Wolf Creek Archives - Page 52 of 60

Fly Rod Edition

Rods have proven to be a challenge for us from the start. We don’t get a huge call for rods and reels but we feel like having a decent selection of both is a must for most any fly shop and Wolf Creek Angler is no exception.
When we opened our doors last season we chose to go with Echo, St. Croix and Redington as our rod offerings and Echo and Ross for our reels. First season rod and reel sales exceeded our expectations, but honestly our expectations were pretty low.
We are continuing with these brands this season and have expanded our selection of Ross Reels as well as adding Nautilus Reels to the mix. It’s a great blue-collar line up of proven work horse gear and we would love to increase our sales in this department.
Our most popular St Croix rod has been the Avid series which was my first fly rod back in the day and which remains a staple in the industry as a great series of affordable trout rods at $300.
We also stock the Kelly Galloup designed Bank Robber and High Stick Drifters. At $460 these Fast action rods are a little more of an investment but we think they are well worth the money. The Bank Robber is the ultimate streamer stick and the High Stick Drifter was built for nymphing the MO.
New to Wolf Creek Angler this season, we’ve decided to line up a couple of these rods as demos. Come fish a Bank Robber or High Stick Drifter for the day and see what you think. Demo the rod and reel for $25/day – if you decide to purchase one we’ll credit you back the rental fee.
The most popular Echo rods for us have without a doubt been the Carbon series. Many of our guides, myself included, use Carbons for Client Rigs and coupled with Echo Ion Reels they are a great choice and a great value. Clients new to the sport find these Medium-Fast rods easy to cast and at just shy of $250 for the rod and reel combo you can’t beat the price. The Carbon is a great choice for an affordable entry level rod.
Other workhorse offerings from Echo include the Ion and the Solo. While our Echo inventory consists primarily of Carbons and Solos we’re happy to order anything they offer including the highly touted Echo Glass Two Hand and Switch rods.
If you’re looking for a rod for your little ones look no further than the 7’9″ 4/5 weight Echo Gecko, the industry’s only high-performance rod built specifically for kids.

We also carry rods from Redington including the Fiberglass Butterstick and the ready-to-fish Path combo (rod, reel pre-spooled with Rio Mainstream WF fly line, backing, leader and case) with lifetime warranty for under $200. This entry level moderate-fast action rod has been our most popular offering by far and is a great choice for beginners.
Look for upcoming blogs detailing the particulars of many of these rods.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 28th, 2015|Categories: Product Review|Tags: Echo, fly fishing, Kelly Galloup, Nautilus, Redington, Ross, running line, St Croix, St Croix Bank Robber, St Croix High Stick Drifter, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Weekend Edition

Spring weather underway in Wolf Creek

Ending the week with some summer temps here at the end of March with a high of 75 expected today. It could get a little breezy with gusts up to 21 mph but all in all it’s a gorgeous spring day to fish the Missouri. The water temp is bumping up against 40 at the dam and is starting to warm enough the further down you go to provide for some pretty solid streamer action. Fish are starting to be picked up in the shallows as well as the winter water so don’t overlook any of it right now.
There continues to be plenty of action on top pending the sun and the wind conditions and the nymphing is heating up. Firebeads and pink stuff have slipped out of style for the time being but we’re thinking they’ll be back at some point. In the meantime zebra midges, tailwater sows, LGM’s, Peepshows and Micromays have been gaining popularity amongst our customers and presumably amongst our trout.
Sparkle Minnows, Gold/Brown Kreelex, Black Buggers, Olive Smolts and Polar Leeches in all flavors have been getting some attention out there. Keep the bugs in the deep slow water and the retrieve on the slow side to start but don’t be afraid to target some shallow spring trout lies and speed up your strip with plenty of pauses in between.
Midge clusters some days, single midges on others. Try trailing an emerger to increase your odds.
We have plenty of winter-rate lodging available for the weekend and don’t forget our $300 Spring Special Full Day Guide Trips happening NOW through the end of April.
Stop by WCA on your way to the river for EVERYTHING you need for your day on the MO. Shuttles, boats, lodging, Kast Extreme Fishing Gear, friendly service and the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 27th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Mid Week Missouri River Fishing Report 3/25/15

Let the spring games begin….what to use?

A bit of semi-seasonable weather back yesterday and today with scattered precipitation and temps hanging in the 40’s but back to spring tomorrow with temperatures climbing into the 60’s and 70’s by Friday.
As has been the case for the last several weeks it’s been a mixed bag of reports out there but it sounds like Sunday was a pretty good day all the way around with periods of good dry fly action and some good streamer reports from the canyon stretch. Black buggers, Polar leeches, olive smolts and sparkle minnows have all been producing fish. Most of the reports we heard from Monday and Tuesday sounded like things were on the slow side but we’re hoping for the rebound today.
Nymphing will continue to be your best bet though it seems the transition from winter fare to spring bugs has certainly gotten underway. Not that the pink stuff won’t work but we’ve heard of a lot of people having more success with tailwater sows and zebra midges and the like. It’s the time of year to start experimenting with your flies which makes for a bit more of a challenge than running a #12 Pinkalicious trailed with a firebead soft hackle sow for days on end but it’s all part of the fun. Green Machines, Micromays, Juju’s, Wondernymphs,Rainbow Warriors ,Peep Shows, AmX, the aforementioned Tailwater Sows and Zebra Midges…..and on and on. What will they be eating today? Start with a black zebra and something that feels right and go with it and change until you find what’s working.
The one part of the game that has remained fairly constant is the water the fish are holding in. Slow, deep winter runs will continue to be your target for the time being but as we creep towards 40 and beyond that will change as well. It’s a great time of year to fish the Missouri. Change is underway and soon the crowds will return. Take advantage of the relative solitude while you can. It’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a $300 Spring Special Guide Trip with one of our expert guides.
Stop by the shop on your way to the river for shuttles, bugs, bobbers, boats and all kinds of cool new gear arriving daily. We are your one-stop full service Missouri River fly shop and THE place to stay in Wolf Creek. We are Outfitter owned and operated and anxious to share our knowledge of and passion for Montana fly fishing with you soon.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 25th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, juju baetis, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, Montana, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|0 Comments

Guide Day Off – It’s just fishing!

Guest Blog from WCA Guide Jim Murray who ventured to the Land of the Giants over the weekend.

It’s not all fly fishing all the time. When I get a chance to get out and do some fishing on an off day, my friends and I have no problem throwing a spinning rod, jigging for walleye, or going way back to my Alaskan saltwater roots, and trolling. We just like to fish. Period.
Is was with that mindset that my good buddy Joel and I headed out to the Gates and the Land of the Giants this past weekend to get after some fish. The plan was to run up to the LOG, throw some streamers and maybe do some jigging. The streamer bite was definitely not happening, but we did manage to nymph up a few typical LOG rainbows, and miss a nice walleye on a deep jig.
We returned to the lake at the Gates, and decided to see if we couldn’t troll up a few walleye and trout. We got out the rod holders, rigged up with our favorite Rapalas, set the planing boards, tuned up the fish finder, and we were fishing. It didn’t take long for the ~~poles~~ rods to be bent, and they stayed bent the rest of the afternoon. While we didn’t catch the ever elusive ‘eye, we managed to really crush the rainbows. It was a great time. Time spent with a good friend on a lake, on a beautiful day, tipping back a few PBR’s, swapping stories and catching trout. Life is good.

It’s was also a great reminder that while I absolutely love to fly fish, there are many ways to get it done. Fishing is fishing. And it’s fun. I think about it pretty much every waking moment, but it’s always good to remember that it’s just fishin’. Have fun out there!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 24th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: fly fishing, Land of the Giants, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Thinking Steel

Days Away from Pere Marquette Steelhead!

Michigan bound at the end of the week and starting to think about Great Lakes Steelhead. It’s been a few years since I’ve had the opportunity and I can’t wait to step back into the home waters of the Pere Marquette and give it a go. It’s been long enough that the chrome seems a little exotic and I’m not sure I remember exactly how to set up a steelhead rig but I’m sure it will all come back to me once I’m there.
This week will be spent splitting time between digging out and assembling old gear to prepare for the journey and tending to spring projects in the shop. We’ve got all kinds of cool new gear arriving daily so we’re in the process of rearranging things in the shop and Fred has been busy tending to projects around the property which aren’t as fun and exciting as new gear but which are equally as if not more important to making your stay with us this season a great one.
Join us tonight at the Blackfoot River Brewing Company in Helena for Community Pint Night where $1.00 of every glass of beer sold will go to benefit the Pat Barnes Missouri River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. I can’t think of a better way to raise money or a better way to contribute to a great cause. And speaking of Pat Barnes TU – the 34th Annual Banquet will be held on Saturday April 25th at 6 PM at The Gateway Center in Helena. Stop by Wolf Creek Angler and purchase your banquet tickets ($40 single, $75 couple) and while your at it purchase a raffle ticket or two for a 14′ NRS Otter Raft Package. Raffle tickets are $25.
If we get a spare minute this week we’ll be on the Missouri hopefully throwing streamers under cloudy skies with a chance for rain today and tomorrow and partly cloudy skies Wednesday and Thursday with temps in the 50’s and low 60’s. The weekend looks like beach weather with sunny skies and highs in the low 70’s – perfect weather for driving back to cold weather, steelhead weather, in Michigan.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 23rd, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Blackfoot River Brewing Company, Pat Barnes Missouri River Trout Unlimited, Pere Marquette River, running line, Steelhead, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Missouri River Weekend Fishing Report

The first weekend of spring has brought us some gorgeous spring weather, full lodging, a busy fly shop and by most reports some fair fishing.
Our first Spring Special guide trips of the season will be out today and it looks like it will be a great day for fishing with mostly cloudy skies and a chance for some rain this afternoon. Could be a perfect streamer day if that’s your game, the fish-friendly cloud cover should provide some action for the head hunters and nymphing should be improving daily with the warmer water. Good prospects no matter what your game.
Sunny skies return tomorrow but it looks like it’s going to be another nice day to fish with highs near 60 and WSW wind around 9 mph. Plenty of lodging opening up tomorrow night if you’re lucky enough to be able to come out and fish with us early to mid week.
Ridiculously reasonable room rates, $300 full day guide trips and great spring weather – what more could you ask for?
How about RO drift boat rentals, shuttles, Extreme Fishing Gear from KAST, lots of books to teach you how to fish the Missouri, Fishpond Nomad nets, RIO leaders, tippet and InTouch Fly Lines, Strike Foundry indicators, all kinds of accessories and the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana? We’ve got all that too!
See you at Wolf Creek Angler – Outfitter owned and operated and feeling insanely privlidged to be your full service Missouri River fly shop.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 21st, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, fly fishing, Kast Gear, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, RO Drift Boats, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Canyon Fishing Report 3/17/15 – guest blog from WCA Guide Jim Murray

Luck of the Rubber Legs happening NOW in the canyon.

As we stated yesterday, Spring fishing has been a little inconsistent so far. Some good days, some REALLY good days, and quite honestly, some days that have been a little, well, on the slow side. With the majority of our Spring fishing taking place between the Dam and Spite Hill, we decided to head down into the Canyon and try some different water. While the high winds definitely made fishing a challenge,(and caused us to call an audible on our shuttle) we were greeted with some pretty good fishing. The fish were where you would expect to find them. Slow, deep runs. We didn’t have much luck fishing the hard banks, but when we would find the softer water, we would pick up a fish or two or three. The fish were definitely in an eating mood, and we caught fish on our usual winter/spring time patterns, as well as some larger bugs too. Don’t be afraid to experiment down in the Canyon. You just may be rewarded!

We also threw some streamers, and while we had some chases and tugs and a couple of fish brought to the boat, it was much slower than the nymph fishing. Again, not much love on the hard banks, with the softer water being the key. Notice a pattern?

While the majority of people fishing this time of year concentrate above Craig, don’t be afraid to try a different float down low. You might like what you find. All in all, it’s shaping up to be a great Spring, and this river feels like It’s about to really catch fire. With the water temperatures approaching 40, it’s Game On on the Mo. Along with that is the reminder that the rainbows are starting to spawn. Keep this in mind as you head out to fish this Spring, and be aware of where you are fishing.

Remember, $300 Spring Special Guide Trips start on Friday the 20^th and WCA has everything you need to make your day on the Missouri a great one: lodging, shuttles, bugs, boat rentals, advice, and the best cup of coffee in Wolf Creek. Stop in and say hi on your way to the river. We’d love to meet you!

WCA Guide Extraordinaire Jim Murray with a canyon beauty. Book your trip with Jim or any one of our expert guides today.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 17th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, running line, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Mid-March Fishing Report

The first half of March has been a little tough around here. A couple of good days but hit and miss for the most part. The weather has been awesome but as winter comes to a close we’re happy to see some precip in the cards today and through the first half of the week. It could be really good out there the next couple of days with clouds and snow and light winds and temps in the 40’s.
Water temps are creeping upwards towards 40, we’re thinking streamers but we’re also thinking that the nymphing may turn on and it’s a safe bet there will be fish up on the midges under cloudy skies. This could be the week it turns on and the timing couldn’t be better with our $300 spring special guide trips commencing on Friday – the first day of Spring!
As of yesterday we’ve doubled our lodging capacity and rooms are filling quickly. In addition to the bungalows, we now have Cabins 1 and 2 available, each with its own full kitchen and bath for $99 and we’ve also got Cabin #3 back on the roster at the ridiculously reasonable rate of $69. No kitchen in #3 but two beds, a private bathroom, fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Get it while you can!
Make WCA your destination this week. We’ve got everything you need. Rooms, boats, shuttles, cold weather gear, warm weather gear, cool River Steel tools from Montana Fly Co, all kinds of indicators including Strike Foundry’s Lil’ Nuggets, Loon Aquel, Flyagra, leaders and tippet from RIO and Trout Hunter, a bunch of awesome clearance items and of course, the largest selection of Missouri River flies ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Outfitter Owned and Operated and open EVERY DAY from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
See you in the shop and on the water.

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 16th, 2015|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: $300 Missouri River Guide Trips, fly fishing, Missouri River, Missouri River Spring Special Guide Rates, RIO, running line, streamers, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Dub C A Soiree

Not the Dub C A Soiree

Save the Date! Join us at Wolf Creek Angler on Saturday, May 23rd for the Inaugural WCA Missouri River Soiree as we celebrate the start of another awesome season on the world-famous Missouri River.
Not having done an official “Grand Opening” last season we would love to take this opportunity to introduce you to our shop with a celebration that we intend to make an annual event. Super Sales in the shop all day and a barbecue in the evening with live music from Helena’s Sleeping Giants. You don’t want to miss this one.
By that time the shop will be fully loaded with all kinds of cool new gear, much of which is new to WCA for 2015. Kast Extreme Fishing Gear, Smith Optics, Nautilus Reels…all new at WCA this season.
Lodging and guides are available but the dates will fill quickly so book yours today. As we welcome summer what could be better than a great day on the water with one of our expert guides followed by free food and music and fun and great deals on merchandise at WCA?
We hope to see you there!

By Jason Orzechowski|2016-10-25T16:15:58-06:00March 15th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Dub C A Soiree, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments

Wolf Creek Angler in The Drake

Home Page of The Drake Online with Wolf Creek topping the list of features.

Our shop showed up in The Drake on-line Fly Shop Friday feature yesterday and while I downplayed it a little when I shared the link on our Facebook page I just want to share what a huge deal this actually is for us.
Like I told The Drake during our interview, it’s not quite the cover of the Rolling Stone – but in my mind it’s damn close. It is the on-line Drake so we aren’t actually in print but that doesn’t make any difference to me. It’s all part of the realization of a dream for me. I remember buying my first copy of The Drake in Traverse City MI somewhere in the early 2000’s. It was very early on in my fly fishing development. Before guiding, before ever having been to Montana, and certainly before ever having thought anything about owning a fly shop. I thought it was the coolest rag EVER and I haven’t missed an issue since so when I got an email from The Drake asking if we would be interested in the feature it was an extremely humbling and emotional experience for me.

To see our shop featured here and to think about how much things have changed in our lives since picking up that copy of The Drake is an amazing thing. We are truly stoked to be here. Here in The Drake and here in Wolf Creek doing what we love.

See you at Wolf Creek Angler! Cheers!

Read the feature here http://www.drakemag.com/featured-content/flyshop-friday/1378-wolf-creek-angler-fly-shop-on-the-missouri-river.html

By Jason Orzechowski|2018-08-01T21:09:07-06:00March 14th, 2015|Categories: Local Buzz, Press|Tags: Montana, The Drake, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|0 Comments