Mark Raisler

Squeeky Oar Lock is cold. The New Year will bring some goo fishing...swinging flies for the next 4 months. Then...spring brings dry fly fishing. Hooray!
Happy Thanksgiving Headhunters Fly Shop

Happy Thanksgiving from Headhunters Fly Shop

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Happy Thanksgiving from Headhunters Fly Shop.

Open today 8am til about noon on this very birdy holiday.

We know a number of folks that fish on Turkey Day. Not much pressure generally speaking.

Friday is supposed to be a bit Western. So choose wisely.

Interesting Headhunters Fly Shop Trivia: One of our first employees , we’ll call him Andrew, stated he could beat a Wild Turkey in a cage match.

We all called bullshit.

The match never happened but it was proposed to be held on Izaak’s deck . Coulda been bloody awesome.

One more of so very many events that thankfully did not happen in downtown Craig Montana.

We’ll get our Black Friday Sale going early as you can save even today on many items like…

  • SIMMS Headwaters Wading Boots for women Vibram
  • SIMMS Freestone Wading Boots both felt and Vibram
  • SIMMS RiverTek BOA Wading Boots Vibram
  • Headhunters Logo Wear like T-Shirts and hats, men’s & women’s SIMMS Logo’d shirts
  • SIMMS Flip Flops
  • $12/Dozen Flies!
  • Fly Lines from RIO, Cortland, Orvis, Airflo
  • Select packs and bags
  • HH Logo’d Fly Boxes
  • Much, much more!

Weekend schedule is business as usual. Open daily @ 8am and hanging out until 5pm. Shuttles, BLACK FRIDAY DEALS!, fellowship, hot coffee, solace from the wind, flies, warm clothing…

 

We wish you the best from the gang at Headhunters Fly Shop.
Have a great holiday while enjoying your family and friends.

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Shop Small this Saturday

Shop Small this Saturday

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Shop Small this Saturday at your local stores. Whether it be in the small fishing ‘burb of Craig or your hometown…do your community a favor and Shop Small this Saturday.

Wouldn’t hurt your local retailers to shop small on Monday too.

Shop Small this Saturday
Headhunters Fly Shop open daily

I too shop at big box, online, and cannot pull myself away from a Big Mac once in a while. But I also remember to spend at small specialty retail as much as possible. It’s good for all.

The dollars you spend at your local shops stay in the community. That is a benefit for you, your family, and your neighbors.

Just think a bit this holiday period and remember that your local businesses love you, need you, and help in more ways than the big box store.

Thanks again for reading this sometimes informational blog from The Missouri River.

We are your fly shop when you are in Craig fishing the Missouri. We can pop whatever you may need in the mail and it will arrive on your doorstep soon. Operators standing by @ 406-235-3447.

Headhunters open daily for anything you may need this month and next.

Happy Holidays from all of us here in Craig Montana.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 11.25.14

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 11.25.14

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Looking like light snows for the week ahead.This holiday week of Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 11.24.14

Snow? Not the first of the year and will not be the last. Not a ton is predicted but a smattering. That is usually what we get here on the eastern slopes of the Rockies nestled in the canyon fishing the waters of Montana’s finest trout stream. Montana’s Missouri River.

Swingers Abound, Angling Illness, & Weather Change

Swinging has been the theme for most but a number of nymphers were in and fishing this weekend. Some near the dam, others stretched out on the upper river.

The swingers are scattered about up and down the river. Mostly down though. Success had by all this last weekend as the wind really blew on Saturday. Like a bunch, hard, fast, ugly. Windy. Sunday much, much nicer and the number of anglers reflected the weather change. Look at the week ahead and decide if you are callling in sick early in the week, or just Wednesday.

 

My suggestion is to start feigning illness today, Tuesday. Then decide, based on the weather and your dislike of the boss and the office, if you will leave early today or if you will call in sick Wednesday. Smart, savvy, seasoned, and certainly cynical employees started this process last Thursday and have been fishing all weekend.

 

I understand that most employers will recognize this all too common sickness that precedes all holiday sessions. but that is OK. It is a long weekend and all will be forgotten as the L-Trytophan Turkey Hangover should last through the weekend.

[forecast]

So check out the forecast in your region and plan accordingly. If you live in or around the Missouri River Region I will let you know we have lodging at discounted rates for the winter session. The Craig Trout Camp with the Rainbow and Brown Cabins renting for $125/night and the Craig House starting at $150 for the first 2 guests and $50 per additional guest(s) up to 6. Full kitchen at the Craig House. Turkey Day on the Mo’? Why not.

There are a couple other discounted lodging options in Craig this winter. Call the shop 406-235-3447 for more details.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 11.25.14

Guided trips out this last weekend and the weekend ahead. Both regular and $300 Spey Trips. Fun.

Mark fished with Clifton of Portland Oregon Sunday pictured above and had a great day. Nymphed all day long and caught a number of nice rainbows. Only 1 brown trout in the mix. The traditional WC to Spite winter float was plenty of water. A nice drift with a good bite. Could not ask for more. Air temps in the 40’s. Wow. We’ll take a few more of those!

Hot flies were the Red Tunghead Worm and a Pink Lightening Bug. Also good were the fire bead stuff like the FB Caviar and the new Ninch creation a the Pink Firebead Sowbug. Yep, it worked too. Other hot flies filling fly cups going out the door this week include Zebra’s, all flavors of worms, FB Ray Charles, regular non beaded Ray Charles in pink and grey, with the occasional mayfly like the Pearl Lighting Bug, Red Headed Step Child, Little Green Machine, smaller S & M’s. Stop in for the best in winter flies and top shelf information too.

Not much for dry fly fishing. Translation: Pretty shitty. Some might say just awful. Nonexistent. Crossing our fingers there is something for you this Thanksgiving week/weekend.

Streamer fishing on the Missouri River? Good. Not great. But pretty good. Both the strippers and the swingers are catching enough fish to keep them happy. As we water temperature cools the retrieval rate has slowed. Some jigging the fly, some stripping more slowly that last week, and yet others just swinging it.

 

The beauty of fly fishing is that you get to choose. It is your game, played by your rules, and consequently you always win. Play the game for yourself, with your favorite flies, in your spots, in your own style. That is what makes fly fishing special. It’s a game played on your own terms. Always.

 

So are you coming out this week? We will see folks fishing in this great November holiday weather up and down the river. Love it.

Flows, Temps, and Headhunters Fly Shop

Flows are up a bit at the 4.6K range. Feels like it up too. Just a little higher on your waders and some of your wade spots are quicker in pace, others slower. Find your dream seam and fish it.

Water temps are still plunging lower but the daily air temps will help slow it a little as we are out of the below freezing pattern. Fell about 10 degrees in just over a couple weeks. 42F is the current temp and bodes well for Thanksgiving Weekend fishing Montana’s Missouri River.

Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service is in full swing as we help accommodate your fishing weekend. Lodging available here in Craig. Fly shop open at 8am daily.  On Thanksgiving Day we are open for the morning session 8am til noon. Shuttles everyday, rental boats, flies, coffee, SIMMS Sale items like wading boots and more, guides, and any Spey Rods needs you may have.

See you this weekend here in Craig.

 

Missouri River Swing Season

Missouri River Swing Season

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Missouri River Swing Season is upon us.

We have $300 Spey Casting/2 Handed Rod Guided Trips for the rest of 2014. All the way until the 31st of December.

We have done a few and have a few more slated for the upcoming week. Are you in? Why not try something new.

If you need a little nudge you should attend our Free Spey Casting Clinics with the first one being soon.

Missouri River Swing Season
Try something new this off season! Spey may be for you!

Saturday December 6th @ 9am. Come join us for an all day free clinic led by Headhunters own John Arnold. A killer PowerPoint presentation along side coffees and donuts at the Craig Trout Camp starts out the day with casting after the classroom session.

Many who have attended several clinics love the dry land presentation. After casting for a few days the second time you attend John’s presentation a few light bulbs in your head will pop off! The learning continues every time you attend.

Casting commences after the indoor session. Casting all afternoon local here in Craig. Several instructors will help you at whatever your casting experience is. This Free Spey Casting Class is limited to 12 students so get your name on the list today.

Remember the $300 Spey Guided Days until the end of the year. Free Casting Clinics begging December 6th and continue through the first Saturday in March.

Come out and learn something new this fall and winter with the perfect way to swing streamers on the Missouri River.

Missouri River Swing Season

  • Ever wanted to learn how to cast those funny long rods fellers are using with 2 hands on the rod?
  • Want to go on a northwest spey steelhead trip and don’t want to make an ass out of yourself with your buddies?
  • Want to show up knowing a thing or two about spey casting? Our clinics will get you started and casting well enough to catch fish!
  • Want to try out a bundle of DEMO Spey Rods from SAGE, Echo, T & T, and Orvis? Rods specifically chosen for swinging flies on the Missouri River.
  • Want to find the perfect line for your 2 handed rod? We have loads of demo lines, both Skagit and Scandi, to perfectly match your rod and casting style.
  • Want to get out of the house in December and come spend the day on the Mo’? Yeah, us too.

See you soon on the Mo’ wandering around with one of those funny long poles. Call today and get yourself on the FREE Spey Clinic list or book a $300 Spey Guided Trip. Remember we have cheap Craig Trout Camp Lodging too starting at $125. Make a weekend out of it!

 

 

Missouri River Swing Season Fishing Report

Missouri River Swing Season Fishing Report

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Today we bring your the Missouri River Swing Season Fishing Report.

You know the nymphing is good. It is November and the river is quiet.

You know the dry fly fishing in not too good. It is November and the bugs are scarce.

But did you know that the streamer fishing has been consistent and some days even pretty good?

Missouri River Swing Season Fishing Report

  • Fishing with the two handed rod has been pretty strong. Not 20 fish days, but that is not the object or goal of swinging a fly through a run. No. The goal is to slow your heart rate down to a tolerable pace ad hook a few wild trout in the process.

It is the journey, not the destination.

  • Some crazy angler must have said that at some point. Sounds like a fisherman to me…rambling on, speaking nonsense, babbling about heads, tips, Starling feathers.
  • Hooking a few on Skiddish, Mozzuri Minnows, smaller flies like Micro Zonkers, baby buggers, leeches, soft hackles, Clous-A-Bous. Your choice really.
  • Make sure you are at a depth you are comfortable with. A depth that you feel the trout are. The great part about spey ones is they can accommodate any number of different tips. Floating, intermediate, type 3, T-11 and up. Sound confusing? It’s not. Need some hints and tips about sinking leaders, tips and the like? Come into the sotre and we can help clear up some of the confusion.
  • Mostly inside bends at this point. That is where you would want to swing. But still some action int he quicker water too. The water temps are still in the 40’s and will be for another week or so. Maybe longer. so stay on the soft inside shoals. Lots of room for the swinging fly in that zone.
  • Lots of room on the Mighty Mo’ during this winter period. Find a run with nobody around. Perfectly quiet.
  • The entire river is still fishing. Some folks fishing all the way to Pelican with an occasional boat still drifting to Cascade. May find some bugs on the lower reach too.
  • No need to get out early. Noon to dark is a good bet.

Headhunters Fly Shop open daily @ 8am for all your river needs including river shuttles, flies, a complete line of spey tools like leaders, Scandi and Skagit lines, tips, running lines, Demo Rods and always free hot coffee.

Friday Foto

Friday Foto

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November fly fishing on the Mighty Mo in the shadows of Eagle Rock.

Pretty good stuff and a pretty good time.

Bait anglers, swingers, and a few nymphers out on the river today.

We had a few folks in and drifting today down the Missouri River.

Stop in this weekend for a shuttle, a few flies, and a cup of Joe before heading out on the river.

It’ll be comfortable again on the river with comfortable air temps and light winds!

Micro Indi's from Strike Foundry

Micro Indi’s from Strike Foundry

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These little buggers are sensitive.

Yep, as we love to fish the short leash here on the Mo ad these techy mini Strike Foundry Indi’s fit the bill.

Use as opposed to the Palsa Tabs or if you’re ready to move away from the Yarn.

Easy to use as you can tie them right angle style. You can rock it in-line as may like to do. Or loop it over like you would a Thingamabobber. 3 ways to play.

Get your Strike Foundry Indi’s @ Headhunters.

Headhunters Fly Shop Fishing Report Missouri River Montana

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Fishing is OK. Not great, but not terrible either.

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being off the charts the fishing comes in at a 7.

A strong 7 though.

You could give it another point or two if you factor in the solace factor. It is quiet. It is perfect.

Continuing with video week as we move through November. We are past the tipping point. We are closer to December than we even can fathom. The holidays are upon us.

Headhunters Fly Shop Fishing Report Missouri River Montana

Most are swinging and tossing stripping and ripping streamers. The other set is nymphing. Some dry fly action here and there.

Lots of waterfowl around as well.

Guided trips out this weekend with a few $300 Spey Trips coming up as we near the holiday week. If you war in on this gig, call us.

Fly shop open daily at 8am. Shuttles, flies, the best info on the river, killer 2 handed demo rods, hot coffee, sale items, and get your Christmas shopping done early. Why not.

Workshop Wednesday. Tying a Soft Hackle Fly Video

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Cool video produced by In the Riffle about the proper way to tie a soft hackle.

Many only wrap one full wrap as too many hackle fibers can minimize the effectiveness of this should be tied slight pattern.

Enjoy on this quite nice Wednesday here in the canyon. Tying Night in America, in Craig start after the new year. Wednesdays of course.

 

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Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 11.18.14

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 11.18.14

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Sunny and warm. Warm considering the last couple weeks.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 11.18.14 Well over 30F yesterday and some folks on the water. Early cabin fever setting in as it is way too early for that oh so common winter syndrome.

What’s happening on the water you ask?

Dries. Some. Some randomly rising trout on a few tiny olives and some larger ones too. Mostly subsurface stuff with the occasional bona fide true top rise form. Stop on in th shop for the up to the minute report and some suggested flies.

Ninch still has a few more winter flies to stuff into the well stocked Headhunters fly bins. The only 12 month fly shop has the only 12 month fly selection on the Missouri River.

Midges, midges, and more midges to come soon. Until then, we will have to toss a few more BWO’s and the scarce late season caddis.

The streamer and swinging gang has been the most common group of anglers. Any number of streamer patterns will get you through the day. Sjkiddish, Bugger, R2R, Dalai Lama, Skip’s Rainbow Minnow, Mozzuri Minnow, Lord of the Fry’s, White Zonker, and all the small mini streamers. Black Mini Sculpzilla, Orange Blossom Sculp’s, Micro Zonk’s, and the like.

Nymphs? Killing it. But most are swinging for the remainder of the year. We got all the kick ass nymphin’ gear at Headhunters Fly Shop. Bobbers, split shots, nymphing leaders, split rings, Czech’s, sows, soft hackles, Firebeads, Pink Lightening Bugs.

 

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 11.18.14
Still falling…

Water flows are holding at 4360cfs and as you can see the water temperatures are falling rapidly. Looks like better weather for the upcoming week and weekend too. Get out while you can, it could turn on us again. $300 Swing Season Guide Trips for those who want to cast a two handed rod all day.

Looking at 40F midweek. That feels right.

Shop open daily @ 8am for all thing Missouri River. Your 2 handed and streamer fishing HQ here in Craig.

Strike Foundry Visits the Missouri River

Strike Foundry visits the Missouri River

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Pretty good stuff from our friends over at Strike Foundry. The new video was shot in October while the Strike Foundry gang led by Marko Baxter came out and shot some video for Strike Foundry Indicators.

Fun group of fellows and they were not afraid of a good time.

Super cool drone footage too.

Thanks again Marko for including us in your Missouri River video!

Find Strike Foundry on Facebook and at their website Strikefoundry.com

Missouri River Winter Fishing Checklist

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Missouri River Winter Fishing Checklist. All the stuff you need for your winter excursion.

Whether you be fishing at your local pond or here not he Missouri you need to be prepared in a different way than you would be for a summer outing.

In the summer months you can forget a bunch of shit and still hammer out a comfortable fishing trip. In the winter it is much different as you need a clausal list of fishing accouterments.

Summertime: Rod, 6 pack, wide brimmed hat, cool shades, flip flops.

I love the short summer list. No better time to fish than the summer in my book. Early sun, late sun, 18hrs of fishing, dry fly all day long. Cold beers at Joe’s. Get to bed late, get out of bed early, and repeat.

But alas, the winter program is about 180 degrees from the EZ summer routine.

 

Missouri River Winter Fishing Checklist

You may have to dig out a bigger bag for all your winter shit. I have a large NRS waterproof bag that I shove all that I may need in clothing for any given day on the river.

The giant NRS Duffel includes…

  • Down Jacket
  • Lighter puffball
  • SIMMS G4 Jacket
  • Softshell jacket. Windproof and comfy
  • Lots of gloves. Leather Mitts that I stuff hand warmers into are key!
  • Handwarmers
  • Flask. Full.
  • A couple hats. The SIMMS Elmer Fudd. Some sort of beanie, and a windproof hat too.
  • A BUFF!
  • Xtra Socks
  • Hidden batches of Chocolate. A must.

 

On the terminal tackle and rod checklist we have it seems even more stuff in the winter months. We have added rod with our two handed option, actually a couple.

Rods and terminal tackle…

  • A couple nymph rods, a streamer rod,a dry fly rod, and a 2 handed rod for swinging.
  • All the streamers you own. A box full of pink nymphs. A couple dry flies like midge clusters and soft hackles.
  • A few add on leaders. VersiLeaders with differing sink rates for streamer and swinging success.
  • A SIMMS Nipper around my neck on a Fly Vines Lanyard

Relatively short list but the right tools for the job at hand. In the summer you can get away with a dry fly rod only. But the winter, albeit generally slow fishing, can introduce you to moments of brilliance. Short, quick moments.

Now all the comfort items that I love to stuff the truck with…

Zotz. It's where the Fizz Izz!
Zotz. It’s where the Fizz Izz!
  • Any number of Thermoses. 1 w/ hot chicken broth. Another w/ hot water. Yet another with coffee/Bailey’s combo. And yes, that is the plural of Thermos. Check it.
  • Random snacks that always includes jerky. I like peppered the most. Some sort of hard candy like Zotz. Maybe a half bag of Cheeto’s too.
  • More gloves.
  • A Mr. Heater. Good for standing around at the back of the car. Works in the boat as well.
  • More handwarmers.
  • And another flask, in case the 1st one has a hole in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]That pretty much covers it. You can add or subtract any number of items to this list. Car fishing and boat fishing are certainly two different operations. Choose accordingly.

The weather has changed for the better and you should be clear for take-off any day this week. Call us at the shop for an up to the minute fishing report. Remember we have a bundle of DEMO Spey Rods for you play with this winter. From SAGE, Echo, Orvis, T & T, and Loomis. Your Missouri River winter resource.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_grid post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” columns=”4″ items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=”” ids=”6902″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_grid post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” columns=”4″ items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=”” ids=”6650″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery

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Wolf Creek Bridge in the snow.

It’s cold too.

The game changes tomorrow. We will be fishing.

See you swingers on the water.

Enjoy your Sunday. Today we stay inside one more day and watch football, tie flies, nap.

Hopefully see some fall for a couple weeks before the winter tide is too strong and overcomes us.

FREE Spey Casting Clinic Saturday December 6th. Sign up today 406-235-3447

 

Missouri River Arctic Blast Fishing Report

Missouri River Arctic Blast Fishing Report 11.14.14

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Got real cold this week. Looks like it will extend through the weekend.

So, not much fishing going on here in the Missouri River canyon.

Looks like snow today on the somewhat accurate forecast. More accurate than normal. Unfortunately accurate.

Those few who have been braving the cold have had frozen snake and stripping guides along with frozen fly lines and frozen toes, ears, noses etc.

Missouri River Arctic Blast Fishing Report
Cold.

Shop open daily from 8-5 if any of you wander down to the river for the weekend. We have a couple cabins available for $125 and Joe’s bar is still open till 2am.

The warmest spot in the canyon, for sure! Joe’s Bar indeed.

So, not much to report but there have been some bigger bugs around. Of course. Lower the air temps to ZERO and they come. Fish rising predictably in the predictably rising spots and zones.

Anglers on Sunday and Monday from the early part of the week saw a few pretty good sized pods eating a bundle of insects as they moved from subsurface to the surface and off. Albeit slowly. The of the water deal.

Also look for the dorsal and fin show in softer waters not isolated to but including eddy’s and inside bends.

Missouri River Arctic Blast Fishing Report
Falling rapidly. Get out and toss the BWO NOW!

Flows are at the 4400cfs mark and water temps are plummeting daily. Fell a few degrees this week. We should expect the same this coming week too.

Cancelled a couple guide trips this weekend do to cold air temps. Even with heaters in the boats, lots of Thermos’ filled with piping hot chicken broth, whisky, smiles, and hats? Ya, let’s wait a few more days and go when it is somewhat more entertaining. The winter program is certainly different from the summer program. Looser for sure.

Swingers should come back out of the house this weekend. A bunch of 2 handers around in the winter months. Remember the FREE Spey Clinic Saturday December 6th. Sign up today for your spot. Bring your girlfriend, your wife, your neighbor, your co-worker…or all of them.

That is all the news that is as we bring you the most up to date fishing report for the Missouri River. Thanks for reading as always and let us know how we can help plan your 2015 Missouri River vacation.

 

10 Missouri River November Streamers

10 Missouri River November Streamers

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The month has settled in to weather and temps we are more comfortable with.

Not really the ZERO degrees stuff, but the overcast and snow and such is familiar territory for us in central Montana.

Fishing Montana’s Missouri River in all seasons requires more than one technique. More than one style. More than just one note.

So we show you some hot streamer flies for the month ahead. You can dredge these on your single handed 9′ 7weight wielding a heavy sink tip. You can strip them in rapidly with your 9’6″ 6 weight donning an intermediate RIO Outbound Short. You could swing it slow with your 12’6″ SAGE Method with a Scandi Short VersiTip Line. Your choice. Lots of ways to skin a cat.

Ninch, our resident fly guru, picked these patterns out for your November river streamer success.

Streamers Top Left to Right: Kronic Kreinik Red and Silver, Warpath’s Sculpin Whammy Tomahawk Tan, Hot Eyed Kreelex, Black Mohair Leech

2nd Row L to R: Morris’ Brown Trout Minnow, Warpath’s Egg Sucka Black and Purple, small black Woolley Bugger

3rd Row L to R: Baby Black Sculpzilla, Brown Skiddish Smolt, ?, Arnold’s Mozurri Minnow

Come in and browse through our well stocked streamer bins at Headhunters. We are open 7 days a week and here to help. Shuttles daily too![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_separator height=”60px” size=”custom”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_grid post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” columns=”4″ items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=”” ids=”7550″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_grid post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” columns=”4″ items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=”” ids=”7688″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Down and Across Video. Sara Swings the Missouri River

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]This very popular video from Scumliner Media featuring Headhunters very own Sara Roholt 3 years ago swinging a two handed rod in the dead of winter.

The Missouri River is the winter playground that many of you may recognize.

More from Scumliner Media here on Headhunters TV.

Enjoy your Wednesday afternoon with this winter reminder that fishing does not have to end…if you don’t want it to.

Enjoy.

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Use your gas savings for fly fishing stuff!

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Reduced gas prices this last month around America. Sounds like additional drops in fuel prices as we move deeper into the winter.

www.fuelguagereport.com states that the average US gas prices to drop below $3.00/gallon for the 1st time since 2010. They also state that this is the longest consecutive decline in gas prices since 2008.

Those are stunning facts. What’er gonna do with the all the extra dollars in your pocket?

If you save X dollars a week by saving $0.30/gallon at 25 gallons a whack totals $7.50. $30/month, $360/year.

What can you do with $360 fly fishing dollars? Here are a few ideas below. Feel free to add your own into the mix…

Hire a fly fishing sherpa or fly fishing concierge service. My plan has always been to employ this idea. You don’t want a guide but you like to have let’s say certain tasks performed before you arrive at the river?

A fly fishing concierge would…

  • Launch your boat for you.
  • Prepare the ice box. Your YETI would be pre-cooled and filled with your preferred assortment. Perrier, a nice yet varied selection of macro brews,a dn a flask of your favorite single malt scotch.
  • Rig the rods. 1 dry, i streamer, and 2 nymph rods. New leaders and tippets daily and clean fly lines.
  • Lunch. I like a selection of cheeses and meats. Crackers. Like a water cracker and a Ritz. Love a Ritz. Salami’s, prosciutto, smoked ham, a smoked cheddar, a soft French too. Pickles, capers, olives, pepperoncini’s. You know. The good stuff.
  • At the end of the trip you would just pull up the boat on shore and leave it for the concierge to pick up and clean, preparing for the next days voyage.
  • Perfect. Lower the stress level of preparing for the day. Your concierge would see to it that your fishing day was as pleasurable as possible.

Casting Lessons

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Casting lessons make you better!

Not as exciting as the fly fishing concierge service but probably more practical.A few casting lessons scattered throughout the year to get you to the point you want to be at this coming fly fishing season.

Some may want instruction for their upcoming saltwater trip. Others may want help with their tuck cast or any of the slack line trout casts.

Find the one who fits your learning style. This is important. Not all instructors are right for all individuals.

Then practice. Use the rest for a new fly line to treat yourself at the end of the process. You will also have more fun fly fishing because you will have more success! EZ dollars to fun conversion. Easy!

New Reel

Many fly reels are priced int he mid 300 range. A Nautilus, a SAGE, an Orvis, an Ebay find. Your choice. Get yourself some fly fishing jewelry with your gas savings.

Several New Fly Lines

Toss the old cracked and not slippery lines into the garbage bin. You will be happier every time you cast for the next year. Can’t remember when you replaced the fly line on your SAGE Z-Axis? Your Sweetwater Bamboo Classic? Need to upgrade your line for your new Loomis NRX LP? You should answer yes to all of the above.

The best thing beyond a casting lesson for you fishing improvement in the year 2015 ahead is to replace your fly lines.

Just do it. Smiling anglers, you, is what a new fly line will deliver.

An Upgrade on your next Guide Trip

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Go solo?

What kind of upgrade am I speaking about? Well, I’ll tell ya. Getting rid of that annoying fishing partner of yours who commonly hogs your water and thinks it is your fault! That is the only upgrade you need for fly fishing Nirvana. That $360 in gas savings can get you into a guide boat by yourself. Buy him, your asshole buddy, out of the equation.

Yet another way to smile.

P.S. If you like your fly fishing buddy, that is cool. Keep him in the boat.nJust use the money to tip your guide more. Everybody smiles! He likes new fly lines too!

Mish-Mash Fly Fishing Money

  • A partial fly rod
  • A down payment on your trip to the Missouri River
  • Lodging deposit for the Craig Trout Camp
  • A few dinners at Izaak’s
  • 7 rounds for the house @ Joe’s Bar
  • A rental car for the week fishing
  • A new kids rod by ECHO. The perfect gift for your fly fishing protege. $180 for the entire package rod, reel, and line @ Craigflyshop.com
  • A YETI Cooler
  • 2 Pair of Polarized sunglasses. Smith or Costa. Your choice. One for each season.
  • New SIMMS Waders. Or at least half of the cost. Stay dry and warm this coming year. Quality waders are worth their weight in gold. Is this the year for new waders?
  • 1 Howler Bros Gaucho shirt, dinner for 4 at the taco cart, a couple glow in the dark tarpon lures, a 24 pack of Corona’s, $4/gas, a good lantern, and a GoPro 3 camera. Produce night bridge fishing video in the Keys jumping big tarpon parlaying your fame into really nothing of value except for several hangovers in the future…if you are grasping at straws?!

Just a few ideas for all that dough you won’t be spending at the pumps this winter. Prices are bound to sky rocket as we approach the summer of 2015. You know another good idea is to buy your airline tickets for your fly fishing trips this coming summer in the winter. Cheaper flights? Take advantage of the drop in gas pricing this year and Use your gas savings for fly fishing stuff!

 

 

Missouri River November Fact Sheet

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November is one of our favorite months. Why? Well, as you know we’ll tell you. A list of the things happening during this early winter spell.

No people. Very few anglers. If it is at all above 30F we have some good ‘ol locals fishing. Locals and regional folks get after it in November and December, and anytime the mercury is above that 30-40F mark.

No people. Very few anglers. Did I mention that?

More overcast days. The percentage of overcast days is great that nearly any other month in the Missouri River calendar. Fish like overcast days. They do not have eyelids and cannot squint. Streamer fishing is much better. The trout can lie in the shallows for longer each and every day. The fish like to get up on the secondary shelf and feed. Both for the dry and the streamer attack!

Headhunters Guide Service Winter Pricing

  • $495 through the month of November for regular guide trips. The Single handed rod version. Start @ 9am and fish til dark. All gear, fly rods, terminal tackle, flies, lunch, hot and cold beverages included. An empty river included too.
  • $300 Spey, 2 Handed Swing Special. Guided Two-Handed Spey Trips on the Missouri River with the Headhunters gang. Experienced instructors, great fishing, and all equipment included. It’s time to learn a new facet of fly fishing. Why not learn with a baby spey rod and catch a few trout swinging streamers. Pretty damn fun. And a bargain rate of $300!
  • $400 Guide Trips December 1st through March 14th. The key to your Missouri River success? Solace. Quiet river scene. Fish all winter long for big rainbows. Mostly nymph fishing and some dead drifted streamers with some swinging too!

 

Missouri River November Fact Sheet
We like winter here in central Montana.

Shorter days. Later starts. Both of those things get us fired up. The steaming hot cocktail tastes even better after a good November day on the water. Izaak’s is closed for the season. You will have to get your Hot Toddy @ Joe’s.

The Oasis may be open for dinner. The Frenchman and Me is certainly open and always is. The most consistent restaurant hours on the river. Joe’s Bar always open. Pizzas and beer. What more do you need.

Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service open daily @ 8am. Open all day long all 7 days all winter long til 6pm. The full service shop open everyday.

Headhunters is your Spey Rod Headquarters in Craig on the Missouri River. We have DEMO RODS from SAGE in the Method and the One, ECHO 3’s, Thomas & Thomas 2 Handers that many love, Orvis Clearwater Rods that are reasonably priced. A bundle of DEMO SPEY LINES from RIO and Airflo. HH is your Trout Spey Destination. Call or stop in for any questions about lines, preferred spey trout rod lengths, or demo rods. We got it all. Versi Leaders and tips for you too.

Montana spey fishing

Spey Trout Guide Special is $300. Learn about 2 handed casting with Trout Spey and Switch Rods in a guided trip environment. Learn and catch trout on the Missouri River all in the same day.

December brings the 1st Free Two-Handed Clinics. Sign up in November to insure your spot in these always well attended free spey clinics. A classroom Powerpoint presentation by John in the morning with donuts and coffee followed by the afternoon casting session that goes as long as you want it to.

Craig Trout Camp Winter Pricing

  • Craig House. Sleeps 6 anglers. 3 BR, 2 bath, large kitchen fully stocked with all you need for cookware. Lots of room to stretch and a couple nice leather couches to watch the Sunday game on. Satellite TV, BBQ too. Base price of $150/night for 2 guests, add $50 per head after that.
  • Brown Trout Cabin. $125/night for up to 3 guests. 2 beds, one futon. Satellite TV no kitchen. BBQ avail if you need.
  • Rainbow Trout Cabin. $125/night for up to 3 guests. 2 beds, one futon. Satellite TV no kitchen. BBQ avail if you need. Just like its neighbor Brown Trout Cabin.
  • Ask about other Craig rental properties and winter discounts. We are your 12 month lodging booking experts.

 

Missouri River November Fact Sheet
Book today for the best of the year!

A good time to book your 2015 Fly Fishing Vacation. Choose the best in lodging @ Craig Trout Camp and CraigLodging.com November is the time to get this done. The best selection for both guides and certainly river housing. Browse adn choose today. Get your fishing vacation in the books today.

Lots happening in the next month or two. Lots of fishing to be had for you regional fly fishing folks. Lodging, guiding, clinics, and your favoirite destination fly shop. Black Friday is coming soon. Don’t forget to pick up a couple gifts while in town. We got everything you favoirtei angler might need.

How about a Gift Card? Can’t go wrong with that item…

Streamer Fishing is popular this month. Come on in and see the acres of streamers@ Headhunters. We have all you need for tips, streamer lines, streamer info.

Hot flies for the month have been the good old black bugger. Coming back hard is the trio of Skiddish Smolts. Zonkers still damn good, Micro Zonkers really fantastic. The other side of the coin is the large fly. Yes, for you large fly lovers…the large fly is hot! And we got ’em @ Headhunters.

Along with the November Streamer bite is the perpetual shit hot nymph fishing. All winter long. Get used to it. Months of the bobber. For the best info on the river with the fishiest staff in the tri-county region stop on in for our tips for nymphing success.

Not pink yet, we got another month or two. Scuds, sows, along with the tiny micro may stuff and midge pupa.

The Missouri River is a dry fly river. Not a ton of excitement as of late, but today is damn cold and snow is in the air. So today it could change. We will let you know tomorrow how things are going.

Missouri River November Fact Sheet

 

  • Shuttles Daily. Headhunters is your 7 day a week fly shop in Craig.
  • Guides available every day of the year!
  • Fresh flies. Always @ Headhunters.
  • Winter Lodging available. 5 properties right in Craig for rent. The largest summer seasonal selection of lodging on the Missouri with 21 properties! Accommodations for 1-12 anglers.
  • Swing Season is in full effect. Your Missouri River demo center with all the rods from SAGE including the 2 handed Method and One.
  • Open 8-6 Daily. Call for an up to the minute fishing report 406-235-3447 or 877-DRY-FLYS

 

 

Now, it's winter.

Now, it’s winter.

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Yep. Winter. Now.

@1630 Sunday it was 45F, partly cloudy and dead calm.

@ 1632 Sunday it was 31F, blowing out of the north 17mph, and snowing.

Sunday night snowing hard and damn cold.

This morning. Cold. Snowy.

Maybe baetis will come now.

Nobody around. A perfect ploy.

Water temps plummeting this week. They should fall quickly with the air temps falling well below the 20F range!  During the day. Mostly lower though.

Now, it's winter.
Now, it’s winter.

The fishing? Decent.

Swinging can be really good. Streamer fishing pretty good too.

Nymphing? Not as good as it should be, but not terrible either. We are so fortunate to be here on the Mo. It’s good. Just not an “11” right now. Depends on the day. Some days they just eat it better.

Dries? Near dusk for the weekend. Today and this week? Don’t even want to hazard a guess. Cold I think…

Guided trips out this last weekend. More towards the end of this week. More 2 Handed Specials as we move well into the November period. 1st FREE Spey Clinic December 6th. Sign up today. You’ll love it. A classroom session led by John with his killer Powerpoint Presentation, coffee, donuts, friends, and a room full of Spey. Followed up by an afternoon of on the water action with lots of different spey rods to try, cool lines, and hands on instruction. Bring your own rod, or use one of ours. Free and Easy. Call today.

Shop open daily 8-6.

[forecast]

Superstition Sunday with Stevie Wonder

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBKi4MEPBsQ”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Superstition today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Sunday Blog.

We are superstitious about the BWO.

I personally have not tied one good knot as I wait for the baetis. That is how I am holding out.

Will they come?

Steve would tell you that Superstition is the way.

More killer Stevie Video from ’72 here. It’s kick ass.

Honest.

Some weather coming at us this week. Be prepared with the right gear from SIMMS Fishing products and Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_separator height=”100px” size=”custom”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_grid post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” columns=”4″ items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=””][us_grid post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” columns=”4″ items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=”” ids=”6756″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_grid post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” columns=”4″ items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=”” ids=”6650″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Boats For Sale

NRS Freestone and Diablo Kayaks. Boats For Sale

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Check out these great boat deals today on the Headhunters Blog.

All boats are located in downtown Craig MT on the property.

Beginning with the EMR for a scant $4500. Extra everything spare tire, oar locks, 4 life jackets, anchor, great tires, powder coated trailer…a nice price at $4500.

Sold yesterday!!

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Clean!

Secondly we have an NRS “Freestone” Inflatable Drift Boat gently used. This 2014 Headhunters Rental Boat was  a real hit with the locals and is for sale. Also @ $4500 it comes in at a cool $1000 under retail. Does not include trailer but does include 3 oars, anchor, anchor rope, repair kit, NRS Pump, K Pump, and all other accessories too. This is the jewel of the fleet. Come by and get on board today.

But, if you want to buy the Trailer you are welcome to it. It is a 2014 M & M Trailer made in Hamilton. We will let it go for $2,000. Take it all for $6500.

Check out this video from Sara Roholt @ Headhunters to see the amazing inflatable drift boat set up.

Boats For Sale
NRS Inflatable Drift Boat “Freestone”
Boats For Sale
All the good stuff!

Now for the a couple Diablo Paddlesports Chupacabra Kayaks. Measuring a perfect and comfortable 10’5 feet these 2 kayaks are 2 years old. We are willing to give you rock bottom pricing for the last two in our fleet. Take all the remaining extras too. We got paddles, Larry Chairs, rod holders, and much more. Comes with 2 paddles a stnad up anda  double ender, Hi Density Foam Seat and the Larry Chair, 1 Rod Holder, and more.

How a bout a cool $1400 for the both of them. Retail value is well over $2500 for both. Individually we have them selling today at $750. Retail value of over $1250 for the Diablo Chupacabra alone.

Call us on the Boat Sale Hotline 406-235-3447
Get your hands on these baby's! Willing to sell!
Get your hands on these baby’s! Willing to sell!

 

Friday Foto

Friday Foto

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Friday Foto this first full week of November shows us the last gasp of fall color.

While we still have a bit around the wind of the last month has taken its tool on the leaves here in the Missouri River Canyon.

Get on out here if you want to see some of the remaining color and make a few Montana memories of your own this November.

 

 

 

Wednesday Great Blue Heron

Thursday Great Blue Heron

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We see the Great Blue Heron on Montana’s Missouri River corridor nearly daily. They do not go too long without a meal on this 4 season river. I’ve seen them get many fish. Juvenilles, teens, and a few adults. Once, a snake. Yep. They dig the reptiles.

Much of this information come from the cool site All About Birds Great Blue Heron. Check it here if you want even more information about the GBH.

Cool Blue Heron Facts

  • Thanks to specially shaped neck vertebrae, Great Blue Herons can curl their neck into an S shape for a more aerodynamic flight profile and to quickly strike prey at a distance.
  • Great Blue Herons have specialized feathers on their chest that continually grow and fray. The herons comb this “powder down” with a fringed claw on their middle toes, using the down like a washcloth to remove fish slime and other oils from their feathers as they preen. Applying the powder to their underparts protects their feathers against the slime and oils of swamps.
  • Great Blue Herons can hunt day and night thanks to a high percentage of rod-type photoreceptors in their eyes that improve their night vision.
    Despite their impressive size, Great Blue Herons weigh only 5 to 6 pounds thanks in part to their hollow bones—a feature all birds share.
  • Great Blue Herons in the northeastern U.S. and southern Canada have benefited from the recovery of beaver populations, which have created a patchwork of swamps and meadows well-suited to foraging and nesting.
  • Along the Pacific coast, it’s not unusual to see a Great Blue Heron poised atop a floating bed of kelp waiting for a meal to swim by.
  • The white form of the Great Blue Heron, known as the “great white heron,” is found nearly exclusively in shallow marine waters along the coast of very southern Florida, the Yucatan Peninsula, and in the Caribbean. Where the dark and white forms overlap in Florida, intermediate birds known as “Wurdemann’s herons” can be found. They have the body of a Great Blue Heron, but the white head and neck of the great white heron.
  • The oldest Great Blue Heron, based on banding recovery, was 24 years old.
  • Great Blue Herons congregate at fish hatcheries, creating potential problems for the fish farmers. A study found that herons ate mostly diseased fish that would have died shortly anyway. Sick fish spent more time near the surface of the water where they were more vulnerable to the herons.

Habitat

  • Great Blue Herons live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats, and also forage in grasslands and agricultural fields, where they stalk frogs and mammals. Most breeding colonies are located within 2 to 4 miles of feeding areas, often in isolated swamps or on islands, and near lakes and ponds bordered by forests.

Food

Fish

  • Great Blue Herons eat nearly anything within striking distance, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, insects, and other birds. They grab smaller prey in their strong mandibles or use their dagger-like bills to impale larger fish, often shaking them to break or relax the sharp spines before gulping them down.

Nest Placement

  • Great Blue Herons nest mainly in trees, but will also nest on the ground, on bushes, in mangroves, and on structures such as duck blinds, channel markers, or artificial nest platforms. Males arrive at the colony and settle on nest sites; from there, they court passing females. Colonies can consist of 500 or more individual nests, with multiple nests per tree built 100 or more feet off the ground.

Behavior

  • Great Blue Herons forage, usually alone, across much of the U.S. This largest of the North American herons wades slowly or stands stock still, peering into the water for prey. In flight the Great Blue Heron folds it neck into an “S” shape and trails its long legs behind, dangling them as it prepares to land or when courting. Breeding birds nest in colonies that can number several hundred pairs, where they build stick nests in trees, on bushes, or on the ground. If you visit a colony, look for elaborate courtship and pair-bonding displays that include a ritualized greeting, stick transfers, and nest relief ceremony in which the birds erect their plumes and “clapper” their bill tips. Pairs are mostly monogamous during a season, but they choose new partners each year. Away from the colony, Great Blue Herons defend feeding territories from other herons with dramatic displays in which the birds approach intruders with their head thrown back, wings outstretched, and bill pointing skyward. Gulls and even humans may also be a target of this defensive maneuver.

 

New Breed Chicks Rule Halloween Catch

New Breed Chicks Rule Halloween Catch

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Diane Gross with this nice Rainbow from Montana’s Missouri River.

She is now stranger to the Mo, nor is she to the New Breed Blog.

The entire Gross clan was out as Ron, Dan, Len, Diane and the brother from another mother Rick graced us for the latter part of October.

They are not afraid of a good time. Not at all.

Thanks Gross party. We love your folks. And thanks to Diane for keeping them moving in the right direction…

 

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 11.5.14

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 11.5.14

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Two Words.

Quiet. If you say it slow enough and pause on each syllable it blends into two words.

The Missouri River update is as follows…

Water temps in the lower 50’s. Air temps daily in the upper 40’s and lower 50’s. Pretty normal for this time of year although it is commonly cooler. Overcast is the predominant sky color. Grey is good with us.

The landscape will soon turn grey too. Or grayish-tan. Or dark grey-brownish.

[forecast]

 

Upper River. Quiet. A boat maybe at the dam and at WC Bridge. Nice. A few wade fisher fellers in this reach as well. Nobody bothering you in this section. Not may if any bugs. If the quantity changes we will let you know. Don’t think you are gonna go up there and witness a mega hatch. Cause you’re not gonna.

Streamer fishing average. Quiet though and you can fish it at the bank for another month. Fun stuff. Traditional flies been working well like Zonkers, buggers, Skiddish, Clousers.

Nymph fishing good. Fish it short all day long if you wish. Or long. Your choice. Pretty fun stuff. Scuds, sows up top with a mayfly dangling off of the front fly. Split if you want it.

Mid-River. Quiet. Really cool blind dry water and you can do well with this technique. Adams, see’um type of flies with a dropper if you wish. Try one in the film for even more creative anglers. Skitter ti? Yes, for another week or two. Then they will not look at that moving sideways stuff.

Streamer fishing pretty good. Lots of smaller fish on the bite in the canyon. Fun stuff. The juveniles are on the serious chew. Later afternoons are better. The fish do not like to get aggressive until lunch time. Before then you might believe you have forgotten how to fish. No worries. The afternoons have been better. Sleep in. Honest.

Nymph fishing? Great. Double Pheasant Tail type flies. A big one and a little one.

Lower River. Your best bet for BWO’s. The only place where they have come off well. Daily? I don’t know. But maybe? Seek out bug loving trout and you will be rewarded.

Good streamer water too. Blind dries. Yes they will come to it.

Headhunters Fly Shop open daily at 8am. Guide trips out this week and next. A nice time to be here. It’s quiet.

Perfect.

 

 

 

Headhunters Glass by Phil

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This super cool triple layered hand made glass plate arrive this last week from our friend Phillip Allen from Pennsylvania.

Phil fish with buddy John a few years back in conjunction with Project Healing Waters.

We love you Phil. Say hello to John and all back east. And we cannot wait to see you boys out here at some point in the future. We send our love to you Phil and many thanks again!

 

KAST Steelhead Glove

KAST Steelhead Gloves

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]KAST Steelhead Gloves are truly the best.

We have been selling these bad boys to our customers since they came out of the mold and the KAST Steelhead Glove continues to be our best selling foul weather glove!

A must have for those who swing 2 handed rods here in central Montana’s wild river like the Missouri River near Craig MT. A must for those who travel over the divide and head out to the coast this winter for Spey Swinging Fun. You gotta try these kick ass KAST Steelhead gloves.

KAST Steelhead Gloves

Mark has been attached to a pair for over two years now. Just got a second pair for clients in the boat. Sara & John just returned from the Grand Ronde and utilized them daily. Ninch loves his pair as he swings a two handed rod all winter long. Julie uses hers as well but not always for fishing. They work very well scraping snow from the windshield and snowmobiling, sledding, ice fishing, shotgunning birds, shoveling the driveway, a pair in the proverbial glove box for 3 season emergencies…

KAST Steelhead GlovesSara wanted to mention the two other gloves offed by KAST Gear. There are the two versions of the Raptor Glove. One with index and thumb fingers chopped for fishing dexterity and the other with all the fingers. The Raptor is a great not so wet fishing glove.

The Raptor is perfect for ripping streamers all day long from the boat in November and December. It is perfect for changing flies and sink tips to find the right trout zone. Use the full fingered version of the KAST Raptor for rowing while you buddy chucks those streamers way too close to you head.

We have all 3 KAST Gloves in the store for your winter pleasure. The Steelhead are obviously the most popular but the KAST Raptor is gaining lots of Headhunters fans!

KAST Website here  &  KAST Facebook here

 

 

Kast Gear Steelhead Glove from Colby Hackbarth on Vimeo.

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Missouri River November Fishing Report

Missouri River Montana November Fishing Report 11.3.14

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Halloween is beyond us and that signals the end of the month.

It is over. Now we move into the hopefully cooler and cloudier month. A month that we encourage.

So, the water temps are falling, albeit slowly. Today they are falling as we look past the weekend which the air temperatures are falling too. Snow maybe? That would be cool.

[forecast]

Streamer Fishing pretty can be on any given day damn good. Toss them all day long and you will find a few nice fish. Sometimes a bunch. And then, sometimes…

Try Halloween colored flies to find Halloween costumed brown trouts.

We are into full November mode already. Store open daily 8-6 with full services like lodging, fishing guides, and retail. Shuttles daily too. We are here full time.

Nymphing is excellent. Going toward the pink side in another month. But until then we got lots of BOW nymphs, sows and scuds,

Dries? Still not enough. But we are scrolling our fingers. This weather could knock a few loose. Sunday brought light snow and some rain. Cooler temperatures for sure.

That is pretty much the fishing report. If you like solace not he river and not too many, if any, other boats in your run, now is the time to be here.

We have a smattering of guided trips out this month. Remember the $300 Spey Trips for all day of Spey Casting here on the Missouri River. Some tuna while taking advantage of a full day of learning.

We will have the full November and December calendar and winter pricing schedule out later this week. Maybe Friday. Look for deals all the way around as we encourage winter fishing here in Craig.

Check out the temps below. Still moving in the right direction for bugs. The baetis have yet to show. Hmmm…Flows are holding in the 4.2K range and will hold, as they have for a long time. The month or two in front of us. That is the schedule that FWP, DNRC, and PPL are planning. The water temps at 52.5 currently and will drop this week ahead some more. Maybe 1.5 degrees.

Missouri River November Fishing Report

 

New Breed Chicks Rule WI Edition

New Breed Chicks Rule WI Edition

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Jackie today on the Headhunters Blog New Breed Chicks Rule Wisconsin Edition.

Really cool Jackie. She was out for the first time to the Mo with Headhunters Guide Jared Edens.

He husband Ken has made a few trips out with good friend and fishing partner Marko Baxter of Strike Foundy Indicators. Ken has done some testing for Marko and Strike Foundry…that’s what he calls it. Lots of testing. Here in Montana and definitely in the Driftless area. And probably a few other places too.

So Jackie said she oughtta come out to the Missouri River and do some testing herself!

And test she did. Catch she did. And enjoy she did!

Thanks and nice meeting you out here Jackie. You can come out anytime. Bring your husband too.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_wp_posts][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Future Fly Fisherman Konner

Future Fly Fisherman Konner

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The picture is my son Konnor fishing streamers yesterday. 

He told me today that Craig is his new favorite place to go for the weekend.

Randall Johnston (Father)

 

Good choice Konner. Many anglers agree with you!

Fortunately you discovered it at an early age. You are way ahead of the game Konner!

Nice work Konner. Craig is our favorite place too!

See you coon the Mo Konner.

Friday Foto

Friday Foto

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Friday Friday from your friends at Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service.

This is not a shot from today, or yesterday.

I thought if I put up a shot of what fall generally looks like Mother Nature might find it OK to follow suit.

Until then, 60’s, sun, and wind will have to do.

 

October and November Missouri River Flies

October and November Missouri River Flies

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Flies for the weeks ahead on Montana’s Missouri River.

As I mentioned in a previous post, lots of out of work guides and industry folks around as they pop on over for a visit to their favorite river the Missouri.

What do they do when they get here? Streamer fish mostly. Some dry fly stuff when it presents itself, but mostly streamer chuckin’.

The above flies include the old SJW, Micro Mays, Anato-Mays, Pearl Lightening Bugs, BWO CDC Bubblebacks, S & M’s, Pink LB’s, Zebra Midge, BH Softies, Czech Nymphs, FB Sows, Ray Charles, Tailwater Sows for the nymph end.

For the Dry fly anglers we love Parachute Adams, CDC Comparadun, Cluster Midge, CDC Hanging Midge, Harrop’s CDC Cripples, Smoke Jumpers, Black and Grey Posted Nymen’s Cripples, CDC BWO Spinners, Hi-Viz CDC Para Spinners, RS2’s, CDC Emergers and the like.

 

October and November Missouri River Flies
Headhunters is your Streamer Store in Craig.

The streamer guys are strong this week and next. Toss it ramp to ramp. Flies that have been really popular this last week and for the future include Home Invaders, Urchins in white, Halloween, JJ’s, Arnold’s Mozurri Minnow, Fire Eyed Kreelex, Slumpbuster’s, Copper Zonkers, Mico Zonkers, Clous-A-Bou’s in tan, white, black, olive, black buggers…

The R2R is still hot with all 3 flavors of Skiddish Smolt still selling well. We have bins full of Kreelex flavors, Dalai Lama’s, Galloup’s patterns, leeches.

We have a bundle of new hot fly lines to allow the streamer junkie in you come out! The RIO Outbound Short with it’s 15′ tip is our favorite but many like the RIO Streamer Tip with a 10′ clear intermediate tip.

Headhunters is also your 2 Handed Spey Line HQ here on the Mo. We’ve got demo rods as well. Stop in anytime and we will point you in a direction…what direction?

Open daily 8-6 for your shuttle, fly, and lodging needs.

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Trout Fishing Temperature Game

The Trout Fishing Water Temperature Game

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Here are few Missouri River Water Temperatures that you may be interested in.

I know we have been waiting patiently chewing off my fingernails for a month now for the BWO Hatches that we are accustomed to on this great Montana river. While we do love to toss streamers in the fall, we also love to use that new dry fly rod that is begging to be cast…like your new SAGE One lined up with a RIO In Touch Gold!

We are always aware of the water temperature as we move higher in the spring months, but what is the higher end range for the baetis to start hatching on Montana’s Missouri River in the fall? According to this feller, we are right there at the number he states. So, let’s have at ‘er? No?!

Found this online, so I do not swear by the accuracy of this info. I stole it from the Frogwater Blog by author AJ Swentosky.

But, if you have been reading this blog for any length of time you understand that most of what comes from my keyboard is bullshit anyway.

So, with a grain of salt and a shot of shitty Tequila here are the numbers.

The Water Temperature Game

77°F – Upper limit of Rainbow trout survival

75°F – Temperature at which Rainbow trout stop growing

68°F – Temperature at which anglers should consider not fishing for trout

68°F – Temperature at which Browns and Rainbows start to become stressed

67°F – Temperature at which trout significantly decrease feeding

65°F – Temperature at which Brooks start to become stressed

60°F – Temperature at which Damselflies begin to hatch

59°F – Upper end of optimal fishing temperature for Cutthroat trout

58°F – Optimal temperature for PMD hatches

55°F – Optimal temperature for Quill Gordon, Hendrickson, Salmonfly, Trico, Green Drake and Caddis hatches

54°F – Upper end of optimal Baetis hatch temperatures

50°F – Preferred temperature for Cutthroat trout spawning

50°F – Lower end of optimal temperature for Crayfish activity

46°F – Optimal Brown trout spawning temperature

45°F – Optimal temperature for Chironomid hatches

45°F – Optimal Brook and Cutthroat spawning temperature

44°F – Lower end of optimal fishing temperature for Brooks, Browns, and Rainbows

42°F – Lower end of optimal water temperature for Midge hatches

40°F – Minimal water temperature for Baetis hatches

39°F – Lower end of optimal fishing temperature for Cutthroat trout

33°F – Minimal (not ideal) temperature for Midge hatches

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USGS.06066500.15.00010..20141021.20141028..0.

Mike Tyson Mysteries

Mike Tyson Mysteries

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Does anyone else think this is ludicrous?

Boy I do.

So I will probably watch it.

Screen shot 2014-10-27 at 9.35.00 PM
I know what you’ll be watching on Mondays…

I came from a time where Iron Mike was one tough SOB and cartoons were part of my daily diet. Now Mike Tyson is a whack job and cartoons are still part of my diet.

Remember those early fights? Way before Mike was allowed to destroy himself?

They were just awesome. Check out Mike below with his best knockouts ever.

Read what the LA Times reporter Robert Lloyd has to say here.

So if you need a bit more ridiculousness in your life, beyond dry fly fishing for fiicky trout on the Mo…then watch Mike Tyson Mysteries on Adult Swim/Cartoon Network.

You missed the premier last night, but I am sure you can get it on the interweb somewhere…

Watch Iron Mike’s Best Knockouts below if cartoons are not your thing.

Happy Tuesday.

Check out the trailer of the show below.

 

 

 

In the Life of a Headhunter

In The Life of a Headhunter

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The daily routine of a Headhunter might just go like this…

Wake. Look outside to verify cloud cover. If sunny, sleep for as long as you want. If not, rollover and sleep until 10am.

10am. Get out of bed. Make coffee. Stare outside for 31 minutes dreaming of sipping trout.

In the Life of a Headhunter
Sighting…

11am. Clean fly line. Tie 3 CDC Cripples and 2 Black ply posted ones too. Pour last cup of Joe.

Noon. Wander to the fly shop for fresh bottle of Frog’s Fanny. The new brush does not matter as you have been rolling same Fanny Brush for 764 days now. It’s really puffed out.

Noon:15. Drive to the river and stare at the water for 13 minutes. See some sign of the big bug. The baetis tricaudatus. Good. Very good.

Noon:30. Now standing in your favorite dry fly run staring. Just little fish and really just a few of them working.

In the Life of a Hedhunter
Standing knee deep…

1:15ish. First cast. Got ’em. First cast is always the best cast. They get more difficult after the first cast. Squeeky Oar Lock told me that 341 times once.

1:15is til dark. Just a blur really. Some fly changing out of necessity. Really just fly replacing as the first one the CDC Wing disintegrated. Second one the poly got too gooey from fish slime. The third bad knot, again.  The fourth is still attached.

634pm. Back to car headed for a Hot Toddy. Heat on high thawing crippled frozen hands. Smiling.

Tomorrow? Let us hope it is overcast and cool again.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.27.14

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.27.14

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Today we are having the first cold weather in a decade. Or so it seems.

We have had themost pleasant fall that many can remember. Sunny and 70F. Standard for the 2014 season.

Today it changes. We command it to change. While this never works the timing of the storm could be the catalyst to get out true baetis out of its shell. Will it actually work? Golly, we hope so.

[forecast]

We have not truly gotten into the period of the year, most of the winter and spring, where the weather will dictate the day. We still have all of November and some of December to get through. The days of November can be so very pleasant. And, no people around.

Wide open dry fly flats…

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.27.14

Dry Fly Fishing

Dry fly fishing continues to be relatively limited throughout the day. If you are into posting up on classic sippers near the bank it has been somewhat limited. But you can go out and seek them out. Go first or go last. Those are the two methods to bank sipping success.

Or just have a better hatch. Really today could be the start. Let’s hope.

Blind dry fly fishing will get you a look or three per mile. Good enough to keep most paying attention. Caddis or a mayfly patterns can work. A skittering big orange caddis has been known to work this past week too. Yep, still.

Many would say that this October has seen the best blind October dry fly fishing in the past several years. Still going…

Streamer Fishing on the Missouri

Good to great depending not he reach, the angler, and the day. Good to great days have been heard and had by all.

The secret? Mostly slow stripping, or the pause. You can strip it fast too, but the fish have been interested in the pause. Or dead drift that SOB. Do it.

Smaller flies like baby sculpins, mini Sculpzillas, small black buggers, micro Zonkers, tiny leeches…or go big if that is your game.

The most popular of the fly lines include both he dry line or the 10′-15′ clear intermediate tips from RIO. We got them all int he shop if you need some help. Those truly savvy streamer dudes have a couple if not three streamer rods rigged. Just like those bass fellers. They have several rods at the ready. Why wouldn’t you?

Nymphing the Mo

Oh, it’s good. Use your normal fall or winter rig. It’ll work.

Missouri River Flows and Temperatures

4420cfs as of Sunday night and the water temps are below 54F. Dipping into the 53 range is good. Still warmer than normal. For sure. It will continue to dip as the week moves through. The flows should remain about the same for some time.

Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service

Open daily all winter long. 730am is when we arrive and we sill stay for your convenience til 7pm. The time change is nearing and we will go to an 8am start and 6pm finish as we move into November.

Tons of stuff still on sale. Rods, fly lines, flies, a few summer items, some fall stuff, a jacket or 3, a bundle of fly fishing accessories…something for everyone.

 

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery | Just Duck Edition

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A few years back we got flack for posting a banner image during construction of the bridge that followed this bridge.

But since this bridge is gone, history, in the archives…I wonder if we will get beef from folks who regard this locale sacred?

Silly Sunday Scenery is just that.

If you know where this bridge is, or was…don’t tell anyone.

See. The secret is safe.

 

P.S. I wonder how Lewis and Clark got under this bridge?

 

On another note. The weather is turning for the worse and we could not be happier.

Hopefully you are spending a little time on the river, this or your own, this coming week. Just a little time left before it may be too cold, football too god, hunting, or honey-do’s. Cast a few more times, duck out of the house one last time…

Trust me. I’m a guide.

Do it.

 

World Series Missouri River Style

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I am personally pulling for the American League team. Being a Mariner’s fan I lean toward the Junior Circuit.

Go Kansas City!

My wife is pulling for the Giants. The Headhunters staff? Mostly San Fransisco fans.

The baseball season has many parallels with the fishing season. They essentially begin and end at the same time. About the time the Boys of Summer  get thinking about Spring Training we get ramped up here on the Missouri River as well getting guide trips out on the Spring Special daily. More on Headhunters Spring Special very soon on this very channel.

So as the MLB season winds down so are most trout fishing operations. Many guides and outfitters around the state are here fun fishing for the remainder of the month and into November. They like streamer and dry fly fishing too!

The difference here on the Mo? Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service keeps on fishing. All 12 months. The shop is open every day except for those below 0F. Christmas too. But that is about it. We have a strong minor league, a winter ball/fishing session, 2 Handed Guide Trips for $300 starting on November 1st, and  your Trout Spey Rod Demo center all winter long!

Don’t forget the Free Spey/2 Handed Casting Clinics beginning December 6th.

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Here is my take on the World Series Missouri River Style.

I may have written a blog like this in the last 7 years, but really cannot do not care remember.

A Single: The best way to be guided. Just ask any fishing guide.

The Double: Well, two fish on. One for each angler.

A Triple: Not 3 anglers in the boat.

Home Run: Any day off of work and on t river with friends. A Home Run everytime.

Strike-Out: No beer int he cooler

Skipper: Guide of course.

Balk: Landing that Whitey!

Stolen Base: Getting to the boat ramp first!

Suicide Squeeze: Cutting off, low holing your buddy and catching a big brown trout!

Double Play: Forgot your Gink and out of 5X.

Double Switch: Thought you had a big brown trout on the line, bring it to the boat, and it turns out to be a fouled Whitey!

Grand Slam: Catching fish on dries, nymphs, streamers, and a shot of Fireball to finish!

 

Just a few terms that are crossover from baseball to fishing. What are your favorite terms? Let us know. Don’t forget about the two handed season, the free clinics, and your favorite destination fly shop is open all winter!

 

 

November is the New October

November is the New October | Missouri River Chronicles

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John wrote an article about the too nice, the way too nice late October weather we have been experiencing and I concur. Let’s move on into the fall, the true fall conditions we have so come to love. Not expect, but certainly love!

So I put together this piece about the future. The future that we can expect, or hope to expect this coming month. The cloud cover is supposed to be more. The temperatures are supposed to be cooler. And the bugs are supposed to be bigger and come more often.

Missouri River October and November Forecast

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac…

OCTOBER 2014: temperature 46° (3° below avg.); precipitation 1.5″ (avg. north, 1″ above south); Oct 1-10: Rain to snow, then sunny, cold; Oct 11-16: Showers, mild; Oct 17-22: Snow showers north, rainy periods south; chilly; Oct 23-31: Rain and snow, then sunny, mild.

NOVEMBER 2014: temperature 41° (4° above avg.); precipitation 0.5″ (0.5″ below avg.); Nov 1-4: Sunny, mild; Nov 5-8: Rain to snow, then sunny; Nov 9-11: Rain and snow, then sunny, cold; Nov 12-18: Sunny, mild; Nov 19-20: Rain and snow showers; Nov 21-26: Sunny, mild; Nov 27-30: Snow showers, cold.

Annual Weather Summary: November 2014 to October 2015

Winter will be colder and slightly drier than normal in the north and milder than normal with near-normal precipitation in the south. The coldest periods will be in late December, early to mid-January, mid- to late February, and early March. Snowfall will be below normal in the east and near normal in the west, with the snowiest periods in early to mid-November, mid- to late December, mid-January, and early and mid- to late March.

November is the New October

Has it been colder and more normal like in years past than it has been this year? Yes, in years past. Has it also been normal with overcast and cooler temps creating more opportunities for fish to look toward the surface? Yep.

The reality is that it has been both and will continue to be. The snow and inclement weather will arrive. In November? Maybe. Reading the info above from the Old Farmer’s Almanac I don’t know what to believe. I do believe winter will visit at some point.

The big bugs have not shown yet. Will they come? I don’t know. I suspect they will. The water temps will continue to plunge as fall, or winter, may actually come. The streamer bite is becoming better everyday. Honest. Nymphing is just fine, per usual.

November is the New October

Guide trips available all month long. The November month. We get into that 2 Handed game as well. $300 Spey Trips until the end of December. Craig Trout Camp is open all winter long with lodging here in Craig. Call us for anything you may need from 2 Handed Rods, to lodging, to guides, to shuttles, to our always free coffee.

The average snowfall in November is 8 inches. The average precip total is 0.59 inches. The average high air temp is 43F with the low coming in at 23F. Much cooler than November. Although October is historically cooler than it has been.

Swinging is good in November. Real good.

Tough to choose for most between the rhythm of the swing or the beat of the dry fly bite.

What do you want to do?

I just want to be ready with dry fly rod in hand wading out to my favorite BWO slick.

 

New Breed Chicks Rule #997

New Breed Chicks Rule #997

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Jo Darling fished with Headhunters Guide Mark Raisler this past week.

Mark fished with here husband Greg last year in conjunction with the RIO Line Co trip and he returned this year with his better half.

They will be back again for a longer stay in 2015.

Greg runs the media side of The Gorge Fly Shop located in Hood River Oregon. Check them out while in cruising up the Columbia.

Travis Duddles was visiting this year with the RIO/SAGE group. HE could not make it last year and Greg subbed in, graciously. It was nice to fish with these Oregon boys.

As for Jo, we will see you next year too! We look forward to it Jo and Greg!

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.23.14

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.23.14

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The success rate goes like this…

  1. Nymphing
  2. Streamer Chucking
  3. Dry Fly Angling

That is how the numbers stack up. We all fish for different reasons. Sometimes just one fish is enough. While we do occasionally go blank one fish seems good enough.

Is it still good when we go blank? You bet.

I for one just enjoy getting out and enjoying the day. Watching the day go by is my favorite fishing plan. You can hook a few with this plan too. A little too loose for many though. Those serious anglers need more planning than that…

We get and enjoy both pursuits.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.23.14

How about a couple hints for nymphing success.

  1. Find the bugs and put your flies, your imitations, right in the mix. Understand where the fish, the bugs are, at the time of angling and sink them accordingly.
  2. Trust yourself.
  3. If your shit ain’t working, change it immediately.
  4. Sows, scuds, midges, and mayflies will get you through the day.
Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.23.14
Get on board this winter with a Spey Day on the Missouri River

Some Streamer Fishing Secrets

  1. They, the trouts, can eat it dead drifted or on the drop. Be aware of that.
  2. When the sun comes off the water the fish go nuts for streamers. Or cloudy days.
  3. Change if you are not getting the bite.
  4. Slow strips, fast strips? Change if they are not responding to your magic.

Dry Fly Antics

  1. First cast is the best cast.
  2. Slack line presentations catch way, way, way more fish.
  3. Leave the fish if you do not get them in an hour. Give ups dn move on.
  4. Or stay til you are blue in the face. Or your fishing partner is a snoring.
  5. Cripples catch tons of trout on the Missouri River

Missouri River Weather, Flows, and Temps

4200cfs and 55F for the water temps. The weather ahead of us is not dis-similar to the weeks behind us this Ocotber. Will it change? Yes, in th endear future towards the back end of the weekend we should see more seasonal types of temperatures, clue covers, snow, sleet, baetis…you know all the stuff we pray for in this historically buggy month.

[forecast]

Click on that ICON on your right there friend. Check out the videos by Headhunters and Scumliner Media on Headhunters TV. Do it now and enjoy some Missouri River love!

The shop is open daily from 730am til 7pm. Lots of sale stuff including fly lines, jackets, gloves, hats, logo wear, Howler Bros, SIMMS, a couple demo rods from this year from SAGE and Echo and Orvis.

Check out the Spey Special that starts November 1st. $300 Spey Guide Trips. Love it. Come on out an enjoy the day swinging streamers with your 2 handed rod. If you do not have one, we can supply one. Never spey cast in your life? No worries there either. Book your $300 Spey Special and you will be catching fish on that goofy long 2 hander by days end! No Problem. Call the shop for mor info if you like.

Come by for shuttles, info, demo rods, a new RIO In Touch Connect Core fly line for your streamer or dry fly rod, or anything else that may get your through the day like killer Missouri River flies.

Izaaks’ closes for the season on the 26th. This coming Sunday. So come on out one more time for a good rack of Ribs and a cocktail.

No worries. Joe’s Bar is open 365 days a year.

See you soon in Craig!

 

titan Rod Vault

Titan Rod Vault

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Screen shot 2014-10-21 at 10.29.05 AMThe Titan Rod Vault is the key to your fishing success. Will it help you fish better? No not really. But will it help you be prepared so you can spend more time on the river? Certainly!

Headhunters Fly Shop is the lone dealer of Titan Rod Vault on the Missouri River. Come by and get yourself hooked up! Some put on on the roof of the car or truck while others jam a couple of these monsters on their rigs. 6 rods rigged and on the ready for your fishing successes! How can you beat that?

Coming in at 495 bones they are not cheap. But protection from the elements, a locking safe if you will for your fly rods valued at a bundle of dollars you cannot beat the protection.

What’s better than fishing? Fishing year-round! The Titan Rod Vault locks both function and fashion to your roof through its aluminum construction which is not only weather-proof, rust-proof and able to stand up to all of Mother Nature’s fury but it’s also quite the head-turner with its brushed finish and sleek design.

What does this mean for you? More fishing! And not just more fishing, but more fishing in more places since you can take this roof-trophy anywhere – even on your bucket list cross-country fishing extravaganza!

Never worry again as you walk into Izaak’s or Joe’s Bar with your gear on top of the car. You are safe with the Titan Rod Vault!

Check out the Titan Rod Vault Web Site for more information and keep up to date on their Blog. How about the Titan Rod Vault Facebook site too!

HEadhunters has the Titan Rod Vault in stock and we can help you attach it to your rig right outside the shop. Come see us today for your Titan Rod Vault and we have a boatload of testimonials to help you confirm your decision. We love the Titan Rod Vault!

Titan Rod Vault

 

 

www.titanrodvault.com from In The Loop Productions on Vimeo.

Tuesday in October

Tuesday in October | Red Shafted Flicker

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Northern Flicker | Red Shafted Flicker

Flickers are fairly large woodpeckers with a slim, rounded head, slightly downcurved bill, and long, flared tail that tapers to a point.

Flickers appear brownish overall with a white rump patch that’s conspicuous in flight and often visible when perched. The undersides of the wing and tail feathers are bright yellow, for eastern birds, or red, in western birds. With a closer look you’ll see the brown plumage is richly patterned with black spots, bars, and crescents.

Northern Flickers spend lots of time on the ground, and when in trees they’re often perched upright on horizontal branches instead of leaning against their tails on a trunk. They fly in an up-and-down path using heavy flaps interspersed with glides, like many woodpeckers.

Look for flickers in open habitats near trees, including woodlands, edges, yards, and parks. In the West you can find them in mountain forests all the way up to treeline.

Headhunters Fly Shop Missouri River Fishing Report

Headhunters Fly Shop Missouri River Fishing Report October 20th

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Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service Missouri River fishing report.

Coming to the end of the month and we still have warm temperatures. This past weekend we saw the highs get into the 70’s. Too warm for October.

The fishing? Not too bad. The RIO Line Co was hosting their annual trip and most of the week the gang was streamer fishing. Was it good? From time to time the fishing really heated up. Good and bad all week long. But that is the upshot of fishing.

Do we want it to become more fall like? Absolutely.

[forecast]

Dry flies that seem to wrk when you find a few fish rising? Mostly Cripples and tiny CDC Emergers.  Some have been having good luck with LaFontaine’s Buzzball. Ants, caddis, smaller attractors can get them looking up too.

Nymphers have been having a ball. What is the secret to bobber success? A scud or sow for the lead fly followed by the Zebra or a small mayfly imitation. That is the most common rig. But if you want to experiment beyond that formula you are certainly welcome to do that. Firebeads are coming back. Worms have been known to have worked recently.

Any of the midge stuff that you like is working too. Lots of those annoying tiny fellers swarming around you head in the mornings, evenings, at lunch. Tiny flies are the norm in the late fall into the early winter. They can become selective. Get that ball of fire to settle down for a spell and we should be just fine.

Then most anything works really. Short or long and many places in-between. Find the depth you like and fish it.

The streamers that were hot this last week…because that is all we really know is that. Predicting the future is s tough thing to pull off. Brown or Olive Skiddish Smolts, Marabou Clousers, smaller closers, black buggers, Micro Zonkers, smaller Double Bunny’s, Purple Buggers, and some leeches too!

The popular streamer line is the RIO Streamer Tip withe the 10′ Clear Intermediate Tip. Just right for the water conditions this fall!

Shop open daily from 7am til 7pm. Lots of fun still be be had this October. Pray for overcast skies and some inclement weather patterns and we will see you on your favorite dry fly flat.

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery

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Looking for the rise form.

Eric Mondragon and angler Dave out for a day of fly fishing on Montana’s Missouri River.

The fall is a good time to get out.

Are you going to get out another time before we put on our snowy pajamas?

You should. Enjoy this Sunday. Fish if you can.

Friday Foto

Friday Foto

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Fall colors in full effect.

The non-local locals are here in full effect.

Streamer fishing? Getting closer to full throttle.

Dry fly fishing? Not as much, but some afternoons are pretty killer.

Be there. Be here. Be present.

Then, and only then can you participate or even inundate yourself in Montana’s Missouri River Fall.

 

Missouri RIver Montana Weekend Fishing Report

Missouri River Montana Weekend Fishing Report

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Getting revved up for the big Weekend ahead. Not much to talk about other than the fishing. It is good. Or at least some of the time. Really depends on your skill set. Commonly, certainly when the fish do not want to go on a feeding bender where they eat everything that passes by their mouth, the fishing is as good as you are. We have arrived at that satge once again.

Fish will drive you to drink. Sometimes happily.

Missouri River Montana Weekend Fishing Report

So what is happening on the Mighty Mo’? Just the regular too warm fall stuff. The days have been warm, save for some pretty windy, really damn windy…afternoons. Too warm I might add. We like some sort of hint that winter is around the bend. Like overcast skies and baetis going nuts at 145pm daily.

We are reminded nightly with the ALCS and the NLCS on the boobtube that we are in the fall time frame. Wintery afternoons with some freezing, or near, temps would get us ramped up for the real BWO. Hopefully coming to your, no our, river soon.

I like wandering into Izaak’s for a Hot Toddy, or three, after getting the job done tossing streamers all morning long , then lunching, then hunting heads til dark pushes you to the bar.

Is that too much to ask?

 

 

Missouri River Water Flows and Temps

Flows int he 4K range and should be stable for a while. Good flows for this time of year. Right at the 68 year average. If you are keeping track. So the fish are adjusted to this flow. Water temps are falling slowly too. Please come out big bugs. Big BWO’s.

Missouri RIver Montana Weekend Fishing Report

Missouri River Weekend Weather

[forecast]

Way too sunny for my liking. It is damn pleasant with these blue skies and warmer daytime temps, but not too good for the non eye lidded trout. I guess we will have to fish anyway…

Missouri River & Headhunters Fly Shop

Guides available for the remainder of the month. Lodging too. Call our crack staff and get on board. Remember $300 Spet Guided Trips beginning November 1st and the bevy fo Free 2 Handed Casting Clinics select Saturdays beginning in December.

The shop is open daily from 7am on til after dark.

Izaak’s open every night but Tuesday til October 26th. Then you will have to eat in Wolf Creek at the two restaurants there, the Frenchman & Me and The Oasis.

We’d love to see you this month on the Missouri River. Let us know how we can help.

New Breed Chicks Rule October Edition

New Breed Chicks Rule October Edition

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Karen Sorocco with this nice fish last week on the Missouri River.

More and more women coming out with their girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands and by themselves too.

Love to see the gals on the water.

Women are a treat to fish with as they see the day as an entire experience. Catch some fish, look at the animals, chat, catch some more fish…

Women also still have the ability to learn. And learn they do.

And ego’s. They do not bring that emotion on board.

Until they start out-fishing the boys…which they commonly do.

Hooray for the women that fish the Mighty Mo.’

Bring it on!

Fall Fishing Montana's Missouri River

Fall Fishing Montana’s Missouri River

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It is great. The big bugs are not here yet, but the dry fly fishing can and has been pretty good.

Different stretches of the river can hold bugs for the day, good hatches and success on the dry fly. Posted up and getting them.

Other reaches? Not as good.

Is there any way to tell which stretch will fish well today? I do not have the Genie in the Bottle but I can guess. And I do. And sometimes I guess wrong.

You? How are your guessing skills?

Fish to your strong points. Fish the water that you are comfortable with if you like to catch them or at least have an opportunity to get them on the dry fly.

Blind fishing has been good to as you have been reading the past couple weeks on this very blog.

RIO Line Company and SAGE Rods are here for their annual trip and it has been a ball already. They love to toss the streamer and then when the dries show…it is time to get out the SAGE Accel Rod and have at them. For streamers this week they have been throwing the SAGE Salt saltwater rod in both 5 and 6 weights. We have them both in stock and we also have a 5, 6, ad 7 wt. Accel in stock for demo purposes. We are really getting into the Accel. Come in today and take one out for a test drive. It is awesome.

The weather ahead looks sunny. Will it have some clouds in it? Will it be good for dry fly fishing? Only you can guess.

[forecast]

You do have to be here to really get a feel for what is happening. You gotta go to know.

So we always go.

We really do love this time frame on the Missouri River and let us know if we can help in any way for the future. We are here at the shop from 7am til 8pm daily for all your river needs like lodging, guiding, demo rods, flies, coffee, free high speed info, and much, much more!

 

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.14.14

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Approaching the middle of the month and the big BWO’s? Not here.

They have flirted, a little bit. Nothing to write home about.

So what are we doing this week to keep ourselves busy on the water? well, we’ll tell ya.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.14.14

Dry Flyin’ when we can. Blond fishing still producing good numbers of eats with your favorite dry flies. Bigger the better for the human factor. The fish like the little stuff. Can you meet somewhere in between? Your choice.

Adams, Wulff’s, ants, baetis stuff, some good caddis dries as well. Emergers? If you want to get a few on the trailer, then yes. Try your favorite attractor like an October Caddis. For those who find the sipping trout of the Missouri River you should be comfortable with small CDC Emergers, cripples, and spinners. Any of the killer Harrop stuff will work if you are so inclined.

Nymphin’? Short or long with a big one up top and a small one on the bottom. Or two small ones. How about double Zebra’s. How about a sz 20 Zebra and a sz 20 PT? That’ll work.

Streamer fishing? Brown is the theme of the week. Then yellow. Then flashy. Just sayin.’

Lots of apostrophe’s this report.

Weather? Windy and too sunny yesterday. Windy is a constant bothersome event here on the Mo’. But you know that. Get your stiff rod out of the car and use it.

[forecast]

Guide trips for the last week of October? Yes, we got guides. Fishing Hotline in Craig? 406-235-3447 or 877-DRY-FLYS. Call today.

Shop open every morning at 7am with hot cheap free coffee.

Missouri River October Flies

Missouri River October Flies

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Dries that have kept our interest this last week include some of the following. The weather has not been cooperating with clouds and moisture. But it should, would, will come? We are doing the snow and rain dance daily.

Row 1: Lewis CDC & Foam October Caddis, Orange Stimulator, Swisher Dancing caddis, Tan Para Caddis, Translucent Pupa.

Row 2: Nymens DOA Cripple, Harrops Last Chance Cripple, Baetis Cripple, Sparkle Dunn Baetis olive, Harrops Biot Emerger, CDC Indicator Comparadun.

Row 3: RS-2, Hi-Vis BWO Spinner, Snow-Shoe Midge, Q’s Cluster Peacock , Juan’s Midge Ice Emerger Black.

Nymphs that have been getting us through the week are per below. Get out there and get some. The morning show has improved and you can expect a pretty strong bite most times of the day. Although, it is better when there are a billion bugs not he surface.

When there is not a great hatch, the fishing can be slower. Then toss streamers?

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Row 1: ClawR Crayfish, Pat’s Rubber Legs

Row 2: Pearl Lightening Bug, Mason’s Peep Show, Micro Mayfly, Matt’s Autocad, Rainbow Warrior, Purple Weight Fly, Purple Lightening Bug, Zebra Midge, Tailwater Sowbug, Rainbow Czech

Row 3: Magic fly BWO, Newman’s Own Midge, Stout’s WD-50, BH Midge Pupa, Arnold’s Palomino Midge, Juju Baetis, Skip’s Anatomay, Mercury Flashback PT, Mercury RS-2, S&M Nymph