Streamer Fishing Archives - Page 8 of 19

Early April on the MO

Just back from a week in the Utah desert and trying to settle in to the busy springtime groove this week on the MO’.

The migration from the west side has begun with flows over there bumping enough to send a bunch of traffic our way this week.

Yesterday turned out to be a good day to dig out from under a week’s worth of things left on hold while I was away. The cold snowy morning kept traffic to a minimum which kept things quiet in the shop…perfect conditions to re-acclimate.

Today is a different story. A quintessential early spring day with blue skies and an abundance of sunshine. I started early, launching a couple of rental boats before we opened and since I turned the OPEN sign on it’s been pretty much non-stop traffic, the majority of which has come from the west side.

We’ve got a few folks staying and a number of trips out this week but we’ve got plenty of openings for lodging and guide trips both if you’re looking to take advantage of our Spring Guide Trip and lodging special which comes to an end on April 18th.

$550 for a full day guide trip for one or two anglers plus not one but TWO nights of premium lodging. Guide trips alone are $450 plus tax for a full day while if lodging is all you need kitchenettes are running $99/night. These prices simply can’t be beat but like all good things, they too must come to an end. Regular pricing goes back into effect on April 18th with guide trips back at $550 plus tax and premium lodging back to $135/night (plus tax).

As of late last week all of our lodging is now open so our always popular motel rooms are back in play at $75 for a single room (one full bed) and $85 for a double (one twin and one full bed).

Nymphing turned the corner last week and our clients have been treated to some epic days as of late. The numbers are at the dam but fishing has been good everywhere if you want to separate yourself from the crowds and if streamers are your game then this is your time.

I’ve been out of the shop for a week so I haven’t seen the day to day on what bugs folks are buying but judging by the bins it sure appears as though the tailwater sows, pill poppers and caviar scuds are still leading the charge and I did sell my first Little Green Machines of the season today so look for the baetis nymphs to be starting to play a major role as well.

Sparkle Minnows and Kreelex have been the hot sellers from the streamer bin today but this is the time to throw the kitchen sink at them. As tempting as it is to stick with one or two patterns ( I do it all the time) it is Prime Time for Streamer fishing so mix it up and see if you can’t discover the next hot bug.

The weather looks good for the rest of the week with tomorrow being the nicest day by far with temps reaching near 70. It’ll be 50s for the remainder of the week with a chance for some of that spring snow over the weekend. All in all things are in good shape. Flows continue to hold in the 3800 CFS range with temps climbing into the low 40’s, currently just shy of 41.

The cooler weather will bring things back into shape elsewhere so that west side pressure will taper off over the next couple of days and while there will be some traffic around over the weekend this really is the perfect time to fish the MO’ with hot fish and relatively low pressure.

We hope you make us your first stop on your way to the MO for shuttles, bugs and much much more. The shop is open at 8:00 AM daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-04-06T13:47:15-06:00April 6th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

In Like a Lamb

March has arrived this time not like a roaring lion but rather a gentle lamb. Maybe we’ll miss the lion altogether (though I’m not counting on it) but for the time being spring has sprung!

Abundant sunshine and temps nearing 60 through Saturday. Not quite as warm on Sunday and into the early part of next week but 40’s and 50’s nonetheless. Not bad for early March in Montana.

As you would expect the phone has been ringing nonstop with people looking for lodging and guide trips this weekend. We’re currently full but that may be changing today as we make our best effort to get more lodging open for the weekend.

The fact that we’ve decided to get things opened up early will pretty much guarantee a return to winter in short order but after losing most of spring 2020 to the pandemic we are ready to make hay as the sun begins to shine.

Expect some traffic out there this weekend but don’t let that deter you. March traffic is a far cry from April, May and June traffic. There’s plenty of water and there are plenty of trout for all.

River flows are stable currently at 3400 CFS and the water temps are bumping up, currently at or near 35 degrees. Stay on the winter program if you’re nymphing targeting the slow depths with pink anything, firebead anything and sows and scuds. Try a Pill Popper, Pederson’s Sow or Caviar Scud as your lead coupled with a #16 tailwater sow or pink soft hackle sow. If you have it to yourself work it until you find them, adjusting depth accordingly.

Prime Streamer Season is about to commence. Obviously the water temps need to come up a bit for things to really heat up but it’s definitely worth your time right now targeting slower water and structure and keeping your retrieve SLOW with plenty of pauses in between strips. Kreelex, Polar Leeches, Sparkle Minnows, Clousers, Mojo Minnows, Mini Dungeons and the rest of the usual suspects are moving fish but I wouldn’t hesitate to size up and throw something new into the mix like ZK’s Gladio or Thick Biscuit…hot off the vice and new for 2021.

Midge action has been sporadic at best but I’ve got a feeling it’s about to get good. Keep that dry fly set up rigged and ready with your favorite midge cluster.

If you’ve been waiting patiently for SPRING SPECIAL GUIDE TRIPS to go into effect then you haven’t been paying attention. The WCA Winter Lodging and Guide Trip Special has been in effect all winter long and will run through the middle of April. $550 for a full day on the water and not one but TWO nights of premium lodging at Wolf Creek Angler. It’s a deal that CAN NOT BE BEAT…we challenge you to try!

Don’t need the lodging? Guide Trips are $450 through mid-April which is the going rate for spring trips on the Missouri.

Spring shipments arriving daily. New waders, boots, rods, reels and the biggest pre-season fly order we’ve ever done!

Once again, we’re fully expecting winter to return but for the moment spring is here and WCA is ready to roll.

Keep an eye on our Facebook Page or feel free to give us a call to find out when that additional lodging will become available.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-03-03T09:05:23-07:00March 3rd, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The Thaw

It didn’t last long but after bottoming out repeatedly at -27 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chills as low as -50 it feels good to emerge from last weeks’ arctic blast. We went several days without breaking zero and probably averaged somewhere around -5 for much of the week. Cold for sure, but nothing like February 2019 when we averaged less than one degree for the entire month. Not so this year.

We’re warming up this week with highs near 30 for the next couple of days and overnight lows dipping down around 20 though we will see a return to single digits tomorrow night with a low of 7 but the warming trend resumes on Thursday and into the weekend when we’ll see temperatures in the 40’s and possibly nearing 50 by next Monday.

After a bump in flows to compensate for the frigid temps we’ve dropped back down to around 3500 CFS. Water temps are COLD, currently right around the freezing mark.
The river definitely got a good rest last week and we haven’t seen much activity as of yet this week but we’re expecting some traffic as we head into the weekend with both the hard water anglers and those fishing the river now competing for a limited number of rooms closer to the action than any other lodging option.

Wolf Creek Angler lodging is the best deal you’re going to find anywhere in the vicinity this time of year coming in just under $100/night for a cozy bungalow with two twin beds, a full size pull out couch, a private bath and a full kitchen which is a must have this time of year with zero dining options currently being offered.

Plan to resume winter fishing techniques when you get back out there with nymphing obviously being your best bet. As cold as the water is plan to dredge the depths of those SLOOOOW winter runs with the usual suspects (anything pink, sowbugs, Hot Bead Rays, Caviar Scuds, Soft Hackle Sows etc.) I like a #10 or #12 tungsten bead lead trailed with a pink or gray soft hackle sow but it’s way more about location than selection right now.

With water temps hovering around freezing the fish are not doing much. Conserving energy is the name of the game so they aren’t likely to move far to eat. Consequently, you’ll have to adjust your depth until you find where they’re at and once you get your bugs in their face more often than not they’ll eat. They need the calories, they just can’t afford to expend much energy to get them so set up shop where you know they’re at and adjust until you find them.

As the water temps bump up expect things to get a little easier as the fish start to move. They’re hungry and just as soon as the cost/benefit equation starts to turn in their favor with warmer water the focus will shift from energy conservation to caloric consumption. Spawning season is rapidly approaching for our Rainbow population which means it’s time to maximize calorie intake. Expect the action to heat up just as soon as we see a warming trend take hold.

We’re also heading into the best time of year for fishing midges, the unofficial start of dry fly season on the MO. Keep your dry fly rod rigged, and ready and in reach.

Swing season is still a go and we’re mere weeks away from prime streamer fishing getting underway.

I’m trying not to wish winter away just yet as we really do need substantially more precipitation but one can’t help but get excited for what’s on the way with such a drastic shift in the weather.

I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of winter but it’s not too early to start thinking spring fishing. After all, spring is only a month away.

Before you know it the season will be upon us so there’s no better time to start organizing your gear and figuring out what you already have and what you need for the season ahead.

It’s the perfect time to purchase those new waders and boots you’ve been promising yourself for the last several seasons. Or how about a new rod and or reel for 2021. Based on what we saw last year with people flocking to our sport gear may be hard to come by again so don’t drag your feet.

Spring product is continuing to trickle in and that late winter trickle will soon be a steady flow. We’re replenishing and restocking and also bringing in a bunch of new gear for 2021, including more new fly patterns than we’ve ever brought in before.

So as we emerge from this short arctic blast and prepare to embark on Season Number Eight at Wolf Creek Angler I can’t help but feel like this is going to be the best year yet.

Shop our online store or come see us in person. Extended shop hours and additional lodging options on the way just as soon as the demand requires it and the forecast permits it. Winter Lodging just $99/night plus tax. Guide Trips $450 for one or two anglers and our World Famous Winter Guide Trip and Lodging Special just $550 for a full day on the water and not one but TWO nights of premium lodging. All in effect through April 18th.

Shop Hours currently 8 AM – 3 PM Tuesday – Saturday and we’re ALWAYS OPEN for lodging and guide trips.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-02-16T12:10:55-07:00February 16th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Sunrise on 2021

As the sun rises on 2021 the promise of a new day gives us plenty of reason for optimism as we anticipate the coming season.

Summer bookings continue to fill the calendar, giving shape to what we hope will be another strong season as we begin year number eight. As previously stated the outdoor recreation industry was a good one to be in during a pandemic and indications are that this will continue to be the case indefinitely, even as the world starts make a return to normal. Even so, having lost our spring last year due to the shut down and having suffered through plenty of cancellations throughout the 2020 season due to travel difficulties and Covid concerns, we’ve got some ground to make up. Early indications based on our current 2021 bookings are that we’re headed in the right direction.

That’s the outlook for prime-time but what about now?

As I write I’m looking out the window at bare ground as has been the case for much of this winter thus far. The thermometer reads 32 degrees with cloudy skies and relatively calm conditions. River flows are currently around 3800 CFS with water temps holding at 35 degrees. In short, winter fishing conditions on the Missouri are prime, especially by January standards, with no big changes on the horizon.

There hasn’t been much variation in the forecast for the past several weeks. Highs around 40, overnight lows in the 20’s, a mix of clouds and sun with little precipitation. Wind has been an issue at times but all things considered, it’s been an extremely fishable winter season with very light traffic.

As previously announced we are back in the business of winter lodging so there’s really no reason to not take a couple of days off and spend some time on the Missouri. Book a guide or bring your boat (or rent one of ours) or just do the winter walk/wade. Most are settling in to winter nymphing, some are opting to swing and a few are intent on logging that first dry fly eat of the year. All are good options given the current conditions.

Nymphs – Think Pink! Pill Poppers, Bubble Yum Scuds, Amex, Yum Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Pink Weight Flies, Pederson’s Sow, Pink LB, Cotton Candy, Tailwater Sow, Pink Lucent Bead Rays, Soft Hackle Sows, Caviar Scuds…just to name a few. Slow, deep winter water fished deep with a bb or two to get you down.

Streamers – Winter Standards like Kreelex, Polar Leeches, Thin Mints, Balance Leeches, Buggers etc. but don’t be afraid to stray from the standards. Dredge the depths with a SLOW retrieve or swing the tailouts.

Dries – Griffiths Gnat, Grizzly Midge Cluster, Hi Vis Midge, Black Midge, Adams Midge, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Black Sipper. Midges are it for the next couple of months and may or not be present, all depends on the day but it’s never a bad idea to keep a dry fly rod rigged and ready just in case.

The Winter Program

Guided Fishing – WCA Guides are the BEST on the river. Book yourself a trip today and leave the rowing and rigging to us. $450 winter rate for a full day float for one or two anglers and no risk with no cancellation fees for any reason for winter trips.

Lodging – Wolf Creek Angler is your best option and the best deal you’ll find anywhere. $99/night (plus tax) for a cozy, clean bungalow with two twin beds, a pull out couch, full kitchen and private bath just minutes from the river.

Dining – You’re pretty much on your own so all the more reason to book one of our bungalows, each with a full size fridge, range, microwave, coffee maker and all cookware provided.

Boat Rental – Adipose Flow drift boats. $100/day. You haul. $150 if you need us to haul it for you.

Shuttle Service – Headhunters remains the only game in town at this point but we’re currently mulling over options based on the persistent mild weather. Stay tuned!

Shop Hours – Officially still Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM but it’s a safe assumption we’ll be here on Mondays if it’s nice (at least long enough to get our boats hooked up and hit the river) and if winter ever returns we likely won’t be here on days it doesn’t make sense to make the trip out. Regardless, we’re open for lodging and guide trips EVERY day.

We’re excited for the New Year and the coming new season and we hope to see you soon at Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-01-04T11:32:17-07:00January 4th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $450 Winter Rate guide trips, 2021, Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid December on the MO’

All remains quiet on the Missouri as we close out these last two weeks of 2020 and look with eager anticipation towards the promise and potential of a new year.

Conditions remain favorable by December standards with more of the same on tap as far as weather is concerned and water conditions holding steady with flows at a low but constant 3690 CFS and water temps hanging right around 37 degrees, give or take.

We’ll see partly sunny skies with temps in the low to mid 40’s all week long though it looks to be breezy this weekend with a high wind watch in effect for Friday night.

Nymphing will be the method of choice over these next couple of months as the fish are settling in to their winter habitat though swinging or stripping streamers will continue to keep many of us occupied all winter long. Dry fly fishing? Not much happening on that front at the moment though midges are a winter staple and will provide some dry fly action throughout the winter months.

Dredging nymphs under a bobber is your best bet for success right now so break out your winter boxes and pick apart that frog water. Pink is in play and will be a staple from here on out. An ideal rig would be #12 pink or rainbow weight fly, pink AmEx, Pinkalicious, Rainbow Czech, Pill Popper, Bubble Yum etc., trailed with a #16 or #18 soft hackle sow, Tailwater Sow, Caviar Scud, Zebra Midge, poxyback sow, Ray Charles, Rainbow Warrior, pink lighting bug, cotton candy etc. If it’s pink and has a pink or hot bead you can’t go wrong. You just need to find the depth and the lane and you’ll be in business. We’re fully stocked with all of the above as well as countless other options.

Keep the streamers on the small side (or not). Buggers, Pine Squirrel Leeches, Fruit Rollups, Polar Leeches, Kreelex etc. have all been effective though the bigger stuff will work as well. Whichever route you decide to go you’ll want to achieve substantial depth and keep your retrieve SLOW with plenty of pauses in between strips. Try the occasional swing or jig action as well. Winter is obviously becoming swing season on the Missouri with the two handers seemingly taking over but don’t feel like you can’t fish single handed utilizing old school streamer methods. I’m here to tell you, it still works!

And the beauty of it this time of year is that whatever methods you prefer, there is no shortage of water on which to ply your trade.

As has been the case for most of the fall, traffic is not an issue. There are always a few wader anglers around and maybe a boat or two depending on the weather and the day of the week but there is a daily abundance of solitude to be found which will likely be the case for at least the next few weeks until cabin fever starts to drive some traffic our way.

Our lodging continues to be on hold until things settle down with Covid cases which it seems might be happening now, at least by the daily state wide numbers which have been trending downwards for the last couple of weeks. If these trends continue we’ll likely make lodging available again in January, just in time for the aforementioned cabin fever traffic.

We’ve gotten a few calls inquiring about the ice on Holter….there is none! We’ll keep you posted.

As we approach Christmas which is ONE WEEK FROM FRIDAY, and as we gather to celebrate the holidays, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all again for your patronage over the years and especially during this crazy Covid year. I don’t know that we’re quite out of the woods just yet but I’m confident 2021 is going to be a year of leaps and bounds towards normalcy and I for one can’t wait.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-12-16T10:33:45-07:00December 16th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Hooked Up – December Days on the MO. Photo by Matt Hargrave

More of the same this week on the MO.

You can expect steady weather and stable flows as we descend into the darkest and shortest days of the year from now through December 21st when we turn the corner and commence the march towards spring and the 2021 season.

We’ll see a high near 55 today, trending cooler for the remainder of the week but with no significant changes and no precipitation in the forecast. With Christmas just two weeks from this Friday it looks as though a white Christmas is not likely but obviously this could all change between now and then.

In the meantime, it’s pretty tough to beat these fishing conditions for early December yet things remain surprisingly quiet. A few more boats out there on the weekends and a few wade anglers out there daily but not what you’d expect.

Nevertheless, we’re enjoying the solitude and enjoying some good streamer days and it sounds as though the nymphing is picking up and there have even been the occasional sipping trout out there willing to engage a well presented dry fly on any given day.

We’re continuing to keep our lodging closed for the time being, waiting for things to improve on the Covid front. Hopefully soon!

Shop hours are 8 AM – 2 PM Tuesday – Saturday with social distancing and masking in full effect (for whatever it’s worth). If you know what you need and would rather not take your chances indoors give us a call on your way out and we’ll be happy to deliver your items curbside.

Our shuttle service remains on hiatus until spring but we are fully stocked on all of the essential winter bugs as well as a wide array of Simms gear from hats, gloves and socks to layering to waders, boots and outerwear.

And don’t forget our web store is now live so you can shop from the comfort of your home or office. We’re continuing to add new items daily so as you think about that countdown to Christmas and if you haven’t yet gotten your shopping done www.wolfcreekangler.com should perhaps be your next stop.

We hope you get out and take advantage of this amazing weather this week on the MO and hope to see you in the shop when you do.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-12-08T10:10:08-07:00December 8th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Christmas, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T), Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Late Fall Colors on the Missouri River – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

You could do worse this Thanksgiving week than spending some time on the MO’. The weather is certainly tolerable, especially by late November standards, with daily highs in the 40’s and nearing 50 this weekend. It’s been breezy and will continue to be so but that’s to be expected. Sustained South Southwest winds in the 14-16 mph range with higher gusts up to 28 mph, not ideal but definitely fishable.

Flows continue to be low, currently right around 3500 CFS with water temps holding above average for late November but continuing to slowly drop. We’re currently sitting at 41.5 degrees so you’ll definitely want to add some layers if you plan on spending any extended time wading.

Traffic has been very light. A few wade anglers around most days doing the swing thing and generally a couple of boats in the mix with the nymphing set working the dam stretch leaving most of the rest of the river unmolested.

Conditions are ideal for those late fall streamer trips on the MO and while the Trout Spey swingers are growing in numbers staking out their claims daily, the old-school single-handers are covering the miles and enjoying the lack of competition and some decent fall streamer fishing (depending on the day).

Many of the brown trout are post-spawn and looking for high calorie targets as they prepare for winter’s cold. The perfect storm of events and conditions for the fall streamer angler. That being said, there are plenty of active redds out there so please leave those fish alone and watch where you step when wade fishing.

A slow retrieve with plenty of pauses has been effective generally working the banks and drop-offs. We’ve been moving a few off of the banks but most of the action seems to be mid way between the bank and the boat in medium fast, moderate depth water. Much more so than the slow deep stuff at this point. Don’t overlook the swing either. Sometimes a swing/strip hybrid retrieve can be deadly.

Best colors vary depending on the day. Black, natural, grey, yellow, olive and white have all had their moments. Conventional wisdom says dark colors and dark days but don’t be afraid to buck convention. Mini Dungeons, MK Ultralights, Kreelex, Sparkle Minnows, Swim Coach, Dirty Hippies, Peanut Envies and Circus Peanuts have all been getting noticed as have smaller buggers and polar leeches. Switch patterns and colors often until you find something that works.

Wolf Creek Angler is your Missouri River Streamer Fishing Headquarters with an unrivaled selection of the big bugs, a streamer line for any and all situations and a deep passion for and knowledge of the sport which we absolutely love to talk about. Stop in for tips and techniques, your favorite bugs or anything and everything Missouri River Streamer Fishing.

Don’t care for streamer fishing? That’s ok too. Nymphing is providing plenty of action right now as the fish make the transition to winter conditions. As it’s been with the streamer bite, we’re still picking up fish on nymphs in medium fast water but they are starting to stack up in the traditional cold weather spots, deep and slow.

Target both starting with the faster water and then getting down into the slow depths if need be. Tailwater sows, black Zebras, Soft Hackle Sows and Rainbow Czechs are all standard fare for late fall and it wouldn’t hurt to start working some of the winter fare into the mix. Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Cotton Candy, Pink Rays, UV Crush, Caviar Scuds, Hot Bead anything….you know the routine. All available now at WCA.

And speaking of WCA, we’re changing things up again with our hours. We apologize for the frequent changes but Covid continues to dictate our operational status. Effective immediately our hours are Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, CLOSED Sunday and Monday. Lodging will continue to be closed for the time being but don’t let that prevent you from calling to book your 2021 dates. It was brought to my attention last week when I announced we would not be taking any new lodging reservations that readers might construe that as us not taking reservations for next season which is absolutely not the case. We’ve just decided to close lodging for the time being while Covid continues to rage. We fully intend on being 100 percent open for business for the 2021 season so by all means, call now and book those dates.

We have suspended our shuttle service for the winter but will resume with vehicle shuttles in the spring.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to do our best to navigate through these strange times.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-11-24T12:48:42-07:00November 24th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Quiet on the MO’ photo by Wolf Creek Angler

We’ve definitely reached that time of year when angling traffic all but ceases on the MO’. The cold and snow have ushered in The Quiet and while you may find the occasional trout-obsessed, hard core angler out there swinging the tail outs or driving up and down the Recreation Road praying for BWO’s as they comb the side channels in search of rising trout, there is no shortage of solitude to be found on the river these days.

The same can unfortunately be said for the confines of the shop where we’ve been engaged in such year-end pleasantries as counting flies and FINALLY completing those pre-season orders. The season is now over for shop staff which means it’s just yours truly and usually the dog here as well to keep me company.

So while it is indeed The Quiet Time, it’s also that time of year when my job description is expanded to include ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that needs to be done. Housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, snow removal, security, phone calls, emails, dog walks, website work and more. And on the rare occasion a customer darkens the door, I may even get the chance to sell stuff.

Mid-November through the end of the year are by far the quietest weeks of the season. Hunters are afield and the holidays are approaching which means we simply don’t see much in the way of traffic. It’s a perfect opportunity to take stock of the season and think about how we can do things better next year and it’s also the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the solitude of the season.

All that being said, I do expect there may be a slight uptick in traffic next week as we see things warm up early in the week with temps in the high 40’s though mid-week. The rest of this week doesn’t look terrible though temps remain in the 30’s and winds are forecast to increase with the least desirable day looking to be Saturday with sustained west winds 22-28 mph, gusting to 44 mph.

River flows are currently 3560 CFS with water temps hovering around 43.5 degrees. Water conditions are favorable for BWO emergence, weather conditions maybe not so much though Monday looks like it could shape up to be one of those quintessential fall BWO days with overcast skies and rain and snow in the mix. If the wind allows for it perhaps Monday will be the day you DFO’s have been waiting for.

If you’re swinging or stripping, weather and water conditions aren’t nearly as critical though overcast skies are certainly your friend as well. And those looking to chase the bobber will also welcome the cloud cover. Again, it won’t be busy even if we do see a few more folks around so if you haven’t had your fill of fall fishing next week looks like a good time to be here.

I’ve not heard of much happening on the dry fly front so I won’t waste your time with a report about how nothing is happening. If you’re a fall BWO angler you know the game, you’re not looking to us to tell you HOW to get it done, just maybe WHEN. We’ll keep you posted though if you find yourself reading about how great of a BWO day we had yesterday then it’s likely too late!

Nymphing reports have been on the sub-par side overall these past couple of weeks but any day could turn out to be the best day of your season. You won’t know if you don’t go! Your go-to bugs should be Rainbow Czechs, Tailwater Sowbugs, Zebra midges, Soft Hackle sows, Pill Poppers etc. and you might keep some baetis nymhs (Green Machine, split case BWO, BWO Magic Fly) in the mix though we are definitely entering winter nymphing conditions. Bring on the Pinks and Firebeads!

Streamer fishing has been decent depending on the day and should continue to produce. Swingers are getting them on Polar Leeches, Kreelex, Fruit Rollups and the like and while those work on the strip as well we’ve been getting plenty of action on Sparkle Minnows, Swim Coaches, Mini Dungeons, JJ’s and MK Ultralights.

Swing the tail outs and strip off the bank or through the flats and tail outs. Don’t overdo it with your stripping action. The water is getting cold so keep it on the slow side with plenty of pauses.

Just to remind you, our winter shop hours go into effect next week. Wednesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, CLOSED Sunday – Tuesday. The days we are open and our hours will fluctuate with the weather conditions. Please call ahead to make sure we’re here when you need us but expect that if the weather dictates it we will be here, at least in the mornings.
And once again, we have discontinued our shuttle service for the season and will resume shuttles in the spring. Please contact Headhunters Fly Shop for winter shuttles.

Steer Clear of the Covid, enjoy The Quiet and find the good in each and every day.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-11-12T17:08:04-07:00November 12th, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Craven's Swim Coach, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Kreelex, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, pill popper, Rainbow Czech, running line, sparkle minnow, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow bug, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges, zk's mk ultralight|0 Comments

Winter Recedes and fall returns this week on the Missouri

Following a weekend that felt more like late January than late October it looks like fall returns starting today as temps climb back into the 40’s today and 50’s tomorrow through the weekend. It looks like we could even be bumping up against 60 degrees early next week so hopefully you hadn’t given up on 2020 fall fishing just yet.

Friday’s winter storm dumped over 20 inches at my house in Helena. Wolf Creek didn’t see quite that much snow but slippery roads, single digit temps and dangerous wind chills kept all but the most hard core anglers off the water this weekend.

Every fall there seems to be a day where it’s just abundantly clear that fall fishing is over. And while it’s generally considerably later in the fall than this I have to say that after fishing the front end of that system on Friday, battling sketchy roads driving home as the storm settled in, spending the better part of Saturday morning digging out, spending most of the weekend on the couch watching the snow fly and white knuckling it to Wolf Creek on Sunday to make sure the plumbing hadn’t frozen, I had a difficult time not proclaiming the season over.

Even with the warm up in the forecast I was having a hard time getting past the fact that my vehicles were buried under literally feet of snow and it’s only October!

Warm breezes this morning however have me thinking differently. The snow is disappearing as I write and the forecast looks good. Not fall Baetis good mind you, but if you weren’t quite ready for winter and want a few more of those pleasant autumn days before we descend into winter’s cold then you should like what’s coming. An abundance of sunshine and moderate temps on tap for the next 10 days will likely bring a substantial bump in angler traffic though with hunting in full swing I still wouldn’t expect it to be overwhelmingly busy.

Izaak’s has closed for the season. Shotgun Annie’s will reportedly be open through Thanksgiving and I believe The Oasis is still serving food but this time of year your best bet might just be stocking up on groceries and staying with us. All of our remaining open units with the exception of Cabin #3 are equipped with kitchens and there are gas grills available for your use.

The warm-up has filled our available lodging starting tomorrow through the weekend but it looks like the nice weather will extend into next week. We’re tentatively planning on closing the cabins late next week but we’ll let bookings (or lack thereof) dictate that decision. The Bungalows will be open and available all winter long.

As you might expect, the warmer weather has brought with it a fair amount of wind so be prepared for that. 15 – 21 mph out of the south today with gusts as high as 29 and a little better tomorrow with sustained south wind at around 11 mph, gusting to 20. Expect similar conditions through the weekend.

Once again, between the sunshine and the wind I wouldn’t expect much on the dry fly front though last light could be good but nymphing and streamer fishing should be good. We’re hearing some solid reports from those swinging as well so keep that in your repertoire.

Shop Hours 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Saturday and 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Sunday.

Web Store coming soon to wolfcreekangler.com. Stay Tuned….

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-10-27T18:13:27-06:00October 27th, 2020|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Fall Fading Fast in Wolf Creek

All is quiet on the Missouri as we cruise through October with the end of the 2020 season in sight.

Traffic has slowed to a crawl and will likely stay that way with more winter weather on the way. A very pleasant autumn day today with highs nearing 50 but that’s all about to change as we’ll see a cold front arrive tonight.

Tomorrow looks like it could be that Baetis day we’ve been waiting for with rain and snow in the morning changing to all snow in the afternoon with a high of 38. We may see up to four inches of accumulation tomorrow night as lows drop into the teens and it will be more of the same for the remainder of the week with a chance for snow each day and highs in the 20’s with overnight lows plummeting into the single digits.

Things warm up starting the first part of next week but the forecast is extreme enough through the weekend that we’ll be closing/winterizing our motel rooms tomorrow. We’ll have cabins available at least through the end of the month and the bungalows are open all winter long.

Fall is never as busy as you might expect but it’s particularly quiet this year which should be music to your ears if you don’t mind a little cold weather and you’re looking to extend your 2020 season. Fishing is worth your while on all fronts with solid nymphing, the potential for silly dry fly fishing any day now and streamer fishing good enough and only getting better from here on out.

All of this AND you can have it virtually to yourself.

We are running our last guide trips on the books this week but expect they’ll trickle in as we close out the season. Give us a call today and book your fall guided fishing trip on the Missouri or if DIY is more your style we’ve got plenty of lodging available and the shop is fully stocked with everything you need for fall fishing. Cold Weather gear, shuttles, bugs, Adipose drift boat rentals, Simms waders and boots and a bunch of cool new logo gear just in time for holiday shopping either in store or very soon to be online with our web store which is currently under construction and expected to be live in the coming days.

We are your streamer specialists on the MO with a full assortment of specialty lines for any and all sub-surface scenarios and the expertise to get you dialed in with the perfect streamer set up. We’ve also got what has been proclaimed by many to be the best streamer selection on the river so look no further than WCA.

Nymphing or dry fly fishing? We’ve got you covered too with fully stocked baetis bins and the best selection of Missouri River nymphs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

We are your Missouri River full service fall fishing one stop shop ready to serve you.

Fall shop hours 7:30 – 5:00 PM Monday – Saturday and 7:30 – 4:00 PM Sunday.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-10-20T18:24:43-06:00October 20th, 2020|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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