First float in the new Adipose – photo by Wolf Creek Angler
A mixed bag of reports this week with things having seemingly slowed a bit since our last report. There are still fish being caught but the good to great days we had experienced last weekend and early this week have given way to a return to more challenging times. There are definitely still fish being caught but you may have to work for them. That being said, it is still February so all things considered I would still say the fishing is pretty damn good overall and should only get better.
We’re still holding out hope for another shot or two of winter weather but as of right now we seem to be settled in to a trend of sunny days with daytime temps in the 50’s and nighttime lows in the 30’s. We’ve had a few really nice days with just a breeze but more often than not there are varying amounts of wind to contend with. Yesterday was one of those rare calm days, today it looks like a return to the normal. No high wind warnings in the immediate forecast but always be prepared for at least a nuisance wind.
We did a quick Wolf Creek to Craig float on Tuesday in our new WCA Adipose rental and had a decent day on the nymphs before switching to streamers which turned out to be a bust. The firebead soft hackle sow in pink was our best bug and the fish we did pick up were where they were supposed to be in the medium slow, medium deep water. Same program we’ve been preaching for the past few weeks though we skipped the super slow winter water and just targeted the transitional stuff. Firebead anything, soft hackle sows, soft hackle rays, Tailwater sows, black zebra midges, Czechs, Amex…by now you know the routine. We didn’t spend any time doing row-arounds but you should.
As I said the streamer thing wasn’t happening for us at all. A couple of tugs early on and then NOTHING. We ran through our go-to bugs and fished hard right to the take-out and nothing. Streamer fishing can be like that. Tomorrow is another day!
There have been a lot of midges around and the occasional fish or pod on them but I have yet to spend a day targeting rising fish. It’s all ahead of us. Great streamer fishing, great nymphing and great dry-fly fishing soon to come.
The river has been relatively quiet this week but there are definitely some people around and it’s only going to get busier as things heat up so it’s a perfect time to come out and enjoy early spring fishing on the Missouri River.
We’ve got one room left for the weekend, you may as well make it yours. $99/night gets you a cozy cabin with a full kitchen just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge. Don’t forget – $400 full day guide trips through the end of March or do it yourself with a RO or Adipose Drift Boat Rental.
Lots of new inventory arriving daily at the shop. Come on by and see what’s new.
We hope to see you this weekend at Wolf Creek Angler.
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