Wolf Creek Angler Archives - Page 47 of 67

2016 Water Forecast

With the recent snows we’ve had we are off to a good start for the 2016 water year here on the Missouri.

Snowpack is currently around 80 percent of average for the Missouri Headwaters and while they are calling for another mild winter due to El Nino with above average temperatures and below average precipitation the outlook from the Bureau of Reclamation is for flows to continue at or slightly below 3500 CFS for the winter months. We will likely see a slight increase in April and May to around 4000, maxing out at around 5500 in June and holding in that 4000 range for the summer and fall. The maximum probable prediction is for a peak of around 13000 CFS in June with summer flows at or slightly above 5000 CFS. We would love to see the maximum probable! Minimum probable sees things holding right around where they currently are for the entire year. Canyon Ferry inflows for November were 87% of the 30 year average with the reservoir at 78% full which is 93% of average for this time of year.

Pray for snow. We are.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. What some consider perfect flows others consider too high or too low. There are certainly ideal flows as far as maintaining the fishery is concerned and those flows would definitely be more on the high side – higher than the maximum probable prediction. From a wading/fishing standpoint however 2016 looks like it’s going to be similar to what we saw this year. That being the case, it should be another good year on the Missouri.

Why not take this opportunity to book your guide trips and lodging for next season. We’re looking at rate increases for 2016 but if you book by the end of the year we will hold 2015 pricing.

June and July lodging is already getting tough and guide dates are filling quickly, especially for those prime dates so don’t wait too long. We’re looking forward to another great year at Wolf Creek Angler and judging by our current bookings we’re definitely on track to have our best season yet.

We’ve got the same great guides in place for 2016 and will be adding a couple more as well to keep up with the demand. If you’ve fished with us in the past you already know that all of our guides are committed to making your day with them an experience you’ll not soon forget. We don’t measure success simply by the number of fish you catch, we measure success by the overall experience. We not only want you to catch fish, we want to teach you things that will make you a better angler and also teach you things that will help you to appreciate and understand the resource. We are so blessed to be able to live and work here and there’s nothing we enjoy more than introducing our guests to the amazing Missouri River and other surrounding waters.

Our guides are among the best on the Missouri. You won’t find a harder working crew of dedicated professionals committed to making your day on the water the trip of a lifetime. No matter what your skill level or your expectations, we’ve got the perfect guide for you. We are outfitter owned and operated and dedicated to making your Missouri River experience exceed your expectations. Whether you are staying with us, fishing with us, shopping with us or any combination of these, you are our number one priority and we will always do whatever we can to help you to get the most out of your Missouri River fly fishing experience.

The break in the action has been nice but we can’t wait to get back at it.

Don’t think you have to wait until spring to book a guide trip. The seasons make no difference to us, fishing is what we do….year round. $400 guide trips and $99 lodging all winter long with no cancellation fees. Keep your eye on the weather – if you see a day that looks good give us a call and book a room and a guide. If the day arrives and the weather goes south or you just change your mind no worries. It’s winter in Montana. We get it.

Guide trips make great Christmas gifts as well!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00December 3rd, 2015|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing|Tags: Christmas, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Monday Morning….All is Quiet

The long Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone. The river continues to be shrouded in freezing fog but the sun is burning through and the cold will loosen its grip over the next few days as we leave behind the frosty single digits for the time being and move back into very comfortable 40’s by mid- week. It looks like the mild weather will hang around for at least the next ten days or so.

Will the break in the weather bring some traffic back to the river? We’ll likely see a slight uptick in traffic once those temps creep back into the 40’s, however things will remain fairly quiet through the end of the year. The holidays are upon us and the next month will fly by for most with plenty of things going on to keep everyone busy.

Should you get a chance to sneak away for a day and wet a line however, we would love to see you. It’s the perfect time to take advantage of our off-season lodging and guide rates. $99 rooms and $400 Missouri River winter guide trips for the rest of the year and through the winter months.

Our winter hours are Wednesday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Sunday 8:00 AM – 12 Noon (ish). We will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for the winter months except when the weather is super fishy. We’re open for lodging and guide trips EVERY day and we’ll answer your calls whether we’re here or not. If you happen to come around on a day we aren’t at the shop please stop and see our friends at The Trout Shop or Headhunters in Craig or Trout Montana if you are Cascade bound and tell em’ we sent you!

Thanks to everyone who came out for our Black Friday and Small Business Saturday sales. We definitely appreciate your support and we always look forward to seeing you in the shop and on the water. Remember to pick up Wolf Creek Angler gift cards for all of the fly fishers on your list, available in any amount and good for anything we sell.

Reports from the river have been a bit hard to come by over the past few days but those who have been out have been enjoying some good days with very little competition. Think pink, think firebeads and think slow and deep winter water. We’ve got bins full of winter favorites and we’ll tell you exactly where to go and what to use when for your best shot at winter action on the MO.

We’ve also got the streamer bins fully stocked with a bunch of cool new patterns for your swinging and/or stripping fix.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 30th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Small Business Saturday

Wolf Creek and Craig don’t see much traffic this time of year. The river looks gorgeous and the fish are likely hungry but you have to be pretty hard-core to fish in single digit temps. Not that there aren’t a few of those hard-core anglers around but they are few and far between. Tomorrow is the last day of the general deer and elk season so a lot of folks are still out trying to fill those tags.

Shops like ours can be a little lonely on days like today. Black Friday and Small Business Saturday aren’t much different from any other late November day in the canyon and we would never expect people to make a trip from Helena or Great Falls to shop with us unless of course they were here anyway to fish the Missouri.

We’ve got a SALE going on this weekend just like every other shop and you could get some great deals, though nothing like what you’ll find at the Big Box Retailers. We can’t sell you flies for $1 or give you 50% off much of anything but we can give you what you expect when you choose to shop at a local fly shop rather than a big box retailer. We can give you helpful friendly service, all kinds of honest advice on where to go, when to go and what to use. We can give you our time and our undivided attention and share with you our passion which brought us here and which drives us to do everything we can to welcome you to our world and to earn your business and hopefully your loyalty. Not necessarily loyalty to our shop (though we definitely want that) but loyalty to the fishery and to the local economy. We (the shops on the Missouri) all owe everything to this river. We make our living here selling flies, selling lodging, selling fishing trips….selling dreams.

Some might say we’re exploiting the resource. I’ve heard there are actually some people out there who don’t care for outfitters and guides and fly shops if you can believe that! Those individuals are certainly entitled to their opinions.

We all bear a responsibility as stewards of the river to represent the sport and the industry well and to do everything we can to care for and conserve the resource. Whether it’s being a member of a conservation group like Trout Unlimited, the Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance or Missouri River Fly Fishers (http://patbarnestu.org/ http://www.umowa.org/ http://www.missouririverflyfishers.com/), instructing our customers, clients and guests on river etiquette and conservation or something as simple as picking up the trash we come across when we’re out there on the river we can all play a role in conserving the resource. As fly shops we are ambassadors of the sport and of the resource and we take this responsibility very seriously.

At the end of the day however it is a business and it is how we make our living. We definitely want your business and we will continue to do what we do to earn that business which is to offer you exceptional customer service and the products you want in an ego-free, no pressure environment with no intimidation and zero attitude. We’re not the shop for everyone and we’re ok with that. There are plenty of options to choose from. We are building a loyal following at a pace we are thrilled with and we’re so thankful for all of you who continue to make this possible.

Small Business Saturday is a great way to show support for local brick and mortar businesses. We hope you support us today and every day!

Enjoy your Small Business Saturday.

Go Griz!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 28th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Small Business Saturday, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Winter Storm Warning in Wolf Creek today and tomorrow. Stay Safe!

Getting things done in the shop this week. We don’t much like the quiet days but they are to be expected and it does give us a chance to get all of our end of season chores completed. Counting flies, completing reports, cleaning, budgeting, reflecting, cleaning some more, finishing pre-season orders, booking rooms and trips for next season, daydreaming, catching up on fishing blogs….on and on it goes. Never a dull moment. And every once in a while someone actually does stop in.

A quiet time to be sure but we are under a winter storm warning and people are getting ready for Thanksgiving so we don’t really expect to see many folks in the shop today or tomorrow.
That being said our lodging is full for Wednesday and Thursday. Who knew Wolf Creek would become such a holiday destination? We’ll take it!

Snow is falling and the wind is starting to howl. Traffic should be nearly non-existent on the water for the next couple of days though the storm will be past and we will be back in the 30’s for the weekend so we’ll be expecting you. Stop in for great deals on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. We are so thankful for all of our customers who have made Wolf Creek Angler a success and we couldn’t be happier with the way the 2015 season went. We’re working hard to bring more of what you want into the shop and we’re super excited about some things we’re working on for 2016. We trust you will share in our excitement. More on this later.

We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday and we hope to see you in the shop weather permitting. Why not take some time and make your plans for fishing the Missouri in 2016. Book your lodging and guide trips now to lock in 2015 rates. June and July lodging vacancies are rapidly disappearing and prime guide dates are filling quickly so don’t wait – give us a call today and book your Missouri River dream vacation with Wolf Creek Angler.

Can’t wait until spring? Keep your eye on the weather and book yourself a Missouri River winter getaway. Rooms for $99 and $400 guide trips. Winter fishing on the Missouri can be downright spectacular on any given day and you’ve got nothing to lose. If the weather turns, even on the morning of your scheduled trip, or if you simply change your mind about winter fishing, no worries, there are no cancellation fees. It’s winter in Montana….we get it!

Our winter hours will go into effect this Sunday, November 29th. Open Wednesday-Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (or later) and Sunday 8:00 AM – noon (or later). We’re a little loose with the shop schedule in the winter but suffice it to say that if the weather is really fishy you can expect to find us here whatever the day and if it’s 20 degrees or colder and/or blizzard conditions we likely won’t be open. If the weather is questionable please call ahead. And remember we’re open EVERY DAY for lodging and guide trips.

See you in the shop and maybe even on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 24th, 2015|Categories: Montana Fly Fishing, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The Missouri River is a year-round fishery – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

It’s a beautiful morning in Wolf Creek with light snow falling and calm winds. Could be a nice day to fish the Missouri though it is a bit on the chilly side at 21 degrees and it’s not supposed to get much warmer today.

The weekend looks good with plenty of sunshine and temps near 40 on Saturday and near 50 on Sunday and Monday. Expect possibly a bit more traffic out there this weekend as it looks like we’re going to get our first deep freeze starting on Wednesday when we will see highs in the teens and lows in the single digits through the latter part of the week.

We’re hearing very good nymphing reports this week with folks still doing well with the short leash rigs in the shallows as well as with the deeper rigs in the more winterish slow deep runs.

Sows bugs are it for the time being and have been for the last while. Tailwater sows, Firebead Sows, Soft Hackle Sows, Snack Nasty Sows, Soft Hackle Rays….etc are all working well. We’ve been running the sows in tandem with a Tungsten Rainbow Czech or Pink Amex and getting the occasional eats on those as well. Don’t abandon the black zebra midge yet either. A Tungsten Tailwater sow in tandem with a black zebra can be very effective. Most are running with no weight right now, opting instead to run something large and tungsten.

The transition to winter fare is upon us so think pink and think firebeads! The aforementioned Rainbow Czechs and Pink Amexes are a good call and you could also go with something like a Firebead Rainbow Weight Fly or my favorite, a #10 Casne’s Pinkalicious.

We haven’t quite gotten there yet but as the water temps continue to drop and those fish move into the depths of their winter homes the nymphing routine becomes much easier. Not that the fishing is always good, it’s not, but if there is any time of year you can run one rig with confidence and not be constantly second guessing your depth and bug selection, this is it.

Some would disagree I’m sure and they probably catch way more fish than I do but I’ve found that once the fish hit the winter water they’re either hungry or they’re not. If they are they will probably eat that pink/firebead/sow etc. offering at that same depth you had them eating it at the day before. It’s not that I never change things up in the winter, I do, but it’s generally a matter of changing the trailing fly and leaving the bobber and the Pinkalicious untouched for weeks at a time.
Winter fishing certainly has it’s own set of challenges, namely keeping warm. The last thing you want to do is spend your day changing flies and getting cold hands. Keep it simple!

There are fish rising daily. A few BWO’s and pseudos around but we’ve pretty much written the fall of 2015 off as far as BWO’s are concerned. Try a Parachute Adams, Purple Haze or Quiqley’s Peacock Cluster trailed with a the CDC Emerger of your choice. Speaking of CDC, while the snow and cold may not make for great fishing the duck hunting should be off the charts next week! The rising fish have not been easy but if you’re fishing dry flies in snow and sub-freezing temps you probably aren’t looking for easy anyway so have at it.

Streamers? Absolutely. Throw them all day long. Unlike the nymph game however I’m a firm believer in changing streamers until you find what they are after. Usually once you find it you’ll be set for the day but you could easily spend the entire day changing bugs and never find one that works. Such is the streamer game. Patience is key. Strip fast, strip slow, swing, speed up the retrieve, slow down the retrieve, upstream, downstream…and on and on. Often the retrieve can be as critical, if not more so, than the bug.

The fish we’ve moved recently on streamers have come on Coffey’s Sparkle Minnows, Polar Leeches, JJ’s, Pop’s Buggers, Olive Smolts and Black or Olive Buggers (among others) and have been on a moderately fast retrieve, most time hitting on the pause. Cloudy days have been better for sure but we’re not afraid to throw streamers on a sunny day, you shouldn’t be either. If you’re contemplating a new streamer rod stop in and pick up one of our St Croix Bank Robber demo rods for the day. We’ve been fishing them all fall and loving them.

Best section right now? We’ve heard good things from most sections but we tend to stay up high from now until spring. The fish are big (and plentiful), the crowds are not an issue and the dam and Wolf Creek Bridge are 5 minutes from the shop. We tend to start a little later this time of year and with it getting dark by 5:30 it works out perfect to limit road time and just float to Craig.

The shop is open at 7:30 AM daily so swing in for bugs, shuttles, free coffee and honest, open and always friendly advice on the where and when and how. Plenty of lodging available for the weekend and guides ready to show you how good winter fishing on the Missouri can be.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 20th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Wolf Creek Angler is your Exclusive Full Line Kast Dealer on the Missouri

With winter weather setting in it might be time to consider upgrading your gear. Things tend to get a little more challenging out there when you factor in the snow and wind and cold temps but with the right gear there’s no reason to stop fishing! We’ve got you covered for all conditions with KAST Extreme Fishing Gear.
Stop by Wolf Creek Angler and check out the full line of gear from Kast. We’ve got plenty of Hell Razor and Velocity jackets and the best fishing glove on the market, the completely waterproof Steelhead Glove.
We’re looking at the first arctic blast of the season arriving mid week next week with highs struggling to break single digits on Thursday and lows dipping below zero. While we wouldn’t necessarily recommend fishing in these conditions we would recommend outfitting yourself with KAST Gear if you’re going to do it.

Wolf Creek Angler is your exclusive Full Line Kast Dealer on the Missouri River.

The Hell Razor Jacket from Kast available at Wolf Creek Angler

Everyone has their favorite jacket. The one that never sees a closet or coat-hook. The one that, unless you’re already sleeping in it, is always close enough to grab—regardless of where you are, what you’re going to be doing, or what the weather is.

For us, the Hell Razor is that jacket: performance and comfort that’s perfect as an insulating layer or solo as outerwear when it’s not pushing single-digits. Designed to be windproof, water resistant, yet highly breathable and thermally efficient, the Hell Razor utalizes Primaloft 60g Gold insulation so you get a jacket that is incredibly lightweight and extremely warm. This jacket is definitely our go-to favorite whether we’re wrestling big fish, wheeling into town—or yes, sleeping in from time to time.

Spend as much time outdoors as we do and you figure out pretty quick what gear works, and what gear you leave home next trip out. And jackets are no exception. Warmth without mobility makes for an uncomfortable day of casting on the water. Mobility over warmth isn’t any better. And if the jacket is too heavy in the first place? No dice.

Our Velocity jacket gives you all three: it’s utralight with stellar warmth and mobility. Velocity’s hybrid design leverages thermal body mapping, keeping your core warm as a stand-alone jacket on colder days, or as a mid-layer in extreme conditions. Plus, you get the enhanced performance and full range of motion from the Polartec® Powerstretch sleeves. Add useful design features like an offset center front zipper, thumb-hole cuffs, tool loops and oversized pockets—the Velocity is ready to run when you are.

There are not too many things that’ll cut a day of cold-weather fishing short quicker than losing the feeling in your digits. Keeping your hands in your pockets doesn’t lend itself to being ready for that explosive take. And gloves always seem to solve only one part of the warmth/waterproof/dexterity equation. Until now.

Our Steelhead Gloves are designed to keep your hands bone-dry, give you maximum dexterity, and provide a layer of warmth when fishing in cold environments. Patented OutDry technology makes our gloves 100% waterproof/submersible, windproof, and breathable. Plus the warm fleece lining, and durable stretch shell give you the snug fit and uncompromising feel that you need in the fingertips, and an extended cuff for valuable additional coverage at the wrist. Go ahead, chase chrome in a snow squall, or tail a trophy king in frigid water, you can trust your hands will stay warm and dry.

Stop in today and check out all of our Extreme Gear from KAST including select summer guide wear on sale for 20 percent off.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 19th, 2015|Categories: Product Review|Tags: fly fishing, Kast Gear, Kast Hell Razor Jacket, Kast Steelhead Gloves, Kast Velocity Jacket, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Thanks for the Hat Tip

From our friends at Missoula River Lodge

photo by Joe Cummings

http://www.montanaflyfishingguide.com/2015/11/fishing-the-end/

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:44-06:00November 16th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: A Classic Journey Outfitters, Joe Cummings, Missoula River Lodge, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Missouri River Fishing Report 11.5.15

Based on my view from today, I’m calling it. It’s official, my favorite time of the year on the Missouri. That awesome transitional period of time when the foothills are getting dusted in snow, the crowds have all but disappeared, bugs are out, fish are up, the crock-pots’ been doing its thing all day and coffee comes with Kahlua and Beam. I got out just as the sun rose above the hills and started burning off the morning fog and lasted through the afternoon. If it wouldn’t have been for one other lone wader in some back water, I would have had the place to myself today. I won’t complain about that though, after all, when you start your day with Kahlua & Coffee, you really can’t complain about much.

(more…)

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:45-06:00November 5th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: fly fishing, Missouri River, winter fishing, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

First Snow

We got a couple of inches of snow overnight though it’s rapidly disappearing with temps in the high 30’s today. As predicted yesterday’s grey skies and intermittent snow/rain/sleet made for a great day on the water with plenty of bugs and plenty of fish willing to eat. Similar conditions this morning though the clouds are rapidly dissipating. They’re calling for mostly sunny skies by this afternoon so now is the time!

Things are quiet on the river which is great for those who are around. Plenty of real estate to work with if you’re hunting heads and if you’re floating and throwing streamers or nymphing as you look for rising fish you’ve got miles of prime water virtually to yourself.

There have been a few folks around taking advantage of our winter lodging rates and while it certainly hasn’t been what we would consider busy we’ve had enough going on here to keep us occupied throughout the day. It’s that time of year when things slow down enough that part of the daily duties in the shop include laundry and housekeeping (and shoveling snow)!

We’ve got two rooms left for the weekend which looks like it’s going to be nice. Give us a call today and book one for yourself and while you’re at it why not book a guide trip? $99 gets you a cozy cabin or bungalow with private bath and a full kitchen.

Plenty of deals to be had in the shop as we clear out the items slated for obsolescence. Great deals on Ross and Nautilus Reels and Echo and St Croix rods. 30 % off summer logo wear from Simms and select Guide Wear from Kast and much more. Don’t forget we’ve got WCA Gift Cards good for everything we sell. They make the perfect gift for the fly anglers on your list.

The coffee is on and the shop is open at 7 AM daily, earlier than all the rest, for all of your Missouri River fly fishing needs. Bugs, shuttles, Hand Warmers, hats, gloves, RO Drift Boat Rentals, Cold Weather gear from Kast and Redington and plenty of honest advice on the where, when and how. Stop in and say hi next time you’re in Wolf Creek, we’d love to visit with you and Jake would love for you to pet him and rub his belly. He’s suffering from neglect and attention deprivation since the arrival of the quiet time!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:45-06:00November 4th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Echo, fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Montana, Nautilus Reels, Redington, RO Drift Boats, Ross, running line, St Croix, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Frozen Boots Coming Soon – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

Things are about to get wintry around here which could make for some great days on the water in the days and weeks to come. We’ll see temps close to 50 today but the rest of the week will be much colder with daytime temps struggling to reach 40 and overnight lows in the low 20’s. It also looks like we will be getting what looks like it will be our first significant snowfall of the season beginning tonight and lasting through Wednesday. If you’re fishing this week remember to bring those waders and boots inside at night! Cold waders and frozen boots are no way to start your day.
Will the change in the weather mean BWO’s? We’re hoping so. There have been bugs around but not in the numbers or with the consistency we would like to see. Let’s hope the changes in the weather this week brings the bugs. If not the nymphing should be just fine. Good action on sows and scuds as of late with the Tailwater Sow really coming on. Try a sow with a Tungsten Rainbow Czech or Pink Amex as a point fly. LGM’s, S & M’s, Zebra Midges, lightning bugs, WD40’s, Magic Flies, Dark Peeps, Red Headed Step Child, various Pheasant Tails and Grey and Pink scuds all getting some attention.

Counting flies all week at WCA. Care to guess how many we have? We’ll let you know but I can tell you this for certain – we’ve got more flies now than have ever been assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

We’ve booked some lodging and a few trips for the week with those in the know taking advantage of the upcoming conditions and hopefully cashing in. Why not join them? We’ve got plenty of vacancies and we’d love to have you here.

Shop open daily at 7 AM for all of your Missouri River Fly Fishing needs. Complimentary Hot Coffee, Cold Weather Gear from KAST, Redington, Outdoor Research and more. Hand Warmers, piles of warm hats and gloves and all the gear you need for your time on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:45-06:00November 2nd, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Montana, Redington, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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