Cooler Weather Ahead

 

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

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

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

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

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

This Week on the MO

Wolf Creek Angler is Your Missouri River Fall Fly Fishing Destination

Early August continues to deliver a welcome respite from the heat wave we suffered through for most of the month of July.

The fishing has been hit or miss but the weather has been gorgeous, the flows have been stable and we can’t think of any better way to spend a late summer day than floating the MO’ regardless of the fishing report.

The traffic is light though we have seen a steady trickle of folks in the shop and last minute rooms and guide trips are the norm during late summer. We’ve got plenty of rooms and guides at the ready so clear your schedule and make the call. Our Dog Days Special has been generating some interest and is definitely something you should take advantage of. Now through the end of August book a full day guide trip and a night of lodging and mention the Dog Days of Summer Special and get a second night of lodging on us.

Dry fly fishing is preferred right now though the fish are late summer spooky and wont tolerate bad cast shenanigans. Keep your distance and deliver the goods and you may be rewarded. Get too close, blow the cast or just look at the pod wrong and they’ll go down. If you’re going to play the Trico game you need to bring your A game.

Many have been opting instead to fish blind with hoppers and ants, with or without a dropper. This is a fun way to fish and while it may not produce big numbers, there’s nothing quite like the take. I’ll take a chug or two on a hopper over watching a bobber any day.

Nymphing has been a little tough as of late and weeds are definitely becoming a factor. The dam is probably going to be your best bet for nymphing as there are plenty of fish and cleaner water but you still need to be vigilant about keeping your rig clean. Weedy nymphs don’t catch fish. Check your bugs often and keep them clean. The lower you go the more weeds you will encounter so if you’re planning to nymph the lower stretches prepare to be frustrated.

The same can be said for streamer fishing right now. It’s definitely worth your time but you have to work hard at it, choosing your water carefully in an effort to minimize weedage and constantly checking your rig to make sure it is weed free. Battling the weeds can be extremely frustrating and can definitely try your patience. I suggest perhaps crushing your barbs if you’re going to throw streamers right now. If you happen to get to flailing around because the weeds are pushing you to the brink of madness you might just get a little sloppy and a little careless with your cast. Sloppy and careless and streamer hooks don’t go well together. Make it easy on yourself (and the fish) and go barbless.

My tried and true Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow moved more fish my last time out than I’ve moved on the Missouri in a LONG time, maybe more than I’ve moved EVER, but we just couldn’t get them to commit.

Being that things are on the slow side it’s the perfect opportunity  to employ some different tactics out there just to see what happens and that’s exactly what we’ve been up to at WCA. Different bugs, different water, different techniques and some ultra-covert night ops in pursuit of behemoth browns of the MO’.

Stop by the shop and hear all about it.

We are your Missouri River late summer destination with lodging deals nobody can touch, the hardest working guide crew on the water and a shop full of everything you need for your day on the water. We’ve got the best gear from the top names in the industry. Loop, Ross, Smith, ARC, RIO, MFC, Umpqua, Fishpond, Simms, Redington, Nautilus and Echo just to name a few.

Open daily for everything Missouri River Fly Fishing.

 

 

This Week on the MO’

The Big Muddy. Blackfoot River from Scotty Brown Bridge on May 6th. Photo by Blackfoot Angler Fly Shop

The BIG PUSH has begun. Runoff has started and with it the migration of guides from around the state to the Missouri seeking fishable water for their clients.

The MO’ is definitely where you need to be if you plan on fishing western Montana in the immediate future and while we are largely immune to the blow out conditions found on the freestones during runoff we do have some big pushes of water coming from Little Prickly Pear and the Dearborn adding cold water and color which present challenges but also opportunities. LPP is currently running at a muddy 274 CFS while the Dearborn is cranking at 800 making flows on the MO below Dearborn somewhere in the neighborhood of 8500 CFS. Above Prickly Pear the Missouri is currently flowing at 7440 CFS with a water temp of 47 degrees.

Reports from Sunday were mixed but it sounds like the rain and cooler air temps so sought after by the dry fly and streamer guys were negated by the influx of cold, muddy water from the tribs. Solid nymphing reports from the Dam, not so much from Wolf Creek on down.

Conditions will remain somewhat status quo this week as temps in the 70’s and 80’s continue to contribute to runoff. Plenty of sunshine this week as  well which may not be what you want if you can’t wait to throw a dry fly but don’t rule it out, we could have some great evening activity this week. Again, blue skies and sunshine are not exactly optimal for streamer fishing either but you might be surprised. Sunshine or clouds, I know what I’ll be throwing this week and it ain’t nymphs or dry flies.

Speaking of nymphs though, we would definitely recommend including a worm in your offering, especially if you’re fishing low. Sow bugs are still getting the biggest nod but it’s time to start throwing the kitchen sink at them. Purple Lighting Bugs, LGM’s, Hot Belly Pheasant Tails, Hi Def, Radiation and Juju Baetis, Split Case BWO’s, Dark Peep Shows, Rainbow Warriors, 2 Bits, S & M’s…..you get the idea.

We’re pretty well booked up for lodging through mid-week but we do have openings for later in the week and through the weekend and we’ve got guides at the ready each and every day.

The shop is full of all kinds of new gear from Simms, Korkers, Fishpond, Redington and more and the fly bins are overflowing with every bug you need for the MO’ and beyond.

Stop in for shuttles, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, Realtime Missouri River updates and intel and what has frequently been referred to as the best coffee in the canyon.

 

Late April on the MO’

 

Are there any bugs you ask? Ummm….just a few! photo by Luke Koerten

As we close out the month of April and head into the heart of the spring season things are shaping up nicely on the Missouri with plenty of water (but not too much), plenty of bugs and plenty of hungry trout.

The fishing has been tough on some days, pretty damn good on others. Overall I would still call it “spotty” but there are stretches which are consistently fishing pretty good and some go to areas within said stretches which are holding good concentrations of fish as you would expect them to in mid to late spring.

We’ve still seen better numbers of fish being caught in the canyon but we’ve also had some fair days in the dam to Craig stretch which seems to be improving by the day.

Flows have stabilized in the 7000 cfs range but we are still seeing drops and bumps of a couple of hundred cfs on a fairly regular basis which may be contributing to the spottiness. Water temps are on the rise and are currently holding in the 45 degree range which has the trout on the move.

Streamer fishing has been inconsistent but if you hit it right you can expect plenty of chases and some aggressive takes. The  same could be said for the dry fly action. There has been no shortage of bugs with gobs of midges and plenty of BWO’s in the mix but finding feeding fish has been a challenge on most days. Again, if you hit it right you could be in for some epic dry fly fishing….the best of this young season. Obviously “hitting it right” is the key and therein lies the challenge. Our advice….fish early and fish often. You may or may not hit it right but we can say with 100 percent certainty that if you aren’t on the water you aren’t going to catch fish. It’s as simple as that.

Nymphing has been less of a roll of the dice and will continue to be the best bet for numbers. With the increase in flows some of the slots you may be used to holding fish may have moved so if you come up empty fishing your usual line go back and do it again, changing your path rather than the depth of your rig, generally moving towards the bank a foot or two to find your desired water column.

We’ve found most of the fish in the top section are still concentrated in slower, deeper, winterish water which has been producing good results river-wide however we have definitely begun to see a transition to shallow, faster water in the canyon stretch. Fish the slow stuff down there and if you can’t  find them then try shortening up your rig and fishing the faster shallow summer water.

Sow bugs have been our go-to as of late with the Tailwater sow leading everything else in my box. We’ve also had good luck with soft hackle sows, yum yums and Firebead sows. Caviar Scuds, Bubble Yums, Rainbow Czechs, LGM’s, Rainbow Warriors, black zebras, Pink Amex, Radiation Baetis, S & M’s , Juju’s, pink or purple Lightning Bugs and hot bead wire worms have all been good options depending on the day.

Keep your midge clusters and BWO’s at the ready as well just in case you happen upon some heads. A hi vis parachute Adams or a Purple Haze paired with a Griffiths Gnat or midge cluster is hard to beat but we’ve also had BWO rigs at the ready. Sprout Baetis, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, BWO Film Critic, Wilcox’s Micromay BWO’s , No Hackle BWO’s, Flash Cripples and Hackle Stackers are all good dry fly options you have at your disposal.

On the streamer side we haven’t seen any one bug leading the charge. It’s kind of been all over the place but greys, whites and olives have been producing in various sizes. I’ve had good luck lately  with ZK’s Bunny Wailer in olive and in white and we’ve also been moving fish with brown Dirty Hippies, Sculpin and JJ Sparkle Minnows, Godzilla Sculpins, Baby Gongas in rust, tan and olive Circus Peanuts and black and olive Dolly Llamas. I say it all the time…fish what you like because you’ll fish it with confidence and if you are fishing with confidence you’ll up your odds. Give it a solid hour or more. Change colors, change patterns, vary your retrieve. Streamer fishing requires a commitment which often times leaves you blanked but when you see that chase or feel that slam you’ll definitely want more.

Come on by the shop and check out our much talked about amazing fly selection. We’ve got bugs you won’t find anywhere else as well as plenty you’ll find everywhere else. We pride ourselves on our extremely well-stocked fly bins and we’re confident that if you’ve never shopped our bins you’ll likely be shocked and awed by our selection and if not shocked and awed than at least pleasantly surprised. Buy your Missouri River flies where many of the best guides on the river  do…Wolf Creek Angler!

We’re open daily at 7:30 am for all of you Missouri River fly fishing needs. Shuttles, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, LOOP rods and reels, Redington wading gear, Simms outerwear and accessories, clean and affordable lodging, the best guides on the water, the aforementioned biggest and best selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek MT and much more.

We’ll be looking at cloudy skies and a chance of precipitation (rain and snow) most of this week. BWO and Streamer weather to be sure. We did have a couple of cancellations for the weekend which has been booked solid for some time. If a last-minute trip to the MO sounds like something you’d be interested in give us a call and book today. It’s the final weekend to take advantage of our spring lodging and guide trip special….2 nights and a full day on the water for the ridiculous price of  $500.  You heard right. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Starting Monday this same trip will cost you over $750.

 

 

 

 

Winter’s Last Gasp?

While we are currently sitting at just shy of 20 degrees and are under a winter storm warning through this evening a major warm up is on the way. Could it be that this is winter’s last gasp?

Not likely. But regardless,  we are looking at mid 40’s for the weekend and it looks like we’ll hit 60 next week as the official start of spring looms, now just 10 days away.

Ideally things warm up and the snow goes away locally while winter holds tight in the high country for a while which looks like it’s going to be the case judging by the latest SNOTEL map which continues to grow increasingly blue indicating snowpack over 110 % of average for much of the region.

We’re expecting it will be busy on the river this weekend and next week, at least by late winter standards,  with nice weather, warming water and hungry fish looking for a spring feast.

We’ve got plenty of lodging available and will be opening more soon to accommodate your early spring fishing plans. We’ve been doing a few trips here and there but guide trip season will get underway in earnest next week as the spring special trips start to roll. We’ve still got plenty of availability for March but April is starting to fill as word has gotten out about THE BEST SPRING FISHING DEAL ON THE MISSOURI….HANDS DOWN! $500 for two night’s lodging and a full day on the water with the hardest working guides on the river through the end of April.

You won’t find a better deal ANYWHERE!

Even if you don’t take advantage of our $500 special we’ve got great rates on guide trips without lodging as well as lodging without guide trips. $350 full day guide trips through the end of April and lodging in our cabins or bungalows for just $99/night plus tax.

It’s going to be a spectacular spring on the MO’ and the shop is fully stocked with everything you need and more with new shipments of Missouri River fly fishing essentials arriving daily. We’ve got cold weather gear from Simms and KAST; wading gear from Redington and Korkers; eyewear from Smith Optics and CLiC; Nomad nets, packs and accessories from Fishpond; lines, leaders and tippet from ARC, RIO and Trout Hunter; rods from LOOP, Echo and Redington; reels from Nautilus, LOOP, Ross, Echo and Redington and the near LEGENDARY largest selection of bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

Don’t miss our ever-expanding streamer selection including a bunch of EXCLUSIVES from ZK you won’t find ANYWHERE ELSE. Streamer Season is upon us and while we unapologetically love nymphing any time of year and love to fish dries to sipping trout on warm summer days (and cold winter days as well) it is chucking streamers that really gets us fired up. It’s all about the chase!

We’ve got a bunch of new WCA logo gear you’re going to love and you’re going to want to keep an eye on our sale rack throughout the spring as we clear out the cold weather gear and make room for warmer weather fare. That means the best deals you’re likely to find anywhere on top quality gear from the best brands in the business.

We’ve also offer RO and Adipose Drift Boat rentals and Missouri River shuttle service and if we don’t have it or can’t do it, we’re happy to connect you with the people who can. We pride ourselves on having a great relationship with every other shop in the area and while it’s no secret we are all competing for your business our  business as a collective is taking care of your fly fishing needs and we will gladly send you to another shop if we aren’t able to accommodate you.

We think it’s going to be a great season on the MO’ and we hope to see you soon.

 

Missouri River Mid Winter Getaway

Mid Winter Sun on the MO’

Seeking sunshine and a Missouri River Winter trout fix?

We’re looking at spring-like weather on the MO’ right now with temperatures in the mid 40’s and a fair amount of sunshine right on through the end of next week when we’ll see a return to more seasonable conditions.

The water is in great shape with current river flows holding just shy of 3500 cfs while the water temperature is creeping up towards the 36 degree sweet spot for winter fishing.

Nymphing, swinging, and maybe even some dry-fly action on midges if you’re lucky and while we can’t make any promises about the fishing, there’s always the potential for a great numbers day and regardless of how many fish you catch there’s nothing like a day on the water to cure your mid-winter blues.

Why not make a weekend out of it with a stay at Wolf Creek Angler? We’ve got the best lodging deals on the MO’ right now at just $99 (plus tax) for a cozy bungalow with full kitchen and private bath. The rooms sleep three comfortably with two twin beds and a pull out couch. We’re also offering a King Bed conversion for a $10 fee if you would prefer a king bed to the two twin beds.

We’ve got insane deals on winter guide trips at $350 for a full day and we’ve got an unheard of deal on two nights lodging and a full day guide trip for just $500 you simply can’t afford to pass up. And the best part…..NO CANCELLATION FEES, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

There’s nothing better than sitting back and letting our guides do all of the work for you but if you prefer to do it on your own we’ve got everything you need for Missouri River winter success.

WCA is your Missouri River Winter Fly Fishing One Stop Destination with clean, affordable lodging; the fishiest guides on the river; shuttles; a bug selection you need to see to believe; drift boat and equipment rentals; great cold weather gear from Simms and Kast; LOOP rods and reels; Lines, leaders and tippet from RIO and ARC; eyewear from SMITH and piles of tools and accessories from the best brands in the business.

If you’ve fished the MO’ in the winter before then you know that the town of Wolf Creek is THE place to be. With the only bar/restaurant and the only gas station/convenience store between Helena and Cascade, Wolf Creek is the hub of activity during the winter months. Couple that with a first-rate Missouri River fly shop and great lodging just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge and you’ve got no reason to go anywhere else.

We hope you make us your Montana Mid-Winter Fly Fishing Getaway Destination.

 

Mid February on the MO’

February fishing on the MO

It’s starting to feel a little more like late winter with longer days and more moderate weather conditions but I have a feeling we’re probably far from done with winter weather so don’t put the shovels and cold weather gear away just yet.

That being said, we’re looking at a very spring-like week here on the MO’ with abundant sunshine and highs near 50 expected all week.

The ramps are clear for the most part and much of the shelf ice has disappeared but keep in mind the water is still very cold and you are likely to encounter some treacherous spots where ice remains so please be careful out there.

I have a feeling we’ll see a little more boat traffic out there from here on out which is a welcome sign of spring to me. I don’t mind wade fishing in the winter, in fact winter is the only time I wade fish the Missouri but I for one am excited to be back in the boat.

The minimalism of wade fishing is nice. Carrying what you need on your person forces you to limit yourself to one discipline and stick to it. I used to carry a streamer rod and a dry-fly rod on my walk in outings but gave it up. It’s just not practical to carry two rods and limiting yourself to one option forces you to work hard at that option. This is a good thing!

Stay focused on the slow winter water. Again, the water is very cold and the fish aren’t overly active. They are in extreme energy conservation mode so while they do need to eat, they aren’t going to expend any more energy than is absolutely necessary to do so. You’ll need to find them and make it easy on them by presenting a meal they don’t have to work for. They are hungry and they will eat. You just need to put the flies in front of them. Once you get that figured out you could very well be in for some great days of winter fishing on the Missouri.

There’s no time like the present! Following a week of frozen plumbing woes at WCA, we are back in shape with plenty of lodging available. $99 for a cozy bungalow with full kitchen and private bath. The rooms sleep three comfortably with two twin beds and a pull-out couch.

New this season, for a $10 fee we are offering a king bed option (instead of the two twins) for those interested. Please let us know at the time you book. Remember we are Dog Friendly but we do charge a $25/dog cleaning fee so please inform us ahead of time if your dogs will be joining you. We’re still running at somewhat limited lodging capacity but we’re keeping an eye on the weather and will likely open up more lodging soon.

Don’t forget we’ve got some great winter specials going on as well. Full day guide trips on the MO for just $350 OR two nights lodging and a full day guide trip for just $500 (plus tax). You won’t find a better deal ANYWHERE!

We are your Missouri River winter fly fishing destination with everything you need for your time on the water. Shuttles, bugs, Adipose and RO Drift Boat Rentals, Simms cold weather gear, Loop rods and reels, the best guide trip and lodging deals around and much more.

 

Chewy’s Winter Welfare Check & Fishing Report 1.17.17

If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been largely absent for some time now. Considering its been colder than Shackleton’s ass on the sunniest of days for the past several weeks, not much has been going on at the shop, on the river or in general for that matter. Cold, abject misery has been the status quo in the canyon. With winter storm after winter storm rolling through, the unrelenting wind, my motivation to drop the thread bobbin and wader up has been practically non existent. Has being the imperative statement. Up until yesterday morning, my days consisted of sleeping in as long as humanly possible, strong coffee, hot soup and tying as many flies as my yeti-esque hands allow.

Weather improved enough  to actually do more than drive the frontage road, dreaming of spring. How was the fishing? Awesome. Typical winter fare in the nymph department, pinks, hot heads, Zebras & San Juans.  Bobber-lobbing definitely the most productive means at this point. Don”t
underestimate the streamer bite though. Swinging brought a few to the net today before a 5 man crew crowded me out of an otherwise, wide open river. White was the color of choice by a long shot. Slow swings over deeper water with a sink tip to get it down, the only way to go. We’ve got all the standards in stock along with some WCA exclusives tied up by yours truly.

If you plan on floating in the next few days be advised: RAMPS ARE SKETCHY! Even at the Dam today a truck struggled but succeeded to get off. Be smart choosing your float, Wolf Creek Bridge is a definitely a no go, along with Mtn. Palace, Stickney Creek & the Dearborn. Few buddies floated Craig to Spite today and did fine. Just be sure to check conditions before you commit and come prepared, even if its just to lend a hand to your fellow floater!

From the looks of it, we’ve got another few days of warmer weather before things get cold again. We’ll be at the shop for the rest of the week with anything and everything you need to stay dry, warm, caffeinated and fishy  on your way to winter trout nirvana. The best outerwear and warmest layers from SIMMS, kick ass water resistant gloves from Kast Extreme Fishing Gear, the largest selection of flies in all of Wolf Creek and of course, the best free coffee in the canyon. What else do ya’ need?

Oh, lodging? Got that too. Booked solid for the night but the rest of the week is wide open. Clean rooms for $99 just minutes from the MO.

~Cheers, Chewy. 

December is upon us

wintermo

It’s hard to believe but we’ve actually reached the last month of another fantastic year on the Missouri. Year number three for Wolf Creek Angler. Our best yet by far but we’re not focusing on that. As always, we’re looking towards the future.

I tell my clients this all the time when they cast behind the boat…look to the future not the past. Downstream is where you need to focus to maximize your success. Take a look at what is coming your way and do what you need to do in order to make it happen. The world downstream is filled with possibilities, the world behind the boat has passed.

Sure you might pick up a fish or two behind the boat but when you focus on the past you tend to miss opportunities coming your way.

It is in business as it is in the boat. 2016 will soon be behind us and we had great success but now is the time to look downstream and see what’s coming in 2017.

New challenges, new opportunities, new improvements and the hope that 2017 will again go down as our best season yet.

So December is a great time to reflect on the successes and contemplate the challenges we had in 2016 as we look ahead and make necessary adjustments in order to best capitalize on the opportunities coming our way.

We hope you join us in closing out the year over these next weeks whether that is by taking advantage of the best lodging/guided fishing deal on the river (BY FAR!), by stopping in for shuttles and bugs on your next trip out, by allowing us to assist you with finding the perfect gift for the fly fishers on your list or simply by following our blog and Facebook page.

These next few days would be a great time to get your Missouri fix. The weather is still tolerable and the fishing is better than what you would expect. We’ve got plenty of lodging available and guides are standing by. Once again – $500 for two nights lodging and a full day on the river with one of our exceptional guides for one or two anglers with absolutely NO CANCELLATION FEES. You won’t find a better deal anywhere on the MO’ – Guaranteed!

The forecast is for highs near 40 through Sunday though it may be on the breezy side but not to worry, we’ve got a shop full of gear designed to remove being cold from the equation. Simms gloves and hats and socks galore as well as ColdWeather shirts and pants, waderwick layering, Kinetic Jackets, Guide jackets and more.

Arctic air arrives on Monday night  and while we swear by the gear we carry and love the Simms  #ForgetTheForecast hashtag there comes a point where no matter how many layers of GoreTex and Primaloft and Windstopper gear you have you are going to get cold. With a high of 9 expected on Tuesday I think we’ll have reached that point!

Make it a Missouri River weekend with Wolf Creek Angler!

Holiday Gift Guide

 

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Looking for that perfect gift for the fly fishers on your list?

We can help.

Something we know about fly fishing….it is definitely gear intensive…or as much so as you want it to be.

Sure there are those that go the minimalist route with one rod and a dozen all-purpose flies for any and all situations and there are those on the opposite end with piles of rods ranging from 0 – 12 weight and a reel for each and boxes crammed full of thousands of flies designed to mimic any bug in any stage in any part of the world. Most of us fall somewhere in between.

If you are shopping for fly fishers we are confident we can help, regardless of how much or how little gear they already have or want to have.

10. Redington Path Combo $189.958122

How about rods and reels? We’ve got a vast array of both in all price ranges but since our emphasis here is on quality AND affordability we’ve got an abundance of options in the entry-level to mid-price range and we would love nothing better than to assist you in choosing the perfect set-up whether that angler on your list is a seasoned pro or aspiring to be one.

Are you looking to get someone interested in fly fishing? Our advice is don’t break the bank. Go with an entry-level set-up and see where it goes before you invest too much into it. You could easily spend over $1000 on a rod and reel only to find out it really isn’t their thing.

We’ve got the perfect solution in our Redington Path combos. You get the moderate-fast action rod, the reel, the fly line the backing and a rod case for under $200 and the rod has a Lifetime warranty!. This is undoubtedly our best-selling set-up for beginners.

9. Ross Colorado LT Reel 800-ross-reel-colorado-lt-p1290898$285.00

Designed around our original Colorado’s click and pawl system, the new award-winning Colorado LT retains the same ruggedness and the signature all-metal clicker of its older brother. However, that is where the similarities end as the Colorado LT is built with a new aesthetic and modern design evident in its large arbor and highly detailed porting. Adding to its elegant simplicity, the Colorado LT boasts only 15 different parts in total, all designed, machined, and assembled in Montrose, Colorado USA.

 

 

8. Simms Guide Jacket simms-guide$349.95

This proven workhorse from Simms should be on every angler’s list.

The redesigned Guide™ Jacket is built-to-fish with Gore-Tex® Shell fabric that’s waterproof, breathable, lightweight, and tenacious against tears. Guide-tested features include two top-loading, fly-box compatible storage pockets with integrated retractors and Shingle Cuff™ engineering for unimpeded casting. A Tuck-Away fly patch folds out to hold sidelined bugs.

 

 

 

7. Fishpond Nomad Boat Net 229.95 nomadpig

Nomad Nets are constructed with carbon fiber/fiberglass composite material. The result is a very lightweight and durable net. Nomad Nets are built for the conditions that prevail where great fishing exists; they are waterproof, UV protected, and float like a cork. All Nomad Nets come standard with a rubber bag.

 

The now legendary Nomad Net needed a bigger basket for the boaters. The Nomad Boat delivers it, as well as extra-long handle for extra-wily fish.

6. Redington Sonic Pro Waders $299.95 sonic

Four layer breathable fabric and SonicWeld seams for under $300!

The all new Sonic-Pro wader uses 4-layer waterproof-breathable fabric and SonicWeld seams to create a simple wader with superior durability for uncompromising performance on the water. We designed this wader with minimal pockets and a clean silhouette to provide anglers a durable wader that simply performs in all conditions, from deep steelhead wading to hot summer trout runs.

 

 

 

5. Simms ColdWeather Shirt  $99.95 20314-furyorangeplaid-l

Our absolute favorite winter shirt….hands down.

Quick dry warmth featuring micro fleece waffle-lining. 
Simms takes this hardworking mainstay into the 21st, with the boosted warmth of waffle-lined micro-fleece internals. ColdWeather LS features include quick-dry performance, potent UPF50 sun protection, and chafe-free, off-shoulder seaming for added comfort. Stash gear in two super-sized, top-close chest pockets. And stay effortlessly stylish in these ultrawarm, brushed-flannel performance plaids.

 

4. Simms ColdWeather Pants $99.95 coldweather

If you like the ColdWeather shirt wait until you try the pants.

Pants equipped for deep-freeze conditions
Subzero mornings? No sweat. Simms’ Coldweather Pants combat the conditions thanks to micro fleece-lined internals and hand-warmer pockets. Angler-appreciated extras include COR3™ fabric technology; an adjustable waist with a corrosion-fighting center-front snap; and articulated knees for bolstered durability and massive mobility.

 

 

 

3. Yeti Drinkware $24.99-$39.99 img_8174

Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. 10 OZ Lowball,   30 OZ Ramblers and the stainless steel koozie you thought you’d never need the Colster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Stanley Wolf Creek Angler 64 OZ Growler $59.00 img_7774

As always, your first fill-up at Blackfoot River Brewing Company in Helena   http://blackfootriverbrewing.com/is on us. 

Rising to the call for cold, fresh beer, the 64oz Classic Vacuum Growler lets you transport your favorite brew in fully functional and iconic style. Take control with a rugged handle for easy carry and one-handed pouring. The wide mouth allows for quick filling, sharing, and cleaning. An audible ‘pop’ when you open this bad boy is a sure sign your beer is still carbonated. It ain’t Grandad’s old vacuum bottle, but he’ll raise his pint in admiration.

 

 

 

  1. Wolf Creek Angler Logo Wear $20.00-$99.99 img_8175

Hats, T – Shirts, Guide Shirts, ColdWeather Shirts, Fleeces, hoodies….all adorned with the logo of your favorite fly shop.

 

 

 

Can’t decide  or not sure what they want? A Wolf Creek Angler gift card makes the perfect gift for all the Missouri River Fly Fishers on your list. The cards can be purchased in any amount, they never expire, and they can be used for absolutely anything we sell. Shuttles, Guide Trips, Drift Boat Rentals, Lodging, Merchandise…..Anything!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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