The Canyon Store Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Late Winter Blues

Coutning down the days to Spring

By Montana standards we’ve had a very mild winter here on the MO.

After an early November arctic blast conditions have remained relatively mild and relatively stable all winter long with daily high temps averaging somewhere in the low 30’s with lows hovering in the teens.

We’re currently in the midst of a somewhat rare cold snap with highs in the single digits today and tomorrow and lows dipping into the negative double digits. A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect through Friday with wind chills as low as -35 possible. Mild weather returns this weekend with highs back in the 40’s and the winds you would expect with the warmer temps.

So yes, a mild winter for sure and a FAR cry from a couple of years ago when our average high for the entire month of February was in the single digits. But even so, as we near the end of February and creep ever closer towards spring (26 days and counting) winter has started to feel really LONG and monotonous and I’m sure I’m among many who are over it. Spring can’t get here soon enough!

I say that, but at the same time we need all of the days between now and then to complete our winter projects and to finish preparations for a busy upcoming season. Definitely a Catch 22 as winter conditions certainly add challenges to getting things done. Our parking lot has been covered in ice for the most part since November. The snow comes and goes. The ice remains and will likely do so for at least another couple of weeks until the sun finally inches its way onto our property and starts to melt the winter away.

So yes, I’m breaking my own rules regarding complaining about the weather and every year those posts I see from seemingly everyone but me from their winter fishing trips to South America, Belize, Cuba, Louisiana, Arkansas etcetera look more and more appealing. I’ve had it with whiteouts, black ice, wind chill advisories, shoveling snow, NOT fishing….bring on the spring weather!

While we wait for spring and try to focus on the bright side there are definitely reasons for optimism. Snowpack conditions look pretty good at the moment provided things stay cold in the high country. We’ll continue to build on that snowpack through much of March so by all indications it should be a good water year on the MO.

Traffic has been very light for much of the winter, save a few nice days that saw substantial fiberglass and Gore-Tex hatches but I expect that will change very soon, likely with the next warmup which looks to be happening this weekend.

We’re a ways out on the remodel but we will be looking to get some lodging opened up in the next week or two as we’ve got a number of groups scheduled for the middle of March and judging by the calls I’ve been getting lately I don’t think we’ll have any problems filling rooms once that warming trend has been established. It sounds like people are READY TO FISH! I know I am!

Give us a call to book your spring lodging and guide trips. We’re anxious to see some lodging traffic again and to see some cash flowing IN rather than OUT which is pretty much the only direction it’s been flowing this winter. Guides are HUNGRY and the fish are as well.

Wolf Creek is ready to be your Missouri River spring fishing destination with everything you need right here. Affordable lodging, the friendliest fly shop on the MO, great food and over 20 amazing beers on tap at Lazy I Beerworks which is OPEN EVERY DAY, the ONLY spot for gas and provisions between Helena and Cascade at The Canyon Store and all within a couple of miles of Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge, as close as you can get.

Why Wolf Creek? 10 Reasons you should make Wolf Creek your Missouri River fly fishing destination

10. Location, Location, Location

Wolf Creek is located just 3 miles from the Wolf Creek Bridge and 4.5 miles from Holter Dam. Chances are if you are traveling by car to fish the Missouri from much of Western, Southwestern and Central Montana and beyond you will be passing through Wolf Creek before you reach the river. Whether you are coming from Helena, Missoula, Kalispell, Billings, Bozeman, Butte or a host of other cities Wolf Creek is your first access to the Missouri River. Since Holter Dam to Craig is the most popular section of the river to float/fish it only makes sense to exit at Wolf Creek, buy your flies and arrange your shuttles at Wolf Creek Angler and proceed to your adventure on the MO. We will shuttle your rig to Craig or wherever you choose to float and you will have saved yourself all kinds of time and substantial mileage. If you choose to bypass Wolf Creek and start your day in Craig you have already added eight miles to your trip. Not the end of the world but by the time you travel eight miles back to Holter Dam or Wolf Creek Bridge you’ve added roughly 15-20 miles to your trip and shaved 30 minutes to an hour off of your fishing time. If you come out once a week to fish you are looking at 60-80 extra miles and a loss of several hours of fishing time over the course of the month. If you fish every month of the year it could be costing you up to several hundred dollars (depending on gas prices) and up to two days of lost fishing time over the course of a year! That’s a steep price to pay and we would love to help you save your time and money.

9. Food, Gas and Lodging

Looking to have access to amenities during your trip to the Missouri any time of the year? Wolf Creek is your destination. With two bar/restaurants and the ONLY gas station/convenience store and the ONLY US Post Office between Helena and Cascade, Wolf Creek is your first choice. Need lodging? Wolf Creek Angler has you covered with affordable lodging options year round. We’ve got units with full kitchens and full baths which sleep up to four comfortably and during the warmer months we’ve got no-frills motel rooms for under $70/night. We are dog friendly, we offer guide discounts and all of our units are clean and comfortable and right next door to a first-rate Missouri River fly shop.

8. A River Runs Through It

Much of Norman Maclean’s novel A River Runs Through It takes place in and around Wolf Creek. Wolf Creek is mentioned in the story many times – other Missouri River fishing destinations are not.

7. Little Prickly Pear/Wolf Creek Canyon

Postcard view of Little Prickly Pear Canyon

Our awe-inspiring canyon goes by both names. Whatever you choose to call it it’s an amazing place. Please keep your eyes on the road as you wind your way through the canyon along Little Prickly Pear Creek. More than a billion years ago,during the Precambrian Era, an ancient inland seaway deposited these shales and sands, which over time,became these vibrant red and green mudstones called“Spokane Shale”. Many of our guests enjoy relaxing times on the porch gazing at the rugged hillside across from the shop where we often see mule deer and big horn sheep and the occasional black bear.

6. The Oasis

Located within walking distance of Wolf Creek Angler, The Oasis offers dining during the season and is a great place to unwind anytime of the year with a game of pool or just watching the game and relaxing in the bar.

5. Welcome to Wolf Creek MT

Wolf Creek is made up of an eclectic mix of residents, some with deep Montana roots spanning generations, others who’ve arrived here from anywhere and elsewhere and have fallen in love with all that Wolf Creek has to offer. It might get a little weird around Wolf Creek sometimes but that’s part of what we love about it. Come discover for yourself the charm of Wolf Creek MT.

4. Wolf Creek Bridge

To call the Wolf Creek Bridge iconic is an understatement. Everyone who has fished the Missouri knows the bridge. It is probably our most photographed local landmark and images of our bridge often appear on the blogs and facebook pages of local fly shops and outfitters. We love our bridge so much we made it a part of our logo and while we love to see pictures of our bridge on social media, Wolf Creek Angler is the only shop with a rightful claim to the Wolf Creek Bridge.

3. Shotgun Annie’s

A Wolf Creek institution, Shotgun Annie’s (formerly The Frenchman and Me) is the only year-round restaurant between Helena and Cascade. It is a classic small town Montana saloon and is a favorite amongst our guests. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner and Shotgun Annie’s. They serve up great steaks, ribs, burgers and more.

2. Montana Microbrews at The Canyon Store

Rivaling the Montana-Made beer selection of large grocery stores in the bigger cities, The Canyon Store has fully embraced the Montana Microbrew craze. Check out their great selections from Lewis and Clark, Bitterroot Brewing, Bayern, Mighty Mo, Bozone and more.

1. Wolf Creek Angler

On the move and at your service since April of 2014, we are here for the long haul and fully intend to do our part to put Wolf Creek back on the map as a Missouri River fly fishing destination. We are your full service Missouri River fly shop offering lodging, guided fly fishing, drift boat and equipment rentals, shuttle service and a first-rate shop with an ever-growing inventory of everything you need for success on the Missouri River including the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

This season make Wolf Creek your Missouri River fly fishing destination!