John Arnold 
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We just received a bunch of Echo Gecko Kits for that young angler looking to get into the quiet sport. We’ve been out of stock for a couple of months, and these will likely go quick. The Echo Gecko is the all-time best selling single rod model at Headhunters. Not just a gimmick, the Gecko … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From today through Sunday we will have a few select items at special prices for “Black Friday”. You can find everything on our sale page in our webstore. A lot of these items, like our “Dry Fly Master Kit”, make great gifts for the Holiday’s. You’ll also find our Headhunters branded caps, beanies, sun hoodies … Read more
We are at the peak of trout spey season here on the Missouri River. A month ago, the water was too warm, weedy and buggy. A month from now, the water will likely be getting real cold. Right now it’s perfect, in fact it’s a little warmer than normal at 42° +/-. Warm enough that … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Ed Note: A re-post of this comprehensive Trout Spey Gear Roundup scribed by John this past month. We thought it important to post again as we now headlong into the TROUT2H Season. Swing Season has arrived! SWING SEASON 20-21 October is here, and that means we’re hearing the word “swing” around the shop more … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’ve started Two-handed Trout season a little earlier than normal this year. Actually, some of are swinging every month of the year, but Late October to late December are what we consider “prime time”. The fishing is pretty good right now. The fish are big and we’ve had a half dozen guided trips out this … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our annual Labor Day Sale & Half Price Fly Extravaganza will go off as usual this coming weekend, September 5th & 6th (Saturday & Sunday only). Flies and Headhunters Logo gear will be available in-store and on-line, and you’ll also see some nice additions to our webstore Sale Page. The big draw is always 50% off … Read more
As we head into a couple of weeks that are promising consistent weather, I expect the Trico Spinner fall to improve and become a bit more reliable. The weatherman says daytime high’s for the next two weeks will be in the high 60’s and 70’s. Perfect for morning spinner fall activity. 2020You’ll also find a … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A Saturday Afternoon update for those on the Missouri River, or planning to be here in the next couple of days. Many people on the water this Saturday afternoon. Most angling pressure the last 2 days has been concentrated from Holter Dam to Spite Hill. In other words, everyone is putting in at the Dam … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We were just about call an end to the Dearborn River Float season, but thanks to Mother Nature, the Dearborn just got a shot in the arm. Heavy rains in Central Montana have pushed the river up to the 400cfs mark from the low 200’s. It’s dropping now, but may hold over 300cfs for the … Read more
Headhunters Fly Shop will close around 2 or 3 on Thursday afternoon. We’ll be undertaking a little exterior construction project, and the front door won’t be accessible. We will be available on the phone, and we’ll be in the office if you need a late afternoon shuttle. You can call in shuttles as well at … Read more
The Following fishing report is from longtime Headhunters Guide Max Mattioli. It’s a rare occasion that one of our guides offers to “give it up” on the blog, and we appreciate such a detailed report from one of the rivers best guides. If you’ve been in the state for 14 days and would like to spend … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The new-ish OPST Commando Smooth is on sale at 25% off starting today. Most spey anglers are familiar with the OPST Commando Head. It’s the head that started all of this “micro-skagit” stuff, and is the most popular single-handed spey line on the market. The Commando “Smooth” is the integrated version of the Commando head. … Read more
A gnarly spring storm ripped into Craiglandia yesterday afternoon, covering the region with 1-6” of snow. Super windy as well. I hurried home from the shop on the front end of the storm, and decided to take a short nap. The nap was proceeding as planned when I was woken by an earthquake. Turns out … Read more
We’re still in Trout Spey season on the Missouri, and the swing bite remains good. As the weather and river slowly warm, the fish continue to get more active. The Rainbow trout are spawning right now in good numbers. It’s pretty easy to spot reds in and around faster 2-3 foot deep water. A sure … Read more
We are getting a boatload of questions regarding fishing, guiding and fly shop operations under the Statewide “Stay at Home” order that went into effect early Saturday morning. Bottom line: you can go fishing, but you will be “unsupported”. No shops, shuttles, etc. I will take unsupported fishing over no fishing at all any day … Read more
This afternoon Gov. Steve Bullock announced a Statewide “Stay at Home” order, similar to orders currently issued in many other states that order all non-essential business’ closed. We’ve been running a spartan operation all week, and this order shuts us down until April 10. Many of us were expecting this, and it simply expands on … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’re here to help keep you occupied and thinking ‘bout Trout. Maybe you’re living under a “stay at home” order, or maybe it’s self imposed. Or maybe it’s just that you broke your last Thin Mint (above) off on a hang last weekend. Either way, we’re having a special on our popular Just Add “Vice” … Read more
Unfortunately, we have decided to close down our lodging at the Craig Trout Camp here at Headhunters. This closure will run from now until April 1, at which point we will re-assess. We made this decision after discussing it over the last few days internally, as well as with peers and business friends in other … Read more
And of today, the front door at Headhunters will be locked and we are asking customers to use the “takeaway” window on the Side of the building, AKA the “beer drinking porch”. Trying our best to help everyone keep their distance, and to protect our staff as much as possible. You can order online, call … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whoa, what a weekend. Saturday saw the masses descend on Craig and the Missouri River. While there were plenty of fisherman, there was plenty more folks just getting out of the house and enjoying some flawless March weather. Sunny with highs just past 50. And no wind. Lots of families and kids. Lots of wade … Read more
Headhunters is still open, and we’re getting a number of calls asking if we will be open this weekend. Answer: Yes, we will and are. We’re really here as a service provider at this point. Shuttles, lodging, guide trips and those little but important things like flies, tippet, inda-mabobbers, flopatant, etc. Nice weather and the … Read more
We became aware today that some customers have had trouble getting through to us on the phone the last couple of days. Phone troubles are standard in Craig. Tin cans and string are more reliable. At any rate, we have the phone company on it. If you’re having trouble getting through, it appears our toll … Read more
Edited May 20, 2020, High Noon 14 Day Quarantine Ends June 1st Out of state visitors and anglers can begin to travel to Montana without a mandatory 14 Day Quarantine Monday June 1st. No longer do you have to lock yourself into a Motel 6 for two weeks before you come fish Montana’s Missouri River. … Read more
A nasty Winter Storm is forecasted to descend on Craiglandia this weekend, so we are just going to close The shop down Saturday and Sunday. No point in asking our staff to work in what looks to be un-fishable conditions. Highs around 10 and lows well below Zero combined with heavy snow and high winds … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A few years ago I quit sending out our E-Newsletter via email. Many of our customers liked it, and I received your emails requesting that we continue it. But I personally get tired of constant email communication in my inbox, and I know that a few customers “unsubscribed every time we sent them out. But … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Darn good swing fishing for early March on the Missouri, and more than a few spey anglers out searching. At least when the weather is nice. The water is still chilly, and you’ll find fish in the deep slow tanks typical of late winter. But you’ll also find some fish hanging in big shallow flats … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kelly Galloup’s Sex Dungeon is without a doubt one of the most popular large tandem streamer patterns in the West (World?). The articulated movement, swimmy materials, and large deer hare head that pushes water making noise is a great combination. It’s an expensive fly – lots of materials and complicated – but we sell lots … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Still swinging here on the Missouri River, but those water temperatures have dropped and the fish have really tanked up in those winter lies. Sink tips and gentle presentations are key, and productive spots are far fewer than they were a month ago. No surprise really, the Mo’ typically hovers just above the freezing mark … Read more
So we’ve now had a week straight of solid swing fishing And the river seems to have stabilized. It’s still high for this time of year at 4600cfs, but it has stayed there for the last several days. Water temps are hovering around 36°. Sounds cold, but the trout seem too like it a lot. … Read more
The swing-bite has been inconsistent this fall. I blame it on inconsistent weather and inconsistent flows from Holter Dam. Mother Nature dictates the weather, and continuing construction on the spillway at Holter Dam Is affecting the flows. The flows have been erratic, and so has the fishing. There have been a few great days, some … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 50% FLIES ENDS TODAY! Today is the last day for our Black Friday celebration, so if you want to save 50% on Flies (use code: FLY50) or 25% on Just Add Vise Fly Tying Kits (use code: JAV25), or swipe up a Tag It Sticker Kit for $20, do it now. You can also … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Here Ya Go! Below you’ll find our specials available from today through Monday here on our online store, over the phone or in the house. Winter Storm: Due to the recent Winter Storm that left area roads sketchy, we may be operating on limited hours Friday Nov. 29 (9am-4pm). If you’re planning on coming down … Read more
This weekend Headhunters will have a few very special deals for our annual Black Friday Sale. In typical fashion, our staff has picked a few special and limited items for the pre-holiday sale season (if there is a “pre-holiday” season anymore). If you tune in to our website this Friday, you’ll find specials on a … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I get asked all the following question all the time: “When is the best time to swing flies with a two-hander on the Missouri River?” And I always give the same answer: “November and December”. And here we are in November. And like the rest of the year, everything seems to be a little late. … Read more
The longest lasting and most incredible sunset I’ve witnessed in a long time occurred the other night. Mike, James and I had a hard time concentrating on fishing. The swing bite had been fantastic all day, until this last run. We decided the fish were watching the sunset instead of our flies.
We’ve just received a handful of the new OPST Micro Skagit rods designed by Skagit legend Ed Ward. We’ve been excited to see these long-awaited rods, and feel fortunate to have gotten in on the initial small run, which was limited to 2 rods in each size. Because of the limited availability and our expected … Read more
Its been a tough last month if you have been chasing fish with a two-hander on the Missouri, but things seem to be turning on. The fish are a little grabbier and they’re eating with a bit more authority. At least some of the Brown Trout seem to be finishing up the spawn and are … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sara and Ben put together this fantastic deal on our best selling Trout Spey outfit! The ECHO TR is paired with an ECHO Ion 6/7 disc drag reel and loaded with our favorite mono shooting line and the excellent Airflo Skagit Scout shooting head. GET IT NOW BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE! Also included is a … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]above: Whitney Gould offers some tips to one of the casting competition competitors. WHAT A CRAZY WEEK! Somehow, we managed to set up for, hold, and clean up after a 3+ day event at the shop and get to Denver to attend the International Fly Tackle Dealer show. We’re back in Craig, and processing everything … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Here’s a great group of swing flies submitted for our fly tying competition at Trout Spey Camp. Maybe they will inspire you to get on the vice and whip up a new Trout Spey home brew of your own. Thanks so much to all the participants who took the time to tie and submit their … Read more
More winter on the way this week, which should ramp the swing fishing up another level (it’s already pretty good)! Right now we are under a Winter Storm Watch for Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by cooler temperatures for the rest of the week. Nighttime lows will be below freezing with daytime highs 40-50 degrees. While … Read more
Just a heads up for those who still haven’t signed up for our Trout Spey Camp. Our “Intro to Spey” Clinic is now completely full. You can still sign up for the Camp, but you’ll need to attend Mike McCune’s excellent “Sustained Anchor” Demonstration Clinic instead on day 1 (October 10). And I’ve got to … Read more
Just an update on the current weather forecast for this weekend, a subject on the minds and tongues of everyone over the last 24 hours. The forecast is for a major winter storm to hit North Central Montana from Friday night through Sunday night. The storm will extend beyond North Central as well, impacting Southwest … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Fishing today is the priority, so let’s get right to the spey report. The crew is starting to get out with the two-handers now, and we’ve been running a few guided spey trips as well. Fishing the swing is pretty good right now, and will be getting better every day for the next couple of … Read more
As part of our new 2019 Trout Spey Camp, Headhunters will be holding a fly tying competition for the best Trout Spey Pattern. We are looking for some great new Trout Spey “Swing” patterns for the Missouri River and beyond, and we want to see if there are some cool proven patterns out there. In … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s time for our annual Trout Spey Gear Roundup as “Swing Season” approaches. A month from today we will be getting after it pretty hard (some of us are now), and in two months we wont be doing much else. We like to think we have a pretty darn good selection of Ultra-light Spey gear, … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] DEDICATED EVENT PAGE We’ve created an EVENT PAGE for our first annual Trout Spey Camp so you can see a complete – but fluid – itinerary. I will keep updating the page as changes and additions are made. We’ve also included more detailed description of the clinics and how the event will roll out. … Read more
Today you are either watching college football or fishing somewhere or spending the holiday weekend with family and friends. It’s the last weekend of the summer, so you’re not likely laying on the couch checking out the Headhunters blog. For the few that are, here’s a picture of the Craig bridge at sunrise in August. … Read more
Cuz you don’t have to. But most hardcore streamer anglers I know not only have a streamer specific line, but a whole outfit. Generally a 6 or 7 weight, and occasianally an 8. If they wade fish a lot with streamers, they often use a longer 9’6” or 10” rod. But that’s getting replaced by … Read more
Our longtime friend RJ Maricich with a dandy Brown Trout he caught recently with guide Shane Wilson. On a hopper if you can believe it! And that’s the program right now for most. Hoppers. But there’s more going on than that, especially on the upper river. The trickiest call is the morning. You can 1) … Read more
Were in the midst of a good hopper season in Montana. From the Yellowstone to the Madison to the Bitteroot, it seems like everyone is talking Hoppers. Same on the Mo’. The hoppers were late – like all the other hatches – but they’re thick now, and hopper fishing is about as good as you … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you cruise around our shop, you’ll notice we like 2 things: 1. Fly fishing products that are useful, well made and and incorporate exceptional design. 2. Things that make us laugh. From the creative mind of Ben McNinch comes a product that ticks both boxes, our new “BMF” Amadou Boat Patch. It’s big, the … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Swing Season” is just around the corner, and we’ve even been out doing some prospecting with our ultra-light Spey Rods already. While we’re still in the middle of dry fly season, we’re starting to get some tackle questions revolving around Trout Spey gear for the fall. The biggest rod announcement of the season is the … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Anderson Custom Rods (ACR) has been slowly replacing their popular Nova series Spey Rods with the new “Nova 2” series. Last spring we received the 3 and 4 weights, but the 2 weight was a while in coming. But it’s on the way, so we’re closing out our last few ACR Nova 10’8” #2 models … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Probably at the Ball Park If you haven’t figured it out yet, you’re not actually reading our blog posts. Mark is long gone on vacation, and will be for a while yet. He’s on the East Coast, on a MLB baseball tour. I’m not exactly sure what he’s doing and where, but I know … Read more
