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Water Update, June 16th 2022

NOT the Missouri River NPS / Jacob W. Frank

The calls have been non-stop the past few days with concerned guests calling to check on conditions in response to national news coverage of the devastating flooding on the Yellowstone River and elsewhere in the region.

Our hearts go out to our friends in Gardiner, Livingston, Red Lodge and elsewhere as they pick up the pieces following this historic flood event. Still on the rebound from suffering through the effects of the Covid economy the past two seasons, this is a tough pill to swallow. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected.

That being said, Montana is a BIG state and what’s happening 150 miles away is not happening here on the Missouri. Even so, conditions have evolved dramatically over the past few weeks and what looked like a season of low flows on the MO now looks to be the ideal conditions we hope for every season.

We’re seeing a big bump in flows right now, currently at 8380 CFS, a far cry from the static 3K flows predicted for the entire season just a month ago but nothing to be worried about. Bumps and drops definitely have an immediate effect on the fishing, don’t get me wrong, but we’re looking at the Big Picture here and we’re loving what we’re seeing.

A couple thousand CFS increase carries with it a lot of debris as the waters rise and carry away the accumulation of wood and other objects lining our low flow exposed river bed but once it’s carried said debris downstream things tend to settle and stabilize fairly quickly. We haven’t reached peak flows and I won’t venture a guess where that’s going to end up but we do have a high confidence that flows will recede to a steady 4-5K in the not too distant future, perfect conditions for our summer season.

The bottom line is that if you’re coming to fish the MO you can expect great conditions and great fishing. It may not be that 3K loved by so many of the wade angling crowd but the fact of the matter is 3K is simply not good for the MO.

There may be a few challenging days here and there with bumps and drops in the flows but overall the 2022 water outlook is shaping up to be so much better than we thought possible just a month ago.

We’re happy to take your calls of concern and we’re ready to talk some of you off of the ledge if necessary but rest assured, your 2022 Missouri River fly fishing pilgrimage is not in jeopardy.

PMD’s are here and will be the mainstay for the next several weeks. Caddis in play as well with Tricos just around the corner.

Higher flows are perfect for the nymphers with Sows and Scuds and Worms and Crays on the menu along with those Split Case PMD’s, Magic Flies, Psycho Mays, Frenchies, etc.

Streamer fishing is typically on the wane this time of year but with this unexpected increase in flows and the cool conditions which have kept our water relatively clean and weed free we would most certainly recommend chucking meat if that’s your thing.

We’ve had a few cancellations from the wade crowd, scared off by the flows so if a last minute trip to the MO is on the agenda give us a call, we may just have a room for you and we most certainly have rental boats available most days for the next couple of weeks.

We’re open 7 AM – 5 PM daily with everything you need for your day on the MO. High water nymphs, the best dry fly selection in the canyon, streamers a plenty, Simms waders and boots, Flyagra, Sun Protection, Oros indicators, shuttles, Adipose Drift Boat rentals and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-06-16T14:00:22-06:00June 16th, 2022|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yellowstone River|0 Comments

Hot Summer Update

It’s been an eventful week since our last post with the main story being the Rock Creek Fire which occurred Saturday afternoon on the Dearborn Ranch and which posed a significant threat to our Missouri River Community. Thankfully fire personnel launched a full on assault to fight this thing on Saturday night and by Sunday morning the threat had been neutralized and at this point the fire is all but a memory at 95 % containment.

A huge thanks to all of our friends and clients who have called and emailed to check on us over these past couple of days. It means a lot.

Fortunately all is well in Wolf Creek and Craig for the moment, at least as far as wild land fires are concerned. We did get a nice rain shower yesterday morning but aside from that it’s been extremely hot and dry which unfortunately are the perfect conditions for extreme fire danger. All it takes is a spark and the next thing you know thousands of acres are burning so please be extra careful with trailer chains, cigarettes and anything else that might spark a wildfire.

That’s the big news of the week but you’re probably wondering how the fishing is.

First….River Conditions. Flows bumped slightly and are currently at around 3400 CFS. Water temps started around 63 this morning. We’re currently looking at 66.5 degrees at the dam….not great.

Daytime highs will continue to cook in the mid to high 90’s through the first part of next week and likely beyond. We’re dipping into the high 50’s overnight which is keeping water temps tolerable, but without a substantial bump in flows which I have no reason to believe we’ll see, the fear is that Hoot Owl restrictions could very well come to the MO. We’re not here to spread rumors, just data-based observations.

So while the fishing has been pretty damn good as of late we urge you to keep water conditions in mind regardless of whether there are restrictions in place or not, and respond accordingly. Get a stream thermometer if you don’t already have one and check those water temps often. If you see temps climbing into that 68 degree range call it a day. Once again, the hoot owl threshold is 73 degrees for three consecutive days. That being said, trout are not loving life once water temps exceed 68 degrees.

We’re doing 6 AM starts and will likely continue to do so for the remainder of the summer season. Early on, early off.

Tricos, Caddis and PMD’s, though waning, are all in the mix right now for the many DFO’s wandering the river corridor. The story this morning was Tricos covering the water and fish ignoring them. They seem to be willing to eat a well-placed Stockingfoot, Outrigger or Cornfed Caddis or even a Buzzball. Tricos… not so much. That being said, every day is different so don’t let yesterday’s report dictate today’s tactics.

And for those not into trying to find their #20 dry fly amidst of sea of naturals, Terrestrial Season is upon us. Hoppers, ants, beetles and Spruce Moths could all make it happen from here on out. Try a hopper with an ant trailer or drop a green machine off your hopper and see what happens.

Nymphing has continued to be the best bet for numbers. Status quo on the bugs with Weight Flies in gold or purple paired with a split case PMD, LGM, Black Zebra, PT’s etc.

The shop is open 6 AM – 6 PM daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-07-14T15:48:41-06:00July 14th, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: caddis, DRY, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, HOT, Missouri River, Montana, Rock Creek Fire, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

It’s Trico Time on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

It’s what some of you have been waiting for….Tricos on the MO’.

Others despise the challenges presented by tiny dry flies and finicky fish but for the hard-core DFO purists among you now is the time.

The quiet early mornings at the boat launches are a thing of the past for now as the Trico guys know an early start is critical for a shot at the prime spots during the spinner fall, somewhere around 9 – 10 am.

A week ago I had the ramps to myself at 6 am when I was dropping rental boats. Today I had to wait my turn behind a multitude of early starts with a steady stream coming in behind me.
Early on means early off which works out well as mid-day temps are currently pushing into the 80’s and 90’s with bright sun and minimal cloud cover the norm as of late. Tomorrow looks like a good chance for showers throughout the day before we resume the summer sun and heat through the weekend.

There continues to be a fair amount of evening traffic out there as well. We recommend self-shuttling for these late floats. We’ve been cutting off shuttles at 4 PM and while some may be doing them later than that I don’t think anyone is doing late night shuttling so if night ops are on your agenda please plan accordingly.

There are still some PMD’s around but definitely coming to a close. Tricos in the morning and Caddis in the evening and if that’s not your thing then have it to yourself during the heat of the day and start throwing some foam.

Hoppers and ants are starting to attract some interest. Not a ton of naturals around just yet but there will be soon enough. Fish the hopper (or ant) alone or drop a nymph (LGM, Zebra Midge, magic fly, lightning bug etc) and cover some ground. Hit the banks, hit the mid-river riffles, hit the spots you wouldn’t normally expect to move fish…you might just be surprised by where you find them.

The nymph game has continued to produce albeit somewhat inconsistently with the continued flow fluctuations taking a toll on the fishing depending on the day. We’re sitting at 4920 CFS as of this writing, I’d expect it to maintain in this range from here on out but I’ve been getting this one wrong more often than not so take it for what it is.

On the good days best nymph bets have been Purple Weight Fly, Frenchie, Brown S & M, Split Case PMD, Tailwater Sow, Black Zebra Midge, PMD Magic Fly, Pearl Lightning Bug, Little Green Machine, Peep Show, PMD Redemption, Tung Dart, PT’s, and the occasional hot streak on Olive or Natural Zirdles.

Top movers from the dry fly bin include Rusty Spinners, Buzzballs, Drowned PMD Spinner, Flash Cripple, Film Critic on the PMD menu. Caddis faves include Blooms Hi Vis Parachute Caddis, Stockingfoot Caddis, Outrigger Caddis, Cornfed Caddis and CDC Caddis Emergers. Go to Trico patterns – Indicator Spinner, Hi Vis Spinner, Double Wing, Hi Vis Sprout and other assorted flavors.

We’re open early every day, by 7 at the latest, with boat rentals in the water generally by 6:30 am. The weirdness continues to hamper our lodging and guide trip bookings but we’re plugging along piecing a season together. The point is, we’re getting enough cancellations that we’ve been able to accommodate last minute requests with a fairly high rate of success so don’t shy away from attempting to book those last minute rooms and trips.

It’s summertime on the Missouri, with Dog Days ahead.

By Jason Orzechowski|2020-07-22T20:04:58-06:00July 22nd, 2020|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, pmd's, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Trico Eat on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The clock is ticking on Summer 2018.

The streets of Wolf Creek and Craig are relatively quiet. The parking lots at the boat launches are relatively empty.

Rooms are readily available and immediate seating is the rule, not the exception.

Meanwhile, within the churning currents, eddies, seams and slack waters of the Missouri things are not so quiet.

It is here that the cycle of life is being played out daily as trico spinners swarm over the water in a mating frenzy at first light before dying and falling to the surface film where they become like candy to the ravenous pods of trout gorging themselves on clusters of the tiny bugs.

It’s the real deal…a feeding frenzy, and you can find it happening here daily.

Don’t like fishing tiny dries? No problem. Terrestrials are on the menu as well. We’ve been spending a fair amount of time throwing hoppers and have yet to find the magic but they are eating chubbies and ants. Hoppers were plentiful through several sections of the canyon yesterday so keep at it…sooner or later they’re going to eat them.

Overall the fishing has been pretty good with plenty of dry fly opportunities and good nymphing in most of the go to spots. That being said, it is fishing and you’re bound to have an off day here and there so keep those expectations in check and maybe hire a guide to get you dialed in. We can help you with that!

HOT weather is on the way. We’ll see highs near or possibly exceeding 100 degrees on Thursday and Friday but it appears as though more seasonable temps will return over the weekend.

Don’t miss out on the Dog Days of Summer Special all this month at WCA. We’re offering a FREE second night of premium lodging when you book a full day guide trip and a night of premium lodging along with great deals on sportswear, wading gear and rods and reels.

Give us a call at the shop for up to the minute reports and conditions and make us your first stop on your way to the MO’. We are your Missouri River One Stop Shop with everything you need for your time on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-08-07T19:44:49-06:00August 7th, 2018|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The Lookout Fire west of Wolf Creek MT Photo by Rocky Infanger

High water fears have given way to earthquakes and wildfires. It’s been an interesting couple of weeks here with Montana’s largest earthquake in decades taking place a couple of weeks back and now the Lookout Fire burning just a few miles west of Wolf Creek. Thankfully evacuation orders issued on Saturday have been lifted as crews have launched an aggressive approach to contain the 390 acre fire which they hope to have a line around by Thursday.

It wasn’t but a few weeks ago we were still getting calls about high water. That’s all changed and the wade anglers are loving it. 4100 cfs from here on out is what they’re saying. We were hoping for a little more water but we’ll take it. Things could be much worse.

From FWP –

Waterbody Restrictions, Closures & Reopenings – Region 3

Tue Jul 18 09:37:17 MDT 2017

(BOZEMAN, Mont.)—High water temperatures and low stream flows have prompted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to implement “hoot owl” restrictions on several rivers in Southwest Montana starting Wednesday.

The following sections of rivers will be closed to fishing daily from 2 p.m. to midnight until conditions improve effective Wednesday:

Big Hole River from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the Mouth of the North Fork Big Hole River;
Big Hole River from Notch Bottom Fishing Access Site to the confluence with the Beaverhead River;
Lower Beaverhead River from Anderson Lane to confluence with Big Hole River;
Lower Madison River from Ennis Dam to the mouth;
Lower Gallatin River from the confluence with the Madison River at Three Forks to Sheds Bridge (Hwy 84) near Four Corners;
East Gallatin River from Spring Hill Road Bridge (Hwy 411) to the confluence with the Gallatin River;
The entire Jefferson River

These restrictions come two weeks later in the year than the first restrictions seen in 2015 and 2016.

Regional Fisheries Manager Travis Horton said, “We’ve been fairly fortunate so far this year with flows in general, but temperatures are high and could stay that way for a while.”

Additional restrictions are possible on other stretches of these or other southwest Montana rivers in the coming weeks.

For up-to-date information on restrictions related to drought, visit http://fwp.mt.gov/news/restrictions/.

Dry Fly fishing continues to be off the charts and with the decrease we’ve seen in traffic as of late if you aren’t here fishing the MO’ right now you’re missing out on some of the best fishing we’ve seen in recent memory and you can have it virtually all to yourself (at least by July standards).

PMD’s are all but over leaving Tricos as the current focus though it might be hard to tell whether it’s trico columns or smoke you are seeing because there’s no shortage of either right now. Caddis are present throughout the day and more so in the evenings. It’s hopper time as well. I haven’t heard of any great hopper reports just yet but I’ve seen plenty of hoppers around and while this is not the best hopper river in the west there’s no reason you shouldn’t dedicate some time to throwing the big bugs. Like anything if you put your time in you will eventually be rewarded. My biggest fish on the Missouri to date was a completely random eat on a pink More or Less hopper last summer.

We like the Moorish and More or Less Hoppers in pink, purple, yellow or tan and also the Carnage and Panty Dropper Hoppers. Plenty of these and many more in the giant drawer of FOAM at Wolf Creek Angler!

Best bets for tricos include Indicator Spinners, Double Wing Tricos, Quigley’s Trico Hackle Stackers and Griffiths gnats and buzzballs. Our go-to Caddis rig is the Outrigger Caddis paired with a Grey CDC Caddis emerger. There are all sorts of other options but it’s been my experience that this rig rarely disappoints.

Hot nymphs this week include tungsten bead black zebra midges, Peep Shows, Brown 2 Bits, PT LGM’s, gold weight flies, tung darts, tan UV Czechs, Nitro Caddis, Doc’s Summer Bug, Rusty Magic Flies and Psycho Mays.

Lodging and guide availability are opening up, slowly but surely. Don’t let the hot weather and the smoke get you down. We’re continuing to do early starts to get you off of the water before the real heat sets in and the fishing goes south.

We’d love to have you as our guest but whether you’re staying with us or not stop by on your way to the river for bugs, shuttles, sun protection and anything else you need including what some consider to be “the best coffee in the canyon”. We are your Missouri River fly fishing destination.

By Jason Orzechowski|2017-12-07T16:49:02-07:00July 18th, 2017|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Lookout Fire, Missouri River, Montana, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|1 Comment

It’s Trico Time on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The season continues to fly by as we close the books on June. We’re swapping out our PMD boxes for Trico fare and savoring the long days of summer. The recent hot weather and lack of precipitation have ushered in Hoot Owl closures in the SW portion of the state which will likely mean more traffic on the Missouri but fear not, she’s a big river. Plenty of fish and plenty of water for everyone. That being said, courtesy goes a long way in preserving peace on the river so please be courteous to your fellow anglers out there. If you are floating – give the wade anglers as wide a berth as you can. If you are wading please keep in mind that while boats are required to give you your space they have to go somewhere. If you are wading mid-river and there are wade anglers on the both banks you may have boats running closer to you than you would like but the vast majority of us who are guiding this river will always give you as much space as possible. Bottom line….be courteous to everyone. We’re all out there doing the same thing…enjoying this amazing fishery.

A huge thanks to all who came out for our Inaugural Fourth of July Fly Sale and for those who missed it, mark your calendars for next year. You missed outrageous deals, the best deals, on the best selection of the most beautiful bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.
It wasn’t the busiest 4th of July we’ve seen, at least not in terms of fishing traffic but by the looks of the parking lot at the Wolf Creek Bridge there was no shortage of folks enjoying a leisurely float down the MO’.
As has become our annual tradition here at WCA we celebrated the 4th with a barbecue for all of our guests and guides and it was a great time as always. Many of these guests have become great friends, having been here from the start.

Those who fished Monday night battled some of the gustiest winds we’ve experienced in a while but there was reportedly some magic in the air as the wind subsided just long enough for some downright spectacular caddis action.
It’s a bit of a transition time right now as the PMDs are on the way out and the Tricos on the way in all against the backdrop of what is shaping up to be a pretty decent caddis season.
The word up high is that while there has been no shortage of tricos in the morning the fish haven’t quite keyed into them yet. That being said, Trico Time is early morning start time. Those who go early will be rewarded.

Make us your early morning Missouri River One Stop. We are open daily at 6:30 AM, before any of the others and lately we’ve had a crowd before we even open the doors so we may very well look at moving that to 6 AM very soon. Stop in for shuttles, bugs, RO and Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, LOOP rods and reels, ARC Fly Lines, KAST guide wear and anything else you may need for your day on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:34-06:00July 6th, 2016|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, RO Drift Boats, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

August Outlook

Welcome to August on the Missouri. The crowds are gone (for the time being) and the fishing is hit or miss but definitely still worth your time. The water levels are continuing to be held in the 4000 range with water temps holding in the low to mid 60’s. Water-wise we’re in good shape and the projections for the late summer and into the fall are for things to remain status quo with a slight reduction in flows starting in September. Most probable flows are predicted to be in the 3700+ range for the fall months.

There is moss and weeds to deal with on the river, there are also big brown trout lurking in and around those weed beds just waiting for a juicy hopper. Don’t let the weeds get you down – they’re part of the deal this time of year, make the best of it.

Tricos? Some days yes, others not so much but you should keep your trico rig at the ready just in case. Our program as of late has been nymphing in the early part of the day and then switching to hoppers around lunch time with the occasional trico interruption. Pseudos and Callibaetis around as well and Caddis are ever-present though not as plentiful as many would like to see.

Streamers? Yes. Streamer fishing can be ok this time of year though we typically avoid the frustration. Dry fly fishing the weedy water can be challenging, nymphing it even more so….stripping streamers through it? Nearly impossible. There are probably some big fish to be caught on streamers right now – we will leave them for you.

Much of the water around the state is not faring as well as the Missouri with Hoot Owl Restrictions continuing to be implemented. This is the up-to-date report on Restrictions and Closures from FWP. It’s your responsibility as an angler to be aware of and to adhere to these restrictions so keep an eye on the FWP web site or give us a call or stop by the shop for the latest info. Open daily at 6:00 AM for guide trips, shuttles, bugs, boats, licenses, sun protection, lodging, piles of logo gear, guide wear from Kast and much, much more. Take advantage of the relative solitude of August and enjoy a day on the river – it’s never a bad way to spend a day.

Restrictions & Closures

Belmont Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

Big Hole River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 08/04/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Hoot owl restrictions in place for the following river sections of the Big Hole River: Maiden Rock FAS to the mouth. (8/4/2015)
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 08/04/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
River sections of the Big Hole River: Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to North Fork Big Hole River. (8/4/2015)

Bitterroot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/03/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Bitterroot River from its origin at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River to its mouth. (7/2/2015)

Blackfoot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/03/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Blackfoot River from its headwaters to its confluence with the Clark Fork River. (7/2/2015)

Clark Fork River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/03/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Clark Fork River from its origin at the confluence of Warm Springs and Silver Bow Creeks to the confluence with the Flathead River. (7/2/2015)

Copper Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Landers Fork. (7/29/2015)

Cottonwood Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

East Gallatin River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/10/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire East Gallatin River from its origin at the confluence of Rocky and Sourdough Creeks to its confluence with the West Gallatin River. (7/9/2015)

Flint Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/03/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
From the Highway 1 Bridge near milepost 53 to the mouth. (7/2/2015)

Gallatin River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/10/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Lower Gallatin River from Sheds Bridge (Hwy 84) near Four Corners, MT, downstream to its confluence with the Madison River at Three Forks. (7/9/2015)

Gold Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary of the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

Jefferson River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 08/04//2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire Jefferson River. (8/4/2015)

Landers Fork Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

Madison River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/10/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Lower Madison River from Ennis Dam to the Missouri River Headwaters. (7/9/2015)

Monture Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

Morrell Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Tributary to Clearwater River. (7/29/2015)

North Fork Blackfoot River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
North Fork Falls to the confluence with the Blackfoot River. (7/29/2015)

Ruby River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/10/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Portions of the Ruby River from Duncan District Road to its confluence with the Beaverhead River. (7/9/2015)

Shields River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/10/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Most of the Shields River from its confluence with Smith Creek downstream to its confluence with the Yellowstone River. (7/9/2015)

Silver Bow Creek Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/03/2015
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
From Blacktail Creek to the mouth where it joins with Warm Springs Creek. (7/2/2015)
Reopened Waterbodies
Beaverhead River Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 07/30/2015
Closure Lifted
Entire Beaverhead River (7/30/2015)

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 4th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Dry Fly Eat on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Well, another month in the books. Our busiest month yet and that with a late July slow-down resulting from weird weather and weird bug activity (or lack thereof) and the general sense that the fishing simply isn’t all that good right now.

August is typically pretty slow around here but oddly enough we’ve been booking a fair amount of guide trips and lodging for the next couple of weeks. As long as the weather and the fish cooperate we might just have a stronger-than expected showing this month.

While it’s certainly not prime fishing time on the Missouri we don’t mind August one bit. There will be some good days and some not so good days out there but if you want to float down a beautiful Montana river on a bright and sunny summer day this is your time. The days are getting shorter, the nights are typically cool and we’re starting to see signs of Autumn as the greens of spring and summer begin their transformation.

August fishing can be good with Hoppers and ants being our go-to bugs right now. Plenty of tricos around and plenty of opportunities if that’s your game but we love to watch the fish eat the big bugs….the takes may be few and far between but definitely worth the wait. Stop in and check out our hopper/terrestrial selection, you won’t be disappointed. Nymphing is your best bet for numbers. It’s Zebra Midge time at the dam!

We like to view August as a breather before the second season which generally starts to ramp up in mid September. It’s a great chance for us to take care of projects around the property which need attention and to assess and evaluate our season and begin pre-season orders for next year. It’s also a good time to play so don’t be surprised if you see some reports this month from other waters or maybe even some reports that have absolutely nothing to do with fishing.

Shop open early (6:00 AM) daily for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. We’re starting to receive our fall merchandise so expect to see some deals as we make room for the new stuff.

We’ve got a full house Monday and Tuesday but things open up after that so give us a call and book that last minute Missouri River fly fishing getaway.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:47-06:00August 1st, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Mid-Week Missouri River Fishing Report

Classic early July dry-fly fishing on the Missouri. Some good days, others not so much. Lots of bugs and no fish, no bugs and no fish, good mornings with a lot of bugs and a lot of fish shut down by afternoon winds…..and on and on it goes.

PMD’s still going fairly strong and Tricos firing up. A few fish being caught on trico spinners but not many. This should improve daily.

Caddis a plenty – depending on the evening and the location. We’re hearing mixed reports about the caddis but the consensus seems to be that the better action remains below Craig however there are plenty of caddis in the upper stretch as well though they don’t seem to get going until last light.

All kinds of options daily for the DFO’s – go early, stay late and enjoy. What’s working? Best movers on the dry fly side this week have been No Hackle PMD’s, CDC Rusty Spinners, CDC PMD Spinners, PMD Transitional Duns, Flash Cripple PMD’s, CDC PMD Emergers, Indicator Spinner Tricos, Barr’s Trico Emerger, Double Wing Tricos, Poly Spent Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger, Cornfed Caddis and Buzzballs.

Nymphing has been good though weeds have become a constant so check your bugs often. Weight Flies in Gold and Purple, Split Case PMD’s, PMD Psycho Mays, PMD Magic Flies, Tung Darts, PT’s, Purple UV Prince Nymphs, Hot Belly PT’s, Peep Shows and Zebras have all been getting eaten along with a bunch of other stuff. The big cool down we had on Sunday really turned things on so pay attention to those significant changes in temperature and barometric pressure and see if you can’t stumble upon the weather that flips the switch.

Most of the traffic has been and will continue to be from the dam to Craig. Wolf Creek Angler is closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than anyone. Planning on getting a super-early start? Make WCA your first stop. Open at 5:30 AM daily for shuttles, bugs, ice and anything else you might need for your day on the water.

It’s Trico Time on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:48-06:00July 8th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: caddis, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Missouri River Fishing Forecast for 2015

March seems to be the time of year when people start getting serious about the coming fishing season. We did see plenty of anglers around during late January and early February but it is early March, as winter’s grasp begins to loosen everywhere, that those who have already planned their trip to the Missouri or are in the process of doing so really begin to go to work. It’s the time of year to assemble and evaluate gear and to purchase new gear if need be….we can help you out with that. It’s also the time to inventory your fly boxes and replenish your supply. We can definitely help you out with this as well. This is the time of year when we start to get a lot of calls about what will be hatching when and while we can’t give you specific dates and we can’t guarantee anything – the following will give you some idea of what’s happening when.

Have you booked your guided fishing trip on the Missouri yet? Wolf Creek Angler is Outfitter Owned and Operated and ready to book you and guide you on the trip of a lifetime.

March means midge madness on the MO photo by Wolf Creek Angler

March – It’s the month for midges if you are seeking a late winter dry-fly experience. The past couple of weeks have provided some awesome midge days out there and while it’s sometimes tough to find the fish eating them with any regularity if you know where to look and you are patient you will find that opportunities will present themselves. Griffiths Gnats, Buzzballs and various midge clusters are a good call and if you’re having a tough time seeing the fly try a Hi-vis parachute Adams as your point fly and trail your midge pattern off of it. Nymphing is good and will continue to get better. We’re still sticking with the pink stuff and the FB’s but we’ve heard of success on some small baetis nymphs. Black zebra midges both with and without beads have been effective as well, especially around the dam. March 20th marks the start of our $300 Spring Special Full Day Missouri River Guide Trips which runs through the end of April. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity for a guided day on the Missouri at a fraction of the regular season price.

April – The dry-fly game in April continues to be about midges but BWO’s typically also enter the equation at this time. Nymphing heats up with mayfly nymphs replacing the colorful winter fare. A double zebra rig can also be very effective in the spring. Streamer action also starts to heat up in April. With many of the rainbows in the tribs spawning, the browns are on the move gorging on nymphs and dries and chasing down streamers.

May is BWO time on the MO

May – BWO’s are the May staple with midges still on the menu and larger March Browns (up to #14) and, depending on the location, Caddis also making an appearance. May also tends to be the most popular month for streamer fishing and the nymphing is always strong. It’s an awesome time to fish the Missouri with things greening up and the ability to do it all in one day. Longer days mean longer floats ripping streamers or nymphing – while always on the lookout for bugs on the water and pods of fish eating them.

Mid to late June brings the PMD’s

June – Caddis gaining strength, nymphing strong and by late June PMD’s! Streamer fishing still an option but coming into the true dry-fly season on the Missouri.

July – By far the most popular (and crowded) month on the Missouri. It’s a dry-fly Nirvana with PMD’s, Caddis and Tricos as well as terrestrials like hoppers and ants and beetles all coming into the mix.

August – More of the same but less crowded, a fair amount of weeds to deal with and more emphasis on the hopper fishing. Last season we saw little in the way of crowds in August and had spectacular days of Trico fishing throughout the month with the river to ourselves.

Are you ready for the 2015 season on the Missouri? Much of June and July are already booked solid as you might expect with rooms and guides very difficult to come by. That being said, part of the advantage to being an Outfitter Owned and Operated Shop is that we have a deep guide roster which includes your humble owners. Fred and I try to keep our summer schedules somewhat open to accommodate last-minute requests so if you haven’t yet booked your prime dates and you think it’s too late – give us a call – we may just be able to help you out. (406)235-4350 or Toll-Free 1-800-800-4350.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:59-06:00March 4th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, nymphs, rainbow trout, running line, Streamer Fishing, tricos, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

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