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Fall Wandering

October Woods

Just back from my annual autumn wandering weekend in the Flathead feeling well rested, refreshed and ready to finish this season out strong.

Fall is an awesome time for road trips. It’s the season of the harvest offering great fishing and hunting opportunities as well as a spectacular display of nature’s bounty. The radiance of autumn leaves contrasted with bright blue skies or high country snow or brooding grey clouds….it doesn’t get any better does it?

Fall has always been my favorite season and for whatever reason I have a lifetime of memories (good and bad) which burn brighter than most against the backdrops of fall. The smell of burning leaves on crisp October nights or heavenly mesquite or apple wood smoke billowing from the smoker on cold rainy mornings after the hunt. The crunch of frosty ground underfoot while navigating the dark deer woods. October baseball, November steelhead, lazy football Sundays, apple orchards, pumpkin patches, venison, campfires and road trips through the autumn landscapes. These are a few of my favorite things!

I often mourn the exit of summer during those first weeks of fall but as October arrives the sadness goes away and I embrace the awesomeness of autumn. For as long as I can remember we’ve celebrated fall with a road trip. The U.P., Mackinac Island, Traverse City, Bannack, Glacier and Yellowstone…they all go great with autumn.

The sun is shining on the Missouri today and it seems the wind has gone away for the time being. Great weather for fall fishing this week with plenty of sunshine and highs in the 60’s. The next chance for any weather looks to be Thursday with a slight chance of rain or snow in the morning but aside from that it’s looking like blue bird days right on through the weekend.

It could be the perfect opportunity for you to do some fall wandering of your own and if you’re going to do it why not wander to the Missouri where you can not only get your fall fix but you can also get in on some of the best fishing we’ve had all year. It’s definitely been a fall to remember where the fishing is concerned and it should remain great well into November.

We’ve got plenty of lodging available and guides are at the ready, having reached the end of their busy season and wanting to do whatever they can to prepare for the long winter ahead. The shop is fully stocked with cold weather gear from Simms and Redington, hand warmers, streamer lines (and streamer sticks), the largest selection of Missouri River fall flies ever gathered under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, Adipose and RO drift boat rentals (including a brand new Project Healing Waters Adipose boat available free of charge to all active duty and vets of the US Armed Services), Wading gear from Redington and Korkers and much more.

Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River fall fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T15:57:26-07:00October 23rd, 2017|Categories: Wolf Creek Chatter|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Mid October

We’ll see a bit of an Indian Summer this week as temps return to the 60’s and 70’s but expect plenty of wind to go along with the warm temps. We’re under a high wind watch for Tuesday afternoon and evening with southwest winds 25-40 mph and gusts as high as 65 mph.

This week’s weather may not be optimal as wind and sun don’t necessarily make for the best fishing conditions but we would never say you shouldn’t fish. The dry fly opportunities could be limited but you never know. It’s been the best dry-fly fall I’ve experienced on the Missouri and there’s no reason it shouldn’t continue to be great for the next several weeks.

Nymphing will be just fine so if you’ve got someone on the sticks who can hold a line you can expect to do well out there this week. If not, then hire us. We’ll take care of the rowing, we’ll take care of the where to go, the what to use, the netting the releasing…..even the lunch. All you need to do is fish and if you’re having any issues in that department we can take care of that too.

It’s been fall status quo on the nymph rigs with Tailwater Sows, Yum Yums and Pill Poppers leading all fly sales. Rainbow Czechs, UV Czechs, LGM’s and Zebras have been following close behind. Fish the medium depth (3-5′), medium fast water with about a 6-7′ double nymph rig and a single bb to start and adjust accordingly. Some have been sticking with the same rig all day and doing fine. Others are shortening up, losing the weight and plying the shallows later in the day with the palsa rigs and finding plenty of action.

The streamer bite has been hit or miss but we’re not telling you anything you don’t already know. If streamers are your game you’re going to throw them and you’re likely going to throw them all day long (or at least until you find heads to throw to). It may not yield the numbers nymphing does but a chase will elevate your heart rate more than bobber drop any day and a chase and a grab? One or two in a day spell success in the streamer vernacular.

Choose your offering in accordance with the light conditions and what’s been working according to the experts but don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and throw something completely off the wall just because you like the way it looks or you’ve had good luck with it in the past. If you like and have confidence in what you are throwing it can make all the difference in the world.

Lodging has really opened up this week and we should be able to accommodate those last minute travel plans from here on out. The current plan is to shut down the motel portion of our lodging at the end of the month but we will have cabins and bungalows available for the remainder of the fall season and will have bungalows available all winter long at discounted rates. We are your all seasons Missouri River fly fishing destination, open year round with everything you need from lodging to guides to boat rentals to bugs and everything in between.

We will be opening at 7:30 am starting this week as there hasn’t been much going on from 7 am – 7:30. Give us a call before you come out for the latest Missouri River reports and conditions.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:00:08-07:00October 16th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

Welcome to October on the MO’. It’s gonna be a good one!

Three days in and October is giving us just what we want and just what we need for a spectacular fall season on the Missouri.

Rain, snow and a north wind made for challenging weather conditions out there yesterday as we caught the edge of the second winter storm of the young season but judging by the reports, those who braved the elements were rewarded with great fishing and we’re just getting started!

Several inches of snow accumulated here yesterday and it sounds like we may see a bit more this morning before things return to more seasonal conditions tomorrow. We’ll see lows in the 20’s tonight but back near 50 tomorrow and in the 60’s by Friday. Sunshine returns tomorrow so today may be the better day to fish but use caution if you decide to come out. The roads are fine by January standards but on the sketchy side by early October standards as drivers re-acclimate to slushy, slippery road conditions.

Thursday looks awesome with a chance of rain and snow showers and highs near 50 and then it looks like a good mix of fall weather. Expect sunshine, expect clouds, expect rain and wind and snow, expect 70 degrees, expect 20 degrees and everything in between. It’s autumn on the MO’ and we’re loving it!

Dry fly fans are continuing to get their pseudo fix but there are whispers of big bug action happening NOW. These rumors have yet to be confirmed…today might just be the day. With any luck it’s time to ditch those #20’s and #22’s and make the switch. Stop by the shop and restock your BWO boxes to get ahead of the game. We like the Brooks Sprout Baetis, Wilcox Micromay BWO, Para Adams (Dark Olive or otherwise), No Hackle BWO’s, Black Fan Wing Baetis (great for low light conditions), BWO Flash Cripples, CDC Baetis Emergers, Nyman’s DOA Cripple and Quigley’s BWO Film Critic just to name a few.

Nymphing is as it should be and will continue to be your go-to if you’re into the numbers game. A lot of different bugs catching fish right now including Missouri River fall staples like Little Green Machines, Tailwater Sows, Pscycho Mays, Peep Shows, Lightning Bugs, Ray Charles, Rainbow Warriors, Zebra Midges, Rainbow Czechs, Military Mays and S & M’s. Pill Poppers, Soft Hackle Sows and Cotton Candy sows are coming on and it won’t be long before the firebeads come into serious play. Wire Worms and Zirdles are still on the menu as well. It’s a virtual smorgasbord out there right now so get creative and show them something they haven’t seen.

We talk a lot about fall dry fly fishing on the Missouri and with good reason but perhaps the best kept secret on the MO’ is fall streamer fishing which has turned on over these past few days and will continue to thrill from here on out, given the right day and the right conditions. The conventional wisdom holds true with the darker days yielding more consistent action but don’t overlook the sunny days. The fish are bulking up for the months ahead and have a hard time passing up a big meal so if you commit odds are you’ll move some fish regardless of the weather but then again you may not…it’s all part of the streamer game.

Judging by the multitude of empty or nearly empty spots in our streamer bin the word is out. Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Streamer Headquarters and we rarely shy away from commitment to the game no matter the water or the time of year. We’ve got some much sought after patterns you won’t find in any other shop thanks to Chewy who you’ll likely find at the vise for the rest of the season, doing his best to keep up with the ever increasing demand. Sparkle Minnows, Circus Peanuts, Dirty Hippies, ZK’s Inflated Ego, MK Ultra, Colonel Kurtz, Polar leeches, JJ’s, Mini Dungeons, Stun Guns and many more. Whites/Greys, blacks, olives, naturals all getting noticed.

Come check out our abundantly adequate fall bug selection as well as new cold weather gear from Simms and great deals to be had during our fall rod sale.

Lodging is pretty well booked up through the middle of the month but we do get the occasional cancellation and we do have some random openings so give us a shout if you want to come out and get in on what could be the best fall we’ve had in years. Guides available anytime for the Missouri and Blackfoot and change underway on the dining scene with the confirmed opening day for Shotgun Annie’s being this Friday, October 6th! We can’t wait! It’s going to be an awesome second season on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:04:07-07:00October 3rd, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Shotgun Annies Eatery and Tavern, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Late September on the Missouri

Rod enjoying the fall colors on the MO!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fall Fishing is Heating Up

Fall Fishing is heating up

We’re still a couple of days out from the Autumnal Equinox and the official start of fall but the weather has run ahead, leaving summer behind and bringing on the cooler temps, the rain and even some snow.

It couldn’t have come at a better time with much of the west choking on smoke from the multitude of wildfires. Late last week we saw a beautiful soaking rain on Thursday followed by a winter storm over the weekend which brought a considerable amount of snow to the high country and a wintery mix at the lower elevations.

It looks like we’ll see similar conditions throughout the week with cloudy skies, a chance of rain every day and highs in the 50’s with lows dipping into the low to mid 30’s each night.

It definitely feels like fall out there and we’re starting to see the colors to go along with the weather. It feels so much like fall that I’m actually thinking about getting out to do some bow hunting this week.

And speaking of hunting…it’s time to start hunting big, colored up fall browns. Yes weeds are still a part of the deal but for those who enjoy the streamer game it’s time to get over it and start chucking the big stuff. Fall is our favorite time of the year for streamer fishing and we’ve already begun to have some good days out there. Sparkle Minnows, Dirty Hippies, Dolly Llamas, Circus Peanuts, Mini Dungeons, Inflated Egos, MK Ultras…..and many more.

Dry Fly fishing has been the talk this week but I think that has more to do with the increase in traffic (and subsequent increase in DFO’s) than it does with bug activity on the river. Pseudos, the occasional caddis and plenty of terrestrial action still to be had. BWO’s on the way. Tiny Pseudos, Buzzballs, CDC Caddis Emergers, Cinnamon Ants, Hoppers, October Caddis and the like could get you some action.

Nymphing has continued to be good and remains somewhat status quo with Crayfish, Czechs and black zebra midges leading the charge though tailwater sows have come on strong as of late as have some baetis nymphs like LGM’s, 2 bits, Split Case BWO’s, Peep Shows and BWO Magic Flies. Come check out our ever expanding fly selection.

It’s a busy week at WCA with a full house and a bunch of Missouri and Blackfoot trips out daily. We’re full through Sunday but things open up a bit next week. Give us a call and book yourself a couple of nights and a day on the water. Perfect autumn weather and hot fall fishing, what more could you want.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:08:44-07:00September 19th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Cooler Weather Ahead

It seems the weather forecasts are wrong more often than not but it looks like cooler weather is on the way, which is exactly what we need right now. It’s a week out so who knows but at this point they are calling for temps in the 60’s and a chance of rain next Thursday and Friday. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

This much hoped for fall weather will coincide nicely with the start of the “second season” with an influx of anglers bringing life back to the quiet Missouri. They are starting to trickle in already but judging by our lodging and trip bookings next week marks the real start of the fall fishing season.

If you happen to be in the area this weekend don’t miss 710 Ashbury Saturday night at 6 PM at Izaak’s Log Stage. From what it sounds like what started out as simply a fall bash has now turned into a full on fundraising event for the local firefighters assisting with the fight with the numerous wild land fires in the area. Resources are rapidly being depleted so come out and enjoy the band and do what you can to help with the war effort.

We’ve got a couple of rooms left for the weekend and things open up the first part of next week before we start to fill up again late next week. Guide trips are revving up again starting this weekend but we’ve got plenty of availability so if a fall guide trip is on your agenda give us a call and book your trip today.

Don’t forget we’ve got our Fall Rod Sale happening all month long with 30 to 50 percent off and also have some great deals on what’s left of the summer gear. We are open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Lodging, guides, shuttles, rental boats, Simms sportswear, outerwear and accessories and a fly selection rivaling that of any shop in the area. We are the COMPLETE PACKAGE….your one stop Missouri River fly shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-09-21T18:53:08-06:00September 8th, 2017|Categories: Local Buzz, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Post Labor Day Report

Autumn is starting to take hold on the Little Prickly Pear

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

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

A Word About the Fires…

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

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

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

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

Fishing Report

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

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

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

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

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

Labor Day Sale at Wolf Creek Angler

Don’t miss our Labor Day Sale happening all weekend long at Wolf Creek Angler. Great deals to be had on flies and much more starting tomorrow and running through Monday.

THE BEST FLY DEALS OF THE SEASON

30% off all flies. Nymphs, dries, streamers, foam…..they’re all 30 percent off. Fill your boxes this weekend at Wolf Creek Angler.

FALL ROD SALE

We’re kicking off our annual fall rod sale tomorrow with great deals on rods from Loop, Echo and Redington. Clearance pricing on St Croix High Stick Drifters…..half off until they’re gone!

Pair your new rod with a Ross, Nautilus, Loop, Redington or Echo reel and we’ll give you special combo pricing. You’re obviously going to need a new line to go with your new rod and reel, we’ll give you 30 percent off of that as well!

SUMMER SOFT GOODS

We’ve got to move them out to make room for fall gear. Shorts, pants, shirts, select rain gear….all 30 percent off.

WADERS AND BOOTS

30% OFF all waders and wading boots.

Brave the smoke and take a trip to Wolf Creek this weekend. We’ve got limited lodging available if you want to make a weekend of it. We’ve also got RO and Adipose Drift Boats available for rent should you want to float the river. We are your Missouri River Labor Day Destination.

Tons of Bugs at Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:18:18-07:00September 1st, 2017|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Echo, Labor Day Sale, Missouri River, Redington, RO Drift Boats, running line, St Croix, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Goodbye August (Back to School Blues)

It feels like fall this back to school Thursday.

Temps will soar again today, but the cool mornings and the false overcast caused by our smoke filled skies make it feel like fall at least for the first few hours of the day.

I’m missing my summer help today which is also contributing to the fallish feeling. Summer came and disappeared in a blur and though our many hours spent together at the shop this summer were certainly not without the occasional dust up, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I cherish the opportunity to spend time working with (and occasionally even fishing with) my son John, even if he doesn’t share my passion for all things fly fishing. His rowing skills have improved tremendously this season and he is definitely starting to know his way around the fly bins. Add to this his developing customer service skills along with an adequate set of grounds keeping and maintenance skills and you’ve got great summer help.

The first day of school is always a time of reflection and disbelief….more so each year. Somehow he is a junior in high school this year. I’m not sure how that happened. I don’t know how it’s even possible but it’s a fact. Yet another reminder of life passing by…of the likelihood of more years behind me than ahead of me. A day filled both with existential angst and pride. Angst as it relates to the stark reminders of mortality and pride as it relates to watching him grow and mature each year.

Anyways, farewell to August. It’s been a nice break from the chaos of June and July but we are ready to embrace the chaos again. It’s a welcome return to autumn.

Back to fishing next time…

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:20:58-07:00August 31st, 2017|Categories: Uncategorized, Wolf Creek Chatter|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, running line|1 Comment

LAST CHANCE

There are just a few days left to purchase tickets to win this Adipose Flow Drift Boat from Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited.

Tickets are $100 each and only 200 will be sold so don’t miss this opportunity to support a great cause and in the process maybe win yourself a fancy new drift boat….just in time for fall fishing on the MO’.

Second Prize is one night of lodging and a day of guided fishing for two from Pro Outfitters and Third prize is a Sage X 9′ 5 weight with Nautilus X Reel.

The drawing will take place on Saturday, September 2nd.

There are a limited number of tickets still available at Wolf Creek Angler in Wolf Creek; Headhunters Fly Shop, The Trout Shop and Crosscurrents Fly Shop in Craig and Helena and Montana Fly Goods in Helena. Tickets may also be purchased by contacting Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited directly via Facebook.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:22:21-07:00August 29th, 2017|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Pat Barnes Trout Unlimited, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments