead with. They seem to eat it more often than what you might expect.

Stick with the sowbug program if you’re nymphing. A #14 Tungsten Tailwater Sow trailed by a #16 unbeaded Tailwater Sow has been a good go to but BWO nymphs like the Little Green Machine, Split Case BWO, BWO Magic Fly, BWO Redemption, BWO Psycho May and a plain old Pheasant Tail have all been getting noticed as well. Medium fast current, medium depth water should still be your target. The swirlies have been full of food and full of fish so maybe go deep there but otherwise 4 ish feet from bobber to first bug should suffice, with our without a spit shot.

Streamer fishing has been good, better during the low light or under cloud cover but definitely worth your time regardless of conditions. Small black buggers and Thin Mints have been consistently good but the larger, flashier offerings are finding plenty of willing players as well. Weeds are a hindrance but there’s plenty of clean water to throw to. Choose a good long stretch and push through the weedy stuff.

Flows are on the low side (currently around 3300 cfs) with temps holding in the 58 – 60 range. Traffic has finally spread out from the dam stretch with the entire river fishing well. A little more water would be nice but all in all the water and the fish are in great shape and it’s really been an idyllic fall fishing season thus far. The weather looks to hold steady for the foreseeable forecast with no sign of a winter shift on the horizon but it’s coming sooner or later so get out there and enjoy this amazing fall weather and this amazing fall fishery while you can.

We’re open at 7:30 AM Monday – Saturday and 8 AM on Sundays for all of your Missouri River fall fly fishing needs. Shuttles, bugs and so much more including awesome Simms fall flannels and hoodies and plenty of waders, boots now that wader season has returned.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-10-11T14:27:45-06:00October 11th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Little Green Machine, Missouri River, October Caddis, Pheasant Tail, Psycho May, Redemption, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, terrestrials, thin mints, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Autumn Equinox

Autumn has officially arrived and with it the promise of good things to come on the Missouri and surrounding waters.

Terrestrial season is holding on with decent hopper and ant action, particularly in the lower stretches and we’ve begun to see the occasional October Caddis so now would be a good time to work that into your blind dry fly or dry/dropper rotation.

Aside from the terrestrials action we’re in a bit of a holding pattern right now where dry fly fishing is concerned as we await fall BWO’s. Caddis can fill the gap on any given day and pseudos will satisfy the needs of the true dry fly masochists but look for BWO’s to arrive with cooler weather and darker days, hopefully sometime in early October.

The streamer set has begun to arrive on the scene led by our Michigan friends from Schultz Outfitters returning to fish the MO with us this week. It’s a Michigan invasion all week long at Wolf Creek Angler and we’re thrilled to have a bunch of streamer junkies back in the boats with us. Leave the wooly buggers behind, load up the 7 and 8 weights and take cover…it’s time to do this thing Michigan Style! Weeds be damned, it’s big game hunting season on the MO’.

For the less bobber averse set, nymphing is good, especially in the upper stretch and should continue to pad the daily numbers. #18 Black Zebras will be back in stock tomorrow, still no ETA on Frenchies or Purple Weight Flies but fear not, we’ve got bins and bins filled with bugs that will meet or exceed performance expectations. Green Machines, Tung Darts, Gold Weight Flies, Purple or Olive Zebras, Tailwater Sows, Split Case BWO’s, BWO Magic Flies, Soft Hackle Sows, Olive Micromays, Olive or Brown S & M’s, Juju’s, BWO Redemptions, Radiation Baetis, Rainbow Czechs…and on and on.

It looks like we’ll see a nice cool down into the low 60’s this weekend but right back into the mid 70’s the first part of next week. Even so, chilly nights are keeping water temps on the drop. Temps are currently holding at around 61 degrees with flows at or near 4000 CFS. You really couldn’t ask for better conditions for fall fishing but these are definitely the days you’ll want to layer up in the morning knowing that you may be peeling off layers throughout the day but adding them back as that sun dips down.

We’ve got plenty of lodging availability this week though the guide calendar is pretty well filled through early next week. Take the time now while you’re thinking of it to book an October trip with us.
Whether you wish to be pampered with luxury accommodations and gourmet meals at Hidden Canyon Lodge or you prefer the cozy rustic charm offered at Wolf Creek Angler we’ve got you covered. Same great guides and same price for fishing at both, it’s just a matter of what you’re looking for outside of the fishing experience. Give us a call for details or to book your dates at either location.

We welcome fall and hope you join us on the Missouri and Blackfoot Rivers in the coming weeks for the most wonderful time of the year.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-09-22T21:29:52-06:00September 22nd, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Autumn Equinox 2020, caddis, dry fly fishing, green machine, Hidden Canyon Lodge, juju baetis, Michigan, Missouri River, Montana, October Caddis, running line, Schultz Outfitters, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments