Streamer Fishing Archives - Page 14 of 19

Fall Fishing in Full Swing on the MO’

October Skies over the MO’

As expected, this week of cool, cloudy, wet weather was just what we needed to get things going. By most accounts the fishing these past couple of days has been off the charts. Not only are we seeing the best fishing of the fall thus far, we’re seeing what has so far turned out to be the best fall fishing season we’ve had in several years.

I heard not one, but three different reports on two different days from folks who proclaimed they had experienced as good a fishing as they have ever had on the Missouri. These were all nymphing/streamer reports but it sounds like the dry-fly fishing hasn’t been too shabby either. Definitely still a Pseudo game for the most part but some bigger baetis starting to show as well.

This is the time of year you can fish any way you like and more than likely do pretty well. We’re rolling with streamer rods, nymphing rigs and dry fly rigs all at the ready.

The dam has remained a little quiet with most concentrating their efforts in the canyon or in the Wolf Creek – Spite stretches but there are fish everywhere and you should make it a point to explore some different water rather than sticking to the same two or three spots time and again. We’ve seen it a few times this past week where folks who fish the Bull Pasture etc religiously aren’t having great days and they have no idea where else to go. There are miles and miles of fish-filled water. Get out there and find your new favorite water!

Best bets for nymphing haven’t changed much. Sows, zebras, czechs, San Juan Worms, slender profile mayfly nymphs (Green Machines, Magic Flies, Juju Baetis etc) and a few starting to find some success on the firebeads and pink stuff as well.

Once again, the dry fly action is primarily a pseudo game but a #12 or #14 parachute Adams paired with an actual pseudo pattern or a smaller Adams or some variety of BWO might do the trick. I like an Olive Adams paired with a CDC Caddis Emerger, the fish do too. Have your favorite BWO emergers and cripples on deck as well, they may be seeing some playing time soon.

Streamers could be your ticket to your biggest fish of the season but keep your expectations reasonable and be prepared to work for them. Fish the bugs you believe in. Big or small, it’s up to you. Make America great again and fish one of each, they could be Stronger Together. Whatever you do make Wolf Creek Angler your first stop on your way to the MO. We are your streamer specialists with bins full of bugs you won’t find anywhere else, bugs which not only catch fish but which also transcend the stereotypes of size, style and color giving you the edge over those using the same old streamers the fish have been seeing for years. Not that those tried and true patterns don’t work, they do. Sometimes it’s just cool to break away from what you know and try something new.

It’s been a busy week in the shop with a big run on rain gear, waders, hand warmers, gloves and hats in addition to the usual bug and shuttle purchases.

We’ve got a full house right now and will for most of the remainder of the season though it does taper off the last week in October. That’s when the real hard-core fall anglers start to show. The porches have been abuzz with activity each night as our guests return from the river (or from watching the ball game) and recount the events of the day while staving off the chill in the air with a cocktail or two….it’s great to have all of these people around as we anticipate the quiet winter months ahead.

Look for one more day of clouds tomorrow before things brighten up this weekend. Sunshine returns with highs back in the 60’s for the weekend and at this point it looks like plenty of sunshine on tap for next week.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:31-06:00October 6th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Rainy days on the MO’

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Weather got you down?

It shouldn’t! This is what we think of when we think of fall fishing on the Missouri. Cold, wet, cloudy…..what’s not to like?

This is BWO weather and it’s also the kind of weather the streamer junkies dream of. With a chance for showers (both the rain and snow varieties) all week long and temps hanging south of 50 you can expect plenty of traffic out there and while we make no guarantees we think the fishing could be off the charts.

It’s a great time to fish the Missouri provided you have the right gear but there are few things more miserable as being stuck in a drift boat on a rainy 40 degree day , soaked to the core. Hypothermia tends to really detract from the experience.

We’ve all got our favorite pieces of essential gear for this type of weather but at the very least this is what we would recommend for ultimate comfort.

Redington SonicDry base layers. These pants and crew shirts are the perfect next to skin layer. SonicDry™ baselayer is powered by 37.5™ Permanent Technology and dries 2X faster than the competition, making your outdoor experience warmer, drier and more comfortable. This product is the answer for any outdoor adventure.

SIMMS Wading Socks. Use these premium Merino Wool Socks in conjunction with Simms liner socks to wick away moisture and keep your feet warm and dry all day.

Simms ColdWeather Pants. These micro-fleece lined pants are the best thing since sliced bread! If it gets really cold you can wear them over a base layer but I wear them by themselves until the temps drop into sub-zero conditions. They feature an adjustable waist and the Velcro closures on the cuffs prevent them from bunching up making them the perfect under-wader pants. You won’t believe how comfortable these pants are. It’s the best $100 you’ll spend this fall! coldweather

Simms ColdWeather Shirt. Equally as cozy and comfortable, these brushed flannel shirts feature waffle fleece lining and are the perfect insulating layer over your base. We love them for fishing of course but we wear them on and off the water. Quite possibly THE perfect fall and winter shirt. 20314-furyorangeplaid-l

Redington Sonic Pro Waders. At just under $300 you won’t find a more economical choice. These ultra-durable 4-layer waders feature Ultra-Sonic welded construction, articulated seams for ease of mobility and a reinforced lower leg for increased durability. You can spend a lot of money on waders and you generally get what you pay for but we sell a pile of Sonic Pros because they have many of the same features as some of the higher end waders at a fraction of the cost. sonic

Simms Guide Jacket – The Guide™ Jacket is a proven work horse that is built-to-fish with Gore-Tex® Shell fabric that’s waterproof, breathable, lightweight, and tenacious against tears.

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Kast Steelhead Gloves. We talk about these gloves a lot and we sell a bunch of them. There are all kinds of gloves to choose from out there but we know of none other quite like these. Patented OutDry technology makes them 100% waterproof/submersible, windproof, and breathable. Plus the warm fleece lining, and durable stretch shell give you the snug fit and uncompromising feel that you need in the fingertips, and an extended cuff for valuable additional coverage at the wrist.

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Block out the wind and the rain and you’re good. You’ll be surprised just how nasty of weather you can tolerate as long as you are dry. We’ve got all of the listed items above (and many more) in stock now at Wolf Creek Angler, your Missouri River fall fly fishing one stop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:31-06:00October 3rd, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Redington, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Big Fish – Small Bug, Zebra Midge days on the MO. Photo by Rudy Malmquist

A very fall-like day today in Wolf Creek with mid 40’s and rain showers. We’ll see a low of 31 tonight so it’s likely going to be a chilly start to the day tomorrow but blue skies will return and it should be very pleasant with plenty of sunshine and a high near 60.

We will see a warming trend beginning on Wednesday and should see temps near 80 for the weekend with plenty of sunshine. Expect a busy recreational weekend if the forecast holds as it could be the last of the summertime splash and giggle days.

The busy fall fishing season has begun and we expect to see plenty of traffic around from here on out. Not June/July traffic mind you but enough traffic that you should expect plenty of company out there. We’ve got more guide trips going out this week then we’ve had any week since July and we’re close to capacity on lodging for the early part of this week but don’t worry, things open up by the end of the week so give a call today and book that fall fly fishing adventure on the Missouri. Plenty of guides and plenty of lodging available for the time being before it gets crazy again the first part of October. That could all change with a phone call or two which is generally how it goes in the fall but at this time we’ve got a spot for you at Wolf Creek Angler for mid to late September fishing on the MO’.

The word is out and more and more folks are coming to find that WCA is a great option for Missouri River fly fishing any time of the year. With more on-site lodging than any other shop, the hardest working, most professional guide and shop staff you’ll find anywhere and a fully provisioned Missouri River Fly Shop with everything you need for your days on the water, you needn’t go anywhere else. We are the only Outfitter Owned and Operated Full Service Fly Shop in Wolf Creek Montana and we would like nothing better than to be your Missouri River fly fishing destination.

Keep thinking nymphing this week but expect dry fly action as well with plenty of pseudos around and reportedly some caddis activity in the evenings. The terrestrial bite is definitely waning but don’t rule it out completely just yet, especially as we creep back up into the mid to high 70’s later this week and into the early part of next week. Your favorite hopper/ant or hopper/small mayfly nymph combo may still net surprising results. You won’t know unless you try it. Moorish hoppers, Chubbys and ants in various flavors and increasingly the October Caddis are all getting eats river-wide.

Zebras, zebras and more zebras where nymphing is concerned, especially at the dam. Green Machines, PsychoMays, S & M’s, 2 Bits, San Juan Worms, various Cray Fish patterns, sows, scuds, magic flies, split case bwo’s, Juju’s, Czechs…….and on and on. No super hot single bug right now save the aforementioned Zebra Midge but plenty of fish being caught on plenty of different flies. Fish what you like and what you have confidence in. You’ll be surprised what a difference your attitude can make. In fact your attitude can often times have way more of a bearing on your level of success (or lack thereof) than any fly ever could.

Those playing the streamer game continue to report moderate to good action, depending on the day. Good options as of late have been Dirty Hippies, Moss Fires, Late Night Wandas, Sparkle Minnows, Space Invaders, Autumn Splendors, and a couple of Zach’s exclusives we just can’t seem to keep in stock.

Stop by the shop on your way to the river for up to the minute intel, what some have called the best coffee in the canyon, shuttles, cold weather gear, sun protection, ARC lines, LOOP rods and reels and much more. Open daily at 7 AM. Nobody is open earlier!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:32-06:00September 12th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, RO Drift Boats, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Coming Soon…..

We’ve finally bid farewell to a long, quiet August and while today is a bit of a carryover with hot weather and a relatively quiet river, change is coming right on cue.

We’ll see temps cool over the next couple of days and it will really feel like fall on Sunday and Monday with rain and highs in the 50’s. Sounds like streamer weather to me….bring it on.

And speaking of streamers, I fished with my good friend Brad Turner http://www.pmangler.com/ from Michigan the last couple of days and despite the bright sunny conditions we did manage to move a bunch of fish and even boated a few. Brad is a total streamer junkie and taught me much of what I know about the streamer game. He likes to throw the BIG bugs and he and his crew back in Michigan have been revolutionizing the game in their own way with some cutting edge patterns designed to move in such a way when fished correctly that no self-respecting monster trout can resist at least coming out to have a look.

I was a bit skeptical since I’ve grown accustomed to the smaller bugs we typically throw on the MO’ but sure enough these bugs swim like none I’ve ever seen and we moved enough fish within a mile or two to make me a believer. I’ll be continuing to test these bugs out throughout the fall as the streamer fishing improves and you can expect to find a few of them in the bins at WCA very soon. These aint no wooly buggers….they’re big complex bugs and you’re going to work if you’re fishing them like they need to be fished! Amateurs need not apply! Intrigued? Book a streamer trip with WCA on the MO’ this fall or look Brad up for some Michigan streamer action on the Pere Marquette or Manistee. He’s also doing destination trips to the White in Arkansas. Inquire with him about this or give us a call and we can get you hooked up with his crew for Big Browns on the White in February. We may even join you!

Brad Turner with a beast of a White River Brown

We love throwing streamers, especially in the fall and spring, and while the Missouri is not known as a great streamer river, those who put in their time and work hard at it are often times rewarded. Stop by the shop for all the latest tips and techniques, a wide array of specialty streamer lines from Rio and Airflo, some awesome streamer sticks from Loop, Echo and St Croix and a great selection of bugs, many of which you won’t find in any other shop.

Don’t care for streamers? No worries! The nymphing has been consistently good, especially at the dam and while Trico fishing is all but done there is definitely enough terrestrial action to keep it interesting for those looking for the dry fly experience.

The water is in good shape by September standards and it looks like we’ll see consistent flows throughout the fall season. We did see a bit of a drop recently and it looks like we’ll be sitting just south of 4K for the fall and winter months. Current water temps are holding in the low to mid 60’s and should begin to drop into the 50’s with consistently cool nights and cooler daytime temps on the way. Have I mentioned that we’re getting excited about streamer fishing? Bring on the rain and cool weather. Screenshot (77)

A busy weekend ahead at Wolf Creek Angler though we do still have a few rooms available. Give a call today and book yourself a room and a day or two of fall fishing on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:32-06:00September 1st, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, fly fishing, Missouri River, RIO, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

John and daughter Ellie were all smiles for a couple of wet days on the MO’.

So far May has not disappointed.

The fishing has been good for most and Mother Nature continues to please with plenty of precipitation and cool temps keeping us optimistic about what we’ll see for water on the MO’ this season.

On the flip side we have heard a few complaints about the weather (and maybe even complained about it ourselves from time to time) with a lot of folks ready for some warm, dry days on the water. We’re selling plenty of Kast Steelhead Gloves and we’ve yet to put away the Hand Warmers and it’s been a good spring for wader and rain gear sales so we’ll take it but it’s sure nice to see the sun shine every now and again! Don’t get me wrong – we’re thrilled to be getting the precipitation and the fishing in the rain is just fine but a bit of sunshine is good for the soul.

We fished through a rainy weekend and transitioned from rain and cold yesterday morning to a gorgeous afternoon/evening and a couple of warm sunny days today and tomorrow before rain returns for the weekend. Expect plenty of traffic this weekend, rain or shine, with the 10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook Off happening on Saturday. Come out and enjoy some great food along with awesome silent auction items including fishing trips, original art and gear from your favorite local fly shops. The festivities get underway at 4:00 PM.

Good nymphing out there the past couple of days with the stronger reports coming from the middle and lower stretches. The canyon has been fishing particularly well but there are plenty of fish and plenty of opportunities river-wide. Wire worms and sow bugs have been a good go-to combo but we’re starting to get some solid action on various caddis pupa as well. Weight flies in purple or gold are a great choice for a point fly right now, trailed with your favorite sow bug, mayfly or midge imitation. LGM’s, S & M’s in brown, Yum Yums, Tailwater Sows, Granato’s Snack Nasty Sows, Psycho Mays, Dark Peep Shows, black zebra midges, split case bwo’s, Hot Belly PT’s, Pearl Lightning Bugs and on and on.

Fish the bugs you have confidence in and think depth before you think bug changes. There are certainly some bugs that are consistently working out there but it’s funny how we all get caught up in fishing the “Hot Flies”. We are happy to sell you the HOT FLIES but it’s not uncommon to have people return to the shop after fishing these HOT FLIES having not had any luck with them. Fish what you like. If you thinks it’s going to catch fish you tend to fish it well and often times this is the difference between success and failure.

Dry-fly fishing has been hit and miss at best with BWO’s on the wane and caddis few and far between in the stretches below Craig. It’s been a great BWO spring as far as bugs go but more often than not we’re hearing reports of very few fish up on them. Not to worry though, there is plenty of dry-fly fishing ahead. Keep that dry fly rig at the ready.

Streamers have continued to produce for us to the point where I will say it’s been a pretty damn good couple of weeks. Not exactly HOT but definitely worth committing to for a day, or at least for a couple of hours. Zach and I share a passion for streamer fishing and it shows in our bug selection. Stop by and see what’s new. We’ve got a bunch of new bugs including some WCA/Chewy Exclusives you won’t find in any other shop. We’re happy to set you up with everything you need for streamer fishing on the MO’ and beyond. We’ve got a wide selection of specialty lines from RIO , SA and Airflo and we’ve got some great streamer sticks from LOOP, Echo and St Croix. We’ve been referred to by some as having the best streamer selection in the canyon. Whether or not this is the case we definitely take great pride in our selection and we hope you make WCA your Missouri River Streamer Fishing Headquarters.

We do have a few vacancies in the motel this week and we’ve always got top notch guides at the ready. Give us a call today and book a Missouri River Fly Fishing getaway you won’t soon forget. We’ve also got Adipose and RO drift boat rentals, shuttle service and a shop full of everything you need for fly fishing the Missouri River and beyond. We are your full service Missouri River Fly Fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00May 17th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Craig MT, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, RO Drift Boats, running line, St Croix, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Streamer Time! Photo by Dax Hoovestal

It’s been an interesting weather week on the Missouri going from sunshine and 80 degrees on Sunday to rain and snow and cold on Monday and Tuesday. We started cold today with temps just shy of 30 degrees but it’s warmed up nicely and the sun is shining again which may have a negative effect on the fishing but it sure feels good!

Those who braved the elements on Monday and Tuesday were rewarded with some great fishing including good dry-fly opportunities as well as a good streamer bite which has really been heating up the past week or so. Nymphing is of course very good right now and will continue to be your best bet for numbers.

We’re in the midst of our busiest week of guide trips so far this season so the shop has really been abuzz with activity in the mornings and with most of our lodging full every night it’s starting to feel a lot like prime-time. One of my favorite things about WCA is the community that happens around here during the busy season.

It’s been cold and rainy so there hasn’t been a lot of hanging out going on but on the warmer evenings when everyone returns from their day of fishing the porches and the bar at WCA are the place to be. You will usually find folks having a cocktail or two while trading stories from the day with friends both old and new. It’s what has kept many of you coming back to stay with us year after year and it’s one of the things I absolutely love about this business.

Back to the fishing report. As I said, we’ve had a couple of pretty darn good days out there. We’ll see what happens with the return of the sun and a substantial bump in the flows today. I haven’t heard any reports as of yet but I would bet things might be a little different out there today.

Best sellers from the nymph bins this week have been Tan UV Czechs, Purple Weight Flies, Gray LGM’s, Brown 2 Bits, Psycho Mays, Angel Case Emergers, Bubble Back Emergers, Dark Peeps, Juju’s, PT’s, S& M’s and Lightning bugs in Pearl and Purple.

On the dry side we’re still liking the Olive Adams, BWO Drown Spinners, Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis, Purple Haze, Rocky Mountain Mints, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Buzzballs, Grey CDC Caddis Emergers, Outrigger Caddis, BWO Flash Cripples and other assorted BWO, midge, caddis and March Brown patterns. When in doubt go with the Parachute Adams which likely catches more fish on the MO’ than any other dry fly.

Chewy and I have both been thinking Streamers lately and it shows. Our new streamer bin is full of all kinds of new bugs neither you nor the fish will be able to resist. Hot ones as of late have been Home Invaders in Grizzly/Olive, Lil’ Kim in Copper, Sculpin Sparkle Minnow, Skiddish Smolt in Olive or White and Circus Peanuts in tan or olive. Some cool new additions we haven’t even had a chance to fish yet are Craven’s Dirty Hippy in Black, Rainbow Snot Rocket and Sundell’s Moss Fire. Come check out the ever-expanding bug selection at Wolf Creek Angler – we’re confident you might just be blown away! FullSizeRender (10)

We’ve got a full house for the rest of the week but we hope you still make us your one-stop on the way to the river for shuttles, bugs, RO and Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, Redington wading gear, Fishpond packs and accessories and a bunch of cool logo products including Stanley beer growlers and pocket flasks and piles of Simms logo gear.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:35-06:00May 11th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Craven's Dirty Hippy, dry fly fishing, Missouri River, Redington, RO Drift Boats, running line, Streamer Fishing, Sundell's Moss Fire, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

On The Road Report: Well, Sort of Edition.

I know I promised everybody another installment of OTR but I failed. I failed and I’m sorry. It’s just between getting the shop ship shape for Spring, a phone that doesn’t seem to stop ringing, moving myself into the summer cabin, crappy weather and two couch surfing trout bums over the past few days I just couldn’t manage. It’s really just the combination of the latter two, I blame the hippies and wind. Either way, I was able to make it out with two good buddies of mine Will from Bozeman who just needed an excuse to get off the Gallatin and Bill, guide at large getting in some spring fishing before the season really kicks off . So it’s sort of an On The Road Report, for those two guys at least. Between the three of us we did two pretty similar floats, Mid-Cannon to Pelican and Mid to Mtn. Palace, with two very similar results. Not sure they were the ones any of us expected, but whatever, that’s fishing.

First float was with Will from Mid to Pelican. Looking back on the weather report from that morning and the overall length of the float, it was ambitious. Roughly 11 miles with wind and rain moving in later that afternoon. In hindsight we should have taken out at Prewett Creek. Wind was haneous, to the point that I considered dawning my p.f.d. after one particular gust of wind. Despite the hostile weather later in the day we managed to pull in a few on nymphs and got some great chases and hook ups on streamers. B.W.Os were out for a while before the rain rolled in, but we had a pretty short window to fish to risers podded up in the soft water.

Second trip was with Bill from Mid to Mtn. Palace. Lessons learned from the day before we stuck to the shorter float. Lots of wind throughout the canyon but the skies were clear this time. Didn’t see as many baetis as the previous day, likely because of the bluebird conditions. Still saw a few coming to to surface on clusters of midges. I was able to pull a few decent bows’ to the boat on nymphs but Bill stole the show with a pair of back to back Browns on the streamer. Kid hasn’t been in town 24 hours and hangs 40″+ of buttery Missouri River goodness. Probably had a lot to do with the fly though, hand tied by your truly, articulated with just the right amount of flash.

Like I said before, two similar floats with two similar outcomes, and not what we were expecting. Over the course of the two days between the three of us, we got more chases, hits and hookups from big streamers off hard banks and in deep trenches. Coincidence? Maybe, but my thought is that the bigger fish lower in the system are HUNGRY! I’m talking HANGRY, charging out of the depths with a vengeance and just crushing the fly. What I’m getting at is that in might be worth your while to dedicate a day to throwing some big junk and trophy hunting. Ditch the bobber for float or ten and you may surprise yourself. If you do decide to play the streamer game, here’s five for your box I think will drum up some beefcakes. Okay and some dries and nymphs too…

Streamers: Circus Peanut, Sex Dungeon, Cat Toy, Articulated Sparkle Minnow & ZK’s Mercenary.

Nymphs: Tung. Split Case BWO, LGM, Psycho May, BWO Wondernymph & Rainbow Czechs.

Dries: Q’s Cluster Midge, WCA Trude, Prachute Adams, Buzzballs & Sprout Baetis.

~Cheers, Chewy.

By Zach King|2016-10-25T16:15:37-06:00April 8th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report, Montana Fly Fishing, Uncategorized|Tags: baetis, brown trout, fly fishing, Montana, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Spring Water Update

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March was very good to us as far as precipitation goes. We saw a substantial increase in snowpack pretty much state-wide and we’re looking really good by first week of April standards. These next few months are normally the wettest of the season for us so depending on how much precipitation we actually get it could turn out to be a great water year.

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Those in the know have bumped up their flow forecast for the year with a most probable peak of around 6,000 and a steady 4,000 through the summer months which would be fine. The max probable peaks at around 10,500 and holds steady around 5K for the season….we would love to see the max probable but as always we will take what we get and make the best of it.

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We’re expecting a busy remainder of the week with some summer-like days in the forecast. We will likely see 70’s tomorrow and we could hit 80 on Friday. This being the case we decided to open up the remainder of our lodging units today so we do have a few motel rooms available for the weekend. By far the most rustic of our accommodations, the motel units are hugely popular amongst those looking for clean, basic lodging at an extremely affordable price. At $65 for a single room and $75 for a double you won’t find a more affordable lodging option in the area.

We’ve got more and more guide trips going out but still have plenty of availability. Take advantage of our spring rates while you can. $400 gets you a full day trip for two with one of our expert professional guides, each of whom are amongst the best on the water.

It’s an awesome time to fish the Missouri with plenty of opportunities no matter what your preference. BWO’s are already making a showing along with plenty of midge activity for the dry-fly guys, nymphing is heating up and streamer fishing should definitely be on your to- do list.

We hope to see you soon at WCA!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:37-06:00April 6th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Tons of Bugs at Wolf Creek Angler

A nice mix of winter and spring this week on the MO’. Cold and snowy yesterday, sunny and highs near 50 today!

Traffic has been very light this week and should continue to be with rain, wind and snow showers forecast through Friday. The weekend however looks likes it could be awesome with plenty of sunshine and highs in the 50’s.

We’ve got lodging available for the weekend but we anticipate that we will fill up by tomorrow so don’t miss out. Book yourself a room for $99 and while you’re at it why not book yourself a full day Missouri River Guide trip for just $400 through the end of April.

Mixed bag on the fishing reports lately but there have definitely been some decent days as well as some tougher ones. Nymphing is definitely heating up as the water nears that 40 degree mark and the fish are starting to put up a pretty good fight depending on the day. We’re still sticking to the pink and firebead staples but it’s definitely time to start thinking about expanding your offerings to include some mayfly nymphs.

We got a bunch of flies in yesterday for which we’ve been patiently waiting….better late than never. Pink Weight Flies, Ninch’s Bubble Gum Scuds and Thunderbugs and some cool new midge clusters now in stock. We’re also loaded up on all kinds of foam and streamers available only at Wolf Creek Angler.

Bugs you might consider adding to the mix right now include BWO magic flies, LGM’s, Dark Peep Shows, Micromays, BWO Bubble Back and Angel Case Emergers, Military Mays and good old PT’s.

If you’re thinking dry flies try a Grizzly Midge Cluster, Griffiths Gnat, Black Sipper or Peacock Cluster paired with a Parachute Adams – a hard combo to beat. Another spring favorite of ours is Wiese’s Purple Phase Loop Wing. I haven’t thrown it yet this season but there were some days last spring that it was downright deadly!

Streamer wise we’re still liking Polar Leeches, Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolts, ZK’s Club Drug and Iced Out Grills, various Clouser-type patterns and all kinds of bugger variations.

Come by and check out the ever-expanding fly selection at Wolf Creek Angler, you’re guaranteed to be AMAZED!

While you are here check out all the cool new WCA logo gear from Simms as well as tons of new gear arriving DAILY!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:37-06:00March 23rd, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid Week Missouri River Fishing Report

It’s been pretty quiet this week despite continued spring – like weather and decent fishing.

Monday through Wednesday is definitely the time to be here if you want to increase the odds of having the river to yourself, though these odds will greatly decrease as we move ever closer to actual spring, now just a little less than two weeks away.

I spent some time last weekend plying small waters with big ugly streamers and moved some giants. It’s outings like this that turned me into a streamer junkie many years ago and though I’ve had some awesome streamer days on the MO’, it simply doesn’t provide the consistent action found on some other rivers. I’ve said it many times that the Missouri is not my favorite streamer river but don’t think for a minute that I don’t enjoy a day of chucking streamers on the MO’.

WCA Guide Jim Murray and I did a short float yesterday just to see what was happening out there as neither of us had been out for a few days. We pretty much had the river to ourselves with just one other boat and a couple of wade anglers enjoying the day. Nymphing was on though we definitely noted a solid transition to faster, shallower runs. Same old winter/early spring story on the bugs, pink Amex, Casne’s Pinkalicious (aka Whitey Master), Caviar Scuds and firebead softhackle sows in pink. Most of the trout we caught were on the firebeads. We’ve been selling a bunch of tailwater sows lately and we did run them for a while but apparently the fish have seen enough of the tailwater sow for the time being – at least the ones we were fishing to.

Once again, the water in which we found fish, and more importantly the water in which we didn’t find them, was kind of the highlight of the nymphing report. We fished a fair amount of slow winter water without a drop of the bobber before moving into the faster transitional water where we found them to be concentrated. Not FAST SHALLOW water mind you but medium fast, medium depth, fishing just shy of the bottom.

Having figured out the nymphing program for the day we switched to streamers which turned out to be a bust. Several miles of river and half a dozen bug changes later we went back to nymphing and closed out the day with a couple more hookups. This is early spring streamer fishing on the Missouri, often disappointing but always enough potential that it’s definitely worth your time.

Very few midges on the water yesterday and no fish up but as with the streamer bite there is always plenty of potential. I like to have a nymph rig, a streamer rig and a dry-fly rig all at the ready. Better to bring them along and not use them then to be without. If you’re looking to add a rod or two to your quiver this season stop by WCA and check out some awesome new rods from LOOP, St. Croix, Echo and Redington. We’ve got something for every budget and every method.

We’ve got a full house tomorrow but we do have one room left for the weekend which will likely be gone by the end of the day. Why not make it yours and while you’re at it why not book yourself a $400 full day guide trip. We’re all ready to go to work!

Make sure to stop by the shop on your next trip out to fish the Missouri for shuttles, bugs, RO and Adipose drift boat rentals, LOOP rods and reels, KAST Extreme Fishing Gear and much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:38-06:00March 9th, 2016|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, Missouri River, RO Drift Boats, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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