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!
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]May is nearly over.
June is nearly here.
How much longer do you have to wait to get on that plane to come on out and fish the Mo?
Well, we hope it is coming soon.
Or if it does not come for some time, we will eagerly waiting your arrival.
Whenever your time comes we will welcome you.
Make your own bit of fly fishing history this summer on the dry fly capitol of the west.
It is still raining at the time of this post. Good news. The historically wet May may lead into the historically wet June. May brings 2.4″ and June brings more. We exceeded the May norms and will we create more mountain greenery this June?
We hope so!
A couple storms dumped about a 1/2″ of water over our region. Bring it!
Canyon Ferry level is now 89.4%. It’s coming…that is good.
Happy Friday to all those in Troutlandia from all of us in Craiglandia.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Today on the Headhunters Blog we have the Bloom’s Tungsten Dart.
A great pattern for the Missouri River May, June, July, August…you get the point.
Tie this on and get after it. We got them in stock for a cup full of flies in many sizes and we also have the Tung Dart Just Add Vise Kit. Order one up on the online store or stop in and take a few home with you.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The weekend is beyond us as we move into the last week of May.
I thought that the rising water temps in the middle of the month would change the progression of insects and set the PMD’s off early, the Caddis to continue with straight, and the BWO’s to hold longer.
Results of the early predictions were mostly wrong. Again, wrong as an angler.
But I am certainly getting used to missing the mark and will continue to try to predict the future with Mother Nature dealing a difficult hand.
So we may be back on schedule with PMD’s beginning about the 2nd week of June and Caddis moving into our thoughts closer to the front end of June. Again, some guess work and some historical data. That is how the scientists work right? The historic emergence of the PMD is that we see the first PMD around the 5th, 6th, or 7th and then within 3, 4 or 5 days the game is on. Will that happen this year? Maybe.
Watch this chart for hatch triggers
June is a fabulous month on the Missouri River. Will it be good this year? Yep. Will there be good dry fly fishing? Yep. Will there be a bundle of folks around? Yep. A very busy month here in Montana. All of t eh rivers will be fishing well as most of the westside rivers have experienced the run-off period. With the rains recently the rivers may be a touch off color and we will see some pressure from across the divide for those periods.
Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 5.26.15
The waters below the Dearborn are off color here locally on the Mighty Mo. When will that subside? A couple days. Currently running at levels near historical normal. The Dearborn is blown and the water a touch muddy for a few miles. Green yes. Un-fishable. No.
Little Prickly Pear is also spitting some mud, but not bad at all. Worm it up near the mud line? That is what the old timers would tell you. Does it work? Only you can be the judge of that legendary lesson.
Fishing. The fishing report is as follows.
The Upper River: Good to great. Some days better than others. Crowded? Yes, definitely. The lower reaches scare some folks with the mud and also many do not want to leave their comfort zone. Understood. The weekend had many floaters stuffed up top.
Nymphing is great with the standard Sow/Scud fly up top and the smaller something or other hanging below. Little Green Machines, small PT’s, Trigger Nymphs, Green Bellied PT’s, Purple LB’s, Pearl LB’s, Anato-Mays, Micro-May’s Gidget’s, S & M’s, Peep Show’s, Tunghead PT’s, Zebra’s, Rainbow Warrior’s, and may more mayfly nymphs of your choice. The BWO’s are still getting attention subsurface with the caddis and PMD’s not far behind.
Dry fly fishing up top is focussed on the March Brown and the BWO. Cripples and mergers are good. They will eat the dun too, but it better be presented well early in the drifting/casting session. Not every fish will fall for the good ‘ol Adams. But most do. Cluster midge, CDC Hanging Midge, Purple Craze/Haze, Nymen’s Cripple in both dark and light post config’s, Buzzballs, CDC Mayfly Emergers, any Harrop’s CDC patterns, Half Dun Hatching, Brook’s Sprout is killer, CDC Bubblebacks...come on in for additional info and flies that should, and might work this week on the Missouri River.
The Lower River: Below the Dearborn the game does change. More Caddis and PMD’s are evident. Yellow Sally’s should be on your mind too although they do not present themselves for some time, but remember that the nymphs are in the water column long before we see them flitting around our sunglasses.
Is it on the fall yet? Maybe this week.
Nymphing is good. Fish all the stuff you like whether is be the sexy side or not. A ton of folks only fish the left side of the river, if you care. Find your groove and stay on it. Do not be afraid to lengthen or shorten your rig if you are not getting a good bite. No static patterns for those who get them more often than not. What worked yesterday, last week, or last year may not be the key to your success. Be aware of the changing conditions and change along with them.
Much of the same flies are in the mix but do not be afraid to toss some bigger generic patterns like the Prince, Purple Prince, Rubber Legs, Squirrel Nymph, Worm in many flavors, Czech Nymphs, FB’s, Bigger PT’s like int he 12 range, Yellow Sally nymphs, PMD nymphs for sure and many of your shaggy Caddis Nymphs. Translucent Pupa behind anything is good. Nitro Caddis, Grape Slushy, Bloom’s Weight flies in purple and gold, Silvey’s Pupa, and any of the flies listed above as well. Soft hackles may be a good bet dangles off of the nymph too. Be more creative on the lower and you can be rewarded.
Dry Fly fishing on the lower is good too. Weather dependent and pray like hell that the North Wind does not blow. that puts those sneaky sippers right off of the surface sinking them to the easy nymph prey lanes.
Dry-Dropper is a good bet. Solo dry is also good. Blind dry? All of this is up to you the angler. Lots of ways to achieve Mo River greatness. Caddis flies are a good choice with Mathew’s X-Caddis being a great one. You can fool the trout early in the season with this e flies that float well. Troth Caddis, Goddard’s and those fluffy jobbies that we love so much. Then when that time frame passes us by you gotta toss these film flies like the Stocking Wing, Trans Pupa, Buzzball, Missouri River Special,Bloom’s Ant, Half Chicken and others.
March Browns are fading and while they can produce action, the action is slowing. Get on there Baetis bus for good afternoon action. Film flies here to are a good bet. Crips and spinners and mergers are our game here in central Montana. If you have been fishing here for years or reading this blog for years, you should know what I am talking about. Any CDC fly is a good guess.
That is the current and most up to date info available to you, to us, to the angler. Fly Shop open daily 7am till 8pm for any and all your Missouri River needs. If you need info about lodging here on the Missouri River we are the largest booking agent with the most rental properties of any shop on the Missouri River. Check out www.Craiglodging.com for a ton of killer lodging options. If you need a fishing guide we have those too.
Feel free to swing by for flies, shuttles, honest and accurate info, coffee, Craig logo wear, gloves, hats, T’s, fishing gee-gaws, Able, SAGE, RIO, Nautilus Reels, Orvis, MFC Flies, Just Add Vise Tying Kits, and much much more.
While it has been kinda hit and miss today seems to be fishing quite well.
Reports in at lunch from the gang fishing WC to below Craig somewheres validate that the weather pattern has settled in and the fish are responding.
The hatch activity due to the sunny weather in the previous 3 days has keep the top water bite to a level below average. Unless you are a headhunter and are on the search…then you may find a few more than the average bear.
Today? Today and the remainder of the weekend will present overcast skies alone with positive hatch cycles.
Lots of fun folks in our region as a bachelor party, a few long time Headhunters fishing groups, and maybe you will round out the gang here for the holiday long weekend.
Missouri River Montana Holiday Fishing Report 5.23.15
Nymphing Report: Good to great today. This last week hit and miss. Tomorrow? Who knows. But as I eluded to above the weather pattern is falling into this, this drizzly overcast deal. Way better than the winds from the north and high bright sun.
Fish will congregate in skinnier waters as they feel more comfortable with the weather, the lack of predators from above, and the bug population moves into the secondary feeding lanes.
Deep has been the key but with the rain, look for the behavior above to come on strong.
Boats are dribbling in to the shop this afternoon as I write the second part of the fishing report for the holiday weekend and the reports as as strong as they were at noon time. A few HH boats were on the lower reaches and tell tales of hard rain, a good bite, but the dry flies were drowned or being sunken at the time of torrential rain departures from the river.
Good thing that Izaak’s and Joe’s Bar are open daily for the drenched indi’s needing to warm their bones.
March Brown nymphs, PMD nymphs, caddis nymphs, and the FB stuff still working fine. Rainbow Czech nymphs along with a Little Green Machine will still get the job done. Want to branch out and try some other mayfly nymph patterns? We got ’em here at Headhunters. The most expansive and creative fly bins in the canyon. Bar None. Ninch will show you some flies you have only dreamed about. The nice thing with new patterns coming out and being fished guinea pig is that the fish have not seen it all. New flavors of flies do not always work…or do they?
Flies- Size 14 Pheasant Tail, Tungsten Split Case PMD, Tungsten Redemption, BH Poxy Back PMD’s, Tungsten Reckoner, Electric Caddis, Grape Slushie, Blooms Tungstens Dark, and Little Green Machines.
Dry Fly Report: Good if you dig that sort of thing. Epic? No, not really. Maybe tomorrow and the following day Monday. Maybe next week will bring back the daily dry fly bite?
March Browns still in the house as we move deeper to the latter parts of May. Later than normal? No. The water temps dictate the entire hatch cycle. And angle of sun, and water temps, and angle of sun…etc. So as we see the stabilizing of the temps we see a longer BWO and MB hatch cycle. The water temps have slowed the progress of our spring caddis but we can keep that on the back burner for another few days. It will return, they certainly will.
Remember that the dry flies do not need to be seen for the subsurface stages including the larval and pupal to be effective.
Conversation with a feller at the bar…Feller: “Huh? I did not see any PMD’s today. How did you know to fish the nymph? Me: Well, they gotta be under the surface moving about before they emerge into our atmosphere. If the hatch begins in a couple weeks, don’t you think that they are partying in their watery environs? Feller: Huh? Guess I never thought of that.
John Arnold reminds me of his favorite time to fish the Caddis Pupa. It is now, before the main hatch starts. He stated that he loves fishing the pupa in May. The best time to fish it really.
Back to the Dry Fly Report in progress: The regular spots, the usual suspects for the dry fly lanes are producing. The subtle soft spots are even more intriguing. Look hard at likely locals and ye shall find a few. Watch and learn. Understand the feeding pattern and make a few practice drifts before setting out after the trout prey. Those who approach quietly and drift with purpose, not hope like some, usually fare better.
March Brown cripples, BWO Spinners, Buzzballs, Harrops CDC Emergers, Purple Craze, Cluster Midge, Stockingwing Caddis, Outrigger Caddis, Dancing Caddis
Streamer Report: Sink tips are back in style. Th higher water levels and off color water have made it a better game than the past few days. Overcast and muddy. A story made for your streamer chucking successes. Those who get after it and strip until their arms are tired and sore have good catch reports.
Here again the normal flash will kill it. With the Black Bugger, Krafts Kreelex, Clouser Minnow, Rabbit Zonkers, Skittish Smolt, Coffeys Sparkle Minnow, Dolly Lama
Missouri River Flow Predictions…
Who really knows other than Mother Nature. But, but the inflows are stronger with the recent rainfalls around the state including our massive drainage. Will they affect the summer flows? Maybe. A long shot really. The Canyon Ferry reservoir is up to 87.2% Creeping upwards. Need 10% ion the next month. Boy, it could really happen. Then we may expect mid summer flows to be closer to the 4K mark than the mid 3K predictions. We of course will keep you abreast of the water situation here on the Headhunters Info Super Site.
Inflows at Toston below. You can see the orange or red triangle for the median daily flows and you can also see we are below that historical quotient.
Inflows at Toston. USGS Toston Missouri River
Remember that the flows mimicked this in the early, mid, into the latter part of the last decade. We made it through then, we will again. I’m rooting for Mother Nature to guide us along.
How about this weekend with the recent deluge of rain in Craig? Little Prickly Pear currently 123cfs but she will jump back upwards as will the Dearborn with this spit today. Dearborn is muddy this afternoon with flows currently at 675cfs and climbing again. Check us out for the up to the minute Dearborn flows and coloration. We do guide the Dearborn River if you are so inclined. Call us @ 406-235-3447 for additional info and inquiries about guided trips on this small stream jewel in our back yard.
May is one off our favorite months. Most of the shop staff love this month. Fewer folks, great overall fishing, some real good dry fly action along with streamer action as a side note…
Fly Shop open daily from 7am-8pm. Shuttles, flies, killer logo wear, SIMMS, SAGE, RIO, Abel, Nautilus, and much much more!
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Many of our primary bugs are having a hey day subsurface as we move to ward the dry fly bonanza month of June.
BWO’s, PMD’s, a couple varieties of caddis and probably some Yellow Sally’s are dancing the day, and the night away as they bulk up for the summer ahead.
Morphing like mad!
Yesterday the dry fly bite in the afternoon really lit up. But, that does not happen everyday.
When it does not, or if you prefer the nymphing game, try some of these patterns to spice up your life.
Thew weather went into a shitty wet and cold yet normal May pattern this last week. Will it remain the same this coming week? Only Mother Nature knows.
The weatherman has some insights too…maybe.
We saw the value of kick ass rain gear this last week though. Gore-Tex does the best job. Period. SIMMS gear heads did stay dry. SIMMS was here BBQ’ing along with Montana Fly Co and we thank them for their participation the Caddis Festival and Drift Boat Drive-In.
How much did it rain here in Craig? Rainfall for the previous 3 days at the Dearborn measured 2.66 inches. In Wolf Creek the measurement was 1.7 inches. Look at the results here. Did it affect the current situation and future situation of summer flows? Maybe. Maybe not.
While May and June are the 2 wettest months in Montana where upon we receive over half of our yearly precipitation, it generally does not affect the summer flow outcomes. Does it hurt? No, we like it. It greens up the joint too.
Will it fill the reservoir faster, or get us to the magic 97% fill goal? No, I do not think so. But it will add a bit of water for our summer ahead. We are currently at the 84%+ level. Need `13% to get to the last week in June fill goal.
Check out the inflows at Toston below. Will this help? Oh yeah. But the same statement is valid here too. Probably too little too late. But if the rain continues to fall from the sky, it could alter the path a bit.
On the Rise at Toston
The Dearborn looks like it has topped out at 695 cfs, up from below 200 cfs before the rain storm and the Pear is at 209 cfs up from about 50 cfs.
Are the feeder creeks blowing mud into the main stem of the Missouri? Yep. Pretty muddy and off color on Sunday. What will today bring? Some settling will occur but it may take a few days. Get out your dirt snake box and have at ‘er.
Check with the shop on our Missouri River Hotline 877-DRY-FLYS. We got your back and give us a shout for any river questions or stop in for a shuttle on your way out.
The water temps have dropped right out of the 50’s and will remain that way for a few days until the sun shines yet again. Current water temps at 48F and water flows at 4400 cfs. They have risen as well and if you add LPP and the Dearborn add another grand onto that figure.
Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 5.18.15
It is the date that Mount St. Helens blew in 1980. If you are interested in history, and for our Washington readers.
Here in Craig all is well. Nymphing very good to great. Keeping your hands warm enough to grasp the rod int eh north winds has been tough, but good fishing always keeps you warmer. All of the regular spring players will work. The slender bodied mayfly stuff will work for 3 mayfly species this week.
March Browns, BWO’s and PMD nymphs are on the menu. Close what you like and try it. If that don’t work, change it up. And keep in mind that before we see more Caddis on the surface they are in the mix subsurface. Just like the PMD mention above you need to remember that the life cycle previous to the adult stage we and you and most love so dearly begins under the surface a year before we see the dun..
Pay attention to depths and be willing to adjust accordingly. Those who practice static fishing behaviors…are happy with the results I guess, or they would change. Remember that bugs move into secondary shelf lanes when moving towards the surface. Smart fish follow that model. So do smart anglers.
Dry fly fishing? Good. Search and Ye shall find. Ask the Ninch, or Sara, or Braden, or Dewey, or who ever you may be standing next to and we can outline a reach that will fit your needs.
Again two of the Mayfly Brothers will get you some takes. MB’s and BWO’s are the hero’s in this story. Caddis are on the back burner until warmer temps return.
Streamer anglers love the shitty weather. Chuck and duck. Strip and set. Most of us love May for the bigger fish on the bigger fly. Small and boring streamer patterns have been getting it done. Remember it is all about the flash.
That is the latest from the river as we know it. Guides out daily, lodging in any one of our over 20 strong options, the best fly selection, the only SIMMS dealer on the river, Headhunters Logo Wear, shop open daily @ 7am.
Check out this video made by Montanan’s. It has snow in it. Just like today.
The 9th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off is in the books. Way more folks than we anticipate dame on out and enjoyed BBQ, silent and live auctions, drank a few at Izaak’s and Joe’s Bar…and and a good time in Criag despite the rain!
The film event, the Drift Boat Drive-In was a smashing hit as well under the Big Top with over 150 folks attending. Nice. Thanks to PMD Productions, SIMMS, Montana Fly Company, Bitterroot Brewing Co, Costa del Mar Sungalsses, Joe’s Bar, and Headhunters Fly Shop for sponsoring this free event here in downtown Craig.
Included was the smash Headhunters and Scumliner Media production Streamers Inc. First time I have seen it on the big screen…what fun! Again, thanks for coming out in the rain and enjoying this Headhunters Fly Shop Event!
We love free. Entertainment is integral to our mission. The rest charge for education and entertainment…not us. We love seeing smiling customer faces. Love it. Even when shrouded underneath SIMMS Raingear!
Check out this perfect Sunday lazy day video from Epic Montana below…
Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off This Saturday in Craig MT.
Parade begins at 4pm
BBQ Cook-Off begins at 4pm.
Silent Auction at 4pm.
Live Music with Max Hay at 4pm
Live Music with Rocket to Uranus @ 8pm.
Live Auction at 715pm.
See you in Craig! We got tents to keep you dry and the silent and vendors will be housed in the fire hall if need be! Come on down for the benefitting the Craig Volunteer Fire Department!
Drift Boat Drive-In RAIN PLAN Headhunters Fly Shop Montana Fly Fishing Film Festival Friday Nite May 15th!
Come one come all to this FREE Event in Craig MT
With the advent of Montana weather we got you covered, literally, for this Montana Fishing Film Festival. We have a 40’x20′ Circus Tent for you, us, and your neighbor to stay dry in.
We will put it up in front of Joe’s Bar in town and host the event there! Why not!
Wander over about 8pm for the pre-funk party and buy you some raffle tickets.
Some smores, beers, and Joe’s snappy cocktail service along with a ton of raffle items from Costa, SIMMS, Bitterroot Brewing Co, Montana Fly Company and Headhunters Fly Shop all benefitting the CVFD.
Coming this weekend a bonanza Friday and Saturday with the Drift Boat Drive-In this Friday nite in Craig and the 9th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off Saturday beginning at 4pm.
PMD Productions, SIMMS, Montana Fly Company, Craig Trout Camp and Headhunters Fly Shop presents this evening filled with Montana Fishing Films, fun, food, and swag from a few of our favorite vendors!
We will gather in front of Joe’s Bar under the 40’x20′ TENT and get the party really rolling at dusk with the movies shown outside on the Headhunters property with you and your fishy friends.
This will be our 3rd Drift Boat Drive-In and every one gets better! This FREE Event is open to all ages and is fun for the entire fly fishing family.
Come out on Friday nite, have dinner at Izaak’s and then wander into the center of this fishing town of Craig and set yourself down for an evening of fishing film fundom.
Bring your lawn chairs, BYOB or avail in town at Izaak’s or Uncle Joe’s, and your family and we will see you Friday night at the Missouri River entertainment leaders Headhunters Fly Shop.
I used to be a wade fisher. A wade angler. A bankie.
Fishing a nice riffle on Montana’s Missouri River Fly Fishingare. I get out and wade fish often. The liberty of the boat is the difference. I can get back in and move to another region of the river.
I have been boat fishing for over 15 years so my vision has been skewed. But I hold the bank angler close to my heart. I love the wade fisherman. His mission is different from the boat angler. One narrow focus with very different methods employed to achieve the same goal. Catch trout on the Missouri.
The boat angler can move readily with his floating craft. The wade angler cannot. He is the lone foot soldier. He drives to a spot, gets out, and marches to the fishing location of choice.
Wading boots are important for the wade angler. They are the vehicle. I do like the new SIMMS Vapor Boot. Just me talkin’.
Back to the plight of the bank angler. Let’s review some rules that all bank anglers follow.
The Voice of a Wade Angler
Rules to live by
The farther you walk, the better the fishing? True.
When you find the kills, do not tell a soul how to get there. True. Certainly not that crafty trout bum at Joe’s Bar. You gotta tell jut one feller, and it is over. Especially if it is a dyno-mite PMD or Trico spot…
Respect the wade angler and his water. Don’t take the channel. Go around.
Don’t trespass. Trespassers are losers.
Great wade fish spots include an easy walk, without trespassing, a few different types of water including a nymphing shelf and a dry fly flat. Although one or the other will suffice depending on the time of year, or your fly fishing mood. And secretive.
One of the finest qualities of the Missouri River is the vast opportunities to wade fish and access points. It really is a great river for the wade angler. Small gravel and very few spots with dangerous rocks, slippery bowling balls, and rapidly moving waters.
Don’t low-hole your fishing buddy. Or the angler you do not know, yet. Don’t be a dick. Lead by example.
The Voice of a Wade Angler
How Boat Anglers should approach the Wade Angler
One of the worst things to happen to the wade fisherman is to have one of those yahoo’s in drift boats, tubes, pontoon boats, rafts…float in and through his water. That is worst case scenario. I see it all the time. Respect the water of the bank angler. The feller casting into that riffle, he is fishing that riffle. He has walked in and he is actively fishing. Yep, he is thinking to himself…
“Hey bud, open your fucking eyes…I’m right here. I’m fishing here. Please do not run over my water. Hey boat dude, I’m right here.”
Angler in boat after crashing into and getting stuck on the riffle bar that wade angler feller is fishing says something like…
“Havin’ any luck?”
When wade angler says something along the lines of
“Hey man, I’m kinda fishing this shallow riffle here.”
Boat angler responds with
” I didn’t see you man.”
Nearly daily we encounter situation where we must make a decisions. All of us, including me, need to give a wide berth for the bank angler. Guides are at fault too. It is generally a recreational boater, rental boat, or those who must not care about the plight of others which there are plenty of out there on the Montana rivers…Commercial outfits need to give these anglers a ton of water. Bottom line. The rest of the population as well. Give the bank angler a wide berth. Give him that riffle he is standing in. Do it. You got a boat and your responsibilty is to use it. Move onwards and learn some new waters if that needs to be the case. Honor the hike-in fisher feller.
And if he is not casting for the moment, it does not mean he is not fishing. Resting the water is a common practice and we need to see that. Keep you eyes open.
The Voice of a Wade Angler
I need to be heard, and seen.
See the fella’s from along way off. Make room for the wade angler
Education is the key. But how do we educate those who do not know or follow the rules of the river? Videos? Blogs? Bars? Educating by example? Yelling at those fellows exhibiting bad river behaviors?
I can tell you from experience that yelling education into folks generally does not win the fight. But I cannot say with any certainty that leading by example is any more effective.
Grassroots is the answer. Along with making an effort at all levels. Acting appropriately and with the other angler in mind has to be the way. Boats have to yield to wade anglers. Wade anglers have to understand that there are behavior standards for the wade angler as well. Follow the Golden Rule. Do unto others as…
Hey bud, look out for me. I have as much right to fish these waters as you do boat man. I usually don’t fool with you, so give me some slack, respect my water, and back off once in a while.
Who knows, it may come back at you. It may come full circle. You may get some karmic rewards for giving me some space…
Lots of questions from the fly fishing public about our fine river here in central Montana.
A few are genuine, a few are not as genuine and a few are funny!
A few of them appear below.
How long is the stretch you fish? About 35 miles from Holter Dam to the community of Cascade.
What kind of fish do you all got in that there river? Trouts mostly. Some Rocky Mountain Whitefish, a few suckers and a few Walleyes too.
At what age do the deer turn into elk? Depends on the species I guess.
Where is your bathroom? At the boat ramp.
How much does that row boat cost? 4K to 14K.
How much does a fishing tour cost? $495. What?! To go fishing for trouts?
Do you ever get tired of eating trout?
Where should I eat? Oh, Izaak’s of course. Or head up to the Wolf Creek and dine at The Frenchman and Me.
Which way does the river flow? North. No way. That is impossible.
Are you in Missouri? No we are in Montana.
Where are the headwaters of the Missouri River? Hellroaring Creek
While drifting and completing the day at the boat ramp sometimes somebody will ask…Did we float in a big circle?
Do you have any magic flies? Yes. Oh yeah lots of them.
What are the wet months? May and June.
Do you have the Treeeco fly here? Yep. Generally gets rolling about July 5th. This year maybe earlier.
What are the major hatches here on the Missouri? BWO’s, Midge, PMD’s, a few kinds of caddis, March Browns, Brown Drakes, some Gray Drakes, Yellow Sally’s, grasshoppers, Callibaetis, ants, and a few other minor players throughout the year.
Do you fish the Missouri River in the winter months? Oh yeah. All 12 months. Full services all year long at Headhunters including lodging too.
You folks have a bar in town? Yep. Joe’s open daily at 8am and late til 2am.
What makes the Missouri River? The Jefferson, the Madison, and the Gallatin. The Ruby, the Beaverhead and the Big Hole are all roots of the Mighty Mo.
Are you gonna have low water this year? Are you concerned? Yes and no. It will be lower than normal. But nothing unusual either. We had the same water levels in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 most recently. And what became of that? Higher water years in 2008-2011 and the highest population of trout we have ever seen here on the Missouri River. While we would like to have water levels closer to 5K for the summer, we cannot change it by just wishing.
Some of the most common questions we get asked around the shop. How about a question from you folks? Let us know if we can help or answer any questions that you may have!
To all the Mom’s in audience…Happy Mom’s Day from us here at Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig.
We are all here because of Mom’s. Thanks Mom!
Thanks for putting up with those stinky waders. That pile of fly rods in the corner. Those stains that you got out of my favorite fishing shirt, and I do not know how they got there.
Thanks again Mom!
Sunny here in Craig today with a few lucky Mom’s on the water. Looks good for the month of May too. Real nice.
Enjoy you Mom’s Day and make sure to call and remind your Mother that she is special!
Wendy holding this nice Brown Trout from the Mighty Mo.
She and her husband came down for long weekend and left the kids with the grandparents.
Smart.
Good work Wendy.
They reside in the upper corner of Montana which is just a stones throw from the Missouri. Yes, the Missouri is copse to everywhere.
Minneapolis, Seattle, San Fransisco, even New Jersey. Hop on that super sonic jet and fly on over.
We are here all 12 months. But if you like dry fly fishing, you should shoot for April thru Thanksgiving. A good time to visit.
Who knows, you gal pal could grace the hallowed pages of the Headhunters Blog!
Things are good here on the Mo. Caddis, MB’s, Baetis, Midges are all in play. An opportunity to toss the dry fly daily. That is what we are here for, known for, and love so much.
Try your headhunting skills soon. See you wandering the streets of Craig. Or the dry fly flats of the Mo…
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]This is one of the best sellers here in Craig at Headhunters Fly Shop.
These T’s fly out the door. So this year we made them in sizes for men, women, and children.
Andrea Larko art is awful fun and this art designed for us here at the Mothership in Craig is no different.
We have the children’s T’s for those who need to bring something home for the wife, and the kids. Not all fly shops stock kids and women’s clothing stating that that is not the focus of their business. We disagree. We do here in Craig. Why not? We put the customer first.
Enjoy these fun T’s and many more here at Headhunters in Craig.
See you this weekend for a fantastic fishing experience with caddis, March Browns, and Baetis filling your plate![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_grid orderby=”title” order=”asc” ids=”11735,11716,11704″ post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Two days beyond Cinco de Mayo. Moving towards Mothers Day.
Outfitter Stu Dominick of Renegade Outfitters above roping them on the Missouri River near Craig MT. We love Stu here @ Headhunters. A long time friend and outstanding Missouri River guide. He is the understudy for renowned Walleye Angler and Outfitter Dave McKee who also roams the states best waters in search of dinner. During the day they fish for trout. Mostly.
The river is just fishing great.
Lots of biters.
As I like to say, the Missouri River trout are in a positive feeding mode.
Tired of fishing reports that are too filled with goo and happiness? Yeah, me too. Below is the straight up sober reality version today on the Headhunters honest fishing report.
Missouri River May Fishing Report 5.7.15
The fishing is heating up daily. It seems to get a little better everyday. Other hi-lites include the opportunity to fish in whatever discipline you desire. Or all in the same day. Or just tie on a night-crawler and drift fish the live worm. That shit works.
Dry fly anglers are getting it done both blind and sight fishing. What would I choose on this deal? A big giant film type caddis pattern or a sz 8 H & L Variant. But that is only what I would do.
WWZD?
Foamie.
Members of the DFO Army like bigger Adams, March Brown crips and spinners. The guys getting them make the first cast well. The rest of those seventh drift casters? Not as many to hand. Remember that you can make a number of casts short of the fish before you make the one that he eats. Meaning? Don’t screw the dog til later in the casting game. Perfect presentations catch the most fish.
The fish are not pressured yet so those anglers who are spot on get all of the fish to eat the fly. A rare and fickle time on any resource when the best anglers knock the living shit out of ’em.
So, if you are that type of angler…the time is now. If you want to be that kind of angler you may need to practice casting in the lawn a few more times before ascending that fish ladder. Or sacrifice yourself, your wife, and your children to live the almost lost art of the tenured trout bum.
I like the guy that just smiles when you ask if his fishing was any good. That humble 29 yr old drinking a Grouse Rocks is the feller who doesn’t need to tell you about how many fish he landed. He frankly doesn’t know what the number of trout he landed is, or was. He only knows that his game plan will adjust tomorrow to accommodate what he has gleaned from today.
I would venture that his success rate higher than most…
Dynamic anglers do well on techy tailwaters. Those willing to understand and adapt on the fly learn the Missouri at a rabbits pace. The rest? They resemble the other competitor in this age old Fable.
The Hare wins this race on the Mo. The Tortoise? No, not today.
Aesop would be wrong in this fishing fable.
Missouri River May Fishing Report 5.7.15
Those tossing the Dry-Dropper are having success. Try a March Brown soft hackle off the bend.
Nymphers? Rocking it daily. Short, medium, or long seem to be all working well. From the dam northwards have at ’em. Choose you water and fish it well. If you depth is not producing you can always change. The other day I made 4 water level/depth changes before I got into the trouts. Could it have been the time of the day with the morning session fishing slower,t he fish not being on the bite? Yeah, probably. But those who stop trying must not be into getting the trout to bite the hook. And I get that. There is more to the day than getting the net totally soaked. Enjoying the birds, the bugs, the rise-forms, the Pastrami Sando in your lunch box…all important facets of any fishing day.
Change is an important constant in successful fly fishing.
Streamer anglers are enjoying the change in weather and are also enjoying the lower water that is revealing the Missouri River bottom structure that is so damn important to understand to be a rock-star class streamer junkie. 7wt. is selling subsurface Mo River topo maps online here.
The flows for the summer are shown below in this graph with the probable flows being represented in red. Looks like mid 3K’s for the meat of the summer. Good dry fly flows. Good angler flows. Good fish flows? No. Fish like more water, more O2, more room, more insulation, just more water period. We would not be offended if the flows were higher. Can we change this number? I guess not. But we will try to wish it higher.
US Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Chart
Will the river temps climb? Yep. The weeds? Yep. Most likely all of the lower water issues will make themselves present this summer.
Including the occasional altercation between anglers. Just be smart and open your eyes to others around you. Swallow your tongue and let it roll off. Don’t catch the ball. You can just let the whole incident just bounce on by.
What can you do about it? Good question reader. What you can do about it is act like a stellar human being treating others with the same respect that you yourself deserve. Lead by example. Fish with purpose and understanding that you are sharing a resource with other anglers. You are not alone and cannot act like an idiot angler or one of those asshole anglers. Act like you are being watched by your son or daughter. Act like the stellar human being that you are.
It’s in you. It’s in all of us.
We are running headlong into summer at a quicker pace than we normally do here in central Montana. Thinking out loud about the fun, the fellowship, and the lower than normal flows. Let’s all be on our best behavior and enjoy the Missouri River and all she has to present us.
The fishing is great. It will get better everyday until July 5th. Hold on. Here we go…
Well, sort of. This is a smaller hatch for us and not one you can plan your day around. Can you flirt with them for a portion of the day?
Oh, yes indeed.
Find the fish and find the bug and cast the fly. We like the Adams, or some March Brown patterns for the dry fly stuff here at Headhunters but the nymphs can get you in the game all day long.
What would we suggest?
How about these Missouri River March Brown Nymphs above.
Missouri River March Brown Nymphs
Top Row:Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Poxyback March Brown, B.H. March Brown Nymph, B.H. Birds Nest, Quasimoto Pheasant Tail, Hare & Copper Pheasant Tail, Peep Show Dark
Fishing Report coming later today for the week ahead. Hey you…it is about ready to come un-corked. For all of you who like to get the heads up and want us to call when the shit gets really good. You may want to think about a day or two off work in the near future. Are there fish rising everywhere all day long? NO. But having said that I think the opportunities for greatness exist around every corner and in nearly every brown trout lie…
This week, or at least the front end looks like the sun may play a role in the dry fly game. So what do we do when that happens? Nymph.
We love having the option to get the net wet between hatch periods fishing Montana’s Missouri River. What would you do?
You could also tie one of these dazzlers form a dry fly and dangle it in front of the fish if you wished. A proven method as well.
Stop in and get you baetis fix here in Craig at Headhunters Fly Shop. We got ’em!
Top Row:Copper Bead Pearl Lightning Bug, Quasimoto PT, Redheaded Stepchild, Juju Baetis, LGM, Two Bit Hooker, Anato-May Olive, Hola Back Girl Brown
Bottom Row:Tung Death Metal, Tung Lightning Bug Pearl, S&M Nymph Brown, BH Crystal PT BWO, Lightning Bug Purple, Peep Show Dark, B.H. Bubbleback BWO, Doc’s Blonde Baetis
Caddis and March Browns are in the house as well and we will address the March Brown nymphs of choice tomorrow. Caddis? Later. The higher water temps have brought out the bugs earlier than in the last several years.
Enjoy your Monday. Check out the Blackfoot River Video here and if you were living in a cave last week and did not see the wildly popular and hilarious Streamers Inc video check it out on this warm Montana Monday!
Spending a week here on the Missouri River? Why not a trip across the Continental Divide for a beautiful day on one of the world’s prettiest streams. The Blackfoot River.
We love to dip over the to the other side and toss some bigger dry flies.
This summer the run-off appears to be happening much quicker than the previous several years so we will be heading west sooner than we generally do.
Scratch in a Blackfoot day while on your visit to the Missouri River this summer.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]All is good on the Missouri River near Craig Montana. Up and down the river all of your favorite stretches are fishing well.
The wind has been haunting us for the week behind us and let us hope that it is not as prevalent as we move forward into May.
Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 5.3.15
Things to look for this month.
March Browns. They are here. From Craig on downwards. The trout love the dry. They are fond of the nymph too. Try a T-Head PT or any March Brown Nymph you like and a Para March Brown. We got Crips, Emergers, and Duns in stock today.
Baetis. The best hatch this month. Should go another couple weeks. Look for better fishing on overcast and inclement days. Pray for them. While we like the sun we also like rising fish.
The arrival of Caddis. Yep, this is the traditional month for the Mothers Day Caddis. Around Mothers Day? Probably.
The Drift Boat Drive-In Montana Fishing Film Festival @ Headhunters Fly Shop Friday Nite May 15th. Be there! The normal swag, fun, food, and beer type of party. The fun you have come to associate HH and the Missouri River with.
Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off Saturday May 16th. A big event for the entire family. The fishing is good too. See you after the day for food, music, fun, and cool stuff to buy in our live and silent auctions!
Slower traffic than April. May is a kick ass month for blind fishing mayflies and eighth fishing them too. Most of the HH staffers just love this month. For some it is their favorite. Yours too? It may be…ha!
Slower traffic than June as well. June the cork comes off. If you like to fish without as many anglers around you, then May is your time.
Food for thought as we get into the real season here on the Mo. Remember to be polite on the river. Have seen some real bullshit moves from boat traffic as of late. Boats running over wade fishers areas. I see boats not giving the wade angler enough room. Remember that those fellas have walked in and do not have the liberty to move like the boat does. So…give those guys some room fellas. Be polite. Don’t practice asshole boat maneuvers.
Headhunters has full stuffed bins of flies. And the ones you need the most. And the most popular patterns too. Lots of them. Some shops do not order enough flies for the season. Ninch does not like to run out. 7wt. told Ninch that is the key to fly shop success. Information, education, customer service, entertainment…and tons of flies. Ninch abides.
We’ll certainly have an impromptu BBQ later in the month, After the Caddis Fest Weekend. We will have some food on the Drift Boat Drive-In Night too. Maybe Smores?
Check out the Headhunters Logo wear that we have in stock. Over 50 logo’d hats to choose from and manufacturers hats from SAGE, RIO, Simms, Howler Bros, YETI, and mach more!
Headhunters Fly Shop keeps the longest hours on the river too. We are open at 7am and open late til 8pm. The hours will expand as the season moves into full summer swing. Your late nite shopping shop. Late shuttles too. Want to fish after 5pm? No worries. we got your back.
One of our favorite people Gigi with this Brown Trout on our New Breed Chicks Rule Gigi Edition.
Gigi and Terry are fixtures at the shop. Well more Terry than Gigi but we really love seeing Gigi around.
And Terry too. But we love gals around the shop. So to all you gals, we love you and we love guiding gals.
They learn faster than the male counterpoint. Honest. They do.
And women are a ton of fun in the boat. They get the entire deal. It is not always about pounding on them. It is about the enjoyment of the day. And I gotta say it is quite refreshing!
Thanks Gigi for gracing the pages of the Headhunters Blog today and we of course look forward to fishing with you again.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Many carry the Little Green Machine in their box. Many fly shops carry this fly in their bins. We carry it in several sizes and this convenient fly tying kit as well.
Headhunters fly tying guru Ninch and media producer John put this together this last winter for all of you who want to tie this fly. It is so damn popular that we have brought you the tying kit, all the materials for 25+ flies, and a tying video with none of the regular fruit laden music, nonsensical pictures and un-witty fly tying banter that many fly tying videos unfortunately include.
And it is short. No waiting for the tyer to get to step 2. The entire length of the LGM vid is 1:23 seconds.
Just the good stuff in this Just Add Vise Kit! The Little Green Machine falls into our top 10 sellers since we brought this fly in several years ago. Enjoy this kit and many more like it only available at Headhunters Fly Shop of Craig MT.
The night before the 9th Annual Craig Caddis Festival we are hosting another Headhunters Famous Drift Boat Drive-In and the Montana Fishing Film Festival Friday May 15th at Headhunters and Craig Trout Camp!
Wow! Yes again we will party down here in Craig with this free film fest presented by PMD Productions and Headhunters Fly Shop on the banks of the Missouri River in Craig Montana.
Montana Made Films for Montanan’s playing in Craig Montana
Free BBQ, swag, vendors like SIMMS, Costa, Bitterroot Brewing Co and Montana Fly Companay on hand to chat, BS, and hand out free shit along with Headhunters Swag too. How about you. You driving down of this event?
Free Fishing Film Fest at Dusk with all of your favorite Craiglandia players.
For all of you who have attended in the past we can’t wait to see you again. For those who will be attending for the first time we welcome you.
Headhunters hosting the Drift Boat Drive-In in downtown Craig
If any of you would like to attend and set up a booth or something of the like, email mark@headhuntersflyshop.com for a conversation about your idea. For any of you who would like to donate anything to the Craig Caddis Festival benefitting the Craig Volunteer Fire Department live or silent auction or if you would like to present arts and crafts at the Caddis Fest or if you want to compete in the BBQ Cook-off email Mark as well.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Pretty much rules this late part of the month. The fishing part. Pretty much rules.
Does it get better? Oh yeah. Much better. I think this time of year it gets a touch better every day until the epic Jul5th. Then it gets worse every day, meaning harder, until October. Then better for about 6 weeks. Then it’s winter and we get the two handed sticks out again.
Back to today’s fishing report.
Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 4.29.15
You can get the trout to bite your fly with many differing techniques as I mentioned in the last fishing report. I put up a picture of a …No I believe I mentioned several variousways to achieve angling success.
Dry-Dropper can get them in the am and when the bugs are going nuclear. Droppers of choice this week include the TwoBit Hooker, Pearl LB, Tungsten PT, Frenchie, LGM, Zebra, S & M, Disco Midge, RS2…
Dry fly fishing is good when you get in ’em. Find them in the normal Mo rising fish spots. Some rising in A-Typical locales as well. Smaller BWO dries with the emerger paying a role too. Spinner? Never go out on the Missouri River w/o the right type of cripple fly.
Q: What is the right type of cripple for fishing the Mo?
A: The one you can see.
Here at Headhunters we have posts of many colors and shades. Flies we have tied specifically for you the customer. Ninch, AKA 7wt., is perpetually scheming on how to get the best flies in our customers hands, rods, attached to the tippet and consequently to the trout. A dark post can certainly spice up your Baetis afternoon. Don’t go without!
Dropper flies for the Missouri River.
Nymphing is very good. We can still bump into slower periods or the morning will fish better than the afternoon…but that is just fishing. Be prepared to change you game if you need to, Follow the bugs throughout the water column. If they move, you betta move as well or face the bobber going quiet. Nobody likes a Silent Bob(ber).
Deep nymph rigs are still getting the job done most of the time. Go short when needed. Find fish any place you like at this point. The water temps are conducive to riffles, runs, drops, pools, eddy’s all fishing well. Find you lane and follow it down the lazy river.
Streamer fishing? Decent enough. Not as many playing that game as the dry fly and nymph anglers.
Awful nice this week with the weather as the daytime highs are in the 60’s all week long. Wind should be a player too. How about you. Are you a player?
See us at the shop daily 7am til 8pm. Open later than anyone on the Mo for all of your late night fly fishing needs here on Montana’s Missouri River. Shuttles late too. Thanks for making us your goto Missouri River info, education, customer service, and entertainment fly shop here in Craig.
This premiered at the Down the Hatch FilmFest in Missoula Saturday night. Those who attended said it went off pretty well. You make the call. Screenplay by Ninch. Filmed by Scumliner Media. Directed by Ninch and John. Edited & Produced by Scumliner Media. Underwritten by Orvis and Headhunters Fly Shop.
A Headhunters Fly Shop Humor Department project.
Everything you see is true. None of this shit was fabricated. Reality fly fishing film? This is it. Come visit the fly shop where the lines between reality and fantasy are blurred.
Streamers Inc. Scumliner Media Headhunters Fly Shop Video
Located in downtown Craig MT. Headhunters of Craig. Missouri River Montana. Streamers Inc on the Headhunters Fly Shop Fly Fishing Blog is live below. Streamers Inc from scumliner media on Vimeo.
Montana Fly Fishing Film Festival and Drift Boat Drive-In: Friday May 15th @ Headhunters Dusk. SIMMS, MFC, HH on hand with Swag, outdoor movies, HH Famous BBQ, and fun all nite long.
Friday Foto Renegade Edition today on the Headhunters Fly Fishing Blog.
Montana’s daily fishing blog from the Missouri River.
Renegade’s still catch fish.
Honest.
This one caught by Ryan Smith of Avid Angler in Lake Forest Park Seattle WA.
He proved it once again that fish eat Renegade’s.
And thanks to the entire gang that came out this year. enjoyed the fishing, the fellowship, and the laughter that all of you provided. Good times. See you again next April.
If you need to put together a fantastic group trip to the Mo call us and we will make it easy for you. Lodging, guiding, suggestions, and anything else you may need. The spring is a great time to come. Or anytime you think is good.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Today on the Headhunters Fly Fishing Blog we bring you new science. The dry-dropper rig.
No. Not new. Yet quite effective here on Montana’s Missouri River.
I was not a fan for many years. I had always believed that the nymph would hinder the drift of the dry. So why not put a couple nymphs and a bobber on if you wanted to nymph. And adding a dry to a dry was cool too.
Until the creation of these fantastic slim bodied mayfly patterns grabbed me.
One more way to fish for BWO fish.
Baetis Week. Dry-Dropper Rigs
Overcast skies can bring the trout into shallow waters and how should you capitalize on this opportunity? Dry-Dropper rigs. Two-Bit Hookers, Little Green Machines, S & M, Gidget, Magic Fly BWO…and more all with narrow abdomens.
Why the narrow ones? They sink faster. Tungsten heads help too. Tie it off at 12″ or deeper if you wish depending not he depth you want to achieve. Sometimes you may want to go as short as 6″. Some situations demand you go deeper yet.
How about the top fly? Any attractor that you like. I like the big Parachute Adams. We have them in several post colors like pink, chartreuse/pink, grey, black, white, and soft pink. A Wulff type fly will work. Small Chubby? OK. Double Posted Midge Cluster pattern? Yep. March Brown fly? Skwala? Any fly you can see well and can support a dropper fly will suffice.
With the advent of lower water this summer the water depth you are seeking can be slower than normal. Hence the effectiveness of the dropper rig.
How about those faster skinny riffles? Good for searching that type of water as well. Toss it upstream dn find out if there are any feeding fish in there.
Will they eat the dry? Oh yeah. Not quite as often as you wish. If they were really eating the dry you would lop off the dropper portion. I really think it is a good way to fish short and shallow. The Short Leash Nymph rigs are good for a touch deeper zone. Like in the 12″-36″ water column. The dry-dropper rig is great in 12″ or less.
Perfect for all of the shore centric anglers out there…but even better for those who fish the entire river bank to bank.
Fishing the dry dropper with success!
What kind of tippet do we tie to the top fly? 3X or 4X. Depends on the size of course. 5X to the dropper. We love a long leader here on the Mighty Mo generally starting with the 12′ RIO 4X and adding a bit of tippet tying on the dry and then continuing to the dropper.
Small droppers work really well this time of year with the advent of the superior BWO fishing.
Hey, are there a ton of trout on the surface? Depends on the day and the reach. Yes, and no.
Hey, do you fella’s have all those skinny bodied flies in the shop? Yep, you betcha.
Hey, can you show me how to tie this up in the store? Certainly.
Hey, should I try this upon my next visit to the Mo? Maybe.
Hey, this weekend looks like good BWO weather. Do you agree? Oh yeah.
Hey, we’ll see you out there with the net out.
Bottom Line:Keep it real by trying all kinds of things throughout the year. So many of us get in a rut concerning our fishing techniques. Those who are fooling around the most usually bump into cool techniques once in a while. Try it, you might like it.
Boy do we love Baetis here in central Montana fishing the Missouri River. It is the real beginning of the spring dry fly game.
While the Midge kick it off, the Baetis bring in the dry fly year adding validity to the daily dry fly game. Do they come every day? Mostly. So do the Midge. So we begin to expect dry fly opportunities excellence on a daily basis.
In the shop there are daily questions about the flies we like to fool those sometimes finicky feeding trout.
We like the emergers and flies that sit in the film. Film flies rule. Baetis are all about hanging in the meniscus. So therefor those are the type of flies that our fly guru Ninch fills our overstuffed always stocked fly bins.
Ken outta Seattle WA fishing the Baetis Dry this last weekend w/ HH Guide Mark Raisler
Duns are cool too. Who doesn’t like the adult. Cripples are what John, Jared, and Ben Hardy like. Spinners can come in handy too. John is also a fan of the BWO Spinner. Mark likes the Buzzball on everything else. But for BWO’s he fishes the CDC emerges most. Sara digs the small attractor type Baetis like the Purple Haze, Craze families which we do not even have listed. Those are a different category for us, but many like to throw the generics out there and our fish do seem to agree on one thing. Braden likes the bright dun stuff. Max is into the Spinner too.
It’s all about the presentation. And the right fly helps.
So what do we suggest? Any fly you dig. We all have our favorites and go-to patterns. What are yours? If you need a hint do not be afraid to swing by the fly shop. If you want to buy one of everything…two of everything…an even dozen? Why not. Be prepared. Fish well stocked.
Nearly 40 dry fly BWO patterns at Headhunters Fly Shop
We have not included the Para Adams in several post colors we carry, the Craze patterns, the emergent purple flavored filmy’s. That has to bring up the total closer to 60 patterns. Tired of fishing the same old patterns. Try something new this year, this week, on your favorite BWO reach.
Here are the flies as pictured above in some sort of order. Mostly in order as follows…
Top Row 1:Low Water Baetis, Hogan’s Sipper BWO, Harrop’s Short Wing BWO, RS2 BWO, Harrop’s Captive Dun, Harrop’s Captive Dun BWO, Brook’s Sprout BWO, RS2 Grey
Row 2:Harrop’s CDC Biot Emerger, Loop Wing Emerger Grey BWO, Indicator Parachute BWO, Para Cripple BWO, Swisha’s Clumpa, Quigley’s Half Dun Hatching BWO, Thor Cripple, Snowshoe Dun BWO
Row 3:Cripple Parachute BWO, Baetis Cripple, Harrop’s D & D Cripple Baetis, Harrop’s Last Chance Cripple, Sparkle Dun, Sparkle Dun Olive, Quigley’s Sparkle Flag BWO, Silverman’s Stacker Cripple, Nyman’s DOA Cripple
Row 4:Hi-Viz Para BWO, CDC Wing Para Spinner BWO, Harrop’s Hi-Vis CDC Spinner BWO, Harrop’s CDC Paraspinner Baetis, Silverman’s Stacker Spinner Olive, Passage’s Magic Fly BWO, Nyman’s Black Posted DOA Cripple, CDC Winged BOW Emerger, CDC Winged Emerger Grey
That Baetis Flu is going around and you got it bad.
The week ahead holds several Baetis related posts…a veritable how-to here on your Craig Montana information and education source…The Headhunters Fly Fishing Blog
Really looking like we will, according to me. That is my feeling. Mother Nature has her hand in the outcome though.
Generally the snow on the ground this time of year dictates the remainder of our water year. And this year is no different. Our drainage is registering
Will we be OK? Oh yeah. But it will not be the trout recruitment year that we experienced in the middle 90’s or in the ’08-’11 high water years.
No. Closer to normal snow falls and precip this last winter lead us down the road of lower than historically normal flows.
The river will feel like it is smaller. It feels like it already. Good etiquette is something we should strive for as we think about the summer ahead. Nothing wrong with being polite.
We will jump around and shake our asses during the weekly rain dance on our porch. Dance your own version in your living room. It’s cool.
Lake level is at 81.7%. We have a couple more months to fill it up. Will we make it to the 97th percentile effectively filling Canyon Ferry to the rim? Maybe. If it fills I think we can expect flows closer to 4K for the summer.
The latest from the folks who turn the knobs his below. Looks like a summer of flows in the mid 3’s. I’d prefer that over the low 3’s for sure. We all would.
Nad then, this from the Beatles. Don’t Let Me Down Rooftop. Classic.
Every time I think of the lower flows this summer, I think of this tune.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]We have folks all the time want us to call them when the fishing is “off the charts.”
It isn’t yet.
Will it be soon? Yeah, maybe.
Every April the cork comes off and we are looking for that to happen sometime this month. April and May are really, really good fishing months here in central Montana.
Really, really good.
Do they match July, June, or even October? You gotta be the judge of that.
April is drifting by faster than we realize and May will be upon us with some of the shop staff’s favorite fishing. Streamer mania and great blind dry fly fishing with March Browns, BWO’s and midges keeping us busy until the spring caddis show.
As for today, yesterday and the week ahead? Looking good my fishy friends.
Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 4.14.15
Missouri River Montana Dry Fly Report
Massive hatches of midges Missouri River Montana
Good dry fly days have been had with better and ultimately more consistent days ahead of us. The BWO’s are showing albeit not in huge numbers. Those Baetis boxes should grace your boat or vest for the next month for sure. Para’s, low riding emerges, trapped duns, transitional duns, cripples, and your own home brew patterns will get you through. Look for a Complete Baetis Blog coming soon.
Midges are here in force. Mega midge hatches all day long, on some occasions, will allow you to toss at rising fish when the wind falls below gale forces.
Midges are here in force.
Had to say it twice for effect. Big time midge hatches. Some years we have consistent daily emergences and some years we do not. This is one of the good ones. Midges can get you all revved up from dawn til dusk here on the Missouri River.
Patterns? Clusters, Buzzaballs, singles, G-Men. You have been reading this report for weeks now. All the regular stuff…plus your magic fly. We don’t keep any secrets here at Headhunters. Want to know the secret fly, the secret mayfly for the Missouri River? It’s commonly known as the Parachute Adams.
Missouri River Montana Nymph Report
Good to great. Getting better everyday. Fish moving into faster water as the temps rise and we can really see it. The water is dropping and be aware to adjust your nymph rigs accordingly. The dynamics of nymphing are constantly in flux and those who practice static fishing behaviors don’t use the net as often.
Look for center river water and get it on the shelf. Some are having success in those bank sided bubbly seams and runs. Others are staying closer to the center. Your choice. Lots of ways to skin cat.
Midges “Lined Up”
Patterns? Wide and varied. Still the primary objective is to sink that fly as fast as possible and keep it there as long as possible. That is the secret to nymphing success. Keeping the bait in front of the target as long as physically possible. Honest. Trust me, I’m a fly fishing guide.
Gaudy beaded flies like the FB Ray, FB Caviar Scud, FB Pink Ray Soft Hackle, Hot Threaded Tailwater Sows, Ninch’s Lucent Bead Sow, Bloom’s FB Weight Fly, the Mexican Mayfly, Amex, Pink Lightening Bug, Holla Back Pink, Pierced Pink Nipple’s…
Mayfly patterns that are coming on strong include S & M’s, Peep Show, Indigo Child, Two Bit Hooker, Gidget, LGM, T-Head Pheasant Tail, BHGRHE, Brush Hog, Micro Mays, Red Headed Step Child, Pearl LB’s, un beaded PT’s, Ju-Ju Baetis…
Midge flies that sink include the ubiquitous Zebra. You could only throw that fly and do well. Food for thought. But if you havfta go a different route you’d have to come in and see what we have. I just fish the Zebra. Black Zebra. I will have to poll the gang at Headhunters and find out what all the hype is. I’ll get back to you.
Missouri River Montana Streamer Report
Streamer Fishing is getting better too. The water temps moving upwards gets those trout to move. To move towards that stripped fly. Bright fly bright day. Dark fly dark day. Try that.
The swinging gang is still out there. They are having success in a touch faster water as well. It need not be the stale part of the run anymore. Try stepping through the top ends of some of these runs. A fly with some weight will help in that arena as well.
The water temps are climbing. Shocker! We would like them to climb slowly. But, we cannot control that sort of deal. Not yet at least. The better fishing is commensurate with the higher water temps. Shocker!
Currently roaming around the 44F mark. Should stall there for a while as we flirt with spring like weather for a couple days. Probably more BWO weather. Shucks.
Wobbling around in the 44 range
The flows are in the 3860cfs ballpark and will stay no higher than that for a while. Check out the probable flows chart we will post tomorrow. Low man. May be a low water summer. Honest.
Missouri River Montana Weather
[forecast]
Headhunters Fly Shop open daily with piping hot free perked coffee to get your day going. Shuttles, the best in flies, Missouri River info and free maps, gloves, hand warmers, sunscreen, bug dope, shit hot cool lookin’ HH Logo Wear including the street ready Craglandia line.
Open late for any post or apres fishing needs like new RIO Perception Fly Lines, demo rods, all sizes of SIMMS only wader made in the states G3’s, and you local lodging source.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Hi-Winds were part of the weekend. But, really nothing out of the ordinary.
Those who can’t stand the wind just don’t fish here.
Today the Hi-Lite is the warm weather. This week ahead should hold some Baetis Hi-Lites. We will keep you informed here on this very Missouri River daily.
Weekend Hi-Lites here on Montana’s Missouri River
Sauna and Whitney
Baetis are on the way in.
Midges are in.
Izaak’s open daily, save for Mondays through April. Then daily through October.
A number of non-local locals are in the neighborhood. Fun to catch up with these anglers as fishing friendships are built over many years.
Shots at Joe’s. Open daily @ 8am.
McCune-Gould Casters had a ton of fun while learning. Full clinics for these two world class sustained anchor educators. We look forward to their visit this coming year. They’ll be around for another few days enjoying the swinging fly lifestyle we encourage in Craig.
A ton of younger anglers around for the weekend. We like the fun they bring to the sport, the lifestyle, the Headhunters Life.
Spring Special in full swing. We are past the mid point with only 17 days to go. Get on board if you want to fish for a seasonal discount of $300.
Folks fishing top to bottom. Enjoy all the Missouri River has to offer.
Fun times this Spring in Craig MT. You oughtta be here.
More images from the weekend below. The fishing fun has begun…
More Bullshit from the hill in Helena. Your legislators are not at all interested in maintaining our FAS sites. Well, not all of them. Read HB 403 for more info…or just read bellow. Either way, submit your opinion to the committee below!
House Bill 403 has eliminated the department’s spending authority on fishing access sites (FAS) statewide. This means NONE of your license dollars can be spent on FAS, including new sites and leasing established sites. Lease money equals 76% of the funding authority proposed to be cut in HB403. Where are these leased sites? Here’s a list of leased sites that will not be funded.
HB403 will be heard by the Senate Finance and Claims committee this Monday, April 13 at 9 a.m. Please contact members of the committee asking them to replace the eliminated FAS funds in HB403.
Here are the nuts and bolts. Strike’d is the part we are concerned about.
Use this form to contact the committee members:
1) Fill in your personal info
2) Select “Committee” (not an individual legislator)
3) Scroll down the committee list to find “Senate Finance and Claims”
4) Pick bill type HB
5) Select the “against” button,
6) Enter the bill # – 403 – in the box provided
7) Type in a short explanation why you want FAS funding reauthorized
Sorry for the short notice, but FWP just contacted FOAM Friday about this issue. Please take a moment tonight Sunday, and send your message to the committee members to preserve our FAS system funding authority.
Some sun, some wind, some bugs, some locals, some non-local locals, some 2 handed casters at our McCune/Gould sustained anchor clinics, some ribs at Izaak’s, some stiffies at Joe’s, some rising trout…
Some FUN!
Happy Saturday to you all around the world wide world of fly fishing.
While we will be out swinging on the Hemingway Flat for the entire weekend with Whitney Gould and Mike McCune the rest of you will be enjoying the river as she shakes the winter sleep out from her eyes.
Yes, the Missouri River is acting like a spring time fishery.
Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 4.10.15
For those who are nymphing this weekend you should be aware that the fish have moved into the faster realm and are spreading out from their cold slow water haunts. There are still some fish living in that type of water but the wild ones have gone awry and are in some riffle type water. Summer time water? No. Not in seam lines, stuffed like a potato, no not really. But diamond chop in the deeper lanes will get some action for that new SAGE Method your wife just gave you.
Flies? All the BWO stuff, all the pink stuff, all the firebead stuff, and all of the midge stuff. Why not tie on a big rubber legs in the middle region, a tiny CDC Bubbleback BWO in the lower and a Zebra on the upper. Top fly your choice.
Dry fly guys? Use the BWO patterns to your advantage. Clusters will work too. Find a tough one? Single midge patterns or downwing BWO or Cripples will do the job.
Are the BWO’s really here? Have they truly arrived? No, not really. But they are willing to flirt with us on any given day from here on out through the middle of May.
Streamer fanatics are using the regular standard Missouri River fare. Flashy, small, black. Your choice. Swingers? They are in the shop upgrading their personal 2 handed line selection. We have all the tips you need too! Your 2 handed and Trout Spey Source in all of Montana is right here in Craig. Call us up if you need anything or have any questions. We have the knowledgeable staff on hand to answer your toughest of line questions.
The weather for the weekend is variable. Nice today, odd Saturday, and a touch of wind for Sunday. You gotta go so why not this weekend. $300 Guide Trips on our Spring Special continue through the end of the month.
Missouri River Montana flows are at 3900cfs and the water temps are north of 43F. She is turning on! Be polite to other anglers out there as the water level decreases the river shrinks. Be polite and do unto others as you…
Lodging available for those last minute planners. Call the shop for any of your Missouri River needs. We are open daily @ 8am and open late for those enjoying dinner at Izaak’s. Izaak’s open @ 3pm and serving a mean Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita along with great Brisket!
See you here in downtown Craig and on the river this weekend!
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]This shoe is literally Crushing it. The NRS Crush is a hot seller right out of the spring gate as we move into our stunning summer.
Why so popular when we still have snow flurries about the local region?
Antricipation of course. A wanting and needing for warmth. Just the though of it is personally satisfying.
Buy a summer dream and wear them proudly.
The Headhunters staff speaks out about the NRS Crush
Mark says: The NRS Crush is what all the kids are wearing this year!
Dewey says: I’ve been wearing the “Crush” around the shop and they feel like slippers. I like that I can wear the shoe in the boat and wading. I am sure the “Crush” will make it to the golf course this year. You never no when you may have to play a water shot.
Sara says: Pretty comfy. Wouldn’t want to run a marathon in them. But then again, I wouldn’t want to run a marathon.
Braden says: Chicks dig ’em, so I dig ’em.
Ninch says: I like them because you don’t burn the top of your feet in these baby’s. Other than that, I rock my flips.
NRS Crush Watershoe @ Headhunters Fly Shop
Rugged materials, smart details and our signature Idaho style make the Crush your go-to shoe, day-in-day out, trip after trip, on and off the water.
This versatile, technically-capable shoe looks as good at the pub as it performs on the water.
The super sticky, siped rubber outsole provides a sure grip on wet rocks.
Quick-drying, DWR-coated Cordura® upper shrugs off the wear and tear of sticks and stones.
Ports in the sidewall quickly drain water away.
A removable foam insole supports and cushions the foot.
A “crushable” heel lets you also wear the shoe as a slip-on.
Includes two pairs of contrasting-color laces.
Custom-designed “launch box” includes a free NRS strap.
Marking sole.
D width
Idaho State logo’d and wiped sole.
The upper material is made of Cordura. A sticky siped marking rubber sole. The insole is EVA foam with a lace closure system and built in sidewall drainage. A crushable heel and D width makes this a must have for summer boat and fishing wear.
Is this shoe made for wade fishing? Yeah, here on the Mo we commonly wade fish in our flip-flops, so a case could be made for it here. On slippery bowling ball style rivers? Maybe. But the sole is totally grippy on smooth wet rocks.
This shoe is made for kicking it after fishing, before fishing, while in the boat, kayakers, and other water activities. You gotta be careful about the marking sole if you are rolling around in beautiful white gel coated craft. Those folks will hang you if you come aboard their boat with these black soled water shoes.
Available in half sizes 8-13. We got them in all sizes at the shop. The NRS Crush sells for $79.95.
We have not had them around long enough to do the smell test. That is certainly forthcoming.
The NRS Crush Watershoe is not available yet on our online store but they are ready for you at the shop
So far we have launched boats, rocked them on our porch for Coors Lite entertaining, and enjoyed the comfort level in the shop.
We got ’em here at Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig Montana. Your fly fishing function and fashion store deep in the Missouri River canyon. Actually centrally located in the best fly fishing town on earth. Where else can you get out of the boat just steps from a great fishing bar called Joe’s and a top shelf restaurant named Izaak’s.
I think it is the true sign of the start of summer. I know that the lunar cycle date is later in June. The traditional start of summer. Or is it Memorial Day weekend? For some it is even July 4th.
I believe was yesterday, April 6th.
Fishing and Baseball. Spring Training and Opening Day.
Peoria AZ. Mariner’s Spring Training grounds
Montana Spring Training starts in March. It hasn’t always started that early. No not at all.
Warmer winters in the last several years has driven local Montanan’s outside of their cozy homes and onto the river. The past 10 years has seen a drastic increase in winter and spring fishing across central and western Montana.
The Wet-Sdie, Missoula, has always had an early start with the popular Skwala fishery over there. It had been quiet here for years. Then more folks recognized the winter opportunities. Spring too.
So we’ve been engaged in Spring Training here for a couple months. Still pretty damn lonely here in December, January, February. But March marches in with Midges, streamer anglers, and the occasional 50F day.
So we have been enjoying the month of March warming up, getting the kinks out of our throwing arm, and oiling our mitts.
Peter Skidmore in Spring Training
March was fun, but it may be go time for us. Practice time is over. We are ready for the bigs. For games to count. Our team is in place and ready to play. Daily.
Just like those playing in the major leagues 162 games. You gotta be strong and healthy to make it through the entire 6 month plus season.
Spring Training has passed us here at Headhunters on the banks of Montana’s Missouri River. It’s over. Spring break is on though. We have enjoyed the tail end of winter and we are headlong into spring fishing. Since we spend the entire winter here, then the entire spring, fishing, spending time in the shop, and guiding…we feel we are all trained up.
But some of you are just getting into spring. Some have just started to think about fishing. No worries man. You got lots of time. The next 7 months are wide open.
Spring Training is all about getting out there and feeling your way around with a fly rod in hand. In baseball it is all about showing the coach that you are worthy. Worthy of not getting sent down to the minors.
Safeco Field Seattle. Opening Day.
Getting on the field and enjoying the practice period. For those who fish it includes putting together your new gear bag, organizing flies, practicing your long cast, cleaning fly lines, re-spooling your streamer reel with a new line.
Where are you at in the process. Are you getting closer to Opening Day?
We do indeed have a Spring Special for those of you who want to accelerate your spring training session. $300 Guide Trips and lodging starting at 30% off. If you want in on this historic spring deal, call today. Get through your Spring Training period and move confidently towards Opening Day!
Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service Missouri River Fly Fishing Report 4.6.15
Fishing is pretty good for the spring.
Ninch says same as always…”good as you are.”
I think he is sort of right. You gotta have the right gear and toss it in the right water. That ups the odds of getting the net off the floor.
Streamer fishermen are either happy or sad. Mostly happy with good results coming from tossing these big flies at the bank and across fishy shelf lines. Some RIO Outbound Short sales this weekend as more of the Streamer Junkies crawl from their winter hide-outs. Streamer Tips too with the shorter 10′ clear tip.
You could toss a dry line out there this next week as the flows are predicted to fall to levels below 4K. Water temps are hovering in the 43F range. Good for bug life.
Streamer patterns that are hot include White Dali Llama, White Urchin, Silver/Red Kronik, Sparkle Minnow OG, Tungsten Thin Mint, New Age Bugger Fire Tiger, Simi-Leech, Pine Squirrel Leech, Bloom’s MRS Bugger, L’il Kim, Arnold’s Stinger Sculpin Nat/Cop.
We have a ton of spring nymphs in stock for your Missouri River pleasures. Most of the action has been subsurface as we move into the second week of April. Split shot is still en vogue. Bobbers too. RIO Indicator Leaders are all the rage too. We love the RIO Indicator Leader 10′ 2X as our base leader. Then cut to length and add a touch of Fluorocarbon Tippet to complete your rig…oh, flies too.
Hot Springtime Missouri River nymph patterns include Bloom’s Weight Fly Rainbow, Amex, Sow Bug headless, Sow Bug Tungsten Bead, Ninch’s ThunderBug, Allen’s Holla-Back Girl, Fish Finder Worm, SJW’a of all kinds, LGM, Lightening Bug Copper Bead, Zebra Midge, Flashbang Midge Red, Sparkle Prince, 20 Bomb, Pat’s Rubber Leg, FB Tungsten Caviar Sow, Pink Wire Worm, Jemstoners Worms, Purple LB, Soft Hackles, Pink FB’s…
The dry fly bunch is out there looking for those sipping Missouri River Trout. Yes, finding them too. Fish found rising all hours of the day. Finicky non location feeding trout sometimes with no rhyme or reason to the pattern. The feeding pattern.
Fly Patterns that are good for the DFO crowd include Harrop’s Spent Midge, Buzzball, Cluster Midge, Q’s Cluster, Para Adams, Dominic’s Purple Reneball, Stacker Midge Royal, Purple Craze, sz 20 Royal Wulff, Black Parachute Ant, and big fluffies like Peanut Olive, Hodek’s Skwala, Super Chernobyl Purple, Henry’s Fork Golden Stone, Uni-Bomber, CFO Flamer Purple…
Overcast and calm and snow on the ground this am and the fishing looks great. Just a few on the water today…not too many days that that ahead of us for the remainder of the season. Get out if you can and enjoy the relative solitude of a Monday in April.
Shop open rail for all your river needs. Coffee, conversation, and information here at Headhunters.
If you like loud jazz, the stuff that makes you jive a bit in your car seat, the sound that makes you wish you had practiced you trumpet more a kid…you’ll like Manteca.
No soft adult contemporary shit here.
This is real.
As for our fishing? Nearly real. Good, but the lid has not come off yet.
Certainly not Manteca quality yet.
But still along shot from the Kenny G your girlfriend listens to…
Chano Pozo
Wiki says…“Manteca” is one of the earliest foundational tunes of Afro-Cuban jazz. Co-written by Dizzy Gillespie, Chano Pozo and Gil Fuller in 1947, it is among the most famous of Gillespie’s recordings (along with the earlier “A Night in Tunisia”) and is “one of the most important records ever made in the United States”, according to Gary Giddins of the Village Voice.[1] “Manteca” is the first tune rhythmically based on the clave to become a jazz standard.
Life wrote that Pozo was a “frenzied drummer”, “shouting incoherently” in apparent “bop transport”
Reminds me of some fishing guides I know…or clients.
Shouting incoherently.
This is a kick ass powerful tune. Enjoy it this Sunday. Rest now. Fishing season is upon us.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Our birthday in downtown Craig today. April 4th.
Our opening day 4.4.08 brought big flaked spring snow. All day. This year? Snow too.
We are moving into our 8th year here on the banks of the Missouri River. We couldn’t be happier.
4 years ago…much has changed!
The Headhunters staff has always been strong and we appreciate the experience level of our shop experts as well as the experienced and highly requested Headhunters Guides. Without these folks we would not be where we are today.
Ninch and Sara keep us on track inside the cozy 574 sq ft @ Headhunters Fly Shop. Heading into their 6th and 7th years respectively these two are the center of the HH operation. Julie guides the ship while John and Mark pull on the oars as well.
Ben Hardy has been with us since day one and continues to lead the pack with other long timers Peter, Jared, Nick, Brett, Ryan, Kurt, Beth, Jeff and a few new to our staff in the last couple years too. Thanks to all who have guided with us and for us. We thank you.
We don’t have a high rate of turnover here at Headhunters. We like it that way. We think you may too. Long term relationships are what make this fishing game fun. The better we know you, the better you know us, the better we can serve you.
4th of July @ Headhunters Fly Shop
Information, education, and customer service is what Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service was founded on, and nothing has changed in the last 7 years. Customer Service is what Headhunters stands behind. Products come and go. Fly shops have lots of different products. Most of the stuff out there is damn good. So, a commodity deal. Fly rods fall from grace, reels, even flies constantly change.
What does not change is customer service. It never goes out of style. We strive for the highest level. Information laden conversation is what fly shops sell give away.. And here in downtown Craig we are full of it.
We have always believed that you wanted to talk to someone on the phone when you are booking your guide trip or lodging reservation. No computer based human-less interaction here at Headhunters. We have integrated the web site info for both lodging and guided trips along with conversation with you the customer to craft the right trip for you. We know that we all have different expectations and needs. We use all technology with a side of personal touch to get to the finish line. To get you into the right riverside cottage and coupled with the right guide. That is one of the reasons we are here all but one day of the calendar year.
Our original plan was to be open 7 months and closed 5 months living the fun filled sunny side of life in the Florida Keys. That plan did not work. Why? After the 2nd winter we thought we should be open all 12 months. Winter anglers on the Missouri River demanded it. They needed a shop to visit when the air temps stayed unseasonably warm. So here we are after 7 years. Open 364 days a year. We do stay home for Christmas. We gotta rest sometime.
Apres fishing hang…
We love giving back and enjoying our friends with our famous free BBQ’s, an occasional beer on the porch, working with Project Healing Waters, free 2 handed Spey casting clinics, . We actively donate to various community organizations like Florence Crittenden Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Humane Society, Big Hole Kids Foundation, Upper Missouri River Watershed Alliance, MRF in Great Falls, Trout Unlimited of Helena and beyond, and may more. We love to give back and feel it is important for our staff and ourselves to lead the way in volunteer work and donations to local, regional, and national women, kids and conservation causes.
We enjoy delivering the river news to you here on this very blog and appreciate you remarks, comments, and article suggestions. We try to accommodate. We have always known that you enjoy a tip or two and like reading about the conditions, the fishing report, Missouri River techniques, and what ever whacky thing we think you may need to know about. You have kept it here for the most consistent, up to date, and honest fishing news on the Missouri River. Do you want your fishing information to come from a relative newcomer to the river? We believe you want it from long time tenured Missouri River anglers and residents. Headhunters Fly Shop Blog is the first, the best, and the last…all delivered daily for your fishing consumption.
The building has morphed over the years too. It has been a work in progress. I cannot believe distance we have come. Updating the interior is one of John’s many talents. He has had the vision and has implemented it throughout the years. New merchandising fixtures, updated lighting, one-off cabinets, additional fly bins, rod displays, commercial A/C units, cell boosters for guests, the only free Wi-Fi in Craig, and the like has kept the shop fresh and exciting. No grass growing under our feet. What is next? Oh, we got a few things coming this season to improve your guest experience.
Dick Davis and internationally famous Tony Valeriano
Thanks to the Headhunters loyal customers and friends we have made in the past 7 years. You have helped us mold this fly shop into what it is. Friendly family oriented fun times with the BBQ’s, casting sessions, Drift Boat Drive-Ins, live music events, 4th of July celebrations, Craig Caddis Festival, the new Brews and Browns event this Labor Day Weekend, late nights at Joe’s and Izaak’s, and our own porch.
We have met and developed friendships with so many of you here locally and beyond. That is the rewarding part of our job. Getting to know you. Sharing the both the successes and failure of fly fishing this one of a kind Montana resource. We look forward to continuing those relationships with you our favorite people on earth.
John, Julie, Mark, and the All-Star Headhunters cast are looking forward to another 7, plus 7, plus…as we move ahead here in Craig.
Looks like overcast skies for the weekend. You like dry fly action? We do.
The wind-devil has been staying away for most of the week…he delivered some pretty hefty winds last weekend. So we should have some solace from the wind?
Who knows.
We do know that Izaak’s is open and the river is fishing well. Joe’s Bar you ask? Yep, open!
Most of the businesses in Craig are open save for the Taco Truck, but they too may be open soon. Izaak’s at 3pm and serving dinner. Izaak’s will be closed Monday nights for the month of April. Head on up to the Frenchman for dinner if you need a bite.
Shop open at 8am and open late til 7pm for all your Mo River trout fishing needs! We have lodging avail for this weekend too. Give us a call and hop in one of our discounted guide boats for $300!
Tomorrow is our 8th birthday here at Headhunters. How should we celebrate?
Missouri River Montana Fishing Report reporting some of what happened this last week on the Mo from the Dam to at least Pelican Point. Some anglers below towards Cascade as well.
Lodging in Craig is booming and Izaak’s is open for the season! Izaak’s open daily @ 3pm for cocktails and dinner at 4pm. Stop in Craig for your full service experience. They will be closed Mondays through April but open the rest of the week. Joe’s is always open for your late night hang!
The fishing is getting better as the days pass by this spring. Consistent fishing is arriving as the the grass becomes greener. Nearly all businesses open in Craig. Almost. The Taco Cart not up to speed quite yet.
The weather sours starting today while the trout wear bigger smiles.
Headhunters Missouri River Fishing Report
Hot hatches on the horizon include our generally good spring baetis and the continuance of midge flies. Both will be gracing us with daily emergences this coming week. A few BWO’s out and about this last week. Meaning a few, like 3 seen recently. More to come soon. In conduction with the snow flurries panned for the week ahead? Maybe. You’ll just have to be here to witness it.
Bigger flies on the surface as well as our spring stones can be found under rocks too. Still a month out from the March Browns. Let’s play with the existing insects first.
Nymphers are out daily fishing all the way from the dam to ? How low can you go…
Streamer anglers stripping as well from top to bottom. Dry lines, intermediate tips, and some who like to go deeper yet. Hickman’s and Coffey’s and Kraft patterns are getting it done. Come by for the streamer super store in Craig. Open daily for your streamer fantasy at 8am.
Water temperatures continue their climb and stall occasionally. Like today, tomorrow.
Flows are in the lower 4K’s. Hiccuping this week is what we may see.
On the rise.
The weather will screw with us in the next few days. Check out the forecast and/or call us for the up to the minute fishing and weather reports.
I for one am packing a few Thermos’ products in my boat today along with hand warmers and a few pair of KAST gloves. W shave both the Raptor and Steelhead models for your spring fishing pleasure. Try the SIMMS ProDry as well. The HH staff love these as well!
Lots of winter and early spring pieces in stock at Headhunters. We truly are your Missouri River Spring Specialists! While the rest are still ramping up we are in full spring swing. Stop in for a hot cup of Joe and fill your Thermos on us. See you before and after your wintery weather
Headhunters Fly Shop is in full swing with the $300 Spring Special.
Yes, guided fishing trips and discounted lodging here in Craig Montana. Craig Trout Camp has lodging starting @ $125 and it has become very popular for this 45 day period leading us into the spring rains of May.
Why not take advantage of these discounted full day trips here in central Montana. We have our full guide staff at your disposal with 10 Headhunters guides ready for Missouri River action. Your full time Missouri River fly shop is ready as well. We have a full compliment of winter and spring clothing for any condition that you may encounter.
Lots of our summer guests come on out and warm up their casting arm on rising midge fish, hungry scud eating trout, and streamer causing browns. Check out the lodging site here to line up your Craig Trout Camp stay here in town.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Headhunters Fly Shop fishing report is as follows…
While most are still nymphing anglers are branching out more and more everyday. Lots of anglers tossing the blind dry and just as many tossing the streamer fly. Both having success.
Nymphers are fishing secondary and tertiary shelf lines all times of the day. Some venturing into summer like water…with very little success. Those whoa re staying closer to the seasonal fishing norms are doing well. More consistent is the bite and in more kinds of water with more kinds of flies.
Yes, nymphing is expanding its window of possibility.
Streamer anglers are gaining strength as we move into water temps that are more conducive to trout movement and that makes this wily group smile. Sink tippers and dry liners are being seen bankside in every reach. Slwo and medium slow is the mantra.
Encourage the pause…
DFO’s are tossing any seasonal fly they desire. Big fluffy and flat low profiled and Adams like are the themes that we are sticking beside. Some good rising fish to midges here and there in that normal goofy spring midge like water. You know th type of whacky water I am commenting on if you are one of those great white midge hunters.
The dry fly bunch is coming out of their winter coma.
Water flows are holding at the 4K mark. Water temperatures are moving upwards above the 40F. level. As a Headhunters guest mentioned a couple days ago “Whoa, when it gets 42F it becomes magical.” There is some truth in that statement. The biggest part of that statement is that as the temps move higher the fish get feisty-er. The bugs do too.
Check out the trend above. Natural spring direction. We like the longer days, warmer air temps, increase in bug activity, and the more common usage of Fly-Agra.
Lots of new stuff in the store daily with the addition of 10+ new Headhunters Logo’d T’s and racks full of Headhunters Logo’d hats. Logo wear also from SIMMS as well as the store is nearly full to the brim!
Open daily @ 8am for all your midweek sunshine needs. Snow later in the week. We still have loads of cold weather wear for your spring time weather conundrum. Fresh hot perked coffee and hand warmers for those in need.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_grid orderby=”title” order=”asc” ids=”7592,10449,10999,10937,4038,4469,11082″ post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
I heard this snappy tune two mornings in a row after dumping the boat in the drink. Thought I should pass it on to you folks. There has to be a reason?
The fishing not as weird this last week.
Somewhat consistent catch reports let us know that maybe we are near the turn.
Water temps in the 40F range and rising.
Town pretty busy this weekend. Izaak’s open tonight again @ 3pm serving til dark. Grand Opening for the summer on the 1st.
See you on the Mo as we move from March into the fantastic month of April. Spring Special in full swing with $300 Guide Trips. Cheap lodging too as we have about 5 properties discounted for your vacation pleasure.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]A quick video from the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog.
Winston Greely shoots and produces the videos for the department. Nice short vids about the topic of fish, wildlife,a dn parks. I see a theme there.
I met Winston 17 years ago here on the river. His love of the outdoors and fishing led him down the media path to a fantastic career with the FWP. Pretty cool stuff!
Ag dollars have fallen into 2nd place as recreation has led the way in terms of state dollars in the last decade. Hunter and Angler dollars are important and feed a bundle of Montana families.
We can only say thanks to you folks for making this state part of your lives while supporting the Outdoor Recreation businesses like ourselves.
