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Opening Day

Small Water Fishing in Montana

Today is the general fishing opener for Montana creeks and streams and while the much needed precipitation we’re getting this weekend may have put a damper on fishing plans for many, the general opener is not unlike Christmas morning for those of us who love to tromp around the wilds of Montana on warm spring and summer days in search secret waters.
This is the time of year we love to grab the gazateer and the bear spray and set off for small water, sometimes to familiar haunts, other times to places we’ve never been.
We love our Missouri and we wouldn’t trade it for the world but there is just something about the solitude and the intimacy of small stream fishing that you can’t get on the big water. The interaction with the environment, the wildlife encounters and of course watching cutthroats inhale big dry flies on tiny streams is an intoxicating change of pace from the summer crowds and the row-arounds on the Missouri.
Do yourself a favor and go fish the creeks a time or two this season, it’s good for the soul and you’ll be glad you did.

Small water does not necessarily mean small streamers or small fish!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 16th, 2015|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing, Uncategorized|Tags: Montana, running line, streamers|0 Comments

Gear Review – Strike Foundry Lil’ Nugget Indicators

Guest Blog from WCA Guide Jim Murray

“Short leash” nymphing is a really fun way to fish. It usually involves a couple of nymphs, suspended 3-4 feet below a bobber, and little to no additional weight. It allows for a little bit more of a technical cast than lobbing bobbers and BB’s, and it can be damned effective as well.
In the past, the standard Missouri River Short Leash indicator was the foam pinch-on. Let’s just say that these could be less than ideal. I know many guides and anglers swear by them, but I always found them to be a nuisance. They can be hard to remove, leaving a gunky pasty substance on your leaders. They are cumbersome to cast. And they can fall off into the river, leaving unwanted debris floating through your favorite seam. Yes they are inexpensive, but you go through a ton of them in a season. All in all, I don’t really like using them.
As a result, I’ve been looking for a good alternative for a while now, and this Spring, fellow WCA guide Matt Hargrave showed me the light. The Strike Foundry “Lil’ Nugget” ½ “ indicator. Light weight, indestructible and easy to cast, these bobbers do the trick. I tie the butt section of my leader into the bright side of the indicator, then tippet out the grey side. Clients love fishing this set up, as the indicators are easy to see, easy to cast, and easy to mend. One of the concerns with short leash set ups is if the bobber will disturb the fish in the upper third of the water column. I haven’t noticed this to be the case at all. Fish have been happily eating our nymphs using this set up all Spring.
The one downside to this method is that the indicators are not easily moved. You could tie additional tippet if you wanted to fish a little deeper, but converting to a deep nymph rig would require you to remove the set up, and either switch leaders or add additional tippet material to get down deep. Or you could do what I do and have a couple short leash rods rigged up and ready to go, along with my deep nymph rods.
All in all, I love this indicator for my short leash nymphing. It has worked flawlessly for my clients and I, and client feedback has been extremely positive. If you are looking for an alternative to the old foam pinch on indicators, give the Strike Foundry “Lil’ Nugget” a try. They work great.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 15th, 2015|Categories: Product Review, Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, running line, short leash nymphing, Strike Foundry, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

This day in history…

One year after the United States doubled its territory with the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition leaves St. Louis, Missouri, on a mission to explore the Northwest from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

Even before the U.S. government concluded purchase negotiations with France, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned his private secretary Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, an army captain, to lead an expedition into what is now the U.S. Northwest. On May 14, the “Corps of Discovery”–featuring approximately 45 men (although only an approximate 33 men would make the full journey)–left St. Louis for the American interior.

The expedition traveled up the Missouri River in a 55-foot long keelboat and two smaller boats. In November, Toussaint Charbonneau, a French-Canadian fur trader accompanied by his young Native American wife Sacagawea, joined the expedition as an interpreter. The group wintered in present-day North Dakota before crossing into present-day Montana, where they first saw the Rocky Mountains. On the other side of the Continental Divide, they were met by Sacagawea’s tribe, the Shoshone Indians, who sold them horses for their journey down through the Bitterroot Mountains. After passing through the dangerous rapids of the Clearwater and Snake rivers in canoes, the explorers reached the calm of the Columbia River, which led them to the sea. On November 8, 1805, the expedition arrived at the Pacific Ocean, the first European explorers to do so by an overland route from the east. After pausing there for the winter, the explorers began their long journey back to St. Louis.

On September 23, 1806, after almost two and a half years, the expedition returned to the city, bringing back a wealth of information about the largely unexplored region, as well as valuable U.S. claims to Oregon Territory.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 14th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Lewis and Clark, running line|0 Comments

Fancy yet Functional River Series Fly Boxes at Wolf Creek Angler

River Series handmade wood fly boxes from A.L. Swanson Craftsman Studio in Helena Montana. Available now at Wolf Creek Angler.

River Series handmade wood fly boxes from A.L. Swanson Craftsman Studios in Helena Montana. Available now at Wolf Creek Angler.

We’ve recently started selling handmade River Series wood fly boxes from A.L. Swanson. They are beautiful boxes made in Helena Montana and constructed from sustainably harvested lumber, inlaid with exotic woods, metals and shell. They feature inlaid shell and earth magnet closures, brass hinges….the whole nine yards.

The River Series features three different size boxes from three classic Montana rivers, each box with it’s own unique characteristics just like their namesakes, the Missouri, the Madison and the Smith Rivers.

Starting at $129 these boxes aren’t cheap but they are a perfect Montana keepsake for the fly anglers in your life and we think they make a perfect Father’s Day gift which could very well be passed on for generations to come…they’re THAT nice.

Swanson, the maker of the boxes, expects them to be used rather than set on display somewhere collecting dust. They are as functional as they are beautiful and while it would certainly be a drag to lose one of these boxes the normal scratches and dings you can’t avoid with wood will only add to the character of the box as it ages.

I’m not sure I would use this box on the water if I had one, I tend to lose things, but I would definitely put it on display and it would definitely hold a prominent place amongst my prized possessions. A box like this can take on a significance you could never predict or expect.

I was given a beautiful hand made wood fly box by a friend many years ago. I never considered actually using it for the purpose for which it was intended, I knew exactly what it would be used for. It would become the permanant home for a black and white Rooster Tail spinner.

I was still just dabbling in fly fishing at the time and had not yet committed. My dad asked me if I would like to fish with him one June evening which I did. I don’t remember if we caught anything but I closed the night out with the Rooster Tail. A few weeks later he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Seven months later he was gone. It was the last time we fished together and while it may seem sacrilege to store a Rooster Tail in a handmade fly box, this was the purpose for which this particular wood fly box was destined.

Stop by the shop and check out these beautiful boxes. We’re positive your dad, grandfather, husband or anyone you know who loves Montana and loves fly fishing would LOVE to have one. Better yet, why not treat yourself to one. After all, you deserver nice things too!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 14th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: A.L. Swanson Craftsman Studios, fly fishing, Helena, Madison River, Missouri River, running line, Smith River, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid Week Missouri River Fishing Report

Guest Blog from WCA Guide Matt Hargrave

Met a buddy and fellow guide at the shop Monday morning. I picked through the fly bin grabbing some usual suspects (#18 pt little green machine and some #18 olive s&m nymphs), and decided to grab some nymphs I never fish. I’ve been doing a lot of experimenting lately. Fishing different water and different patterns. This time I picked up some #12 bh flashback pt’s, some #14 hare’s ears, a downey baetis nymph, a bwo magic fly, and a two bit hooker. I am guilty of sticking to tried and true patterns and water that I know hold fish. I also know to improve as an angler and a guide that I need to expand my arsenal and my knowledge of the Missouri. Sometime’s you gotta take chances.

We floated Mid-Mt. Palace. The day was overcast, 60, but with a cold wind. I picked up a nice brown right away on the lgm. Sometime’s landing a fish that quickly is a bad sign. That was not the case that day. The fish were hungry and ate everything I presented to them.

Later in the day, my buddy Josh started wrecking them fishing blind with a brown para adams. I stuck with the short leash and landed fish everywhere you would think a trout would be.

Towards the evening we anchored on a pod of fish that would not go down. We all touched and caught several fish out of that pod, only leaving it because it was getting too late to fish. Just before the take out, Chad and I doubled up on two dry fly eating fish. Perfect way to end an epic day.

Moral of the story is to get out there and get out of your comfort zone. Start building confidence in different patterns and different water. Growing as an angler is what everyone should be striving for—Matt

Doubled UP

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 13th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Come see what’s new at Wolf Creek Angler

As we move into the heart of the spring season we’ve got a shop full of gear and more arriving daily. Do yourself a favor and stop by and find out what the buzz is about at Wolf Creek Angler.
We’ve got a case full of new reels from Ross and Nautilus, racks full of awesome gear from KAST and Redington and all kinds of cool Simms WCA logo wear. Plenty of rods from Echo and St Croix including the High Stick Drifter and the Bank Robber – both available to demo. Give a call and reserve one today. If you fish it and you like it and you decide to purchase one we’ll knock the rental fee off of the purchase price.
Fishpond Nomad net restock underway. Smith optics, Yeti coolers, an awesome selection of fly lines from Rio and Airflo, all kinds of indicators including Strike Foundry and Air-Lock, leaders and tippet from Trout Hunter and Rio and all the tools and accessories you need for Missouri River Fly Fishing success along with the largest selection (and growing larger by the day) of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. These are high quality bugs from the likes of Montana Fly Company, Umpqua, Yellowstone Fly Goods and Solitude….the real deal, not the knock-offs.
A top notch guide crew, comfortable and affordable dog-friendly lodging, shuttle service, RO drift boat rentals and a humble and helpful staff anxious to be a part of your Montana fly fishing adventure make us a great choice. All just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge…nobody’s closer!
Open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 12th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Echo, Missouri River, Montana, Montana Fly Company, RO Drift Boats, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

A Great Week on the MO

Our clients have been enjoying some spectacular fishing this week on both nymphs and dries. What’s your preference? Book a guide trip with us today and we’ll tailor your trip to fit your needs. Hunting heads, chucking streamers, nymphing – we are happy to do any and all of the above.

All of our guides specialize in making your day on the Missouri everything you want it to be. We can’t guarantee how the fishing will be but we are committed to doing everything we can to make your day of Missouri River fly fishing an experience you won’t soon forget.

Give us a call today and book your Missouri River trip of a lifetime.

Jan and Lynn doubled up with WCA guide Eric Mondragon

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 10th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mothers Day on the Missouri?

Happy Mothers Day from Wolf Creek Angler.

Tomorrow’s forecast is for sunshine and and 62 degrees, a perfect day to float the MO. Why not treat the moms in your life to a day of guided fly fishing on the Missouri River with Wolf Creek Angler? Mothers Day brunches are fine but what could be better than a day of fishing and a streamside lunch on a sunny Montana Sunday.

Give us a call today – guides at the ready!

We’ve also got some great gift ideas for mom. How about a new fly rod or rod/reel combo? New waders and boots? Chromapop sunglasses from Smith? WCA logo gear? A WCA gift card good for ANYTHING we sell? Wolf Creek Angler is your one stop shop for a fishy mothers day.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 9th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Chroma Pop, Mothers Day Fly Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid Week Missouri River Fishing Report 5/6/15

WCA Guide Nick Kaufman with a dry fly eating Missouri River brown. This is how we spend our days off.

The spring crescendo continues on the Missouri as the daylight hours stretch and the bugs intensify and the numbers of fish feasting on the surface increase almost daily.
BWO’s, midges, March Browns and rumours of Caddis in the canyon mean the dry fly fishing is about to go insane and while you wait the nymphing has been keeping rods bend daily river wide.
We don’t have much new to report on the nymphing side of it. Green Machines are THE bug of choice. Shallow rigging has been successful depending on the day and the time of day and the deeper rigs are consistently working on the sunnier days which we’ve had no shortage of lately. Try a purple weight fly, Tungsten Tailwater Sow, Wire Worm, Hot Belly PT or a tan czech for a point fly and follow it with your LGM, S & M, Peep, Military May, Micro May, Magic Fly, Olive WD40. 2 Bit Hooker or various sow bug patterns and search the water columns until you find the fish. A BB split or two helps on the longer rigs, go weightless on the short rigs – the tungsten beads will get you where you need to be.
If you find fish up throw the kitchen sink at them. If you want to keep it simple throw an Adams and a bwo cdc emerger at them and build from there. We’ve got all kinds of cool BWO patterns at the ready. Come check them out and see if you can find something you like, chances are pretty good that if you like your bugs you will fish them with confidence and the fish will like them too.
How about streamers? We’ve been throwing them and getting some fish to move on Sparkle Minnows, Tan Circus Peanuts and brown Polar Leeches. Overcast skies on tap for tomorrow – could be a great streamer day which will give you something to do while you’re out there looking for heads.
Stop by the shop for a shuttle on your way out and stock up on all the dries, nymphs and streamers you will need as well as leaders, tippet, tools, Flyagra, Strike Foundry Lil Nugget Indicators, Buffs, Kast Extreme Fishing Gear and all kinds of cool WCA logo gear.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 6th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

River Access

As we get into the busy season here on the Missouri River and as we approach the general fishing opener on May 16th, please take some time to review Montana stream access laws.

We are so blessed and privileged to have the abundance of access to water that we do and this is certainly a big part of what makes the Missouri such a popular destination. We can’t take for granted the fact that private land owners grant much of this access and the access is at their discretion. We must all go out of our way to respect all of the land we use while fishing the Missouri and elswhere. Please pack in/pack out whatever you bring with you wherever you fish and pick up any trash you find – it goes a long way in keeping land owners happy.

Despite the abundance of granted access on this river I still see vehicles on a fairly regular basis parked at fences with posts painted orange. For those who aren’t familiar with the access laws the orange paint is akin to a No Trespassing sign.

Orange Painted Posts mean NO TRESPASSING in Montana. Please respect private property. photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The law states that any notice denying entry must consist of written notice or of notice by painting a post, structure or natural object with at least 50 square inches of fluorescent orange paint.

Please respect private property by not trespassing and by closing any gates you open on granted access property.

For more information on Montana Stream Access Law please refer to the FWP web site here;

http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/guide/access/streamAccess.html

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:53-06:00May 5th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, Montana Stream Access Law, running line, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments