We will be re-opening Headhunters Fly Shop tomorrow Monday April 27. The Missouri River Business Community has been communicating with one another, and while we are excited for the season to start (again), we are also cautious about an influx of visitors from out of the area. Most folks we have talked to feel we are opening a bit pre-maturely. A case of COVID-19 in a single member of our tiny community would likely cause us all to shut down again. Please play by the rules for the foreseeable future, and enjoy the Missouri River in a safe, responsible, and respectful way.
Fly Shop
The shop will be open daily from 8am-6pm. Most services will be available for residents of Montana and those who have quarantined for 14 days after entering the State. Please be patient as we will be a bit short staffed in the coming weeks.
Safety is our primary objective. Our shop staff, guides, shuttle crew and housekeeping engineer will be wearing protective masks and taking other measures to keep things clean. We hope you will as well.
We will be following Social Distancing Protocols in and around the store. Please use the hand sanitizer dispenser outside the store before entering. Obviously, do not enter if you are feeling sick, have a temperature, are coughing, or otherwise.
We expect you to be adults and act accordingly. We are all in this together. Respect others. Do good. Be safe.
Free Flies for the Socially Responsible!
Any guest who comes in the shop wearing a protective mask will receive a FREE FLY of his or her choice! You help us, the Royal Us, and we help you, the Royal You. Limit one free fly per day.
While we will be monitoring the number of guests in the store, be aware that you are responsible for keeping appropriate distances between yourself and others. If you set foot inside the store and there are already 6 people, either enjoy another sip or two of your coffee outside, or use our “takeaway window” on the porch.
Get your Montana State Fishing License here online before you arrive.
Headhunters Fly Shop Takeaway Window
Yes we have a Takeaway Window at Headhunters. Not comfortable coming inside the shop? No worries man. We have you covered. Get your Montana State Fishing License at the window. Order flies at the window. You want 6 Bubble Yum sz 14, one package of BB Split, Air-Lock bobbers and a shuttle? Takeaway Window. Want just a shuttle? Takeaway window. Want to Browse our incredible selection of flies? Come inside please.
Call ahead if you want us to put together a package of stuff for pick up, and limit your time spent inside the shop.
Order online (preferably the night before) and we will put together your order. Tick the “Local Pickup” option in shipping when checking out. In the Order Notes area you can specify the date and time you will be by to pick up your order.
River Shuttles
If you only need a shuttle, please call them in at 406-235-3447 or 1-877-379-3597. Have your Credit Card # ready, and know your license plate number. This helps alleviate congregations at the shop.
We are trying to be safe here at Headhunters. You are either a Montana resident, or have completed your 14 day quarantine. Those are the two options for you. We are trying to follow the rules. Don’t make us be dicks. If you do the right thing, we can do the right thing.
If there are 3 of you, and you are getting a shuttle, don’t all come in the shop and stand around. Social Distancing in this new world should dictate some of your behaviors.
Lodging
Lodging will be available open, but not all of out lodging options are open as of this week. Craig Trout Camp, Montana’s Wolf Creek Lodge, and some others. Not all lodging and house keeping staffs are comfortable opening yet. Call Julie for the details on lodging at 406-868-5473. She is in the know, and will be of great help to you.
Out of state guests need to be aware that they must quarantine for 14 days. Below is the Governor Bullock directive for travelers…
“While we love our visitors, we would ask that you not come visit while Montanans are watching out for one another by staying at home,” said Governor Bullock. “This is important not only to protect our health care system, but also to protect against the spread of COVID-19.”
“…travel from another state or country is the most common known source of COVID-19 infections in Montana. I am asking anyone who is in Montana and has recently traveled from another state or country to do the right thing and self-quarantine for 14 days.”
Lodging check out can be done with Julie @ 406-868-5473.
Guiding
We will guide those anglers who have been in the state for 14 consecutive days. Our guides have made it clear that they are on board with these restrictions. Not one of our guides wants to break the rules, as concern for their health and the health of their families is a priority. Safety first is the protocol. We totally agree.
And, Governor Bullock even addressed guided fishing in his Phase 1 re-opening plan…
Guides and outfitters may offer services consistent with any ongoing quarantine travel restrictions provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines and sanitation protocols.
Guides are cleaning and sanitizing their boats daily. Hard surfaces will be sanitized. The cooler will be cleaned/sanitized daily. The guide will provide the normal non-alcoholic beverages. Please bring your own water bottle. Make sure you have enough water for the day on the river.
You will meet your guide at the shop in the morning, unless you and your guide decide otherwise. Social distancing principles apply here. As they will today, tomorrow, and in the future.
Checking out after your guide trip can be done with Julie if you get off the water after store hours, or if you simply want to limit your time in the shop. Julie can be reached at 406-868-5473.
Mo River Eats Catering and River Lunches
Local lunch provider and caterer Kelly Wilson local caterer sent us this description of her breakfast and dinner options. Restaurants in Montana can open on May 4 (ender some restrictions), so until then you will need to make other plans for breakfast and dinner.
If you want river lunches, they will be delivered to the shop in the morning. A hands free pick up will be available this coming week. See the catering info below.
Mo’ River Eats
- Sunday: Chicken Piccata with Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Asparagus and Bread
- Monday: Pot Roast Dinner with Mashed Potatoes and Veggies with Bread
- Tuesday: Fried Chicken with 2 sides and Roll or Biscuit
- Wednesday: Beef Stroganoff with Salad and Bread
- Thursday: Spaghetti and Meatballs with Salad and Bread
- Friday: Bacon Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Veggies and Salad
- Saturday: Chicken Enchiladas with Rice and Black Beans, Tortilla Chips and Homemade Salsa
Welcome…
The Dude abides! Enthusiastically looking forward to when those of us living outside the borders of MT can migrate to Craiglandia in piscatorial pursuit.
Welcome back! I thought my whole life fly shops were essential businesses, but, well, you know…. Hopefully sales will be up and we look forward to when your Governor will open the borders so we can visit your slice of paradise. But definitely need to be more safe than sorry. Crazy times. And, it’s a sad day in society when you actually have to say “limit one free fly per day…” because there are those who would take advantage. Anyway, glad you guys can get back to the new normal!
anxiously awaiting the repeal of the 14 day quarantine rule.We will be traveling from Florida mid July for 3 weeks of fishing.Do you anticipate visitors will be admitted without quarantine by then?
please keep us updated as to rule revisions.
Norman we would be shocked if we were still under those rules in July.
I was excited about a free fly when you walk in the shop with a mask….I wear a mask and was ready to simply walk in an out at least 2 dozen times a day, 2 dozen flies, but then I got to the part where there is a limit of one fly a day..oh well. Best wishes to all in Craig
ALL States Borders are “open,” but the ones with governance such as the ’14-day-self-quarantine’ Rule(?) – though Very Well Intentioned, and in my book, a good idea, seems Very difficult to Implement and Carry-Out. I’ve yet to see the detailed writeup on that. As Richard implies, and I agree, there are “those who would (try to) take advantage”. By “those” I not only mean Out-of-Staters, but the “desperate” businesses that will or may “look-the-the-way”.
Not to mention (sorry, I’m about to) the COST of (me) doing that for 14 days – I’d surely go even more stir-crazy being “so close” to the Rivers . . . there’s just so much “rod-shaking” one can do in a motel room, ha !
So I’ll just reacquaint myself with my own State Rivers & Lakes this year and pray to the Virus-gods to be kinder and just give US your every-day Fall-Flu with no Covid-19 return. Unfortunately, humans being what we are, failure IS the option most likely . . . yes I’m a pessimist . . . in this case the “Ounce of Prevention/Pound of Cure” is Wise Indeed.
Been watching the Nest Camera for Craig this morning – I see a slight uptick in traffic and some vehicles parked by the lodgings . . . STAY SAFE, Don’t Get Cocky, be Vigilant, Clean and then you’ll come out “Healthy, Wealthy & Wise” (wink wink).