Wolf Creek Angler Archives - Page 12 of 67

January Thaw on the Horizon as Polar Vortex Recedes

Secret Season on the MO (Don’t tell a soul)

It’s been a cold start to 2022. Temps have been hanging in the single digits with brutal wind chill factors. We’re currently under a Wind Chill Advisory as well as a Winter Weather Advisory with wind chills as low as 30 below expected through this afternoon. The Winter Weather Advisory is for additional snow throughout the day and will remain in effect through 10 pm tonight with 2-5 inches of accumulation expected at lower elevations and 5-10 inches in the mountains. We’ll take it!

It’s all good news as we’re still in desperate need of any precipitation we can get. Much of the region has reached 90 – 100 percent of normal snowpack which is great but considering those percentages are based on a 30 year average our hope is that those numbers keep climbing throughout the winter and remain well over 100 percent.

That being said, for those who enjoy fishing the river during the winter months conditions have not been favorable, but it looks like that’s about to change. A January thaw is on the horizon. We’ll see highs near 45 tomorrow followed by average highs in the mid to high 30’s with overnight lows in the 20’s through the end of next week. As expected, we’ll see high winds tomorrow and over the weekend, but it tapers off early next week to the point where we could see some absolutely prime winter conditions out there the middle part of next week.

Likewise, if you’ve been waiting for good ice on Holter we’re there. We haven’t heard much in the way of fishing reports but there are plenty of folks hitting the ice each day so I would assume they’re catching fish.

Things have been quiet at WCA these last few weeks but I’m expecting we’ll start to see some traffic over the weekend and into next week. Don’t forget we’ve got winter lodging available for $99/nights. Rooms are fully furnished with two twin beds and a pull-out couch, full kitchens and private bath. Call, email or message us on Facebook to book a room. Shop hours have been hit and miss but we always return calls, and we respond quickly to emails and FB messages whether we’re in the shop or not. Our phone number is (406)235-4350 and the best email for winter is jason@wolfcreekangler.com

We’ve been in inventory mode so a bit of chaos in the shop at the moment but it’s an orderly chaos! Slowly but surely, we’re getting things cleaned up and organized and we should be in good shape just in time for the thaw. A few new items trickling in including the start of spring fly orders and the new OROS Strike Indicators that promise to be all the rage in 2022.

All remaining Simms G3 waders and boots are on closeout until they’re gone and we’re still wheeling and dealing on rods and reels and sportswear, making room for new spring inventory.

How about a January guide trip?

Back by popular demand we’re pleased to announce our WINTER GUIDE TRIP AND LODGING SPECIAL. A full day Missouri River guide trip for one or two anglers and two nights lodging for only $550. We’ll post more details soon but what more do you need to know? It’s the best deal you’re going to find ANYWHERE!

Things could certainly change between now and then but at this point Thursday and Friday of next week look awesome with temps in the high 30’s and very little wind in the forecast. Per usual, NO PENALTY for CANCELLATION for winter trips so book it now and if things go south, you’re not out anything if you decide to bail.

For today (and for the next 8 weeks) we say LET IT SNOW! But should mild weather settle in for a spell we say Welcome Back to the MO! We can’t wait to get this 2022 season underway.

By Jason Orzechowski|2022-01-06T09:19:48-07:00January 6th, 2022|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Winter Lodging and Guide Trip Special, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

2021 – Year in Review

As we close the books on 2021 it’s worth just taking a quick look back before we embark on season number 9 at Wolf Creek Angler.

With winter finally starting to take hold those hot summer days seem like a lifetime ago. We’re in the midst of the first real cold snap of the winter with single digits and below, daily wind chill advisories and a good start to the snowpack we so desperately need. Fingers crossed for much more of the same for the next couple of months.

Without a doubt the biggest story of 2021 was the drought which continued to stress the west. Low flows and high water temps took a significant toll on the rivers of Montana in 2021, this in the midst of one of the busiest seasons we’ve ever seen following a year of pandemic lockdown.

Hoot Owl Closures came early driving even more traffic to the Missouri and in July the unthinkable, though not unexpected, happened as Hoot Owl Restrictions went into effect on our Missouri for the first time in over 20 years.

The fever pace of spring and early summer subsided in late July as the conditions hastened the arrival of the Dog Days of Summer with a significant angler exodus as many of those who love nothing better than evening dry fly fishing on the MO disappeared in response to the Hoot Owl Restrictions.

It was an unprecedented season for us and while it was our busiest yet through early July things got tough mid through late summer as we dealt with the fall out of FWP restrictions after having already placed self-imposed restrictions on our guide business in early July with abbreviated trip hours and a cap on summer guide trips. It was the right decision and I’d do it again without hesitation with the long view in mind.

As the summer heat finally started to subside we were treated to an amazing autumn with gorgeous weather and awesome fishing on the MO and seemingly everywhere else we fished throughout the fall. The fever pace of business returned and we ended strong, just as we had started in the spring. Even with the challenges of summer we had our best season ever and we intend to maintain the trajectory!

Some highlights from 2021….

Covid still a factor (sort of) in 2021. We did continue to see cancellations due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Not nearly as many as in 2020, but travel was still a problem for some, including our good neighbors to the north in Alberta, many of whom missed yet another season on the MO. We’re counting on you for 2022!

There has been an abundance of political hay made on all sides of this thing and I will continue to steer clear of all of it. That being said, compared to 2020, 2021 felt essentially Post Pandemic at WCA and we’re confident 2022 will feel EVEN MORE that way.

Fishing with the Gov -And speaking of politics, or at least of politicians.…we had the pleasure of taking former Governor of Montana Steve Bullock fishing in late May which was definitely a highlight not only for 2021 but for the entire time we’ve been in business. A very cool thing in my mind and one which transcends party politics. When the Governor asks to go fishing, you take the Governor fishing, regardless of the letter next to their name. At least that’s the way I see it.

The first week of June I had the absolute pleasure of fishing the Salmon fly hatch on Rock Creek with WCA Guide Extraordinaire Luke Koerten. This was a first for me, and hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to do it again. We happened to hit it just right but I think I would’ve enjoyed it immensely even if we hadn’t. Definitely a day I will not forget and an experience I highly recommend to those who’ve not had the pleasure.

Water Problems – I arrived to work one morning in July to find that many of our guests were without water. A quick call to our water/well guy revealed that we were one of over 10 calls he had received that morning for the same problem. With temperatures running high and stream flows running low wells were running dry and it was feared this was what we were experiencing.

A delve into our well later that day revealed this was thankfully NOT the case but the water issues persisted. It was a mortifying experience as the Innkeeper as there was nothing we could do to immediately remedy the situation and get water to our guests who, by the way, were all extremely gracious in spite of the tremendous inconvenience.

Eventually, after digging up a good portion of our property in search of a broken pipe we made the decision to abandon the existing underground plumbing and run a new main line.
We were able to temp in a supply line to get water to our guests after a couple of days without, and finally in September we dug up our newly replanted lawn once again and buried a new main line. Problem solved! A HUGE Thanks to John Parker and American Septic/Water Net for all of your help anytime we need it.

Fire – Around the same time as our water problems were occurring the Wolf Creek/Craig community had a close call with the Rock Creek Fire sparked by a vehicle pulling a trailer on Highway 287. Interstate 15 between Wolf Creek and Craig was closed and some residents were evacuated as the fire made its way towards the river, even crossing the Interstate at one point but thankfully they were able to get things under control working through that first night. The fire ended up burning some 3500 acres and was the first of several which threatened the area through the summer and early fall.

Hoot Owl Restrictions went into effect on the Missouri on July 20th and were in effect for roughly a month. Smoke from regional wild fires actually helped the water temp situation by filtering the sunlight and keeping water temps from rising as much as they would’ve under clear skies.

Jake – On August 25th we said goodbye to our beloved shop dog and companion of 12 years. He is sorely missed! While Jake can never be replaced we did welcome a new pup into our lives in early December. Zeke is our shop dog in training and you will likely meet him this season.

New Dog on Duty at WCA

As previously mentioned, it was an amazing autumn in Montana with awesome weather, awesome colors and more often than not, awesome fishing.

The 2021 fishing season started early, around the second week of March to be exact and current bookings indicate 2022 will be much the same….weather dependent. We’re expecting another LONG and prosperous season and we’re praying for winter to bring us plenty of precipitation to feed our streams in 2022.

Here’s wishing you all a blessed and Happy New Year from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler. We can’t wait to see you in 2022.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-12-30T14:22:32-07:00December 30th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Craig MT, Governor Steve Bullock, Missouri River, Montana, Rock Creek, Rock Creek Fire, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|2 Comments

Merry Christmas from Wolf Creek Angler

It doesn’t seem possible but somehow, Christmas 2021 is upon us.

In some ways it feels like another year has gotten away from us, lost in the blur. In other ways it feels like the much anticipated wrap on a season that did its share of dragging on.

Either way, the joy of Christmas shines through as we tune out the distractions which unfortunately comprise much of our daily lives and instead immerse ourselves in those things of real significance which bring meaning to our lives.

Christmas means hope, redemption, possibility, potential and salvation and while it’s undoubtedly an indication of the current stage of my life journey, it seems to stir my soul more and more with every passing year.

Time off from work is nice. Giving and receiving gifts is fun and over indulging in food and drink is a mandatory component of the celebration but what brings me the most joy and anticipation this Christmas is the thought of my family, all together under one roof again, enjoying this time together as we take account of all the ways in which we’ve been blessed this year.

Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed new year from all of us at Wolf Creek Angler. 2021 was our best season to date and that’s because of you.

It’s easy to get bogged down in the day to day of the season and when I do so I tend to lose focus as I begin to take things for granted and go numb to the amazing opportunities with which I’ve been so richly blessed.

These final days of the year, with Christmas at the center, bring it all back in to focus for me and while I’m not naïve about the challenges we all face on many fronts, I can’t help but step back and consider this life and be profoundly humbled.

This life, this family, this place, these friends, this business and all of the relationships that are a part of it….I am truly blessed beyond measure. Thank you to all of you who make this thing go.

May the peace and joy of Christmas be with all of you this day and throughout the New Year.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-12-22T10:34:03-07:00December 24th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Merry Christmas, running line, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter Solitude on the MO’

It’s been one of the windiest Decembers I can recall, so much so that I arrived this morning to once again find our rental boats blown from their parking spots into the yard, a good 20 – 30 feet away. This is the third time this has happened in the last few weeks. It certainly didn’t happen at all during the season and I don’t recall it happening at all last fall/winter. Suffice it to say it’s been windy.

Howling winds have kept river traffic to a minimum though there’s usually at least one or two hard core anglers out there regardless.

Conditions seem ideal this morning with cloudy skies, 38 degrees, no wind and an occasional light snow falling. It’s perhaps the fishiest day we’ve seen this month but thus far I’ve not seen a race to get to the river.

If you’ve had the itch to get out there but have been kept away by the winds, today might be the day. In fact, the week ahead looks favorable with similar conditions tomorrow followed by colder air arriving later in the week. A few snow showers predicted today, tomorrow and again on Thursday and temps dipping down into single digits Thursday night before things return to somewhat average seasonal conditions for the weekend…the last weekend before Christmas if you’re counting.

Water temps have been steadily dropping and are currently holding at around 40 degrees while flows remain low, currently at 2840 CFS. Snow pack is starting to accumulate, slowly but surely.

Hopefully we’ll soon start to see some substantial precipitation in the high country, our 2022 season depends on it!

With the aforementioned wind seemingly always present along with now having an 8 week old puppy to tend to, I haven’t been on the water for a while though plans are in place for our Annual Staff Christmas Float next week, hopefully the weather will cooperate. In the meantime however, while I don’t have an up to the minute fishing report, I can tell you that current conditions point towards classic winter nymphing techniques coming into play.

Colder water temps have undoubtedly spurred migration into the deep, slow winter waters. Go deep (5’ – 6’ from indicator to weight and adjust accordingly). It’s time to break out the winter nymph box – think pink! Pill Poppers, Pink Amex, Rainbow Czech, Pink Weight Fly, Bubble Yum Scud, Caviar Scud, Pederson’s Sow etc in the lead followed by Tailwater Sows, Pink Lightning Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, Soft Hackle Sows, UV Yum Yums, Lucent Bead Pink Ray Charles, Radiation Baetis in Pink and don’t overlook a standard Black Zebra Midge. The bugs are generally not the challenging part of the equation. It’s finding where in the water column they’re at (aim deep) and putting your flies directly in front of them. Cold water means conserving energy is critical so they aren’t going to move far for a meal.

All that being said, the 2 Handers will continue to ply the faster tail outs all winter long and will entice fish to move on a well swung leech (buggers, fruit rollups, polar leeches, balanced leeches etc)

Likewise, cold water be damned, the strippers will persist in targeting subsurface structure as well as seeking those occasional rogue fish hanging in the shallows, near the drop offs close to the bank. It’s time to load up that heavy sink streamer tip and get down. Don’t ignore the sexy water off the banks, there may be fish there, but you’ll also want to get down deep with a SLOOOW a retrieve and plenty of pauses. The slow retrieve is critical…the bugs not so much. Winter may not be prime streamer time but we’ve dredged up plenty of BIG FISH on days the water temps were in the mid to high 30’s with the air temps bordering on too cold to be out there.

The online store has been busy these past couple of weeks with folks loading up on gift cards and WCA apparel for Christmas giving. Our fall rod/reel sale will run through the end of the year and we’ve got clearance pricing on select items from Simms including G3 waders and boots.

Lodging and guide trips available ALL WINTER LONG.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-12-13T11:38:03-07:00December 13th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Christmas, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, nymphs, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

New Dog on Duty at WCA

It’s been a LONG time since we’ve had a new puppy in the house…more than a dozen years, and I have very little recollection of those days when our beloved Jake first joined our family.

A few days ago we welcomed a new pup into the fold. Ezekiel Jacob Montana is his name, and he goes by Zeke.

Zeke will be eight weeks old on Sunday and so far he’s everything we hoped he would be and and also a lot of things we maybe weren’t 100 percent ready for, having apparently repressed those memories from the last time we shared a house with a tiny yellow Labrador.

In some ways it’s been easier than I thought it would be. He has absolutely no aversion to being crated and so far it’s been me waking him up at night to take him out, not vice versa. He sleeps a lot. But when he’s not sleeping he requires constant attention and supervision. There’s a lot of eating, biting, playing, going to the bathroom (so far so good for the most part with housebreaking), exploring any and every place he’s able to get to followed by frequent naps and more of the same.

I’ve trained two dogs in my lifetime, both of whom were absolutely amazing but again, I don’t remember what we did to train them. I’ve spent the last month pouring over dog training books and YouTube videos and now I have a mashup of techniques in my head which I’ve been attempting to implement, some with success, some not so much. Zeke is incredibly bright and learns quickly. The stall outs, when they occur, are all on me but we’ll get there!

Part of our strategy with getting a late fall/winter pup was the fact that it’s obviously a slow time for the business which would afford me plenty of time working with the puppy. So far so good. The weather turned cold the day we picked him up so I haven’t been too concerned about not being in the shop the last couple of days. I did take him to work this morning with the thought that I could tend to emails, voicemails, filling and shipping online orders and the like. Zeke had other ideas.

We will try again once I get an enclosed play/hang out area set up for him which will happen this week but until that time there’s not much happening other than puppy supervision while we’re at the shop.

This being the case, I’ve decided to unofficially close the shop for the next couple of weeks. We’ll be around at some point most days and will be OPEN when we’re there but I think it’s in everyone’s best interest if we steer clear of published hours for the remainder of 2021.

We’re still open for lodging and guide trips every day and if there’s anything you need from the shop we’re around and just a phone call away. Visit our online store for shopping made easy, including those coveted WCA gift cards which make an excellent gift for any of the fly fishers on your list.

We wrapped up our shuttle season in November and have been referring all shuttle requests to Headhunters and while I would love to have the shop open from 8 -5 every day for those making the trek to the MO, between staffing challenges and puppy training it’s simply not practical.

Again, Zeke and I will be in the shop more days than not and when we’re there the OPEN sign will be ON but hours will be of a random nature for the next few weeks.

We appreciate your patience and understanding and we can’t wait for the world to meet Zeke (once he’s where he needs to be).

Call forwarding to my cell phone will be turned on as of tomorrow and I am really good about answering messages and emails. If you need a room or a guide give us a call or shoot me an email and we will make it happen. I’ve been busy with 2022 confirmations for the past several days and have most of them done. If you haven’t yet received yours it’s coming shortly. 2022 is going to be another very busy year on the Missouri so if by chance you haven’t yet booked your dates…. time is of the essence.

Cheers!

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-12-07T12:29:33-07:00December 7th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Ezekiel Jacob Montana, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Zeke|2 Comments

Welcome December

With a forecasted high of 67 today it feels a lot more like September out there than December but be that as it may, it is indeed the first day of December with not a hint of winter on the short-term horizon.

If those balmy temps have you thinking fishing the MO today you might want to reconsider as we’re under a high wind warning until 9 pm tonight with Southwest winds 30 to 40 mph, gusting up to 70 mph, in Central and Southern Lewis and Clark County. With these gusty winds and the low relative humidity we’re also under a Red Flag Warning for Critical Fire Weather Conditions through tonight. Be careful out there!

Unseasonably warm temps with persist through the weekend, hopefully with winds diminishing. Colder air arrives early next week. Let’s hope that trend continues and that we start to see some winter precipitation soon.

Our thoughts are on the Madison River today as FWP officials along with an army of volunteers continue fish rescue efforts from the Dam to Ennis following the malfunction at Hebgen Dam which drastically dropped flows yesterday stranding fish on riffles and concentrating fish in deep water. NorthWestern Energy is working to fix the dam.

FWP announced the closing of the river to fishing yesterday and this closure will remain in place until the issue at the dam is resolved and flows are fully restored to the river. Please help if you can.

We’ve wrapped up winterizing here at WCA and we’re down to just the three bungalows for rent from here on out until spring. Bookings have been good with the unseasonably warm weather and we expect this will continue so don’t put off making those reservations as we’ve been full for the most part on the weekends.

And speaking of bookings, there’s no better time than the present to make those 2022 plans. Much of Prime Time (June and early July) has already filled and it appears we’re going to have another very busy guide season on the Missouri so don’t put it off any longer. And as if that weren’t incentive enough, here’s the other reason you should book now. With inflation going crazy and costs increasing on EVERYTHING we have no choice but to raise our rates. We’ve held our lodging rates for the last four seasons but simply can’t afford to continue to absorb these increases. Beginning Jan 1, 2022 lodging rates go up but if you book before then we’ll hold 2021 pricing.

Make that call today!

We’re open daily at 8 AM and open online 24/7 for all of your fly fishing gift needs. WCA Gift Cards make great stocking stuffers. They’re available at our online store in increments of $25, $50, $100 or Guide Trip or give us a call or stop by the shop to purchase in any amount you like. Gift cards are good for ANYTHING we sell including shuttles, lodging and guide trips, they NEVER expire and they are the perfect gift for those hard-to-shop-for fly fishers.

Fishing report coming soon but the quick and dirty is that the amazing fall fishing we’ve seen for the past couple of months is still going fairly strong. Perhaps a little less consistent as of late but still damn good whether you’re nymphing or stripping or swinging streamers. The wind has made things challenging but if you happen to hit it on the not quite so windy days, between the mild temps and the better than average fishing it’s been a phenomenal fall to fish the MO.

See you out there!

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-12-01T11:01:43-07:00December 1st, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Christmas, Hebgen, inflation, Madison River, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving from WCA

On this day of Thanks giving, of reflecting on all of those things with which we are blessed, it’s the perfect time to express our heart-felt thanks to all of you for making all of this possible.

Without you there is no Wolf Creek Angler!

So to each and every one of you whether you fish with us, stay with us, shop with us, follow us on social media or all of the above we can’t thank you enough for allowing us to do what we do and to truly live this dream in magical Montana.

We’re so thankful for just having had our best season yet and we can’t wait to do it all again.

So from our table to yours, we wish you all a happy, safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-11-25T09:23:35-07:00November 25th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Montana, running line, Thanksgiving, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

November Days on the MO’

It’s hard to believe but we’re already more than half way through November with the holidays rapidly approaching. Next week at this time the turkeys will already be in the oven and as if I haven’t been through enough torture this season, I’ll of course be watching the kickoff of the Detroit Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game.

We’ve reached that point of the season when days in the shop tend to be pretty quiet, despite what you may have heard elsewhere.

It’s time to count flies and confirm bookings and to essentially wrap up the season. We’ll do another round of winterizing next week which will leave us with the bungalows being the only remaining lodging option from here on out. Winter rate is $99/night plus tax. While we haven’t been setting any lodging records for November we have had the usual steady flow of hunters and late season anglers keeping us busy by late season standards.

We’ll likely make the shift to limited winter hours soon but for the time being here’s what you can expect for the next week. Open tomorrow at 8 AM. Closed this weekend for Griz/Cat Brawl of the Wild. Open Monday – Wednesday at 8 AM. Closed Thanksgiving through 11/28.

The river is quiet, even on the nicest days so if you like having the water to yourself and you don’t mind the creep towards colder winter weather this is your time to be here.

Of course the amenities are few and far between with all dining out options done or very soon to be done and while you can still find yourself a cold beer at The Oasis in Wolf Creek or Joe’s in Craig, it’s definitely the time of the year when you want to be as self-contained as possible.

Now, more than ever, it’s all about the fishing (or hunting) and not much else. So if spending the daylight hours in the woods or on the water and returning to your cozy confines at WCA to prepare your meals as you relax with your traveling partners sounds appealing then this is your time to be here.

If you require some semblance of social engagement to complement your stay, you might want to wait until spring.

Fishing has been good enough but seems to be transitioning to more winter-like conditions. There were plenty of bugs around last week but it feels like the shift has occurred so concentrate your efforts sub-surface on winter nymphing and streamer fishing.

Sows and scuds will be your go to nymphs from now until spring. You’ll want to stock up on Tailwater Sows, Tungsten Tailwater Sows, Rainbow Czechs, Bubble Yums, Pill Poppers, Amex, Soft Hackle Sows and various Pink Bead and Fire bead offerings. Keep those rigs relatively short (3’ – 4’ bobber to first bug) concentrating on the medium fast water in the 2’ – 4’ depth range. Water temps continue to drop and are currently hanging around 46 degrees. Keep working that faster water until things really start to cool down which will hopefully be soon. Slow winter water has yet to produce. I’m sure there are fish moving into that water but it has not yet proven to be productive.

A slower retrieve has been key when stripping streamers with plenty of pauses in between strips and perhaps the occasional swing, especially on the tailouts. Strip through the seam and then let it swing or do like the cool kids and stick to the swing exclusively. You can get em’ either way but it’s hard to beat a tactical retrieve off of structured banks if you’re hunting those fabled fall lunker browns.

Best streamer bets as of late have been JJ Sparkle Minnow, Sculpin Sparkle Minnow, Craven’s Swim Coach in brown or olive, Craven’s Dirty Hippy or Double Dirty Hippy in brown or black and ZK’s MK Ultra in grey/pink and Gladio in tan.

Swingers are finding success on buggers, Thin Mints, Kreelex, Polar Leeches, Balanced leeches etc.

It’s quiet time on the MO. The absence of anglers, the abundance of solitude, the bite of the crisp fall air…it’s not for everyone but it’s definitely for us and we LOVE it.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-11-18T12:25:37-07:00November 18th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Amex, brown trout, bubble yum, Craven's Dirty Hippy, Craven's Swim Coach, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, JJ Sparkle Minnow, Missouri River, pill popper, Rainbow Czech, running line, Sculpin Sparkle Minnow, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, Thanksgiving, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, ZK's MK Ultra|0 Comments

Missouri River Fallback Strategies

Daylight Saving Time ended this past Sunday, ushering in the coming days of winter darkness.

Not having given it much thought yesterday when we launched, I found myself rowing to beat the fading light after getting stuck on a mid-float dry fly flat, unable to resist the siren call of rise forms amidst an abundance of opportunity on water devoid of any sign of angling traffic.

We LOVE November on the Missouri!

That being said, chilly mornings and short days mean it’s time to shift gears. Shorter floats are definitely in order with only 6-7 hours of float time available considering you likely won’t be on the water much before 10 AM.

Holter Dam to Craig is doable as is Craig to Mid but for me Wolf Creek to Craig is the perfect late season float, not too long, not too short. Tacking on the additional 4 miles to Stickney will likely have you pushing to beat the darkness, especially if you get stuck on a dry fly flat half-way through and can’t bring yourself to leave.

From what I could tell by looking around the parking lots yesterday we were sharing 9 miles of river with three boats, two of which were exiting at Craig and only one of which we encountered at the very start of the day.

Have I mentioned we LOVE November on the MO?

The bobber fishing has been outstanding these last couple of weeks, a little slower yesterday but still good enough to qualify as near-exceptional, depending on your perspective of course.

The aforementioned dry fly fishing in the afternoons is good enough to keep you from getting to your takeout before dark and streamer fishing, while not exactly great on the brighter, sunnier days, always promises the potential for the fish of a lifetime.

Bottom line…it’s all good right now and there’s NOBODY out there (relatively speaking).

What are the drawbacks of November fishing? So far there really aren’t any. Weather wise we’ve had an absolutely amazing autumn with moderate temps and very little precipitation. A bit of wind more often than not but that’s a given anytime on the MO. Some cold mornings for sure but generally tolerable by 10 AM. Hopefully we’ll see some precipitation in the form of snow soon but in the meantime conditions are ideal for fall fishing. We’ve seen highs in the 40’s and low 50’s most days with overnight lows in the 20’s and 30’s, occasionally dipping into the teens. Most days see a mix of clouds and sun, with plenty of those gloomy light fall days that spell success.

Flows remain LOW, currently holding relatively steady at 2890 CFS with water temps on a slow drop, currently just shy of 49. Expect more of the same both on the weather and the water front for the time being with no substantial weather events on the horizon.

Our go-to dry fly rig – #18 Olive Haze trailed with a #18 Nyman’s DOA Cripple Baetis. We’ve got plenty of other options to choose from but I’ve been sticking with this rig for weeks now. I’ve found it to be a bit like novocaine…sooner or later it works!

Go To Nymph – Tailwater Sowbug. Pair it with a Rainbow Czech, an Amex, a Rainbow Weight Fly, a Tungsten Tailwater Sow, a Bubble Yum Scud or whatever you prefer. Other good options include soft hackle sows, Little Green Machine, Olive 2 Bit, Split Case BWO, Olive S & M or any other Baetis nymph but judging by these last couple of weeks I would suggest starting with the Tailwater Sow and moving on from there if need be.

Medium fast, 2-4’ water continues to be the go-to, don’t waste your time on the slow stuff just yet. It’ll happen soon enough.

We’re open daily at 8 AM for all of your Missouri River fall fly fishing needs.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-11-09T10:23:11-07:00November 9th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Welcome to MOvember

It’s hard to believe but November is upon us and a very busy 2021 season is coming to a close.

The transition to the off season is almost complete with the majority of seasonal folks having already disappeared. Things are quiet in Wolf Creek and Craig.

That being said, November brings its own dedicated contingent to the MO with swing season underway, streamer fishing still hanging on, fall dry-fly fishing at its apex and pre-winter nymphing providing plenty of action for those seeking a different Missouri River experience, one of solitude, absent the throngs.

Things look and feel deserted right now but a closer look reveals evidence of a different, more subdued season underway. A season where you can have the river seemingly to yourself on most days but a season which lacks not just the crowds but much of the infrastructure enjoyed by the prime season angler.

Commerce has slowed to a crawl with some businesses closing for the season and others shifting to abbreviated hours for the winter months.

Izaaks is closed for the season and Annie’s is open Friday – Sunday 11 AM – 8 PM but will be closing for winter on November 21st. Bottom line… you’d be wise to bring food if you’re headed this way any time before next spring.

The Canyon Store is OPEN all year with fuel, beer,food and other essentials and Wolf Creek Angler remains open every day for the time being. We’ve closed a third of our lodging thus far and have gone to winter rates on our remaining open rooms. $99 (plus tax) for a cozy cabin or bungalow, each with a full kitchen and private bath.

It is indeed our quiet time on the MO but that being said, Wolf Creek shines this time of the season with everything you need all in one place, just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge where the vast majority of Missouri River winter fishing occurs. Why would you go anywhere else? There’s NOBODY closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than Wolf Creek Angler.

We’ve got everything you need for your day on the water from Adipose drift boat rentals to Simms waders and boots and cold weather gear to lines, leaders and tippet from Rio and Airflo to tools and accessories from Fishpond, Rising and Loon to the now near legendary largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Our flies come from Montana Fly Company, Umpqua Feather Merchants, Solitude and Yellowstone Fly Goods and are the highest quality flies available.

So while things may look deserted out there on the river right now, we’re enjoying hosting a good portion of the late-season contingent this early November at Wolf Creek Angler.

We’re near full capacity all week long with awesome fall weather on tap for at least the next 7 days. Cabins 2 and 3 are available through the weekend and next week we’re wide open so if you’re looking to make the trip give us a call.

The late season is generally a DIY affair but if you’re looking for a guide we can likely accommodate. As mentioned above, many of the seasonal folks have left the area but most of our guides at WCA are local so if you’re looking for a late season guided trip let us know.

Great weather, great end of the season deals in the shop, and most importantly, GREAT FISHING happening NOW at Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-11-02T09:45:47-06:00November 2nd, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, MOvember, RIO, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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