Headhunters Life

Things we do and see on the Missouri River Montana.

Drift Boat Drive-In Recap

Drift Boat Drive-In Recap

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Drift Boat Drive-In Recap today not eh Headhunters Fly Shop Blog.

Great turnout last night on a long day. About 100 folks showed to view the Montana Fishing Film Festival in Craig last night. Fished all day, dinner at Izzak’s, Film @ Headhunters, pares film activities late night at Joe’s Bar. Keeping it in Craig is pretty easy to do with the river in town, food, the World’s Funnest Fly Shop, and 2 great bars. Sounds about right huh?!

Summer is off to a bang today as we reflect on last nights fun and today’s sun. Summer is here, this being the kick-off, and we are ready and willing. Headhunters is the place for all things trout in Craig.

Drift Boat Drive-In Recap
Glued to the movie screen!

The boys from Montana Fishing Film Fest are fishing today as well. A lower float towards Pelican. They hav been enjoying the trouting with surface eats for the latter portion of the week and we look forward to having them here again as the summer moves along. Maybe not this year, but they will be back for another raucous event in 2015. Look for more here on this very fly fishy Blog.

Free events are what we are all about and this was no different. We passed the hat and got some great donations for the boys, and HH picked up the rest of the tab. Hot dogs with Kraut, salty chips, and a few beers were devoured as the film kicked off about 930 pm. Dusk-ish in Craig. Perfect.

Films by Montanans for folks fishing in Montana, the Missouri River.

Drift Boat Drive-In Recap
Getting ready for the storm…it passed without incident.

Drift Boat Drive In

Tonight Only! Drift Boat Drive-In Friday June 20th @ Headhunters

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Tonight in Craig Montana at the World’s Funnest Fly Shop the Drift Boat Drive-In @ Dusk!

Drift Boat Drive-In June 20th. Yes, the 2nd Annual-ish Drift Boat Drive-in here in downtown Craig Montana.

If you remember the Brian O’Keefe event here on the Headhunters property a few years ago in late August then you will be jazzed that we are hosting yet another cool outdoor event.

The funnest fly shop in the world will host the Drift Boat Drive-in Friday June 20th at Dusk, post evening hatch, under the stars @ Headhunters. BBQ, prizes, swag, BYOB, fun Montana made films from Montana fishing film makers…and you!

BBQ starts about fish after you eat a few ribs at Izaak’s and with a few shots at Joe’s! See you at DUSK for this FREE outdoor summer film event!

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Missouri River Montana PMD Box

Missouri River Montana PMD Box

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Pale Morning Duns are part of your day here fly fishing Montana’s Missouri River in June.

We love June as the bugs participate more willingly everyday. While the weather this last week has been really shitty, the fishing has stood up. The rain pouring out of the clouds Wednesday was impressive. A real test to your waders and your rain jacket. Better have a good one or go home early. You don’t want to go home early do you?

Mark’s PMD Tips for catching more Missouri River Trout

Squeeky’s PMD Box for the Missouri River. It is one of my favorite hatches and in years past it certainly was. Is it today? Yes, I like the hatch that is currently going on. As the caddis become thicker, it will change.

Who doesn’t love tossing Rusty Spinners at bank sipping’ brown trouts? I for one do.

The Pale Morning Duns that come off include the Ephemerella infrequens and the Ephemerella inermis. The big one and the little one.

The trout will eat duns on occasion. The first drift is the right time to fool those finicky trout with the dun. It is the right time to trick them in every situation.

 

Do not be the guy who pisses the fish off on the first drift. Don’t be that guy.

 

Who is that guy? Many anglers try to get the trout on their first cast after identifying rising trout. They cast the fly near the trout, do not have enough line pulled off the reel, strip line off as the fly is rapidly approaching the target, the fly slides, the fish eats it, and that guy misses the trout because he is busy stripping line off the reel.

Squeeky’s Strong Suggestion: Do all that shit before you make your first presentation. Well, only if you want to catch more fish on dry flies.

Most fish are not caught on the first cast. Does not matter that you make multiple presentations beyond the first drift. The fish are aware that a dragging Rusty Spinner is not all that attractive, or appealing, or edible. Think about it.

Most fish are caught on the first drift though. Make it a good one. Do not rush. The fish is eating, no rush man. No rush.

Make sure you have the appropriate amount of line off the reel. Make a couple drifts on the outside of the fish. Meaning not near him. A couple feet on the near side will suffice. Make sure you understand the drift before you toss the fly into the zone.

Then when you have all the prep out of the way, make your presentation. It is amazing what the element of surprise will do for your net. It gets it wet. The element of surpass is eliminated if you drag your fly across their heads several times before making your first decent drag free drift.

Remember: If you are fishing spinner patterns they should not drag. Spinners are dead. Dead flies do not swim, twitch, move…and they certainly do not drag!

Go out there and make some good presentations to our freely rising trout. Approach the situation like you want to catch the fish. You are hunting a wild animal. Act like it.

Sounds like straight talk here on the fly fishing blog straight outta Headhunters Fly Shop? Just honesty here today. Put yourself in successful situations and you will be rewarded.

As in life, as in fishing. Just keep casting and good things will happen.  -SOL

 

Squeeky’s Missouri River Montana PMD Box

Missouri River Montana PMD Box

Row 1 L2R: Harrop’s PMD Spinner Blonde version, Brook’s PMD Sprout, Hackle Stackers and Hairwing Duns, Silverman’s Spinner & Hi-Vis Rusty, Harrop’s Rusty Spinner.

Row 2: Nymen’s PMD Cripple & Quigley’s Cripple, Limestone Cripple, CDC Harrop’s Cripples, Haystack PMD, Quigley’s Rusty Cripple, Harrop’s Hi-Viz CDC Para Rusty Spinner.

Row 3: Half-Dun Hatching, Trapped PMD Dun, Para PMD & Hackle Stackers, Para-PMD’s,  Poly Wing Rusty Spinner.

Row 4: PMD RS2’s and other CDC Emergers, CDC Transitional Duns & Captive Duns, Pink Parachutes & Hackle Stackers, Emergent PMD’s, some sort of yellow tipped,eager/dun/spinner thingy’s, Harrop’s Pale Green CDC PMD Hi-VIz Spinners

We will see your this month plying your PMD trade here in Craig fishing Montana’s Missouri River. The PMD factory of central Montana.

 

Hey Mister…Pssst. Film Event tomorrow night at Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig.

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Headhunters Weekend Fishing Report Missouri River Montana

Headhunters Weekend Fishing Report Missouri River Montana

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The weekend looks good. While winter is over, spring is still around, and summer has still yet to set in.

Bring your rain jacket, your fleece, and some sort of warm hat if you headed out for the day. Waders still have not worn out their welcome.

As I mentioned yesterday or the day before the PMD’s are coming soon. The BWO’s are still around, remarkably. And they are making a difference in the afternoons. Look for them.

The PMD and Caddis fare are popular subsurface along with T-Beaded Worms and Scuds. The Rainbow Czech is glued to many rigs all 12 months.

Emergers, cripples, and spinners are the all stars when tossing dry flies at rising fish. Blind dry fly anglers are putting up numbers too. Some. The fish are not everywhere, but they are somewheres. Sometimes.

Streamer anglers dong well enough.

BBQ tonight at the fly shop about 5pm. We will see you there. Or here.

Headhunters open at 7am daily for all your trout fishing needs of all things Missouri River, Blackfoot River, and the Dearborn River too. The whole gang is around for guiding, rigging, bullshitting. We got rot gut coffee as well. Free of course.

Silly Saturday Scenery

Silly Saturday Scenery | Road Less Traveled Edition

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You coming to Montana?

It may be the Road Less Traveled.

We will welcome you.

This is the road to the Blackfoot River over the other side, the wet side of the divide.

We will be traveling across soon enough. Til then we will have to fish the premier dry fly fishery in the state.

 

BBQ Tonight on the property @ Headhunters Fly Shop in downtown Craig.

See you there about 5pm for snacks before you Rib Dinner @ Izaak’s.

The fishing is getting good…

Missouri River Fly Fishing Map

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’ve done a little tweaking to our popular Missouri River Montana Fly Fishing Map recently. Cleaned it up a little, and made some adjustments that reflect changes to access over the last few years. The new copies will be arriving at Headhunters soon, and we will no longer be printing them on the back of our brochure. Who needs a brochure in this digital age? We will have un-folded maps on paper you can scratch notes on. Secret fishing spots, where you his the Redbreast on your last trip, etc.

You can also find the map in a PNG format on the Missouri River Map page on this website. If you want to print your own, you can also download a printable PDF version here: Headhunters 2014 Missouri River Map.

Thanks to the crew at Media Works in Bozeman![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Missouri River Fly Shop

GigaPan Technology

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Our good buddy Andy Watson at Bull Stock Media took this cool GigaPan image of our shop after work last week. Very cool stuff. You can zoom way in and out, pan around and even read the leader packs on the back wall. This image is comprised of about 90 full size images stitched together. Impressive robotic technology from Andy and GigaPan. We’ll leave it on our Flyshop Page, but here it is on the blog for you to waste another hour at work. Those TPS reports will just have to wait, Lumberg!

Best to click the “fullscreen” icon on the bottom left, and play with it full size.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_raw_html]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cCUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5naWdhcGFuLmNvbSUyRmdpZ2FwYW5zJTJGMTU2MTM0JTJGb3B0aW9ucyUyRm5vc25hcHNob3RzJTJDaGlkZXRpdGxlJTJDZnVsbHNjcmVlbiUyRmlmcmFtZSUyRmZsYXNoLmh0bWwlM0ZoZWlnaHQlM0QyNTAlMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIyNzUlMjIlMjBzY3JvbGxpbmclM0QlMjJubyUyMiUyMHdpZHRoJTNEJTIyMTAwJTI1JTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNF[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]If you are a Pro Bull Riding, rodeo or photography fan, check out the Bull Stock Media website. Full of great images of bull-riding.

Andy also takes some great fishing images. Here’s a great shot of Andy with a nice Brown, and one of my favorites he took on the Missouri with his wife Jacey and Livingston guide Eric Adams.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_grid type=”l” post_type=”attachment” items_quantity=”” images=”5276,5277″ orderby=”post__in” items_gap=”” columns=”6″ items_layout=”gallery_default” img_size=”us_350_350_crop” overriding_link=”popup_post_image” breakpoint_1_cols=”6″ breakpoint_2_width=”768px” breakpoint_3_width=”480px” breakpoint_2_cols=”4″ breakpoint_3_cols=”2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Missouri River Walleye fly fishing

Save a Trout, Kill a Walleye

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]You’ve seen a lot of Walleye pic’s from us this spring. Most of them dead. Which is how they should be. If I were a religious zealot I would say that God put Walleye on Earth to make fish tacos with. I like fish taco’s.

I think Walleye are great fish. They are stealthy creatures, and you need to use all of your fish-problem-solving-skills to catch them. Especially on the fly. But also with bait.

Do they fight? Not really. Are they big? They can reach trophy size on the Missouri River, especially below Holter and Hauser Dams. Do they eat well? Nothing that swims in freshwater is better for the fork. Or the Tortilla.

If you want to go catch a few, there are several ways to get them. Flies, lures, dead minnows and live leeches all work to different degrees. The most popular lure is a small countdown Rapala. A Rainbow Trout pattern works best. That concerns me.

Walleye are voracious predators. As much as I like fishing for them (as an alternative and change of pace), and as much as I like to eat them, I don’t like them. They eat trout, and lots of them.

Many of our local Walleye anglers were put off when Montana FWP decided to remove the limit on Walleye below Holter Dam. A major dis’ to their favorite fish. The reason, however, is the dramatic impact they can have on one of North America’s most prolific trout fisheries. Walleye are fish eating machines, and can power through pounds of trout fingerlings in a day.

There are many fisheries in Montana where Walleye are managed as the primary fishery. If you are one of the rare breed of catch and release Walleye anglers, go there.

The above Walleye died today at the hands of some Missouri River fly anglers. Good job fellas. Can you imagine how many baby trout this guy has chowed in his life? Lots. Nice fish by the way!

If you catch a Walleye – and you’re a fan of trout – make sure and introduce him to the Priest. He deserves it. You’ll be saving thousands of fish for the future.

Save a Trout, Kill a Walleye.

T-shirts coming soon.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_image image=”5256″ size=”full” link=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Missouri RIver Ch-Ch-Changes. brought to you by David Bowie

Missouri River Ch-Ch-Changes. Brought to you by Bowie

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Check it. The Mo is going through some changes.

Dry fly changes.

Happy Wednesday, Hump Day, a day for changes.

Should you come in June?

Nah, you wouldn’t like it anyway.

All those fish rising and long afternoons and even longer nights.

Let’s toast to Changes.

 

 

Missouri River June Flies

Missouri River Flies for early June

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The bottom is dropping out right now as I write this Tuesday evening. Look at the chart. You will approve.

Already speculation that there will not be enough water to fill the reservoir. It is just that until we see what the level is like in the last week of June.

What we do know is the dry fly fishing will turn around. Tuesday afternoon saw  some glimpses of the future. And I gotta tell you, I liked it.

Wednesday, today, will bring us more info, real-time knowledge and a fishing report.

Tuesday turned up smelling a lot better than Monday. Way better. The fish were on the bite and the river was nearly empty. Really quite nice.

Check out the levels and smile. We’ll see you on your favorite dry fly flat soon.

Knock on wood.

Missouri River Flies for early June

Missouri RIver June Flies
Missouri River June Flies

Row 1: San Wire Worm, UV Czech Nymph, Tailwater Sow, Purple Weight Fly

Row 2: Tungsten Dart, Tungsten Reckoner, PT Soft Hackle, Olive Anato May, Two Bit Hooker, Little Green Machine, Angelhair Flashback PT, Tungsten Redemption PMD, Red Zebra Midge

Row 3: Buzzball, Parachute Black Ant, Purple Haze, Purple Phase Loop-WIng, Nymen’s DOA Cripple Baetis, Elk Hair CDC Caddis

Row 4: Bloom’s CDC Caddis, Double Duck Caddis, Johnson’s RC Caddis, Stockingwing Caddis, Tan Wing Emerger, Translucent Caddis

 

June Events Missouri River Montana

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A few June events to keep in mind as we move into my favorite month of the year.

Summer has arrived albeit not officially til later in the month. The days are getting really nice, and really long. More time for angling here on Montana’s Missouri River.

Photo sent in from our good friends Leonard and Dan Gross along with Rick Green. This one above shot by Len of brother Dan.

 

  • PMD’s. Soon. Usually the 2nd week of June.
  • Caddis. They were here, then they left. They will return in bigger numbers and trout love Caddis Flies.
  • BBQ’s at Headhunters. Impromptu BBQ Events all summer long.
  • Drift Boat Drive-In Friday June 20th @ Headhunters Fly Shop. BBQ, beer, movies, fly fishing madness @ Dusk.
  • Izaak’s open daily. Joe’s open daily. Montana pares fishing food and beverage here in downtown Craig.
  • Yellow Sally’s. Those yellow devils return later in the month.
  • Longest day of the year.
  • Dearborn River Floats. Give us a call to get on board and learn more about this seasonal float.
  • The next two weeks will be an indicator of things to come. the water is coming down, how and when we can only guess along with info from the USBR. It is a crap shoot. Keep it here for up to the minute water and hatch reports.

[forecast]

The fishing has been hit and miss the last week with the water levels moving around violently. Some to none for the dry fly anglers. The nymphers are having mediocre angling with catch rates down from our fantastic average. The streamer guys have been getting a few here and there. Stripping hard, stopping often.

June will bring a change for us here on the Missouri River. When and how? We thinks it will go the dry fly route. But nobody is infallible. Nobody.

See you here in Craig @ Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service for all things Missouri River. Shades by Smith and Costa. Clothing from FreeFly, SIMMS, Headhunters Logo Wear, Fishpond. Sungear from SIMMS, BUFF, 12wt., FreeFly. Raingear from SMMS. Rods from SAGE, Orvis, ECHO, and Sweetgrass Bamboo. Reeles from Abel, SAGE, Hatch, Orvis, Nautilus, ECHO, Galvan. Fly Lines from RIO Products, Airflo, Cortland, and Wulff. Flies from all 4 corners of the earth and the best in dry flies for the Missouri River here @ Headhunters.

We got yer back on all day long shuttles, info, coffee, raw baloney, and much more in Craig. Open daily @ 7am.

Not yet on the Blackfoot River

Not yet on the Blackfoot River

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Just did some recon on the Blackfoot River yesterday and today. Still blown.

No surprise to those who know how freestone streams behave in the spring, and searly summer, and sometimes mid summer.

According to Cathy at the Blackfoot Angler they should get rolling towards the end of June beginning of July. Based on her 16 years in Ovando and living on the Blackfoot and her “feel” she says not for a while longer.

We ventured up tot he Upper North Fork of the Blackfoot and watched the river rage through the high canyon walls amongst forests of Pine. Really a pretty place. A fun place to wade fish in the mid summer. Really nice freestone environs on the westside.

We are ready for when the Blackfoot breaks with tenured guides on the Blackfoot with Peter Skidmore, Nick Stipech and Kurt Michels. Jared Edens and Ben Hardy along with Brett Matula and myself love to run over the hill as well and fish the Big Blackfoot for dry fly action. A real pretty river with great fishing opportunities.

If you are attending, fishing, visiting the Missouri River region and want to experience a bit of the green side of the state, look us up and tack on an additional day, or weave it into your multi-day Missouri River trip.

We will keep you informed as the Blackfoot comes into shape and tracking the Salmon Fly Hatch too! We got yer back here in central Montana. Look to the right of this blog and you will see the Blackfoot River live water graph from USGS and associated link.

As you may have read in yesterday’s post we anticipate lower water levels on the Missouri River very soon. We cannot wait to dry fly fish daily. It is coming. The Blackfoot? We will have to grin and bear it here with all those PMD’s, Caddis, and Yellow Sally’s until the Blackfoot comes into shape.

Happy Sunday to you all!

Not yet on the Blackfoot River
Upper North Fork of the Blackfoot
Missouri River rock skipping

Skipping Rocks

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Ninch, Mark and I headed out on the river yesterday. The plan was to shoot some video and get a day on the water together. An option that will be rare for any of Team Headhunters for the next few months. We’ve got a short (3 day?) lull – only a few trips a day – so, go get some ourselves, right? Maybe get some cool video for the blog?

When it comes to shooting video, three things at the top of my “don’t like it” list are:

  1. Filming nymphing.
  2. Filming from the boat.
  3. Filming nymphing from the boat.

But, with the river jumped up slightly to 10,900 cfs – meaning nymph fishing would likely be the only option – and it being the only day we could all do it, we went.

The thought, of course, was that we will make nymphing look easy and fun. How could we not? Three pro’s like us, rolling down our home river hooking and landing fish at will. Nymphing is easy, and watch all these big Browns in the air! The reality was little different.

After a couple of 32GB cards of Ninch doing lots of mending, and Ninch landing a few fish, we decided to pull over and reassess. “Reassess” means that we pulled over to gather as many possible reasons and excuses that would explain our suckiness.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_separator icon=”fas|star” show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner parallax_bg_width=”110″ parallax_speed=”normal”][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_image image=”5173″ size=”full” link=”” onclick=”lightbox”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_separator icon=”fas|star” show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]We came up with plenty:

  • Late start at 11am.
  • Wrong float.
  • They bumped up the river.
  • Little Prickly Pear blew out.
  • Too sunny.
  • Not enough clouds. (see how easy it is to come up with excuses?)
  • Joes’ bar was closed this morning. (still not sure why?)
  • Didn’t have any beer. (Because Joe’s was closed)
  • Wrong moon. (not sure what the moon is)
  • Too much pressure. (We didn’t see another boat)
  • There were tons of boats, but they are all in front if us. (we started late)
  • Weren’t using fluorocarbon. (I’m sure we were)

I could go on and on. And we did. They are all great reasons, and we have used them many times in the past. But the reality was that we were just sucking, and probably not giving nymph fishing in high water the respect it deserves. Just one of those days when we didn’t have it.

So we pulled over to skip rocks for awhile. Because skipping rocks is always fun, and it lets you burn off a little frustration.

The islands on the Missouri have some excellent rock-skipping-rocks, and we found them. Mark claims the world record is 23 skips, but I didn’t have time to check that one. Got to be more, doesn’t it? I’m sure I had some 23 skip tosses when I was 12 or 13.

The whole thing reminded me of skipping rocks with my dad and brothers when I was young.

Which made me wonder; did our dads teach us to skip rocks when the fishing sucked?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Trout Porn

Trout Porn Stars

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]We received a visit from Team Trout Porn last week, as they hit the Missouri River as as part of their annual spring tour of Montana. Talk about enthusiasm, this crew seems to always have a smile on their face, regardless of the fishing, location, weather or water conditions. But they always catch fish, so they should be smiling.

For those of you who are not familiar with Trout Porn, they are group of young-ish anglers who run one of the most popular Facebook/Fly Fishing pages in the webiverse. Always loaded with awesome shots from around the world, if you like looking at images of big fish, you need to check this out. If you subscribe to the “Quiet Sport” ethos, then you might want to take a pass. If you like to have fun while you fish – and stick piggies – then you should “Like” it.

My favorite part of Trout Porn is that I don’t really have a clue who they are. They use nicknames like “Grasshopper” and “Headhunter”. As far as I can tell they are from Alberta, Wyoming, and Montana. At least. I do know a couple of names, but that’s about all. They promote trout, and not themselves. Not the usual bunch of media kooks we see around here. They really seem to love trout fishing and have a great time.

Trout Porn also releases a free e-zine that’s fun to flip through. Each member contributes a “newsletter”, and there is some great still photography/video from a variety of contributors.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_separator icon=”fas|star” show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhGtUWlr4dU&list=UUPgqztlTj6MqbZT3_evPqyQ&feature=share”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

New Boat Smell "Oar Boy"

New Boat Smell “Oar Boy”

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Yet another Adipose on the river. This one from our friend John downriver of Craig.

We love the Seafoam Green color as it reminds us of the salt and sunny Tarpon dreams.

Will you get a new boat this year? How about just fixing up your old dingy and getting it out on the water.

Whatever you decide we can help you here at Headhunters with flies, information, suggestions on floats, shuttles, new ropes for your anchor system, anchors, new oars, or order anything more you may need for your summer adventures

Velvet Underground

Waiting for the Man | Velvet Underground

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A fly fishing break for you folks at home. Check out the video today from Velvet Underground with an appearance from Andy Warhol.

Cool shit man.

The holiday is nearly over and the three day weekend has gone away from us.

This weekend a couple long standing groups here fishing the river. Many years and many trout have been caught by the Morgan and Chaisson groups. Guides Peter Skidmore, Jared Edens, Nick Stipech, Brett Matula, Beth Hood, Ryan McCourtney, Kurt Michels keep them coming back with their hard work, knowledge, and fun attitudes.

Is it tme to make you trip, your group a reality?

Never too late to start your Missouri River Legacy.

Do it today.

Until then, until you call, check out this eclectic vid from the Velvet Underground. A cool tune for sure.

 

 

Headhunters BBQ Tonight!

Headhunters BBQ Tonight!

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Headhunters BBQ Tonight! Yes, it is the first sign of summer. A free BBQ @ Headhunters.

We are rolling out our finest Tube Steaks from Hebrew National along with the bun! Yes, for you the hungry angler.

Get in on the fun and then head over to Izaak’s for a real taste of BBQ. Ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork. And cocktails too!

See you wandering aimlessly with hot dog in hand about 4ish tonight!

Friday Foto Memorial Day Weekend Fishing Report

Friday Foto Memorial Day Fishing Report 5.23.14

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Hooray for the weather, for the holiday weekend, for the trout.

All good things happening here in Craig Montana. Kicking off the weekend in the west!

If you are not coming this weekend, we certainly hope we see you this coming weekend, or for the hell of it, try the mid week. Take the week off. We’ll understand.

This last weekend with the Caddis Festival was awesome. But who could beat this weekend with the weather and the fun here in Craig. Check out the weather. Over 80F today!

[forecast]

Friday Foto Memorial Day Fishing Report

To keep you on track while packing for your trip tot he Mo, we have compiled a list of items to include when rolling up to Craig Montana.

Drift Boat. The flows are at the 8770cfs zone and we want you to have a great time. A boat will allow you greater freedom as the wade fishing is diminished with these spring release flows. No boat? Rent one from us! Try out the NRS IDB. You may like it. An Adipose Flow?   A Diablo Kayak? Yep, we got those too! Fun floating devices at Headhunters.

BBQ. Bring one of these if camping. Or visit Izaak’s. Open daily @ 3pm for cocktails, 4pm for dinner. Try the Nacho’s for a pile of goodness. Ribs for dinner. Home made ice cream for dessert. See Stevie or Claudia for a Moscow Mule!

Headhunters is rumored to have a Tube Steak BBQ on Saturday? You heard anything about that?

Rods. Bring fly rods. Lots of them. A streamer rod with a set of sink tips, a dry rod with a RIO Gold attached, and a Nymph rod with a RIO Indicator II line. Want to try a new rod for 2014. We got ’em! Demo a rod from Headhunters like a SAGE Method or One or Circa for those with dry fly aspirations. An Orvis Helios 2? A Sweetgrass Mantra Bamboo? You want one of those? Try before you buy at Headhunters.

Flies. Bring a boat load. Or get some additional hot flies from the shop. We’ve got the most comprehensive selection in Craig. Bar None! Scuds, Sows, FB’s, derivations of Mayfly nymphs that will blow your mind, caddis pupas and emergers, Midge Mania, dry flies like cripples and emergers for the March Brown emergence, and a vast selection of caddis dry flies as they are happening now and the invasion could come this weekend.

Sleeping bag. Don’t forget the sleeping bag and have to sleep on the hood of the truck. Not that I’ve ever done that. Check out our www.craiglodging.com site for over 20 great canyon rentals!

Camera. Bring the camera for hero shots and for capturing the moment your buddy falls out of the boat.

Beer. Whiskey. If you space it, you can always pick up a 12 pack at Joe’s. Open daily @ 8am. And you know the rule. If you see me in the bar @ 2am, send me home.

Mini Bike. For hi-jinks around camp. If you need a shuttle, call us, stop in, or just send us an ESP message. Ninch can pick up on those type of things. He is very perceptive.

Wiffle Ball and Bat. For fun after fishing. Don’t throw out your casting arm. And definitely not your rowing arm!Or just come to the porch and hang.

Sunglasses and sunscreen. A sun shirt for good measure too. It’s gonna be real nice.

Smiles. Bring a bundle of them.

The cooler. A YETI. Full of the BBQ fixin’s, Budweiser, Gatorade for the hangovers.

A map of Craig. If you don’t have one stop into the shop and we will draw you one. Just get off on exit 234 and you should be fine. How do you know when you get Headhunters? Just look for the funnest fly shop in the world, and turn right.

Headhunters open all weekend @ 7am with a free cups of Joe for those in need. Open late til at least 8pm for evening shuttles, apres fishing hang, fly line cleaner, sun hats ,shirts, gloves, sunscreen, flies, free info, an ear to bend, smiles, boat wash, demo rods, boat rentals…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Row Jimmy Row

Row Jimmy Row

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Row Jimmy Row today on the Headhunters Blog.

The art on the TShirt above is called Row Jimmy after the Dead tune.

You have seen the Dead Drifter art on our TShirts last year so we give you this Row Jimmy hoody.

Enjoy the video this Tuesday morning and blow off your boss.

Quit your job and go follow the Dead…

 

 

Yep, we got high water.

Yep, we got high(er) water.

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The Missouri River is higher than normal. It certainly is not High. High water is way higher than it is now. Like double. Does it affect our trout?

Yep. They just get bigger.

With an average trout int he 18″ range it is a hard river to beat. While the other great Montana rivers sell and spill out of their banks we just kep rolling along day by day enjoying the visits from our friends from around the state.

They use Headhunters for flies, shuttles, lodging, and any other needs that may arise while fishing out of town.

Remember the worm years of the past? Well while we do not have the worm hatch we had in 2011 we are certainly enjoying the higher water and the significant growth of our already oversized trout.

The trout above, photo HH Guide Jared Edens,  is a fish you may catch on any given day. While we do post the big ones on this blog it is nice to know that a normal fish here on the Mo is still pretty big.

Check out the fishing report from yesterday to catch up on all things Missouri River.

Did you read the blog last week about the water levels in Montana and on the Missouri River? Well review this here if you need to keep up to date on our local water levels and what will happen int he future. Read it all here.

We don’t mind the higher water here on the Mo. We do find it to slow the dry fly fishing down. But, but we still got the rising fish until a water level of? In 2011 we saw rising fish at 13,000cfs. So we have a bunch of room before the trout stop rising.

They certainly like to rise at levels below 13,000cfs.

What is join going to happen in the next couple weeks, the next couple months? Stay tuned.

Big Missouri River trout will certainly happen.

 

Sunday Scenery from Ben McNinch

Sunday Scenery from Ben McNinch

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Sunday Scenery brought to us today from our very own fly guru Ben McNinch.

Ben caught this image mid eek down below his house.

They boys caught some fish too! Fishing with Headhunters Guide Nick Stipech.

We are just getting put back together after yesterday’s big event the 8th Annual Craig Caddis Festival. A post will follow tomorrow.

Fishing Report today.

Fun all week long here on Montana’s Missouri River.

 

 

Opening Day. Take a Kid Fishing.

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In my case, it’s my kid. This Saturday marks the opening of many smaller streams in Montana. While many (most?) area creeks will be too high for good fishing and safe wading, there will be some small stream opportunities available in our area. What a great opportunity to teach a youngster about “Opening Day” traditions.

Our family will be busy at the shop for the Craig Caddis Festival this Saturday, so Adair and I headed out on an after school mission yesterday. While Adair always catches way more fish from the boat, she enjoys wade fishing much more. Exploring the banks of a river is high on most kids list. And a lot of adults.

P1000536

I was hoping to hit some late-afternoon dry fly fishing, but we only saw one fish grab something from the surface. Once.

We waited for the bugs, watched and explored. No rattlesnakes on this mission, but we’ve seen them in this area before. We watched a local ranching family move some cattle, and found a big Rainbow holding over a spring in a slough.

P1000516

When it became apparent that the bugs were not going to come – but a massive thunderstorm was going to come – I quickly tied on a nymph rig with a couple of caddis pupa. We waded out to some sunken islands on a nice drop off, and got to work. Within ten casts, Adair was into a nice Brown that put up a tremendous fight.

Land it. Get a hero shot. Clip the flies and head for home. Don’t push it. One is enough.

Turns out we left just in time, as a big thunderstorm was bearing down on Cascade.

P1000555

 

Don’t miss those opportunities to take your kid(s) fishing. It’s way too easy to say “we’ll go fishing next weekend”. Even in Montana. Better yet, take a kid who doesn’t get the opportunity, or doesn’t have an adult in their life to show them rivers and fish.

Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off next Saturday

Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off Tomorrow!

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Hello to all!

This Saturday is our 8th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off!

Activities begin at 4pm with about 10 BBQ contestants grilling awesome food like Ribs, BRisket, Wings, Pork and much more!

Max Hay and Rocket to Uranus will perform on the Izaak’s Log am beginning at 4pm too.

Over 100 items have been gathered for our Silent & Live Auctions. Guide trips, canyon lodging, fly fishing gear, stuff from Great Falls and Helena shops too like a Globe on a iron stand, shelving units, gift cards from Taco Del Sol, radar detector from Sound Pro, tools from Power Townsend and many many more!

The Parade starts at 4pm too with this kickoff to the rest of the event. Want to be in the parade? Meet us at 345pm at the corner of August and Leonard Streets and we will get you in the Que! Yep, you too can participate this year in the fun events.

Come on down and join us for this great family event. $2 BBQ bites will keep you happy as you wander the streets of this fishing town on the banks of the Missouri River.

The Craig Volunteer Fire Department receives ALL Proceeds from this Annual Event.

Don’t forget to bring the whole family and your best of friends to this Saturday’s Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off @ 4pm in downtown Craig!

May State of the Missouri

May State of the Missouri River

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May State of the Missouri River from Headhunters Fly Shop in downtown Craig Montana.

The river is fishing well. Nymphing great. Streamer fishing well. Dry fly fishing just OK.

The water levels are higher than normal with the current flows being in the 9K cfs.

So where are we at for the remainder of the month of May? How will it fish? What will the water do? How can I the angler plan my Missouri River May?

May State of the Missouri River

Not a common May for us. But what is a common May. The flows for May are up above the average flows of the previous 65 years. The average coming in around 6K. Check out these charts for daily updates. If you want to see more of what the USBR is up to then look at this PDF by Stephanie Micek and here recent update.

 

May State of the Missouri RiverSo this is the nuts and bolts of the entire Micek work. You can read the entire document by clicking the above link. SO this is where we get the info that we pass on to you folks. This and a few other indicators and some “feel” based on John and Mark’s longevity on this fabulous resource.

Do we think it will be great this summer? Yes, you bet. We think dry fly fishing should be off of the charts. Remember the late dry fly seasons of the high water years 08′-’11? We do. The Trio’s went a long way into September. Did the PMD’s show in a big way? Not as much. But the rest of the bugs were sure great, albeit later in the season than in the low water years. Remember ’01-’07? Low water years where the bugs all came early and left early. So we do not have any reason to believe that it will be an early year for insects.

The March Browns are here on time, the Caddis coming this week? We think so. Try tossing on a caddis pattern subsurface this coming week. You may be surprised. Remember that the bugs are active subsurface before they become our top water obsessions!

The midges are strong with midge clusters int he early and late evenings. The Baetis are here and better for feeding trout during overcast periods. The caddis? Yes, on the way.

Back to the predictions. We can predict anything but…what will really happen? We gotta believe that the chart above shows the probable outcomes.

If you follow the red bars the dry fly climate will be just right. The probable high flows for June if you look at the blue bar will be too high for the best dry fly fishing. But the red bar is just right. We gotta believe in Red!

The green bar is too low for perfection. So that is the information we have right now. The Lake, Canyon Ferry Lake is at the 70% full mark. It has been for a month now. In the future? It will move upwards as we get into June. Historically.

So, there you have it. The May State of the Missouri River. Look back often for more info and guessing. Educated guesses of some sort.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for fishing the Missouri River.

You information experts here @ Headhunters Fly Shop writing about Montana’s Missouri River.

 

For more about the weekly happenings here in the Missouri River Canyon read John’s Weekly email Newsletter here.

 

Derek DeYoung @ Craig Caddis Festival Saturday May 17th

Derek DeYoung @ Craig Caddis Festival Saturday May 17th

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Izaak’s Restaurant and Craig Caddis Festival hosting Derek DeYoung at this years 8th Annual Craig Caddis Festival Saturday May17th 4pm.

Be here for the BBQ Cook-Off which is part of the fun as 10+ BBQ contestants smoke, roast, and grill tasty treats all for the Craig Volunteer Fire Department.

Derek DeYoung @ Craig Caddis Festival Saturday May 17th

Derek and his wife Janell will will be selling original art from Derek’s vast selection. Izaak’s Restaurant will also add to the excitement as they have a couple originals and about 10 fantastic prints for sale as well. The largest DeYoung displays in Craig Montana.

Come on down and support the Craig Volunteer Fire Department and fill your belly with BBQ, buy some art, bid on a mountain of silent auction items and get yourself a trip around Montana in the Live auction @ 8pm.

Live Music all afternoon long on Izaak’s Log Jam with Max Hay @ 4pm followed by the rocking Rocket to Uranus til late!

The Craig Event of the year with great fishing, good food, fantastic fishing fellowship, fundraising, deals of gear, summer fun, and art too!

See you this Saturday in Craig @ 4pm!

Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off next Saturday

Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off next Saturday

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Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off next Saturday May 17th in the tiny fishing ‘burb of Craig.

Events start at 4pm with the Parade, the 10+ BBQ contestants, silent auctions, live auction at 8pm with guide trips from around the region and lodging too,. gear, T’s, all kinds of vendors from Helena and Great Falls…fun for the whole family.

Come one come all to the 8th Annual  Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off next Saturday May 17th beginning at 4pm.

Come down and head out fishing for the day and finish it off with BBQ goodies, a fundraiser for the Craig Volunteer Fire Dept and take home some swag too!

Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off next Saturday

Friday Foto

Friday Foto | Sara Spey Edition

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Friday Foto today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog.

Montana’s best photo blog every Friday.

Sara Roholt, a Headhunters All Star learns from Mike McCune of international Spey Casting Fame.

Last weekend we hosted Mike and Whitney Gould here on the Missouri River and a cool dozen enjoyed learning with the pros. Thanks Mike and Whitney we will see you again in one year. You guys who missed this clinic this year cannot miss it next year!

Sara and Ninch got in on the action too to pass along their 2 Handed expertise this coming winter at Headhunters monthly Free Spey Clinics.

We got Spey Rods at the shop for Demo anytime for a mere $25. Come in and try one out this spring. The water is higher than normal, adnso you may want to try to get out a few more times with your 2 Hander before the real dry fly bite starts.

Friday Foto | Sara Spey Edition

My Day with Nick and the Fish Magnet

My Day with Nick and the Fish Magnet

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Ed Note: This article sent to us by Headhunters Fly Shop friend Terry Armstrong in regards to their annual guided trip through Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service during the Spring Special. Headhunters Guide Nick Stipech is the guide in this story and a strong asset of our guide team. Thanks to all for participating and to you Terry for writing and fro you Gigi for becoming the fish magnet!

My Day with Nick and the Fish Magnet | Terry Armstrong

This year’s trip started the night before with us making sure all our needed gear and then some was packed and ready to go. We packed two 5 wt graphite rods; one was my old reliable workhorse rod a Sage RPL that has been with me over 25 years now, and the other my wife Gigi’s Winston.

Then just in case this happened to be the day the fish started poking their noses out and sipping on midges and BWO’s I threw in the Sweetgrass Mantra bamboo rod I bought last October and haven’t had much opportunity to fish with yet. Then I gave some serious thought to throwing in the 8wt streamer rod for good measure. I couldn’t help at least thinking about it. It’s the streamer junkie in me.

The rods where then followed with an assortment of other items deemed necessary for a day on the water in late April. Hats, gloves, handwamers, rain gear, and of course the condiments: wine (for her), bourbon (for me), and cigars.

We arrived Sunday morning at 8am in the thriving metro Craig area. Town was buzzing and the Headhunters Fly Shop parking lot was wriggling. To be honest I really didn’t pay much attention to the rest of the town except for a brief whimsical gaze in the direction of Joe’s Bar. We met up with Nick, our guide for the day, was already there and waiting.  We exchanged pleasantries, decided on section of river to float, and transferred gear from our vehicle to his.

We started at the Wolf Creek Bridge without incident.  Just the last minute usual trips to the little unisex concrete bathroom. I have to admit it is nice having someone rigging rods for you and putting the boat in the water while you light a cigar and enjoy the view. Or in Gigi’s case…wandering around the area contemplating possible hiding places for a Geo-cache reportedly in the immediate area.

The boat was launched and so began our day on the water. It was a great day of nymphing with a long leash and some scud imitations. Gigi as usual caught at least 2 fish to my one, and probably even better than that, but who’s counting?

On many occasions Gigi had a fish on before I even had my line all the way out. Chicks rule and she was a fish magnet on the water. The fish are definitely becoming more energetic with the warming water temps. Didn’t get a look at the backing but came close on a couple of occasions.

We were into fish all day long with mostly sunny skies and cool temps 40 to 50 degrees. The big “W” reared its ugly head at times but had an adequate number of merciful reprieves to keep the day fun. Half-way through the float I was thinking this was going to be to short of a day that we should have chosen a longer float, but by the time we reached Spite Hill to take out I had caught plenty of fish and was more than ready to bring a great time to a great end.

 Gigi being the show off, and a fish magnet…she caught one last fish as we headed to the takeout.

Once again I ended a day of guided fishing as a slightly better angler then I started with a few more tidbits of knowledge added to my 35 plus years of experience. It never ceases to amaze me how little I know. After fishing the Missouri River 50 plus days a year for 35 plus years I still am learn new things every time I fish with someone else or read a book.

This was my fourth guided trip in my life and my third on the Missouri and I have ended each trip a little better angler than when I started. Thanks to Headhunters Fly Shop Nick Stipech for a great day.

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery

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Rain day on the Missouri River. Raining as I rose this morning and may continue all day long.

The tribes have jumped a bit in the last 24 hours and the Dearborn is tossing some mud our direction. Brown for a spell, maybe a mile, then it is OK. Fish caught below the Dearborn all day long as I polled a couple anglers pulling out at Prewitt Creek last evening.

Dearborn at 875cfs and the Little Prickly Pear is running a cool 433cfs this morning. This rain may add some more water to these tribs.

Other than that, everything is cool here. The fishing is good withe the dry fly being the least of our worries this coming week? Unless the BWO’s decide to put on a show. Which may happen? Maybe.

Enjoy the remainder of the weekend with playoff BB and Hockey.

Thanks for reading this very fishy blog. We appreciate it.

See you in Headhunters on your next trip to Craig.

Friday Foto

Friday Foto | Coming Home

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Love this shot of the Wolf Creek Bridge.

How do you feel when you drive down this grade to the Missouri River?

I know that even today I still get jazzed when I get the first glimpse of the Missouri River fro this angle.

It is like coming home. Again and again.

We should see you soon in Craig after coming down this familiar grade.

Enjoy the weekend.

 

Soon. Missouri River Baetis

Soon. Missouri River Baetis

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Baetis on the docket.

Soon.

Have seen some movement and have seen some fish respond.

More on the way. Soon.

Your objective?

Be at the right place at the right time.

Your task?

Drift well.

We know you have the tools to achieve greatness.

Will you be with us in May to see this through?

We hope so.

 

Why do you think they call them Mayflies anyway?
Friday Foto

Friday Foto and Fishing Report

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Lee straight outta Seattle Washington with this Bamboo caught Brown Trout.

Nice Lee. Headhunters Guide Nick Stipech put him on this behemoth yesterday.

As Lee was battling this Missouri River Brown Trout he turned to the guest in the back of the boat and said, “Maybe you oughtta reel in, I think this is a big one…”

Do you like big ones?

Friday Foto and Fishing Report

The fishing is just fine. Good reports from the Skwala blind dry fly fisheres as the catch rate varies daily. The small dry fly fans are getting some play as the Midge and BWO’s are willing to emerge this week. Everyday a little bit better. Soon…soon we will be enjoying dry fly action for a couple hours every afternoon. True to the Mo.

Nymphing is good to great with Pink still in the lead. Coming in and coming on strong is the BWO. PT’s, Little Green Machine’s, Lightening Bugs, Frenchie’s, Sparkle PT’s, S & M’s, BWO Bubbleback’s. Ninch has the bins stuffed full of mayfly nymphs and dries.You should take a look.

The streamer fishing is shitty. Pretty shitty. even with deep tips the fish are not all that excited about chomping on the big fly. Are we still trying? Oh yeah. You cannot keep the streamer contingent quiet for long.

The water is 8K+ and stable. It is over a few islands. The structure has not changed but some of our nymph lines have. It is fun to see more water as it makes us break down the subsurface shelf system and analyze the nymph game.

Water temps are 43F. Good bug zone for a daily show. Get out and pray for a non-wind situation and bust out the GINK. Do it.

Shuttles, flies, GINK, Shimishake and spray, fly lines, rental waders, rental boats, free info, tasteless free coffee. All daily @ 8am and open til late for your afternoon dry fly floats.

Thanks, and we’ll be seeing you.

New Boat Smell

New Boat Smell | Tax Day Edition

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It is the time of year when we see a ton of new boats coming out to the Missouri River for the inaugural float.

Why not christen your craft on the Missouri?

This is one more of the many new boats we see on the Mighty Mo every year.

Dump your boat in the Holy Waters, stay at the Craig Trout Camp, and eat at Izaak’s, drink at Joe’s.

A perfect weekend.

New Boat Smell

Do you have a new boat ordered for the 2014 year? Why not? Most of America is flat broke on this Tax Day. A great day to get on the horn and order yourself a deduction for 2014? Right?

You can top it off with a $300 Guide Trip with Headhunters. A $400 trip at Land of the Giants.

While we love the Adipose Boatworks Flow Skiff we are looking forward to the arrival of the NRS Inflatable Drift Boats, the Freestone Drifter. You can read more about it here as we tested and reviewed this boat last August. We are promised they are in the mail en route to Headhunters, the funnest fly shop in the world. Maybe today? Maybe.

New Boat Smell
Get yours at Headhunters Fly Shop

We will post here on this informational blog about the arrival, the first build, and the New Boat Smell that will surely ensue. We will have one, the NRS Freestone Drifter, for demo and you too can get on board with the hottest new boat of the young 2014 fly fishing season.

So if you like either and Adipose, a Hyde, a Clackacraft or one of these new babies above get your New Boat Smell out on the water for everybody to smell. Truly, one of the better aroma’s we can think of!

Happy Tax Day to you all. We hope your day includes a delicious lunch courtesy of Uncle Sam. Write it off. It is the American way.

No?

Land of the Giants – Missouri River

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Our “Land of the Giants” guides are running some great trips right now. Spring fishing at LOG is pretty good. You’d be hard pressed to fins any better in the state right now. Of course, if you don’t like catching big fish you may not like it.

Above is a picture of a great Brown trout angler Brent Hope caught with Capt. Ryan McCourtney a few days ago. Nice fish for sure, and not unusual while exploring this stretch of the Missouri River via jet-boat.

Nymphing his typically the rule when fishing LOG in the springtime. Nymphs typical of the Missouri below Holter are just as effective on this stretch. Scuds, sow bugs and “pink stuff”. Ryan likes to mix it up a little, and I’m betting that this fish was caught on a streamer. Hope you like casting big sink tips!

Ryan also loves to hunt heads, and if you see rising fish you can be assured that he will put you in position for a shot.

Land of the Giants – Missouri River Spring Special

We’re also running a Spring Special on LOG trips through the end of the month. For a mere $400 you can enjoy the wonderful scenery and fabulous fishing at LOG. Ryan can also take you to some other sections of the Missouri River only accessible by jet boat.

If you’ve always wanted to hit this section of the Missouri, give us a call at the shop. We only have two LOG guides – Capt. Ryan McCourtney and Capt. Jeff Parker – and as you can imagine, they get booked up well in advance.

1-877-379-3597 or 406-235-3447

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery

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Silly Sunday Scenery today on the Headhunters Fly Fishing Blog.

This sign at the top of Spring Creek exit I-15. Get off heading North 7 miles outside of Wolf Creek. IT parallels the Little Prickly Pear Creek. Damn pretty and pretty fishy too when she opens on May 17th. 3rd Saturday of May is our spring opener.

Until then we got shitty cold snow.

The weather has turned for the worse so we give you a happy sign. A sign into the canyon. A sign that the world is not ending and winter will leave us alone at some point.

The sign states on the left side “This recreation road meanders through scenic canyons and river valleys. The traveller will find opportunities for leisurely sight-seeing, frequent photo stops, picnicking, boating, and fishing.” 

Until then, we smile. Grin and bear it til the snow leaves us.

Snow Sunday, today. Monday? Monday brings temps in the 60’s again.

What a relief.

Happy Sunday to all of you out there in Trout Fantasy Land.

$300 Guide Trips continue…

RO Deville For Sale

RO Deville For Sale

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Headhunters Guide Jared Edens selling his 2010 RO Deville.

  • New Tires
  • Sawyer Dynalite 9′ Oars
  • 3 Box Seats
  • NRS Low Back Rowers Seat
  • RO Deville FOR SaleBlack Dog Double Roller Trailer
  • Chines and Hull in great shape. Rowed on the Missouri River its entire life. No rocky Madison River use.
  • Boat has “Good Mojo”
  • All lights operational
  • Stored in Garage
  • $6250
  • Contact Jared  jared.fishmt@gmail.com

You can see Jared and his boat daily at 8am and nightly at 5pm @ Headhunters Fly Shop. Or email him.

Ro Deville For Sale

Clean fishable and open

Clean, fishable, and open

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Yes indeed. We here on the Missouri River have clean water, it is quite fishable, and we are open.

Sounds like the boys from the west side have some color. Too much I am guessing.

The Dearborn is flowing at 366cfs and falling. It peaked yesterday and is not off color. A little bit but not enough for me even to pull over and take a image for you to see. It is coloring the river for about a half mile. Not a concern at all. The Dearborn River temps is 50F and warming the water column albeit for a short stretch. Try worming near it? Just sayin.’

Clean fishable and open
On the fall. Little Prickly Pear graph looks the same.

The same with Prickly Pear. It s off color, not chico milk by any stretch. Coloring the river near Wolf Creek Bridge for a couple hundred yards is all. Not a concern either. It peaked Friday afternoon and is on the fall too. 229cfs as I write Friday evening. Looking good.

Look to the right on the Blackfoot chart. Still on the rise as the Missoula set will confirm.

So we are out of the woods water under the bridge literally, on those two accounts, those two streams.

They will be on the fall for the weekend as the air temps cool and the local runoff is halted. Most of the low level snows came through a couple weeks ago. No fear of blowing out on the Missouri River as we are nearly runoff proof. The 3 dams above us kind of keep us off of that program. We are so fortunate to live and work on this 12 month fishery.

Our primary stream the Missouri River is just fine. It is running higher than our historical average at 7140cfs with a water temp of 41F.

The Missouri River is fishing well with nymphs. The best of the three methods., The streamer guys are scratching and clawing while the dry fly clan is a little mopey.

Clean, fishable, and open: The Missouri River In a Nutshell

Nymph of the Week: Pink Scud looking fly.

Streamer of the Week: Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow

Streamer Fly Line of the Week: RIO WF Full Intermediate.

Streamer Add On of the Month: Versi Leaders. Get some while in Craig.

Dry Fly of the Month: Skwala

Lodging on the Missouri River: Some openings for this e coming over the divide. Call the shop or try www.Craiglodging.com

$300 Headhunters Guide Trips: Through the end of April. Call today for your Spring Special pricing.

Craig Trout Camp: Rainbow & Brown Cabins @ $100. Sutton House @ $200. Craig House @ $150/2 persons & $50/head beyond. Some other discounted housing available as well. Call the store for avail and information.

The Missouri River Mood: Great. Looking forward to another good one. We will have more water this year and we like that. Better for PMD’s, Caddis, and Trico’s. Ww already have plenty of Midge and Crustaceans.

Ninch says: Get on in here and check out our updated fly selection. We added 400 bins so the nymph selection is world class. And our streamers? Wow. Don’t forget that the dry fly is our favorite game and Headhunters will enjoy the wide variety of top water patterns.

Mark says: Good to see all of the guides back to work and also great to see our fishing friends. They are visiting the Missouri and adjusting their smile. Tuning up the happy quotient is important for all of us!

Izaak’s Restaurant in Craig: Open daily 4-10pm. We are so happy to have Chef John Winders opening his doors for another season. The Ribs are succulent, the beer is cold, and the waitstaff is eager to serve you!

Uncle Joe’s Bar: Open daily 8am-2am. Perfect.

Headhunters Fly Shop: Open daily @ 8am for all your fly fishing needs. Shuttles, flies, information, warm hats, logo wear galore, free coffee, Missouri River maps…

Guiding 101

Guiding 101

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Always remember your clients name.

Here is a tip from my first endorsing outfitter Steve Butt. You may remember Steve as the fellow who had Parrothead Fly Shop in our very location in the early 90’s.

Steve passed on to me shortly after I got my first guide license the most important tip of all time.

Guiding 101

Don’t forget the name of your guest.

 

“What I do is write the name of the guest on my hand with an arrow pointing forward for the guest in the bow, and an arrow pointing backwards for the guest in the stern.”

-Steve Butt Parrothead Fly Shop Craig, Montana

 

A simple yet effective plan.

Use it for continued guide success.

Trust me. I’m still a guide.

 

Check out this HH Blog from 2009 I found while searching for Parrothead Fly Shop stuff. Old School for sure dude.

Fiberglass Manifesto Montana

Fiberglass Manifesto on the Missouri

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner parallax_bg_width=”110″ parallax_speed=”normal”][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Fellow blogger and friend Cameron Mortenson of The Fiberglass Manifesto visited us this week following the Orvis Guide Rendezvous in Missoula. He and I spent a couple of days pounding the Missouri with the finest glass rods from Epic, Graywolf, Steffen Bros. and Orvis. Fishing was OK. Not great, but pretty good.

On our first day we fished Craig down with nymphs and did not do great. One here. One there. Singles where we should have caught 5. That’s how I would describe it. In the afternoon we switched to a big foamy dry fly. If you’ve fished with me, you know my attitude… if we’re going to have shitty fishing, we’ll be doing it with dries (shitty fishing with nymphs is totally unacceptable in my world).

We did get a few nice ones on the dry, but it was still less than stellar. We pulled off kind of early so we could head upstream and do some wading for Walleye. Cameron grew up in Michigan, and now resides in the deep south, so he has caught all kinds of fish. Many of them trashy. But he had never caught a Walleye.

Cameron broke out his Swift Epic 686 glass rod, a new reel from Bozeman Reel and a black mini-Sculpzilla per Ninch’s instructions.

Fourth cast… boom! A small Walleye, but one that I later discovered was delicious! A few minutes later I landed another (also on glass), which meant that my wife and daughter got to eat that night.

Was that the first Walleye caught on a glass fly rod in Montana? Or beyond?[/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_image image=”4410″ align=”center” size=”full” link=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][vc_column_text]Day two saw a marked improvement in the fishing. Nymphing in the canyon was very good. Ninch’s new Pink Lucent, something, something scud was the fly (ask Ninch what it’s called). A few Skwala’s were crawling around the boat during lunch so we switched to that and had some pretty good action. A few nice fish, but you got to stick with it.

[/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_image image=”4412″ size=”full” link=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][vc_column_text]

I Like Glass

I really enjoyed casting all of the great rods Cameron was packing. These are not toys. These are high end rods built by custom builders. Beautifully crafted with great actions faster than you would expect from fiberglass.

If you’re interested in fiberglass fly rods, check out Cameron’s blog at The Fiberglass Manifesto. Actually, if you’re interested in fiberglass you already know about TFM. Cameron single handedly rejuvenated interest in glass. So, if you don’t know anything about fiberglass fly rods, then check it out. Some beautiful rods and pretty interesting stuff at Cameron’s blog.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery

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Silly Sunday Scenery.

Dog, Otis, at the Craig Boat Ramp.

Art knows Otis is checking things out for him.

Kinda like a messenger or a sentry.

Or a spy…

Good one Art. I wouldn’ta thoughta that one.

 

Today is the Orvis Guide Rendezvous Missouri River Edition. Many of our guides are out guiding today for this event. They will be back on terra firma for the BBQ at 4pm. See you for swag, beer, BBQ, and fellowship. Some vendors and additional fun to be had like casting contests,

 

Friday Foto Missouri river Spring Edition

Friday Foto Missouri River Spring Edition

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Yes. The Spring Edition.

Thursday felt like spring. Sorta. This weekend promises to feel like spring. A lot.

Today brings us some sun. Saturday some sun. Sunday some sun.

Sunday the Orvis Guide Rendezvous in downtown Craig 4pm with a BBQ, casting comps, frivolity, fun, and some beer too. Lets cross our fingers for sun. Last year we had snow.

Today is also Headhunters Birthday. Yesterday we finished our 6th year. Today we begin our 7th year.

We’re having a ball enjoying everyday. We love meeting and developing long term friendships with you and your fishing family. Thanks for your support the last 6. We look forward to serving you for the next 16!

Thanks from all of us here at Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service from John, Julie, Mark, Ben McNinch, Sara, Peter, Ben Hardy, Jared, Nick, Brett, Ryan, Kurt, Beth and the entire Headhunters Crew.

Thanks again…

Last Blog

Final Post on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog

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We are sorry to inform you readers that this is the last post on the Headhunters Blog.

We have run out of content so we will no longer be able to keep you informed on the fishing report, the New Breed Chicks, the Future Fly Fishers…any of it.

We are so sorry for any inconvenience we have caused.

Yes, this last short post on the 1st of April…

Sunday Scenery

Sunday Scenery | New Breed Chicks Rule

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Sunday Scenery Brown Trout Edition New Breed Chicks Rule today on the Headhunters Fly Shop.

Sunnier skies, brighter browns, warmer bones.

Still feels like winter most days here in Craig.

While it bothers us, it does not bother the trout.

We are thinking of warmer mornings, afternoons, and nights.

Until then we are still huddled under electric blankets.

Doing the sun dance this afternoon for sure.

Maybe I’ll start it out with a couple pulls off the Fireball bottle…

Orivs TU 1000 Miles Campaign

Orvis TU 1000 Miles Campaign Video

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Orvis TU 1000 Miles Campaign Video today for your viewing @ Headhuntersflyshop.com.

Sunday and all is well.

Check the video and volunteer today.

Volunteer for anything that makes your heart beat.

For some it is kids fishing education. For others it is conservation concerns. And for even others it is just walking downstream picking up garbage.

Choose your path and follow.

Or lead.

 

 

 

the Waking of a Trout Town

The Waking of a Trout Town. Craig Montana

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The Waking of a Trout Town. Our favorite Trout Town.

Craig Montana USA.

Lots of movement this morning and last evening. We were in the shop tip 9pm…our latest this year.

The town is buzzing with trout anticipation.

Do you got it? The buzz? Or the anticipation? We got both.

Guide trips out daily from here on out. From here to eternity. From now until mid-November.

Calling in advance for lodging has now become a reality. Getting “your guide” requires some foresight and planning. Or just a phone call.

We have been crawling along through the snow and cold winter temps and winds and rains and such for the last month. The miserable month of March. We can nearly close the books on that lame chapter.

April will bring us and the river a new beginning. April will bring Izaak’s back into the nightly mix. It may bring a renegade BBQ here on Headhunters Porch too…

While many river and trout towns do not get revved up until July, here in Craig we are ready.

Lots of folks, most, believe that nothing happens during the off season in trout land. Not true. We need that 4 month period to get our ducks in a row, to renew the product lines, to improve our fly selection, to hire new additional staff, to rest, to plan, to prepare for the fun ahead.

Dry fly fishing has not arrived as of yet, but it to is close. Stay tuned to this very Blog Channel for constant and accurate and transparent updates.

Are you awake yet. Are you ready for your trout season to begin?

 

When you are we will be here smiling, drinking coffee beer welcoming you, the Missouri River Angler back home…

 

Headhunters Fly Shop open every day early and late. We got all your lodging here in Craig and the Missouri River Corridor. Open daily @ 8am and staying late tip at least 7pm. Shuttles daily, flies, info, coffee, and random trout facts you don’t necessarily need to know.

Hutterite or Wrong

The Hutterite or Wrong?

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A couple of our guide just love the Driftwood in Cascade Montana. A bar with a grill. In central Montana.

And they ought-ta like it. There are not a large number of restaurants in our neighborhood. The Missouri River Inn went south, again. The Oasis and The Frenchman in WC are going strong. Izaak’s is scheduled to open April 3rd. More on that later.

Hutterite or Wrong
Hutterite or Wrong?

Back to the Driftwood, again for the 3rd time this Spring. I promise this is the last blog regarding the Driftwood in Cascade. Seems like the boys like to write about this spot.

One Trick Pony? Maybe.

Thankfully these two have redeeming guide qualities. They certainly know where the fish live…

The object of this blog, included in the title, is a burger aptly named the Hutterite at said bar in Cascade.

It is a hot dog, an egg, a couple O-Rings, a patty, cheese, and May-o-naise.

No lettuce or tomato. Might ruin it?

So what is a Hutterite you say? The Hutterites are a colony of folks…well here is the Wiki definition below.

Hutterites (German: Hutterer) are a communal branch of Anabaptists who, like the Amish and Mennonites, trace their roots to the Radical Reformation of the 16th century. Since the death of their namesake Jakob Hutter in 1536, the beliefs of the Hutterites, especially living in a community of goods and absolute pacifism, have resulted in hundreds of years of diaspora in many countries. Nearly extinct by the 18th and 19th centuries, the Hutterites found a new home in North America. Over 125 years their population grew from 400 to around 42,000. Today, most Hutterites live in Western Canada and the upper Great Plains of the U.S.

So here goes. A poem again from Jared, his second. With help from his sidekick Peter. Buckle up readers.

The Hutterite or Wrong.

 

Ooohhhh….beef patty.

The hot dog coming

out of the fog

A little cheese with that bacon

We ain’t fakin’

If things look vague

put on a fukinegg

Cram an onion ring in there

and Let the bun

have some fun.

 

Hutterite or Wrong
Now framed at Peter’s new house. Much to his fiance’s chagrin…

Written by Peter and Jared.

Yes, these two are fly fishing guides. Not poets, thespians, or genius’. Fishing guides.

We know they are beyond help. But if you want to give either one of these fellas your poetry grade, your reviews, or just stuff a sock in their pieholes…you can book them for a Spring Special Guide Trip for a mere $300 til April 30th. Tie it all in with cheap lodging at Craig Trout Camp. A good weekend, or midweek trip to the  Missouri River.

Thanks for reading. We promise the content will improve tomorrow…

 

PS: If their guiding skills were as poor as their poetry skills…they’d be working somewhere else!

 

Waters of March

Waters of March | Classic Jobim

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I don’t know if you are a Bossa Nova fan, but I am.

With all the water and snow and rain and such this March I find myself singing this tune over and over in my head this early season.

Spring is here, we think, and the Waters of Defrost are occurring.

If you are a Jobim fan you already know this tune. Even if you are not, you have probably heard this tune. Get a little Brazilian today in your cubicle…you might need it.

Wikipedia says…

Waters of March” (Portuguese: “Águas de Março“) is a Brazilian song composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Jobim wrote both the English and Portuguese lyrics.[1] The lyrics, originally written in Portuguese, do not tell a story, but rather present a series of images that form a collage; nearly every line starts with “É…” (“[It] is…”).[1] In 2001, “Águas de Março” was named as the all-time best Brazilian song in a poll of more than 200 Brazilian journalists, musicians and other artists conducted by Brazil’s leading daily newspaper, Folha de São Paulo.[1]

The inspiration for “Águas de Março” comes from Rio de Janeiro‘s rainiest month. March is typically marked by sudden storms with heavy rains and strong winds that cause flooding in many places around the city. The lyrics and the music have a constant downward progression much like the water torrent from those rains flowing in the gutters, which typically would carry sticks, stones, bits of glass, and almost everything and anything. The orchestration creates the illusion of the constant descending of notes much like Shepard tones.

In both the Portuguese and English versions of the lyrics, “it” is a stick, a stone, a sliver of glass, a scratch, a cliff, a knot in the wood, a fish, a pin, the end of the road, and many other things, although some death references to Brazilian culture (festa da cumeeira, garrafa de cana), flora (peroba do campo) and folklore (Matita Pereira) were intentionally omitted from the English version, perhaps with the goal of providing a more universal perspective. All these details swirling around the central metaphor of “the waters of March” can give the impression of the passing of daily life and its continual, inevitable progression towards death, just as the rains of March mark the end of a Brazilian summer. Both sets of lyrics speak of “the promise of life,” perhaps death, more life-affirming interpretations, and the English contains the additional phrases “the death in your heart” and the “promise of spring,” a seasonal reference that would be more relevant to most of the English-speaking world.

When writing the English lyrics, Jobim endeavored to avoid words with Latin roots, which resulted in the English version having more verses than the Portuguese. Nevertheless, the English version still contains some words from Latin origin, such as promise, dismay, plan, pain, mountain, distance and mule. Another way in which the English lyrics differ from the Portuguese is that the English version treats March from the perspective of an observer in the northern hemisphere. In this context, the waters are the “waters of defrost” in contrast to the rains referred to in the original Portuguese, marking the end of summer and the beginning of the colder season in the southern hemisphere.

Two versions today on the Headhunters Blog. The English and the classic too.

The real story behind Jobim’s Waters of March, Aguas de Marco here on ConnectBrazil.com

Stevie Wonder with Daniel Jobim in this vid…

 

 

 

 

The original in Portuguese here…

 

 

Chronic Kreinik Connection

Chronic Kreinik Connection @ Headhunters Fly Shop

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The Chronic Kreinik Connection in the central Montana region is located in downtown Craig. Yes, at Headhunters Fly Shop.

We got yer back bro’. You need, you desire, you demand the Cheronic?

We got it. The Chronic Kreinik Connection is hard to find.

I don’t trust those who say they got it, and then they don’t.

Not a product to lie about.

images 6The key to the Kreelex Streamer Pattern that sells and fishes like a bat on fire. Better though.

While we have well over 100 streamer patterns in the cozy fly bins @ Headhunters, the Kreelex lives in the spot light.

We got ’em in a few flavors for Missouri River Trout Lovin’. For the love of trout. For the love of selection. For you.

We have several colors of Kreinik in stock and we have the wildly popular Just Add Vise Kreelex kit too. We got you any way you want it.

 

 

Check it out for Kreelex love!