At least the hurricane force winds kept the flags flying all day.

The town that forgot how to 4th of July

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]photo essay by John Arnold

Every once in a while, a town forgets how to 4th of July. Yesterday was that day for the village of Craig. A handful of folks drifted through town to celebrate our Nations independence on a warm, windy and dusty afternoon. Through the magic of Adobe software, I’ve transformed these images into gloomy, high-contrast black and whites that make it seem much more miserable than it actually was.[/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][us_grid columns=”5″ post_type=”attachment” items_quantity=”” images=”19289,19277,19284,19282,19283,19286,19285,19287,19281,19278″ orderby=”post__in” items_gap=”4px” items_layout=”gallery_default” img_size=”us_350_350_crop” overriding_link=”popup_post_image” breakpoint_1_cols=”5″ breakpoint_2_width=”768px” breakpoint_3_width=”480px” breakpoint_2_cols=”4″ breakpoint_3_cols=”2″][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][vc_column_text]To be honest, we kind of saw this coming. And we still had a good time visiting with the folks who were around. They were all fisherman, which is nice. Craig could use a “4th off”, though I’m sure Joe’s Bar and a few the town residents still put on a good fireworks show. While some folks were bummed we opted out of the Fireworks and all night BBQ, it did give our staff the opportunity to roam around the region and enjoy some of the other Independence day celebrations. Or just sleep.

We hope you had a safe holiday and are ready for some July dry fly fishing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Headhunters Fly Shop 2016 Event Calendar

Headhunters Fly Shop 2016 Event Calendar

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

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

February

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

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

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

March

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

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

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

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

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

Skwalas?

April

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

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

The big bugs may come too.

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

May

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

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

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

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

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

June

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

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

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

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

July

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

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

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

August

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

September

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

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

October

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

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

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

4th of July Celebration

4th of July Celebration @ Headhunters Fly Shop

4th of July Celebration @ Headhunters Fly Shop.

Yes one of our favorite holidays. Celebrate America’s Birthday with us here in downtown Craig.

We will be BBQ’s up some burgers and dogs and hanging out all day long and well into the evening. Fireworks at dusk.

Bring your helmets and a six pack and we will see you on the banks of the Missouri.

Missouri River Fishing Report 4th of July 2014

It is all coming together. PMD’s, Caddis, Sally’s, and some bigger bugs around as well. Figure out your perfect dry fly pleasure and go for it.

The flows are 6760cfs and the water temps have fallen into the 59F range. Whoa. Goofy deal here on the Mo.

The good news is happy and smiling anglers into Izaak’s nightly. Then finishing at Joe’s.

We will see you for an afternoon burger before the evening bite, then Izaak’s, then fireworks, then Joe’s, then bed…then another great day ont he Missouri River.

The fly shop open daily @ 630am and open late til 9pnm. See us for all your Missouri River needs!

The flows will fall soon enough so the bank anglers can rein again. Wade too. When will it happen? Soon, maybe.

Trico’s are on the way. The 5th of July is tomorrow.