winter

Late October on the MO

It has been another week of unseasonably warm weather with an abundance of sunshine and daytime highs hovering in the low to mid 70’s.

Nice weather for a boat ride but not exactly optimal conditions by fall fishing standards.

What are those optimal conditions? Check out tomorrow’s forecast.

RAIN before 1 pm, then rain and snow. Temperature falling to around 35 by 4 PM. Light northwest wind becoming north 15-20 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 %. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. More of the same for Friday night and nothing over 50 degrees for daytime highs next week.

Definitely not optimal weather for an autumn pleasure float, especially with the north winds, but if you’re looking for quintessential late fall fishing conditions, this would be them.

Gusty north winds will be the wildcard but the rest of that forecast SCREAMS BWO’s! Fingers crossed!

Even if the bugs don’t happen, the odds are that fishing will be solid so wader up, bundle up and get out there.

Expect the nymphing to remain your go-to numbers option with Tailwater Sows STILL leading the charge. We sold through 40 dozen #16’s in a week and a half if that tells you anything. The restock happened yesterday and they are still the hot ticket so get em’ while you can. Pill Poppers are also starting to come on strong, and it should come as no surprise that we sold through our stock on #16 Pill Poppers as well but not to worry, we should have more by tomorrow.

Should you want to stray from the sow game BWO nymphs have been good with grey Little Green Machines, Split Case BWO’s, and Olive Psycho Mays all getting eaten on occasion and you can’t go wrong with black Zebras or October Caddis nymphs.

Streamer fishing has been decent though those not accustomed to the Missouri in the fall are finding the weeds to be a challenge which they certainly can be. Choose your water carefully. There is plenty of clean water, you just need to hunt for it.

Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Smolt, Space Invaders and Lil Kims have been good, and fish are definitely being caught on buggers, Thin Mints, Balanced Leeches and the like. Fish what you like with confidence, and you should do simply fine.

Just a reminder, if you are looking for a new streamer stick (or any rod for that matter) or new reel or waders or boots you won’t find better deals this season than what you’ll find now at WCA.

Despite the change in the weather we’ve all been waiting for it is in fact late October and things are rapidly winding down in the canyon.

Izaaks has closed for the season leaving Lazy I your Go-To for food from here on out. We are hosting our last big group of the season this week and will be closing a good portion of our lodging early next week. Motel rooms and cabins will soon be out of commission for the season, but we will have bungalows available all winter long at discounted rates starting November 1st.

Guides have disappeared in large part, moving on to winter work or winter escapes but there are still a few around so there is still a good chance we can get you on the water. Request your trip here and we will see what we can do.

It has been another great season on the MO and we are so thankful to all of you who make it possible for us to live this dream by doing business with us. To all of you who fish with us, stay with us, shop with us or all of the above…we can’t thank you enough for continuing to support Wolf Creek Angler and we cannot wait to see you again in 2027.

And for those still fishing this fall, the shop will continue to be open daily at 8 AM for the time being and we’ll do our best to continue to provide shuttle service for as long as we can though our staff is continuing to dwindle and will soon be down to a staff of one as winter settles in.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-10-22T11:13:44-06:00October 22nd, 2026|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: Missouri River, October Caddis, pill popper, running line, Streamer Fishing, streamers, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Winter on the Way

So far, our average high temperatures this October have been hovering right around 80 degrees but that’s all about to change!

One more day of summer weather followed by a substantial taste of winter starting Saturday.

Sunshine and a high of 79 Friday with rain early on Saturday, changing to snow in the afternoon with temperatures falling to near 35. Winds North at 10 to 20 mph. Snow overnight accumulating 1 – 3 inches with a low of 28.

More of the same on Sunday with periods of snow, temperatures in the low to mid 30’s and North winds at 10 – 15 mph. An additional 1-3 inches of snow expected throughout the day on Sunday.

Monday will be a transition day with a chance for lingering snow showers in the morning and a forty-one. Autumn weather returns on Tuesday with sunshine and highs in the 50’s for the remainder of the week.

There is a Winter Storm Watch in effect Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon with heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations up to nine inches below six thousand feet with 8-12 inches in the high country.

Not exactly an Arctic Apocalypse but a significant weather event, nonetheless.

We welcome the clouds and the snow, it’s what one might expect for October on the MO. The gusty north winds sound less than ideal though I doubt the fish will mind any of it.

Expect exceptionally light traffic should you decide to brave the elements and make a go of it this weekend.

We’ll be here as needed, likely hanging around in the morning to accommodate any hard-core anglers in need of shuttles and bugs and coffee and perhaps an extra layer or two but it’s a likely scenario that we close up early and go home and watch football…we’ll see what happens.

It could be epic fishing with the drastic change in the weather; you won’t know if you don’t go!

Stop by the shop for the Best Streamer Selection on the MO HANDS DOWN and take advantage of our Annual Autumn Sale while you are here with the best deals of the season on almost everything.

Enjoy the snow…we’ll see you when Autumn returns on Tuesday.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-10-08T16:36:12-06:00October 8th, 2026|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Missouri River, Montana, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Spring Fishing at its Finest – photo by Luke Koerten

Early last week it seemed as though summer-like weather was settling in. Bluebird days with temperatures in the 80’s and landscapes of green all around had things feeling much more like early June than the end of April.

But right on cue, Mother Nature did her thing and just like that winter returned. Starting last Thursday those highs in the 80’s we saw earlier in the week were replaced by temps struggling to reach 40 and plunging into the 20’s overnight. Snow has been falling off and on all weekend and while the conditions were a disappointment to some who happened to have guide trips booked for this time, this weather pattern is exactly what we need, pumping the brakes on spring.

Warmer weather on tap for the coming week with highs back in the 50’s and 60’s and overnight lows in the 30’s and 40’s. These are much more seasonable conditions which will prolong spring fishing for the time being.

Prior to the change in the weather, fishing had been heating up with some good BWO action in the canyon and good nymphing all around. The streamer bite had been on the slow side, more miss than hit, but with enough action to keep things interesting.

The arrival of the cold front seemed to have much more of an affect on the anglers than on the fishing per se with DIY action dropping off dramatically and many of those guide trips getting cut short but we expect a return to normalcy this week with a warm up underway.

Sow bugs and Zebra Midges are still the staple for your nymph rigs but baetis nymphs like the Little Green Machine, Mosason, Two Hot Baetis, BWO Magic Fly, Olive Psycho May and Olive Crack Back Bullets have definitely been getting some attention.

We should see plenty of dry fly opportunities as well as normal spring conditions resume. Late morning/early afternoon BWO’s and midges throughout the day and into the evening hours. Sprout Baetis, 401 K Baetis, Flash Cripples, Last Chance Cripples, BWO Hatchback, BWO Guide Winna Spinna and Olive Haze are all good baetis options while Grizzly Midge Clusters, Griffiths Gnats, Black Midges and Adams Midge Clusters have been the go-to midge options.

Streamer options are wide open – dealer’s choice, but for my money, if I could only have one streamer it would be the Sculpin Sparkle Minnow…hands down the most productive streamer in my box.

Spring shop hours are 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM daily with most guide trips getting started in the 8:30 – 9 Am window. Don’t miss our Spring Wader Sale with 20% ALL WADERS and WADING BOOTS through Memorial Day.

We hope you make WCA your first stop of the day on your way to the MO for shuttles, bugs and so much more. As of today, it appears as though the Craig Bridge is still closed. Hopefully that work will be completed soon but until that time WCA is, without a doubt, your best shuttle option on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-04-26T12:43:55-06:00April 26th, 2026|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Idyllic February Float on the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The mild weather on the MO continues with the first day of spring now just 30 days away. We got a brief taste of winter on Monday with just enough snow to cover the ground, but it didn’t last long with daytime highs in the 40’s disappearing any sign of winter.

The forecast holds steady for the remainder of the week with sunny skies and highs near 50 each day. We’ll FINALLY see a shift Monday night into Tuesday with temperatures dropping and a chance for some snow. We’ll see more seasonable temps with highs in the low 30’s and overnight lows in the teens through the end of the week.

If you want to treat your valentine to a day on the Missouri we have lodging available and guides at the ready for the upcoming Valentine’s Day/President’s Day weekend. Winter lodging rates are $149/night (plus tax). Unfortunately, our winter lodging is not pet friendly so please leave your pooch at home.

Our premium lodging includes a kitchenette with cook top, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, and coffee maker so dining in is an option. Eats are a little hard to come by this time of year in the canyon but it looks like the Missouri River Bar and Grill will be doing a Prime Rib dinner this Saturday night and I would expect that the Craig Taphouse will likely have something going on for Valentine’s Day as well but I was not able to confirm this so you might want to call ahead.

Our winter lodging and guide trip special is available through the end of March. Two nights premium lodging and a full day on the water for one or two angers for just $850 (plus tax).

Nymphing has been status quo with the Sowbug bite in full swing. And speaking of swinging, wintertime is swing time on the Missouri and with the mild conditions we have had all winter long you needn’t limit your efforts to the Holter Dam to Craig stretch.

Flows have been steady at around 3500 CFS with the water temperature at or around 35 degrees. Those water temps decrease as you move downstream, but shelf ice has yet to be a concern this winter. All ramps are clear and fishing reports have been solid as far down as Mid Canon. The canyon itself has been quiet as is generally the case in the winter but at this point, I wouldn’t hesitate to fish it if you want to have it all to yourself.

Staffing is a challenge during the winter months, snow, or no snow, so shop hours have been lacking consistency, but we will be here this Friday and Saturday at 8 AM and may or may not have shuttles available.

We are fully stocked on Pill Poppers and sows and all your other favorite winter nymphs as well as all the streamers you need for swinging or stripping on the MO. Check out our Valentine’s Day Big Ticket Sale, this weekend only, with 30% off all rods, reels, and wading gear.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at WCA!

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-02-11T10:14:46-07:00February 11th, 2026|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Valentine, Valentine's Day Big Ticket Sale, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Image created by ChatGPT5.2

We’re not sure what to make of this “winter” but regardless of what weather we get or don’t get over the next two months, one thing is for sure, the spring fishing season is rapidly approaching, and this is the time to start sorting your gear as you prepare of the 2026 campaign.

For me, the usual routine involves being inside where it’s warm, watching the snow fly outside where it’s frigid, while emptying out my gear bags and fly pucks and trying to restore some order to the chaos generated over months of chasing trout in Montana. This routine often involves sipping a tasty beverage or two while contemplating the season ahead.

It’s a little different this year. I’ve spent plenty of time being inside where it’s warm but rare have been the days of flying snow or frigid cold outside my cozy confines and while there have been plenty of tasty beverages consumed, I just can’t seem to get motivated to tackle the task at hand. I’ve been waiting for that stretch of snowy days where there is nowhere to go and nothing to do but start sorting flies and gear. Now February is knocking and as has been the case all winter long, the weather says go fishing. There’s no reason not to, other than the fact that the chaos in the gear bags and in the back of the rig hasn’t been addressed since fall and is in desperate need of attention.

In my defense, my fishing rig (and everything in it) has been out of my possession since Thanksgiving, thanks to an unfortunate run in with a deer, so I really couldn’t get going on this project even if I wanted to, but supposedly I’ll have my rig back sometime this week and then I’ll have no excuses! Snow or no snow – it’s time to do the work!

For me, the brunt of “the work” is fly inventory and organization. Every season I swear off the fly puck system (which is chaos defined) and tell myself I’m going to keep my flies in my fly boxes where they will be organized and easy to access. No more will I dig through puck after puck in my boat storage box, looking for that puck of flies I just grabbed from the shop prior to the outing. No more will I sift through spool after spool of tippet looking for that fresh guide spool of 4X I just bought.

A place for everything and everything in its place! It would make things so much easier and would substantially cut down on fly purchases because I would always know exactly what I have and exactly what I need.

It all begins to come into focus as each puck is emptied and the flies are placed in the proper slot in the proper box with the boxes stowed in the proper bags, arranged in seasonal order and further organized according to hatches.

Boxes upon boxes of nymphs, dry flies and streamers…. each exactly where they belong. Old tippet spools tossed, fresh spools organized and accessible, empty leader packages in the garbage where they belong and all those fat used leaders coiled and stashed for future use (I’ll save this for hopper season) GONE.

A well-organized boat bag full of well-organized boxes in the well-organized storage area of a clean and orderly rig. Boat storage absent of clutter and ready for the season ahead.

Order emerges from the chaos, and the experience of that order is nothing short of bliss but alas, chaos will not be denied but will in fact return with a vengeance, soon overtaking your next season on the water.

It’s a battle we all fight and the struggle is real and I’m here to tell you (and to convince myself) that restoration of order must commence. The time is now!

Just a heads up, we are well stocked with boat bags and fly boxes and everything you need to bring order to your chaos to start the 2026 season out right and if you’re emptying pucks we’re happy to put them back into circulation, regardless of what shop logo is on them.

Image Created by ChatGPT5.2

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-01-28T16:56:04-07:00January 28th, 2026|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: chaos, leaders, Montana, nymphs, order, running line, streamers, tippet spools, winter, Wolf Creek Angler|1 Comment

January Thaw?

Back in the day we would call this a January Thaw. This winter we’ll just call it more of the same.

Seemingly since November the forecast, with very few exceptions, has called for partly cloudy skies and highs somewhere in the 40 – 50-degree range, often with winds of 10 – 20 mph.
We did have a fair amount of precipitation in December with a couple of dustings of snow, but most was in the form of rain. The data proclaims good snowpack in the high country but from where we sit, far from those high-country peaks, the landscape is completely void of snow.

According to NRCS data, all river basins in the state received between 170% and 300% of the 20-year median precipitation for December. In the lower elevations that came in the form of rain which melted any existing snow, but the hope going forward is that mountain snowpack will continue to build and hopefully at some point we will get some winter weather and see snow at mid and lower elevations.

Snowpack in most areas tends to peak in mid to late April.

For the time being its Forever November here in Mid-January on the Missouri.

What does it all mean?

Again, the data indicates that we are in good shape with much of the region sitting at well over 100 percent of average snowpack so we’re holding out hope that our drought-stricken state will see some relief in 2026. Fingers crossed, praying for snow.

In the meantime, it’s not all doom and gloom. Why not take advantage of the situation and get out and fish?

Temps near 60 tomorrow, closer to 50 through the weekend. The wind forecast even looks good with breezy conditions tomorrow but things settling down for Thursday and Friday into the weekend. 50 degrees and calm in the middle of January is almost unheard of.

Rooms have started to book up for the weekend, but we do still have a couple of vacancies and don’t forget our Winter Guide Trip and Lodging Special….2 nights of premium lodging and a full day guide trip for one or two anglers for just $850.

Winter nymph and streamer bins are fully stocked, and I suspect there may even be some decent dry fly opportunities if you want to stock up on midges.

Shop Hours Tuesday – Saturday 8 AM – 4 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday but always open for lodging and guide trips.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-01-13T13:04:58-07:00January 13th, 2026|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, nymphs, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Welcome 2026

Happy New Year from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler and welcome to 2026 on the legendary Missouri.

Here is the latest.

It feels much more like early November than the first of January. There is zero snow on the ground here in Wolf Creek and the short-term forecast is anything but wintery with daily highs near 50 through the weekend. Temperatures will trend downward starting early next week with daily highs in 30’s. No snow on the horizon. As you would expect with the unseasonably warm weather, conditions will be breezy with SSW winds at 10 – 20 mph for the next several days but that aside, if you’re looking to get out on the river anytime soon conditions are ideal by January standards.

We are checking the forecast regularly and hoping for that plunge into winter but not seeing anything just yet. Fingers crossed and hoping for that much needed snow to arrive starting sometime soon. Admittedly the outlook seems a little dire from where we sit with a snowless landscape but there is snow in the high country and we are still early in the snow cycle.

Water conditions are typical for this time of year with flows holding around 3100 CFS and water temperatures lingering in the high 30’s. There is no shelf ice, and the ramps are in great shape.

Despite the mild weather and favorable water conditions things remain quiet with extraordinarily little boat traffic and only a handful of wade anglers to be found on any given day.

Those who are out there have primarily been nymphing or swinging but on the right days you can punch your dry fly ticket as well.

Winter fare is in play with Tailwater sowbugs (pink or rainbow), Pill Poppers, Pederson’s Sow, Cotton Candy, Pink Ray, Pink Amex, Rainbow Warriors, Rainbow Czechs, Scud Bombs, Bubble Yums all good options.

Slow and deep winter water is your target with double nymphs and a split 5ish feet under a bobber. The fish are in that water. Adjust depth accordingly until you find them.

Swingers are targeting that same water but also still finding success in some of the transitional (faster) runs and tailouts. Kreelex, Polar Leeches, Thin Mints and soft hackles are producing on the swing and those stripping are moving fish on Sparkle Minnows, Mojo Minnows, Skiddish Smolt and the like.

Most of the wade traffic has been concentrated in the Holter Dam to Wolf Creek Bridge stretch, primarily in the Bull Pasture zone.

Our favorite float this time of year is Wolf Creek Bridge to Craig. It is just the right length and there’s a plethora of good winter water in that run which means that if you happen upon a spot occupied by wade anglers or another boat you don’t need to go far to find the next good spot.

Craig to Stickney is also a good option this time of year, especially for the streamer set.

Now that the holidays have passed and we are inching towards longer days we expect things will start to pick up (at least until winter weather arrives) and we will adjust our hours accordingly.

We are here Tuesday – Saturday at 8 AM with winter lodging available anytime. Winter rates are $149/night (plus tax) for one of our cozy bungalows which sleep three and feature kitchens and private baths. Unfortunately, we do not allow pets in these rooms. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We have been getting a few calls about guided trips lately, wondering if we offer a winter special. We do not offer discounted trips, but we do offer a winter lodging and guide trip special for $850 (plus tax) which gets you a full day guided trip for one or two anglers and two nights of premium lodging. This offer runs through the end of March.

Guides are in somewhat short supply during the winter months, so we encourage you to call well in advance if you are interested in doing a winter trip on the MO. Winter conditions can obviously be a challenge so there are no penalties for cancellation of winter trips. Cancel anytime for any reason.

WCA is your Missouri River winter fly fishing destination, and we hope to see you soon.

By Jason Orzechowski|2026-01-02T13:44:39-07:00January 2nd, 2026|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, pill popper, running line, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Mid November on the MO

Following a late October jaunt back to the home waters I’ve been back at it here amid one of the warmer Novembers I can recall.

Traffic has dwindled as it tends to do this time of year despite the unseasonably warm weather, so we’ve stuck to our routine and closed/winterized much of our lodging for the year. As always, we do have our bungalows available year-round, and we have switched to winter rates which are $149/night plus tax.

Many of our guides have disappeared for the season but there are still a few around should you want to get out and enjoy this mild November on the Missouri.

Shop hours have become somewhat sporadic with the lack of folks around and accordingly we will transition to WINTER HOURS this weekend. Until further notice we will be open Tuesday – Saturday at 8 AM. Lodging is always open and guide trips can be scheduled for any day, regardless of shop hours. Don’t miss our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale happening now through the Winter Solstice. Our best deals of the season BY FAR!

Call ahead for shuttles. Sometimes we can do them. Sometimes we can’t! Shop staff is all but gone with Carson’s last day this weekend. I know at least one of the shops in Craig is running shuttles daily so you have options.

We will be closed on Thanksgiving Day as well as that weekend but will be back in business on Tuesday, December 2nd. We do currently have lodging available for the holiday weekend if Thanksgiving on the MO is your plans.

Sunny and mid 60’s today. Warm temps persist through the weekend with a chance of rain tomorrow but back to sunshine on Saturday and Sunday. Breezy conditions will persist with west southwest winds 14-20 mph and gusts to 30. It looks like normal November weather will arrive next week with highs in the 30’s, overnight lows in the 20’s and a chance for precipitation most days. BWO action has been sporadic at best. Next week could be the week!

The collective fishing report these past few days has been on the slow side but perhaps the arrival of real November weather next week will change our fortunes.

Nymphing with sow bugs and baetis patterns has been, and will continue to be effective. Swingers are finding moderate success with the soft hackle game and also reportedly doing well with leeches and buggers. Thin Mints have been the go to.

Strippers still getting them though chase rates as of late have dwindled. Sparkle Minnows, Skiddish Polar Leeches, Smolt, Swim Coach, Lil’ Kim…all fine choices in my book. Shallows have been productive as have the island tailouts. Medium speed on the strip with ample pauses should get it done.

Enjoy what are hopefully the last warm days of the season. It’s time we get this winter started!

photo by Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-11-13T11:09:48-07:00November 13th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Farewell October

The fall fishing season has nearly passed us by with weeks of great weather and decent fishing and more of the same on tap for the foreseeable future as we bid farewell to October.

River flows continue to limp along in the 2500 CFS range with water temps still holding in the 50’s. These are not exactly prime conditions for fall fishing, especially considering the abundance of bright sunny days but things could certainly be worse. With a few modifications to your approach there’s good fishing to be had even in the low and clear.

Save a few rainy/snowy overcast days earlier in the month dry fly fishing has been marginal but not to worry, November often delivers those coveted BWO events on the MO. The same could be said for the streamer game though there have been a handful of really good days especially considering the blue sky October we’ve had.

Nymphing has been the ticket and while action from the dam down is always a safe bet, the middle and lower stretches are worth your time. Sow bugs, Zebras, Worms and your favorite baetis patterns (Little Green Machines, BWO Magic Fly, Radiation Baetis etc) are all good bets. The water is still relatively warm so there is no need to switch to winter water/winter tactics but cold weather favorites like the Pill Popper and Pederson’s Sow have been effective as of late.

It looks like a nice weekend ahead with mostly sunny skies and temps in the low 50’s tomorrow. Saturday looks more like September than the first day of November with highs near 70 but we will return to more normal conditions on Sunday. Monday looks like the best conditions for the next while with cloudy skies, a high of 46 and winds SW at 5-10 mph. Expect mad streamer action and a good chance for dry fly activity….or not. The mornings have been cold with temps in the 30’s so no need to rush out though with the time change happening this weekend a later start is going to make for a short day on the water.

We’ve switched to late fall hours, opening at 8 AM daily and will continue to adjust as traffic dictates. We’ve closed the motel rooms for the winter with the cabins soon to follow but as always, we will have our bungalows open all winter long.

Check out our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale next time you’re through – the best deals of the year as we close out the season.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-10-30T15:06:24-06:00October 30th, 2025|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|Comments Off

More Early Spring this Weekend on the MO

It seems as though winter may have loosed its grip on us for good as we’ll see another spring-like weekend ahead with temperatures back in the 50’s, possibly hitting 60 on Sunday.

Winds looks manageable for the weekend out of the south/southwest at 9 -16 mph with some higher gusts to 25 mph. You’ve fished in much worse!

The trend continues through the first part of next week before temperatures normalize with high 30’s and low 40’s starting on Thursday.

Reports from this past weekend were a bit of a mixed bag but overall the consensus seemed to be that fishing was on the slow side but slow or not, you could do much worse than spending an early March day soaking up the sun while floating down the Missouri River.

It’s been quiet this week despite consistently mild weather and as is generally the case in the early season we’re not sure what to expect heading into the weekend, but we’ll be here regardless. Shop hours this weekend are 9 AM -2 PM, Sunday included, and we’re running shuttles daily.

We’ve got lodging available at winter rates of $149/night (plus tax) and our Adipose drift boat rentals are a great deal at $150/day (you haul the boat). We haven’t had much call for it yet but if you’re looking for a guided day on the river we can accommodate.

During the month of March we’re offering a full day trip, lunch included, at a half-day rate of $550 for one or two anglers. We’re also offering a lodging/guide trip special for $700 (plus tax) for two nights of premium lodging and a day of guided fishing. As is usual with March trips the weather can always be a factor so there’s no penalty for cancellation should winter return. This offer is for the month of March only, normal prices resume on April 1st. Book your trip today and leave the rowing to us.

If you’re sticking to the DIY program it’s status quo this time of year with sow bugs leading the charge. Tailwater Sows, Soft Hackle Sows, Pederson’s Sow, Carpet Bugs, Poxyback Sows, Pill Poppers, Firebead or Pink Lucent Bead Ray Charles, Bubble Yum Scuds, Rainbow Czechs, Amex and Zebra Midges are all go-to bugs for early spring.

Dry fly fishing is an option with plenty of midges in the mix and streamer fishing (swinging or stripping) should be just on the verge of really heating up.

The most commonly asked question we get is when is the best time to fish the Missouri and my stock answer is whenever you’re able to be here because the consistency on the MO is unmatched but if you really want to know you’d be hard pressed to find a better time and place to fish than springtime on the Missouri.

We invite you start your day on the MO with us, especially if you’re coming from the south. We’ll get you set up with FISHING LICENSES, shuttles, all the best bugs from all the best vendors, and anything else you might need for your day on the water. Simms waders and boots, Sage and Lamson rods and reels, fresh new fly lines from SA, Rio and Airflo and piles of tools and accessories from the best brands in the business. And it’s all right on your way. No need to drive another 10 minutes down the road to get the same stuff and then turn around and drive right back up to the dam or Wolf Creek Bridge! We are closer to the Holter Dam to Craig section launches than ANY OTHER SHOP.

See you soon for spring fishing on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2025-03-06T10:18:58-07:00March 6th, 2025|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Lamson, midge, Missouri River, pill popper, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|Comments Off

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