simms Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

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!

Montana River Outfitters Exterior

Another Time, Another Place

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-04-05T13:50:12-06:00April 1st, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: 10th Anniversary, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Sage, simms, Ten Years, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|4 Comments

Spring is on the way – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The first day of spring is two weeks from today and it looks as though the weather will be trending accordingly.

March came in maybe not quite like a lion, but a bit on the wintery side nonetheless with snow showers and winds out of the north. The weekend snow is still hanging around but it looks like that could change soon with high temps bumping upward throughout the week, breaking into the 50’s for the weekend and nearing 60 on Monday. Friday looks like it could be on the breezy side but other than that it appears as though awesome spring weather is on the way.

We’re holding out hope for more winter weather over the next month or so, at least in the high country, as regionally, we’re still in desperate need of precipitation.

For the moment however we’re in good shape with Missouri River flows holding around 3750 CFS, having dropped on March 1st from the 4000 CFS mark. Water temps are holding just shy of 35 and generally hitting that mark at some point daily.

Look for those water temps to start to climb as we settle in to 50 plus degree highs in the coming days and weeks. And you know what that means…warming waters equals active, hungry and hot fish as spring arrives. It also means spawning rainbows so PLEASE, PLEASE watch where you walk when wade fishing taking care not to trample those redds. There all already a number of them out there so cautious wading starts now.

We’ve been getting a good number of calls from folks asking whether the spawn is on and we can only hope that intentions are to experience what can be excellent fishing DURING the spawn rather than the targeting of spawning fish. You can read all about it here in a great article on the subject from Hatch Magazine, but the bottom line is we urge everyone to avoid those spawning fish as the spawning fish are the future of the fishery. Please leave the spawning fish alone.

I have no judgments about fishing egg patterns behind spawning fish. This is simply offering the appropriate imitation as you are doing anytime you “match the hatch” but if you’re targeting fish on redds by flossing them you might take a minute to reconsider not only the ethics or lack thereof involved but also the bottom line fact that harassing these spawning fish has a substantial negative impact on the future of the fishery.

That’s my soap box for the day and while spawning is somewhat underway, things are technically in the Pre Spawn stage. Water temps in the 39 – 41 degree range typically usher in the full blown spawn. The warming water temps have moved the fish to action and they are hungry as they emerge from their winter stasis.

It’s why spring is such an amazing time to fish the Missouri as our thousands of rainbows feed with abandon, banking calories required for the upcoming spawn while the browns look to replenish caloric stockpiles depleted by winter’s trials.

Nymphing is about to get HOT. Dry fly fishing has already been solid and will steadily improve as midge activity becomes more consistent eventually paving the way for spring BWO’s but I’m getting ahead of myself. If you know me at all, you know what’s on my mind when it comes to spring fishing and that’s STREAMERS! As water temps warm our hungry browns get more aggressive and more willing to chase down a meaty streamer. A calorie-rich target becomes almost irresistible as the browns look to pack on the mass.

A slow strip and/or swing will continue to be the game with water temps still in the mid 30’s and the deeper slower water will continue to produce but keep an eye on those water temps and change your game accordingly. A sunny day, even if it’s only in the high 30’s or 40’s, will warm those shallows and attract the fish which are all on the hunt for warmer water.

If the sun is on the water fish those faster flats with both streamers and nymphs and if it’s streamers you’ll want to pick up the pace on that retrieve with plenty of pauses in between strips as more often than not they’ll attack on the pause.

Stop by the shop on your way to the river for hot nymphs, a plethora of midge patterns and the best streamer selection on the MO. New bugs arriving daily and we’re stocked up on new fly lines for any and all applications.

The new license year is underway as of last Friday so be sure to purchase your new fishing license which we can help you with if need be. Shuttle service is still a bit hit or miss with winter staffing in effect but that’s all about to change and soon won’t be an issue. Men’s and women’s Simms waders and boots are fully stocked and you need look no further than Wolf Creek Angler for a top shelf rod and reel selection from Sage, Lamson, Echo and more.

We’ll be looking to make more lodging available in the coming weeks but for the time being we’ve got our newly remodeled bungalows available at winter rates of $149/night and we’ve also got The Quarry House available for those looking for something to accommodate a larger group. The Quarry House is $400/night and sleeps 6.

And don’t forget, throughout the month of March we’re running our Spring Tune-Up special…a full day of guided fishing on the MO for one or two anglers and two nights of premium lodging at Wolf Creek Angler for just $800.

Shop schedule will switch to spring hours soon but at the moment we’re open Monday – Saturday at 8 AM.

See you soon for EPIC spring fishing on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-03-05T12:12:37-07:00March 5th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, running line, simms, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Settling In To Winter

It seems the wild weather swings have subsided for the moment.

No Arctic Blasts and no 60 degree days in the forecast for the time being. We’re currently seeing highs in the 30’s, lows in the 20’s with occasional snow showers (as it should be) and the snowpack map is slowly but steadily starting to improve. Let’s hope winter sticks around for a while. We could certainly stand another six weeks of this.

We did our first guide trips of 2024 last week during the tail end of the heat wave. Things have gone quiet again this week but we’re ok with that. It’s supposed to be quiet in February.

There are still a couple of folks out there most days, the hardest of the hard core anglers, but for the most part it’s empty lots and vacant water and will likely remain so for some time. We are looking at a slight warm up this weekend with highs near 40 starting on Sunday and running through Tuesday but with it being Super bowl Sunday and all I wouldn’t expect much traffic.

The next system moves in on Wednesday with colder temps and a good shot at some snow showers.

Should you decide you’d rather watch a bobber than the 49ers and Chiefs, like if you’re a lifelong Detroit Lions fan and felt like you had this and can’t believe that second half went the way it did and have been in mourning for two weeks, the river is here for you.

Flows are holding steady in the 4000 CFS range with water temps at Holter Dam hanging right around 34 degrees. Shelf ice pretty much disappeared during the heat wave last week though there are still some sketchy spots out there so use caution as always.

The ramps at the dam and Wolf Creek Bridge and Craig are in decent shape and shouldn’t pose a problem though you’ll want to thoroughly inspect them before backing down as an icy ramp is tough to escape once you’re on it. If you have any doubts slide that boat down the ramp to launch and make sure you have a tow strap or plenty of rope for getting out.

Status quo on your bugs. Pill Poppers and Tailwater Sows or some variation thereof if you’re nymphing and midge clusters or any number of individual midge patterns to target those top water fish. Streamer action has been good, at least that was the word last week. White, Olive, Tan all producing on the strip with standard swing fare like Thin Mints, Polar Leeches and Kreelex in play.

We’ve got kitchenettes for rent at $149/night plus tax. A must this time of year with not much for dining out options between Helena and Cascade save the occasional weekend offerings at the Craig Taphouse which will incidentally be serving up pizza tomorrow (Saturday).

New arrivals for spring gear will be here soon. In the meantime we’re loaded up on Simms Waders and boots (and cold weather gear), Sage rods and reels, fly lines from SA, Rio and Airflo for any and all applications and situations, WCA Yeti drinkware as well as WCA 10th Anniversary gear arriving weekly. We’ll do your shuttles whenever possible and we’ll rent you a brand new Adipose Flow provided conditions allow for it.

Settle in for these next few weeks and prepare for what’s ahead. It’s a great time to inventory and organize your gear and figure out what you need to buy for the 2024 campaign.

Winter schedule will remain in effect as long as it makes sense, opening at 8 AM Tuesday – Saturday and lodging is available anytime whether the shop is open or not. Give us a call to book your room and we’ll take care of the rest.

Best of luck this weekend to Chiefs and Niners fans…enjoy it while you can, the Lions will be on the prowl and in the hunt for years to come. Mark my words.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-02-09T11:33:10-07:00February 9th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Detroit Lions, fly fishing, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter on the Way?

It’s hard to believe but the descent into darkness has us barreling towards the shortest day (and longest night) of the year just two weeks from now.

In spite of that fact, were it not for the long hours of darkness you might not know we were on winter’s doorstep as the weather hasn’t exactly been what you’d expect for the first week of December.

It’s 60 degrees and sunny as I write which is a carbon copy of yesterday. Breezy in spots, but generally calm out there. Very little traffic yesterday, a few more folks around today but definitely not what you would call crowded.

Nymphers soaking up the sun, swingers doing their swing thing and strippers plying the shadows of the canyon walls. Something for everyone though dry fly opportunities are minimal save some midge activity.

We’re shuttling daily as needed and putting a few boats on the water here and there but the post-Thanksgiving/pre Winter Solstice Silence remains.

We’re getting a few lodging inquiries, though the Inn is Vacant at the moment. Give us a call if you’re interested in taking advantage of this unseasonably mild weather and escaping to the MO. Our newly remodeled bungalows are available all winter long for $149/night plus tax. The best deal on the nicest rooms you’re going to find this winter on the Missouri.

Flows have been steady in the 4400 cfs range with water temps hanging at around 40 degrees. Ideal water conditions no matter the time of year.

Something akin to more normal early December weather conditions will resume starting tomorrow with highs in the high 30’s to low 40’s and lows in the mid 20’s for the next 10 days. Zero precip in the forecast at the moment. Let’s hope that changes.

We’ve enjoyed not shoveling snow but we do need to start building that snowpack and those 2024 stream flows.

Since our Halloween week Winter Storm we haven’t seen much in the way of snow and while it can change quickly, a white Christmas seems unlikely at this point. I hope I’m wrong.

And speaking of Christmas, not counting today there are 18 days left to complete your shopping. We hope you consider us for any fly fishing related gifting including our ever-popular WCA gift cards good for anything and everything we sell.

Some other popular gift ideas this year include Simms flannels, Fishpond Nomad nets, Lamson reels, Sage rods, Simms hats and gloves, WCA logo gear, MFC fly boxes and piles and piles of Missouri River flies.

Happy Shopping and Happy Fishing from WCA!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-12-06T14:56:10-07:00December 6th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Christmas, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Indian Summer Coming to a Close

Unseasonably warm weather this week on the MO with plenty of sunshine and highs pushing 80 on Thursday and Friday before we start to trend towards normal for the weekend. Weekend highs will still be on the summery side in the mid to high 60’s. Enjoy it while it lasts.

One week from today we’ll be looking at a high of 40 with a rain/snow mix and by mid-week we’ll be topping out in the mid to high 30’s with overnight lows in the 20’s and snow in the forecast.

BWO weather to be sure to close out the month of October and it could be EPIC!

Get out and enjoy what could be the last gasp of warm autumn weather this week but make time to inventory and organize the real fall fishing gear. Hats/gloves/socks/layering pieces/waders/wading jackets…it’s cold-weather gear time. It might just be the right time to think about a new pair of Simms waders and/or boots for the weeks ahead. We’re fully stocked with G3’s, Freestone and Freestone Z’s as well as a full line of boot options from both Simms and Korkers.

We’ve also got you covered with piles of gloves and hats and flannels and of course all the best Missouri River BWO dry fly and nymph patterns.

Did somebody say streamers? Those cold, dark cloudy days have BWO’s written all over them but these are also the conditions the streamer set dreams of all year round.

Either way, we’ve got you covered, no matter where your heart leads you.

We’re closing out our last busy week of guiding for the season and lodging is fairly booked up from here on out with a busy couple of days ahead. We’ve got a few rooms open for the weekend and the first part of next week before the final push with a full house from next Wednesday through the weekend, after which we will be closing up a good portion of our lodging for the winter.

Shop staff is on through the end of the month so starting the first week of November it will be a staff of one. Per usual we will be open through the winter months though we will likely reduce it to 4-5 days/week and like we did last season we may close the shop for a week or so in early November weather dependent. All this to say…we’ll keep you posted!

In the meantime, get out there and enjoy these last two weeks of what has been an awesome October, capping off another phenomenal fall season on the Missouri.

Shop hours through the end of October are Monday – Saturday 7:30 AM – 5 PM and 7:30 – 4:00 PM on Sundays.

Guide trips are still available but many are wrapping up their guide seasons this week and starting to disappear. That being said, we do offer trips year round, weather permitting so while options are going to be somewhat limited for a few weeks we can usually find someone given enough notice and things get markedly easier once hunting season is over.

Book now for late fall/early winter trips and while you’re at it make sure you have your dates on the books for 2024. Much of prime (June/July) has filled and we’ve recently been filling up our September 2024 calendar to the point where we’re nearing capacity for at least one full week of the month.

We hope to see you soon at WCA, your one stop shop for everything you need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-10-17T14:35:06-06:00October 17th, 2023|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: bwo, dry fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Autumn’s Arrival

With the Autumnal Equinox just a day away, finally it feels like fall.

It’s been a very fall-like week with morning temps in the 40’s and daytime highs topping out in the low 70’s. We’ve seen a nice mix of clouds and sun with breezy conditions more days than not.

Today is the kind of day streamer addicts dream about with highs barely reaching 50 and a persistent soaking rain. What’s typically not included in the dream but more often than not accompanies this weather pattern is the substantial east northeast wind which is likely making things on the uncomfortable side for even the hardiest of anglers.

And it just so happens we have the hardiest of crews on the water today closing out another fantastic week with our friends from Schultz Outfitters in Ypsilanti MI here for their annual fall fishing extravaganza. We’ve been covering many miles of water this week from the MO to the Blackfoot and Clark Fork and as per usual, it’s been a ton of fun with an awesome group of anglers. This trip is always a highlight of our fall fishing season.

It feels like it’s probably time to pack the shorts away for the year and this is the type of day that tests your gear. Should you find you’ re due for an upgrade in the wader/boot/rain gear/hat and glove department we’ve got you covered from head to toe with Simms gear, the choice of professional guides everywhere!

Back to the topic of Streamer Addiction….it’s on! Weeds are still going to bother you but streamer season is in full swing and the browns are on the prowl. If streamers are your game, this is your time and we are your shop with streamer sticks for every budget and all kinds of sinking lines for all techniques and conditions as well as the best streamer selection on the MO.

Nymphing still ruling the day with zebra midges and sow bugs continuing to be consumed with reckless abandon, particularly in the Holter to Wolf Creek run but the whole thing is fishing well right now.

We’ve had some slower days, especially in the afternoons but overall September fishing has been excellent.

Dry fly fishing has taken a back seat as of late with limited top water activity though hoppers and ants will continue to produce as will October Caddis, the occasional callibaetis event and pseudos for those who find pleasure in fishing bugs you can’t see. BWO’s on the horizon.

Water conditions are coming into shape with flows continuing to hold steady in the 5K range (currently 4900 CFS) and temps on the drop at 60 degrees.

With fall darkness taking hold we’ll be modifying our shop hours for October. Beginning October 1st hours will be 7:30 AM – 5 PM daily. We hope you start your Missouri River day at Wolf Creek Angler. We’ve got everything you need for your day on the water. Shuttles, bugs and so much more.

Happy fall!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-09-22T08:09:41-06:00September 22nd, 2023|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Schultz Outfitters, simms, Streamer Fishing, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Autumn Magic on the Missouri

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fall on the Mighty Missouri

We’re already a week into September and although we’ve yet to emerge from the late summer lull, the clock is steadily ticking on what’s left of the season.

Things continue to be quiet around these parts though traffic has started to increase, ever so slightly.

A few more rooms filled each week, a few more guide trips out each day and a slow but steady trickle of folks through the shop.

The fall fishing season will ramp up over the next week or two, peaking in early to mid-October but fall busy is not summer busy so don’t despair. It’s a laid back time to fish the MO with moderate traffic, often times gorgeous autumn weather and excellent fishing opportunities as the water temps drop with the abbreviated daylight hours.

Many turn their interests elsewhere this time of year, trading the fly rod for the bow or shotgun. The summer tourist migration has reversed course making fall one of THE BEST TIMES to fly fish the Missouri River and Montana in general.

September is, for the most part, a terrestrial fishery on the MO though there are Pseudos around and we’re still seeing the occasional Trico event as well as the start of October Caddis.

More or Less Hoppers, Donkey Kong Hoppers, Stealth Ants, Water Walkers, Beetles and October Caddis all great dry fly options right now.

Trail your meaty hopper with a snack size ant and see what happens or drop a zebra or Psycho May or Green Machine and ply the banks and mid-river riffles. Common knowledge says fish close to the bank as those terrestrials do in fact heavily inhabit those riparian zones and do in fact fall in the water. That’s a good method but as the season goes on those fish are seeing a billion foamy hoppers off the banks and they may in fact get a little wary and a bit more selective about what they’re going to eat which could result in some slower days if you limit your fishing to the banks.

What also happens frequently is those flying terrestrials catch a gust and get carried out and over the water. They could end up anywhere but as you’ve no doubt experienced when throwing a caddis blind, those trout love to hang out in the shallow riffles and pick off whatever happens to come their way. It’s no different with the terrestrials. They do end up out there and they do get eaten. So by all means beat the banks, but don’t overlook the mid-river stuff. The largest trout I’ve landed on the MO ate a #10 More or Less Hopper presented randomly ahead of the boat in non-descript, non fishy water essentially during casting practice. You never know!

If you want to stick strictly to nymphing the dam is the place to be with plenty of Zebra Midges on hand. We’ve been having good luck with a purple or gold weight fly, a Tung Dart or an Olive Psycho May as a lead fly but double zebras with a split will get it done as well.

Cool mornings and autumn cloud cover have many thinking fall streamers and rightly so. Our resident browns are gearing up for the autumn spawn and will soon be overtaken by aggression which is what the streamer junkies are eagerly awaiting.

Weeds are going to challenge you, increasingly so as you move down to the lower stretches, but they are not the worst they’ve ever been. Just something you need to factor in and deal with. It’s not a surprise to those who know but if you’re just getting into the streamer game you’ll want to mentally prepare for the challenges (and rewards) of fall streamer fishing.

We’re on the cusp, not there yet but there’s no time like the present. Fish live by the changes in their environments, not by a calendar. Shorter daylight hours, long nights and cooler water tell the fish what time it is. These triggers roughly coincide with dates on the calendar but don’t get hung up on dates – just start throwing and see what happens.

We’re stocked up on all the best streamer patterns big and small as well as streamer lines for any and all situations/water types, and plenty of great options if you’re in the market for a new streamer stick including my personal go to, the Sage Igniter #7. It’s the best streamer stick I’ve fished and I’ve fished a bunch of them.

We’re open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River (and surrounding waters) Fall fly fishing needs. The greatest selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO, Adipose Flow drift boat rentals, Simms waders and cold weather gear, a fresh shipment of Richardson WCA logo hats, Bad Ass Korkers River Ops wading boots, SA, Rio and Airflo lines, Fishpond Nomad nets and much more.

It’s Second Season Time on the MO!

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-09-07T13:14:26-06:00September 7th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose Flow, Airflo, brown trout, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Fishpond Nomad, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, RIO, SA, Sage Ignitor, simms, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Goodbye Summer, Autumn is upon us

As we close out August on the MO the anticipation is underway.

Sure it still feels like summer out there (and will for a while) but there’s definitely an autumn vibe in the air with chilly misty mornings, shorter daylight hours, bear poop up and down the Recreation Road, fish stacked at the grass flats below Holter and green leaves transforming to yellows and reds. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year (or one of them anyway).

We’re still in Dog Days mode and things will likely remain quiet for the next couple of weeks before the fall season really gets underway.

In the meantime we’ve got plenty of lodging and the guide calendar has a few openings for the next little while. Weekends will continue to be busy with rec traffic as long as the weather stays nice, particularly the upcoming holiday weekend – the unofficial END of SUMMER. Temps are expected to be in the 80’s with abundant sunshine so don’t expect to have it to yourself if you’d planned on fishing over the Labor Day weekend.

The weekdays will be the time to get out there over these next couple weeks if you’re looking to avoid the crowds but now is the time as it’ll be back to bumper boats before you know it.

Should the weekends be your only option we’d recommend getting an early start. If you shoot for that 10 – 11 AM window thinking you’ll roll in behind the angling traffic you’re likely correct, but you’ll also be smack dab in the middle of the rec floaters.

And while the dam to Wolf Creek has been the go to due to the number of fish currently hanging out in the grass flats and the relatively weed-free water, the lower stretches are also fishing fine and will provide a respite from the traffic. Double zebras or a Zebra and a weight fly or Frenchie has been the ticket in the dam stretch. Nymphing hasn’t been AS good below Wolf Creek Bridge but they’re there as well, you just have to work a little harder for them.

Hoppers and ants will continue to be in play for the next month and while it hasn’t exactly been one for the record books, we’ve had some pretty damn good terrestrial days river-wide. September is also the month for October Caddis so don’t be afraid to work that into the mix.

Tricos are still going fairly strong though definitely waning and caddis should still be a staple in your fly box, especially later in the day. We’ve already started to get calls asking about BWO’s. We’ll likely see them sometime in October but the weather needs to change drastically before we even start thinking about such things.

A lot of folks (myself included) think streamers when they think of fall fishing. Fall is the time for big browns on streamers and there will be plenty of them caught here on the MO but if you’re going to play that game you need to know that you’ll be dealing with weeds from now until the snow flies (and for a while after that). The weeds do not disappear with a turn of the calendar page so know before you go that you’ll be dealing with them. It’s not the end of the world, you just need to choose your spots and work through the challenges, keeping in mind that those super weedy spots you’re avoiding may in fact hold the trophy of a lifetime.

We’re open from 7 AM – 5 PM daily for all of your Montana fall fly fishing needs. The fly bins are loaded up with fall bugs including the best streamer selection on the MO and we’re also fully stocked on lines, leaders and tippet from SA and Rio and we can’t think of a better time to treat yourself to a new Sage R8 or Igniter.

New fall gear arriving daily including Cozy Simms WCA hoodies and a full restock on Simms waders and boots and hats and gloves and much more. And don’t forget, we are the home of the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO!

We are your Missouri River fall fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-08-30T14:12:18-06:00August 30th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, caddis, cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, simms, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

12 Next