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!

Tito Puente Take Five

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Many of you know Tito Puente from Oye Como Va fame. yeah, he wrote that. Today he is playing Take Five. Another famous tune written by Paul Desmond and made famous by The Dave Brubeck Quartet. The biggest selling jazz single of all time. A pretty big deal. Monday morning and no reason to have … Read more

Headhunters Weekend Plans

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Headhunters Weekend Plans We’ll be fishing this Headhunters Weekend. That is the plan. So will a few of your neighbors. Heard of a Robin sighting recently. Not here, but somewhere’s in Montana. That is one of the many signs of spring.  None yet. Ospreys, Bluebirds, out of work guides…those kinds of animals show in the … Read more

Montana Spring

Montana Spring?

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Montana Spring? Montana Spring has possibly arrived. Maybe. Nice weather again this weekend with little precipitation before or behind us. Fish from top to bottom with no worries. No ice. Bring your sail as it may blow. Hard. Stop in this weekend and try out our large selection of Trout Spey rods. Think about attending … Read more

Montana Winter Fishing

Montana Winter Fishing Report 2.25.16

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Montana Winter Fishing Montana Winter Fishing has brought us weather warmer than average. River level lower than average. Fishing about average. Some days. The weather of course seasonably warm with some daytime highs int eh id 60’s like this Friday. Cooling a bit over the weekend but still warm. A good weekend to fish, fer … Read more

UV Kreelex

At the Headhunters Vise last night

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At the Headhunters Vise last night in Craig Montana. The usual suspects tied for a couple hours chomping on some KFC brought by Rick. Thanks Rick. Remember when at those strange family or neighborhood party’s in the 70’s when the bucket of KFC was standard issue? Boy I remember. The reason being I was still … Read more

Fly Tying Night in America

Fly Tying Night in America

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Fly Tying Night in America Tomorrow in Craig Fly Tying Night in America. Wednesday at  6pm. A few gathered ’round the tying table. See you at the shop. Enjoy this Just Add Vise Tying Video Mozuri Minnow today. Order the kit online here. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/122352355″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Snowshoe Midge

Top 10 Tailwater Midge Flies

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Top 10 Tailwater Midge Flies These Top 10 February Top 10 Tailwater Midge Flies are sure to please your Missouri River fancy. The midge hatch has begun in ernest and manny anglers are asking about the correct midge patterns to toss at our February rising trout. The hot times to fish for midge feeding … Read more

Missouri River Top 10 February Nymphs

Missouri River Top 10 February Nymphs

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Spring like weather has brought out the shut in February anglers here on Montana’s Missouri River. While many are swing the 2 handed Trout Spey rod the rest are tossing the good ‘ol nymph fly. Here is a photo hit on those popular Missouri River Top 10 February Nymphs. The Green Weenie, Tungsten Rainbow Warrior, … Read more

Missouri River Fishing Report

Missouri River Fishing Report 2.17.16

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Missouri River Fishing Report February 17th. Water levels are holding at 3700cfs about 1000cfs below our winter average. Water temps are 36.5F. Pretty standard for February. And this mid-February fishing report is pretty standard too. Many anglers spread out throughout the river from top to bottom. A good winter float is to either put in … Read more

Missouri River

Tent with a Missouri River View

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The Craig Campground has nice riverside placement. Tent with a View. Where else would you want to place your temporary home? You got me. Tons of anglers around this week and certainly on this holiday weekend. Presidents Day is Monday. Rainy, windy, sunny, and calm are the forecast points that may interest you. Several calls … Read more

Fly Tying Efforts

Fly Tying Efforts

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The regular gang was at the shop Wednesday night for Fly Tying Night In America. Ninch, Sara, Kurt, Dewey, Braden, Rick, Mark T, John, and Mark. A few beers, some homemade Hummus, a few chips and salsa, and several vises. Every second Wednesday for 5 or 6 sessions every winter. Social fly tying is our … Read more

Friday Foto Spey Day

Friday Foto Spey Day

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Good friend Erich Bittmann and myself went out for a quick afternoon session Thursday. A couple hours casting and fishing from Stickney Creek to Spite Hill. Just perfect. A few fish and some good times. Enjoyed the mild weather that will continue through the weekend and beyond. Take a drive with your fly rod this … Read more

Punxsutawney Phil sees early Spring

Punxsutawney Phil sees early Spring

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Punxsutawney Phil sees early Spring

We have had a warm front end to the week and we see that the weather guessers think it will continue for some time. Is winter over? No, not by a long ways. But you cannot refute that Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this last week!

Remember that Phil is only right 45% of the time. Meaning, he is as accurate as your financial advisor.

I thought about the warm spring like weather this week already and decided not to feel guilty about enjoying it while it is here. I certainly want more snow in the hills this winter for more water in the rivers this summer. We all do. But why not enjoy the air temps when they touch the 60F benchmark.

Implications of Phil’s Shadow

Punxsutawney Phil
Spring is King on the MO!

If Phil is right

Then we move forward into spring early. Get out your dry fly rods and midge boxes. Clean that fly line and practice a few times in the next couple weeks to improve your accuracy. Accuracy is important when pinpointing roaming and rangy midge feeding trout. Sort of…

Back on track. If Phil is right and we see an early spring we will see an increase in water temps which will advance the bug cycle. Early Midges, BWO’s, March Browns, Caddis, on and on. Warmer weather and early run-off. This is all pure speculation at this time.

If Phil is right we will be seeing a ton more anglers early in the year. We already have seen a bunch of familiar faces and new ones too. Most are interested in trying out that two handed stuff.

Punxsutawney Phil
More snow on the way?

If Phil is wrong

Then we are back on track. We do need more snow n the hills. Our wettest months are yet to come. February is the driest of them all. March, April, May and June bring the precipitation. Although as you may remember us saying on this blog the water managers claim that the 3 week of April is the tipping point. Whatever snow is on the ground at that time is what dictates our summer flow. There is more to it than that simplistic view, but essentially that is the nuts and bolts of that equation.

Not too many years ago, our first 4 years open in Craig, we had higher than average water. Lots higher! So it is not beyond Mother Nature to turn things around in a hurry. In ’08 or ’09 it looked lean until early April. Post Missouri River Annual Water Meeting it started raining. And did not stop. That can happen. So Phil while not being a genius, or even accurate…could be wrong.

 

A coin toss is more accurate than that damn hog.

 

We do know that Montanans are out in force. Cleaning their garage. Working on projects that they did not complete in the fall. Skiing a bunch. And of course fishing on the Mighty MO! Look us up this spring on the Missouri.

We have a Spring Special starting March 15th. $350 Guide Trips offered by Headhunters through the end of April. Discounted pricing on lodging too from Craig Trout Camp beginning @ $125.

All I can tell you is that Punxsutawney Phil always fishes with Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service. 

Blackfoot River Guided Fly Fishing

Book your Blackfoot River Trip Today

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Add a Blackfoot River trip to your annual Missouri River vacation. A short scenery packed 1 hr jump over the Continental Divide to freestone bliss. It can be tough to drag guests from the gentle runs and mega hatches of the Missouri River in Craig Montana but I gotta tell you that I have not … Read more

February Fly Fishing Forecast 2016

Missouri River February Fly Fishing Forecast 2016

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February Fly Fishing Forecast 2016 We can start be saying the winter weather has left us for the next 10 days. Monday the daytime high achieved 58F. Look ahead. More to come. Today we bring you the February Fly Fishing Forecast 2016. Not a ton to report or predict as it still qualifies as a winter month. … Read more

Galvan Torque Reels

Galvan Torque Reels – The Elegant Workhorse

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Galvan Torque Reels – The Elegant Workhorse Ed. Note: Shane has been with Headhunters for about a year. He and his wife Kelly are here for the long haul. A former Henry’s Fork angler and employee Shane loves the Missouri. It has become his favorite river. Shane will be in the shop this season … Read more

Superbowl Spey Scenery

Superbowl Spey Scenery

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Enjoy the game today.

About half and half at the shop.

Some default Bronco’s fans because of the Newton hatred. Some because of the nostalgic Peyton love.

Some lean toward Cam because of the dominance. Others because of the athleticism.

I’ve always wanted to use that athleticism term because I have always hated that specific sportscaster description.

 

Sunday afternoon I’ll be busy hammering a loaf of Velveeta and Rotel nearly single-handedly.

 

10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off

10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off

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10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off

Saturday May 21st is the date for our 10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off in downtown Craig. This is our biggest and longest term community festival. The Craig Volunteer Fire Department is the recipient of the proceeds from this annual fundraiser.

We generally have 10 BBQ competitors but this year we may exceed that number. The more the merrier. If you want to participate in this awesome contest and fundraiser let us know by emailing mark@headhuntersflyshop.com

10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off Events this year include…

10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-OffParade @ 4pm. I stole the idea from long time Craig legend LT and applied it to the Craig Caddis Fest. I think he thought of it in the late 90’s. Now an annual event that has grown quite large. Anyone can participate. Again get in touch with Mark at the email above and he can get you a slot in this family friendly event.

BBQ Cook-Off @ 4pm-7pm. Come on down and BBQ up your famous Ribs, Chicken, or Beef item. Anyone can play. Let us know if you want to have fun, serve your BBQ items, and help support the Craig VFD. It is the primary fundraiser for our community fire department. 2oz bites are the key. They sell for $3 and that goes directly to the CVFD.

Raffle Items. The Fire Department will get a few big ticket items to raffle off. Former raffle items have included Kayaks, GoPro, Pop Up 10’x10′ tents, coolers, and more.

Silent Auction 4-7pm.  In the Craig Courtyard between Joe’s Bar and the Trout Shop all day long. Items include local lodging, guide trips, drift boat rentals, T-s and hats, fishing clothing, cool items from local Great Falls and Helena businesses, gift cards, wine baskets, candy, art, and more! Usually well over 50items to bid on. Want to donate? Get in touch with us and donate today!

Craig Caddis Festival
Carroll Jenkins Art!

Live Auction 730pm @ Izaak’s Log Jam. Great art from Montana artists Hannah Uhde, Derek DeYoung, Guide Trips to the Madison and Yellowstone Rivers, lodging around the state, and a couple other cool large ticket items.

Live Music 530pm til ? Izaak’s Log Jam with Up in the Air Band. Come jam in Craig with this fantastic rock and roll band!

Kids Events all day long! Face painting, kids rides, bouncy house, and more on CrossCurrents lot in Craig. Fun stuff for the kids!

Vendors from around the area. Arts and Crafts, food, Scentsy products, UMOWA, FWP, and others will be there for the event. Enjoy all that Craig has to offer this May 21st!

Sound like fun? It is. Visit us on Saturday May 21st for the 10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off. Visit the Website and Facebook page. The Craig Caddis Festival art suitable for framing is available at eh festival fro $35. See more cool art from Hannah Uhde at the North Art Company.

Plan ahead for lodging and guiding and boat rental etc on one of our favorite periods on the MO.

 

YETI Hopper

YETI Hopper 20qt & 30qt

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YETI Hopper @ Headhunters Fly Shop

 

While many of you already own a YETI hard sided cooler some of you cannot stay away from the soft sided Hopper.

We agree. A fabulous overpriced item again from YETI. And amazingly popular.

What is not to like. A water tight bomb-proof 20 qt or 30 qt soft sided YETI Cooler that is difficult to keep in stock.

YETI’s are known for being indestructible and keeping things cold. And the Hopper 20 and 30 are no exception. It’s the first 100% leakproof portable cooler that’s built for the long haul and is insulated to keep ice for days. It’s reliable. It’s convenient. Easy to carry and designed for those on the go. It’s well-suited for a weekend at the ranch, a BYOB dinner at the Salt Lick, 18 holes on the golf course, or a day fly fishing on the water. Not your ordinary soft-sided cooler. And like all YETI products, built for the wild.

A damn good item to host and hold your YETI cold soda or beer. A couple sando’s or a block of smoked cheddar and a solid stick of Soppressata Salami to get you through those dry fly sessions. Perfect for the drift boat, your Freestone raft, your fishing kayak, or your Stand Up Paddle-board.

Stop in or call us for a YETI Hopper 20 qt or 30 qt. We will ship it anywhere you desire.[/vc_column_text][us_grid columns=”3″ post_type=”attachment” items_quantity=”” images=”16768,16683,16682″ orderby=”post__in” items_gap=”4px” items_layout=”gallery_default” img_size=”us_600_600_crop” overriding_link=”popup_post_image” breakpoint_1_cols=”3″ breakpoint_2_width=”768px” breakpoint_3_width=”480px” breakpoint_2_cols=”3″ breakpoint_3_cols=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/116667042″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_grid columns=”3″ orderby=”title” order=”” ids=”9071, 9102, 11727″ post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Tailout Video Scumliner Media

Tailout Steelhead Video Scumliner Media

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Killer Steelhead video from Scumliner Media today on the Headhunters Blog.

This is a few years old. I watch the Scumliner Headhunters videos often. They really are cool.

We love the 2 handed game all winter long here fishing Montana’s Missouri River. Another fully booked Trout Spey Casting Clinic this Saturday at Headhunters Saturday. The March session is also totally booked. Fortunately we have room as we host Mike McCune and Whitney Gould Spey Clinic April 29, 30 & May 1st for their ever popular Sustained Anchor Clinics. These specialized lessons are available for $200/day and reservation only.

Enjoy your Wednesday. It sure is nice to be in the most boring month of the year. February.

Think about it. Let “Tailout” cheer you right up.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/62118271″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Scandinavian Way F3T Trailer

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Coming up in Helena February 5th. Spokane, Seattle for couple nights and then Helena.

The 10th Annual run across America the F3T has become a favorite for many winter anglers needing a fly fishing fix.

Enjoy it in your town this winter and spring.

Remember the Montana Fishing Film Tour stop in Craig Friday night May 20th at dusk. A BBQ, SIMMS, Montana Fly Company, and Headhunters Fly Shop will host this evening event with tons of swag too. Come out and enjoy the films the night before the 10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/149052846″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Headhunters Fly Shop Monday Fishing Report

Headhunters Fly Shop Monday Fishing Report

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Fished a couple days this week and did not have the best of luck. Thought it was pretty tough.

Did catch some nice Whitefish though.

Nymphers have been getting it done for the most part. Swingers have been having better luck from the reports coming into the shop Sunday and Monday morning.

Water levels are up but not to the level of the historical data. The water levels are at 3880cfs. Not the 5K we like in the winter months. Will we see that level? Probably not this winter unless we see a wet late winter and spring. Which we are not scheduled to have…but Mother Nature works in strange ways.

Water temperatures are holding at 35 degrees. Still cold but not in that 33F range like it was a few weeks ago.

February has arrived and I think we are happy? We are one month closer to summer I guess. Spring and summer dreams move to the forefront of our minds.

For the fishing report  here on the daily Headhunters Fly Shop Blog.

Apparently the fish have gone a mini winter strike. When will they stop picketing? Oh, maybe later this week. Who knows when the bite will come back. A few guide trips out this week that had moderate success. Not great in the morning but better in the afternoon. So our suggestion is to fish in the afternoons. The air temps are always warmer, or almost always warmer in the pm.

Worms are what Ninch likes in the winter. John is all in on the worm for the off season as well. I am on the fence. I like a big pink weight fly. The firebead is still a good idea for a tail fly. Pink Lightening Bugs, Tailwater Sows, Ray Charles, Bubble Yum, Blooms Rainbow Weight Fly, Rainbow Czech and more.

The swingers are fishing both Skagit and Scandi heads with various tips attached. Whether you like to dredge with a Skagit system with unweighted flies or fish the upper water column with your Scandi line the Missouri River is your winter Trout Spey resource. Stop in for any Trout spey gear you may need for any trout fishing journey here or otherwise.

Check out our Missouri River Lodging sites if you are planning a spring summer or fall trip to our neighborhood. Craig Trout Camp is very popular with 4 properties right here in Craig. Our famous Spring Special is coming soon. A perfect second trip to the Mo this year. Why not?

Headhunters located in Craig is your 12 month destination. Why stay anywhere else?

Fly shop open daily @ 8am.

 

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery

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Headhunters Guide Max Mattioli rocking the upper river with a guest Saturday. Sun and some wind and some trout.

The week ahead looks like unseasonably warm weather again. Light winds too. Come out and fish. If you wish!

February is on deck. Look for a February Forecast on the way. More spey reports. More fishing reports. More summer 2016 updates. More fantastic daily rambling bullshit coming at you from downtown Craig Montana.

The epicenter of Missouri River fly fishing.

Friday Foto & Fishing Report

Friday Foto & Fishing Report

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Friday Foto & Fishing Report

A landscape at Cellphone Bluff.

Windy and warm this week. Threatening some snow maybe this afternoon?

An awakening on the river this week as well. Lots of anglers out and about as the weather allowed for springlike clothing. The water temps are up a bit and the shelf ice  has disappeared from the banks. The snow is nearly gone on the flats, still some in the hills. But for the most part all gone.

It will return but not in the near future. Warmer temps will grace us for the next week at least. As mentioned above the wind usually is the ugly unwanted partner. Makes for good casting practice.

Missouri River Weekend River Tips

  • You can fish other runs other than the upper river. With the ice free arena ranging from the dam to at least Mountain Palace you can roam. Some anglers even fishing below MP to Pelican Point. Swingers can be found anywhere.
  • Trout Spey fans are fishing the Clouser, small leeches, Kreelex, buggers, Marabou Clousers, Skiddish Smolt, Mozuri Minnows, and may more. The two handed game is pretty strong as of late. Come by for all you need in lines, leaders, tips, and flies. We are the information source wen it comes to Montana Spey.
  • Nymphers are finding trout in the slow, the medium slow, and even some medium speed waters. Most of the anglers are not rocking split shot. Most of the anglers are finding Pink to be the answer. If you cannot stomach the fruity flies you may try Zebra’s, grey sows, Ray Charles, Little Green Machines, Worms, Depth is the key for bobber fishers. Find it. Fish it. Love it.
  • Skittering Midge present in backwaters, eddies, and along inside edges. Fish it if you can. Flies that can entertain Mo River Trout include CDC Hanging Midge, Midge Cluster, Buzzball, Adams, Griffith’s Gnat, CDC Cluster, Double Posted Cluster, Bunny Dun Midge, and more.
  • See us for your shuttle this weekend. Fill up your coffee cup or Thermos while you get the skinny at Headhunters. Always discounted winter  lodging @ Craig Trout Camp and a few other select river properties. A good time to demo and Adipose Drift Boat before the masses arrive. We also facilitate the Project Healing Waters boats which are always free of charge for vets and active duty military members. Call today to reserve one of two Adipose and Headhunters sponsored drifters.

Headhunters is your only full time fly shop on the Missouri River. Thanks for your patronage. Open all 7 days @ 8am.

Chrome F3T Trailer

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A cool one this Friday. Friday Foto moving style.

West Coast Steelhead rule.

A conservation slant on this one. We totally agree.

This week Save Our Smith, and this film by Conservation Hawks Chrome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/150361506″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

ECHO Gecko

Get your kids an ECHO Gecko

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The #1 selling kids rod in the World! The reason? Because it is clearly the best tool for your kids. Bar None!

The common conversation among parents who are looking to get their children into fly fishing goes something like this…

You know I have an old 4 weight that I bought for my wife. She doesn’t use it much so I thought I would give it to my son/daughter. Should be a perfect starter rod for little Billy/Becky.

Does your wife like the 4 weight?

No, not really.

Do you like that 4 weight?

No, not really.

So you think your kid is gonna like it?

ECHO GeckoWe strongly suggest your kid uses a rod that is made for kids. It would be analogous to strapping  old skis your wife did not like under your kids feet. Wouldn’t you rather put skis made for kids. Designed for their skill set. A pair of skis that enables the correct path of learning?

I think the answer would be a resounding yes!

ECHO GeckoThe ECHO Gecko is just that rod. A rod designed for the success of your favorite fly fisher. It is fun too. Yellow with a fun colored grip that is properly sized for younger hands. Shorter in length for the proper swing weight. Manufactured withe the correct flies pattern to encourage a proper casting stroke. The Gecko is softer, more progressively flexing than the super-fast tip flex rods that we so love as adults.

It is made, designed, created for youthful casting and fishing success. So your kid will enjoy fishing. That is the goal. Right?

We do sell a ton of these kids rods. Coming in at $100 you cannot go wrong. Many parents get the ECHO Gecko early in their kids life. From age 4-5 til 10-12 the ECHO Gecko will enable fish coming to the net. And Smiles.

Smiles are important. 

We sell the ECHO Gecko most often as a package. Easy to get into at $135. It comes with all you need for your kid. The Gecko rod a 7’9″ 4/5 weight rod in a cool yellow Cordura rod tube. The ECHO Solo reel lined up with an Airflo Velocity line. A perfect starter set for your fly fishing all-star. You will not age out of the rod for years. You may replace the fly line with a top notch one after the initial beating that all kids products initially endure. The rod is absolutely bomb-proof!

GECKO Rods feature:

  • 3 piece travel design
  • Alignment dots for quick assembly
  • WIld colored EVA extra small diameter full wells handle
  • 2″ EVA fighting butt
  • Fuji-style fast tighten reel seat
  • Bright yellow gloss blank with orange thread wraps
  • Hard chrome snake guides
  • Rod sock and tough rod tube
  • ECHO lifetime warranty

Give us a shout if you want to gift your kid with their first favorite rod. Sell that old 4 weight your wife doesn’t like on Ebay. Why not use the proceeds from that sale to get the Gecko! We will pop one in the mail today for your child’s next birthday.

Take your kid fishing this year. It will be good for both of you. Really good.

ECHO Gecko

Save Our Smith

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Our postion on the proposed Smith River Mine.

No. No thank you.

We could get into the long and short of it but you can do your research here. John posted a great blog about the Smith River Mine issue last June far more eloquently written than today’s  version.

Just like Nancy said in the 80’s…Just say NO!

Check out the websites and the positions. Yes, we like products that come from mines. But selfishly we do not want this mine on the Smith River Montana. No.

Is that arrogant? Maybe. We still Vote No on the Smith River Mine.

Read this below from Save Our Smith website.

Montana’s Smith River is renowned worldwide for its clean water, rugged canyon scenery, and blue ribbon trout fishery. The Smith is Montana’s only permitted recreational river. The permitted section of the Smith River winds 59 miles through a remote canyon in the Big Belt Mountains. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks classifies the Smith River’s fishery as high-value, owing to its bountiful population of rainbow, brown, westslope cutthroat, and brook trout. The canyon walls of the Smith also boast some of the best examples of Native American pictographs in Montana.

A small Canadian mining start-up, Tintina Resources, has partnered with Australian mining firm Sandfire, and has submitted an application to the state of Montana to build a massive copper mine at the headwaters of the Smith River, on the banks of Sheep Creek. The mine would drop below the water table, and Tintina would have to pump water out of the mine to keep it from flooding. The pumped wastewater would contain arsenic and other toxics. Tintina’s proposed copper mine is particularly concerning because it will mine through sulfide minerals, which when exposed to air and water can react to form sulfuric acid in a process known as acid mine drainage. Montana has a long legacy of mining projects that have contaminated our rivers and streams. The Smith River is not a location for another failed mining experiment.

Save Our SmithRead on further at the Save Our Smith website and you too can sign the Petition. Send a message to Governor Bullock and remind our lead politician that the Smith River is dear to all Montanan’s hearts. It truly is a spiritual place for many in this state and beyond. 

You truly cannot throw a rock in Montana without hitting somebody who has enjoyed an experience on the Smith River in Montana. So most of the residents understand this plight. This stand for a state treasure. A position against even considering allowing a mining outfit to ruin this precious resource. 

Resources for your Tuesday afternoon. The bottom of the list includes the Mining Company Tintina website. Make your own decision…

A great quote from Derf Johnson of MEIC to leave you with today.

Recently a study came out from permit applicants for mining proposals all across the west. And 100 percent of them guaranteed that there would be no water quality problems. Eighty-five percent of them ended up having water quality problems.

Save Our Smith

 

Just Add Vise Zebra Kit

Just Add Vise Zebra Kit

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Just Add Vise Zebra Kit

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Ninch wanted me to shout this out to our Headhunters followers. The Zebra Midge I said? It’s so simple and easy to tie. Why would we post this on our blog. While we love Trout Fishing 101 I thought that it was old news.

Ninch nodded then explained to me that while it is an easy fly to tie it is still an important daily, weekly, staple pattern that we all should have in our box. Not only the simple traditional black Zebra but other flavors as well.

Ninch said that this kit while coming with the standard 25 hooks that all JAV kits include it has the addition of 4 thread colors. Black, red, olive, and purple. Find yourself a few boxes of size 20 hooks and spin ’em up.

Ninch also said that if you tie up all the thread in this kit the per fly cost falls below the 50 cent mark. Well below.

Ninch then said that if you switch up wire colors you can now create literally dozens of patterns. Add mylar, tinsel, or any number of different synthetics to the game and the possibilities are endless for midge creation.

So I said to Ninch, “Why don’t you write a blog about it?” He shook his head, paused, then nodded towards me. In Ninch silent speak that clearly meant that I would be writing the blog.

Ninch wins again.

Buy the Zebra Midge Just Add Vise kit below or here on the on-line store.

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Montanans Fish in the Winter

Montanans Fish in the Winter

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Montanan’s Fish in the winter. Or ski. Or both.

Some even nordic ski around here when there is enough snow on the ground. And there has been so far this year. The slight rain on Saturday and Sunday erased the remainder of skiable snow.

Montanans Fish in the Winter
Swing Season is here!

So again we fish here locally. The shelf ice has evaporated as well. Pretty easy and much safer to approach the water in the last week. And by the middle of this week we will be in hog heaven.

Sunday afternoon saw the air temps in the 40’s with some wind. Warmer all week long.

Will see some anglers out there as we near February. February will see an increase in Missouri River anglers as the football season will have ended and Sundays become wide open. Saturdays will become even more popular as the winter itch will need to be scratched.

A great month to work on your Trout Spey techniques here in central Montana. Come by for any help you may need.

The nymphing will continue to improve as well. And the dry fly fishing will become something we can not only talk about be execute as the Midge Hatch will eventually get rolling. Certainly something to look forward to.

Fly Tying Night in America this Wednesday at 6pm at the shop. Come on come all. Have a good front end of the week. Think about booking your summer trip to the Mo. We are here to help. Operators standing by to answer any lodging questions, guide selection, and timing. We got your back.

Montanans fish in the winter, spring, summer…

 

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Sunday Morning Fishing Report Headhunters Style

Sunday Morning Fishing Report Headhunters Style

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Ever use a hook sharpener? A good idea if you want to increase your hook-up rate. A cheap investment for a giant return. Write it off as an investment in your fly fishing year.

While cooler yesterday than the high on Friday of 49F today may bring some scattered snow showers. Or not. We do know that the week ahead is forecast for much warmer afternoon temps than the week before.

Sara said correctly today the last couple years the winter has been confined to cold and wet November December months and then sometime in January…Spring!

She’s right. We’ll winter return to central Montana winters soon. After this unseasonable next couple weeks.

Lots of boat traffic on Saturday, meaning 10+, with bank anglers roaming around as well. Today will be similar with some at home for Championship Sunday.

Most of the HH staff teams have lost but there is unfortunately a Bronco’s fan around. I guess Ben Hardy is a Patriots fan. So a few dogs in the race still.

The general pink flies are working. Swingers are getting them. Clouser’s are leaving the bins rapidly. The slender streamer is pretty sexy.

Sunday Morning Fishing Report Headhunters StyleWater levels are up in the last week plus at 3300cfs. We would like  a bit more water. But that is a fantasy unless we receive more snow in the hills. Historically 4800cfs is our winter average for this time of year. Historically means nothing really for today. The past averages out but the fact remains that we need more snow on the ground.

On the right you will see that the water temps have risen to 34.5F. The fish do like that increase. It breathes life into them. Sort of.

Good catch rates reported from anglers in and out of the shop. Above we stated the pink option. That is what is coming through from anglers. Not just me, or us, spouting forth generic winter bullshit. While some of that is true, we cannot take all of the credit.

Try writing a daily report in the winter. No fly changes for 5 months. We get damn fired up over a 1 degree water temp change. Sad.

Sunday is here. Enjoy it. Stop in for your shuttle. Fly help. All the coolest stuff from SIMMS, RIO, Echo, every size in the Hatch reel line, Headhunters Logo wear including the outstanding Craiglandia line, and a long list of winter fly fishing accessories for your Missouri River journey.

Shop open daily @ 8am.

Saturday Trout Spey Rainbow

Saturday Trout Spey Rainbow

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John Kirk sent us some images from he and friend Nathan last week on the Mo.

Swung up a few he said. And per usual the Kreelex was the star he said.

He’ll be back again this winter he said.

 

The Weekend weather looks pretty sweet. I don’t think we will see as much snow as the east coast though. Snow threatening along with hi’s in the upper 30’s. Was 45F Friday afternoon.

The swingers are out there bringing some fish to hand. The nymphers are doing really well. The water temp came up a degree recently and the fish do react favorably.

 

Headhunters Fly Shop 2016 Event Calendar

Headhunters Fly Shop 2016 Event Calendar

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A few dates to get into your calendar for the upcoming 2016 season. Headhunters events, community events, and hatch events that can make your vacation planning easier.

The water looks like it will be in the average range for the summer ahead. At this early point we feel that we can state that fact. But Mother Nature does make the call.

February

February 6th: Headhunters Free Spey Casting Clinic. Sold Out

February 10th & 24: Headhunters Fly Tying Night in America. Wednesday @ 6pm-8pm. 

Midge Hatch: Can start in the middle of the month. We will keep you up to date here on this very site about the activity. Some epic hatches can get your dry fly mania going.

March

March 5th: Headhunters Free Spey Clinic. Sold Out. If any openings occur we will inform you here on this blog.

March 9th: Final Fly Tying Night in America @ the shop 6pm-8pm

March 15th-April 30: Spring Special Guide Trips $350. Our famous Spring Special for all to attend. Full day guided trips to knock the rust off.

March 15th-April 30th: Spring Special Lodging pricing. Call Headhunters today to get killer deals, 30% off,  on Craig Trout Camp losing and other great Missouri River area lodging!

Midge Hatch: Continued Midge action throughout the month. Get your early season dry fly fix.

Skwalas?

April

Spring Specials all month long with Guide Deals @ $350 and area lodging discounts.

Blue Winged Olives: Late in the month. If water temps rise early we can see some BWO action earlier in the month. Look for 42F for the start of this historic spring hatch.

The big bugs may come too.

Great nymphing all month long. The streamer gang gets going too. Strip the big bug for the big brown trout.

May

One of the favorite months for the Headhunters staff. Good to great blind dry fly fishing and probably the best in streamer fishing. More big brown trout are caught in this month than any other. Meaning, the biggest brown trout. 

March Browns: The middle of the month can bring out this early mayfly. The fish get kinda stupid for this bug. We love the March Brown hatch here on the Missouri River.

BWO’s: Good afternoon action for this twice yearly hatch.

May 20th: Montana Fly Fishing Film Festival. Headhunters hosted night before event at 8pm. Come enjoy some Montana made films, food, beer, and swag the day before the Craig Caddis Festival.

May 21st: Saturday the 10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off. Big time event in Craig. Come one come all. Food, beer, live music, live and silent auction, parade…a good fundraiser for the Craig Volunteer Fire Department. Email Mark if you want to be involved, donate any auction items, or BBQ for fame! mark@headhuntersflyshop.com www.caddisfestival.com

June

Caddis Flies: The beginning of our favorite summer hatch. Get ready. One of the two busiest months on Montana’s Missouri River.

Pale Morning Duns: This 2 month hatch begins about the 3 week of the month. You want in?

June 18th: Headhunters Summer Solstice Party. A big time afternoon BBQ and party. Contests, swag, fun with your favorite Headhunters til dark. More on this as we get more planned. As you know, we love to throw a good party.

Brown Drakes: Late in the month. This short lived hatch brings out some regular visitors to the Mo.

July

Trico Hatch: Can get rolling on July 5th. Lower water years it can start earlier. Higher water years as late as the 4th week. Many anglers favorite hatch. An amazing Missouri River hatch.

July 4th Party: Another big time party at Headhunters. America’s Birthday. Afternoon BBQ with fireworks at dusk.

PMD’s, Caddis, ant and hoppers too: The best dry fly month of the year. Consistant dawn til dusk.

August

Dry flies all month long. Getting more difficult as the moth progresses. Some don’t like the month because of the weed growth in August. Techy dry fly anglers like it for the difficulty level. Not many anglers during latter half. Pretty quiet.

September

September 3rd: 2nd Annual Browns and Brews Craft Beer Festival. This afternoon even 4-8pm is bound to be one of the summers best. 6 local breweries will share their beer during this tasting event. Live and silent auctions, live music, and food vendors will round out this Saturday Labor Day Weekend event. Book your guides and lodging now for best availability.

One of the better nymph months. The angling pressure increases again as the kids are back in school. If the month is cold you can see some BWO action late. The Pseudocloeon comes and drives folks mad. A fun time on the river.

October

Some anglers favorite month. Historic BWO hatches have been down but the Pseudo’s are around. Streamer anglers like October.

BWO’s: Generally late in the month. Good to great dry fly fishing depending on the year.

Headhunters Fly Fishing School: These are in the planning stages and we will post soon about this idea. Families, dry fly fans and nymphers alike will find something to learn at these Headhunters sponsored schools.

% SIMMS Winter Favorites

5 SIMMS Winter Favorites

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5 SIMMS Winter Favorites

It really has been a cold winter. As winer should be. Most days we see temperatures in the mid 20’s with occasional days in the mid 30’s. If a fella wants to fish he needs to have the right winter fishing gear. Or go home.

SIMMS provides that kind of gear. And Headhunters has the winter gear for your winter fly fishing successes!

Simms Bulkley

SIMMS Bulkley Jacket

My favorite item this year. Been wearing it all winter long and cannot go fishing without it. The warmth of the Bulkley jacket is the key. The Primaloft insulation is key. In the body and in the sleeves. A bit oversized so you can layer appropriately underneath the jacket. Internal Shingle Cuff keeps this jacket water tight while fighting, landing and releasing fish into the water. A must have for those looking for a new updated insulated Gore-Tex winter jacket!

SIMMS Kinetic Jacket

We knew this was a winner when the Headhunters guides all walked in and bought this jacket of the rack. And we see them in it daily all winter long. A good piece for daily wear. Headed out of the house to chop firewood? Out tot he lake ice fishing? Off to Tom’s IGA in Cascade for a half box of Coors Light? They are all donning the SIMMS Kinetic Jacket.

The Simms Kinetic has become a guide staple in Montana. And if all the guides are wearing it you can believe it’s touch and performs, probably beyond expectations. This “puffy on steroids” is comfortable, very warm and does not restrict movement. We consider it essential from September through May in Montana, and we always make sure it’s in our bag for any trips to Steelhead country. Worth every penny in our estimation.

SIMMS 5 for Winter

SIMMS G3 Waders

The industry standard in waders. The reason you see more SIMMS Waders on anglers than any other brand? Because they don’t leak. While you can get a deal on some of those off brand waders, the fit and function of SIMMS Waders is undisputed. The Choice of Fishing Professionals Worldwide. Headhunters carries 22 sizes of the most popular SIMMS wader. Come in and get the right fit. Not many fly shops can boast that stat!

Powered by 25-percent more breathable GORE-TEX® 5-layer Pro Shell fabric, Simms’ G3 wader just got revamped for a lifetime of in-river marching orders. Wrap raw hands in the convenience of a reach-through warming pocket with stormflaps and micro-fleece lining, then reach for everything you need for successful fishing missions via an intuitive zippered chest pocket design, with integrated utility tabs that house an arsenal of in-river essentials. Patented front and back leg seam construction delivers an articulated fit that fights wear zones, bolsters wader longevity, and maximizes mobility either in the drift boat or hiking for riches well beyond road’s end.

SIMMS Guide Mid Pant

The best bottom layer that SIMMS has produced. In previous versions it wore more like your dads sweat pants. Not so with the SIMMS Guide Mid Pant. Updated fit & 4-way abrasion-resistant stretch fleece offers better warmth, breathability, mobility & wicking performance. The narrow fitted bottom of the legging slips effortlessly into your waders allowing no binding at the boot level. The bottom line on these fabulous pants is just a better wader pant. Zippered side and back pockets hold your needed items safe along with the zip fly make this the best wader pant on the market.

SIMMS 5 for WinterSIMMS ProDry Glove

The new Simms ProDry Glove is quickly becoming a favorite for winter fly fishing in Montana. The GoreTex shell is insulated and keeps your hands toasty and dry. The removable fingerless liner is perfect for those times when line management or tying knots demands some extra dexterity. We wear the whole glove when rowing or humping it through the snow, and remove the outer shell and use the fingerless liners when we’re fishing. You could also use a variety of liners if you have a favorite. The lining of the shells is slick enough to accommodate most liner gloves. You’ll probably see a few of us wearing these in the lift line as well. Mark and John like them for winter photography.

Ninch is the leading proponent of the SIMMS ProDry Glove. He just loves them. With the inner glove coming out for tying flies, fixing leaders, and greasing dry flies these gloves are for the other 3 seasons of Montana angling. Never leave home without them. The Gore-Tex outer glove keeps away those biting winter elements for continued fishing when your buddies head for the bar.

Headhunters is your exclusive SIMMS dealer on the Missouri River. We have a store full of the best in SIMMS products including all sizes of G3 waders. We are a destination store with our focus centered on what you may need for your time here on the Missouri River. Check us out on our on-line store for anything you may need for your trout fishing game![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_grid columns=”4″ orderby=”title” order=”” ids=”6756, 6650, 8918, 8993″ post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 1.19.16

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 1.19.16

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Sunny skies will greet us for the remainder of the week. The snow and cold visited us over the holiday weekend. MLK day was really quite nice with the air temperatures reaching well above 40F. Tuesday will lead with temps near 40F and we will flirt with sun, not much wind and no threat of snow until the middle of next week.

A great time to sneak out of the house and fish a little on your favorite winter fishery. The ice has left the river proper and the shelf ice will be waning, falling off, melting back into the river as the week moves forward.

The shop open daily with guide trips here and there this month. $400 for a nice day on the Mo. Want to improve your trout spey game? Most do and that is something that many guests inquire about when taking a winter guide trip. You can play it by on the river. Start out nymphing, stop on a good inside swinging run, and then look for those wandering midge flies. There have been some success stories in regards to the dry fly. February should bring us some entertaining and more consistent dry fly angling.

5 Tips for January

  1. Sleep in. No need to get out early. Some of the better fishing can be the hour before the sun dips. Not the hour after the sun hides behind the hills. So that 3ish time period is historically strong.
  2. Find the slow water. But, do not disregard the slow plus 1 speed water either. The fish are usually in that slow deeper water. But not always. Find your own way out there.
  3. Bring hand warmers. Put them in your shirt pockets near your heart and chest. That feels good! A couple in your chopper gloves is a good idea as well. Hand ovens is what I call them. Fish without gloves if you wish and then jam them into the hand ovens when they stop moving properly.
  4. Go with Pink nymphs.
  5. Many fish with split shot all year long. The winter angling game is pretty good without split shot. Fish a weighted fly and wait for the fly to sink. Most of the winter nymphing water is slow enough to allow the fly to sink without added weight. Try it. Feels pretty good man.

Come on by the shop to try one or two of our many, 20+, trout spey rods  on the river. We have a ton of demo lines for you to match with your rod. Headhunters is the Trout Spey Headquarters in Montana. We love to talk about the two handed rod. We have a vast selection of swinging flies as well. Rods, lines, tips, and leaders for all your spey needs in Craig Montana.

Check out yesterday’s post about the Gould/McCune Spey Clinics coming in April. Filling fast for sure. Headhunters is your education source for all things trout on Montana’s Missouri River.

Tomorrow the Headhunters 2016 Calendar.

Silly Sunday Scenery Winter Trout Edition

Silly Sunday Scenery Winter Trout Edition

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Max Mattioli releasing this trout last Thursday.

KAST Gloves that keep your hands warm and dry. Even when dipped in tot he water to release cold winter trout.

Probably the best fully water proof gloves not eh market. Most can even fish with them on.

Try them out today at Headhunters Fly Shop. A good addition to any winter clothing arsenal.

Happy Sunday. Go Hawks!

 

Friday Foto January Edition

Friday Foto January Edition

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Headhunters Guide Max Mattioli hooked up above Craig yesterday.

Cold? Yes. Too cold? No. Fished for 3 hours. A perfect afternoon.

Nymphed with big pink flies. Effective.

The fish are in slow water but found several fish in slow plus 1 tick. Interesting in that the water temps are in the 33F range. Wade fishing requires a warm blooded angler. Or heated wading boots.

This weekend some snow, perhaps. Sunday looks to be really quite nice. A hi of 38F. Saturday looks like 1-3 inches of snow.  A mixed bag for sure.

TGIF. Enjoy your weekend even if it does not include trout fishing.

 

Missouri River Weekend Fishing Outlook

Missouri River Weekend Fishing Outlook

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Missouri River Weekend Fishing Outlook

The weather has turned for the better. Way better. Or warmer. Some wind attached to the warmer temperatures as well. Pretty normal. We get a few spells like this every winter and the local anglers take advantage of the opportunity.

If you check out the ned several days it looks like snow will be occasionally falling from our Montana skies. Not much, but threatening daily. High temps in the 20’s and low 30’s. Certainly fishable. Yesterday a bundle of wade anglers on the water with more than a handful of boats above Craig. Even a few below town too.

Swingers and nymphers alike. About half and half. Curious trout spey anglers in the store taking advantage of the demo rods and full line of trout spey gear on hand in downtown Craig. Look us up if you have any questions about anything spey related.

Firebead is  the hot fly. Tailwater sows holding their own. Foxy Clousers, small leech patterns, and traditional streamer patterns are reputed to bring winter trout to hand.

A guide trip or two on the water this weekend as some are experiencing cabin fever. If you need a way out…we can help. Demo your Adipose Boat at Headhunters this winter too. Interested in getting one of those hot Montana skiffs in your driveway? Stop in for any info in regards to the Adipose Flow.

Successful fly tying night last evening at the store. The regular crew was there in force tying and bullshitting. Streamers, bobber flies, and some techy small summer flies were tied. Fun times. Next Fly Tying Night in America Wednesday January 27 6pm.

Still some cool stuff on the sale rack. Always new and updated fly lines, terminal tackle, winter wear including a bevy of gloves and hats. Your Missouri River SIMMS dealer with Howler Bros, Orvis, and tons of cool Headhunters Logo Wear.

Open daily 8-6pm for shuttles, winter discounted lodging at Craig Trout Camp, and all things trout…

 

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 1.12.16

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Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 1.12.16

A break in the cold weather yesterday led some anglers to creep into the cool winter waters. Central Montana’a Missouri River never closes. It does become un-fishable a few times a year, but these periods are often short.

The air temps this week will reach the mid and upper 30’s and may even creek into the 40F range. Oh so nice a break like this in January. Sun, then clouds, then snow as she will turn for the worse and dip towards chilliness again.

Today at the shop we are counting flies. Fly inventory day. A short 3-4 hour period with all hands on deck will take care of this annual task.  We generally handle north of 100K flies. Quick work for nimble counters.

As the slush has left the waters for the week we enjoy a few opportunities to fish. May get out in the boat later this week. The snow day on Thursday looks really quite nice. Fish anywhere to Mid Canon with ease. I’d take a look at the boat ramp, the ending boat ramp before I launched the boat. Just for kicks. 4WD is probably a must for any boat ramp with pitch to it.

Wade anywhere as well but watch the shelf ice. Most of the river has some sort of shelf issues. Be very careful if you choose to winter fish.

A feller was in yesterday that had hooked a few on a cluster midge. That is cool. That time is coming. By February there will be more dry fly opportunities.

Slow water is the key. Get the fly near the bottom and let it ride. Albeit slowly. Patience is good for a winter angler. Use split if you have to. Most of the time in those slower water zones you can get away without the weight.

Winter flavors shine. Headhunters as your Winter Fishing HQ has your back. We have a wide selection of pink patterns. We got bobbers too.

The swingers are out there too. Less ice in the guides for both the single and double handers this week will bring both sets out. The swingers are getting some action in the tail end of the swing. Not as much on the big front end swing. But still moving the fly is a good idea. Or letting it be still can sometimes work too.

Smaller trout spey flies like the traditional bugger, Clousers, Marabou patterns, Skiddish Smolts, and your good ‘ol home brews!

Give us a shout or stop in any day 8-6. We are here in Craig MT daily.

Visit us at any of our Social Sites too…Instagram, Facebook, or Vimeo.

 

Rainbow Czech Nymph Video

Rainbow Czech Nymph Video

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Rainbow Czech Nymph Video

Headhunters very own Fly Tying Kits for your winter fly tying consumption.

Winter is a good time to tie up a box full of the #1 selling fly on the Missouri River.

It is losing ground to a few other popular nymphs like the Little Green Machine and the ever popular Zebra Midge. But a strong player all 12 months of the year.

Tie it up in #10 thru #18 with varying weights. We love it as a lead, or top, fly nearly daily. It goes through hot and cold periods but for the most part the Rainbow Czech Nymph brings it daily. Certainly the most consistent fly we have ever fished.

The Just Add Vise Kit includes everything you need to tie the fly including 25 oohs. The thread, dubbing, the beads, and so on. Then watch the video and pump out some killer flies.

Use the video as a reference and get your Just Add Vise Kits from Headhunters. Order it up online.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/122361553″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_grid columns=”3″ orderby=”title” order=”” ids=”11096, 11104, 11115″ post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Silly Sunday Shop Scenery

Silly Sunday Shop Scenery

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Ninch checking it out.

The new ’16 flies come in beginning in March.

Out with the old and in with the new. Ninch gets rid of all of the flies that either do not sell, or do not work.

Yep, those that do not produce must leave the building.

We have 1200+ individual bins of flies. Quite a management trick to keep them full, updated, and fresh.

Ninch does a fabulous job at all of the above.

Cold this weekend. Saw temperatures of 6F all the way up to 24F on a river drive about noon. Today should be warmer.

Ninch again will be tending to the flies prepping for your next visit.

Go Hawks.

The Frenchman and Me

The Frenchman and Me

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The future of the Frenchman and Me is in question.

Tim the owner passed away in December. The proprietor for the last 15-ish years had a heart attack. We loved Tim, the Wolf Creek eatery, and he will be missed. Rest in Peace Tim.

As for the restaurant it has been closed and nobody knows the future of this historic Bar. Opened in the late 1800’s this Wolf Creek legend has stood the test of time. Certainly the longest operating business in the Tri-County area.

I lived in WC in the 90’s dining at the Frenchman and Me nightly. Many still did in the Wolf Creek neighborhood. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served with a stiff cocktail to boot.

I watched one game of the 1998 World Series sitting next to Curt Gowdy, who he himself had called a few World Series, at the bar at the Frenchman. Just awesome. I have a lot of memories at this Wolf Creek icon.

Many enjoyed the “broasted chicken” and for some Missouri River vacationers it was a must have on their annual trout trip! I was always fond of the Steak Sandwich with a side of hash browns. The salad with Blue Cheese dressing and a Crown on the rocks with a  Budweiser back. What else would a fella need?

So we send our best to the family. We fondly remember the sweet confines of the Frenchman and Me. And we hope that the Frenchman makes a comeback for the community of Wolf Creek.

Listen to the River: A Packraft Adventrue

Listen to the River: A Packraft Adventure

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Cool video today from up on the Bob. This gang really has some balls, and legs. Makes us here on the Mo look lazy. Towing boats behind SUV’s!

Wild Confluence Films brings us this pleasant video on this snowy and cold Friday in central Montana. Enjoy.

6 friends set out into Montana’s legendary Bob Marshall wilderness to float and fly fish the pristine South Fork Flathead River. Two days of hiking takes the crew 25 miles up the banks of this roadless river. On the 3rd day the team inflates their pack rafts and begins the float on this wild river. The fishing does not disappoint, and the Wild Confluence crew dines on cutthroat trout each night. The 4 day float back to the trailhead is cut short on the final night when the team learns that the nearby wildfires have begun to rage toward them (several photos capture the smokey sky and orange glow of the fire). The out of control fire burns four miles away, nearly destroying their cars in the parking lot but luckily doesn’t incinerate them! The team is forced to evacuate – hiking thirty miles in a day over a seldom traveled 8000 foot pass to escape the wildfire.

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Missouri River Montana Winter Fishing Report 1.7.16

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Still winter out here, out there, on the river. Cold as she goes.

As John stated yesterday we have cancelled our Saturday Trout Spey Clinic as it will be too damn cold for any good kind of learning. One of the first tenets of learning is putting the student in a comfortable situation. Therefor allowing the mind and body to be focused on the task at hand. 7F does not create the correct learning environment. Nope.

Missouri River Weekend Forecast

Wind Chill values falling below ZERO for the near future. Too cold to fish for sure.

So this a call for you to focus on tasks at home. Like getting your tax shit together. Sound like fun?

Doing tax work only sounds fun until you try to fish in below zero air temperatures.

Then it becomes fun…

So, what will you do? Watch playoff football? A good second option after you do some expense receipt fiddling.

Missouri River Montana Winter Fishing Report 1.7.16

Those who have been fishing have been cold. A theme is developing swiftly here. Shelf ice is a problem. The winter water is full of shelf ice. Out a ways too. Slush and large 10-30ft square ice plates are floating down the river too. Kinda dangerous folks.

The normal winter fishing report is as follows…Cold. Water temps in the low 30’s. Still warmer than the air temps for most of the week. Swing it if you choose. Dunk it if you like. But no floating flies around this week. Sorry. In a month or two we will get our dry fly rods out of storage.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_grid columns=”2″ post_type=”attachment” items_quantity=”” images=”16374,16373″ orderby=”post__in” items_gap=”4px” items_layout=”gallery_default” img_size=”us_600_600_crop” overriding_link=”popup_post_image” breakpoint_1_cols=”2″ breakpoint_2_width=”768px” breakpoint_3_width=”480px” breakpoint_2_cols=”4″ breakpoint_3_cols=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Of course we would love for you to come out for a visit. But bring a bottle of Fireball and stay awhile. Inside the shop.

After you get those taxes in the bag plan out your fishing vacation for the summer. Call us up and we will get you on track.

The skiing in Montana has been pretty good so many Montanan’s are out recreating on the slopes. And why not. Good snow begs to be skied upon. And those snow machine families are enjoying it too.

Happy Weekend to all whatever you might find yourself doing!

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A Craig Montana New Years Ritual

A Craig Montana New Years Ritual

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]24F with a 10-15mph north breeze for air temps on skin at about 0F.

So why not dip your entire body in the water on New Years Day.

A New Years Day Ritual
The orange dude in the suit is the safety net!

And at noon they do. This year Braden was our lone participant.

He did wade into the water with his SIMMS Vapor Wading Boots. I would have had the image up but I have found if you do not insert the SD card in your camera it fails to record the image…

Braden survived as all of the dippers did. The fellow in the orange dry suit from the Craig Volunteer Fire Department is in place to make sure nobody either floats or sinks.

The last day in the NFL regular season is today. There is a ton of slush in the river. It is cold enough to freeze up your guides in mere seconds.

But some will be out there fishing of those wily and cold trout. Air temps this week will touch the mid 30’s for decent fishing temps. Also this weekend ahead we will have another of our wildly famous Free Trout Spey Clinics on Saturday the 9th.

Fly Tying Night in America begins next week on Wednesday Night hosted by Braden and friends at the shop at 6pm.

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Missouri River New Years Fishing Report 1.1.16

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Missouri River New Years Fishing Report 1.1.16

New Years Day Missouri River Montana Fishing Report starts out with cold air temps.

The Umteenth (21st) Annual Craig Polar Bear Plunge is at High Noon today a the Craig Boatramp. Were you there? Do you wish you were? Do you feel that wading in the river in mid-July is nearly the same thing…except your toes don’t shrivel up?

Water temps are cold at 33.5F and flows at 3180cfs. The slush factor while this last week was nearing defcon 8 it has been reduced to a reasonable defcon level of 3. Looked fishable to Prewitt Creek as I traveled the river road yesterday. The shelf ice does continue to grow as the high temps for this last couple weeks do not reach much beyond the mid 30’s. Most of th time in the mid 20’s. Looks like more of the same for the week ahead.

We have been locked in this winter pattern for nearly a month. Hi’s in the 20’s and 30’s with light snow a couple days a week. Night time lows anywhere from barely above zero to the mid teens. Winter for sure.

The fish are in the true winter lanes. The softest and slowest moving water you can find. Lots of shelf ice on most of the great insides so be damn careful out there. Watch for the floating ice islands. They can level you, put you down, make your day turn a direction you do not want.

Fool around with a handful of pink flies for the bobber gang. Fool around with a bit of flash for the swingers. Both of you find the soft and soggy winter haunts and stay there. Find good road spots so you can warm yourself up after  your feet become the shape of ice cubes. The car heat can thaw them of stop into Uncle Joe’s for something a bit stronger. Sometimes the heat needs to start in your belly!

Happy New Year to all the Headhunters out there. We are looking into the future and what do we see? Who knows? We are guessing that it will be filled with water, bugs, and big dry fly eating trout-skis.

All the best to you and yours as we greet the new year of 2016.

Shop open daily @ 8am and late til 6pm.

Happy New Year!