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Weather (and Winter Rate Guide Trips) On The Way

Winter pic

Enjoy the sunshine and warm weather this weekend. It sounds like we’re finally going to see some more seasonable conditions by the middle of next week with clouds and rain and snow and highs in the 30’s and 40’s and lows in the 20’s. This is what we’ve been waiting for!

Get your cold weather gear together, get your streamer rigs ready and keep that dry fly rod rigged. With any luck you may just get your fall BWO fix after all though many of us have moved past that possibility and are concentrating our efforts on winter nymphing and Streamers!

Some are stripping, some are swinging. Both methods are producing and are a great way to spend a day on the water. Our streamer bins are fully stocked with the best bugs in the canyon including many ZK Exclusives you won’t find in any other shop.

Need a new streamer rig? We’ve got great options from Loop, Echo and Redington and a full range of streamer specialty lines from Rio and Airflo. Stay tuned for our Winter Rod Sale happening soon.

If nymphing is your game stick with the sow bugs and scuds and it may be time to start working in some pink and some firebeads as well. Pink Weight flies, Casne’s Pinkalicious, Ninch’s Thunderbug, Pink Lightning bugs, Pink AmEx…..they’re all winter staples and while we aren’t there quite yet it won’t be long.

Water temps are dropping and the fish are on the move making the transition away from the fast (ish) shallows to the slower, deeper winter water.

If you’re going to play the streamer game then I would suggest you still spend plenty of time bombing the banks but don’t overlook the slower, deeper runs where you’ll want to slow that retrieve way down or just let it swing.

Look for a slight increase in traffic out there on the weekends but expect to have it pretty much to yourself during the week, especially when that colder weather rolls in.

Daylight is becoming scarce so you’ll want to keep your floats on the short side from here on out. Wolf Creek to Craig (or something in that 5-6 mile range) is perfect. Late starts and short floats are the winter program so a couple of nights at Wolf Creek Angler make perfect sense. We’ve got plenty of rooms available and at just $99/night plus tax you’ll have more than enough left over for Christmas shopping which, depending on who is on your list, you may be able to take care of while you’re here.

Looking for a great deal on a guided trip? Beginning November 15th and running through March 15th we’re offering full day Missouri River float trips for one or two anglers at the obscenely reasonable rate of $350. Sound too good to be true? Wait, there’s more! We assume you’ll need lodging as long as you’re coming over to fish so we’re offering a guided fishing/lodging package. Two nights lodging and a full day of guided fishing for one or two anglers for $500 + tax! You won’t find a better deal ANYWHERE!

We are well aware that winter can be a sketchy time to book a float trip due to changing weather conditions so for that reason we’re charging NO CANCELLATION FEES for winter lodging and guide trips.

We hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler, your Missouri River late season fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-11-12T18:58:37-07:00November 12th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: $350 Missouri River Guide Trips, Christmas, Craig MT, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, RIO, running line, Streamer Fishing, streamers, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Moody Missouri Sky – Craig Montana. photo by Wolf Creek Angler

It was a little tougher out there yesterday than it’s been. Still good but we definitely had to work for them. The Tailwater Sow still won the day but I ended up doing a fair amount of bug and rig changes throughout the day. Rainbow Czechs, Tan UV Czechs and Bubble Yums were all ignored for the most part while the grey LGM, purple lightning bug, tailwater sow, grey soft hackle sow and purple Hi-Def baetis all caught fish.

A few bigger bugs on the water and a few fish in the places you would expect to find them but definitely far from a dry-fly extravaganza.

Traffic? Non existent!

You know what I love about November (and the rest of the late fall and winter) on the MO’? I love miles of empty water as far as the eye can see and being able to fish every place I want to fish, and more often than not being the first one through. Of course it’s not always this way but if you can have this experience on a 50 some degree gorgeous day in early November then you can bet the more seasonable (colder) weather will usually yield the same results.

You know what I like least about this time of year? Paradoxically its miles of empty water and the drop in traffic that ushers in the lean times for Missouri River fly shops. One in the same! It’s a fun time to fly fish the Missouri but on the shop side we’re ready for spring!

Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty to do in the shop right now. We’re busy counting flies, checking in winter product booking trips and lodging for next year, winterizing lodging units, forecasting and planning for next season….we’re plenty busy. What we miss is seeing and chatting with all of you every day.

Keep your eye on the forecast and keep us in mind for a late fall/early winter getaway. At $99/night for a cozy cabin or bungalow just minutes from the river you can’t afford to pass up this opportunity.

Remember the winter months are when the town of Wolf Creek shines with the only services available between Helena and Cascade. Need fuel, food, groceries, a post office? Wolf Creek is where you’ll find them all in addition to affordable lodging and the fastest growing fly shop on the MO’ Wolf Creek Angler.

We are your Missouri River fly fishing one stop shop with more on-site lodging than anyone; the hardest working guides on the river; vehicle shuttles; RO and Adipose Drift Boat Rentals; cold weather gear from SIMMS, KAST and Redington; packs, bags and accessories from Fishpond and Simms; LOOP rods and reels; lines, leaders and tippet from Rio, ARC and Trout Hunter and of course, the largest and best selection of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-11-03T15:59:48-06:00November 3rd, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Fishpond, fly fishing, green machine, Kast Gear, Loop, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, Redington, RIO, RO Drift Boats, running line, simms, Tailwater Sow, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Coming Soon…..

We’ve finally bid farewell to a long, quiet August and while today is a bit of a carryover with hot weather and a relatively quiet river, change is coming right on cue.

We’ll see temps cool over the next couple of days and it will really feel like fall on Sunday and Monday with rain and highs in the 50’s. Sounds like streamer weather to me….bring it on.

And speaking of streamers, I fished with my good friend Brad Turner http://www.pmangler.com/ from Michigan the last couple of days and despite the bright sunny conditions we did manage to move a bunch of fish and even boated a few. Brad is a total streamer junkie and taught me much of what I know about the streamer game. He likes to throw the BIG bugs and he and his crew back in Michigan have been revolutionizing the game in their own way with some cutting edge patterns designed to move in such a way when fished correctly that no self-respecting monster trout can resist at least coming out to have a look.

I was a bit skeptical since I’ve grown accustomed to the smaller bugs we typically throw on the MO’ but sure enough these bugs swim like none I’ve ever seen and we moved enough fish within a mile or two to make me a believer. I’ll be continuing to test these bugs out throughout the fall as the streamer fishing improves and you can expect to find a few of them in the bins at WCA very soon. These aint no wooly buggers….they’re big complex bugs and you’re going to work if you’re fishing them like they need to be fished! Amateurs need not apply! Intrigued? Book a streamer trip with WCA on the MO’ this fall or look Brad up for some Michigan streamer action on the Pere Marquette or Manistee. He’s also doing destination trips to the White in Arkansas. Inquire with him about this or give us a call and we can get you hooked up with his crew for Big Browns on the White in February. We may even join you!

Brad Turner with a beast of a White River Brown

We love throwing streamers, especially in the fall and spring, and while the Missouri is not known as a great streamer river, those who put in their time and work hard at it are often times rewarded. Stop by the shop for all the latest tips and techniques, a wide array of specialty streamer lines from Rio and Airflo, some awesome streamer sticks from Loop, Echo and St Croix and a great selection of bugs, many of which you won’t find in any other shop.

Don’t care for streamers? No worries! The nymphing has been consistently good, especially at the dam and while Trico fishing is all but done there is definitely enough terrestrial action to keep it interesting for those looking for the dry fly experience.

The water is in good shape by September standards and it looks like we’ll see consistent flows throughout the fall season. We did see a bit of a drop recently and it looks like we’ll be sitting just south of 4K for the fall and winter months. Current water temps are holding in the low to mid 60’s and should begin to drop into the 50’s with consistently cool nights and cooler daytime temps on the way. Have I mentioned that we’re getting excited about streamer fishing? Bring on the rain and cool weather. Screenshot (77)

A busy weekend ahead at Wolf Creek Angler though we do still have a few rooms available. Give a call today and book yourself a room and a day or two of fall fishing on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:32-06:00September 1st, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, Missouri River, RIO, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall on the Missouri – photo by Neale Streeks

Thinking about fall fishing on the Missouri? We are too!

October is one of our favorite months to fish the MO’ and judging by our lodging and guide trip bookings, it’s yours too.

The first three weeks of October look to be extremely busy though we still have openings so don’t put it off any longer, give us a call today and book that fall trip.

As of right now things are pretty busy starting around the middle of September and then thin out the last week of October. Keep in mind that these last few years the late October/early November fishing has been the best of the fall. The weather can be hit or miss but it’s typically cool/cloudy/snowy/rainy days that are preferred if fishing BWO’s is your game.

Fall is also the time for streamer fishing. Weeds will still be a factor but it’s definitely worth the effort when you hook into that giant Missouri River brown decked out in full spawning colors.

Don’t let the possibility of rain or sleet or snow or cold discourage you as it’s often the case that the worse the weather is the better the fishing is. And the beauty of lodging and fishing with WCA is that you’ve got a premier Missouri River fly shop on site ready to meet all of your fly fishing needs. Cold weather gear; layering; waders and boots; rods from Loop, Echo, St Croix and Redington; reels from Ross, Loop, Nautilus, Redington and Echo; ARC and Rio fly lines; packs, nets and accessories from Fishpond and the biggest and best selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, including a streamer selection that rivals that of any other shop with a bunch of WCA Exclusives you won’t find anywhere else. We’re starting to stock up for fall fishing with all kinds of new bugs and new gear. Stay tuned for a MAJOR shop-related announcement coming soon!

So while it’s definitely still summertime on the Missouri it won’t be for long. Leaves are starting to change, pre-season football has started, the first of the Oktoberfest beers have already hit the shelves and in two weeks your kids will be back in school and you’ll all be wondering where the summer went. Fret not, fall is a magical time on the MO’.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:33-06:00August 15th, 2016|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing, Uncategorized|Tags: ARC Fishing, brown trout, Fall fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, Redington, RIO, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

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

The Road Ahead

Next month will mark the official beginning of our third year in business. We couldn’t be more excited!

We’ve undergone some changes and have had our share of growing pains but our trajectory remains upward and focused and we can’t wait for the season to really get rolling. That being said, part of what we’re so excited about is the amount of business we’ve done this winter both in the shop and with lodging. We would have preferred a bit more of a winter but the mild weather has certainly benefitted us. With the exception of December which is always slow it’s been a consistently busy winter. We’ve been doing the 5 day/week schedule closing on Mondays and Tuesdays which has worked out for the most part but we will definitely be looking at expanding that schedule to 7 days if we see another winter like this next year.

We’ve got a busy season on the books for lodging and guide trips and we’re excited to show off our shop to a bunch of new clients. Our regulars will also find plenty of changes which we hope will keep them coming back. We’re always looking to expand our inventory to give you the products you want as well as to offer you some items you can’t find at every other shop.

To this end we’re super stoked to be the brand new exclusive dealer of LOOP rods and reels on the Missouri. The response has been great so far as the LOOP ARMY hones in on a local source and those who aren’t familiar with the brand get exposed to this great product line. We are steadily building up our LOOP inventory but if there is something you need that we aren’t currently carrying we can get it for you right away, generally in a day or two. Come by and cast a few of these rods. You may just find yourself joining the LOOP Army. We’re super excited to help build the brand here on the Missouri.

We’re also very excited to announce that we’ve significantly expanded our already impressive fly selection. More nymphs, more dries, some serious growth in our streamer selection and a bunch of new foam. We’ve also begun to build a selection of non-Missouri specific flies for those interested in exploring the wealth of other waters nearby and while the majority of our rods and reels are geared to the Missouri you will now find some great #3 and #4 weights as well as a smattering of two-handed selections.

We continue to be your exclusive full-line KAST dealer and we’ve expanded our selection of packs and accessories from Fishpond and Umpqua and expanded our fly line inventory to include a much broader selection of specialty lines from Rio and Airflo. We’re fully stocked on waders and boots for the whole family from Redington including the new Palix River wading pants, a great alternative to chest waders during the warmer months and on smaller streams. These are an exceptional value at under $140.00. Check back often for new additions to our inventory as we continue to make inroads with the brands and products you want to see in your Missouri River fly shop.

We’re also pleased to announce that we’ve partnered with Adipose Boatworks to add the wildly popular Adipose Flow to our rental fleet. Now you can rent a RO or an Adipose. We love them both and we’re excited to be able to offer you a choice.

We’ve continued to make improvements to our lodging which you may or may not notice. New paint, new couches, new chairs…these are some of the bigger ones but it’s our intention to continuously improve at all levels which might mean new sheets, new towels , new dish racks etc. You won’t notice many of these changes but you might notice if we didn’t make them. It’s our hope that your stay with us will always be enjoyable and while we aren’t the Hilton we are committed to providing clean, comfortable, affordable lodging coupled with exceptional service from our entire staff.

And speaking of our staff, you will definitely see a few new faces around the shop this season. Zach King (AKA Chewy) started with us last fall and will be assuming the role of shop manager for the coming season. Chewy has spent the winter here at Wolf Creek Angler keeping an eye on things for us, covering the shop on Sundays and obsessively scouting and fishing the Missouri almost daily. He is a great addition to our team and we’re excited to have him on board. We will likely add one or two more to the staff as things ramp up.

Another staff change you will notice this year is in our guide crew. We’ve added a couple of new guides and parted ways with a few others so while some of the faces may be new what hasn’t changed is our commitment as a guide staff to providing you with an exceptional experience both on and off the water. For us your guide day starts long before we meet you at the shop. We’re busy prepping our boats, getting your lunches together and contemplating where to float in order to give you the best day possible. We like to spend a few minutes talking with you once we’ve met to figure out what your expectations are and how we can best meet those expectations. We’ll figure out where to go and what to do based on what you want out of your guide trip, not on what’s most convenient or easy for us as your guide.

We are your outfitter owned and operated Missouri River fly shop and guide service. For us guide trips are not just another service we offer, they are the foundation upon which Wolf Creek Angler was built. We don’t just book the trip, we also row the boat. Fishing the waters of Montana is what brought us here. This is our passion and we would love to share it with you.

This is the road ahead. Change is constant. Continuous improvement is our mantra and whether your staying with us, fishing with us, shopping with us or any or all of the above you are why we are here and we feel truly blessed to be able to do what we do and to serve you.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:38-06:00March 5th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, Fishpond, fly fishing, Kast Gear, Loop, Missouri River, Montana, Redington, RIO, RO Drift Boats, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Weekend Outlook

riverjake

Looks like a nice weekend ahead if you’re planning on coming out to fish the Missouri and if you’re not planning on it you should change your plans. Sunny skies and low 60’s tomorrow and Saturday. Mid 50’s and cloudy with light showers on Sunday, make this your streamer day.

We’ve got plenty of lodging available tonight and Saturday night, just one room left for Friday night though so if you want to make a weekend out of it you should make that call this morning and grab that last cabin.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served Thursday – Monday at The Oasis from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm and each of our units are equipped with full kitchen facilities and barbecue grills if you would prefer to do it yourself. Be sure and visit the Canyon Store while you are in Wolf Creek for last minute grocery items and an impressive selection of Montana Micro Brews.

How about a Missouri River Guide trip this weekend? Through the end of March $400 gets you a full day on the water for one or two anglers with one of our expert professional guides. The price includes all the gear you need, lunch and refreshments and transportation to and from the river. We’re happy to tailor your trip to fit your needs. Whether you want to work on improving your skills in a certain area or you want to do something a little different like throw streamers or maybe you want to see a section of the river you’ve never floated before or maybe you just want to nymph up as many fish as possible…it’s your trip and we’re ready to do everything we can to make it a great day. We’ve got some of the hardest working most professional guides on the river and we can’t wait to share our amazing resource with you. Call and book a trip today.

If you’re just coming out to fish for the day don’t forget to stop by Wolf Creek Angler for everything Missouri River fly fishing. Shuttles, Adipose and RO Drift Boat rentals; great deals on outerwear from KAST and Redington; tools and accessories from MFC, Fishpond, Dr Slick, Umpqua and Loon; leaders and tippet from Rio and Trout Hunter and a bug selection that rivals that of any shop in the canyon. We’re fully stocked on waders and boots from Redington and we are the exclusive dealer of LOOP rods and reels on the Missouri. Stop in soon and see what the buzz is about.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:38-06:00March 3rd, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Montana, Redington, RIO, RO Drift Boats, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter is rapidly losing its grip.

Our early spring continues here on the Missouri as we enter March with temps flirting with 60 degrees for the rest of this week.

What’s it mean for the coming season? It’s still too early to tell but the Snow Water Equivalent is still looking decent at 91% of average. We’re hoping winter persists in the high country, at least for a while but we’ve started to come to terms with the fact that we may very well have seen the last of winter weather here on the river.

Screenshot (49)

Those in the know are not predicting any kind of high water event, in fact what’s being predicted is a water year very similar to 2015 with average spring flows holding around 4,000. We shall see. Spring rainfall is the big factor in the water equation so all we can do is wait and see what happens. In the meantime we are enjoying the mild weather, especially on the days the wind doesn’t blow (which are few and far between).

Traffic seems to come in spurts. We were busy in the shop and were full most of last week and even did a few guide trips but things have been pretty quiet this week with just a few guests around. If you’re planning to come out and fish this weekend we’ve got one cabin left for Friday night and two on Saturday. Looking at the forecast it’s likely we will be full so don’t miss out.

Come by the shop and see what’s new. We’ve been receiving a bunch of our spring orders and have some cool new gear from Loop, Redington, Echo, Rio and more. We’ve also got some great deals on winter gear as we make room for the new arrivals including 40% Kast Hell Razor jackets. These are awesome jackets at an unbelievable savings.

Fishing reports have been mixed this week. Some good days, some ok days and some downright slow days depending on who you ask. We’re continuing to target winterish water with winterish bugs for the most part but transition is definitely underway as the water continues to warm up.

Swingers are out in force having varying degrees of success with the two-handed rods while the single hand streamer crowd is also finding some willing players. Keep that retrieve slow for them time being but don’t limit yourself to slow water as the fish have been found in all different depths and speeds of water over the last week or two.

Dry fly fishing is a go, depending on the day. There are midges around and fish on them. Sun and wind conditions will define your day. Stay late as some of the best action has reportedly been just before dark.

We hope to see you soon, in the shop and on the water. We’re open REGULARLY at 8:00 AM Wednesday – Sunday and we’re usually around on Mondays and Tuesdays as well depending on the weather. Look for the seven-day a week shop schedule to start soon and remember we are always OPEN every day for lodging and guide trips. We will likely open more lodging up next week as we’ve had to turn people away on a fairly regular basis. We won’t open the motel units until April but we should have a couple more cabins ready to go very soon.

Stay tuned for updates!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:38-06:00March 2nd, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: Echo, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, Redington, RIO, RO Drift Boats, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Weekend Outlook

The mild weather continues this weekend with highs near 50 expected today and temps in the 40’s on Saturday and Sunday with a favorable wind forecast and a chance of rain and or snow each day.

The fishing has been good throughout the week by winter standards and there’s no reason it shouldn’t continue to be. Nymphing has been the best bet but we’re hearing some solid streamer reports as well, particularly in the Wolf Creek Bridge to Craig stretch.

A super slow retrieve is often the key this time of year as the fish are on the lethargic side with those water temps hanging in the low 30’s. For the most part they aren’t going to give chase but if you present them with the opportunity for a high calorie target moving slowly enough they will eat it. A slow strip or a swing is always the best bet under these conditions which is going to mean you’re going to want to use an intermediate line or a slow sinking VersiLeader from Rio. I always tend toward the heavier/faster sinking streamer lines just out of personal preference but a fast-sinking line presents challenges when you are looking for a slow retrieve. Not that you can’t effectively fish these lines but there’s definitely a skill set involved in figuring out how to fish them in cold water.

The best action has been on the slender side with the Kreelex, various clouser-type bugs, polar leeches and ZK’s Iced Out Grill all getting some attention. The streamer bins are loaded up at Wolf Creek Angler and Chewy has been feverishly tying to keep up with demand. Check out the go-to patterns in all sorts of flavors as well as a bunch of custom creations you won’t find in any other shop. We love the streamer game and we appreciate and understand your addiction. The Missouri is not a streamer river in the classic sense, with a bunch of structure to throw to but it can be nothing short of phenomenal on the right day. It’s a little different game than what you may be used to but always worth your time. Interested in streamer fishing the MO? Make Wolf Creek Angler your first stop.

We’ll get you rigged with the right line and the right bugs and we’ll talk you through technique and tell you where to go to optimize your experience. If you’re thinking you need a new streamer stick we’ve got awesome deals happening right now on the St Croix Bank Robber designed by Kelly Galloup and we’d love to get you rigged with everything you need.

If you’re sticking to the nymphing game it’s status quo. Pink Amex, Rainbow Czech or Casne’s Pinkalicious trailed with firebead softhackle sows, pink lightning bugs, firebead rays, black zebra midges, etc. Slow and deep to medium deep water, adjusting depth and weight as necessary.

If you’re waiting for dry-fly action it’s getting to be that time where you should have your midge rig at the ready. We’ve seen a few bugs around each day and a few sporadic rises but I wouldn’t plan to make a day out of it just yet.

We’ve seen more traffic out there today than we’ve seen in a while. Expect company and be on your best behavior. It’s been a while since we’ve had to do much sharing of the water and this is definitely sharing by winter standards. Still plenty of solitude to be had.

We’ve got a full house this weekend but it looks like the mild weather will continue into next week. $99 Lodging available starting Sunday night and $400 guide trips available all winter long.

See you in the shop and on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:40-06:00January 22nd, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, RIO, running line, St Croix, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid Week, Mid-October Missouri River Fishing Report

The first half of October has been a blur with the “second season” definitely in full effect. Traffic on the river has been moderate for the most part with a couple of very busy days and a handful of days with no one around.

WCA has been abuzz with activity all month with a full house on the lodging end of things and a bunch of trips and boat rentals going out daily. We hired Zach just in time for the rush!

It’s been great catching up with our fall regulars as well as welcoming and getting to know many new guests who have fallen under the spell of the Missouri and have vowed to return. What a great time of year to be in the fly fishing business in Montana!

The weather has felt more like summer than fall thus far but we’ve been enjoying the cool nights and cold mornings and while we’ve had our share of wind and sunshine there have been a few relatively calm, cloudy days which have resulted in some awesome days on the water – the kind of days you expect in October. We’re hoping there will soon be more of those to come.

Flows have continued to drop (3030 as I write) which we’re not thrilled with here but the wade anglers are loving it. Water temps are hanging in the high 50’s but should drop over the remainder of the week and into the weekend with cooler weather on tap.

Dry fly fishing has been decent given the right conditions with fish rising in the areas you would expect. It’s definitely been a late afternoon/evening game when the wind cooperates. Primarily pseudos with some small bwo’s mixed in and a fair amount of October caddis activity as well. Hi Vis BWO’s, BWO Sprouts, Olive Pseudos, Para Ants, various BWO Cripples and emergers, October Caddis, CDC Caddis Emergers, WCA Trudes, Purple Haze, RS2’s and Parachute Adams have all been effective dry flies.

Nymphing has been good both with the short leash and the longer rigs. The cloudy days keep the fish concentrated in the shallows but there’s no reason you shouldn’t try the short leash on the sunny days or the long leash on the overcast days. You’re dealing strictly with probabilities out there, it’s not always as it should be so don’t be afraid to stray from the prescribed methods/bugs you are reading about on the blogs. We do the things that have proven to be effective under the given conditions and adjust accordingly depending on the results. Nymphs we’ve been selling a lot of this week have been Tailwater Sows (with and without the tungsten bead), LGM’s, BWO Magic Fly, black Zebras (silver bead and black bead), Hares Ears, Weight Flies, S & M’s, BWO Angle Case Emergers, Peep Shows, Pink, Purple and Pearl LB’s, 2 Bits in Red, PT’s and on and on. We say it all the time and we live by it – fish the flies you have confidence in and good things will happen.

Streamers continue to be a hot commodity though the sunny skies have not been conducive to great streamer action. That being said, why wouldn’t you throw a streamer on a sunny day? Dredge the depths just like you’re doing with the long leash rigs. You’ll likely move some fish. We can safely guarantee with 100 percent certainty that you won’t move any fish on streamers in you don’t throw them. Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex, Circus Peanuts, Polar Leeches, Olive Smolts and buggers should all be in your streamer arsenal. We’ve got a couple of demo St Croix Bank Robbers rigged up and ready to fish – take one for a test drive!

We hope you stop by Wolf Creek Angler on your way to the river for all of your Missouri River fall fly fishing needs. We’re stocked up on cold weather gear from KAST Extreme Fishing Gear including Steelhead gloves and some super cool Hell Razor and Velocity jackets. We’ve also got plenty of hats and gloves from Outdoor Research, Sonic-Dry base layers, waders, jackets and boots from Redington; piles of WCA fleece from Simms along with deeply discounted summer logo gear; Bank Robber and High Stick Drifter rods from St Croix; 20% Off Ross CLA reels; Air-Lock Indicators; Rio lines, leaders and tippet and the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Stop in and meet the new guy and grab a complimentary cup of Montana Maid Coffee.

See you in the shop and on the water.

Missouri River Baetis Box

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:45-06:00October 14th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Kast Gear, Missouri River, Redington, RIO, running line, St Croix, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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