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December Gales

Winter Solitude on the MO’

It’s been one of the windiest Decembers I can recall, so much so that I arrived this morning to once again find our rental boats blown from their parking spots into the yard, a good 20 – 30 feet away. This is the third time this has happened in the last few weeks. It certainly didn’t happen at all during the season and I don’t recall it happening at all last fall/winter. Suffice it to say it’s been windy.

Howling winds have kept river traffic to a minimum though there’s usually at least one or two hard core anglers out there regardless.

Conditions seem ideal this morning with cloudy skies, 38 degrees, no wind and an occasional light snow falling. It’s perhaps the fishiest day we’ve seen this month but thus far I’ve not seen a race to get to the river.

If you’ve had the itch to get out there but have been kept away by the winds, today might be the day. In fact, the week ahead looks favorable with similar conditions tomorrow followed by colder air arriving later in the week. A few snow showers predicted today, tomorrow and again on Thursday and temps dipping down into single digits Thursday night before things return to somewhat average seasonal conditions for the weekend…the last weekend before Christmas if you’re counting.

Water temps have been steadily dropping and are currently holding at around 40 degrees while flows remain low, currently at 2840 CFS. Snow pack is starting to accumulate, slowly but surely.

Hopefully we’ll soon start to see some substantial precipitation in the high country, our 2022 season depends on it!

With the aforementioned wind seemingly always present along with now having an 8 week old puppy to tend to, I haven’t been on the water for a while though plans are in place for our Annual Staff Christmas Float next week, hopefully the weather will cooperate. In the meantime however, while I don’t have an up to the minute fishing report, I can tell you that current conditions point towards classic winter nymphing techniques coming into play.

Colder water temps have undoubtedly spurred migration into the deep, slow winter waters. Go deep (5’ – 6’ from indicator to weight and adjust accordingly). It’s time to break out the winter nymph box – think pink! Pill Poppers, Pink Amex, Rainbow Czech, Pink Weight Fly, Bubble Yum Scud, Caviar Scud, Pederson’s Sow etc in the lead followed by Tailwater Sows, Pink Lightning Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Soft Hackle Sows, UV Yum Yums, Lucent Bead Pink Ray Charles, Radiation Baetis in Pink and don’t overlook a standard Black Zebra Midge. The bugs are generally not the challenging part of the equation. It’s finding where in the water column they’re at (aim deep) and putting your flies directly in front of them. Cold water means conserving energy is critical so they aren’t going to move far for a meal.

All that being said, the 2 Handers will continue to ply the faster tail outs all winter long and will entice fish to move on a well swung leech (buggers, fruit rollups, polar leeches, balanced leeches etc)

Likewise, cold water be damned, the strippers will persist in targeting subsurface structure as well as seeking those occasional rogue fish hanging in the shallows, near the drop offs close to the bank. It’s time to load up that heavy sink streamer tip and get down. Don’t ignore the sexy water off the banks, there may be fish there, but you’ll also want to get down deep with a SLOOOW a retrieve and plenty of pauses. The slow retrieve is critical…the bugs not so much. Winter may not be prime streamer time but we’ve dredged up plenty of BIG FISH on days the water temps were in the mid to high 30’s with the air temps bordering on too cold to be out there.

The online store has been busy these past couple of weeks with folks loading up on gift cards and WCA apparel for Christmas giving. Our fall rod/reel sale will run through the end of the year and we’ve got clearance pricing on select items from Simms including G3 waders and boots.

Lodging and guide trips available ALL WINTER LONG.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-12-13T11:38:03-07:00December 13th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Christmas, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, nymphs, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome to MOvember

It’s hard to believe but November is upon us and a very busy 2021 season is coming to a close.

The transition to the off season is almost complete with the majority of seasonal folks having already disappeared. Things are quiet in Wolf Creek and Craig.

That being said, November brings its own dedicated contingent to the MO with swing season underway, streamer fishing still hanging on, fall dry-fly fishing at its apex and pre-winter nymphing providing plenty of action for those seeking a different Missouri River experience, one of solitude, absent the throngs.

Things look and feel deserted right now but a closer look reveals evidence of a different, more subdued season underway. A season where you can have the river seemingly to yourself on most days but a season which lacks not just the crowds but much of the infrastructure enjoyed by the prime season angler.

Commerce has slowed to a crawl with some businesses closing for the season and others shifting to abbreviated hours for the winter months.

Izaaks is closed for the season and Annie’s is open Friday – Sunday 11 AM – 8 PM but will be closing for winter on November 21st. Bottom line… you’d be wise to bring food if you’re headed this way any time before next spring.

The Canyon Store is OPEN all year with fuel, beer,food and other essentials and Wolf Creek Angler remains open every day for the time being. We’ve closed a third of our lodging thus far and have gone to winter rates on our remaining open rooms. $99 (plus tax) for a cozy cabin or bungalow, each with a full kitchen and private bath.

It is indeed our quiet time on the MO but that being said, Wolf Creek shines this time of the season with everything you need all in one place, just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge where the vast majority of Missouri River winter fishing occurs. Why would you go anywhere else? There’s NOBODY closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than Wolf Creek Angler.

We’ve got everything you need for your day on the water from Adipose drift boat rentals to Simms waders and boots and cold weather gear to lines, leaders and tippet from Rio and Airflo to tools and accessories from Fishpond, Rising and Loon to the now near legendary largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Our flies come from Montana Fly Company, Umpqua Feather Merchants, Solitude and Yellowstone Fly Goods and are the highest quality flies available.

So while things may look deserted out there on the river right now, we’re enjoying hosting a good portion of the late-season contingent this early November at Wolf Creek Angler.

We’re near full capacity all week long with awesome fall weather on tap for at least the next 7 days. Cabins 2 and 3 are available through the weekend and next week we’re wide open so if you’re looking to make the trip give us a call.

The late season is generally a DIY affair but if you’re looking for a guide we can likely accommodate. As mentioned above, many of the seasonal folks have left the area but most of our guides at WCA are local so if you’re looking for a late season guided trip let us know.

Great weather, great end of the season deals in the shop, and most importantly, GREAT FISHING happening NOW at Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-11-02T09:45:47-06:00November 2nd, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, MOvember, RIO, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

October Snow – photo by Tony Van Dort

Parts of SW Montana saw a significant winter weather event earlier this week while here on the Missouri we got just a small dose of what’s to come.

While snow blanketed Bozeman and the surrounding area we only saw a dusting down here with a little more at higher elevations but the cold temps and dark skies were just what we needed to get some BWO action going out there.

Winds have limited those opportunities but with water temps continuing to drop we’re in good shape for those seemingly rare days when the wind isn’t howling. Keep an eye on the forecast and plan your trip around those cool and cloudy days….or not. Cloudy conditions are ideal but you can catch plenty of fish on the sunny days as well.

Missouri River Fall streamer fishing is moving towards peak season with plenty of bruiser browns on the prowl and the Bows eager to play as well. For my money a #4 Sparkle Minnow can’t be beat but there are plenty of other bugs that will elicit the chase and the attack. We’ve had good luck with Swim Coaches, Dirty Hippies, Mini Dungeons, Lil’ Kims, Circus Peanuts and MK Ultralights and if you’re more of a traditionalist black buggers and Thin Mints have been solid.

Nymphing will be your go to for numbers with sow bugs starting to take over that top spot which has been occupied by the black zebra midge for the past several weeks. Rainbow Czechs, Amex, Tungsten Tailwater Sow, Pill Poppers, Soft Hackle Sows, LGM’s, BWO Magic Fly, Olive Lightning Bug, Olive S & M, No big changes on the nymphing front. 3 (ish) feet bobber to tungsten lead fly. Fast (ish), medium depth and maybe a deep dive in the swirls for good measure.

Sprout Baetis, Cripple Baetis, Olive Haze, BWO Film Critic, CDC Baetis Spinner and baetis emergers all good bets on top with ants and October Caddis still worth a try.

Warm weather returns this weekend with plenty of sunshine and temps near 70 on Saturday and Sunday. We’ve got a few vacancies remaining for the weekend if you want to come out and enjoy what may very well be the last warm weekend of 2021 and our guide calendar has cleared substantially making guide trips a real possibility this weekend.

We’re in the midst of our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale with 25% off ALL RODS and REELS and 30% off your total if you buy any rod and reel combo.

All remaining Simms summer sportswear as well as Confluence wading sandals and men’s and women’s Flyweight boots and all remaining G3 stockingfoot waders 30% off.

Not only is it what many consider to be the best time of the year to fish the MO, it’s also the time of year for the best deals on the best gear at Wolf Creek Angler.

Fall hours 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-10-13T13:07:34-06:00October 13th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall is in Bloom on the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The mental shift to fall is underway, even as summer returns this week with daytime temps climbing back into the 80’s and 90’s. Not to worry, there’s plenty of cool (followed by COLD and likely even frigid) weather in store for the not too distant future.

Last weekend’s unofficial end of the summer season was a great mix of warm sunny summer days on the water combined with the embrace of the signs of the upcoming season. There was plenty of traffic on the river this weekend, both angling and recreational floating with beautiful weather for both. And while it may still be tubing weather, change is underway.

Fall colors are emerging as the green leaves of summer transform into brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. Choke Cherries are thick this year and the bears have been feasting on them up and down the banks of Little Prickly Pear.

The evening chill in the air is immediate and unmistakable once the sun fades and there’s nothing quite like the feel of that fall morning sun as it climbs over the horizon, warming everything upon which it falls and chasing the chill away.

High school and college football are underway (Go Griz!) and couch-bound NFL Sundays commence this weekend. It’s time to trade in our T shirts, shorts, sun shirts and flip flops for hoodies, long pants and socks and shoes. It’s time for Oktoberfest brews and elk tenderloin on the grill.

But elk aren’t the only big game we’re pursuing. For many, fall is time to put away the fly rod and pick up the bow or rifle. For others, fall IS fishing season and colored up browns are the quarry.

It’s streamer season in Montana now through the end of autumn and we couldn’t be more excited. It’s just getting started mind you so by all means, the best is yet to come.

We’re still on the early side but if yesterday was any indication we could be in for an epic fall streamer season. There’s already a fair amount of aggression out there amongst the brown trout population with plenty of fish of all sizes willing to chase the streamer, if for no other reason than to defend their territory and chase off intruders. Hook ups were hard to come by but if you’re like me and measure streamer fishing success by the number of fish moved rather than just those hooked and landed then you would not have been disappointed with yesterday’s action.

Stop in for everything Missouri River Streamer Fishing. Streamer X rods, a streamer line for every occasion, stripping guards, the best streamer selection on the Missouri and most importantly, all the advice and practical information you could ever want from a staff well-versed in the game and more than ready and willing to talk about it. We live for this.

For those outside of the streamer set the nymphing has been solid with black Zebras and Zirdles still ruling the day. Small mayfly nymphs and sow bugs should also be a staple of your fall nymph arsenal.

Hopper fishing should continue to be solid for the next couple of weeks. Tan and peach hoppers have been working well in sizes ranging from #10 – #14. Trailing an ant is never a bad idea though we have not had a ton of action on the ants as of late. Fish the banks. Fish the mid-river riffles. Fish the non-descript random water whether you think it looks fishy or not. The trout are everywhere. They’re opportunists on the hunt for calories and they may just surprise you when you’re least expecting it so don’t take your eye off of the ball.

We are adjusting our shop hours for fall this week in accordance with the morning darkness and will now be open at 7 AM daily.

Lodging is moderately busy but we do have a fair amount of availability. The guide book is getting busier by the day but we do have some openings here and there and things do open up again around the second week of October. We’re happy to fish any way you like but we absolutely love to guide streamer trips. Book yours today!

Stop in for clean and affordable lodging, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, vehicle shuttles, summer clearance items like Smith Sunglasses and Simms sportswear and amazing fall deals on select waders, boots and more.

Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale coming very soon. Stay Tuned

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-09-07T14:33:20-06:00September 7th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Smith, Streamer Fishing, Streamer X, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges, Zirdle|0 Comments

And Suddenly it was JULY

It’s hard to believe but June is officially in the books. Summer is in full swing and flying by. The BLUR has commenced!

We’re in the midst of our busiest three weeks of the year with all of our rental boats out daily and scores of guide trips starting earlier and earlier to beat this scorching summer heat.

Our day starts on the early side of 4 AM in order to get all of the boats where they need to be prior to opening the shop and it’s not uncommon to end our day in the dark hauling boats and getting them cleaned up for the next day’s launch.

We’re currently under a Heat Advisory through 9 PM on Friday. Temps are bumping up against 100 degrees daily with minimal chance of precipitation. Night time temps are comfortable in the 60’s but even so, with the flows being what they are, water temps are on the rise. We’re currently looking at flows of 3280 CFS and water temps holding right around 62 degrees. Keep in mind these readings come from just below the dam. The lower stretches are likely considerably warmer, something to keep in mind when choosing where to fish.

Low flows and high temps have already resulted in Hoot Owl Closures on several rivers in the region and with no cool down in sight we are likely in for more. The Missouri River water temps in the upper section are still in good shape, nowhere near the 73 degree threshold which prompts those closures after three consecutive days however the lower river, as already stated, is considerably warmer and may very well be subject to Hoot Owl Closures at some point in the not so distant future.

With the heat persisting we are responding by trying to get our trips out as early as possible and also giving our clients the option of doing half days if preferred. If you’re on your own please consider an early start and early off as the fishing tends to slow considerably during the afternoon hours. Should Hoot Owl Restrictions be placed on the Missouri we will shift all full day trip start times to 6 AM or earlier.

PMD’s and Caddis are your dry fly staples with Tricos knocking on the door. PMD’s in the mornings, Caddis in the evenings and the nymph forms of both effective anytime. Dry fly fishing has been good enough to keep the DFO’s busy and there are plenty of big fish looking up, willing to take a well-presented offering. We’re seeing plenty of fish up daily, perhaps not the mega pods of old but definitely enough to make a day of it.

Nymphing has been solid everywhere with the best action coming from the shallow, faster water. Split Case PMD’s and Crack Back PMD’s have been the go-to nymphs but there are all kinds of PMD and Caddis patterns they’ll eat right now. Stop in on your way to the water and we’ll get you set up with the right bugs for the right times. That way if you end up having a tough time out there you’ll at least be able to rest assured it’s not your bug selection.

The shop is officially open at 7 AM daily but we’re usually underway by 6:30 AM if not before, especially as we move those trip start times up.

Make us your first stop on the way to the MO for fishing licenses, ice, vehicle shuttles, sunscreen, Simms SolarFlex sun shirts, Fishpond Eddy River and Low Country Sun Hats, Smith and Suncloud sunglasses, our signature NO PRESSURE NO ATTITUDE FRIENDLY SERVICE and advice rooted in DECADES of Fly Fishing and Customer Service Experience and the biggest and best selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

We’ve established a great following over these past 7 seasons but we still hear it enough from those who darken our door to continue to proclaim that we are the best Missouri River Fly Shop you never knew was here.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-07-01T13:48:40-06:00July 1st, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, Fishpond Eddy River, Fishpond Low Country, fly fishing, Hoot Owl Closures, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Settling In To Summer on the MO

It’s here! The days we dream about all winter long have arrived. A landscape of green against cloudless blue skies, the backdrop as you drift down the MO in search of rising trout. It really doesn’t get any better than this.

School is out and the summer migration has commenced, swelling our tiny populations of Wolf Creek and Craig. The boat ramps are abuzz with activity each morning as the guides prep and the clients take it all in, anxiously awaiting their turn to climb aboard the drift boat and make that first cast.

It’s going to be a very busy season. The traffic is high and the water is low which means we’ll all have to do our part not just to get along with our fellow anglers but also to care for the resource. Low flows and heavy traffic are stressors for our fish populations and while we are 100 percent in support of catch and release fishing we urge everyone to do whatever you can to reduce stress to the fish including keeping them in the water to the furthest extent possible, not overplaying them with undersized tackle and crushing barbs to facilitate quick and easy hook removal. You may lose an extra fish or two but at least they’ll live to fight another day.

Catch and Release is great but if fish are mishandled or overstressed they often times won’t survive much beyond that release. Water temps are still cool at this point so that definitely works in the favor of the fish but as things heat up and the water temps rise it becomes even more critical that you do what you can to keep them in the water as much as possible. If you absolutely must have a picture of that fish get everything ready to go, wet your hands and then lift the fish out of the water for a quick pic. Ten seconds max!

And speaking of rising temps, the cool weather comes to an end this weekend. Things start to heat up on Sunday as we see highs in the high 80’s and at this point it appears as though we could see temperatures nearing 100 on Tuesday. Don’t forget the sunscreen and your wide brim hat…or better yet, do forget them and come see us at WCA for all of your sun protection needs.

Per the Bureau of Reclamation flows will remain low but steady for the remainder of the season and likely right on through to next spring. Stay tuned. We’ll keep you posted.
The fishing report is relatively speaking, status quo.

PMD’s and Caddis are in the mix however it has not been a DFO’s dream thus far. Those willing to put the time in and go on the hunt are finding limited opportunities daily but it has not been a target rich environment. Indications are that this may be about to change. There has been an abundance of bugs on the lower stretches and not quite as much activity up here however regardless of the presence or absence of bugs rising fish have been a rarity. We’ve finally started to hear some reports however of decent sized pods of smaller fish keying on the surface. Our fingers are crossed, hoping that the bigger fish will soon join the approaching gravy train.

In the meantime sowbugs, caddis pupae and PMD nymphs will get em’ sub surface.

Phones are ringing off the hook this week as folks look for some input regarding their upcoming trips to the MO.

Some of these questions I’ve tried to answer above with my discussion of flows and current fish activity. Here are a few more FAQ’s and our best answers.

Q. Have they started dumping water yet?
A. They’ve dumped what they’re going to dump by all indications. Hoping for flushing flows in spring 2022.

Q. Is everything opened up?
A. Yes and No. Masks are a memory and everyone is open for business HOWEVER due to labor shortages many businesses are unable to operate at full capacity.

Q. Are there restaurants nearby?
A. Izaak’s in Craig is open Wednesday – Sunday 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Shotgun Annie’s in Wolf Creek is open Friday – Sunday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM and Mondays and Tuesdays 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

Q. Do you have any lodging available for June and July?
A. Slim Pickings. We’ve got a few single nights here and there but we’re not really able to string multiple nights together. Things open up in August. Fall is starting to fill up. Don’t wait until the last minute to book. If you are looking for just one night give us a call and we’ll see what we can do.

Q. Do you have guides available?
A. See lodging response above. It’s very similar with guide availability. A few random openings here and there but as busy a guide schedule as we’ve ever had. Book those fall dates NOW!

Q. Do you allow dogs?
A. We do allow dogs for a $25/night fee however we ask that you let us know ahead of time if you’re bringing your pooch and we would ask that dogs not be left unattended in the rooms while you’re on the water unless they are in a kennel.

Q. How close are you guys to Craig?
A. Craig who?

Shop hours are 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily. We hope you make us your first stop on the way to the river for shuttles, bugs, boat rentals, ice, sunscreen, fishing licenses, Simms waders and sportswear, Tornado Anchors, Lamson rods and reels and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-06-09T17:22:04-06:00June 9th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Craig MT, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Izaaks, Missouri River, running line, Shotgun Annie's, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

On the Dirty Water Prowl

And just like that summer arrived.

Memorial Day Weekend ushered in the nicest weather we’ve seen all season and with temps in the 90’s on tap for the next several days it seems summer has arrived. And to think 10 days ago we were getting in the midst of a spring snow storm which dumped over a foot of snow.

It was a busy holiday weekend on the MO with the vast majority of the angling traffic in the Dam to Craig section due to a steady flow of dirty water coming in from the Dearborn and Little Prickly Pear. Both continue to run dirty but are dropping fast with current flows of 834 CFS and 264 CFS respectively. Meanwhile the Missouri holds low and steady at 3730 CFS.

Traffic should start to spread out soon though 90 degree temps will likely continue to feed the runoff throughout this week. That being said, conditions in the canyon are PRIME right now for streamer fishing with the perfect amount of color and around a foot and a half of visibility below the Dearborn as of yesterday afternoon. Nymphing was adequate down there as well but if that’s your primary focus I would continue to stay higher up until the water clears a bit more. Best nymphing zone at the moment Holter Dam to Stickney.

The worm was on for the weekend but it seems that window has closed. Tung Darts and Weight Flies are rapidly becoming a go to on point with larger sow bugs, Split Case PMD’s, Frenchies, Psycho Mays, LGM’s and Magic Flies all fine trailing fly choices.

If you’ve been waiting for near-perfect streamer conditions on the MO the wait is over but the time is short. Get out there this week before things clear and see if you can’t coax a couple out of the dirty water. They’re definitely lurking in the shallows so you’ll want to beat the banks but strip all the way to the boat with plenty of pauses in between. We got a fair amount of action yesterday 2/3rds of the way back to the boat on the pause and while I assume those were all follows from the bank you never know where you’re going to find them.
Olive, natural, tan and grey all getting some looks and while the water is dirty I’d recommend you go big to help them hit their target.

Updated hours for the shop 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily.

We hope you make us your first stop on the way to the MO for shuttles, bugs, Simms sportswear and wading gear, Adipose boat rentals, ice, sun protection and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-06-01T13:23:32-06:00June 1st, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Rainy Days…Summer in Sight

The Missouri River is a very busy place this week despite the less than ideal fishing conditions. We started the week with more snow on Sunday. Most of that disappeared by Monday as temperatures warmed but with those warmer temps came gusty winds and the makings of a pretty substantial soaker starting last night and continuing through today.

It looks like the sunshine will return tomorrow with things becoming more and more summer-like through the holiday weekend and into the first part of next week when we’ll see sunshine and temps near 80.

Expect a BUSY MO this weekend as warm sunny weather for the unofficial start of summer brings with it a parade of recreational traffic added to the steady flow of anglers who have converged here in search of fishable water as flows bump most everywhere else in the region.

And speaking of flows, the Dearborn bumped this week and jumped up over 1000 CFS last night and continues to rise (currently 1400 cfs). Similarly, Little Prickly Pear doubled in size overnight and is currently running at 425 cfs. Suffice it to say, things are getting a little muddy on the MO so expect HEAVY traffic at the dam for the time being and if you’ve been wondering when the best time would be to break out those San Juan and Squirmy Worms….that time would be NOW.

I’d expect some traffic on the Dearborn this weekend so please call ahead if you’d like to set up a shuttle as demand will likely be high.

With the rain subsiding this afternoon and temps remaining moderately cool for the next few days I’d expect things to come back into shape fairly quickly on the MO though the hot weather early next week will likely continue to feed the runoff elsewhere ensuring a busy start to June on the Missouri.

We do have a couple of rooms left for the weekend if you’re looking and I expect those will book by tomorrow. Guides may be tough to come by but we do have a few remaining openings if you want to give it a try.

We’re feeling blessed by the precipitation but I for one am ready for some hot sunny days and I think the anticipated traffic this weekend will likely reflect this sentiment amongst a good portion of the local population.

Best flies through the weekend….Tailwater Sow, Pill Popper, UV Yum Yum, Rainbow Czech, Fish Finder and Depth Charge Worms, Little Green Machines, Split Case BWO’s (And soon PMD’s) Psycho Mays, Magic Flies, Tung Darts, Weight Flies, Two Bit Hookers, Jig Duracell, Jig Crack Backs, Rainbow Warriors, Peep Shows, Olive or Purple Lightning Bugs and many more.

The high and muddy will also bring out the streamer set. Sparkle Minnows, Baby Gongas, Swim Coach, ZK’s Gladio, Mini Dungeons, Mojo Minnows, Peanut Envy, Wedge Head, Silk Kitten and more. If you like to throw the big stuff NOW is the time. Streamer season is coming to a close but these next couple of days could be the peak of the action.

We hope to see you in Wolf Creek this weekend as we welcome the sun and the unofficial start of Summer Fishing on the MO. The shop is fully stocked with summer gear including a bunch of SolarFlex hoodies just received from Simms, Eddy River and Lowcountry hats from Fishpond, piles of packs and bags, waders and boots and wading sandals, reels from Ross, Redington, Echo and Lamson, Loop and Echo rods and much, much more. We’re anxiously awaiting our shipment of Lamson rods, just released for 2021. Judging by the calls we’ve been getting on them they aren’t going to last long.

Stop in and see us for shuttles, bugs, sun protection, fishing licenses, logo wear, ice, Fishpond and Rising nets, lines and leaders from Rio and Airflo or the latest intel on the where and when and how.

We are your Missouri River Summer fly fishing destination, your one stop shop for everything you need from guides to rental boats to gear to a place to lay your head…it’s all here at WCA.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-05-26T12:27:51-06:00May 26th, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Baby Gonga, Dearborn River, Depth Charge Worm, Duracell, Echo, Fish Finder Worm, Fishpond, fly fishing, Gladio, Lamson, Little Green Machine, Little Prickly Pear, Magic Fly, Missouri River, Mojo Minnow, Peep Show, pill popper, Psycho May, Rainbow Czech, Redington, RIO, running line, simms, streamers, Swim Coach, Tailwater Sow, Tung Dart, UV Yum Yum, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Springtime in the Rockies 2021

Monday we were guiding in shorts and flip flops, searing pale winter skin and feeling like summer with temps just shy of 90 all the while knowing a return to winter was looming later in the week.

A Winter Storm Watch became a Winter Weather Advisory which then became a Winter Storm Warning last night as a few flakes began to fall. This morning we awoke to a steady snow, heavy and wet and temps hovering just above freezing.

That winter storm warning remains in effect through tomorrow morning. We’ll continue to see a mix of rain and snow with temps holding near 40 and a brisk north wind thrown in just for good measure. We’ll dip down to 29 tonight before things start to turn towards more seasonable conditions late this weekend. We’re not expecting much for accumulation down here though Rodgers Pass is getting hammered and could see up to a foot of new snow by the time it’s all said and done.

By far not the worst winter can dish out but quite a contrast from a few days ago. And while 89 degrees felt great we are definitely in need of the precipitation so we’ll try to keep the complaints to a minimum and just be thankful for what we’re getting.

Traffic is light today as you can imagine but there are a few boats out and really, if it wasn’t for the north wind, it wouldn’t be a bad day to be out there. That being said, I’m happy to be in the shop today.

Fishing has been solid this week, status quo for the most part with good nymphing and the occasional dry fly opportunities with plenty of BWO’s around, a few March Browns and sporadic rising fish fairly willing to engage if you’re lucky enough to find them.

There haven’t really been any drastic changes as far as fly selection is concerned though we’ve definitely begun to move away from the pink stuff towards late spring staples like baetis nymphs and caddis pupae. A beaded tailwater sow in size #14 paired with a Little Green Machine is still tough to beat but it could be worth your while to swap that sow for a Tung Dart, a Weight Fly or the like trailing with the LGM, psycho may, nitro caddis, Radiation Baetis, Magic Fly, Split Case BWO etc.

We left the streamer rods home earlier in the week with the cloudless skies and the sun beating down on the water but streamer fishing could be the ticket in the midst of this storm system for the next day or two. And speaking of streamer rods, we’ve got Galloup’s Streamer X Rods from Echo in #7 and #8 back in stock. Get yours before their gone!

Supply chain challenges continue and we do have some holes in our inventory but all things considered we are in pretty good shape right now with newly arrived Echo rods, plenty of bugs, a bunch of new Ross and Lamson reels, a good selection of Simms G3 waders and various wading boots and spring/summer clothing arriving in fits and starts seemingly daily.

We’ve got lodging and guides available this weekend. Things fill up early next week. Call for availability if you’re interested in a last minute trip to the MO and we’ll see what we can do for you.

Official Spring shop hours are 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily. Stop in for shuttles, bugs, leaders, hand warmers and blow out pricing on all remaining cold weather gear from Simms.

We hope to see you soon at WCA, your Missouri River spring fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-05-20T10:48:12-06:00May 20th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Missouri River Pre-Grind Report

With water on the rise around the state, the MO has become a busy place this week with steady low flows providing one of the better fishing options in the region. Traffic remains moderate for the most part as The Grind approaches.

Spring is settling in with some nicer days as of late but cool temps and rain are on tap for this weekend which will likely make for some good baetis opportunities as well as optimal streamer fishing conditions.

Nymphing has been strong, rain or shine, with the baetis nymphs maybe starting to edge out the sowbug/scud selections ever so slightly. There’s still been a run on Pill Poppers, Tailwater Sows and Caviar Scuds but we’re also moving a bunch of Little Green Machines, Olive Psycho Mays, BWO Magic Flies and the like as we move into mayfly season.

For my money I’m still starting out with a Pill Popper and no bead sow and not messing with a good thing but if that rig goes quiet you’d be well advised to show them a green machine or the like.

Sunshine has rendered the streamer game less than stellar but we’re moving fish and getting some good grabs even on the cloudless days. It’s all about persistence!

Bugs have been plentiful and the fish are starting to look up but the majority of the pods I’ve observed lately have been smaller fish. Expect some good top water action this weekend with the weather and study those rise forms to locate the bigger fish. They’re out there. You just need to work for them.

We’re still in the prime of spring fishing where you can realistically expect to have great action with whatever method you choose. I’ll throw streamers all day, any day but I’ve always got the dry fly rig at the ready this time of year as well as a bobber rig for those times we just need to catch a fish.

Mornings in the shop have been increasingly busy with the bump in traffic this week and we continue to be encouraged by bookings for the season ahead. Most of Prime Time is booked solid and fall is just starting to take shape.

Lodging has been busy but it seems to come in waves. We’ll go a day or two with just a couple of rooms occupied and then things blow up and we’re booked solid. At this point the weekend looks to be a little slow but again, that can all change with a couple of phone calls. If you’re looking to come out and enjoy some spring fishing on the Missouri over these next couple of weeks we’ve got you covered with plenty of lodging options and access to some of the best guides on the river. It’s always a challenge to line up a guide for the next day but if you can give us a couple of days to work on it we can generally get you on the water with a great guide.

Bugs are moving from the bins at a fevered pace and so far we’ve been able to keep most of those bins stocked with all of the Missouri River essentials. Other product has been more of a challenge but we have no shortage of gear in stock with more arriving daily and we’d like nothing better than to keep all of these items moving through.

Waders will continue to be a challenge but we’ve got plenty of Simms G3’s in stock as well as Simms Flyweight, Freestone and G3 boots and Korkers a plenty including the new River Ops boot which has been receiving rave reviews.

Fishpond Eddy River and Lowcountry hats are back in stock and we’ll have a large shipment of WCA logo gear arriving soon, including sun hoodies, just in time for the warm weather which should arrive soon.

We’re open from 7:30 – 5 PM daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-05-05T14:20:04-06:00May 5th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, simms, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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