Fishing Report

Fly Fishing Report for the Missouri River, Dearborn River and Blackfoot River Montana.

February Fishing Forecast 2021

Missouri River February Fishing Forecast 2021

by

Missouri River February Fishing Forecast 2021 Welcome to February. Football is over, baseball is coming. We are getting nearer to spring ’21 everyday and we for one are damn excited about 2021. We bring you the Missouri River February Fishing Forecast 2021. We hope to continue to stack up the snow in the higher elevations. … Read more

Saturday January 23rd Missouri River Fishing Report

by

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Saturday January 23rd Missouri River Fishing Report Still kinda winter here in central Montana. Cool this morning as well as yesterday with air temps dipping into the single digits. Not much snow, if any accumulations int he last couple months. Mild air temps for the most part with afternoons a solid option. More spring … Read more

Thursday 12.17.20 Missouri River Fishing Report

by

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Asked the shop staff what the previous 10 flies out the door were and they are as follows. Kures Micro Zonker Red Delicious Doppleganger in Grey Fruit Roll Up Black Pig Pen Leech Wooly Bugger Black Grizzly Beth’s Briches Arnold’s Sili Scud 10 Pill Popper Tailwater Sow Yum Yum Rainbow Czech Nymph Firebead Ray Pink … Read more

5 Winter Mo River Tips

by

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 5 Winter Mo River Tips Lots of stories every winter of anglers not getting the catch rates they want during this sometimes frigid and lengthly Montana winters. What are the reasons that lead to too much solace and quiet on the water? Well they are trout. That is the first reason. But the rest … Read more

Missouri River Fishing Report December 1st 2020

by

Missouri River Fishing Report December 1st 2020 Pretty goo out there right now. Generally this time of year we see Montanan’s out there either nymphing or swinging a trout spey pattern. And most of you, those reading this blog, know what you are doing. And if you don’t, swing on by the shop daily 8-1 … Read more

Go Early. Stay Late.

Go Early. Stay Late.

by

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

Trout Spey Flies @ Headhunters. Sparrow Tying Video

Trout Spey Flies @ Headhunters. Sparrow Tying Video

by

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Trout Spey Flies @ Headhunters. Sparrow Tying Video

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

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

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

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

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

[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/336666878″]

[/vc_column][/vc_row]

Fall Fishing Report 2020

Wednesday November 4th Fishing Report

by

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

October November Planner

Late October November Missouri River Fishing Planner

by

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

Weekend Snow Foreshadowing

Weekend Snow Foreshadowing

by

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

Sunday Fishing Report

Sunday Fishing Report

by

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

A little bitier every day

by

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

Missouri River Mid Week Fishing Report 9.30.20

Missouri River Mid Week Fishing Report 9.30.20

by

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

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

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

by

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

Wednesday Hump Day

by

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

Missouri River Fall Fishing Forecast 2020

by

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

Missouri River Mid-September Fishing Report

Missouri River Montana Mid-September Fishing Report & Updates

by

Missouri River Montana Mid-September Fishing Report Water temps falling and currently 61F. Looks like it will be at or below this temps as we move into the remainder fo the month and on to October into winter. She has peaked and we are headed downwards towards the BWO and October Caddis period. Water flows are … Read more

Monday Morning Missouri River Fishing Report 9.14.20

by

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Monday Morning Missouri River Fishing Report 9.14.20 Not too bad out there. On a scale of 1-10, it is a 6.5? Or a 7? Yes room for improvement as we move through the month. And improving daily is our theme here in downtown Craig Montana fishing the Missouri River. The rest of the month … Read more

Thursday September 10th Missouri River Fishing Report

by

Thursday September 10th Missouri River Fishing Report Pretty good up there at the dam. Fished around yesterday with the Zebra being the star. Small brown nymphs or larger purple or tiny BWO nymphs will get it done. 4′-5′ to split. I strung out several little split’s #6’s spaced out about 6″-8″ apart and it helps … Read more

5 Hot September Tips for the Missouri River Fly Fisher

5 Hot September Tips for the Missouri River Fly Fisher

by

What to do when your September fishing day goes soft? How about a few tips to get the blood flowing and the mind searching for the next best thing. 5 Hot September Tips for the Missouri River Fly Fisher Look for heads in the morning. Hold out Trico’s are still around and we not only … Read more

Labor Day Sale @ Headhunters of Craig!

by

Labor Day Sale @ Headhunters of Craig! And fishing report. Bog Fly Sale @ Headhunters this weekend. You have seen the previous post and check it out for the details. Today here, we’ll give you the addendums and additions for the sale beginning Saturday @ 7am Flies. Yessir. 50% off today and tomorrow. Buy as … Read more

Missouri River September Fishing Forecast 2020

by

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Rolling into September 2020 and Covid Free in Craig Montana. All good here as we welcome Autumn with cooler daytime highs, today only forecast to reach the 60F mark. The nighttime lows are not dipping below the 40F point yet, but it Isi certainly coming soon. Time to wear your light puffy in the mornings … Read more

Late August 2020 Fishing Report

by

As we head into a couple of weeks that are promising consistent weather, I expect the Trico Spinner fall to improve and become a bit more reliable. The weatherman says daytime high’s for the next two weeks will be in the high 60’s and 70’s. Perfect for morning spinner fall activity. 2020You’ll also find a … Read more

Missouri River Montana Monday Fishing Report 8.24.20

by

Missouri River Montana Monday Fishing Report 8.24.20 August. Our slowest two weeks of the summer season. Thanks last two of August. And we like it. The river is in tough shape as it moves through the mechanisms of warm weather, daytime highs, lower water levels, and weeds. As September arrives and passes so do the … Read more

Peter Speaks about August Flies

Peter Speaks about August Flies

by

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Peter Speaks about August Flies We have entered the dog days, The boys of summer are still roaming the streets of Craig.  85 and sunny, day in and day out turns into a slew of groundhog days filled with dry flies, sunburnt noses and the next installment of grossly exagrated fishing stories to bring … Read more

Sunday Surf Jam

Sunday Surf Jam

by

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Sunday Surf Jam

When you don’t make the first cast the best cast this is what you see and hear.

No, no, no.

Welcome to August on the Mo.

Push play and watch what happens.

 

No, no, no. The Bikini Lovers

Or tie on a grasshopper. The room for error is much greater.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YITgZvftaE”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Late July Missouri River Fishing Report 7.27.2020

Late July Missouri River Fishing Report 7.27.2020

by

Late July Missouri River Fishing Report 7.27.2020 Just the facts today on this Headhunters Fishing report right outta downtown Craig Montana from your fly fishing HQ @ Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service. PMD’s. Waning we think. But the best dry fly can be the PMD spinner. Rusty or blonde. Have a few of these … Read more

Thursday July 16th Fishing Report Missouri River

by

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

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

by

[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

by

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

Monday Morning Fishing Report 6.29.2020

by

[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

Missouri River Headhunters Fishing Report June 24th 2020

by

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

Montana Opens the borders today

Montana Opens the Borders Today

by

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

by

[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

Friday Foto and Missouri River Fishing Report May 29th 2020

Friday Foto and Missouri River Fishing Report May 29th 2020

by

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

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

by

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