simms Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Autumn’s End

There’s NO TIME like STREAMER TIME on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Just over a week out from the first day of winter (Saturday, December 21st) but based on our current conditions you sure wouldn’t know it.

A few patches of ice in the driveway but the snow from two weeks ago has all but disappeared which is a feat here at the shop where the sunlight won’t touch the ground again until mid-March. Once the snow covers the ground it’s generally here until spring but with daily highs in the mid to high 40’s seemingly for the entire month of December, it looks much more like the middle of autumn than a week out from winter.

As is always the case, regardless of the weather, December is among our slowest months. If you look hard enough you can usually find at least a wade angler or two around on any given day but for the most part the ramps are empty, boat traffic is essentially non-existent and the shop hours drag by even as 2024 speeds to a close.

The fly shops are open, the Canyon Store is open, the post office is open and Joe’s and the Oasis are open…aside from that there’s not much going on here on the MO.

Those still fishing are finding they have the river to themselves for the most part and the fishing, while not on fire, is definitely good enough.

Most are swinging or stripping with moderate success. Some are nymphing the winter water and finding willing players still after the sow bug. We haven’t heard much on the dry fly front but you’ll usually find a fish or two eating on top depending on where you go. Throw a Griffiths gnat or a midge cluster at them. They just might eat it.

Flows remain on the low side, currently 2840 cfs with water temps hanging right around 38 – 40 degrees. Sooner or later winter weather will arrive and water temps will plummet but it looks like flows will likely stay right where they’re at all winter long.

No major changes in the weather expected anytime soon so count on more of the same through next weekend with partly sunny skies and daily highs in the high 30’s or low to mid 40’s and overnight lows in the 20’s. The wind is the wild card. Not much today but more starting tomorrow with gusts in the 25 mph range through the weekend.

You really couldn’t ask for better weather in December but a little bit of wind can make moderate feel cold fast so be prepared.

We’re open at 9 AM Tuesday – Saturday and we’re able to do shuttles during the week though Saturdays have been a challenge. Not to fear, if we can’t do your shuttle we know who can.

We’ve had a steady stream of gift cards going in the mail this week and haven’t even come close to running out so if you haven’t done so already give us a call or go on our web store and pick up gift cards for all the fly fishers on your list. You can purchase gift cards in any amount. They NEVER expire and they are good for absolutely everything we sell including shuttles. Is there a more perfect gift?

Our Fall Rod and Reel Sale continues through Christmas and we’ve got a shop full of items that would all make great gifts. How about a new pair of Simms Waders or boots or a cozy Simms flannel. New fly lines, sun glasses, books, drinkware, fly boxes, nets, Fishpond packs, tools and accessories….great gifts all!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-12-12T09:27:25-07:00December 12th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, simms, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Wolf Creek Angler Missouri River Election Day Update

It’s a cold and gray election day…just as it should be this first full week of November on the MO.

Snow in the forecast for today and tonight. A high of 41 with southwest winds 14 – 17 mph switching to north northwest in the afternoon and gusting to 25 mph. Snow will continue into the evening with patchy blowing snow between 8 pm and 11 pm and an overnight low of 19 degrees. Sunshine returns tomorrow with temps climbing back into the 50’s. Sounds like it could be a BWO day out there though we’re certainly not expecting much in the way of traffic based on what we’ve seen over the past week.

It’s a ghost town out there!

River flows are currently holding at a skinny 3180 CFS with water temps right around 50 degrees. Those flows are lower than we’d like to see but aside from that and those pesky autumn winds, conditions over the past few days have been ideal with plenty of cloud cover and plenty of hungry fish.

With winter on the way those rainbows are bulking up making for some good days out there, especially for those chasing bobbers. Sow bugs, sow bugs and more sow bugs perhaps with a Little Green Machine or other baetis nymph thrown in for good measure. Tungsten Tailwater Sow with a beadles sow, Pill Popper with a beadles sow, Rainbow Czech with a beadles sow…you get the idea. Faster shallows are still going to be your primary target but don’t overlook the tail outs and other holding areas.

The browns are in full, glorious, spawning colors and are amped up and just ornery enough to smash a streamer. If you are wade fishing please be mindful, especially with these low flows, of spawning redds and stay off of them!

Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolt, Mojo Minnows, Thin Mints, Kreelex, Polar Leeches and Swim Coaches all getting plenty of looks depending on the day. And if there was ever a time to go big with your bugs on the MO (some would argue there is not) this would be that time as the perceived threat may trigger an aggressive attack. The better streamer action has been in the upper stretches but don’t let that deter you from hitting the middle and lower sections if conditions allow for it. You never know…

Stop by WCA for the best streamer intel and best bug selection on the MO….hands down!

There’s NO TIME like STREAMER TIME on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

And speaking of stopping by…WINTER HOURS went into effect on November 1st. Published hours are Tuesday – Saturday 8 AM – 4 PM, CLOSED on Sundays and Mondays. Hours may fluctuate based on weather or other factors so it’s never a bad idea to call ahead to confirm we’re going to be here. Our crew is gone for the season so it’s just me which unfortunately means that if there are scheduling conflicts then the shop will be closed. We apologetically acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause but with 11 seasons under our belt we’ve learned that winter sales rarely cover winter staffing.

Along these same lines, I haven’t yet figured out how to do shuttles with no staff so while there may be days we can do them, practically speaking shuttles are done for the season.

Fortunately for you there are other options for winter shuttles on the MO.

We’ve closed and winterized the vast majority of our lodging but we will have our three bungalows open all winter at a great rate of $149/night (plus tax). Bungalows have two twin beds, a full size pull out couch, a kitchenette with cooktop, microwave, fridge and a dishwasher and big screen televisions for all of your streaming services.

Whether fishing the MO, chasing waterfowl or elk or deer hunting these rooms are a great late season option. The kitchens come in handy but we’re also thrilled that Lazy I Beerworks is currently open every day but Wednesday for lunch and dinner.

The seasonably relevant fly bins are fully stocked. We’ve got plenty of Simms waders, boots, hats, gloves, socks and layering for whatever Mother Nature throws at us as well as a few clearance sportswear items still hanging around.

WCA 10th Anniversary drinkware and T’s are on clearance as well and our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale runs through the end of November so a trip to WCA and the MO could be the perfect opportunity to knock out your Christmas shopping.

Adipose drift boat rentals available as long as the weather holds though the Mending Waters vet boats will be on hold for the winter beginning November 15th.

Get out and VOTE today and come see us next time you head out to fish the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-11-05T09:14:40-07:00November 5th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, Election Day, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, vote, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Cray Days on the MO

It hardly seems possible but Labor Day weekend is upon us, the unofficial end to the summer season on the MO.

It looks to be an idyllic late summer weekend with daily highs near 90 each day and overnight lows dipping into the low 50’s. Let the autumn season commence!

We’re enjoying a taste of fall today with morning temps in the low 40’s and highs topping out around 60 this afternoon. Gusty winds will keep river traffic to a minimum today and we don’t anticipate much in the way of angling traffic for the weekend though I would expect to see plenty of rec traffic this weekend with everyone out enjoying summer’s last hurrah.

For those planning to fish the next few days – the upper river has been the best bet with a fair amount of folks just doing the Dam to Bridge stretch and doing row arounds. Don’t plan on that today with the 15 – 25 mph tailwind. Winds diminish tomorrow and look to be manageable through the long weekend.

Weeds become a substantial hindrance the further down river you go but if you’re willing to contend with them the fishing has been just fine in all sections. A lot of folks throwing hoppers and other terrestrial offerings and getting the occasional eats though I wouldn’t say it’s been lights out on that front.

Nymphing has been where the action is with a good crayfish bite underway and zebras, sows and frenchies have each been good options. Try a Zirdle or Snapping Cray paired with a tailwater sow or black zebra rigged moderately deep, with our without weight. You’d also do well to put the BWO nymphs back in play (green machine would be a great place to start) and you could do worse than dropping an October Caddis nymph just to see what happens.

Donkey Kong Hoppers, More or Less and Fancy Pants hoppers have all been hot sellers in all colors though it appears as though pink has the edge at this point. #10’s and #12’s have been our best-selling sizes but don’t be afraid to size down with a #14 or bulk up to a #8. You’d also do well to trail a black or cinnamon ant. Hit the banks and don’t overlook those mid-river riffles.

The cooler weather and the calendar have some folks thinking streamers…music to my ears! Weeds will be a hindrance right on through the fall campaign but don’t let that stop you. Choose your spots and just accept the fact that you’ll likely be cleaning weeds every few casts. It’s not the end of the world though it can be extremely frustrating but the payoff could be well worth the hassle.

We’re open at 7 AM daily with everything you need for your day on the water including The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO and so much more. Simms waders and boots, Sage rods and reels, Smith and Suncloud sun glasses, Fishpond packs and accessories, Rising nets and tools, WCA YETI drinkware, Rio lines and leaders and the biggest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Happy Labor Day! We hope to see you soon for fall fishing at its best!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-08-28T12:30:35-06:00August 28th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Sage, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yeti|0 Comments

July on the Fly

Nearly mid-way through July the Blur persists with at least another week of a jam-packed guide and lodging schedule as well as the tail end of the boat rental madness that always marks this time of year.

The heat has arrived this week, flirting with triple digits yesterday and today with persistent mid to high 90’s for the next 10 days. Random thunderstorms are fairly typical this time of year that can pop up out of nowhere but the forecast shows virtually zero percent of precipitation over the next 10 days so the oven has definitely been turned on high.

Water conditions on the MO are in good shape with flows currently at around 4200 CFS and water temps holding in the low 60’s, currently at 62. Expect a bump here as the heat persists. Most are starting early to beat the heat. Guide trips are going out at 7 and many are getting an earlier start than that to beat the heat and the crowds as well.

And speaking of crowds, there has been plenty of traffic though not as much as a couple of weeks ago and it will start to thin out over the next couple of weeks as the summer Prime Time draws down and we start to prepare for fall.

Late July and all of August typically mean a significant reduction in traffic on the river. There’s no reason to think this won’t be the case again this year though dwindling flows around the drought stricken region which have begun to trigger Hoot Owl Restrictions will likely drive some late summer traffic to the MO.

There are currently Hoot Owl Restrictions on the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Clark Fork, Jefferson, Madison, Ruby and Sun Rivers and we expect that list to grow as the heat persists. We are not anticipating restrictions on the Missouri though we would still encourage you to fish early, during the cooler portions of the day to minimize deleterious effects on our fish populations.

Early morning is Trico Time anyway so that works out perfectly.

Expect plenty of recreational float traffic out there as well as folks look to beat the heat with a cool float down the river.

We’re right in the middle of the classic overlap window with PMD’s waning and Tricos just getting started while caddis, hoppers and ants round out the top water opportunities. It’s a Dry Fly Extravaganza but there are plenty of folks cleaning up on the nymphing as well.

The WCA bins are loaded up with all kinds of techy trico and caddis patterns as well as piles of foam and all the nymphs and crayfish you could possibly need. And don’t forget the mice!

Lodging starts to open up in about another week and while last minute guide trips are always a real challenge to fill the odds will improve as we move into late summer so give us a call and we’ll do our best. We get calls daily for trips the following day. This is not going to happen.

These past few weeks I’ve been busy with bookings for this time next year, to the point where many days in June are already full on our lodging and guide books. All this to say, make your plans as far in advance as possible. The secret is out and prime dates for 2025 are going quickly.

We are your Missouri River one stop shop with everything you need for your day on the water. Sunscreen, sun hats, sun gloves, ice, fishing licenses, Simms WCA sun shirts, Sage rods and reels, a plethora of floatants and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

See you bright and early at WCA.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-07-11T15:54:09-06:00July 11th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Summer is Here

Happy Summer Solstice!

Enjoy this, the longest day of the year as we turn the corner and embark, yet again, on the long descent into winter darkness.

Shorter days ahead starting tomorrow but don’t let that get you down. We are, after all, smack dab in the middle of PRIME TIME on the Missouri.

It’s been an interesting week with well below average temps and a taste of winter but it looks like we will be settling into summer weather over the next while with temps climbing back into the 80’s today and tomorrow and pushing into the mid 90’s on Sunday.

It looks like more of the same for the first part of next week with daytime highs in the high 80’s so settle in to HOT weather on the MO. We welcome the change as it’s been a cooler (and seemingly windier) than normal spring but now it’s time to make sure you’re taking steps to protect yourself from overexposure to sun.

We’re loaded up with Buffs, sun gloves, sunscreen, Straw hats, solar sombreros, sunglasses and WCA solarflex hoodies and we’re also sitting on a good selection of Simms Guide shorts and challenger flip flops. We’ve got everything you need for dealing with the summer elements on the MO.

PMD action has been consistently good and should continue with these hot, sunny days ahead. Gobs of caddis in the lower stretches and Tricos on deck.

We’re loaded up with your favorite PMD and Caddis patterns, both for top water action and sub surface endeavors. Tricos and hoppers arrived this week and we’re just getting the bins organized.

We’ve got some great new patterns for both.

The dry fly side of the bin has seen much more action as of late (which we’re thrilled to see) but there are plenty of folks nymphing as well. Hot selling bugs this week include Frenchies, Purple Weight Flies, Tailwater Sows, Split Case PMD’s, Crack Back PMD’s, Magic Flies, Nitro Caddis, PT Green Machines and Psycho Mays.

Streamer fishing is on hold for most but we are still pre-aquatic vegetation concentrations so don’t think you have to float a dry fly or chase a bobber. Low light periods are still likely to be productive. And speaking of low light…with hot days ahead it might just be time to wake a mouse under cover of darkness.

We’re open at 7 AM daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs including the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO and so much more.

We’re pretty much full in our lodging now through mid-July though we have had a few cancellations here and there so give us a call if you’re looking for a last minute booking on the MO. The same can be said for our guide calendar which is full for the most part but you never know – sometimes things open up.

Welcome to summer on the MO!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-06-20T14:09:23-06:00June 20th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid June on the MO

It’s hard to believe but we’re already talking about mid-June on the MO as the 2024 campaign continues to fly by

This is PRIME TIME. These next several weeks comprise the most coveted dates of the season. These are the weeks that book out a year or more in advance. This is GO TIME in the Missouri River Fly Shop, lodging and guiding world. Buckle up!

Bugs have been semi-cooperative most days. The wind has been about the most consistent component of our young season. The two do not go hand in hand. Mid day dry fly opportunities will avail themselves more days than not but gusty winds change the equation. It’s not only heads we’re hunting but also those coveted sheltered spots that provide a respite from the often howling onslaught. We’ll always do our best to get you to those spots where sheltered waters and bugs and rising fish converge but it’s not always the case so be prepared to overcome micro-currents with that reach cast while also managing that cast in the presence of strong head or tail winds. This has always been and will always be part of the challenge of the Missouri so come prepared.

PMD’s are your mid-day go to. We highly recommend incorporating an emerger or cripple into your offering. Sprout PMD, Hatchback PMD, Dolly Wing PMD, Helen Keller, Film Critic, CDC Case PMD Emerger, Loopwing Emerger…just a few of the techy PMD patterns available now at WCA.

Caddis are present in the canyon and lower stretches. We haven’t heard much on that front just yet as far as the fishing goes but it’ll happen sooner or later.

Nymphing continues to be solid and while I was going to post the obligatory sow bug game comment I did actually hear a couple of reports just this afternoon that just maybe they are taking a break from the sow in order to focus on tasty PMD nymphs. Try a Split Case or Crack Back, PMD Magic Fly, Redemption, Psycho May, Frenchie, Glass Bullet, Military May or the like and pair it with a Purple Weight Fly or a Tung Dart or maybe even a worm with the bump that’s coming today and tomorrow.

Tomorrow looks to be another summery day with highs near 90 before things trend cooler for the weekend and into next week when there is a winter storm watch in effect for the high country with snow returning to the mountains. We won’t likely see any of that here but do prepare for highs in the 50 on Monday and Tuesday with rain in the forecast and keep those jackets and fleeces at hand as overnight lows will be dipping into the 30’s beginning on Sunday.

We’ll see what the change in weather brings. Streamer season is certainly waning at this point but with a couple of cool, rainy days on tap that might be just the ticket.

We’re in the midst of our busiest month of the season for guide trips so expect traffic in the fly shops in the morning and if you’re trying to call in a shuttle and we don’t answer try back in a bit or better yet, stop by the shop. We’re likely busy with customers so answering the phone becomes much less of a priority. We generally start running shuttles around 9:30 am so we can accommodate early outs and we generally wrap up by 3 PM so the later shuttles aren’t usually something we’re able to do. It never hurts to check though.

The shop is open at 7 AM daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. We are of course home to the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES on the MO, Adipose drift boat rentals, ice, Sage rods and reels, Fishpond straw hats, Simms waders, boots and flip-flops, Suncloud and Smith optics and the largest selection of flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-06-13T16:23:52-06:00June 13th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, pmd's, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Fly Fishing Headquarters

And just like that May comes to a close.

It’s been an awesome spring on the MO and the way things are looking we’re in for a spectacular summer season.

BWOs fading, caddis making a strong showing and early reports of PMD’s already in play. Dry fly opportunities a plenty with late afternoons into evening being the prime time slots.

Nymphing has been ridiculously good more days than not and while we may lean positive in our reports we have no issue telling it like it is. If fishing is slow, we’ll let you know! Someone commented to me the other day that we “always say the fishing is good” and while this is not in fact the case, it really has been amazingly consistent this spring with literally just a few days out of the last month where fishing was not good. And not good on the MO means NOT GOOD as a so-so day on the Missouri is almost always better than a good day anywhere else.

All this to say the 2024 campaign is off to a tremendous start. Will it continue? We like the odds!

Look for that caddis action to continue to build as summer approaches and expect PMD action to blow up soon, very possibly by mid-week next week when daytime highs consistently climb into the 80’s under partly cloudy skies. You couldn’t ask for better conditions!

The weekend forecast looks good with mid 70’s on Saturday and Sunday, dipping back into the high 60’s on Monday and Tuesday with a chance for some rain showers before we hit our summer weather stride mid-week.

We’ve seen below average temps throughout the spring with slightly above average precipitation which is exactly what we needed from a water standpoint. The cooler temps have preserved our precious snowpack and prevented the blow out runoff we see around the region when things heat up too quickly. That being said, it feels as though we’re headed for stabilizing flows sooner than later on our freestone rivers and the Missouri is in great shape with flows having held steady this week just shy of 6,000 cfs. It did drop today and is currently sitting at 5500 cfs with water temps in the 50 – 54 degree range. We’ll see those water temps start to climb rapidly once the summer-like weather settles in.

Our late May has been a little soft on guide trips but that’s all about to change as we plunge into our busiest weeks of the year starting next week. Expect plenty of hustle and bustle around the shop most mornings as we do our best to get everyone logged in and on their way to the water.

We’re open at 7 AM daily with everything you need for your day on the water including THE CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO! The Bug bins are loaded up and we’ve got you covered with piles of Simms sun shirts, buffs, Fishpond Eddy River straw hats, Smith and Suncloud sunglasses and gallons of sunscreen.

Lodging is BUSY and full most nights for the next two months but there are holes here and there so give us a call for last minute accommodations and we’ll do our best to take care of you. Same with guide trips. June is by far our busiest guide month of the year but cancellations happen on occasion so it never hurts to check with us.

Welcome to PRIME TIME on the Missouri! We can’t wait to see you!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-05-30T12:22:51-06:00May 30th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

It’s been a cold and wet start to May this week on the MO with everything from high winds to winter storms but change is on the way.

We awoke to several inches of wet, heavy snow yesterday in Helena and saw snow and rain showers come and go throughout the day. Temps in the low 40’s and north winds resulted in a few cancelled trips yesterday but plenty braved the elements and were rewarded with a decent (though cold) day of fishing.

The fun continued after fishing as the power went out in Wolf Creek and Craig shutting down dinner plans and leaving a lot of chilled anglers in the dark waiting for power to be restored which it was by 8:30 PM. Just another spring day in Montana.

Temps are considerably warmer today, in the high 50’s and the morning rains have pretty well subsided and it’s only going to get better (and likely busier) as the weekend arrives.

We’ll see temps near 70 tomorrow and will see 80’s on Saturday and Sunday with plenty of sunshine right on through Monday. A chance for rain again starting on Tuesday but it looks like winter weather may be behind us. That being said, while yesterday’s weather did present some challenges all the way around we were thrilled to get some desperately needed precipitation. The snowpack map is looking much better today for the entire region and with the moisture we got yesterday and today and temps warming, things should really start to green up this weekend.

Fishing will continue to be good though you may want to start looking at early or later starts to avoid some of the traffic that is bound to be here throughout the weekend and into next week. Spring bookings are about to be at their height for both guide trips and lodging now through Memorial Day with summer’s PRIME on deck.

Larger sow bugs and worms have been productive on the rainy days and will continue to produce with flows having bumped and the tribs adding a bit of color and volume. We saw a spike to 5600 CFS this morning but that’s been dialed back to 4600 cfs as of this writing. Water temps are right around 46 degrees and will continue to climb. The water conditions are ideal for hungry and happy trout…truly a perfect time to fish the MO.

Getting back to the bugs, baetis nymphs are consistently producing with Green Machines, Crack Backs, Psycho Mays, Radiation Baetis, Mosasons and plain old Pheasant Tails getting it done. Maybe start mixing in some PMD stuff as well, Magic Flies, Split Case, Redemptions…all on deck.

Dry fly action continues to please with ample BWO and midge opportunities to be had and streamer fishing will continue to be productive, especially on the overcast days. Skiddish Smolt continues to rule the 2024 streamer season but don’t limit yourself to what everyone else is throwing. Show them something they haven’t seen.

Even with the wet weather mornings have been extremely busy in the shop so we’re expecting the weekend to be even busier and we’ll be staffed up accordingly. We hope you make Wolf Creek Angler your one stop shop on the way to the river for The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO, the biggest and best bug selection ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, Adipose drift boat rentals, Mending Waters Drift Boats FREE FOR ALL ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND VETS, Sage rods, Simms waders and boots, SA and Rio lines and leaders, tons of WCA 10th Anniversary Logo gear and so much more.

Shop Hours are 7:30 AM – 5 PM Daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-05-09T15:00:35-06:00May 9th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Sage, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The State of the Missouri (Spring 2024)

Summer weather on tap for this weekend with highs in the mid 70’s tomorrow and Saturday and pushing 80 on Sunday before we return to rain and more seasonable 60’s on Monday and back to winter starting Tuesday with snow and highs only in the 40’s. Welcome to springtime in the Rockies!

We’re expecting a busy weekend on the river with the weather being what it is and we’re ready for you with piles of new inventory on hand and a good number of open rooms if you’re looking to spend the weekend on the MO. We could probably even get you on the river with one of our exceptional guides if you call us today.

Fishing has been solid all week, especially the nymphing which is producing big numbers daily, but late afternoon/early evening dry fly fishing has also been good with plenty of midges on hand and the streamer crowd is also loving life on the Missouri at the moment. It’s all happening NOW and the best is yet to come.

The glum snowpack/water forecast has really turned around over these past few weeks to the point where what was looking like a substantially low water year is now predicted to be in the normal range, at least what we’ve come to know as normal in recent times. Canyon Ferry is currently sitting at 83.5% full and is expected to fill completely which is great news for the MO.

Flow predictions have improved substantially and while we could still definitely use more precipitation current most probable forecast has us at around 4,000 CFS right on through the season with a peak of around 4500 CFS in May. Minimum probable modeling shows flows kind of where we’ve been seeing them at for the winter months at just shy of 3,000 CFS and Max Probable would have us at around 5,000 CFS for the season with a peak of 9K in May.

As is always the case, Mother Nature will have the final say but confidence is high that flows will be in good shape on the Missouri in 2024. Obviously we’re lacking the flushing flows of 15K + that seem to have such a positive effect on the fishery but compared to what we were looking at 6 weeks ago we feel like we’re in great shape.

Currently flows are 3660 CFS with afternoon water temps pushing 42 degrees. Look for that temp to continue to tick upwards with these warm sunny days making for hot spring fish.

And speaking of spring fish….rainbows are spawning both up the tribs and on the river so if you’re wade fishing the MO PLEASE be mindful of where you are walking taking care not to trample those redds.

You’ll also be happy to hear that fish counts in the Craig stretch are as healthy as ever with over 8,000 fish over 10” per mile. With a ton of both browns and bows in the 15” – 17” range we should see a bunch of big fish this season.

All that being said, we are in draught stage and while things have improved considerably over the past few weeks, the overall picture for Montana waters is less than ideal. Without substantial precipitation this spring low flows and high water temps and high fire risk are all legitimate concerns so keep praying for that precip.

We are now open every day at 8 AM with the Cheapest Shuttles on the MO, the best lodging on the MO, legendary guides and a shop packed FULL of EVERYTHING you need for your day on the water and likely some things you don’t.

We are your EXCLUSIVE Simms dealer in Wolf Creek and the oldest dealer on the MO with plenty of waders and boots for men and women as well as sportswear and accessories. We are also your exclusive Sage dealer in Wolf Creek and we’re loaded up with all the best rods money can buy. Swing in for that new R8, Sonic or Igniter and a Spectrum series reel to match. We also feature rods and reels from Lamson, Echo, Redington and Loop.

If it’s flies you’re looking for then look no further. Our selection rivals that of any shop on the MO and with the new shipments continuing to come in we’ve got so many bugs we’re running out of bins in which to put them. We’ve got all of your Missouri River standards and much more.

WCA is also your Streamer Authority on the MO and while we’ve always had the biggest and best streamer selection around we’ve outdone ourselves this spring with an expanded selection of all of your favorites and likely some you haven’t seen before.

We’re also loaded up on Streamer lines from SA, Rio and Airflo…something for everyone.

It’s Go Time on the MO.

See you soon at Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-04-11T15:00:45-06:00April 11th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, Igniter, Loop, midge, Missouri River, Montana, R8, running line, Sage, simms, Sonic, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

A Decade in the books

Ten years ago today we opened our doors for the first time at Wolf Creek Angler.

Much has changed.

Much of what has drawn us a loyal following has and will continue to stay the same.

Ten years in we had what was by far our best season yet in 2023 and judging by our bookings for this year we should be on course for another stellar season.

I still remember vividly the night of March 31st, 2014. We were in the shop late putting the final touches on the massive overhaul we’d done in the shop. And by we, I mean mostly my business partner at the time Fred Davidson. Fred camped out in Cabin #1 for weeks chipping away at a complete makeover of the former Montana River Outfitters location while I did my best to assemble an opening day inventory that would make a statement while also making sure those who had booked in 2013 with MRO were made aware of the exciting changes underway at 515 Recreation Road.

Opening Day jitters prevented a good night’s sleep as we considered the journey on which we were about to embark. Snow fell overnight and opening day, from what I recall, was a fairly quiet Tuesday, typical of what we’ve now come to expect during the work week in early April with a fresh dusting of snow on the ground.

Beyond that opening eve and the opportunity to ease in to our first season it’s hard to remember specifics as it’s truly been a blur.

Fred did two seasons at WCA before returning to his life in Michigan. Zach King aka Chewy, arrived post-Fred and quickly became a fixture at WCA before moving up to full time guiding and most recently fatherhood. One of our first housekeepers Jeanette Beers, who came to us in the very first days of WCA inquiring about work, did an amazing job for us and has since moved on to become the postmaster of Wolf Creek. Matt Hargrave was our shop guy and guided for us in 2014 and has since been grinding away as a guide and became an outfitter in 2023. He still continues to handle a good number of our trips. Brian Scott was another MRO “legend of the MO” who was grinding then and continues to grind today, entering season number 39 this spring. Luke Koerten has been guiding for us since season one after I first met him in the Wolf Creek Bridge parking lot and gave him a flyer for the new shop in town. Brad Turner migrated from Michigan in 2018 and has established himself as the WCA Workhorse. Rob Weiker has also been with us from the start and has become an outfitting force in Montana. Other guides have joined our crew over the years but these are the long term “old timers”, a group in which I’d consider myself included.

Our staff has definitely grown with us and what was once Fred and I and just a couple of people is now myself, our Shop Manager Keith Tucker, a two-person housekeeping crew (Missy VanDort and Jude Anderson) and a shuttle crew led for the second season by Rhonda Gatch. Phil Peacy is returning for a third season this year as shop and shuttle help and has officially joined our guide staff as he continues to establish himself as a fixture on the MO. 2024 will also see a few new faces around WCA bolstering our core.

I remember in 2014 having discussions of bringing a raft into the shop to fill space. We opted not to do that, confident that we’d slowly but surely be able to fill our space with retail offerings. These past few years the walls are closing in and we’re truly at capacity with a whole lot of gear in not a whole lot of space. It’s a good place to be for us and for our customers and while we have no immediate plans for expansion you just never know what the future might hold.

A couple of feathers in our cap that I fought like hell to get were our Simms and Sage dealerships. We’ve been a Simms dealer since 2019 after years of lobbying and Sage finally came on board in 2023, giving us two of the top brands in fly fishing. We are blessed to be able to offer you the best products from the best brands in the industry.

A few changes we’ve made with our lodging over the past 10 years…complete remodel of the motel units, complete remodel of our bungalow units last winter, new mattresses in all rooms, new carpet in most of the rooms which have not yet been completely remodeled, new water heaters all around, new roofs on our cabins, Starlink internet with lightning fast Wi-Fi, complete remodel of guide/employee cabins and thousands upon thousands of dollar’s worth of new bedding, new lighting, new appliances, new plumbing, new electric, new window dressings, new bath fixtures….etc., etc. etc. Never let it be said that we aren’t committed to continuous improvement in every area of our business.

We’re ten years old. In some ways it feels like longer than that, but it also still feels new, like we’re just getting started. We couldn’t do any of it without you, our loyal customers. Thank you for making these last 10 years possible. Thank you for allowing us to truly live out a dream here in amazing Montana on the magnificent Missouri River.

We hope you join us in celebration of our first decade as we embark on the next, always looking to give you everything you expect from your Montana fly fishing destination.

Cheers!