Streamer Fishing Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Mid April on the MO

Springtime in the Rockies

As predicted we got our first taste of summer weather last weekend with highs in the high 70’s and as you would expect it was a busy couple of days on the MO.

Back to reality on Monday with Tax Day and a big change in the weather as a cold front moved in took us right back to winter with snow showers yesterday and highs struggling to break 40. More of the same today with overnight lows plummeting into the teens but it looks like we’re due for a return to seasonal norms this weekend with daytime highs back to the 60’s and 70’s and lows a bit more reasonable in the 30’s.

Through it all, fishing has been solid with the nymph show at the dam in full swing. Traffic is slowly building and will officially reach “busy” status next week as the guide trips start to pile up.
There have been multiple reports of BWO’s this week so be prepared for both midges and Blue Wings on the dry fly front. Low light is your friend so target those cloudier days or fish last light for consistent action.

We’ve been working on our bugs a lot this winter and have a bunch of new midge and BWO dries that should find a place in your boxes.

Best bets for midge dries….Grizzly Midge Cluster, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Adams Midge Cluster, Hi Vis Griffiths Gnat, Black Sipper, Black Midge, Hi Vis Midge, Adams Midge. BWO’s just getting started so we haven’t sold a ton of them just yet but try a Pederson’s 401K Baetis, Jake’s Hatchback BWO, Brooks Sprout Baetis, Last Chance Cripple BWO, Nyman’s DOA Baetis Cripple, BWO Flash Cripple, Carlson’s Olive Haze, Guide Winna Spinna BWO. Cripples and Emergers though often overlooked, should play a major role in your BWO game.

Nymphing is transitioning from winter fare at the moment but you still can’t go wrong with a Pill Popper, Caviar Scud, Firebead Ray or the like trailed by a tailwater sow in rainbow or pink, a soft hackle sow or a Zebra Midge. We’ve expanded our Zebra and our Sowbug selections and are loaded up with an array of offerings in any color you need. That being said, it is time to start working those Baetis nymphs in as well and we’ve got piles of techy new patterns that are sure to produce. Go with a tried and true Little Green Machine, S & M, Redemption, Psycho May, Magic Fly or Split Case BWO or try something new like a Stocker’s Mosason Baetis, Two Hot Baetis or Radiation Baetis.

Spring is PRIME TIME for Streamer fishing on the Missouri as well and we didn’t stop with nymphs and dries when expanding our bug selection. We are currently loaded up with piles of new bugs including a bunch of new Galloup Micro Dungeons. Come in and check out our streamer bins and see why we are the Missouri River Streamer Fishing Authority. Nobody has a better bug selection.

We’re also sitting on a bunch of new streamer lines from SA, Airflo and Rio…something for any and all situations. And if you’re looking for a new Streamer stick try a Sage Igniter or Payload, an Echo Streamer X or Boost Blue, a Lamson Cobalt or a Redington Predator. All fine streamer sticks with plenty of Sage and Lamson reels to complete the combo.

The shop is bursting at the seams with new products including WCA 10 Year Anniversary gear and plenty of waders and boots for all from Simms and Korkers.

Updated spring hours start Monday, April 22nd. 7:30 AM – 5 PM Monday – Saturday and 8 AM – 2PM on Sundays. Stop in for shuttles, bugs, fishing licenses and so much more at your Missouri River one stop shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-04-18T13:54:05-06:00April 18th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The State of the Missouri (Spring 2024)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s Go Time on the MO.

See you soon at Wolf Creek Angler

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

Spring is Here!

Spring arrived yesterday without a whole lot of fanfare following what has been a very spring-like string of days with an abundance of sunshine and temps pushing 70 degrees daily since the weekend. The river certainly looked spring-like, particularly on Saturday with a parade of drift boats populating the river, particularly in the Dam to Craig stretch. And speaking of parades, Wolf Creek celebrated St Patrick’s Day with the 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday afternoon. The blue skies and warm temps brought out what appeared to be the best crowd yet for the event.

So now that spring has officially arrived, as if on cue, winter weather is on the way.

We’ll trade idyllic sunny spring days and gentle breezes for snow and cold this weekend. Status quo today with temps approaching 70 yet again but transition day is tomorrow with rain and snow throughout the day. Temps will still be in the high 50’s so tomorrow might actually the better fishing day with the absence of sunshine. Streamers anyone?

Things deteriorate on Friday with snow and a high of 40 and continue that trend on Saturday with significant snow and a high of only 32. Throw in a north wind of 6-10 mph with 20 mph gusts and possible accumulation of 1-3 inches of snow and this might be one to skip….then again maybe not. Fishing could be stellar with the absence of sun and the absence of anglers. More of the same on Sunday and things start to warm early next week to more seasonable norms with daily highs in the mid to high 40s through the end of next week.

Should you decide you want to brave winter’s return lodging is now 2/3rds open with only the motel rooms remaining to be opened. That will likely happen the first week of April or thereabouts. Give us a call and book a room, a guide, a shuttle, a drift boat rental….whatever you need, we’ve got it. Winter rates on lodging will remain in effect through the end of March. All rooms are priced at $149 (plus tax) for the winter with the exception of Cabin #3 which is the only thing we’ve got open that does NOT have a kitchen. The rate on Cabin 3 through the end of March is $99. Dogs are welcome in the cabins, NOT the bungalows.

Spring stock has been arriving daily. We’re restocking fly bins today. Hot nymphs have been Pill Poppers, Caviar Scuds, Tailwater Sows, Tungsten UV Sows, Pederson’s Sow, Fire bead Czechs, Zebra Midges, Fire bead Rays and the like. We’ve been running low on a few of these, all are being restocked today. We’ve also been running low on a few midge patterns for the dry fly guys…not to worry, we’re restocking those as well.

Streamer season is definitely underway and we’re busy rearranging the bins this week making room for all kinds of new bugs. Our streamer selection has always been the best on the MO and it’s only getting better. Everyone talks a good streamer game, we live it!

New lines and new bugs currently in the house. Soft goods and rods and reels and more inbound soon. Don’t miss our extensive lineup of WCA drinkware from YETI including our limited editions 10th Anniversary ramblers in 20 and 30 OZ sizes in hot new YETI colors King Crab Orange and Agave Teal. These cups feature out original logo from 2014 coupled with our new 10th Anniversary logo. Very limited run on these AND they’ve thus far been a pretty popular item on our online store so get one before they’re gone.

Don’t forget, Wolf Creek Angler is the home of the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO! We’ve been ramping up and had a busy weekend shuttling though I couldn’t help but notice a fair number of rigs at the dam we weren’t shuttling. It was surprising to me but the only conclusion I can draw from this is that people don’t mind paying more for a shuttle. For those who do mind however, and are looking to save a buck and some time by not having to drive to Craig and back up to the dam, we’ve got you covered.

Our March shop schedule is Monday – Saturday, 8 AM – 4 PM and you can bet that if traffic warrants it we’ll be open on Sundays as well. Starting April 7th we are OPEN EVERY DAY.
Welcome to Spring Time on the Missouri. We can’t wait to see you.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-03-20T12:38:51-06:00March 20th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, running line, spring, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yeti, zebra midges|0 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

February Delivers Winter to the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

February continues to deliver some much needed winter weather.

The snow is piling up in the high country but we’ve still got a long ways to go. Snowpack is improving slowly but surely and while I’m tempted to curse the weather while I’m digging out my driveway in the pre-dawn hours, so far I’ve resisted that urge and powered through it, thankful we are getting exactly what we need.

This latest round of precipitation is being accompanied by a blast of cold arctic air which has us in the teens today with single digits on tap overnight. Friday will see an end to the snow but continued cold with a high of 20 and overnight low near 5 degrees. Things start to warm up on Saturday with a high near 37 and Sunday we’re back up near 40’s and bumping up against 50 again on Monday.

Friday fishing will be on the chilly side but the holiday weekend and into next week could be exceptional with those daytime temps in the low 40’s and an abundance of sunshine making for some ideal February conditions on the MO.

Expect plenty of top water action with winter midge madness underway. Pair a #18 Bucky’s Midge Cluster with a #18 or #20 Black Midge and feed those steady risers.

The nymphing action should be good as well with no real changes on the bug front. Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Amex, Weight Flies paired with Tailwater Sows, Soft hackle sows, Zebra midges, Pederson’s Sow, Radiation Baetis, Pink Lighting bugs or really any other of your go to winter offerings.

Target the slow, deep winter water and run as close to the bottom as practical but don’t get stuck on that. Especially on the sunny days when the sun is warming the water up a tick or two, don’t be afraid to target the moderately faster runs. Shorten up your rig accordingly and see what happens. You might be surprised.

Streamer action should be good as well, primarily working the slower tail outs and deep, slow buckets with a combination swing and super slow and long strip. But again, don’t get stuck on that. Bomb the banks, switch up your bugs, switch up your retrieve. You might find an aggressive retrieve off the bank to be effective, it all depends on the day.

The established winter techniques are a great starting point but the fish don’t always follow the script. Break those winter rules and see what happens.

The shop will be closed for the weekend as we make the trek up to Calgary for a long overdue return to a Wings/Flames game on Saturday but we do have lodging available for the holiday weekend and beyond.

We’ll be back in the shop on Monday for the big President’s Day rush which could well end up with getting out on the water ourselves for an afternoon outing.

Let’s hope the snow continues to pile up throughout the second half of February. Spring is just 33 days away and will be here before we know it.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-02-15T12:43:25-07:00February 15th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, nymphs, pill popper, running line, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Winter Solstice

The first day of winter has arrived though you certainly wouldn’t know it judging by the weather.

Regardless, today is the shortest day of the year and tomorrow marks the start of the slow, but steady ascent out of darkness.

Daylight will begin to stretch which means we are on our way to summer and it won’t be long before sunlight again creeps across our parking lot and eventually returns to illuminate the shop in a warm, spring glow.

Of course the coldest days still lie ahead and we’re hoping and praying for the snow to fly but in the meantime we’re enjoying 50 degree December days and wrapping up 2023 by hitting the water.

It doesn’t feel much like Christmas without a trace of snow on the ground but alas, we are four days out which means there is but 10 days left in 2023. The time seems to pass more quickly every year, a symptom of aging no doubt, but on the bright side, those warm spring and summer days will be here before you know it.

Here’s wishing you all a Happy Winter Solstice from Wolf Creek Angler. We are here today for anyone lucky enough to be spending this Solstice on the MO and we will return on Saturday. The shop will be closed tomorrow (Friday, December 22nd) for our Annual WCA/Iron Fly Christmas Float and per usual we will be closed on Sunday and Christmas Day and will be back in the shop on Tuesday.

It looks like we’ll see cooler temps and some rain and snow on Saturday with mild weather on tap throughout next week.

Nymphing and Streamer Fishing have been excellent (by December standards) and you may even find a fish or two willing to hit a dry fly if you’re in the right place at the right time. Sow bug game for the nymphers with Tailwater Sows, Pill Poppers, Pederson’s Sow and the like topping the list. The usual suspects for streamers with Olive, Tan, Yellow and White all having their moments. Swinging and Stripping have both been effective and we’re finding willing players in the slow depths as well as the fast water flats.

Good action to be had everywhere though the Holter Dam to Craig stretch seems to be attracting most of the traffic as is generally the case during the winter months. Daylight is certainly a limiting factor but there’s no reason to start early as that 11 AM – 2 PM window has been the most productive by far.

We recommend shorter floats this time of year with 5 ish miles being ideal for the amount of daylight available if you’re going to start your float in that 10 AM – 11 AM time slot.

We just restocked those sparse Tailwater Sow bins so we’ve got you covered on the Sow Bug front as well as having the best streamer selection on the river. WCA Gift Cards make excellent stocking stuffers so you can load up on those as well when you stop in for bugs and the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-12-21T09:53:03-07:00December 21st, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, Christmas, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter solstice, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

MOvember is upon us

Mild weather on tap for the weekend and through late next week with temps in the low to mid 50’s tomorrow and Saturday and bumping up against 60 and beyond for most of next week.

Is this the calm before the storm? It doesn’t really appear to be as there isn’t really any major cold fronts or big precipitation events in the forecast at the moment but it’s coming sooner or later so get out there and enjoy it while it lasts.

An idyllic day today. Calm winds and 50 degrees with ample sunshine. It doesn’t get much better in November.

That being said, we’ve not seen much in the way of BWO’s this fall which has the dry fly set pouting but there are being fish caught on dry flies. You just need to know the when and where and how.

Stop by the shop and we’ll get you dialed.

Nymphers are happy with plenty of action on the early winter fare. Sow Bugs, Zebras, BWO nymphs, Czechs and the like. Pink is starting to get noticed as are hot bead varieties of all your favorites.

Streamer fishing is still in its prime with swingers and strippers both reporting plenty of success. Thin Mints, buggers, balanced leeches and polar leeches have been good on the swing. Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolt, Dirty Hippies and Baby Gongas have all had their moments as well with white seeming to have been the go to color for the most part this week. Might we recommend a Pearl Sparkle Minnow, a grey or brown and yellow swim coach or a white Colonel Kurtz?

Our limited lodging has been filling up with this mild weather and I’d expect that will continue with hunters and anglers vying for the coveted Wolf Creek Angler bungalows.

Winter shop hours are 8 AM – 4 PM Tuesday – Saturday and we’re doing our best to accommodate your shuttle requests and even getting some last minute guide trips out the door.

Winter means fewer hours of daylight and an abbreviated shop schedule but we’ll always do our best to take care of all of your Missouri River winter fly fishing needs. Affordable lodging, the best guides on the water, the Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO and the biggest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.
Fish ON

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-11-09T15:40:02-07:00November 9th, 2023|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

WCA Circa 2014

Your Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination

This week pretty much marks the end of the season for us here at Wolf Creek Angler. I assure you we are OPEN, however for all intents and purposes things are coming to a close.

Our last guide trips on the books for the season took place on Halloween. We spent yesterday winterizing cabins and motel rooms and our shop manager Keith has hit the road in search of a warmer place in which to winter.

So yes, the sign says open but the vibe says this season is in the books.

And what a season it was. Our best one yet!

Ten years in, I couldn’t be more thrilled with our trajectory or more proud of the brand we continue to build here in Wolf Creek.

For those who are interested we do have our newly remodeled bungalows available all winter long for lodging and while most guides have disappeared from the scene for some well-deserved time off, chances are we can still get you on the water should you get the itch.

Bungalows are $249 (plus tax)/night through November 15th after which winter rates kick in. November 16th through March 31st rates will be $149/night plus tax.

Whether you’re looking to DIY or you’d like a guide to do the heavy lifting, winter lodging at Wolf Creek Angler is the perfect option. Rooms are well appointed with cook tops, fridges, coffee makers and 55” flat screen TV’s.

Darkness comes early this time of year, in fact it comes an hour earlier starting this weekend, so a cozy, comfortable room with cooking facilities and entertainment is the perfect fit for your fall and winter trips to the MO.

We do have a few guests here at the moment, taking advantage of the slow return to normalcy following last week’s winter storm but availability opens up next week.

Fishing has been on the slow side since that weather event but seems to be returning to pre-storm form. Flows have been bouncing around a bit but are currently holding around 3700 CFS and water temps have been dropping and are currently at around 48 degrees. I’d expect we’ll see these conditions hold fairly stable for the month with no major weather changes in the forecast.

It looks like highs in the low to mid 50’s and lows in the low 30’s for the most part through the middle of next week with somewhat breezy conditions most days. These warmer days should take care of most of the snow on the ramps and such though I fear that here in the fall/winter darkness of the canyon we may have seen the last of the lawn here at the shop until spring sun returns to usher in the next go around.

Sow bugs and BWO nymphs should continue to produce and Pill Poppers and Hot Bead nymphs have started to come into play as well. Rainbow Czechs are never a bad call this time of the year either. Pair a #12 Czech with a #16 Tailwater Sow and find your water.

Dry fly fishing could be good throughout the month of November, wind and weather dependent, but you’ll want to be at the ready with those BWO and midge rigs.

Obviously streamers have been in major play for the past month and will continue to be a go-to for the remainder of the fall season.

Swing season is here but there’s ample time left to strip as well. We’ve been selling a ton of Thin Mints, Balanced Leeches, Polar Leeches, Buggers, Pine Squirrel Leeches and the like but don’t feel like you have to go small. There are plenty of fish chasing down big bugs, some looking for maximum caloric intake, some operating strictly out of aggression. Either way, it’s worth your time to throw the meat.

The shop is open at 8:00 AM daily (except when we’re not) and provided we have the crew available we’ll be running The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO All Winter Long!

And speaking of the crew – as always, the team effort is what makes it go here and the team we fielded this season absolutely killed it.

A HUGE thanks to everyone on the WCA team who continued to excel at making WCA the success it has been and will continue to be.

Thanks to Keith and Phil in the shop, Missy and Marty our Rock Star Housekeeping staff; Rhonda, Nate, Brad, Jude, Sennet and Gary on our stellar shuttle crew and of course all of our guides who knocked it out of the park more days than not, putting smiles on faces and making memories that keep folks coming back year after year.

A huge thanks as well to Kelli Wilson at MO River Eats for making lunches a highlight of the guide day experience and for her dedication to her craft. Thank you for the early morning deliveries, the late night adds, the breakfast BLT’s and the constant attention to details. We feel so blessed to have Kelli taking care of us and our clients feel the same.

Finally – none of it means anything without you our clients. I am humbled every season both by the continued support of our regular customers and all of the new customers who darken our doors. 10 years in we STILL hear it on a fairly regular basis…”I never knew you guys were here” and while that proclamation certainly drives our advertising strategy it also makes me think we continue to have miles to go in growing the WCA brand. Coming off of our best year yet, that’s a huge comfort and a huge reason for optimism.

So thank you to all of you who stay with us, fish with us, shop with us, follow us on social media, wear our brand and talk us up….y’all continue to make Wolf Creek Angler THE Missouri River Fly Fishing Destination.

Here’s to 2023 and more of the same ahead.

By Jason Orzechowski|2023-11-02T09:58:41-06:00November 2nd, 2023|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, fly fishing, Missouri River, Mo' River Eats, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, 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

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