Last Call!

This afternoon Gov. Steve Bullock announced a Statewide “Stay at Home” order, similar to orders currently issued in many other states that order all non-essential business’ closed. We’ve been running a spartan operation all week, and this order shuts us down until April 10. Many of us were expecting this, and it simply expands on some heavy social distancing rules the Governor put into place just a couple of days ago.

Mike and myself will be in the shop tomorrow filling on-line orders and delivering flies to local anglers through our Takeaway window. I expect there will be a few folks out before the order goes into effect just after midnight on Friday, which would actually be Saturday. So tomorrow will be the last day we will be in the shop. Last call!

OnLine Orders

Get online orders in tonight or early as you can tomorrow. Mike and I will get everything packed up and shipped before we leave. I’m betting a few of you will want to stock up on flies, tippet material and indicators before every shop in Montana (and Idaho, also under Stay at Home) closes. Most of you know that only a fraction of our flies are online. If you want something not offered, mention in the notes or just give us a call. Our “Just Add Vise” sale is still going on (use the code: JAV35 to get 35% off), and while we got hit pretty hard there are still some great patterns left. Think how productive you could be with a couple of weeks to tie up flies for the season. If you want to talk rods, reels or lines, give us a call.

Upcoming Guided Trips and Lodging

If you have a guided fishing trip and/or lodging booked with us between tomorrow and April 10th, Julie will be contacting you tomorrow to help you make alternative arrangements. You can also call Julie (406-868-5473 or julie@headhuntersflyshop.com) if you have any questions.

We will have to see what happens after April 10. I don’t think any states have lifted “stay at home” orders yet, so I suppose it’s unlikely that it will end on that date. I am glad the Governor has decided to get ahead of COVID-19 in Montana. Maybe we can prevent a widespread outbreak. One of the advantages of being a remote and lightly populated State.

Still Blogging?

Hell yes. Not sure just yet what Mark and I will be talking about on the blog, but I’m guessing we will shift into learning mode, with a side of humor. We certainly will be keeping you up to speed on the status of COVID-19 inn Montana and Craiglandia. Governor Bullock’s order almost encouraged getting outside and hiking, biking and exercising, as long as you adhere to social distancing guidelines. While it didn’t expressly mention fly fishing, I showed it to my attorney and he interpreted it to mean that fly fishing was implied, so that’s how Mark and I will interpret it.

Thanks for your Concerns

I’ve received many expressions of concern for our shop staff and guides. Thank you. We share your concerns. Most Montana guides are independent contractors, and this situation will be both emotionally and financially challenging for every full-time guide in Montana. Our shop staff didn’t choose this career path for the fat paychecks. Like guides, they do it because they love to fish, and it will be tough on all of them as well. If you want to help, keep those guides booked up later in the year, and support the shop in any way you can, when you can. Hopefully this pandemic will pass quickly and let us return to a normal and fishy existence.

We wish all of our customers and friends well, and hope you stay happy and healthy. If you have any questions or just want to talk fishing, feel free to shoot us an email.

John Arnold | john@headhuntersflyshop.com

Mark Raisler | mark@headhuntersflyshop.com