Wolf Creek Archives - Page 2 of 60

Goodbye Snow, Hello Sun

It’s been a cold and wet start to May this week on the MO with everything from high winds to winter storms but change is on the way.

We awoke to several inches of wet, heavy snow yesterday in Helena and saw snow and rain showers come and go throughout the day. Temps in the low 40’s and north winds resulted in a few cancelled trips yesterday but plenty braved the elements and were rewarded with a decent (though cold) day of fishing.

The fun continued after fishing as the power went out in Wolf Creek and Craig shutting down dinner plans and leaving a lot of chilled anglers in the dark waiting for power to be restored which it was by 8:30 PM. Just another spring day in Montana.

Temps are considerably warmer today, in the high 50’s and the morning rains have pretty well subsided and it’s only going to get better (and likely busier) as the weekend arrives.

We’ll see temps near 70 tomorrow and will see 80’s on Saturday and Sunday with plenty of sunshine right on through Monday. A chance for rain again starting on Tuesday but it looks like winter weather may be behind us. That being said, while yesterday’s weather did present some challenges all the way around we were thrilled to get some desperately needed precipitation. The snowpack map is looking much better today for the entire region and with the moisture we got yesterday and today and temps warming, things should really start to green up this weekend.

Fishing will continue to be good though you may want to start looking at early or later starts to avoid some of the traffic that is bound to be here throughout the weekend and into next week. Spring bookings are about to be at their height for both guide trips and lodging now through Memorial Day with summer’s PRIME on deck.

Larger sow bugs and worms have been productive on the rainy days and will continue to produce with flows having bumped and the tribs adding a bit of color and volume. We saw a spike to 5600 CFS this morning but that’s been dialed back to 4600 cfs as of this writing. Water temps are right around 46 degrees and will continue to climb. The water conditions are ideal for hungry and happy trout…truly a perfect time to fish the MO.

Getting back to the bugs, baetis nymphs are consistently producing with Green Machines, Crack Backs, Psycho Mays, Radiation Baetis, Mosasons and plain old Pheasant Tails getting it done. Maybe start mixing in some PMD stuff as well, Magic Flies, Split Case, Redemptions…all on deck.

Dry fly action continues to please with ample BWO and midge opportunities to be had and streamer fishing will continue to be productive, especially on the overcast days. Skiddish Smolt continues to rule the 2024 streamer season but don’t limit yourself to what everyone else is throwing. Show them something they haven’t seen.

Even with the wet weather mornings have been extremely busy in the shop so we’re expecting the weekend to be even busier and we’ll be staffed up accordingly. We hope you make Wolf Creek Angler your one stop shop on the way to the river for The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO, the biggest and best bug selection ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana, Adipose drift boat rentals, Mending Waters Drift Boats FREE FOR ALL ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND VETS, Sage rods, Simms waders and boots, SA and Rio lines and leaders, tons of WCA 10th Anniversary Logo gear and so much more.

Shop Hours are 7:30 AM – 5 PM Daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-05-09T15:00:35-06:00May 9th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Sage, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Cold Weather, Hot Fishing. Welcome to May on the Missouri

The snow is falling on the MO this second day of May and while we’re collectively yearning for warmer weather to arrive, you’ll not hear much in the way of complaining from anyone lucky enough to be on the water this week.

A cool, wet spring is apparently just what we needed to usher in one of the better spring seasons in recent memory. Nymphing has been insanely good more days than not and with plenty of midges, BWO’s and a handful of March Browns in the mix, spring dry fly fishing has really been living up to its billing.

You couldn’t ask for better streamer fishing conditions. You could ask for better streamer fishing! This has been the one lowlight of the 2024 spring fishing campaign but plenty of time remains.

The upper river has seemingly been the better reach for those hucking the meat while the canyon, which has traditionally been the better streamer water, has been lackluster to say the least.

Not to fear – things can only get better. Keep an eye on the weather and keep after it. Conventional wisdom holds that overcast is where it’s at and we’ll stick with that assertion but don’t let the sunny days shut down your streamer game. Some of the better days have actually been on the sunny side with flashy copper with olive and/or yellow getting some attention. The Skiddish Smolt has still been ruling most days and Sparkle Minnows in all sizes and flavors are always a good go to but don’t be afraid to switch it up early and often and throw everything in your arsenal at them.

As we’ve mentioned on more than one occasion Wolf Creek Angler is your Streamer Authority on the MO and we’ve got, hands down, THE BEST STREAMER SELECTION ON THE MISSOURI. Don’t believe me? Shop around and let us know who has a better big bug selection….go ahead…we’ll wait!

Nymphing has been equal parts Sow/Scud and Baetis nymphs – typically with the sow stuff working better during the early part of the day. Switch out in the afternoon and add a Little Green Machine, Psycho May, Redemption, Magic Fly, Mosason or the like and don’t rule out the worm, plenty of eats happening on the worm in conjunction with either a sowbug or baetis nymph.

Dry fly opportunities are happening throughout the day though the last part of the day has been money both on midges and BWO’s. Our midge rigs have consisted of a Bucky’s midge cluster or Grizzly Midge Cluster paired with a Black Sipper or a Black Midge. A GWS BWO or Olive Haze paired with a BWO Film Critic or Last Chance Cripple is a good start should you find yourself in the midst of a BWO event. March Browns? We do have a couple of decent patterns in the bins but a larger Adams or Purple Haze would probably work just fine.

With the wet, cooler weather looking like it’s going to persist for the time being you might want to up your wader game with a new pair of the World’s Best Wader the Simms G3. We also stock the Guide Classic Wader and men’s and women’s Freestone waders as well as Freestone Wading Pants. We’re fully stocked on boots from Simms and Korkers with a model to fit everyone’s needs. Try the Simms Flyweight for an extremely light hiker style boot or the Korkers River Ops BOA for a Heavy Duty boot. We’ve also got Simms Guide Classic wading jackets and Waypoints rain jackets and rain pants if rain gear suits you better.

Shop hours are 7:30 – 5 PM daily. We’re easing into our busy time when rooms are hard to come by but we’ve got a fair number of vacancies for the next week or two if a last minute trip is in your plans.

Make us your first and only stop on the way to the river for The Cheapest Dam Shuttles on the MO, all the bugs you need for your day on the water, fishing licenses, ice, cold weather gear, sun protection, loads of WCA 10th Anniversary Logo gear and so much more.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-05-03T10:06:25-06:00May 3rd, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Springtime in the Rockies

As predicted we got our first taste of summer weather last weekend with highs in the high 70’s and as you would expect it was a busy couple of days on the MO.

Back to reality on Monday with Tax Day and a big change in the weather as a cold front moved in took us right back to winter with snow showers yesterday and highs struggling to break 40. More of the same today with overnight lows plummeting into the teens but it looks like we’re due for a return to seasonal norms this weekend with daytime highs back to the 60’s and 70’s and lows a bit more reasonable in the 30’s.

Through it all, fishing has been solid with the nymph show at the dam in full swing. Traffic is slowly building and will officially reach “busy” status next week as the guide trips start to pile up.
There have been multiple reports of BWO’s this week so be prepared for both midges and Blue Wings on the dry fly front. Low light is your friend so target those cloudier days or fish last light for consistent action.

We’ve been working on our bugs a lot this winter and have a bunch of new midge and BWO dries that should find a place in your boxes.

Best bets for midge dries….Grizzly Midge Cluster, Bucky’s Midge Cluster, Adams Midge Cluster, Hi Vis Griffiths Gnat, Black Sipper, Black Midge, Hi Vis Midge, Adams Midge. BWO’s just getting started so we haven’t sold a ton of them just yet but try a Pederson’s 401K Baetis, Jake’s Hatchback BWO, Brooks Sprout Baetis, Last Chance Cripple BWO, Nyman’s DOA Baetis Cripple, BWO Flash Cripple, Carlson’s Olive Haze, Guide Winna Spinna BWO. Cripples and Emergers though often overlooked, should play a major role in your BWO game.

Nymphing is transitioning from winter fare at the moment but you still can’t go wrong with a Pill Popper, Caviar Scud, Firebead Ray or the like trailed by a tailwater sow in rainbow or pink, a soft hackle sow or a Zebra Midge. We’ve expanded our Zebra and our Sowbug selections and are loaded up with an array of offerings in any color you need. That being said, it is time to start working those Baetis nymphs in as well and we’ve got piles of techy new patterns that are sure to produce. Go with a tried and true Little Green Machine, S & M, Redemption, Psycho May, Magic Fly or Split Case BWO or try something new like a Stocker’s Mosason Baetis, Two Hot Baetis or Radiation Baetis.

Spring is PRIME TIME for Streamer fishing on the Missouri as well and we didn’t stop with nymphs and dries when expanding our bug selection. We are currently loaded up with piles of new bugs including a bunch of new Galloup Micro Dungeons. Come in and check out our streamer bins and see why we are the Missouri River Streamer Fishing Authority. Nobody has a better bug selection.

We’re also sitting on a bunch of new streamer lines from SA, Airflo and Rio…something for any and all situations. And if you’re looking for a new Streamer stick try a Sage Igniter or Payload, an Echo Streamer X or Boost Blue, a Lamson Cobalt or a Redington Predator. All fine streamer sticks with plenty of Sage and Lamson reels to complete the combo.

The shop is bursting at the seams with new products including WCA 10 Year Anniversary gear and plenty of waders and boots for all from Simms and Korkers.

Updated spring hours start Monday, April 22nd. 7:30 AM – 5 PM Monday – Saturday and 8 AM – 2PM on Sundays. Stop in for shuttles, bugs, fishing licenses and so much more at your Missouri River one stop shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-04-18T13:54:05-06:00April 18th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

The State of the Missouri (Spring 2024)

Summer weather on tap for this weekend with highs in the mid 70’s tomorrow and Saturday and pushing 80 on Sunday before we return to rain and more seasonable 60’s on Monday and back to winter starting Tuesday with snow and highs only in the 40’s. Welcome to springtime in the Rockies!

We’re expecting a busy weekend on the river with the weather being what it is and we’re ready for you with piles of new inventory on hand and a good number of open rooms if you’re looking to spend the weekend on the MO. We could probably even get you on the river with one of our exceptional guides if you call us today.

Fishing has been solid all week, especially the nymphing which is producing big numbers daily, but late afternoon/early evening dry fly fishing has also been good with plenty of midges on hand and the streamer crowd is also loving life on the Missouri at the moment. It’s all happening NOW and the best is yet to come.

The glum snowpack/water forecast has really turned around over these past few weeks to the point where what was looking like a substantially low water year is now predicted to be in the normal range, at least what we’ve come to know as normal in recent times. Canyon Ferry is currently sitting at 83.5% full and is expected to fill completely which is great news for the MO.

Flow predictions have improved substantially and while we could still definitely use more precipitation current most probable forecast has us at around 4,000 CFS right on through the season with a peak of around 4500 CFS in May. Minimum probable modeling shows flows kind of where we’ve been seeing them at for the winter months at just shy of 3,000 CFS and Max Probable would have us at around 5,000 CFS for the season with a peak of 9K in May.

As is always the case, Mother Nature will have the final say but confidence is high that flows will be in good shape on the Missouri in 2024. Obviously we’re lacking the flushing flows of 15K + that seem to have such a positive effect on the fishery but compared to what we were looking at 6 weeks ago we feel like we’re in great shape.

Currently flows are 3660 CFS with afternoon water temps pushing 42 degrees. Look for that temp to continue to tick upwards with these warm sunny days making for hot spring fish.

And speaking of spring fish….rainbows are spawning both up the tribs and on the river so if you’re wade fishing the MO PLEASE be mindful of where you are walking taking care not to trample those redds.

You’ll also be happy to hear that fish counts in the Craig stretch are as healthy as ever with over 8,000 fish over 10” per mile. With a ton of both browns and bows in the 15” – 17” range we should see a bunch of big fish this season.

All that being said, we are in draught stage and while things have improved considerably over the past few weeks, the overall picture for Montana waters is less than ideal. Without substantial precipitation this spring low flows and high water temps and high fire risk are all legitimate concerns so keep praying for that precip.

We are now open every day at 8 AM with the Cheapest Shuttles on the MO, the best lodging on the MO, legendary guides and a shop packed FULL of EVERYTHING you need for your day on the water and likely some things you don’t.

We are your EXCLUSIVE Simms dealer in Wolf Creek and the oldest dealer on the MO with plenty of waders and boots for men and women as well as sportswear and accessories. We are also your exclusive Sage dealer in Wolf Creek and we’re loaded up with all the best rods money can buy. Swing in for that new R8, Sonic or Igniter and a Spectrum series reel to match. We also feature rods and reels from Lamson, Echo, Redington and Loop.

If it’s flies you’re looking for then look no further. Our selection rivals that of any shop on the MO and with the new shipments continuing to come in we’ve got so many bugs we’re running out of bins in which to put them. We’ve got all of your Missouri River standards and much more.

WCA is also your Streamer Authority on the MO and while we’ve always had the biggest and best streamer selection around we’ve outdone ourselves this spring with an expanded selection of all of your favorites and likely some you haven’t seen before.

We’re also loaded up on Streamer lines from SA, Rio and Airflo…something for everyone.

It’s Go Time on the MO.

See you soon at Wolf Creek Angler

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-04-11T15:00:45-06:00April 11th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, Igniter, Loop, midge, Missouri River, Montana, R8, running line, Sage, simms, Sonic, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

A Decade in the books

Ten years ago today we opened our doors for the first time at Wolf Creek Angler.

Much has changed.

Much of what has drawn us a loyal following has and will continue to stay the same.

Ten years in we had what was by far our best season yet in 2023 and judging by our bookings for this year we should be on course for another stellar season.

I still remember vividly the night of March 31st, 2014. We were in the shop late putting the final touches on the massive overhaul we’d done in the shop. And by we, I mean mostly my business partner at the time Fred Davidson. Fred camped out in Cabin #1 for weeks chipping away at a complete makeover of the former Montana River Outfitters location while I did my best to assemble an opening day inventory that would make a statement while also making sure those who had booked in 2013 with MRO were made aware of the exciting changes underway at 515 Recreation Road.

Opening Day jitters prevented a good night’s sleep as we considered the journey on which we were about to embark. Snow fell overnight and opening day, from what I recall, was a fairly quiet Tuesday, typical of what we’ve now come to expect during the work week in early April with a fresh dusting of snow on the ground.

Beyond that opening eve and the opportunity to ease in to our first season it’s hard to remember specifics as it’s truly been a blur.

Fred did two seasons at WCA before returning to his life in Michigan. Zach King aka Chewy, arrived post-Fred and quickly became a fixture at WCA before moving up to full time guiding and most recently fatherhood. One of our first housekeepers Jeanette Beers, who came to us in the very first days of WCA inquiring about work, did an amazing job for us and has since moved on to become the postmaster of Wolf Creek. Matt Hargrave was our shop guy and guided for us in 2014 and has since been grinding away as a guide and became an outfitter in 2023. He still continues to handle a good number of our trips. Brian Scott was another MRO “legend of the MO” who was grinding then and continues to grind today, entering season number 39 this spring. Luke Koerten has been guiding for us since season one after I first met him in the Wolf Creek Bridge parking lot and gave him a flyer for the new shop in town. Brad Turner migrated from Michigan in 2018 and has established himself as the WCA Workhorse. Rob Weiker has also been with us from the start and has become an outfitting force in Montana. Other guides have joined our crew over the years but these are the long term “old timers”, a group in which I’d consider myself included.

Our staff has definitely grown with us and what was once Fred and I and just a couple of people is now myself, our Shop Manager Keith Tucker, a two-person housekeeping crew (Missy VanDort and Jude Anderson) and a shuttle crew led for the second season by Rhonda Gatch. Phil Peacy is returning for a third season this year as shop and shuttle help and has officially joined our guide staff as he continues to establish himself as a fixture on the MO. 2024 will also see a few new faces around WCA bolstering our core.

I remember in 2014 having discussions of bringing a raft into the shop to fill space. We opted not to do that, confident that we’d slowly but surely be able to fill our space with retail offerings. These past few years the walls are closing in and we’re truly at capacity with a whole lot of gear in not a whole lot of space. It’s a good place to be for us and for our customers and while we have no immediate plans for expansion you just never know what the future might hold.

A couple of feathers in our cap that I fought like hell to get were our Simms and Sage dealerships. We’ve been a Simms dealer since 2019 after years of lobbying and Sage finally came on board in 2023, giving us two of the top brands in fly fishing. We are blessed to be able to offer you the best products from the best brands in the industry.

A few changes we’ve made with our lodging over the past 10 years…complete remodel of the motel units, complete remodel of our bungalow units last winter, new mattresses in all rooms, new carpet in most of the rooms which have not yet been completely remodeled, new water heaters all around, new roofs on our cabins, Starlink internet with lightning fast Wi-Fi, complete remodel of guide/employee cabins and thousands upon thousands of dollar’s worth of new bedding, new lighting, new appliances, new plumbing, new electric, new window dressings, new bath fixtures….etc., etc. etc. Never let it be said that we aren’t committed to continuous improvement in every area of our business.

We’re ten years old. In some ways it feels like longer than that, but it also still feels new, like we’re just getting started. We couldn’t do any of it without you, our loyal customers. Thank you for making these last 10 years possible. Thank you for allowing us to truly live out a dream here in amazing Montana on the magnificent Missouri River.

We hope you join us in celebration of our first decade as we embark on the next, always looking to give you everything you expect from your Montana fly fishing destination.

Cheers!

Montana River Outfitters Exterior

Another Time, Another Place

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-04-05T13:50:12-06:00April 1st, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: 10th Anniversary, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Sage, simms, Ten Years, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|4 Comments

Spring is Here!

Spring arrived yesterday without a whole lot of fanfare following what has been a very spring-like string of days with an abundance of sunshine and temps pushing 70 degrees daily since the weekend. The river certainly looked spring-like, particularly on Saturday with a parade of drift boats populating the river, particularly in the Dam to Craig stretch. And speaking of parades, Wolf Creek celebrated St Patrick’s Day with the 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday afternoon. The blue skies and warm temps brought out what appeared to be the best crowd yet for the event.

So now that spring has officially arrived, as if on cue, winter weather is on the way.

We’ll trade idyllic sunny spring days and gentle breezes for snow and cold this weekend. Status quo today with temps approaching 70 yet again but transition day is tomorrow with rain and snow throughout the day. Temps will still be in the high 50’s so tomorrow might actually the better fishing day with the absence of sunshine. Streamers anyone?

Things deteriorate on Friday with snow and a high of 40 and continue that trend on Saturday with significant snow and a high of only 32. Throw in a north wind of 6-10 mph with 20 mph gusts and possible accumulation of 1-3 inches of snow and this might be one to skip….then again maybe not. Fishing could be stellar with the absence of sun and the absence of anglers. More of the same on Sunday and things start to warm early next week to more seasonable norms with daily highs in the mid to high 40s through the end of next week.

Should you decide you want to brave winter’s return lodging is now 2/3rds open with only the motel rooms remaining to be opened. That will likely happen the first week of April or thereabouts. Give us a call and book a room, a guide, a shuttle, a drift boat rental….whatever you need, we’ve got it. Winter rates on lodging will remain in effect through the end of March. All rooms are priced at $149 (plus tax) for the winter with the exception of Cabin #3 which is the only thing we’ve got open that does NOT have a kitchen. The rate on Cabin 3 through the end of March is $99. Dogs are welcome in the cabins, NOT the bungalows.

Spring stock has been arriving daily. We’re restocking fly bins today. Hot nymphs have been Pill Poppers, Caviar Scuds, Tailwater Sows, Tungsten UV Sows, Pederson’s Sow, Fire bead Czechs, Zebra Midges, Fire bead Rays and the like. We’ve been running low on a few of these, all are being restocked today. We’ve also been running low on a few midge patterns for the dry fly guys…not to worry, we’re restocking those as well.

Streamer season is definitely underway and we’re busy rearranging the bins this week making room for all kinds of new bugs. Our streamer selection has always been the best on the MO and it’s only getting better. Everyone talks a good streamer game, we live it!

New lines and new bugs currently in the house. Soft goods and rods and reels and more inbound soon. Don’t miss our extensive lineup of WCA drinkware from YETI including our limited editions 10th Anniversary ramblers in 20 and 30 OZ sizes in hot new YETI colors King Crab Orange and Agave Teal. These cups feature out original logo from 2014 coupled with our new 10th Anniversary logo. Very limited run on these AND they’ve thus far been a pretty popular item on our online store so get one before they’re gone.

Don’t forget, Wolf Creek Angler is the home of the CHEAPEST DAM SHUTTLES ON THE MO! We’ve been ramping up and had a busy weekend shuttling though I couldn’t help but notice a fair number of rigs at the dam we weren’t shuttling. It was surprising to me but the only conclusion I can draw from this is that people don’t mind paying more for a shuttle. For those who do mind however, and are looking to save a buck and some time by not having to drive to Craig and back up to the dam, we’ve got you covered.

Our March shop schedule is Monday – Saturday, 8 AM – 4 PM and you can bet that if traffic warrants it we’ll be open on Sundays as well. Starting April 7th we are OPEN EVERY DAY.
Welcome to Spring Time on the Missouri. We can’t wait to see you.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-03-20T12:38:51-06:00March 20th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: cheapest dam shuttles on the mo, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, running line, spring, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, Yeti, zebra midges|0 Comments

Spring is on the way – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The first day of spring is two weeks from today and it looks as though the weather will be trending accordingly.

March came in maybe not quite like a lion, but a bit on the wintery side nonetheless with snow showers and winds out of the north. The weekend snow is still hanging around but it looks like that could change soon with high temps bumping upward throughout the week, breaking into the 50’s for the weekend and nearing 60 on Monday. Friday looks like it could be on the breezy side but other than that it appears as though awesome spring weather is on the way.

We’re holding out hope for more winter weather over the next month or so, at least in the high country, as regionally, we’re still in desperate need of precipitation.

For the moment however we’re in good shape with Missouri River flows holding around 3750 CFS, having dropped on March 1st from the 4000 CFS mark. Water temps are holding just shy of 35 and generally hitting that mark at some point daily.

Look for those water temps to start to climb as we settle in to 50 plus degree highs in the coming days and weeks. And you know what that means…warming waters equals active, hungry and hot fish as spring arrives. It also means spawning rainbows so PLEASE, PLEASE watch where you walk when wade fishing taking care not to trample those redds. There all already a number of them out there so cautious wading starts now.

We’ve been getting a good number of calls from folks asking whether the spawn is on and we can only hope that intentions are to experience what can be excellent fishing DURING the spawn rather than the targeting of spawning fish. You can read all about it here in a great article on the subject from Hatch Magazine, but the bottom line is we urge everyone to avoid those spawning fish as the spawning fish are the future of the fishery. Please leave the spawning fish alone.

I have no judgments about fishing egg patterns behind spawning fish. This is simply offering the appropriate imitation as you are doing anytime you “match the hatch” but if you’re targeting fish on redds by flossing them you might take a minute to reconsider not only the ethics or lack thereof involved but also the bottom line fact that harassing these spawning fish has a substantial negative impact on the future of the fishery.

That’s my soap box for the day and while spawning is somewhat underway, things are technically in the Pre Spawn stage. Water temps in the 39 – 41 degree range typically usher in the full blown spawn. The warming water temps have moved the fish to action and they are hungry as they emerge from their winter stasis.

It’s why spring is such an amazing time to fish the Missouri as our thousands of rainbows feed with abandon, banking calories required for the upcoming spawn while the browns look to replenish caloric stockpiles depleted by winter’s trials.

Nymphing is about to get HOT. Dry fly fishing has already been solid and will steadily improve as midge activity becomes more consistent eventually paving the way for spring BWO’s but I’m getting ahead of myself. If you know me at all, you know what’s on my mind when it comes to spring fishing and that’s STREAMERS! As water temps warm our hungry browns get more aggressive and more willing to chase down a meaty streamer. A calorie-rich target becomes almost irresistible as the browns look to pack on the mass.

A slow strip and/or swing will continue to be the game with water temps still in the mid 30’s and the deeper slower water will continue to produce but keep an eye on those water temps and change your game accordingly. A sunny day, even if it’s only in the high 30’s or 40’s, will warm those shallows and attract the fish which are all on the hunt for warmer water.

If the sun is on the water fish those faster flats with both streamers and nymphs and if it’s streamers you’ll want to pick up the pace on that retrieve with plenty of pauses in between strips as more often than not they’ll attack on the pause.

Stop by the shop on your way to the river for hot nymphs, a plethora of midge patterns and the best streamer selection on the MO. New bugs arriving daily and we’re stocked up on new fly lines for any and all applications.

The new license year is underway as of last Friday so be sure to purchase your new fishing license which we can help you with if need be. Shuttle service is still a bit hit or miss with winter staffing in effect but that’s all about to change and soon won’t be an issue. Men’s and women’s Simms waders and boots are fully stocked and you need look no further than Wolf Creek Angler for a top shelf rod and reel selection from Sage, Lamson, Echo and more.

We’ll be looking to make more lodging available in the coming weeks but for the time being we’ve got our newly remodeled bungalows available at winter rates of $149/night and we’ve also got The Quarry House available for those looking for something to accommodate a larger group. The Quarry House is $400/night and sleeps 6.

And don’t forget, throughout the month of March we’re running our Spring Tune-Up special…a full day of guided fishing on the MO for one or two anglers and two nights of premium lodging at Wolf Creek Angler for just $800.

Shop schedule will switch to spring hours soon but at the moment we’re open Monday – Saturday at 8 AM.

See you soon for EPIC spring fishing on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-03-05T12:12:37-07:00March 5th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, Echo, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, running line, simms, spring fishing, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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

It’s not lost on us that to those who don’t live here it may appear as though some of us tend to take for granted this amazing world-class fishery that is the Missouri River…and perhaps some do. After all, people come from all around the world to fish the MO and even though it’s right here in our back yard some rarely fish it.

By “take for granted”, I don’t mean that in the defined sense that we fail to properly appreciate the river as a result of overfamiliarity but rather in the sense that with unlimited opportunity to enjoy the river some of us tend to be choosy about the conditions in which we will fish. Mind you, there is no lack of appreciation for this unbelievable resource from where I sit. She amazes me every day of every year I have been blessed to live here.

As fellow anglers, we too make plans on occasion to go fish other places and that being the case we’re very well acquainted with being at the mercy of Mother Nature. We know what it’s like to roll the dice with an idyllic picture of your destination in mind, only to have that picture obliterated by torrential rains, hurricane winds, Arctic cold fronts, scorching heat or any number of other conditions that could make your dream trip challenging at best, or a nightmare at worst. We get it. Such is the nature of vacations.

This is not that.

This is having the Missouri River as a backdrop to our respective daily grinds and establishing a healthy relationship with her. Having the option to fish the Missouri ANYTIME is a luxury not afforded to many, a luxury well recognized by the vast majority of those of us who work and live in this amazing place.

It’s different for everyone and all a very personal matter based on who and what and where we are. We’re all at different stages in life. That goes for our professional lives, our family lives, our recreational lives. We’re all fellow travelers with varying time and distance ahead of and behind us. I have nothing to say about anyone else’s journey, only my own.

When I moved to Montana some 12 years ago I fished a hell of a lot more than I do now. Familiarity with what was all brand new has definitely played a role but so has this journey of evolution happening every second of every minute of every day to each and every one of us.

Fly Fishing remains my passion. A passion that has evolved tremendously over the last 30 years and which has been tempered and refined but which still thrives in my soul and provides me with much of the spiritual sustenance I require.

Gone are the days when I would, as the Simms ad proclaims, “Forget the Forecast”. To the contrary, when we’re talking about the Missouri in particular, the forecast is of vital importance. My days of fighting the winds are behind me. My tolerance of cold has lessened considerably but in the absence of howling wind I’ll still row a boat and fish in freezing temps.

I’m still amped by overcast skies, perhaps with a rain shower or two thrown in….my conditional parameters tend to expand immensely during streamer season!

Backing out streamer season however I’m a big fan of sunshine and light variable breezes and temps somewhere between 44 and 84 degrees. The temp range allows for plenty of days on the water year round, the sunshine is vital to me during the colder months but in the summer it doesn’t play as big of a roll. The wind is my determining factor and is what keeps me off of the water more often than not.

Mind you, this is all having to do with fun fishing. We do what we have to do to make a living. Conditions notwithstanding.

All this to say that lately I’ve been feeling the itch to get back on the water. The spring-like weather has had me daydreaming about that magic, euphoric feeling of being in a drift boat, carried by the current and maybe, just maybe even getting a shot at a fish or two. You’ll likely read more from me about this sometime down the road but numbers increasingly mean less and less to me.

Looking at the forecast this week it appeared as though Wednesday was going to be the day. Sunshine, minimal winds and highs in the 50’s. Definitely not the weather we need at the moment but it really doesn’t get much better in February.

And so, once forecasted conditions were confirmed the CLOSED sign went up and I spent a much anticipated afternoon floating the MO, just the dog and me, just what I needed for a recharge.

With only a dry fly rod on board I spent the day head hunting, hoping for some February midge magic. This was not to be. I didn’t care!

Don’t get the wrong idea. I still LOVE to catch fish and had I been with someone I would have been happy to pass the time stripping a streamer as we hunted for rising fish but that’s not what I was after yesterday. What I was after I got…in spades.

I couldn’t wait to get to work today and once I got here I was happy to be busy with all the things that need to happen here before the season picks up again not long from now. On top of that we had a fairly busy morning with another nice day on tap and it was good to talk fishing again with a bunch of people who couldn’t wait to get out there and try to find what they came for.

Tight Lines!

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-02-22T16:10:21-07:00February 22nd, 2024|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

February Delivers Winter to the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

February continues to deliver some much needed winter weather.

The snow is piling up in the high country but we’ve still got a long ways to go. Snowpack is improving slowly but surely and while I’m tempted to curse the weather while I’m digging out my driveway in the pre-dawn hours, so far I’ve resisted that urge and powered through it, thankful we are getting exactly what we need.

This latest round of precipitation is being accompanied by a blast of cold arctic air which has us in the teens today with single digits on tap overnight. Friday will see an end to the snow but continued cold with a high of 20 and overnight low near 5 degrees. Things start to warm up on Saturday with a high near 37 and Sunday we’re back up near 40’s and bumping up against 50 again on Monday.

Friday fishing will be on the chilly side but the holiday weekend and into next week could be exceptional with those daytime temps in the low 40’s and an abundance of sunshine making for some ideal February conditions on the MO.

Expect plenty of top water action with winter midge madness underway. Pair a #18 Bucky’s Midge Cluster with a #18 or #20 Black Midge and feed those steady risers.

The nymphing action should be good as well with no real changes on the bug front. Pill Poppers, Bubble Yums, Rainbow Czechs, Amex, Weight Flies paired with Tailwater Sows, Soft hackle sows, Zebra midges, Pederson’s Sow, Radiation Baetis, Pink Lighting bugs or really any other of your go to winter offerings.

Target the slow, deep winter water and run as close to the bottom as practical but don’t get stuck on that. Especially on the sunny days when the sun is warming the water up a tick or two, don’t be afraid to target the moderately faster runs. Shorten up your rig accordingly and see what happens. You might be surprised.

Streamer action should be good as well, primarily working the slower tail outs and deep, slow buckets with a combination swing and super slow and long strip. But again, don’t get stuck on that. Bomb the banks, switch up your bugs, switch up your retrieve. You might find an aggressive retrieve off the bank to be effective, it all depends on the day.

The established winter techniques are a great starting point but the fish don’t always follow the script. Break those winter rules and see what happens.

The shop will be closed for the weekend as we make the trek up to Calgary for a long overdue return to a Wings/Flames game on Saturday but we do have lodging available for the holiday weekend and beyond.

We’ll be back in the shop on Monday for the big President’s Day rush which could well end up with getting out on the water ourselves for an afternoon outing.

Let’s hope the snow continues to pile up throughout the second half of February. Spring is just 33 days away and will be here before we know it.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-02-15T12:43:25-07:00February 15th, 2024|Categories: Fishing Report, Shop Life|Tags: dry fly fishing, fly fishing, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, nymphs, pill popper, running line, Streamer Fishing, Tailwater Sow, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Settling In To Winter

It seems the wild weather swings have subsided for the moment.

No Arctic Blasts and no 60 degree days in the forecast for the time being. We’re currently seeing highs in the 30’s, lows in the 20’s with occasional snow showers (as it should be) and the snowpack map is slowly but steadily starting to improve. Let’s hope winter sticks around for a while. We could certainly stand another six weeks of this.

We did our first guide trips of 2024 last week during the tail end of the heat wave. Things have gone quiet again this week but we’re ok with that. It’s supposed to be quiet in February.

There are still a couple of folks out there most days, the hardest of the hard core anglers, but for the most part it’s empty lots and vacant water and will likely remain so for some time. We are looking at a slight warm up this weekend with highs near 40 starting on Sunday and running through Tuesday but with it being Super bowl Sunday and all I wouldn’t expect much traffic.

The next system moves in on Wednesday with colder temps and a good shot at some snow showers.

Should you decide you’d rather watch a bobber than the 49ers and Chiefs, like if you’re a lifelong Detroit Lions fan and felt like you had this and can’t believe that second half went the way it did and have been in mourning for two weeks, the river is here for you.

Flows are holding steady in the 4000 CFS range with water temps at Holter Dam hanging right around 34 degrees. Shelf ice pretty much disappeared during the heat wave last week though there are still some sketchy spots out there so use caution as always.

The ramps at the dam and Wolf Creek Bridge and Craig are in decent shape and shouldn’t pose a problem though you’ll want to thoroughly inspect them before backing down as an icy ramp is tough to escape once you’re on it. If you have any doubts slide that boat down the ramp to launch and make sure you have a tow strap or plenty of rope for getting out.

Status quo on your bugs. Pill Poppers and Tailwater Sows or some variation thereof if you’re nymphing and midge clusters or any number of individual midge patterns to target those top water fish. Streamer action has been good, at least that was the word last week. White, Olive, Tan all producing on the strip with standard swing fare like Thin Mints, Polar Leeches and Kreelex in play.

We’ve got kitchenettes for rent at $149/night plus tax. A must this time of year with not much for dining out options between Helena and Cascade save the occasional weekend offerings at the Craig Taphouse which will incidentally be serving up pizza tomorrow (Saturday).

New arrivals for spring gear will be here soon. In the meantime we’re loaded up on Simms Waders and boots (and cold weather gear), Sage rods and reels, fly lines from SA, Rio and Airflo for any and all applications and situations, WCA Yeti drinkware as well as WCA 10th Anniversary gear arriving weekly. We’ll do your shuttles whenever possible and we’ll rent you a brand new Adipose Flow provided conditions allow for it.

Settle in for these next few weeks and prepare for what’s ahead. It’s a great time to inventory and organize your gear and figure out what you need to buy for the 2024 campaign.

Winter schedule will remain in effect as long as it makes sense, opening at 8 AM Tuesday – Saturday and lodging is available anytime whether the shop is open or not. Give us a call to book your room and we’ll take care of the rest.

Best of luck this weekend to Chiefs and Niners fans…enjoy it while you can, the Lions will be on the prowl and in the hunt for years to come. Mark my words.

By Jason Orzechowski|2024-02-09T11:33:10-07:00February 9th, 2024|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Detroit Lions, fly fishing, Holter Dam, midge, Missouri River, Missouri River Winter Fishing, running line, simms, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

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