thin mints Archives - Wolf Creek Angler

Autumn Fade

As we approach the middle of October the season’s end is looming.

You wouldn’t know it, based on the weather which has been consistently pleasant. Daytime highs have been in the 60’s and low 70’s with blue skies and sunshine more often than not. Overnight lows are chilly, dipping into the high 30’s and 40’s but you really couldn’t ask for nicer weather.

Even so, every good thing must come to an end and while it may feel like September, time is marching on. Soon the 2022 campaign will be in the rearview and we’ll all be sitting back and reflecting on what went well and what could’ve gone better as we look toward the next.

Fall traffic has been fairly heavy, especially these last two weeks but this week feels like things are coming to a close. Just a handful of trips out this week and while our lodging is still fully open there aren’t quite as many folks around.

Many guides have either completed or are counting down to their last trips of the season and as is always the case, while we hate to see it come to an end, everyone is ready for a much-anticipated break in the action.

The fishing remains good with nymphing and streamer fishing continuing to make up for the majority of our trips. BWO’s have yet to make a showing but dry fly fishing is still an option if that’s where your heart lies. Terrestrials and October Caddis could still get a look and you might find success prospecting with a Purple Haze or Parachute Adams. Try trailing a CDC Caddis Emerger behind whatever it is you choose to lead with. They seem to eat it more often than what you might expect.

Stick with the sowbug program if you’re nymphing. A #14 Tungsten Tailwater Sow trailed by a #16 unbeaded Tailwater Sow has been a good go to but BWO nymphs like the Little Green Machine, Split Case BWO, BWO Magic Fly, BWO Redemption, BWO Psycho May and a plain old Pheasant Tail have all been getting noticed as well. Medium fast current, medium depth water should still be your target. The swirlies have been full of food and full of fish so maybe go deep there but otherwise 4 ish feet from bobber to first bug should suffice, with our without a spit shot.

Streamer fishing has been good, better during the low light or under cloud cover but definitely worth your time regardless of conditions. Small black buggers and Thin Mints have been consistently good but the larger, flashier offerings are finding plenty of willing players as well. Weeds are a hindrance but there’s plenty of clean water to throw to. Choose a good long stretch and push through the weedy stuff.

Flows are on the low side (currently around 3300 cfs) with temps holding in the 58 – 60 range. Traffic has finally spread out from the dam stretch with the entire river fishing well. A little more water would be nice but all in all the water and the fish are in great shape and it’s really been an idyllic fall fishing season thus far. The weather looks to hold steady for the foreseeable forecast with no sign of a winter shift on the horizon but it’s coming sooner or later so get out there and enjoy this amazing fall weather and this amazing fall fishery while you can.

We’re open at 7:30 AM Monday – Saturday and 8 AM on Sundays for all of your Missouri River fall fly fishing needs. Shuttles, bugs and so much more including awesome Simms fall flannels and hoodies and plenty of waders, boots now that wader season has returned.

Late September on the MO

Summer heat has returned this week with temps back in the 80’s and near 90 tomorrow. Overnight lows in the 40’s and low 50’s have made for cool mornings so despite the daytime highs being a little warmer than what we’d like right now it still definitely feels like fall. More seasonable conditions will resume on Thursday with temps dropping back into the 60’s and 70’s with cloudy skies and a daily chance for some precipitation through the weekend.

Traffic has dropped off for us a bit this week after last week’s guide trip marathon but there are a fair number of folks getting out and enjoying these summer-like afternoons and the upcoming change in conditions will likely bring out the streamer set as well as those in search of fall dry fly action. We’re not expecting much on that front just yet but it won’t be long. While you wait for the fall BWOs you can bide your time with terrestrials, October Caddis and those dreaded pseudos.

Nymphing continues to be your best bet for numbers with sows, scuds and zebras getting it done and crayfish patterns still providing some solid action on the right days.

Conventional wisdom dictates small leechy patterns on intermediate lines if you want to try your hand at the streamer game and we’ve undoubtedly been selling plenty of Buggers, Thin Mints, Balanced Leeches, Pine Squirrel Leeches, Polar Leeches etc and getting some glowing reports. However, it’s not conventional wisdom that made us THE Streamer shop on the MO so you won’t be surprised to hear that we’ve been defying convention by running big bugs and heavy lines, searching out the water that allows it and finding plenty of success (and plenty of weeds)ourselves.

We keep the streamer bins as full as the supply chain allows so be sure to make us your first stop of the day for the best streamer selection on the MO and a variety of specialty lines and leaders to fit your preferred technique.

We’re down to the last of the summer gear but we’re fully stocked with cool weather essentials like Simms WCA Challenger hoodies and guide flannels as well as a full selection of hats, gloves and layering and of course waders and boots from Simms, Redington and Korkers. We stock Simms G3 and Freestone waders as well as Redington Sonic Pro waders and Escape wading pants.

Our fall rod and reel sale has been a huge success and is still going strong.

Our lodging is busy but not SOLD OUT on most nights. Give us a call for last minute reservations. Our guide calendar has peaked as we start to close out the 2022 campaign. We have openings throughout October and despite having had our busiest guide week of the fall last week we feel like the best fishing of the fall is still ahead of us.

It’s definitely the home stretch with the winter’s quiet looming but that being said it’s currently 80 degrees and sunny with clear blue skies above and a symphony of fall color….it’s the best of fall fly fishing in Montana. Get out there!

We’re open at 7 AM daily for all of your Missouri River fall fly fishing needs.