Mark Raisler

Squeeky Oar Lock is cold. The New Year will bring some goo fishing...swinging flies for the next 4 months. Then...spring brings dry fly fishing. Hooray!
Dick's Top Ten Winter Swing Flies

Dick’s Top Ten Winter Swing Flies

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Chronicles of Dick Magill Dick’s Top Ten Swing Flies November is one of my favorite months to swing flies on the Mo. Massive Rainbow and Brown Trout alike will absolutely destroy a swung fly. At times, the take can feel almost like your rod is getting ripped out of your hand. Savage. Here … Read more

Fly Shop Small

Fly Shop Small Saturday

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Fly Shop Small Saturday Yes we are open. Yes we are small. Yes we are a fly shop. Yes today is Saturday. Shop with us today. Everyday! Yes we thank you. Check out the Black Friday Sale here! Always online, in store, or on the phone. We can help you out. Ship anywhere. Quickly. P.S. … Read more

Happy Headhunters Thanksgiving

Happy Headhunters Thanksgiving

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Happy Headhunters Thanksgiving Have a great day with or without your family and friends today. A Thursday Throwback to November 2008. Our first year as Headhunters Fly Shop. We had just returned from taking the entire staff, less than 10 including John Julie and Mark, to the Grande Ronde and Snake for the week. Came … Read more

Headhunters Fly Shop Moving Forward

Headhunters Fly Shop Going Forward

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Headhunters Fly Shop Going Forward We here at Headhunters feel pretty fortunate for 2020. We do, and we thank you the Headhunters out there. Our customers. Below is the outline for the Holiday period ahead of us.  We are updating you the Headhunter of the Holiday period ahead of us as we navigate the new … Read more

Silly Saturday Scenery

Silly Saturday Scenery

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Silly Saturday Scenery A few midges in your box that are always a strong bet on the Mighty Mo include the Zebra Midge, CDC Hanging Midge, Griffith’s Gnat, Cluster Midge, Double Posted Cluster, and Buzzball. Don’t leave home with out them. And if you do forget any of the must haves stop in the … Read more

Go Early. Stay Late.

Go Early. Stay Late.

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Go Early. Stay Late. Head out there before the sun gets too high. The fish cannot squint. The don’t have eyelids. So take advantage of those periods when the sun is not terribly offensive. Although the fishing this past week was littered with a very good bite in the mid day period as well. So, … Read more

Trout Spey Flies @ Headhunters. Sparrow Tying Video

Trout Spey Flies @ Headhunters. Sparrow Tying Video

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Trout Spey Flies @ Headhunters. Sparrow Tying Video

Great Swing bite this week. And the fly that was on top of the list was this Sparrow. Runner up being the Carey Special. Included int he tip five is the leech. Black, olive weighted or not.

But this Gartside pattern is a hit with most of our Two Handed fans. It is popular in black, olive and tan.

Tie this one up for success on the Mo and on your local river.

Check out Jack Gartside’s comments about the origination, naming, and so forth here.

Happy Friday. A nice weekend ahead of us here in Craig. Hope you enjoy yours!

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Pink Lightening Bug Fly Tying Video

Missouri River Winter Fly Patterns. Pink Lightening Bug Tying Video

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Pink Lightening Bug Tying Video brought to you today by Headhunters Fly Shop, Just Add Vise Tying Kits, and the Missouri River.

Ed Note: We are about plumb out of Just Add Vise Kits. So we have not has them available online. But, but We have a HH crack staffer named Steve on the job. When will they be available? I don’t know. Could be for the Christmas season? But I do know that we will tell you about it here first!

Ever fished the Missouri River near Craig in the winter months? No? Our strong suggestion is that you have a few of these bouncing around in your winter Missouri River box.

It sells really well in the winter months states Headhunters Fly Shop longtime Derrick. I wouldn’t go out there without them. What if they get on them? You better have a handful.

Or you can just tie them. Easy-peasy. Just watch the short video below by John Arnold and whip up a few dozen.

If they work, you can sell your buddy a couple for $5/fly. Or more…

Have seen some fish come from that winter type of water already. Water temps are dipping rapidly and the fish will adapt quickly. Slow ass water with a pink fly. That is the winter Missouri River mantra.

November is a soft month for angler pressure. Even lighter in December. Both great months for you to find yourself standing knee deep!

 

Veterans Day 2020

Veterans Day

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Veterans Day Veterans day 2020 is being celebrated to present special thanks, paying respect and love to the military men and women, who devoted their whole life for serving their homeland and they gave many sacrifices for the comfort of their compatriots. We thank our Vets daily. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Check out … Read more

FISHSKI Video today. Great Skiing Weather?

FISHSKI Video today. Great Skiing Weather?

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FISHSKI Video today. Great Skiing Weather?

All we got today is wind, snow, and drifts.

Tomorrow? Sunshine. Digging out from the aftermath of the Blizzard.

Watch this classic first. Then tie flies. Rest your weary bones from rowing, casting, thinking?

Then watch the Seahawks. Or your local FB Club.

We are headlong into November. A strange fall already. Wind and sun. Or, snow and wind.

Not sure which we prefer? You?

TROUT2H trips out all week long. Meaning tomorrow and beyond. Still looking for the big BWO. Nowhere in sight. Will keep looking. Will keep you informed. Not holding my breath though.

Just gonna have to swing ’em up I guess.

Enjoy the last of your weekend. We are headed outside with a snow shovel…

You can always keep pace with us on our additional media sites like FB, Twitter, Vimeo, YouTube, and Instagram.

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Fall Fishing Report 2020

Wednesday November 4th Fishing Report

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Wednesday November 4th Fishing Report Another winter storm lurking out there for the latter part of the week as we continue to see non-seasonal warm temps coupled with the ubiquitous sun inspired winds. And that is how it has gone this fall. That has been our pattern. Unfortunately. 2020 is a strange one… Of … Read more

VOTE. Closed Tuesday November 3rd

VOTE. Closed Tuesday November 3rd

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VOTE. Closed Tuesday November 3rd We are closed, Headhunters Closed, Tuesday November 3rd. Our shop staff, our guides, and you…VOTE on Tuesday November 3rd. VOTE. On Tuesday. VOTE. More Montanans have voted by absentee/mail ballot than have in any other election. 515K already in. Some key races here in Montana. So go vote Tuesday.

Headhunters All-Star Macie Speaks about the Summer

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Headhunters All-Star Macie Speaks about the Summer Ed Note: CLOSED tomorrow Tuesday November 3rd. GO VOTE! Ed Note: Macie came to us early summer with another HH All-Star Jack who says his article is forthcoming. Many of you met and have had interactions with both of our newest shop staff members. We could not be … Read more

Friday Foto

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Friday Foto A rainbow face today on the Headhunters Blog. Halloween tomorrow. A good looking weekend ahead of us as we endure the high winds this Friday afternoon with gusts reaching beyond the 50mph mark. Now that is windy! Tomorrow not as much. A typical forecast with highs in the lower 50’s and the winds … Read more

Fire On the Mountain A Teton Gravity Research Film

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Fire On the Mountain Film

Watched this Wednesday night. Awesome.

A Teton Gravity Research Film. Super freaking cool.

Far better than watching the Dodgers win the World Series last night. Unless you are a big LA fan. Then this would still be best…

Totally worth the hour on ESPN2. Want to see more? Check out the Chris Benchetler site. It is cool. Order the DVD, album, hardcover book!

If you are a super Dead fan you may have seen this film. If you aren’t, here you go.

Now you can watch it today on your laptop. And dream of big powder days, the perfect wave, spending time with friends.

And dream you should. Listening to some cool tunes by the Dead.

A perfect Thursday. Watch it at lunch. It’ll change your afternoon for the better.

You’ll be smiling.

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Dick Magill presents Cold Weather Prep

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Dick Magill presents Cold Weather Prep From the Chronicles of Dick Magill comes this timely article about dressing properly for the conditions. The fall dn winter conditions that we see here on the river can come in quickly, are far harsher than many first timers realize or recognize, and can be quite dangerous for your … Read more

Closed Saturday October 24th

Closed Saturday October 24th

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Closed Saturday October 24th Lots and lots of snow will make travel difficult tomorrow. Headhunters Fly Shop CLOSED SATURDAY October 24th. Yep. Powder Day in Craiglandia. We will be open late Sunday morning if the conditions are right for safe employee and angler travel. Certainly call the shop and check in with us 406-235-3447 if … Read more

Tailwater Sow Bug Tying Video

Tailwater Sow Bug Tying Video

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Tailwater Sow Bug Tying Video

This is the bug you need for fall. Spring, summer, and winter too.

If you fish the Mo, then you know you need this.

Love to tie this from the bend of my oversized Adams fishing October thru at least Thanksgiving.

The unweighted version is money. While the Tung-headed pattern can help you get down there where they live.

Snowing hard last night dumped a few inches on the ground here. A bit of a respite today, then back at ‘er on Friday with 5+ inches. Maybe 10 inches!

A good day to tie flies. And many of our guides are. When the wind calms, they will head out and make a couple casts. I may as well.

Come by the shop if you don’t want to tie any up. We have lots of them. And in several versions. With or without beads. Many many flavors too. Headhunters has the Best Flies Under the Big Sky and this fall is no different. We got the flies!

Swing Season is in full swing, and we have created a new Swing Fly 2HTROUT, soft hackle section. All of your favorite trout spey flies in one area!

Hundreds of streamers patterns to get your stripping side revved up. And the dry fly bins are stocked. Headhunters is our name and dry fly fishing is our game. Come by for info, suggestions, and Missouri River trout fishing conversation.

Headhunters open daily 8am til 5pm. Guide trips, fall and winter lodging, flies, 2HTROUT lines galore, tips, leaders, and all the gear you need for a successful day on the water.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/336672714″ ratio=”4×3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

October November Planner

Late October November Missouri River Fishing Planner

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Late October November Missouri River Fishing Planner Good times here on the Mo. Calm today. Overcast. Moist. Cool. And yes, calm. That is the type of weather we yearn for here on the Mo in the fall session. So many good things come from the proper water temperature, right now a perfect 53F with flows … Read more

Astrud Gilberto Stan Getz Girl from Ipanema

Astrud Gilberto Stan Getz Girl from Ipanema

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Astrud Gilberto Stan Getz Girl from Ipanema Still snowing. Calm. Perfect. About 6″ in Cascade. A bit less this morning in Craig. Calm. 8.5″ in Great Falls. More on the way here in Montana. So I drift towards Bossa Nova and warm summer tunes. One of the classic jazz standards along with a tune … Read more

Weekend Snow Foreshadowing

Weekend Snow Foreshadowing

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Weekend Snow Foreshadowing Snow in the forecast for Friday thru Monday. It’ll only bring 5-10 inches though. Bring warm clothes and jackets. Bring BWO patterns. Bring Streamer rods. Bring Trout Spey gear. Bring smiles, and a good toque. Bring hand warmers. Jetboil. Coffee. Whiskey. Mother Mo will provide the action, the bugs, the entertainment, the … Read more

Stick Figure Rise and Fall

Stick Figure Rise and Fall Video

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Stick Figure Rise and Fall Video

Rise and Fall. Some of those actions here on the Mo.

Water temps falling. Weeds falling by the wayside. The water has already fallen.

The bite is rising. The fish will soon be rising daily. Our excitement level is rising. We love fall.

We truly enjoy the late fall period too. November and December bring us joy.

A great tune by Stick Figure today on the HH Blog. Hump Day. Turn this one up and dance, in your office, like a fish! Or close your eyes and run some mental movies of rising fish. Fish rising to  true baetis.

Rise up and book your trip. Fall into Craig Montana. We will welcome you with open arms.

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Sunday Fishing Report

Sunday Fishing Report

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Sunday Fishing Report Water temps 57F Flows 3440cfs Nymphing much better the past couple days. Flies include the Tailwater Sow family, Bubble Yum Scud, Silicons Scud, Rainbow Czech, Zebra, Tailwater Tiny, WD 40, Tow Bit Hooker, Little Green Machine, Little Black Mo, S & M, Purple Ju Ju Baetis and so forth. Dry Fly? With … Read more

Thursday Foto

Thursday Foto

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Thursday Foto This is from two years ago. Snowing this weekend. 2018 Last year? Trout Spey Camp with over a foot of snow and temps not reaching above freezing for the week. In fact near zero for a couple days too! 2019 2020? Summery with fall colors. Sure is nice floating. Fishing is picking up … Read more

A little bitier every day

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] A little bitier every day The dictionary said that bitier is a word. I thought so. The fish are a little bitier every day. And that is good. Pretty soft bite the last couple weeks with consistency just not there. We think that may be changing. Let’s hope so. The weather will be warm … Read more

Low Water.

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Low Water. Ever wonder what low water looks like on the Mo? Come on out. 3160cfs at the time of this blog Tuesday nite. Ever been this low before? Oh yeah. But not for a while. 2001-2003 above and below. Fished just fine. In low water for consecutive years! Honest. Less water? Yes. Same number … Read more

Saturday Canyon Update

Saturday Canyon Update

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Saturday Canyon Update Fished the canyon yesterday. Not too bad. Been a while since I had been down there and enjoyed the float. Fished an October Caddis Dry the entire time, save for a spell when we tossed the streamer. And got one on the streamer. Black Leech. Saw a few fellers swinging down there. … Read more

Missouri River Mid Week Fishing Report 9.30.20

Missouri River Mid Week Fishing Report 9.30.20

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Missouri River Mid Week Fishing Report 9.30.20 The no nonsense fishing report this hump day. Flows 3760cfs. Temps falling rapidly to 58F. Lots of Pseudo’s around. All of a sudden. That small black diptera is out there in big numbers too. A Zebra will cove that base. The Pseudo thing with small dark or … Read more

City Life Rebelution Video

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City Life Rebelution Video

Fishing this Tuesday?

Do you want to be?

Yeah, we thought so.

I guess you can’t fish everyday.

Or can you?

Main Street in Craig is made from dirt.

City Life in Craig is kind of dusty.

But, a river nearby that we hear is pretty fantastic.

Follow your path today.

Let’s hope it leads out of the city.

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So much to look forward to here October fishing Montana's Missouri River

So much to look forward to here October fishing Montana’s Missouri River

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So much to look forward to here October fishing Montana’s Missouri River Pretty stoked for the upcoming month of October here fishing Montana’s Missouri River. Once my favorite month, and still may be. I’ll tell you if it has become my fav again in November! Light(er) Traffic. So far a relatively light schedule in October. … Read more

Smoke Jumper BWO Tying Video

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Smoke Jumper BWO Tying Video

Our good friend Hans Stephenson over at Dakota Angler with the Smoke Jumper BWO today on the Headhunters Blog.

We like this fly. We like cripples here on the Mo. We like small flies. We like CDC. We like the baetis fly. So consequently we like the Smoke Jumper.

A no frills pattern that looks like the bug. Try the post in darker colors as well for the common glare conundrum here commonly experienced on the Missouri River. A dark post shows well against the slate gray autumn sky.

The river is heating up. Better every day right now. Tie up some fun fall flies this week as you prep for your annual October journey to Mother Mo.

Check out Hans on his YouTube page if you want to see a bundle, a ton of tying videos. Thanks again Hans for the large library of tying videos. A great resource for sure.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7nyCMM0K04″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Wednesday Hump Day

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Wednesday Hump Day Mid Month. 2nd Day of Fall. All good here in downtown Craig MT. Fishing getting better daily. Pseudo’s out yesterday. A t least a couple weeks for the real BWO. Saw a couple October Caddis yesterday. Nymphing pretty strong through the afternoons recently. Let’s hope that trend continues. Still mid river moving … Read more

Missouri River Fall Fishing Forecast 2020

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Missouri River Fall Fishing Forecast 2020 Bring on the cloudy, wet, and snowy fall weather that we just love in October. Let’s not wait until November. We do want it in November as well but the October time frame will suit us just fine. But we are looking for the perfect day as described below… … Read more