Best Time to Fish the Missouri River for Beginners A common question we get here at Headhunters as we book guide trips and lodging for first time or beginner anglers…is When should I come? Best Time for Beginners We here on the Mighty Missouri River in Craig Montana like April and May for the beginning … Read more
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
Friday Foto A few years back this scene with the Lasek Family. Colin and Kelley getting it done in June. Been fishing with Kelly for a number of years. Introduce your kids to fishing this year. Do it. A great way to get outside and learn with your kids, or neighbor kids, or general family … Read more
This is what happens to Future Fly Fishers Father and son Randy and Josh fishing with Mark Friday. They have been fishing together since Josh was. youth. Have fished with the other two sons as well. They all started as Future Fly Fishers. So, what are you doing to perpetuate the sport today? Or tomorrow? … Read more
Friday Future Fly Fishers Matthew Edition Good on you Mathew. Great fish on the Missouri River. And he got it done with the dry fly. Men, those of you who think that you are not ready for the dry fly, I can tell you that Matthew has no fear. Guide Lindsey Channel can facilitate the … Read more
Future Fly Fishers Kendra Edition Sunday here in Downtown Craig Montana. We bring you today on this daily blog Future Fly Fishers Kendra Edition. Yep, Kendra got this one, this brown, on a dry fly. Pretty awesome Kendra. You are making those gentlemen re-think their fly fishing discipline choice this last week. Kendra is a dry … Read more
Future Fly Fishers Mo River Style This family can fish. Regan, Addison, and Claire fished with Braden, Lindsey and Ben this past week. All caught fish, all caught big fish, all learned, all had fun. Three generations of the Mullally family. And they do like catching big ones! Future Fly Fishers stoke again! Bring your … Read more
Upper Missouri River Management Plan Scoping Meeting Tonight in Helena Meeting tonight at Montana Wild in Helena at 6:30 pm. Your voice determines the future of our Cold Water fishery. This is the pan for the 3 reservoirs above Holter Dam and the river sections below the dams. Canyon Ferry, Toston, and Hauser are what … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is requesting comments that will help them define the future of Fisheries management for the Upper Missouri River Reservoirs as well as the Missouri River from Toston to Holter Dam. 20 years ago, it’s unlikely you’d hear a fly fisher-person talking about angling on the Upper Missouri River anywhere other … Read more
Headhunters Fly Shop Advanced Fly Fishing School – 2018 Openings for the 2018 Adv Fishing School. Openings for both sessions. Call Mark @ 406-459-8739 or email him mark@headhuntersflyshop.com for any questions about our schools upcoming. Want to get better at fishing the Missouri River? Want to improve your dry fly cast? Presentation? Fish finding skills? … Read more
Future Fly Fisher Brant A future fly fisher in the senior division Brant came out with his folks fishing the Mighty Mo this last week. He caught a few. This day he fished with Andy Perry and kinda got the bug. Catching trout on a fly rod is pretty fun. A Deschutes River angler Brant … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] New Breed Chicks Rule and Future Fly Fisher! Hailey Walpoole with this caddis caught trout. Her guide, who would like to remain nameless, said she fished the dry better than many of his adult male clients. He said she popped this one off with a reach cast accurately on the fish and this was … Read more
Future Fly Fishers Evan Edition Evan and Matt visited us this last week. They fished with Shane Wilson. Awesome. Future Fly Fisher Evan rocked it all day long. Thanks boys. Can’t wait to see you again! Happy Saturday.
Future Fly Fisher Evie Evie fishing with family and HH Guide Brett Matula Saturday on the Mighty Mo. She is 11 and clearly rules! Thanks Evie for visiting the Missouri River this summer. We hope to see you when you are 12! Sunday and all is well here in Craig. The 4th of July approaching. … Read more
Future Fly Fishers Colbie Edition! A great Rainbow in the net for Colbie! Our latest edition of Future Fly Fishers. She did awesome and this was just one of here accomplishments in the recent week. Fishing is tough some say. Huh? Colbie didn’t think so. The difference between kids and the rest of us…is they … Read more
Friday Foto TAKF Think about fishing with your kids this year. You should fish more often with your kids. Or go outside with them. Even if you have to drag them out. Take a Kid Fishing this year. Plan it today. Camping. Hiking. Tossing the ball. Outside. Why not start this spring. That’ll give you … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Take A Kid Fishing! Headhunters Fly Shop held a photo contest with the theme “Take A Kid Fishing” this week on our Facebook page. The response was awesome! We received 130+ images of kids fishing. We love taking kids fishing and watching them learn to love the sport that we all love so much! … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Take a Kid Fishing Photo Contest Headhunters Fly Shop is hosting a “Take a Kid Fishing” photo contest on our Facebook page. The contest will run for a week from today until next Monday, July 24. The winner will receive a free Echo Gecko fly rod package that comes with a reel and fly … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Spring has pretty much sprung around here. We still need the water to warm a little to kick off the BWO, March Brown and Mothers Days Caddis hatches, but it’s not far off. Spring offers some of the easiest fly fishing of the year on the Missouri. Nymph and streamer fishing can be spectacular, and the dry fly fishing is as good as it gets when conditions are right during pre-runoff. And we all like spectacular fishing.
You know who else likes spectacular fishing? Kids. You don’t have to give them that lecture about “patience” when their rod is doubled over all day. They won’t get “fidgety” when fighting a fish. They learn quicker. They focus a little harder. And they want to go again.
The Missouri River in April and May offers some of the best kids fly fishing I’ve ever seen, though a drift boat or raft is required. You can rig up a simple indicator rig with 1 fly, no split shot and a bobber, and you’re virtually guaranteed some fish. Young anglers don’t have to worry about long casts, as fish can be caught right off the tip of the oars. Heavy tippet can be used which saves on break-offs that are so common later in the season. The slow moving currents favor younger eyes and the sometime slower reflexes that children have. The boat also removes the dreaded backcast obstacles the can frustrate new casters young and old.
No Boat?
Not everyone owns a boat, but if you live in Montana you probably know someone who does. If you live in Bozeman you can probably walk out your front door and see 4 or 5. Borrow one, or see if a neighbor or friend will take you and a child out for a day. And if you have a boat, go find a neighbor kid who wants to go. Not much is more satisfying than mentoring young anglers.
If you’re a Military Veteran, you can reserve one of our 2 Project Healing Waters boats for free. The only thing we like to see more than our nations Veterans out on the water, is Veterans out there with their families.
Rent a boat. All of the fly shops in Craig offer boat rentals for around $150 per day (which includes your shuttle). While not inexpensive, it’s an easy way to get out on the Missouri. We even launch it and pick it up for you. And remember this; you could rent that boat 10 times in a year and you still wouldn’t have paid for the trailer on a new Adipose or Clackacraft drift boat, so it really does make economic sense. And your child will never forget it.
When August Trico fishing rolls around, you should probably leave the kids at home, unless you want to teach them a lesson in frustration and humility. But during the spring months conditions are ripe for young anglers. Go get them hooked.
Tips for Fly Fishing with Kids:
Use 1 nymph, a bobber and no weight. This reduces nearly all tangles for anglers of all ages! I like to pick a larger, weighted, bright nymph (San Juan Worm, Bubble Yum, etc.) that gets hit harder than more subtle patterns. Young kids often have trouble seeing a take in the indicator. The harder a fish grabs your fly, the easier it is to see.
PINCH THAT BARB! Nothing will ruin the day quicker than a barbed hook stuck in a kids face. And if you don’t know the “mono” hook removal trick, Google it or ask a local fly shop to show you.
Use heavy tippet. Kids are going to “horse” fish, and use what guides call the “death grip” on the line. Some fish will pull off, but it’s better than breaking them off. And no child wants to hear your lecture about necessary tippet diameters. I usually use 3X.
Let them net a few. Kids absolutely LOVE to net fish. If you have two children in the boat, let the one in the front net fish for the one in the back. Teamwork baby! (Often, a child will decide he likes netting the fish more than catching them. If this happens stop fishing immediately! That child runs the risk of becoming a fly fishing guide.)
Don’t teach too much. Teach them how to cast just far enough to catch a fish (just past the oar blades). Let them use two hands and go too far back (which creates open loops and fewer tangles). Don’t teach them how to false cast, reach cast, throw negative and positive curve casts, steeple casts, or anything else you learned on YouTube. You are going to have to teach them to mend and set the hook properly and quickly. Focus on that, as thats what catches fish.
Have Fun. You’ve heard it before but it bears repeating. Have fun!
ECHO Gecko @ $100! A few of these left in stock. The ECHO Gecko rod only for a paltry $100. ECHO has updated this rod package now available with the ECHO Gecko rod, reel, fly line, and rod tube all inclusive for $169. Headhunters had put together our own package for a few years before … Read more
ECHO Gecko Rod for Kids! Hi Sara and Ben, Thanks for letting Paxton demo the Echo Gecko. He was so excited that it was his size and easy to cast. Catching the rainbow was icing on the cake. Real quote from real people. Real kids fish this rod. The new ECHO Gecko package is all … Read more
Great email from a Headhunter yesterday with this fantastic pic of his daughter. James sent it along for us! Thanks James. Future Fly Fishers are our heroes. She will certainly grow up to be on our other favorite post titled New Breed Chicks Rule! Thanks again for the image! It is truly great. Hi, I … Read more
Silly Sunday Scenery Brown Trout Graeme with this nice Brown Trout. This image makes us want to fish! Nice work Graeme. We will be dreaming of big fall brown trout as we fantasize about the fall ahead of us. Keep on fishing Graeme. We know there are many more trout in your bright future.
Dry Fly Education Our friend Roger with this dry fly education today on the Headhunters Blog. Saw Roger out for a few days. Then he was back on a plane to Seattle. But, he’ll be back. He has had a place here for years…and is spending more and more time here as time passes by. … Read more
Headhunters Advanced Fly Fishing School Introducing the Headhunters Advanced Fly Fishing School on Montana’s famed Missouri River. Yes, in the past few years we here at Headhunters have had many requests to present a school for those who want to improve their western fly fishing game. And why not do it here in central Montana. … Read more
The #1 selling kids rod in the World! The reason? Because it is clearly the best tool for your kids. Bar None!
The common conversation among parents who are looking to get their children into fly fishing goes something like this…
You know I have an old 4 weight that I bought for my wife. She doesn’t use it much so I thought I would give it to my son/daughter. Should be a perfect starter rod for little Billy/Becky.
Does your wife like the 4 weight?
No, not really.
Do you like that 4 weight?
No, not really.
So you think your kid is gonna like it?
We strongly suggest your kid uses a rod that is made for kids. It would be analogous to strapping old skis your wife did not like under your kids feet. Wouldn’t you rather put skis made for kids. Designed for their skill set. A pair of skis that enables the correct path of learning?
I think the answer would be a resounding yes!
The ECHO Gecko is just that rod. A rod designed for the success of your favorite fly fisher. It is fun too. Yellow with a fun colored grip that is properly sized for younger hands. Shorter in length for the proper swing weight. Manufactured withe the correct flies pattern to encourage a proper casting stroke. The Gecko is softer, more progressively flexing than the super-fast tip flex rods that we so love as adults.
It is made, designed, created for youthful casting and fishing success. So your kid will enjoy fishing. That is the goal. Right?
We do sell a ton of these kids rods. Coming in at $100 you cannot go wrong. Many parents get the ECHO Gecko early in their kids life. From age 4-5 til 10-12 the ECHO Gecko will enable fish coming to the net. And Smiles.
Smiles are important.
We sell the ECHO Gecko most often as a package. Easy to get into at $135. It comes with all you need for your kid. The Gecko rod a 7’9″ 4/5 weight rod in a cool yellow Cordura rod tube. The ECHO Solo reel lined up with an Airflo Velocity line. A perfect starter set for your fly fishing all-star. You will not age out of the rod for years. You may replace the fly line with a top notch one after the initial beating that all kids products initially endure. The rod is absolutely bomb-proof!
GECKO Rods feature:
3 piece travel design
Alignment dots for quick assembly
WIld colored EVA extra small diameter full wells handle
2″ EVA fighting butt
Fuji-style fast tighten reel seat
Bright yellow gloss blank with orange thread wraps
Hard chrome snake guides
Rod sock and tough rod tube
ECHO lifetime warranty
Give us a shout if you want to gift your kid with their first favorite rod. Sell that old 4 weight your wife doesn’t like on Ebay. Why not use the proceeds from that sale to get the Gecko! We will pop one in the mail today for your child’s next birthday.
Take your kid fishing this year. It will be good for both of you. Really good.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Many rivers, resources, and regions boast that most anglers are over the age of 65.
Not true on the Missouri River.
Cats like these two frequent Headhunters on their way to the river.
Via the web, the blog, the Twitter, the facebook, the Instagram, and inside the small yet welcoming confines of Headhunters Fly Shop on the Eastside downtown Craig we love the youth in fly fishing.
If you do not have youth, you do not have perpetual longevity of sport.
We subscribe to the younger generation without forgetting about our peers in this all ages game.
Some say the younger set does not understand or respect the fishing tradition.
Oh, they do. They just want to create their own history. Build on the past and move toward the future.
Fishing is so much fun because everyone has license to do it how they want.
And that includes flat brims, DFO’s, late nights followed by early mornings, staunchy ‘ol stinky flyfishing curmudgeons, eagerness to learn, and time integrated into everyday for checking out birds, bobber flingers, bugs, texting, and laughter.
What drives me to this blog today is the two fellers up top.
Wolf Creek Bridge, 618am, Saturday, 26 June 2015.
Tying dries for the morning sesh.
Alive and well on the Missouri.
Trout Bums.
Come one come all.
We got free coffee in the morning fella’s when you have a late one at Joe’s.
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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Our good buddy Max from Great Falls is always looking for the next species. He’s hit quite a few in his less than 20 years. While all of you are obsessing over the quality of CDC in the wings of your dainty trout flies, Max is scouring maps and drilling veteran anglers for tips on how, where and when.
This spring his obsession was Pike. Looks like he can check that one off the bullet list. Nice job Max!
Extra credit for rocking that sweet Howler Bro.s lid…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
The Olsen Family fished with the Headhunters gang and what fun it was.
Finn caught this Rainbow late in the day and he was stoked.
We love that he was interested in keeping the fish in the water. #keepthemwet Fin!
Future Fly Fishers likes seeing young kids hanging out with their folks and fishing. Having a ball and fishing. Enjoying the outdoors and the family unit and learning about trout, flies, insects, conservation…and drinking Cokes and eating candy bars too.
That is all part of the experience.
Thanks Olsen gang. Hope to see all 3 kids back in Montana again int he future. Aidan, Kiki, and Finn. Safe travels during the rest of your trip as you head off skiing for a few days before returning to Minneapolis.
9th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off in downtown Craig Saturday May 16th. 10+ BBQ contestants this year with a parade @4pm, Food @ 4, Kids events and face painting @ 4, Silent auction with tons of items from local fly fishing businesses, lodging nights, gee-gaws, art, guide trips around the state, and much … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Peter today with this post about Public Land Issues and how he feels about them. Thanks Peter for you post and opinion.
I believe that the wide-open spaces that inspired our ancestors to test themselves against this beautiful but unforgiving landscape are part of what makes our country so unique. Public access to land is a right to all! I am a proud Montanan and I believe in the importance of public land.
The love I have for this state is only equalled by my family and friends. Without public lands, “Mother Montana” and I wouldn’t even know one another…and that love would not exist.
In my opinion the access and availability to public lands is what makes Montana so special! Without that, we compromise our state, landscapes and ultimately ourselves. I am Perter Skidmore and I believe in public lands, my feelings, and my opinions.
Come down to the Montana Capitol and let our fellow legislatures know that our public lands are not for sale.
The Rally be at high noon, on February 16th in the Montana Capitol Rotunda on the second floor.
Peter Skidmore
Rally with Montana Sportsmen for your Public Lands
What: Rally for Public Lands
When: February 16th, High Noon
Where: Montana State Capitol. Second Floor Rotunda
Who: Montana Wildlife Federation, Montana Wilderness Association, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Montana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy
Why: The Transfer of Public Lands is a hot button issue this legislative session. Powerful out of state interests are wooing our legislators to pursue a dangerous and economically disastrous path that would lead to excessive litigation and ultimately, if successful – less access and more taxes for Montanans. That’s why we’re jumping back on the bus and heading to Helena to fight back and make sure that the Legislature understands loud and clear that our public lands are not a toy for politicians to play with.
The Rally be at high noon, on February 16th, 2015 in the Capitol Rotunda on the second floor.
Guest speakers are:
Steve Bullock, Governor Montana
David Allen, President and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
RSVP to attend the event here
Buses are available for citizens who wish to take advantage of them. Please RSVP for transportation by calling the Bus Coordinator associated with the town from which you will depart GREAT FALLS
Pickup Time: 9:30AM
Pickup Location: Scheels Parking Lot, Holiday Village Mall, 1200 10th Avenue South
Contact: Casey Perkins (406) 466-2600
BUTTE
Pickup Time: 10:00AM
Pickup Location: Butte Plaza Mall, 3100 Harrison Ave
MISSOULA
Pickup Time: 9:30 AM
Pickup Location: CVS Parking Lot, 1914 Brook Street Shopping Center
Pickup Time: 9:00AM
Pickup Location: Albertsons parking lot, 2120 Park Street South
Contact: Jared White (406) 579-8943
BOZEMAN
Pickup time: 9:30AM
Pickup Location: Kmart Parking lot, 1126 N. 7th Ave
Contact: John Todd (406) 404-1000
Here is the link to the Public Lands Backcountry Hunters & Anglers site.
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Future Fly Fisher Hayes straight outta North Carolina today on this very fishy blog.
Hayes was out with his grandmother for a week in early August and experienced his first wester fly fishing experience.
Future Fly Fishers Hayes Edition
Headhunters Fly Guru Ben McNinch spent an hour at the Craig Casting Club showing Hayes the casting ropes he needed to follow. Hayes got that casting stuff pretty easily.
Then he spent the day with Headhunters Guide Extra-Ordan-Aire Jared Edens plying his casting skills on the Mighty Missouri River. How about that. A good week all together. Grandma, casting, catching, in the west! Awesome.
Thanks for visiting us here in Craig MT. Hayes you are
New Breed Chicks Rule & Future Flyfishers today on the Headhunters Blog. Audrey helping Dad with this nice Missouri River Rainbow.
Good friends and original Headhunters clients Bret and Sara Childers from up north are now bringing several generations of the Childers clan. Father and Mother Childers and now their daughter Audrey.
Here is a note that Sara dropped us this morning.
Hello Headhunters,
We had a great time on the Missouri and enjoyed staying in your awesome Rv spots. We got a good picture of Bret & Audrey with a Mo Rainbow and thought it might be a good addition for your “Chicks Rule” on the blog. She floated Craig to Stickney with us, and by the end of the trip she was looking out the front of the boat telling her Dad, “I see sippers!”
Thanks
Bret, Sara & Audrey Childers
Thanks Sara and thanks Audrey for rocking it on the Mighty Mo. We love seeing you folks here int he RV park and on the water. Bret helped John and Mark test the Inflatable Drift Boat by NRS last summer. Brett and Sara love to hang on the porch too. Can you blame them?
Thanks again Childers family for visiting and enjoying Montana’s Missouri River. See you soon!
One of our favorites Hunter here on the property this last weekend. He loves Headhunters.
Parents Andy and Amy were here as well although Hunter would hitchhike up here if he were given the chance.
The tally for fish caught this 4th of July weekend includes dozens and dozens of Perch on the docks at Holter Lake. A Walleye from the lake too. A giant Rainbow from the river…and maybe more as well. Most likely more.
Hunter is a natural fisher dude.
We love seeing fellows like Hunter get jazzed about the outdoors. His grandfather was here as well. 3 generations of anglers all hanging out and learning about the important things in life. Respect, honor for nature, and how to interact with not only humans but the other creatures that make up our world.
Just awesome Hunter. Good to see you and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
An article of love written by us here at Headhunters in March. Bob worked for Headhunters for a summer and we all fell in love with him. Tomorrow is his memorial, party, gathering, remembrance in Craig at the Vaders House on the river.
Here are some specifics about the memorial tomorrow June 28th.
Morning Floatilla: Departs at Wolf Creek promptly @ 9am. Bring your own boat arrange a shuttle and join the family as we float to Lone Tree pullout. Bob’s ashes will be returned to the river at 11am. From there we will continue to Craig. Please consider leaving early as we want to avoid traffic jam at the ramp.
If you prefer to join from shore meet the shuttle van in beautiful downtown Craig, the Shriners will drive you to Lone Tree FAS.
The van will also be running all afternoon from Craig to The Cabin on the Flats, Vader’s. Parking is very lmited please drive in, drop your coolers, chairs people etc. And then park your car back in Craig Catch the Shuttle and Join.
The Party begins at 130pm followed by a luncheon on the lawn. Please bring the following. Your own alcoholic beverages and mixers. Lawn Chairs salad to share and stories of Bob. There will be video booth where we can all share memories and stories about Bob.
Live music and Cherry Pie round out the day.
“Every Second Counts”
Bob Lay passed 2 weeks ago in Missoula with friends and family at his side.
It is appropriate that Bob was being guided through the end as it was Bob that guided so many of us throughout his purposeful life.
Bob, for those of you who knew him, was truly great. A great person, a great mind, a great caring individual that always put you, first.
The last couple weeks when talking to folks who knew Bob a pattern developed. First the sadness would cross the individuals face. Then a wry smile as the person thought about Bob. Then they would invariably start telling a story about spending time with Bob and the hilarity that ensued. The thoughtfulness that Bob had brought and the caring feeling that Bob left you with.
The loss of a friend hurts more when that friend left a mark on you. Bob left a mark on many of us.
Bob always remembered your name. You were important to Bob. He spoke to you with respect. He recognized the importance of every conversation and situation. He was painfully honest.
Bob mentored many. Perhaps thousands. The number of people that I can list in my head is numerous. Multiply that by the number of friends Bob kept in his quarry, which included nearly everyone who crossed paths with Bob, and the actual number is staggering.
In the last couple weeks the number of stories with Bob as the central character is also staggering.
And Bob had character. Lots of it.
Bob Lay was a friend to the veteran. A vet himself serving in the Navy from ’62-’66.
Bob continued to serve his entire life. Bob was integral in the development of Montana Project Healing Waters Helena Chapter. As a board member and past President Bob always put the interest of the vets first. He loved helping and the amount of volunteer time and mentoring never seemed like work to Bob. His dedication to helping all he loved is surpassed by few.
Bob spent a ton of time with Federation of Fly Fishers tying flies at conclaves, shooting and teaching on video for the FFF. Bob co-wrote Introduction to Fly Tying with Al Beatty and it is still a popular FFF publication. Bob won the coveted Charles E Brooks Memorial Award in 2008 and stole the show by also winning the Dick Nelson Fly Tying Teaching Award in 2008. Both national awards. Bob was highly respected within the FFF and will be fondly remembered by the number of members he touched.
His involvement in annual FFF Conclaves, his teaching time, and his volunteer ethic will be missed by the Federation. I’m sure making that organization better through his involvement. That was the theme of Bob’s life.
Better through his involvement.
Bob had the uncanny talent of always making you feel comfortable. When you finished any conversation, cocktail, or project with Bob he left you with the feeling that you had helped him. He would thank you for the conversation, for your help, and for your input on said topic.
Then later, sometimes much later you would realize that it was he, it was Bob…Bob was actually helping you.
His humor was quick, dry, witty, and dirty. The kind of guy you like to have at a party. And Bob loved to laugh. He enjoyed telling self deprecating jokes that still has us smiling. Many will tell stories about Bob and his sense of humor for years to come. Honest.
Pat his wife of 47 years is a jewel. To live with Bob for that long would take a special lady. And Pat is that special lady. She too has a heart of gold and is a good as the day is long. We love Pat.
A couple years ago another good friend of the community passed, Michelle Wells. Bob and Pat could not make the memorial held in Craig and sent along a note to be read at her memorial service.It was an honest remembrance of Michelle and how she had touched Bob and Pat in the few short years of their acquaintance. At the end of the note Bob stated that he would remember Michelle and show his love and reverence by looking towards the sky and smiling.
We can do the same for Bob by looking towards the sky and smiling at Bob. But we all know that it will be Bob caring for us. Even without Bob on this green and watery earth he is still making us believe that we are helping him.
But we all know that the inverse is true. It’s really Bob helping us…
Wife Pat, daughter Suzanne and son Jim wish you all will attend the celebration of Bob’s life June 28th in Craig Montana. You should attend because Bob planned it. Growling Old Men will be strumming the guitars & playing some music, a few drinks will be raised in honor of Bob. And stories will be told.
Pat says the admission price is a story about Bob.
Many have stated, “Just one?!”
Bob graced us @ Headhunters by working for the shop a few years back. Bob certainly kept things light. We’ll miss Bob in Craig stopping in for a chat, a cup of coffee, and maybe a tug off of the bottle. We will keep you up to date here on this Blog when the time comes closer for us to gather in celebration of Bob.
Bob’s Obituary Helena Independent Record March 23rd, 2014
He always said he’d go until there was nothing left. On, Sunday, March 16, 2104, Robert E. “Bob” Lay ran out of life.
Born in East Cleveland, Ohio, to Charles and Clarisa Robertson Lay on June 25, 1943, Bob grew up in Ohio until he entered the U.S. Navy in 1962. He was honorably discharged as an MM2 (E5) machinist mate on Aug. 29, 1966.
He then entered into a 35-year career in the telecommunications industry, starting out as a cable splicer in the manholes of New York City. He retired from PTI/CenturyTel in Dolores, Colo., in 1998 but then re-entered the workforce as a superintendent with Wilde Construction Company of Shevlin, Minn., responsible for construction of large fiber optic projects. From 2000 until his true retirement in 2004, he was a nationwide construction project manager for Bechtel Construction and Engineering of San Francisco.
Bob’s accomplishment that provided him the most pride was his family. In January 1964, he met his wife, Patricia “Pat” Sheridan. They were married on Oct. 28, 1967, in New York City. In 1969, Bob and Pat moved to Colorado.
Subsequently, Suzanne Janet was born on Jan. 14, 1971, and James Robert (“Jimbob”) on Dec. 25, 1974, in Longmont, Colo. On Sept. 4, 1994, Suzanne married Thurston Elfstrom. Together, the five of them have had many grand and glorious adventures, which Bob was sure would continue in the future. All five were together to share Bob’s final moments.
Bob enjoyed all of life to its fullest. Two principles he lived by were to tell the truth at all times and never pass up an opportunity to help somebody.
He was very active in Kalispell’s Trinity Lodge No. 152 and Algeria Shrine Temple, as well as Helena’s Algeria Shrine Temple. As a Shriner he was involved in helping children with disabilities receive the best care possible. He also served on the Flathead County school board, where he advocated for young adults — particularly those who struggled within the traditional school system.
He was a lifetime member of the International Fly Fishing Federation, where many of his contributions centered on teaching fly tying. In 1994, he chaired the national convention, held in Kalispell. In 2008, he was honored with the Charles E. Brooks Memorial Award and the Dick Nelson Fly Tying Teaching Award — the highest award the FFF bestows to a member for excellence in fly-tying teaching.
Bob and Pat moved to Helena in 2006. He then became active with Montana Project Healing Waters, Inc. He was subsequently the recipient of the highest civilian award the National Guard can issue, the Adjutant General’s Distinguished Patriot Medal, for his work with Project Healing Waters. He went on to serve as board member and board president.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Carolyn Virginia Anderson. He is survived by his brother, Richard (Carol) of Oakdale, Penn.; sister, Frederica Irwin (Don) of Arden, N.C.; good friend and brother, Carl Mucha (Jane) of Union, Ky.; along with his immediate family and close friends in the Masonic and fly fishing communities throughout the nation.
A memorial service and celebration will take place at one of Bob’s favorite spots along the Missouri river on June 28, 2014. To receive additional details email CelebrationForBob@yahoo.com. The service is open to anyone who would like to share stories about Bob.
If so inclined, contributions can be made to Flathead Shrine Club Transportation Fund, P.O. Box 762, Kalispell, MT 59903; or Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc., P.O. Box 695, La Plata, MD 20646 (please earmark your donation for Montana).
Our good friend Preston Moon sent us this image and this short below.
HH staff,
Here are a few pics of my new breed chick Katrina Moon! We took out the PHW hide on the 8th with our two kiddos, Emelia at 9 months and Colton at 2 years old. Beautiful day, even had a few fish to hand between wolf and Craig!
The little guy only threw one fly rod into the water, not bad. Just wanted to say thanks for hosting the PHW boats and being the friendliest fly shop in Craig!
-Preston
Happy Mothers Day as well. None of us could be here without our Mothers. None.
Celebrate your Mother today. Call her, chat with her, celebrate her.
Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers from us here in cozy Craig Montana.
“There are plenty of ways to make a living. There are fewer ways to make a life.” Which way will you go? Trout Bum 201 Yes, there are fellers who give this a shot and fail. Lots of them. Smart trout bums are always evolving, moving forward, finding the secret path to Trout Bum 201 … Read more
Trout Eggs in the one room classsroom in Wolf Creek. The kids are watching the hatching process right in front of their eyes. I think they may be baby fish right now. Yep, baby Arlee Rainbows from the Jocko Hatchery. The Arlee is one of the more popular fish planted in Montana. The hatchery has … Read more
2 for 1 today on the Headhunters Blog. A New Breed Chicks Rule gal who happens to be a Future Flyfisher too! Millie is the angler here today, and the star! New Breed Chicks Rule! Mike said that it was the first fish Millie caught by herself. The cast, the take, the set, the fight, … Read more
Kids Fly Tying and Kids FLy Fishing is important for the future of our sport. Get your own kid, the neighbor kid, or any youth groups you are involved in excited about the outdoors, or the indoors tying flies. Take them out on your own or get them involved in a local club or free … Read more
Take a kid fishing this year. If you didn’t, then you better this coming year. Perpetuation of the sport is important. Introducing kids to the great outdoors is truly important. You can help them understand the proper way to act, to respect, to enjoy the sport of fly fishing. It’ll be good for both of … Read more
Here’s a couple of our favorite anglers, Siena and Lucy. They come all the way from New Hampshire every summer to fish the Missouri with guide Jared Edens. They listen to their guide, watch the indicator and stick fish. Jared claims these young ladies have the skills to become great ones. Looks like they are … Read more