Things we do and see on the Missouri River Montana.
Craig Caddis Festival Poster Art Contest Calling all artists! The Annual Craig Caddis Festival Poster Art Contest is Live! Get those paintbrushes out and create some art of the annual Caddis Fest ’19 Poster Art Contest. The 2018 Winner Janae Valle from Helena with her winning piece above! Thanks Janae! Can’t wait to see your submission … Read more
Tuesday Today warm, calm, 49F. The mid January blues. Mild. Tomorrow not as warm. Thursday snow. Light winds for the upcoming 10 days. Fishing time for sure. The winter that never was…and today, Tuesday.
We are the pink section in the map above. It may not be all that blue this summer if the mild and dry winter continues. We are so fortunate to be the recipient of major river above us like the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin. So even in the bad, lower water years, we seem to … Read more
Curt McChesney Memorial Curt was a feller that liked everybody, and was liked by all. Fishing and guiding around Curt was always a pleasure. My day was always better when I saw and had interaction with Curt on the water. Always made my day better. Always. Curt was one of those guides that I always … Read more
Silly Sunday Scenery September 25th 2009 Love this image. Or the feel of it. It looks like Autumn. It feels like Autumn. It feels like grasshopper fishing. 2018 August was as good as it gets. For anytime of the year. August 2019? Who knows. Only Mother Nature knows. Calm yesterday. Today not as calm. But … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Holiday in the Sun Sex Pistols Plan your Holiday in the Sun…in Craig Montana. Maybe the Sex Pistols will be punk’ng out on Izaak’s Log Jam. Going back a few years to my youth. As a teenager, the Sex Pistols had a big influence on me. Angst. Skateboards. Squeeky played bass guitar in a … Read more
Craig Montana and Missouri River Quiz! Winner! Answers! Not too many entries that could challenge Master of the Mo. Most of the entries came in the 11th hour. Erin Wombold was the early leader. And then many more piled into the email box…And we have a winner today. Tim Plaska is the winner! The winner … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Enjoy the New Year. Start fresh. Live peacefully. Fish more w/ Headhunters. Love more. Care more.
[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8BtB4C3Vi8″ video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Summer Scenes I for one am looking towards summer. I do like winter. Sort of. I just like summer better. Not so wrong. Is it? Football today. Do something productive during the commercial breaks. Like pulling off those dirty lines and tossing them in the garbage. Or clean them. The fly line is the … Read more
Friday Foto Glorious Craig Montana Holiday week here in Craig Montana. Slow. Cold. Snowy. Kinda. A couple shuttles per day. Visit us if you need a cup of coffee. Or a spey rod. Or to book your summer trips. Enjoy your weekend. Enter the quiz from Wednesday. Somebody’s got to win!
Merry Christmas Merry Christmas. Enjoy your day. I know we are. Open til noon today. Closed for Christmas. Open Wednesday. Good fishing on the river. Not much for population out there. More as the week progresses. 8-5 daily. Big Craig Montana Quiz coming up with lots of great prizes. So study up on your Craig … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Winter Solstice, Cold Moon, and Meteor Shower Friday 21 December. The shortest day of the year. We are crossing the line as we publish this daily blog. Friday Foto Summer Solstice Love! This is an image used as the banner for a month this summer. HH Head Guide Ben Hardy hooked up in late … Read more
Wolf Creek FAS Proposed Improvement Project Ed Note: Lots of conversation about the updated, paved, striped Wolf Creek Boat Ramp since completion late October. The WC FAS has been changed, to exactly the proposal below. It is identical to the superimposed image below. We’ve had several folks complain to us, here at Headhunters, that we … Read more
Upper Missouri River Management Plan Scoping Meeting Tonight in Helena Meeting tonight at Montana Wild in Helena at 6:30 pm. Your voice determines the future of our Cold Water fishery. This is the pan for the 3 reservoirs above Holter Dam and the river sections below the dams. Canyon Ferry, Toston, and Hauser are what … Read more
A Headhunters Fly Shop Gift Card solves many problems Get this slender item in any dollar amount you choose. Get one for all your employees, your cousin, your husband or wife. Or you. It’s like money in the bank. Call today to speak with one of Santa’s helpers here @ Headhunters of Craig. We got … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Book your 2019 Missouri River Lodging and Guides Listening to the phone ring, the staff chat with guests about 2019 lodging and Guide Trips, along with the constant email correspondence leads me to this blog today. It is time to book your 2019 trip. Well, only if you want a specific property on the … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Monday is for Smoking We have written nearly 5000 blog entries in the last 11 years. We are 13 short of that number. After this post, we are 1 closer. That is a quite a few. The reason I mention this is because some yahoo may yell at me for not writing about fishing … Read more
December 1st. Snow. A passing storm dropped a couple inches on us here in Craig. Slow angling traffic. Just right. Beyond booking, sending Christmas gift items, talking to you folks on the phone about hatch timing, and lots of Trout Spey conversations…here is the up to the minute Headhunters gang update. Richard is putting up … Read more
Ed Note: Today on the Headhunters Blog we have a guest writer. A good friend of ours Mark wrote this a month ago. I was keeping it in the vault for the right time. That day is today. Mark attended the Headhunters Advanced Fly Fishing School this past October. Mark is a great angler that … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
If you gotta shop might as well shop with us. Your favorite fly shop in central Montana.
If you need and yearn for a mental break check out the 2 summer inspired throwback skate music vids. Enjoy Deeper Shade of Soul vid from Urban Dance Squad. One that you will be singing all day long. And then watch INXS perform Kick littered with the old school pipe moves including the handplant on the cover of this very blog. Both tunes about 30 years old. When I still believed I could ride a skateboard without serious injury. Flyfishing is much safer for this aging wannna-be skate punk!
Take a mental break today. It’ll do your constitution good.
Think of Headhunters Fly Shop like your fly fishing life coach.
[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Dw6q-5iaA” video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AEwszNkmJU&list=RD7AEwszNkmJU&start_radio=1″ video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Headhunters is the Most Open Fly Shop in the World? I think other than LL Bean, which is open 24/7 365, Headhunters is the second most open fly shop in the world. But is Bean really a fly shop? It certainly is not in a dirty title fishing town like Craig. That’s for sure. … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Fly Shop Small Hello out there. Snowing hard here in central Montana. But it’s only blowing about 31mph so far. We often make suggestions about fly fishing here on this transparent blog, fishing report, and entertainment site. Lots and lots of you read this daily. How about showing your support for our small fly … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Friday Foto Dead Sunflowers Foreshadowing? No. Most everything is dead. Snow forecast for tomorrow, for the weekend. Fishing pretty good today. Good nymphing and good swinging. Did see a few fish rising too. If you can stand the weather, we’ll see you tomorrow. Friday! Hooray![/vc_column_text][us_grid columns=”4″ orderby=”title” order=”ASC” ids=”11102, 11108, 31476, 14608″ post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
This is how I am feeling this snowy Wednesday morning in Craig.
Guides out today at HH including me.
High temp today will top out at 21F. The good news is the and is coming from the North. In your face.
I’ll be singing this tune all day long.
Then taking a piping hot shower upon arrival home this evening.
Great live shot from Woodstock. Raw. Like the wind today.
The fishing is improving. It’s decent out there.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzO4PLnvULg” video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Silly Saturday Scenery November 3rd. Falling back 1 hour tonight. Lighter earlier. Darker earlier. Several guide trips out today, yesterday too. Remember our Spey Especial for your fall Trout Spey experience. $400 Spey Trips on the Mo with John or Mark. They will bring snacks and handwarmers. Call the shop for more information if you … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Hump Day, Halloween, October River Scene Doesn’t feel like Wednesday. I cannot put my finger on how I feel this Halloween ’18. Indifferent may be the closest mental definition. But probably more like scrambled. In GF getting oil changed in the Suburban. Tire rotation too. Writing this at Perkins with an omelet. They don’t … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Sunday Horsey Scenery Fall. Horses. Fishing. Sunday. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_grid columns=”4″ orderby=”title” order=”ASC” ids=”29800, 29792, 31476, 9048″ post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Friday Foto Late October. As mentioned yesterday, the leaves are leaving. Rapidly today, with winds forecast to gust in the 40’s. Hoping for overcast skies this weekend.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Sunday Swingin’ Rainbow on the Mo Dan with this swung up Rainbow yesterday. HE’s fishing a GLX Pro, an SA Spey Lite, and Orvis Mirage Reel. Sun again today on the Mo. For the foreseeable future as well. Clouds in the weather icon this coming week, near the end of it. Our best October … Read more
Silly Saturday Scenery Mark Tabert of Missoula casting in the light of Tower Rock. Mark is here for the Advanced Fly Fishing School filling in the holes with more knowledge of the Missouri River. Fun times. The weather is too nice. Forecast for the 70’s today. With a side of wind. Which side? We think … Read more
Friday Fall Foto Warm, sunny, awful nice. Too nice. Some pretty dry fly action in the afternoons. Not exceptional. Not terrible. Awful nice out there. 70’s. Not uncommon either. Winter will return soon enough. Enjoy the many facets of fall. The famous Hemingway run in full fall bloom.
Friday Fall Foto Happy Fall. The leaves will be gone from the trees today. It is blowing 20+ from the SW. And sunny. Not your perfect fall day. We have had several great ones though. I’m always looking for them. Will we have more ahead of us? I suspect we will. Will you be here?
Foggy Friday Foto Socked in on the river. If I had to give the fishing right now a grade it would be an A-. It will get better. Substantially better is my guess. We love dry fly fishing. It is good. Nymphing is great.
Uncle Joe RIP Uncle Joe passed away a couple days ago. He will be missed. Spent lots of time in the Craig Bar, Uncle Joe’s Bar. Dancing, drinking, conversing, solving the World’s problems. Thanks Joe Duvall. Rest in Peace.
Rent a Cabin from Headhunters Fly Shop this Fall Want to fish out front of your riverfront Missouri River cabin this fall like this dude? If you do see www.CraigLodging.com for all of your options. Like more info from a real human talking on your phone? Call 406-235-3447 today. Our lodging pros have all of … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Heading out of a strong Zep-tember in style.
This is the official film video of the Immigrant Song 1972. Produced by the band. Raw rock and roll. The way Page gets after it in the latter half of the song is pretty rad. That guy must have sold his soul. They always claim it was Plant. But we all know Page went deep.
Snowed Saturday night. Not a lot. But snow. Sleet really.
We are damn excited to move into the 10th month. October is great.
Should have a fantastic BWO event this year. All the indications are pointing that direction.
We will have to wait and see. But, don’t wait to book your fall trip to the Mo.
Operators standing by. Dancing really. Rocking out to The Immigrant Song by the Greatest Rock and Roll Band of All-Time.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlNhD0oS5pk” video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Friday Foto Great Fishing on the Mo! BWO’s off daily. The little ones. Saw the bigger ones this week too. Not the 16’s. The 18’s. More on the way. Ending September and moving gleefully into the 10th month. October rules. September is leaving us. We’re good. We thank the two previous months for breeding the … Read more
Fall Colors on the Mo This feller stalking a couple rising fish. We are too. Nymphing great. Short leash on fire. Last week we did not see daily high temps not reach beyond 70F. The week ahead? Not over 60F. Fall colors on the Mo. Put one those will socks or your feel will be … Read more
Silly Saturday Scenery Net Job Getting it done on the dry fly for Guide Ben Hardy. The guest caught the fish, Ben is good at using the net. All good here on the Mo today. One of the last days of summer. It is the last day of summer! Nice. 72F and calm. Good beer … Read more
Coolest Album Cover of the Week Looks like a snapshot of Squeeky’s brain. Cooler weather companies the Coolest Album Cover of the Week. Really quite chilly yesterday. That in conjunction with the devilish north wind cooled off the top water toss it out there and catch a couple bite. Today warmer, and we will see … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Most good fishing guides possess this trait.
Cosmic Unconsciousness
I didn’t the early years…but now I hope to.
At least something to work towards.
If you have not seen Repo Man from 1984, you oughtta. A young Charmelio Estasheen in one of his finest roles.
Sunday. A good Sunday nite flick.
[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLGrXGEMOSo” video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
We played this before, but needs to played again.
I think we did a write up in the winter about Burt and the gang in regards to the iconic film Smokey and the Bandit. I saw it in the theater when I was a kid.
It made an impression!
Enjoy your Friday. Long live Americana and Burt!
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6KDLBTc1FQ” video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Parrothead Fly Shop and Shirt This cat bought the T-shirt at the Parrothead Fly Shop in ’92. Bass player for the 710 Ashbury Band that played this previous Friday. Said he wore it for the event, since they were playing in Craig. Appropriate. Great to see this old t-shirt in downtown Craig. The ghosts of … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 50% OFF FLY SALE Saturday and Sunday Our HUGE 50% OFF FLY SALE Saturday and Sunday kicks off the Labor Day Weekend. In store and phone in only. We will get back to the Tuesday 2FER Online Sales soon enough. This weekend for the 1.0 Fly Buyers! Cool weather too. We never seem to have … Read more
Craig Montana Labor Day Weekend Events! 3 Events you don’t want to miss this Labor Day Weekend in downtown Craig Montana Grateful Day Tonight on Izaak’s Log Jam 710 Ashbury Live 6-10 pm. Sponsored by Izaak’s, Keeper of the Green and Headhunters Fly Shop. Come dance your ass off kicking off the the weekend in … Read more
710 Ashbury Craig Montana August 31st Coming to Craig for an evening of jamming, cold cocktails’ and dancing in the streets. Friday August 31st 6-10pm. Come on out and enjoy the cool Dead tunes that 710 Ashbury will be spinning. Sponsored by Headhunters, Izaak’s, and Keeper of the Green . Make sure to stop by … Read more
Headhunters CLOSED Gone Fishing Monday August 27th Headhunters will be closed Monday August 27th. Gone fishing. Letting some sleep in, others fish, or both. Cold and raining on Monday with unseasonal air temps. Rain too. Snow above 5500 feet. No shuttles. No rental boats. The lights will be off. A good day to go steamer … Read more
Squeeky’s Dad on Sunday Scenery Fished with my Dad this past week. Great times. DFO. Adams, baby Buzzball’s, small caddis, grasshoppers, Callibaeits spinners and cripples. Those fish will eat the dry. Not all that fly specific we have found through daily lab work on the river. Proven here once again. But if you want some … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Clash – Live in Manchester 1977 I was listening to soft rock on the Seattle AM station 1090 when this was happening. I’ve come around since then. Musically at least. Enjoy the rawness of Clash in ’77. Truly awesome. If you fish like the Clash rocks the house, you’ll catch more. Honest. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Sunday Silly Brown Trout Scenery Fished out fo town this last week. Big Hole. Fun times. Cool place. Fished size 20 Trico’s. Thought I would head over to the freestone side with big fluffy flies. Turns out the Big Hole has a ton of Trico fishing as well. Had to get back to my … Read more
Silly Saturday Summer Scenery Hot out there. Well over 100F yesterday. Hot again today. Fish early. Hydrate. Find a shady spot. Drink late. There are so very few shade cavities on the river. Under the bridge is the obvious. Some unbearable days you will find a party in the un-sunny recesses hidden from the scorching … Read more
Dry Fly Weekend Outfitter Beau Strathman with long time guests fishing uphill to a few seam sippers. Some days the fish are hard. Others not as much. What will this weekend bring? You’ll have to come out and drop your vote off in Craig!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Headhunters Rasta T’s, Truckers, and Stickers The hottest item at Headhunters Fly Shop this summer is the Rasta themed T Shirts, Trucker Hats, and Stickers. Check them out here on this blog and order them up on our online portal. Check out the yellow and the heather colors of the T’s above. More in … Read more
Friday Foto Dry Fly Brown Trout Jarred today with this brown trout fishing with HH Guide Brett Matula. Pretty good fishing out there. As 7wt has always said “it’s as good as you are.” That will be the statement for the next 6 weeks. Flows at 6000 cfs. Not the 5K as outlined by the … Read more
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Silly Sunday Scenery Headhunters & Salmon Fly Flows dropping today on the river. Dropping Monday morning below 6K cfs. Yes, wade fishers unite. We are on the downward spin. Looks good out there. Lots of dry fly fellers creeping around the flats. In boats too. Still not too much pressure here on the Mo. … Read more
Saturday Trout Image Brown Trout Brad Brad has graced the pages of the Headhunters Blog a few times before. Probably not his last either. It is Saturday on the river. In Craig. In July. Nymphers are wrecking them out there. The dry fly fanatics are finding a few. Trico’s are on the horizon. Ants? We … Read more