Headhunters Life

Things we do and see on the Missouri River Montana.

Headhunters Fly Shop Advanced Fly Fishing School

Headhunters Advanced Fly Fishing School

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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

Friday Foto Baetis Brown

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Patrick with this nice Baetis Brown Trout today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog. The BWO hatch yesterday was pretty epic. And the trout got on them. Today? Snow. But only 1-3 inches.

Friday Foto Black and White Scene

Friday Foto Black and White Scene

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Friday Foto Black and White Scene Looking south from the Cascade Boat Ramp. Sunny afternoon with howling winds. This past Wednesday. Thursday 70F and calm. Today? SSW along with temps in the hi 70’s. Like 79F. Enjoyable weekend ahead. See you on the water. Or on the porch. Or at Izaak’s bellied up to the … Read more

Izaak’s Open, HH Logo Wear, and more

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Izaak’s Open, HH Logo Wear, and more Izaak’s open tonight at 4pm. Hooray. We will be feasting on BBQ and a few celebatory cocktails kicking off the spring in style tonight. Lots of cool gear arriving daily here at the shop. Boxes of HH logo wear including hats, fleece tops, logo’d fishing shirts and … Read more

Lunch Time on the Mo

Lunch Time on the Mo

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Stopping for lunch on the Mo in Craig Montana. On snow days, like yesterday it feels good to take a little walk and have lunch in the cabins. It always feels good to stand up and get the blood moving if you have been sitting or even standing static for some time. Friday Foto on … Read more

Casting For Recovery & Spey-O-Rama & Whitney & Mia

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our good friend Whitney Gould is teaming up with fellow Steelhead guide and Spey Caster Mia Shepard to raise funds for Casting for Recovery. They both will be competing in the Spey-O-Rama World Championship casting competition on April 22,23,24 at the Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club in San Francisco. Both are previous winners.

Here’s the deal, use THIS FORM to guess the combined distance that Whitney and Mia will cast, and to pledge an amount per foot that you will donate to Casting For Recovery. The person who guesses closest wins a guided Steelhead trip with Little Creek Outfitters in Oregon. Second best guess wins a private Spey Casting lesson with Whitney Gould.

More importantly you’re donating to a great cause.

If you can’t donate, you can help spread the word like Deneki and Gink & Gasoline!

After Spey-O-Rama, Whitney will be heading to Craig, MT with Mike McCune to hold Spey Casting Sessions at Headhunters. You can catch up with her here and find out how she did at the World Championships.

DETAILS AT DENEKI[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”CFR SPEY-O-RAMA PLEDGE FORM!” color=”danger” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fform.jotform.com%2F10195517743||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Spring Special March 15th thru April 30

Spring Special March 15th thru April 30

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Spring Special March 15th thru April 30 It starts tomorrow. The Annual Headhunters Spring Special March 15th thru April 30. $350 Guide Trips in conjunction with discounted local lodging on Montana’s famed Missouri River. Want to fish earlier than you normally do? Want to get in on this highly affordable guide price. Would you like … Read more

Montana Fishing Film Festival

Montana Fishing Film Festival Teaser ’16

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Montana Fishing Film Festival Teaser ’16 The Montana Fishing Film Festival Teaser ’16 today on the Headhunters Fly Fishing Blog. We will be again hosting this event on Friday Night May 20th at about 8pm. Come out and enjoy this Headhunters sponsored party under the big top in the Craig Courtyard. Located between Joe’s Bar … Read more

Spring Training Montana

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Spring Training Montana March has rolled into Montana and we love Spring Training Montana style. Baseball is always the tipping point for me. Spring Training has started and I cannot be happier. It is the sign that we have arrived. This video contains only dry fly fishing.  It is spring in Montana. Will your … Read more

Howler Bros 16 Collection

Howler Bros Spring ’16 Collection

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Howler Bros Spring ’16 Collection Back at you this Friday with the Howler Bros Spring ’16 Collection. If you are not revved up for sun, longer days, and of course longer nights the arrival of the Spring Howler Collection might push you over the edge. Look for a few key Howler Bros items coming … Read more

Tito Puente Take Five

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Many of you know Tito Puente from Oye Como Va fame. yeah, he wrote that. Today he is playing Take Five. Another famous tune written by Paul Desmond and made famous by The Dave Brubeck Quartet. The biggest selling jazz single of all time. A pretty big deal. Monday morning and no reason to have … Read more

Headhunters Weekend Plans

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Headhunters Weekend Plans We’ll be fishing this Headhunters Weekend. That is the plan. So will a few of your neighbors. Heard of a Robin sighting recently. Not here, but somewhere’s in Montana. That is one of the many signs of spring.  None yet. Ospreys, Bluebirds, out of work guides…those kinds of animals show in the … Read more

Montana Spring

Montana Spring?

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Montana Spring? Montana Spring has possibly arrived. Maybe. Nice weather again this weekend with little precipitation before or behind us. Fish from top to bottom with no worries. No ice. Bring your sail as it may blow. Hard. Stop in this weekend and try out our large selection of Trout Spey rods. Think about attending … Read more

UV Kreelex

At the Headhunters Vise last night

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At the Headhunters Vise last night in Craig Montana. The usual suspects tied for a couple hours chomping on some KFC brought by Rick. Thanks Rick. Remember when at those strange family or neighborhood party’s in the 70’s when the bucket of KFC was standard issue? Boy I remember. The reason being I was still … Read more

Snowshoe Midge

Top 10 Tailwater Midge Flies

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Top 10 Tailwater Midge Flies These Top 10 February Top 10 Tailwater Midge Flies are sure to please your Missouri River fancy. The midge hatch has begun in ernest and manny anglers are asking about the correct midge patterns to toss at our February rising trout. The hot times to fish for midge feeding … Read more

Missouri River

Tent with a Missouri River View

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The Craig Campground has nice riverside placement. Tent with a View. Where else would you want to place your temporary home? You got me. Tons of anglers around this week and certainly on this holiday weekend. Presidents Day is Monday. Rainy, windy, sunny, and calm are the forecast points that may interest you. Several calls … Read more

Punxsutawney Phil sees early Spring

Punxsutawney Phil sees early Spring

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Punxsutawney Phil sees early Spring

We have had a warm front end to the week and we see that the weather guessers think it will continue for some time. Is winter over? No, not by a long ways. But you cannot refute that Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this last week!

Remember that Phil is only right 45% of the time. Meaning, he is as accurate as your financial advisor.

I thought about the warm spring like weather this week already and decided not to feel guilty about enjoying it while it is here. I certainly want more snow in the hills this winter for more water in the rivers this summer. We all do. But why not enjoy the air temps when they touch the 60F benchmark.

Implications of Phil’s Shadow

Punxsutawney Phil
Spring is King on the MO!

If Phil is right

Then we move forward into spring early. Get out your dry fly rods and midge boxes. Clean that fly line and practice a few times in the next couple weeks to improve your accuracy. Accuracy is important when pinpointing roaming and rangy midge feeding trout. Sort of…

Back on track. If Phil is right and we see an early spring we will see an increase in water temps which will advance the bug cycle. Early Midges, BWO’s, March Browns, Caddis, on and on. Warmer weather and early run-off. This is all pure speculation at this time.

If Phil is right we will be seeing a ton more anglers early in the year. We already have seen a bunch of familiar faces and new ones too. Most are interested in trying out that two handed stuff.

Punxsutawney Phil
More snow on the way?

If Phil is wrong

Then we are back on track. We do need more snow n the hills. Our wettest months are yet to come. February is the driest of them all. March, April, May and June bring the precipitation. Although as you may remember us saying on this blog the water managers claim that the 3 week of April is the tipping point. Whatever snow is on the ground at that time is what dictates our summer flow. There is more to it than that simplistic view, but essentially that is the nuts and bolts of that equation.

Not too many years ago, our first 4 years open in Craig, we had higher than average water. Lots higher! So it is not beyond Mother Nature to turn things around in a hurry. In ’08 or ’09 it looked lean until early April. Post Missouri River Annual Water Meeting it started raining. And did not stop. That can happen. So Phil while not being a genius, or even accurate…could be wrong.

 

A coin toss is more accurate than that damn hog.

 

We do know that Montanans are out in force. Cleaning their garage. Working on projects that they did not complete in the fall. Skiing a bunch. And of course fishing on the Mighty MO! Look us up this spring on the Missouri.

We have a Spring Special starting March 15th. $350 Guide Trips offered by Headhunters through the end of April. Discounted pricing on lodging too from Craig Trout Camp beginning @ $125.

All I can tell you is that Punxsutawney Phil always fishes with Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service. 

Blackfoot River Guided Fly Fishing

Book your Blackfoot River Trip Today

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Add a Blackfoot River trip to your annual Missouri River vacation. A short scenery packed 1 hr jump over the Continental Divide to freestone bliss. It can be tough to drag guests from the gentle runs and mega hatches of the Missouri River in Craig Montana but I gotta tell you that I have not … Read more

Superbowl Spey Scenery

Superbowl Spey Scenery

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Enjoy the game today.

About half and half at the shop.

Some default Bronco’s fans because of the Newton hatred. Some because of the nostalgic Peyton love.

Some lean toward Cam because of the dominance. Others because of the athleticism.

I’ve always wanted to use that athleticism term because I have always hated that specific sportscaster description.

 

Sunday afternoon I’ll be busy hammering a loaf of Velveeta and Rotel nearly single-handedly.

 

10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off

10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off

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10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off

Saturday May 21st is the date for our 10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off in downtown Craig. This is our biggest and longest term community festival. The Craig Volunteer Fire Department is the recipient of the proceeds from this annual fundraiser.

We generally have 10 BBQ competitors but this year we may exceed that number. The more the merrier. If you want to participate in this awesome contest and fundraiser let us know by emailing mark@headhuntersflyshop.com

10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off Events this year include…

10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-OffParade @ 4pm. I stole the idea from long time Craig legend LT and applied it to the Craig Caddis Fest. I think he thought of it in the late 90’s. Now an annual event that has grown quite large. Anyone can participate. Again get in touch with Mark at the email above and he can get you a slot in this family friendly event.

BBQ Cook-Off @ 4pm-7pm. Come on down and BBQ up your famous Ribs, Chicken, or Beef item. Anyone can play. Let us know if you want to have fun, serve your BBQ items, and help support the Craig VFD. It is the primary fundraiser for our community fire department. 2oz bites are the key. They sell for $3 and that goes directly to the CVFD.

Raffle Items. The Fire Department will get a few big ticket items to raffle off. Former raffle items have included Kayaks, GoPro, Pop Up 10’x10′ tents, coolers, and more.

Silent Auction 4-7pm.  In the Craig Courtyard between Joe’s Bar and the Trout Shop all day long. Items include local lodging, guide trips, drift boat rentals, T-s and hats, fishing clothing, cool items from local Great Falls and Helena businesses, gift cards, wine baskets, candy, art, and more! Usually well over 50items to bid on. Want to donate? Get in touch with us and donate today!

Craig Caddis Festival
Carroll Jenkins Art!

Live Auction 730pm @ Izaak’s Log Jam. Great art from Montana artists Hannah Uhde, Derek DeYoung, Guide Trips to the Madison and Yellowstone Rivers, lodging around the state, and a couple other cool large ticket items.

Live Music 530pm til ? Izaak’s Log Jam with Up in the Air Band. Come jam in Craig with this fantastic rock and roll band!

Kids Events all day long! Face painting, kids rides, bouncy house, and more on CrossCurrents lot in Craig. Fun stuff for the kids!

Vendors from around the area. Arts and Crafts, food, Scentsy products, UMOWA, FWP, and others will be there for the event. Enjoy all that Craig has to offer this May 21st!

Sound like fun? It is. Visit us on Saturday May 21st for the 10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off. Visit the Website and Facebook page. The Craig Caddis Festival art suitable for framing is available at eh festival fro $35. See more cool art from Hannah Uhde at the North Art Company.

Plan ahead for lodging and guiding and boat rental etc on one of our favorite periods on the MO.

 

The Scandinavian Way F3T Trailer

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Coming up in Helena February 5th. Spokane, Seattle for couple nights and then Helena.

The 10th Annual run across America the F3T has become a favorite for many winter anglers needing a fly fishing fix.

Enjoy it in your town this winter and spring.

Remember the Montana Fishing Film Tour stop in Craig Friday night May 20th at dusk. A BBQ, SIMMS, Montana Fly Company, and Headhunters Fly Shop will host this evening event with tons of swag too. Come out and enjoy the films the night before the 10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/149052846″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery

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Headhunters Guide Max Mattioli rocking the upper river with a guest Saturday. Sun and some wind and some trout.

The week ahead looks like unseasonably warm weather again. Light winds too. Come out and fish. If you wish!

February is on deck. Look for a February Forecast on the way. More spey reports. More fishing reports. More summer 2016 updates. More fantastic daily rambling bullshit coming at you from downtown Craig Montana.

The epicenter of Missouri River fly fishing.

One man's spey rod journey

One man’s spey rod journey

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Why should I take up spey “two-handed” fishing you ask? Could it be that new learning is good? Could it be that it looks like fun? Could it be that after watching people make that beautiful cast I just thought that I had to give that a try? Yes to all of the above. This is my short journey into two- handed fishing and why I love it.

I started a few short years ago truly because I wanted to catch a steelhead swinging with a spey rod. After watching all the videos I could stand, I knew it was time to go for it. I was like many beginners overwhelmed with equipment, terminology, and casting.

I have worked for Headhunters for a couple years now. But before I did I had signed up for Headhunters monthly series of free spey clinics. Much of the terminology and equipment was explained during the morning inside presentation. I’m not saying I retained all the info but words like Skagit, Scandi, anchor point, and snap-t became tangible. At the very least after the indoor morning session I would not be totally lost if  I was engaged in a conversation about casting a spey rod.

One man's spey rod journey
Swing Season Montana’s Missouri River @ Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig

Off to the water we went and after a short demonstration from John, I was handed a long trout spey rod.  I stepped into the river and made my very first spey cast. Wow!? After an afternoon of coaching from John, Sara, and Ninch I managed make a few casts that sent the line flying!

Thus begun my journey into the world of two-handed fishing. I did purchase equipment and began to practice on the Missouri as much as possible. My goal was get competent enough to swing for steelhead in the spring. I found I didn’t want to fish any other way during the winter months. Not only was the trout spey rod fun to cast but also an effective way to fish. That was the real surprise that it may be the most efficient winter method on the Mo!

As I look back at getting into the two-handed world it’s comparable to all the different aspects of my fishing life. At the beginning I remember my very own rod with a closed face Zebco reel.  Dad didn’t like untangling our lines. Then came spinning reels, no more Zebco. Life was good until I saw my first fish caught on a fly rod. Now a whole new world of fishing became apparent. Finally receiving a fly fishing outfit for my birthday the spinning reel begun to collect dust. Soon I found out casting was not as easy as it appeared but practicing was an obsession. Since that day I have always enjoyed learning many of different disciplines of fly fishing. Then the world of two-handed fishing touched my world and I liken it to putting down my spin outfit and picking up a fly rod. A whole new world of casting and fishing opened up. I viewed it as a challenge and fun to get right. Once the cast is made many techniques from streamer and still water fishing are effective. Two-handed fishing is a whole new part of fly fishing that makes me feel like a kid  starting out again. By the way I do use my single handed rod during the warm months.

For all of you out there looking for a challenge or new way of fishing give it a go. I caution you attending a two-handed clinic can be detrimental your single handed rod. We at headhunters would be happy to answer questions or help out with equipment selection. We promise not to sell you any equipment you do not want or need.

Oh yea last month I did catch my first steelhead on the swing. It was all that I hoped for.

Dewey

 

 

Montanans Fish in the Winter

Montanans Fish in the Winter

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Montanan’s Fish in the winter. Or ski. Or both.

Some even nordic ski around here when there is enough snow on the ground. And there has been so far this year. The slight rain on Saturday and Sunday erased the remainder of skiable snow.

Montanans Fish in the Winter
Swing Season is here!

So again we fish here locally. The shelf ice has evaporated as well. Pretty easy and much safer to approach the water in the last week. And by the middle of this week we will be in hog heaven.

Sunday afternoon saw the air temps in the 40’s with some wind. Warmer all week long.

Will see some anglers out there as we near February. February will see an increase in Missouri River anglers as the football season will have ended and Sundays become wide open. Saturdays will become even more popular as the winter itch will need to be scratched.

A great month to work on your Trout Spey techniques here in central Montana. Come by for any help you may need.

The nymphing will continue to improve as well. And the dry fly fishing will become something we can not only talk about be execute as the Midge Hatch will eventually get rolling. Certainly something to look forward to.

Fly Tying Night in America this Wednesday at 6pm at the shop. Come on come all. Have a good front end of the week. Think about booking your summer trip to the Mo. We are here to help. Operators standing by to answer any lodging questions, guide selection, and timing. We got your back.

Montanans fish in the winter, spring, summer…

 

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Saturday Trout Spey Rainbow

Saturday Trout Spey Rainbow

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John Kirk sent us some images from he and friend Nathan last week on the Mo.

Swung up a few he said. And per usual the Kreelex was the star he said.

He’ll be back again this winter he said.

 

The Weekend weather looks pretty sweet. I don’t think we will see as much snow as the east coast though. Snow threatening along with hi’s in the upper 30’s. Was 45F Friday afternoon.

The swingers are out there bringing some fish to hand. The nymphers are doing really well. The water temp came up a degree recently and the fish do react favorably.

 

Headhunters Fly Shop 2016 Event Calendar

Headhunters Fly Shop 2016 Event Calendar

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A few dates to get into your calendar for the upcoming 2016 season. Headhunters events, community events, and hatch events that can make your vacation planning easier.

The water looks like it will be in the average range for the summer ahead. At this early point we feel that we can state that fact. But Mother Nature does make the call.

February

February 6th: Headhunters Free Spey Casting Clinic. Sold Out

February 10th & 24: Headhunters Fly Tying Night in America. Wednesday @ 6pm-8pm. 

Midge Hatch: Can start in the middle of the month. We will keep you up to date here on this very site about the activity. Some epic hatches can get your dry fly mania going.

March

March 5th: Headhunters Free Spey Clinic. Sold Out. If any openings occur we will inform you here on this blog.

March 9th: Final Fly Tying Night in America @ the shop 6pm-8pm

March 15th-April 30: Spring Special Guide Trips $350. Our famous Spring Special for all to attend. Full day guided trips to knock the rust off.

March 15th-April 30th: Spring Special Lodging pricing. Call Headhunters today to get killer deals, 30% off,  on Craig Trout Camp losing and other great Missouri River area lodging!

Midge Hatch: Continued Midge action throughout the month. Get your early season dry fly fix.

Skwalas?

April

Spring Specials all month long with Guide Deals @ $350 and area lodging discounts.

Blue Winged Olives: Late in the month. If water temps rise early we can see some BWO action earlier in the month. Look for 42F for the start of this historic spring hatch.

The big bugs may come too.

Great nymphing all month long. The streamer gang gets going too. Strip the big bug for the big brown trout.

May

One of the favorite months for the Headhunters staff. Good to great blind dry fly fishing and probably the best in streamer fishing. More big brown trout are caught in this month than any other. Meaning, the biggest brown trout. 

March Browns: The middle of the month can bring out this early mayfly. The fish get kinda stupid for this bug. We love the March Brown hatch here on the Missouri River.

BWO’s: Good afternoon action for this twice yearly hatch.

May 20th: Montana Fly Fishing Film Festival. Headhunters hosted night before event at 8pm. Come enjoy some Montana made films, food, beer, and swag the day before the Craig Caddis Festival.

May 21st: Saturday the 10th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off. Big time event in Craig. Come one come all. Food, beer, live music, live and silent auction, parade…a good fundraiser for the Craig Volunteer Fire Department. Email Mark if you want to be involved, donate any auction items, or BBQ for fame! mark@headhuntersflyshop.com www.caddisfestival.com

June

Caddis Flies: The beginning of our favorite summer hatch. Get ready. One of the two busiest months on Montana’s Missouri River.

Pale Morning Duns: This 2 month hatch begins about the 3 week of the month. You want in?

June 18th: Headhunters Summer Solstice Party. A big time afternoon BBQ and party. Contests, swag, fun with your favorite Headhunters til dark. More on this as we get more planned. As you know, we love to throw a good party.

Brown Drakes: Late in the month. This short lived hatch brings out some regular visitors to the Mo.

July

Trico Hatch: Can get rolling on July 5th. Lower water years it can start earlier. Higher water years as late as the 4th week. Many anglers favorite hatch. An amazing Missouri River hatch.

July 4th Party: Another big time party at Headhunters. America’s Birthday. Afternoon BBQ with fireworks at dusk.

PMD’s, Caddis, ant and hoppers too: The best dry fly month of the year. Consistant dawn til dusk.

August

Dry flies all month long. Getting more difficult as the moth progresses. Some don’t like the month because of the weed growth in August. Techy dry fly anglers like it for the difficulty level. Not many anglers during latter half. Pretty quiet.

September

September 3rd: 2nd Annual Browns and Brews Craft Beer Festival. This afternoon even 4-8pm is bound to be one of the summers best. 6 local breweries will share their beer during this tasting event. Live and silent auctions, live music, and food vendors will round out this Saturday Labor Day Weekend event. Book your guides and lodging now for best availability.

One of the better nymph months. The angling pressure increases again as the kids are back in school. If the month is cold you can see some BWO action late. The Pseudocloeon comes and drives folks mad. A fun time on the river.

October

Some anglers favorite month. Historic BWO hatches have been down but the Pseudo’s are around. Streamer anglers like October.

BWO’s: Generally late in the month. Good to great dry fly fishing depending on the year.

Headhunters Fly Fishing School: These are in the planning stages and we will post soon about this idea. Families, dry fly fans and nymphers alike will find something to learn at these Headhunters sponsored schools.

McCune Gould Spey Clinic

Mike McCune & Whitney Gould Spey Clinic

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The dates are set for our 2016 spey sessions with Mike McCune & Whitney Gould. For those looking for some hands-on Spey instruction in a small 3:1 classroom setting, you’ll find no better opportunity. Mike & Whitney are among the worlds best Spey-casters and instructors, and their class is not a “demonstration”. You will be casting and getting personal instruction from both of them. Class size is limited to 6, so you know your getting more than a few minutes of personal help from each of them.

Due to their busy schedule, these will be the only classes Mike and Whitney offer this spring in Montana.

These classes filled up very quickly last year. We are starting with 3 dates, but are open to adding a day if needed (additional dates will be adjacent to existing dates). Why not get 6 of your Steelhead pals together and lock up a class to yourself?

2016 DATES:

One day classes will be held on April 29, 30 and May 1. Cost $200/pp.

Class will be held at a private venue  just outside of Craig beginning at 9:00am. Bring your own spey gear, though Headhunters can provide gear if you need. We recommend that you have some spey casting experience if you plan to attend. Lunch provided by Headhunters.

Whitney will also be available for private lessons for those who would like some 1 on 1 instruction.

Call Headhunters to sign up at 1-877-379-3597 or 406-235-3447.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”16519″][vc_column_text]Mike & Whitney after a day of swinging on the Blackfoot River.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Silly Sunday Scenery Winter Trout Edition

Silly Sunday Scenery Winter Trout Edition

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Max Mattioli releasing this trout last Thursday.

KAST Gloves that keep your hands warm and dry. Even when dipped in tot he water to release cold winter trout.

Probably the best fully water proof gloves not eh market. Most can even fish with them on.

Try them out today at Headhunters Fly Shop. A good addition to any winter clothing arsenal.

Happy Sunday. Go Hawks!

 

Friday Foto January Edition

Friday Foto January Edition

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Headhunters Guide Max Mattioli hooked up above Craig yesterday.

Cold? Yes. Too cold? No. Fished for 3 hours. A perfect afternoon.

Nymphed with big pink flies. Effective.

The fish are in slow water but found several fish in slow plus 1 tick. Interesting in that the water temps are in the 33F range. Wade fishing requires a warm blooded angler. Or heated wading boots.

This weekend some snow, perhaps. Sunday looks to be really quite nice. A hi of 38F. Saturday looks like 1-3 inches of snow.  A mixed bag for sure.

TGIF. Enjoy your weekend even if it does not include trout fishing.

 

Economical Fly Tying

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The first Fly Tying Night in America is tonight (Wednesday 1/13) at Headhunters Fly Shop. It’s the season for fly tying and I wanted to share an idea that has been on my mind lately regarding economy in fly tying.

First off, let me say that each person should tie whatever the hell makes ’em happy. That said, it seems there is an increasing trend towards tying complex flies that use a bunch of esoteric materials. The principal of economy suggests that if a fly is going to incorporate an additional material, there should be a good reason for doing so. This principal is also economical on the wallet for the new fly tyer since tying flies with fewer materials costs less money.

Below you’ll see five patterns of nymphs, dries, and streamers. Each recipe only uses three materials in addition to the thread and hook. Despite using materials economically, these flies are all extremely effective. If you fish the Missouri a lot, you’ve probably tried at least 75% of the patterns shown below.

If you’re a new fly tyer, give some thought to building your tying repertoire with some of these patterns. You’ll save money. You’ll have some effective flies. You’ll learn some critical skills that will serve you later if you choose to start tying fancier flies in the future. If you’ve been tying for awhile, tying more economically might be worth remembering at times.

If you want to try tying some of the patterns listed below, Headhunters sells Just Add Vise kits for the Grape Slushy, Zebra Midge, Buzzball, Foxee Clouser, and Kreelex as well as a bunch of other proven patterns. Each kit provides materials to tie two dozen flies. You’ll have some materials left over.

L to R: Zebra Midge, Grape Slushy, Tailwater Sow Bug, Jemstoner Worm, Pat's Rubber Leg Stone.
L to R: Zebra Midge, Grape Slushy, Tailwater Sow Bug, Jemstoner Worm, Pat’s Rubber Leg Stone.
L to R: Two Wing Trico Spinner, Quigley's Glitter Ant Flag, Sparkle Dun, Weilenmann's CDC and Elk, Buzzball.
L to R: Two Wing Trico Spinner, Quigley’s Glitter Ant Flag, Sparkle Dun, Weilenmann’s CDC and Elk, Buzzball.
L to R: Simi Leech, Clouser Minnow, Coyote Clouser, Kraft's Kreelex, Mini Sculpin.
L to R: Simi Leech, Clouser Minnow, Coyote Clouser, Kraft’s Kreelex, Mini Sculpin.

Happy tying. The first Fly Tying Night in America of the 2016 year is tonight (1/13). The next one will be held on Wednesday, January 27th.

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Sean Penn also met with Notorious Streamer Thug

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Academy award winning actor Sean Penn has made the news this week regarding his interview with drug Kingpin El Chapo, now in custody in Mexico. Sources have revealed that Penn also held a secret meeting in Montana with Streamer Thug “7 Weight”. The notorious underground streamer dealer has been in hiding for years, but is often spotted in the Craig Montana area.

The image also reveals what may be the first pictures of the new “Trout Cartel” line of quick drying fishing shirts by Orvis.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”16477″][vc_column_text]7 Weight and Penn yucking it up behind the vise.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Fly Tying Night In America This Wednesday

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This Wednesday (1/13/16) at 6:00 PM Headhunters will be hosting the first Fly Tying Night in America session of the season. Hopefully we’ll be welcoming back some familiar faces from last winter as well as some new tiers. If you’ve never attended before, it’s a pretty laid back affair but some cool flies get produced and some beers get crushed. You can see some flies from past tying sessions here and here. Mark and Max will be filling up their boxes for the upcoming guide season. Ben will no doubt be tying something top secret (that alone should be reason enough for you to come) and Dewey will probably be tying something he can swing. John is behind the camera these days, but he’s tied about everything at one time or another so he is full of useful advice for anyone that asks (so are Mark, Ben, and Dewey). Sara usually isn’t behind a vise, but she does attend to contribute her charm to the affair. If you click the links above, you’ll see that some of the regulars from last year like Jim, Jerry, and Terry are very skilled tyers as well.

I’m not sure what everyone will be tying this year, but Ben said he’s gonna be tying some sort of foam bug (his specialty) and I’ll probably be tying Zirdle Bugs for the shop.

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Zirdle Bug.

If you’re a new tyer or someone who wants to learn a useful pattern, the Just Add Vise Kits that we sell in the shop are a great way to go. They contain quality materials and are designed for tying “go to” flies that almost every MO river guide has in his/her box. The selection of patterns is comprehensive to the point that I was seriously considering challenging myself to only fish flies from the JAV kits for the whole 2016 year.

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Just Add Vise kits available at Headhunters Fly Shop.

For nymphs you have the Rainbow Czech Nymph, Purple Lightning Bug, Pink Lightning bug, Pink Firebead Ray Charles, Zebra Midge, Little Green Machine, Pearl Lightning Bug, Clouser Crayfish, Tungsten Dart, Grape Slushy and Zirdle Bug.

For dries you have the Rusty Parachute, Longhorn Beetle, Improved Unibomber, X-Caddis, UV Para Ant, Buzzball, and Half Chicken.

For streamers you have the Kreelex and Coyote Clouser.

What else do you really need? You could totally get through the year with nothing but the patterns listed above. I might do it some year, but not this one. I enjoy tying flies and experimenting with new patterns too much. If you’re the kind of guy or gal who feels the same way, I’ll see you this Wednesday night at 6:00.

Silly Sunday Shop Scenery

Silly Sunday Shop Scenery

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Ninch checking it out.

The new ’16 flies come in beginning in March.

Out with the old and in with the new. Ninch gets rid of all of the flies that either do not sell, or do not work.

Yep, those that do not produce must leave the building.

We have 1200+ individual bins of flies. Quite a management trick to keep them full, updated, and fresh.

Ninch does a fabulous job at all of the above.

Cold this weekend. Saw temperatures of 6F all the way up to 24F on a river drive about noon. Today should be warmer.

Ninch again will be tending to the flies prepping for your next visit.

Go Hawks.

Spey Clinic Bumped

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Unfortunately, the weather is forcing us to move this weekends spey clinic to the following weekend, Jan. 16th, 2015. The forecast is for a high temperature around 12 and a low that morning of around 7 degrees. We have also had quite a bit of floating ice on the upper river the last 2 weeks, and if that persists with the cold weather it would make casting & swinging impossible.

We have actually held a clinic or two in these conditions,and while we all had fun for an hour or two, it was more or less a waste of time. Guides freeze up in less than three casts, hands are numb making it impossible to feel & secure your shooting line, and getting in and out of the water on the shelf ice can be dangerous.

It also looks like there will be some snow on Friday night/ Saturday morning and we don’t want anyone driving to Craig in icy conditions.

The clinic will be held the following weekend – Saturday Jan. 16th – at the same time and place. Plan on being at Headhunters by 8:30-45. Classroom presentation will start at 9am.

You will automatically be added to the Jan. 16th class, so if you can’t make it on that date, please contact Ben or Sara and let them know (1-877-379-3597 or 406-235-3447). They will get you into one of our other clinics in Feb. or March.

This clinic is full with a waiting list, so please don’t call to try and add your name.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

A Craig Montana New Years Ritual

A Craig Montana New Years Ritual

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]24F with a 10-15mph north breeze for air temps on skin at about 0F.

So why not dip your entire body in the water on New Years Day.

A New Years Day Ritual
The orange dude in the suit is the safety net!

And at noon they do. This year Braden was our lone participant.

He did wade into the water with his SIMMS Vapor Wading Boots. I would have had the image up but I have found if you do not insert the SD card in your camera it fails to record the image…

Braden survived as all of the dippers did. The fellow in the orange dry suit from the Craig Volunteer Fire Department is in place to make sure nobody either floats or sinks.

The last day in the NFL regular season is today. There is a ton of slush in the river. It is cold enough to freeze up your guides in mere seconds.

But some will be out there fishing of those wily and cold trout. Air temps this week will touch the mid 30’s for decent fishing temps. Also this weekend ahead we will have another of our wildly famous Free Trout Spey Clinics on Saturday the 9th.

Fly Tying Night in America begins next week on Wednesday Night hosted by Braden and friends at the shop at 6pm.

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Missouri River New Years Fishing Report 1.1.16

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Missouri River New Years Fishing Report 1.1.16

New Years Day Missouri River Montana Fishing Report starts out with cold air temps.

The Umteenth (21st) Annual Craig Polar Bear Plunge is at High Noon today a the Craig Boatramp. Were you there? Do you wish you were? Do you feel that wading in the river in mid-July is nearly the same thing…except your toes don’t shrivel up?

Water temps are cold at 33.5F and flows at 3180cfs. The slush factor while this last week was nearing defcon 8 it has been reduced to a reasonable defcon level of 3. Looked fishable to Prewitt Creek as I traveled the river road yesterday. The shelf ice does continue to grow as the high temps for this last couple weeks do not reach much beyond the mid 30’s. Most of th time in the mid 20’s. Looks like more of the same for the week ahead.

We have been locked in this winter pattern for nearly a month. Hi’s in the 20’s and 30’s with light snow a couple days a week. Night time lows anywhere from barely above zero to the mid teens. Winter for sure.

The fish are in the true winter lanes. The softest and slowest moving water you can find. Lots of shelf ice on most of the great insides so be damn careful out there. Watch for the floating ice islands. They can level you, put you down, make your day turn a direction you do not want.

Fool around with a handful of pink flies for the bobber gang. Fool around with a bit of flash for the swingers. Both of you find the soft and soggy winter haunts and stay there. Find good road spots so you can warm yourself up after  your feet become the shape of ice cubes. The car heat can thaw them of stop into Uncle Joe’s for something a bit stronger. Sometimes the heat needs to start in your belly!

Happy New Year to all the Headhunters out there. We are looking into the future and what do we see? Who knows? We are guessing that it will be filled with water, bugs, and big dry fly eating trout-skis.

All the best to you and yours as we greet the new year of 2016.

Shop open daily @ 8am and late til 6pm.

Happy New Year!

 

MRDF 455 Lab Summer Quarter 2016

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MRDF 455. Lab only. 3-5cr.(days) Summer Quarter. Class location Missouri River Craig MT.

Missouri River Dry Fly 455. PREREQUISITE: An intense desire to learn. Examines and explores Missouri River dry fly technique primarily with mayflies. Dry fly casting techniques will include reach cast, slack line presentations, wind casting, double haul, down and across presentations, tiny fly pattern ID, low profile casting situations, stalking movement procedures. You will learn that failure is a big part of the learning curve. Requires early mornings, patience, GINK, Frog’s Fanny, line cleaner, and a couple beers in the cooler. Class size limited.

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Headhunters University

Education comes first

Our business is built on education. It is even in our mission statement. Entertainment, information, education, and customer service for the Missouri River trout angler. And we practice those values daily. Whether it be your 1st day to the MO or your 1000th we know that you are interested in bettering your game. Stepping it up. That is why we believe so strongly in angler education.

From our free Trout Spey Clinics in the winter months to our always free casting lessons on our casting lane here in Craig to fishing with our experienced tenured guide staff and into the fly shop where our fish driven staff will help you with all things trout. Headhunters Fly Shop is centered around education.[/vc_column_text][us_grid columns=”2″ post_type=”attachment” items_quantity=”” images=”16267,16270″ orderby=”post__in” items_gap=”4px” items_layout=”gallery_default” img_size=”us_600_600_crop” overriding_link=”popup_post_image” breakpoint_1_cols=”2″ breakpoint_2_width=”768px” breakpoint_3_width=”480px” breakpoint_2_cols=”4″ breakpoint_3_cols=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sound like something you might be interested in? Summer technical dry fly fishing. Mayflies are the primary vehicle to success with caddis, terrestrials, and other attractors too. But the focus is centered on figuring out the often frustrating mayfly stage and emulating it perfectly. Behaviors of the summer feeding trout will frankly dry you mad. If you enjoy any of the concepts above you might be ready.

Pale Morning Duns, Trico’s, March Browns, Blue Winged Olives, Callibaetis will keep you busy whenever your calendar allows you to visit our 35 mile long campus. Even if you didn’t have good grades in school this venue is very accepting. Although the trout do make the final evaluation!

Have you ever wanted to go back to college? Yeah, me neither. But, but you have never wanted to stop learning. Why not enroll at Trout U here in Craig Montana.

A ton of the annual returning Missouri River anglers book these time periods a year in advance. In fact, most who know of this affliction, who are admittedly infected, have been a fixture for years, a decade, or even a quarter century. Most of their adult lives in the same place, at the same time…yearly.

Winter fishing on the Mo is a bitch. Summer is not.

The dream time periods for the class above include June and July. Another good window of dry fly action in the middle two weeks of May which falls around the Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-off Saturday May 21st. Another great session in the latter part of October. August is good too, but you might call the class

MRAF 305. Lab Only. Summer Quarter. Missouri River MT.

Missouri River Attractor Fly 305. Hoppers, ants, and your favorite generic attractor patterns are in vogue in August. Long cast, high floating flies, and spectacular brown trout eats will keep you busy for the month of August. Tricky, difficult techy small dry fly fishing available in the mornings with your afternoons filled with the big fly. For big trout.

Headhunters encourages daily learning

Headhunters is the education location while in Craig Montana. The education leader on Montana’s Missouri River. Whether you’ll be joining us reading this daily blog, enjoying the videos on Headhunters TV, or enrolling in Headhunters Trout University for the 2016 school year. We are all about education.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_grid columns=”2″ post_type=”attachment” items_quantity=”” images=”16271,16269″ orderby=”post__in” items_gap=”4px” items_layout=”gallery_default” img_size=”us_600_600_crop” overriding_link=”popup_post_image” breakpoint_1_cols=”2″ breakpoint_2_width=”768px” breakpoint_3_width=”480px” breakpoint_2_cols=”4″ breakpoint_3_cols=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/101744402″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Sunday Shelf Ice

Shelf Ice Sunday

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Shelf Ice Sunday

Be careful out there with the shelf ice building throughout the week.

Probably more this week too. Nightly temperatures have dipped well below the freezing mark allowing shelf ice to develop.

While shelf ice up and down the river corridor the slush does not start until about Mid-Canon. Then every mile you head downstream it increases exponentially. That may be too strong a figure, but it certainly increases enough to stop fishing by the time you get in the neighborhood of Gary Cooper Bridge abutment.

Enjoy your Sunday. Good football on the TV today. Relax another day before many of you go back into the work fray. Good luck on that.

Again, be aware if you are wade fishing of the shelf ice situation. Also if you are wade fishing you should be aware of the icebergs floating downstream.

Most of the boat ramps have shelf ice protruding from them as well. Most boat ramps will certainly require a 4WD outfit this week. Or choose the flat entry and exit points.

Anywhere above Craig the ice in the river is pretty much non-existent. It really starts in the Mid-Canon area. So most are fishing upriver of Craig. Stop in and get an up to the minute slush, shelf ice, and fishing report from our crack staff here on site 364 days a year.

Be careful out there. Enjoy the week ahead!

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Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer

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Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer

Happy Christmas Eve from downtown Craig Montana.

Pretty quiet this morning with temps in the low 20’s. Snow on the ground, Joe’s Bar serving Reindeer Beers this morning. Bailey’s is our drink of choice on cold winter mornings. Joe’s has that too.

Open for a spell this morning then off to feed the Reindeer powering Santa’s Sleigh.

Think of Headhunters Fly Shop like Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. Guiding your Missouri River sleigh drift boat through insect filled runs along with calm overcast skies.

Hoping all of you get killer fly fishing gear of your fishing fantasies!

This original Rudolf cartoon from 1944. Enjoy your Christmas Eve…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzfJdSmTNdk”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Why we love the shortest day in Craig MT

Why we love the shortest day in Craig MT

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Why we love the shortest day in Craig MT

We have crossed over the Winter Solstice here in Craig MT and beyond.

The most important part of this yearly winter equation is just this…the days get longer from here on out until the Summer Solstice in June. Actually the sunrise gets later until January 7th.  But this historical day lets us breathe easier, sleep easier, and begin the warm summer thoughts we so love.

What do most folks do is get a little buzz on at the best bar in Craig. Uncle Joe’s Bar. Celebrating the first day of winter.

It is the first day of winter on the books, but we have been experiencing winter here in Craig  for a couple months. Snow on the ground, icy roads, fishy smells, and lack of traffic on the river, and hi-ways. Montana grinds nearly to a halt during the frozen months.

So now that we have established the front end of winter we can certainly understand the pics below. More snow in the forecast. Snow all week long with some cold temperatures near the zero mark.

Cold and snowy Holiday Week ahead
Cold and snowy holiday week ahead

We are counting the days until the winter is past us. But while we fantasize about warmer climates in FLA, the Bahamas, Southern America, and beyond we have found a way to pass the time here on the best winter trout swing fishery in the western United States.

Top 5 reasons we love December 21st

  1. Why the winter solstice is loved in Craig MT1st day of winter here in Montana. People love the 4 distinct seasons here on the Missouri River. Winter is the quiet season.
  2. Almost to a New Year. New Year, New Attitude. New Hope.
  3. 1 day closer to midge fishing. Historically mid-February brings the first evidence of midges to the Missouri River. This is our first real good hatch of the new year. The midge is an interesting insect. Unpredictable for sure. We of course will keep you up to date on this late winter early spring emergence.
  4. We still have 6 months of precipitation in front of us. Winters are relatively dry here in the rocky mountain range. April, May, June are wet ones. We pray daily to the rain and snow gods to bring us adequate water not only for the Mo but for all of the western states.
  5. And finally one day closer to summer and daily dry fly fishing. Until then we will just have to enjoy the spoils of winter here on the Missouri. Great nymphing along with world class winter swing fishing.