Thursday July 16th Fishing Report Missouri River

Thursday July 16th Fishing Report Missouri River All is well here in Craig Montana. Flows at 6K. Temps at 63F. Trico’s waxing. No fabulous spinner falls yet. Crowds on the upper. Not as much lower. Dry fly guys looking. Waders are here. Wade fishing is here. Caddis popping. PMD’s? Don’t know the path yet. Probably … Read more

Monday July 13th Headhunters Fishing Report

Monday July 13th Headhunters Fishing Report Facts for the day…meaning yesterday. Fishing reports are always, a day late! Today is a new day, and live it man! Flows dropping daily. Inflows at 4K-ish/Toston. Flows here under 6. Wade fishers paradise. Water temps 60-ish. Trico’s? Today yes. Tomorrow yes. Just starting though. Decent spinner fall today, … Read more

How to Approach Like A Pro

HOW TO APPROACH TROUT LIKE A PRO The number one reason that more anglers do not catch fish with a dry fly is because they do not approach rising fish in the proper manner. Most every angler (men) rush right in and foul it up. Are you familiar with the Old Bull, Young Bull parable? … Read more

Two-For Tuesday Missouri River Montana

Two-For Tuesday Missouri River Montana A Montana double today on the HH Blog site featuring a married couple that fishes together. Well, Ben for the most part, but now Amanda as she shows her partner who the real angler is in the family. Brown trout generally trump the rainbow trout here amongst locals. Not that … Read more

Dead Flies Don’t Swim Video & 5 Things to Never Do Dry Fly Fishing

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Dead Flies Don’t Swim Video & 5 Things to Never Do Dry Fly Fishing

Water levels falling this week we think. They fell yesterday by a couple thousand and will fall again today below 9K. Hooray.

The dry fly bite yesterday was damn good as well. More to come as we get into the true dry fly period with water levels appropriate for the season.

Today we show you again Dead Flies Don’t Swim. A classic HH vid by Scumliner Media that shows the joys of July.

Dead Flies Don’t Swim is also branded on our dry fly specific fly line. We believe in the slogan. Meaning? Dragging flies do not get eaten by our voracious trout. Perfect dead drifts get us through the day for sure.

5 Things to Never Do Dry Fly Fishing

  1. Drag your fly. Dead Flies Don’t Swim. Dead bugs do not move on the water. The primary diet of our trout here in Central Montana is dead flies. Spinners, cripples, scents.
  2. Think you are good enough to toss the first cast into the lane and hope. Dude. I don’t know any body that good. Prep for a couple minutes and make the appropriate drift before you alert the enemy you are in the neighborhood. All men over 50 do this. Almost all. I’ve had a couple in the boat that don’t. Maybe a few. But not a lot. Fellers do this everyday. It’s bad. Catch more fish and practice a bit outside of the trout.
  3. Make your goal to catch the trout. Don’t foul it up early in the game. Make a plan. Execute. No plan?No fish. Guessing again? If you are a guesser, and I think you may be, then your goal is not to catch that trout. You can see everything. The fish rising, the fly floating not dragging, the fly. All the variables are in front of you. You can see them all. No secrets. No guessing. DOn’t guess your fly over there.
  4. Shoot line on rising trout. Most dry fly ops are within 30′. Some 25′. You do not have to shoot line 30′. Nope. Cast it with accuracy. Don’t shoot line at a 30′ target. You are guessing every cast. And that is bad.
  5. Get too close to another angler while dry fly fishing. Lots of water out there. Respect others water. BE smart. Don’t be that guy. You know. That guy the dick.

[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/101744402″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

New Breed Chicks Rule Stephanie Returns Edition

New Breed Chicks Rule Stephanie Returns Edition & 4th of July Fishing Report

New Breed Chicks Rule Stephanie Returns Edition Stephanie graced the early pages of the blog and has more than one installment in the New Breed Chicks annals. Stephanie and friend Amanda, you’ll see her early next week as she too has a New Breed Chicks Rule post forthcoming, rocked it all day long with HH … Read more

Zirdle Bug Just Add Vise

Zirdle Bug Just Add Vise Kit and Video

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Zirdle Bug Just Add Vise Kit and Video

Many are fishing the Zirdle as the top fly on the deep water nymph rig.

Emulates crayfish, or just something that resembles food.

A popular fly throughout the summer months. And in August you will want this fly on your rig. The Zirdle is also a bug that leaves fly bins early in the season. Why not tie up a couple dozen for your trip to the Mo this year? A smart move!

With the water deeper today and maybe the near future tie this and toss at banks that are 2′-4′ deep. Hold on.

Enjoy this Tuesday in Craig. Raining still. Yesterday rained cats and dogs, all day long.

Dry fly fishing still good. Gotta look a bit harder. Good PMD hatch Monday as well. Caddis will take them on top as well. Find you bug and fish it.

Even if it is a Zirdle.

 

[/vc_column_text][us_grid post_type=”ids” ids=”11100, 11096, 30388″ orderby=”title” no_items_message=”” items_layout=”shop_trendy” columns=”3″ items_gap=”” order=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/121432769″ video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Monday Morning Fishing Report 6.29.2020

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Monday Morning Fishing Report 6.29.2020 Just the facts today on the Headhunters Fishing Report. Monday morning and heavy rain falls from he sky. More today, more tomorrow. What will the total rainfall amounts be? Ohh, the weather guessers think about 2 inches. What will the totals be in eh Mo River Drainage? That will … Read more

Weekend Update: Rain Coming, Maybe more Dearborn Floating, and Mask up Please!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A Saturday Afternoon update for those on the Missouri River, or planning to be here in the next couple of days. Many people on the water this Saturday afternoon. Most angling pressure the last 2 days has been concentrated from Holter Dam to Spite Hill. In other words, everyone is putting in at the Dam … Read more

Missouri River Headhunters Fishing Report June 24th 2020

Missouri River Headhunters Fishing Report June 24th 2020 Photo: Mike Farris tying up another PMD dry fly to fool the Misouri River sipping trout Tuesday Morning. Water levels flirting with 10K as the water managers evacuate the flood pool that was reached when the lake fill level passed beyond 97%. Currently 100% the lake will … Read more

Just Add Vise Tying Video Rusty Spinner

Just Add Vise Tying Video Rusty Spinner

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Just Add Vise Tying Video Rusty Spinner

A great fly for the week. It has been for the weeks behind us too.

Still getting some of the tougher fish on the river, the Missouri River.

Order this up and enjoy the video![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/121434150″ video_title=”1″]

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

For Immediate Release: Headhunters Fly Shop Hiring Today!

For Immediate Release: Headhunters Fly Shop Hiring Today!

For Immediate Release: Headhunters Fly Shop Hiring Today! 2nd year shop stud Peter Longoria with this nice brown above he plucked for the shore with a streamer. See yourself catching a few like this? We do too! Apply today.  Hiring two (2) fly shop employees for the remainder of the summer until late fall and … Read more

Dearborn River: Last Call

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We were just about call an end to the Dearborn River Float season, but thanks to Mother Nature, the Dearborn just got a shot in the arm. Heavy rains in Central Montana have pushed the river up to the 400cfs mark from the low 200’s. It’s dropping now, but may hold over 300cfs for the … Read more

The Headhunter Fly Line

It’s Dry Fly Season! The Headhunter Fly Line

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The Headhunter Fly Line

Today speaking about the Headhunter Fly Line. A dry fly line designed by Headhunters manufactured by RIO for our dry fly obsessions!

It is finally dry fly season here on Montana’s Missouri River. And no better time to get your Headhunter Fly Line on that dry fly rod of yours.

For sale for nearly a year we could not be happier with the success of our first foray into line design. A proprietary line design and dry fly line like no other on the market.


 

Introducing the Headhunter Fly Line
Available at Headhunters of Craig or online

After years of trying every fly line on the market – and never finding exactly what we wanted – we decided to design our own line, specifically for technical dry fly fishing on the Missouri River.

The Headhunter Fly Line is designed for the medium to long casts we perform every day. Casts that require pinpoint accuracy, long-leader turnover, delicate presentation, yet the power to defeat the ever present Montana wind.


Introducing the Headhunter Fly Line
Dead Flies Don’t Swim!

We also created a stealthy sky colored line with a zone that helps anglers understand how much line to have off the rod tip to maximize false casting and line pick-up. Mission accomplished. And it turns out it’s a pretty darn great line for swinging soft-hackles, presenting short-leash nymph rigs, and general attractor dry fly fishing.

 

Designed for Headhunters, by Headhunters


A 21.5′ front taper with a 5′ mid section followed by a 24.5 rear taper. A Double Delta Taper, and industry first, that will bring a new level of efficiency to your dry fly game.

The Performance Zone really works well. Easy line pick-up at the 25′ mark. Just strip in line until the Lime Green portion enters the rod tip and cast. The Performance Zone is 15′ in length. You can pick up the line easily from the water anywhere with in the Lime portion. And the color change is easily seen in the air too. Meaning you can use it to your advantage while false casting. The Headhunter Line is designed to cast the best within this zone. For the 25′-60′ dry fly casts we so commonly encounter.


Introducing the Headhunter Fly Line
The Lime Green section is The Performance Zone.

We have had the Headhunter Fly Line on the water for nearly a year. The verdict in in. Dry Fly Anglers love it. More flies in front of trout. More fish to hand. More smiles!  Lots of anglers have not only bought one, but two outfitting their 4, 5 and/or 6 weight. Available in line weights 4, 5 and 6.



Find yourself fishing the Delaware River, the Missouri River, The Henry’s Fork, Silver Creek, any spring creeks around America and Europe? Then you may enjoy the Headhunter Fly Line. Made for conditions that exist on all of the above resources and beyond!

Soft Hackling on your schedule this fall? Get yourself the Headhunter for that single hand swing rod of yours.

Check out the new Headhunter Fly Line in Downtown Craig Montana from the Missouri River Fly Labs of Headhunters Fly Shop. We have demo’s as well if you wanna go that route. Come by anyway or give us a call.

$80! Available in 4, 5, and 6 weights. Watch the video, check it out, and order one up for yourself!

[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/351435515″]

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Tuesday Tying Video from the JAV Family

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Tuesday Tying Video from the JAV Family

Buzzball Fly Tying

A great fly for the Mo. Squeeky’s favorite summertime pattern!

Been tossing it the past couple weeks. A good time for sure.

It is not red hot, yet. It will be.

No wing profile recognition, no negative reinforcement of the trout. Looks like garbage. The kind of garbage that trout eat. Here, on the Mighty Mo.

In my conversations with Gary in the 90’s here on the river I also found that he believed that the fussy-ness of this pattern and the ability to trap air bubbles underneath the fly gives the impression that the insect is decomposing. And decomposing insects are easy to eat. They don’t move. They are dead. And we all know that Dead Flies Don’t Swim!

Broken down proteins are easier to digest making this food source ideal for fat fast growing Missouri River trout.

If you have witnessed fast moving aggressive PMD subsurface feeding behaviors you already know that picking something from the surface or damn near it that does not move is much more efficient than the former actions. And that is why bits and pieces of dead and decomposing insects make up a large percentage of the Missouri River top water diets.

Check out the fly bins of your Missouri River fly shops and you will not see a wide variety of high floating flies. Not too many dun or adult patterns. They will be mostly comprised of flies that rest in the film. Emergers, cripples, and spinners.

Make Headhunters your first stop on the Mo. We carry the Best Flies Under the Big Sky!

Fishing Licenses, flies, river maps, info, in a clean sanitary environment.

Buy this pattern at the shop in downtown Craig Montana. We have them in several sizes up to size 18. For baby junk eaters.

Watch the video, then tie the fly. You cannot foul this fly up man. It looks even better if it is tied, un-neatly. Sloppy in fact. Those who tie this fly too neatly, don’t get it.

Fish it with confidence. Created for the junk eaters at Jackson Rock by Gary LaFontaine a few decades back.

Tuesday and all is well here on the Mo. The Buzzball will get on the list of the top flies of the summer. Until then you can count on the Translucent Emerger or Pupa to get you through the day. Or a PMD Cripple is and has been hot. Spinners, spents, knock-downs. All good flies for the time being as we move through the early summer session.

And for those PMD lovers we have fully stocked PMD nymph bins. And you will need them out on the Mo for the next 2 months. A fly that will grace your rig for the future!

[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/336685340″]

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Shelter from the Storm Dylan

Shelter from the Storm, Dylan, afternoon Water Update 6.8.20

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Shelter from the Storm, Dylan, afternoon Water Update 6.8.20

The rain has stopped today. 3 days of a very good wetting. We were a bit behind our annual rainfall. And now the hills are green again.

The Dearborn is still in shape. Will it blow out again, rising to an un-fishable level? It may not. Currently under 600 cfs.  There is a pulse of water shooting through it. But not much color. Not enough to affect the water below the confluence. The Dearborn still has fishable color. Not blown by any means.

As we have mentioned before the mud has come off in previous pulses of water. Pretty safe after the first blast.

The water is coming down today on the Missouri River as we should realize 8200cfs.  It has already turned the corner. Tomorrow we will see flows at 7700 cfs according to the water managers. Currently scheduled to remain at this level through the week and maybe beyond.

All based on whether we receive additional rain in our system, basin wide. We’ll let you know as it breaks here first.

We are encouraged by the direction of the flows as June and PMD’s and summer fill our Headhunting minds.

PMD’s cultivate our dry fly fantasies

 

And there is All the News Fit to Print. A tip of the hat to all of our NY and Try-State angling friends who will be here shortly. Travel safely. We will see you soon.

Give us a call if you want to proceed on your 2020 Missouri River fishing plans. We have lodging, guides, flies, fishing and fun cornered at 406-235-3447. Direct Booking Line 406-868-5473

We will bring you the latest on all Missouri River fronts here at your Entertainment, Information, Education, and Customer Service leader located in downtown Craig on the banks of Montana’s Missouri River.

Enjoy the Dylan jam. Happy Monday. The water is falling.

[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12rUOLtbQDk”]

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

High Water Nymphing Video

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

High Water Nymphing Video

Missouri River water levels heading up this past weekend and potentially this week too.

Get ready for a bit of high water. And nymphs can be one way to get into a few.

Check out this video from a few years back. Get out your wire worms, your Zirdles, and heavily weighted PMD nymphs!

Enjoy the video.

[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/24037198″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Rain Song for this Rainy Weekend…

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The Mighty Zep with the Rain Song for the rain we have received this weekend.

Posted this first 5 years ago. Been listening to the Mighty Zep a bunch this past month. The Rain Song has been in my Top 5 Zeppelin Tunes List since I first gave it a listen about 40 years ago.

Raining cats and dogs here in Craig this evening. It’ll blow out the Dearborn and increase the flows on the Mo as well.

Looking for a possible 10K the front end of the week. Of course keep it here for the update first as the Headhunters is the only information source you trust in Craig Montana and beyond. We keep you up to date of all things Missouri River.

Look for wetter skies coupled with cooler daytime and nighttime highs as we move through the weekend into the work week ahead.

Changes for sure. LPP, Dearborn, and Missouri River rising. Changing fishing conditions will be a given. You can bet on that.

Fish rise until 13K. But not well. Under 10K would be appreciated. 6K is great. 7k OK. 8k not too great. 9K not good. 10K and beyond is a nymphing only show. Hope you are tying up some wire worms and sow bugs. If you are not ,we got ’em here at HH of Craig.

 

 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/47632521″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Montana Opens the borders today

Montana Opens the Borders Today

Montana Opens the borders today Today is the day when Montana opens its borders to out fo state and non quarantined visitors. And that is a big deal. June 1st the Governor will allow anglers, visitors, tourists access to the Last Best Place. Including the not so sleepy fishing town of Craig Montana. We are … Read more

PMD Forecast Missouri River Montana

PMD Forecast June 2020 Missouri River Montana

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] PMD Forecast June 2020 Missouri River Montana Lots of folks in with questions about the Pale Morning Dun. Our answer? Yes, that can be a tough one out there. And then sometimes, easy. But mostly in the middle of those two answers. Drift is King The first thing I will mention is that if … Read more

Achilles Last Stand Led Zeppelin

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Achilles Last Stand Led Zeppelin

Montana’s Last Stand this weekend.

And float and fish they have been. Today again as many Saturdays in the past month have been the Montanans were out in force.

A 100 boat trailers at Mid Canon. Yessir. More Dearborn River floaters than anyone, yes anybody, has ever seen.

All Montanans.

So before the out of state gates are open the residents of this fine state are fishing, drifting, recreating, on our fabulous Montana resources.

So, this may be Montana’s Last Stand.

One of Squeeky’s favorite tunes by the Mighty Zep. Live with the boys ripping it up in ’77 and ’79.

Check out the story on this tune.

Enjoy your final weekend without outside influences Montana. Monday is a new day.

Turn this one up. Loud. Page would approve.

 

[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9K-Zv_pTfk”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWOuzYvksRw”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Friday Foto and Missouri River Fishing Report May 29th 2020

Friday Foto and Missouri River Fishing Report May 29th 2020

Friday Foto and Missouri River Fishing Report May 29th 2020 It’s almost summer! June 21st will usher the sunshine in full time! But the days get longer until the solstice and then turn the other direction. Evening fishing is fun and the sunny afternoons drift into calm caddis filled nights. Can’t wait. Until then the … Read more

Tying the Rusty Parachute Video

Tying the Rusty Parachute Video

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Tying the Rusty Parachute Video

Squeeky believes that we may see these bugs this week? Water temps in the mid 50’s range! Working their way upwards this week as well with the warmer and hot afternoons towards the weekend!

Historically PMD’s show around the 4th, 5th, or 6th of June. The first emergences. But we have in the past 5 years seen them as early as May 28th!

What will the week ahead bring for bugs on the surface? Don’t know. I do know that yesterday in the canyon produced no bugs. None. Today? Probably the same.

We can assume that the BWO’s have run their course. The March Browns? Probably gone as well. Mothers Day Caddis? I would guess that there are some more left in our system? How many? I don’t know that answer.

Working towards the weekend on this hump day. Warm again today. No wind though!

Nymphing red hot. The remainder of the disciplines not as good per above. Streamer anglers? Toss ’em if you want.

Enjoy your Hump Day! Tie up some spinners of the PMD variety for the next couple months. Last year was an epic PMD event for 10+ weeks. This year? Let’s hope it is similar.

Summer is coming to a river near year. The Mighty Mo. Look us up in Craig for all things Missouri River. Your entertainment, information, education, and customer service experts in Craig!


This highly popular Rusty Spinner pattern by the Harrop family is a killer when fishing June and July on our home water here in central Montana.

We fish it a ton. Biot bodied sparsely hackled almost floating fly that make brown trout move from their lane.

Yessir. That is the kind of move you want fish to make. Moving to take a fly is one way to make the fish behave aggressively. If you can get them to move, yes make them move, you got ’em.

This available in one of our Just Add Vise Tying Kits. Yep you get enough materials to tie 25 of these babies. All included int he kit. Plus this video with a QR code on the package and you can tie it in your tent if you wish! 25 hooks, boots, hackles, for you to get 25 ready for the coming season. Buy it online if you so desire. But not right now…We are getting these very popular tying kits put back together after the thinning of the herd this March and April!

A Rusty Spinner has long been the favorite fly amongst summer dry fly anglers. If you can’t get them on anything else, tie on a Rusty Spinner and fish it till you he eats it.

It’ll work. Honest.

Trust me, I’m a fishing guide…[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/121434150″]

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Memorial Day 2020

We Honor those who have fallen today. At 3pm is time observe a moment of silence. Honor. Respect. Remembrance.  In traditional observance, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised … Read more

14 Day Quarantine Ends June 1st. Montana Tourism Open! What does that mean?

14 Day Quarantine Ends June 1st. What does that mean? It means that out of state visitors and anglers can begin to travel to Montana without a mandatory 14 Day Quarantine Monday June 1st. No longer do you have to lock yourself into a Motel 6 for two weeks before you come fish Montana’s Missouri … Read more

Montana Opens June 1st 2020

Montana Opens June 1st 2020

Montana Opens June 1st 2020 Governor Bullock announced 11 minutes ago that he will lift the 14 Day Quarantine effective June 1st. That means out of state residents can visit, stay, and fish in Montana. Until June 1st it is still in effect. 14 Day Quarantine in effect until June 1st. Although tomorrow, you only … Read more

Tuesday Tying Video

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Tuesday Tying Video

The Longhorn Beetle today on the Tuesday Tying Video from Headhunters Fly Shop of Craig Montana.

Beetles on the Mo? Yep. Not right now. But I have seen lots of black flying ants!

You don’t have to fish it if you don’t want too. But I will let you know that many of the long timers here use the black beetle wish smashing success. It is not talked about a lot.

But I’d have a couple in your box. Just in case?!

While many of the Just Add Vise Kits were plundered during the peak of the Covid Crunch we do have a few Longhorn Beetle JAV Kits in stock and are ready to ship.

Tuesday here in Craig. A good day. Wish you were here!

[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZG9OXySlYw”]

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Joe Walsh Rocky Mountain Way

Joe Walsh Rocky Mountain Way

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Joe Walsh Rocky Mountain Way

Another installment of great Rocky Mountain music today on the Headhunters Blog. Today rocker Joe Walsh and Barnstorm with Rocky Mountain Way.

John mentioned this tune yesterday as a lock for the blog this week. I couldn’t agree more. A power rock

All good here in Craig Montana on the east slope of the Rockies. It’s Monday. A great weekend behind us with a fantastic dry fly weather week in front of us. Some wind mixed in as the daily air temps in the mid 60’s chance of rain, mostly overcast skies, and you? You coming soon?

  • Flows 4800 cfs.
  • Water temps 52F.
  • March Browns for another week or two? This fickle bug shows up, then leaves. May is the period.
  • BWO’s for another week or two?
  • Midges? Another month.
  • Mothers Day Caddis? Yessir. This two week event is happening, sort of. May 18th was one of my best dry fly days in the last 20 years. BWO’s, March Browns, and Caddis filled the day. Dry fly all day long. About 5 years ago. Burned in my memory.
  • Rumors of opening to out of state traffic fill our phone lines, thoughts, and conversations. The governor of Montana may speak towards the end of this week in regards to moving into Phase Two, and could bring news about the 14 day quarantine. We are hoping for June 1st as the lifting of travel restrictions. Call today and get your guide and lodging dates for this possible change in regulations.
  • The fishing is damn good. The nymphing is lights out. Sows and scuds with the mayfly playing a large role too. Caddis nymphs are rocking too below Craig. Upriver the normal fare. Downriver more options for those dunking flies couple with split shot.
  • The dry fly bite is what it is. If you are in the right place at the right time, with the right cast, you can get ’em. Planning is important if you are headhunting the fish feeding near the surface. The weather plays a big part in the eagerness of the trout. Overcast skies help the fish look towards the surface. They do not have eyelids and cannot squint. Overcast skies have no relevance in the hatching of insects. Sun and wind help dry the wings of mayflies, a requirement for flight, and therefore are stuck on the water for a longer period. Consequently more time for fish to eat them. Bugs do not hatch better, on overcast days. Some mayflies do hatch better in a rainstorm as the water tension is broken allowing easier movement from watery environs to our atmosphere.
  • The canyon is the most popular float in the past couple weeks. Then the dam. Followed by the remainder of the Missouri River reaches.
  • Guided trips out daily here at Headhunters Fly Shops and Guide Service. We are not fully booked as we generally are die to the travel restrictions. We have several of our top guides available right now through the rest of the month. We love Montanans in the boat! Give us a call if you’d like to fish the river this week during this timely dry fly session. It’s good. Yep.
  • Lodging available as well. Give Julie a shout, 406-868-5473 and get yourself booked.
  • Fly Shop open daily. Shuttles, lodging, guide trips, rental boats, casting lessons, DEMO ROD SALE, Best Flies Under the Big Sky!, Montana’s Trout Spey HQ, Jet Boat Trips, BlackStrap Face Masks, Buff’s, mega Sunglass selection, our friendly informational/instrucctional staff to help you catch more fish here on the Mighty Missouri River!

Missouri River Map

[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x4El47O8Zs”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

High Country Gems Clayton and Arnold

High Country Gems Clayton and Arnold

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

High Country Gems Clayton and Arnold

This is a great piece. Pat Clayton, FishEye Guy Photography, of Phillipsburg Montana and John Arnold, Scumliner Media, of Craig Montana put this together a couple years ago. Awesome footage.

Visit John at Headhunters of Craig and Falls Outfitters. Visit Pat at his gallery in P-Burg. 

And you can enjoy this short, right now! Click and Play.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/171623459″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

May Missouri River Tips for Fly Fishing success!

May Missouri River Tips for Fly Fishing success!

May Missouri River Tips for Fly Fishing success! Hello all out there in TroutLand! May 16th today. Generally lots of folks in town for our Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off. But not today. Cancelled because of Covid-19. But it is rescheduled for Saturday August 29th. This will most likely be the permanent future … Read more

Mid May Missouri River Weekend Update

Mid May Missouri River Weekend Update

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Mid May Missouri River Weekend Update All good in the tiny fishing ‘burb of Craig Montana this week. Still slower traffic as many of the out of state guests cannot be in Montana without the 14 day quarantine. But this weekend will sure bring out the locals as well as representatives from around the … Read more

Guide Report – Max Mattioli

The Following fishing report is from longtime Headhunters Guide Max Mattioli. It’s a rare occasion that one of our guides offers to “give it up” on the blog, and we appreciate such a detailed report from one of the rivers best guides. If you’ve been in the state for 14 days and would like to spend … Read more