flies

Dick's Top Ten Winter Swing Flies

Dick’s Top Ten Winter Swing Flies

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Chronicles of Dick Magill Dick’s Top Ten Swing Flies November is one of my favorite months to swing flies on the Mo. Massive Rainbow and Brown Trout alike will absolutely destroy a swung fly. At times, the take can feel almost like your rod is getting ripped out of your hand. Savage. Here … Read more

Late Winter Fishing Report

Late Winter Fishing Report by Richard

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Late Winter Fishing Report by Richard The weather has been unseasonably warm, which typically means the wind is turned up to 11. Controlling a drift boat in gusty conditions can be difficult to say the least, but the rewards can be totally worth it if you’re willing to get blown around a bit. Here’s … Read more

Late October Weekend Missouri River Fishing Report

Late October Weekend Missouri River Fishing Report

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Late October Weekend Missouri River Fishing Report Fishing is heating up. It has not been a record fall as we write this fishing report mid day Friday October 25th. Fair fishing. Not fo the fickle. Those who fish here more often, are having more success than the anglers who are maybe here for the … Read more

Six Essential Flies For The Missouri River

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A couple days ago, I was digging through one of my fly tying drawers and I found an old shuttle sheet. The shuttle sheet was dated December 29, 2015. On the back of it were scribbled several lists of six flies. The lists were made by some of the shop staff during a slow winter … Read more

Trout Flies By Gary Lafontaine

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I have always loved the writing of Gary Lafontaine. The first post I ever wrote for this blog was about his theory of color attraction. I have read a lot of books about fly fishing and fly tying, but Trout Flies Proven Patterns by Gary Lafontaine is one of my favorites.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Trout Flies Proven Patterns Published … Read more

Crawfish Flies For the Missouri River

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At some point every spring, trout in the Missouri River start eating a lot of crawfish. It is difficult to know exactly when this will happen, but below are some facts that should aid in your angling success.[/vc_column_text][us_image image=”27228″ align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Spring Spawn During the spring, when water temperatures rise into the 50s, male crawfish begin … Read more

Juvie Jigger Streamer Strikes!

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Juvie Jigger Streamer At the end of April, Headhunters hosted a Spring Streamer Fly Tying Contest on our Facebook page. We received a ton of awesome entries. Choosing a winner was tough. Each shop staffer and several guides selected their favorite three streamers. Eric Stollar’s Juvie Jigger streamer was selected by the greatest number … Read more

Missouri River Bugs – May 2017

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/217420014″ video_title=”1″ src=”“https://player.vimeo.com/video/217420014“” width=”“640“” height=”“360“” frameborder=”“0“”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This week, we collected bugs on the lower river between Pelican Point and Cascade. Today we are going to talk about what Missouri River bugs we found and how to best imitate them during periods of higher flow.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”26632″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]

The Usual Players

We found a lot of scuds, sowbugs, midge larvae, pale morning dun (PMD) nymphs, blue winged olive (BWO) nymphs, and caddis larvae. This selection is very similar to the bugs that we collected in April. The Tailwater Sowbug is still king. Mayfly nymphs and midge larvae are still catching a lot of fish too.

Since last month, spring caddis have become a more prevalent food source. As a result, the UV Tan Czech Nymph as well as the Purple and Gold Bloom’s Weight Flies have increased in popularity as an alternative to the Amex or Rainbow Czech Nymph.[/vc_column_text][us_image image=”27217″ align=”center”][us_image image=”27218″ align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”27219″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]

Additional Big Food Items

We found a lot of larger invertebrates this month. Leeches, aquatic worms, crane fly larvae, and crayfish were observed. These larger food items provide big meals for trout in addition to the usual small fare.[/vc_column_text][us_image image=”27214″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]At the time of this writing, the Missouri River below Holter Dam is flowing at 9,040 cfs. However, it will likely get higher in the next few weeks. At elevated flows, larger nymph patterns can be effective. Leech, worm, and crayfish imitations are all patterns that you should have in your box during these higher flows.

Below, we will talk about each of these food items and a few of our favorite flies for imitating them.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”19330″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]

Leeches

The leeches we found were of the smaller variety. When stretched out, they are about two inches long. When contracted, they are about a half inch long. They are very strong and fast swimmers that swim by undulating their bodies.

These leeches can be imitated with nymphs and streamers. To mimic their wavy, undulating swimming motion, most flies are tied with some sort of bead or lead eyes to impart a jigging action to the fly.[/vc_column_text][us_image image=”27215″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]

Fruit Roll Up Leech

We have been loving the Fruit Roll Up Leech this past winter and fall. It is a great leech imitation that Ninch has got tied with a lead underbody and a tungsten bead to get it down quick. This pattern can be swung or drifted under a bobber.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”27221″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]

Aquatic Worms

There are many aquatic worms in the Missouri River. These worms are similar to earthworms, but live underwater. Like earthworms, they dig and anchor themselves into the bottom of the river.

During periods of elevated flow, worms and many other bugs are more likely to be swept away from the bottom of the river and enter the drift. When they are drifting, they are available to trout as food.[/vc_column_text][us_image image=”10681″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]

Ninch’s Fish Finder Worm

Ninch’s Fish Finder Worm is a great worm pattern to fish during high water. It was recently featured on this blog.

The heavy tungsten bead helps get it down to where the trout are. It has just enough flash to get the attention of the fish and it is available in four different fishy colors.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”27226″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]

Crane Fly Larvae

Crane Fly Larvae are big. The ones pictured in this blog are about three inches long. Like worms, they live within the riverbed and often get dislodged during periods of high flow.

When drifting, they are surprisingly good swimmers. They swim in a manner similar to leeches by flattening their bodies and making undulating “S” movements.

With a three inch length, they are somewhat difficult to imitate with standard nymph patterns. It would be interesting to do some experimenting with large crane fly imitations on the Missouri River. If any readers have done so, please let us know what you have found out!

If you are curious about this bug, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions has produced an awesome video that shows a crane fly swimming as well as how to tie some effective fly patterns that imitate them.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”27228″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]

Crayfish

There are many crayfish in the Missouri River. They prefer to live in areas of the river with larger boulders. Rip-rap banks are a good place to find them. While collecting bugs for this post, I found them as small as one inch long and as large as five inches long. Trout probably prefer to eat the little ones.[/vc_column_text][us_image image=”27216″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]

Bob Clouser’s Claws R Crawfish

Bob Clouser’s Claws R Crawfish is a great crayfish imitation. In the past several years this fly has surged in popularity as a high water nymph. It is often dead-drifted with another nymph pattern. Overzealous mends will jerk this pattern around and often entice strikes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Don’t Be Intimidated By the High Flows

The river is big right now and will likely get bigger. However, plenty of fish are getting caught.

First and foremost, be careful while wading and boating at these flows. Remember your basic boating safety rules.

Fish deep. When bugs are hatching, some fish will be suspended, but you should be prepared to fish deep most of the time. Mark, recently discussed his deep rig here.

Don’t be afraid to fish some bigger bugs this month. In addition to scuds, sowbugs, midges, and mayfly nymphs, larger food items like worms, crayfish, leeches, and caddis larvae are now in play.

Be safe, have fun, and get out there![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Stalcup’s Cluster Midge

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Stalcup’s Cluster Midge Needs To Be In Your Box Stalcup’s Cluster Midge is one of my favorite midge patterns. I always have some in my box during the spring and then again in July when the tricos start to hatch. This fly evolved from the Griffith’s Gnat and shares several features with this classic pattern. … Read more

Missouri River Bugs – April

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Last week we collected our first sample of bugs from the Missouri River below the Untouchable’s Bridge. The bugs that we collected were about what you would expect for April. Sows and scuds composed the majority of the biomass, but midges and blue-winged olive nymphs were abundant too. Somewhat surprisingly, PMD nymphs were abundant and almost the … Read more

Freddy Fly Step By Step

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Freddy Fly Step By Step Before the Chubby Chernobyl, John Foust’s Freddy Fly (or Fat Freddy) was a staple pattern throughout the West. Foust invented the fly for the waters around Missoula, but it has caught fish all over the world. The Freddy differs from a lot of modern foam patterns in its incorporation of a … Read more

Thursday Fishing Report A warming trend

Thursday Fishing Report. A warming trend

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Thursday Fishing Report. A warming trend The air temps have risen above the freezing mark. Nice. The water temps? Not really. Well, they are above the 32F locked up solid mark. But not much. Current water temps are below. A frigid 35F. Pretty stable too. It will reach up into the low 36F range … Read more

January Flies – Winter Nymphs and Streamers

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The air temps have been well below freezing for the last few weeks, but there have been a handful of anglers out fishing. If you’re able to tolerate the cold temps, and have the right January flies, winter fishing can be very good. January Flies – Nymphs With the exception of some midges, nothing hatches during the winter … Read more

Missouri River Bugs – June

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Missouri River Bugs The following are some pictures of bugs from the Missouri River that were collected in June a couple miles upstream of Craig. These images will hopefully aid in your fly design and/or fly selection while you are fishing this month. Although all these images are of nymphs/larvae, PMDs and caddis are currently hatching.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image … Read more

May is a month for Streamers!

May is a month for Streamers!

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May is a month for Streamers!

May is a month for Streamers! Most of the HH staff loves the month of May and one of the reasons is the streamer bite.

Some really big brown trout come in May. Still a ton of rainbows on the spawn or getting over the spawn and the brown trout are on the prowl.

Not to mention the March Browns, the BWO’s, and the Mother’s Day Caddis that allow make a good showing in May.

If you don’t get your streamer from your vise, at Headhunters Fly Shop you can certainly give 7wt a buzz.

He’s got the flash.

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Snowshoe Midge

Top 10 Tailwater Midge Flies

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

Missouri River Top 10 February Nymphs

Missouri River Top 10 February Nymphs

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Spring like weather has brought out the shut in February anglers here on Montana’s Missouri River. While many are swing the 2 handed Trout Spey rod the rest are tossing the good ‘ol nymph fly. Here is a photo hit on those popular Missouri River Top 10 February Nymphs. The Green Weenie, Tungsten Rainbow Warrior, … Read more

Fly Tying Night In America This Wednesday

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

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

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Zirdle Bug.

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

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Just Add Vise kits available at Headhunters Fly Shop.

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

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

For streamers you have the Kreelex and Coyote Clouser.

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

Silly Sunday Shop Scenery

Silly Sunday Shop Scenery

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Ninch checking it out.

The new ’16 flies come in beginning in March.

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

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

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

Ninch does a fabulous job at all of the above.

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

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

Go Hawks.

Tying the Pink Lightening Bug

Tying the Pink Lightning Bug

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Tying the Pink Lightning Bug

Today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog we tie the Pink Lightning Bug. In conjunction with our popular Just Add Vise brand this video is purely simple. No talking, no postulating about materials, and no lengthly 13 minute tying videos here.

Short and sweet. Just the way you like it. Play it over and over if you wish without listening to the same lame tying jokes…what is a tying joke anyway?

This Pink Lightning Bug is one of the most effective Missouri River winter flies. Great anywhere, and any river USA. Pink is the color of winter. And all this time you thought it was the color of snow.

When snow is on the ground, think pink.

The Pink Lightning Bug is just one of the Just Add Vise kit members. Anglers and tiers also like the Rainbow Czech, Little Green Machine,  Firebead Ray Charles, and Kreelex for winter work. And do not forget about the Mozuri Minnow! All available at our online web store.

We think that Dangerous Dan Gard  brought this fly to the Missouri River. It really is a killer for 8 months of the year. November 1st through the historically high water month of May. Some even fish it into June. Others even longer. A fantastic fly for the subsurface set.

If you can tie this one you can tie the other Missouri River favorites like any of the Pheasant Tail derivations and the summertime trout finder the Purple Lightning Bug. Why not have them all in your repertoire.

The Pink Lightning Bug is not the only winter time fly of choice. Come in and see our vast selection of winter flavored flies for any winter fishery. Ninch, Braden, Sara, and Dewey can point you in the right direction. Pick up a couple Just Add Vise kits as well.

Fly Tying Night in America starts in January. Stay tuned for the Wednesday night tying sessions hosted by Headhunters Fly Shop.

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Think Pink

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41aGCrXM20E”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Think Pink today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog.

PINK is in. The nymphing anglers we spoke to yesterday were all over it.

So were the trout. Pink is the color. We are headlong into December and the remainder of 2015 including the first several months of 2016 will be covered in PINK.

We agree. Headhunters is full of Pink too.

Think Pink with the Pink Panther.

 

Highs in the mid-40’s today not he water. Some wind will accompany the somewhat sunny skies. Some out there swinging, some tossing the goober with pink under it.

Good football today.

What are you doing? Plan to spend a little time not he water this holiday season. It truly is a wonderful time of year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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Pink is the word.

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Fluorescent Flies

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As Mark recently pointed out, water temps are falling and we’re moving into winter. Scuds and sows are king and pink flies or flies with firebeads will continue to gain popularity as winter progresses.  Popular winter flies include the Pink Lightning Bug, Amex, Rainbow Czech, Pink Ray Charles, Pink Scuds, Worms, Rainbow Warrior, Sows, Zebras, Ninch’s Pill Popper Scud and Bubbleyum Sow, Mason’s Peep Show, and Ju-ju Baetis.

Why do these particular patterns work so well during the winter? If you don’t care why they are working and only that they do, stop reading this now, get some of these patterns, and go catch some fish. If you are curious, read on.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]What do these flies have in common? Most of them incorporate fluorescent pink or orange materials. A lot of anglers might tell you that these flies work because they are being taken as eggs. This might be the case. However, independent of the egg hypothesis, the fluorescent materials in these flies make them very visible to the fish.

Fluorescent materials have some unique optical qualities. When light of any wavelength hits fluorescent materials, these materials continue to reflect light of their own color. This means that fluorescent orange firebeads will appear bright orange regardless of depth or water clarity. Additionally, fluorescent materials are able to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light and continue to reflect their original coloration. In other words, fluorescent materials look bright and are visible from a long ways off even in deep water.

Fish facing upstream will notice a fluorescent fly coming downstream sooner than any other colored object, and if the fish is able to quickly notice the fly, the chances of the fly getting eaten improve dramatically. If you check out the photos at the bottom of this post, you’ll see what I’m talking about. They show the fly under regular light compared with how it looks under UV light. The fluorescent hot spots really stand out.

Some of you might be ready to call bull at this point and claim, “I’ve caught millions of fish with non-fluorescent flies!!!” I’m not going to argue with you.  I’m only suggesting that adding a fluorescent firebead or hotspot to a fly will make it easier for a fish to notice it. And isn’t that what we all want, to get our flies noticed?

Now, let’s take another look at some effective winter nymphs and try to interpret their effectiveness in the context of fluorescent materials. I examined the fluorescence of these flies by shining the shop’s UV light on them and noting what parts glowed. You can check out the fluorescent qualities of your own flies by shining a UV light into your fly box.

  • Pink Lightning Bug – The pink antron tail is somewhat fluorescent.
  • Amex – The pink dubbing in the abdomen is fluorescent.
  • Rainbow Czech – The pink hotspot is fluorescent.
  • Pink Ray Charles – The non-bead versions have a fluorescent orange thread head. The bead-head versions have a fluorescent orange firebead. Check out the photos of the firebead version that accompany this post.
  • Ninch’s Pill Popper Sow – The pink firebead is fluorescent.
  • Ninch’s Bubble Yum Scud – The thread is fluorescent orange and there is a fluorescent pink dubbing hotspot.
  • Worms – Some patterns are tied with fluorescent thread. Other patterns incorporate a firebead.
  • Rainbow Warrior – The underbody and thread collar are both tied with fluorescent orange thread.
  • Sows – Many patterns incorporate fluorescent thread heads.
  • Zebras – Often not fished with fluorescent materials, but why not?
  • Mason’s Peep Show – The orange thread collar is very fluorescent. Check out the photos accompanying this post.
  • Ju-ju Baetis – The Flouro-Fiber material that the wing case and legs is tied out of is fluorescent.

If you’ve already been fishing these flies, hopefully this post will help you understand why they work so well. If you haven’t been fishing these patterns, give a few of them a shot the next time you go out. Or maybe some of you have your own secret killer patterns with fluorescent materials in them? If you have a UV light on your fly tying bench, I’d recommend shining it into your fly boxes. The results are pretty interesting. We also have a UV light in the shop if you want to go to town on our bins. Or you can come in and find plenty of fluorescent threads and beads in the fly tying selection that Ninch has put together in the shop.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Firebead Pink Ray Charles
Firebead Pink Ray Charles under regular light.

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Firebead Pink Ray Charles Under UV Light.
Firebead Pink Ray Charles Under UV Light.

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Mason's Peep Show under regular light.
Mason’s Peep Show under regular light.

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Mason's Peep Show under UV light.
Mason’s Peep Show under UV light.

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Fly Box Organization Hell

Fly Box Organization Hell

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It’s over. I’m done. That hell has passed and now I can breathe easy.

My wife can sleep better too knowing that the kitchen table can be once again be used as a spot for eating meals.

Only took 10 days…

I know I promised that it would only occupy the central household table for a short two nights. I may have extended the project longer than I needed, but it is a difficult seasonal process.

You know the pain and whiskey/beer content measured in ounces, or drams, or quarts that must be consumed to even approach this project with a clear mind.

This year like most I had a plan going into the game. I was going to take all the hoppers out of their homes and re-use a couple of the boxes for a caddis dry fly re-org and gather all of the smaller terrestrials into the other hopper box. Then I was gonna move the midge nymphs into something smaller, the midge dries into a new magnetic divider small box(s), the streamers into a color coordinated 2 box system, along the way integrate the pre-purchased well thought through the new compartment boxes and 2 magnetic slim line boxes somewhere, then get the crawdads a new home, the 3 Season worm, scud, czech box cleaned out, the mayfly nymph box cleaned up too, the worm box needed to go, the Drakes an update, the March Browns all into the mayfly dry box, and then make room…

So you can see how this process becomes cloudy. Way cloudy. 5 bourbon rocks can make things a bit unclear too.

We have had several clients of the fly shop bring in cups, boxes, and random fly mayhem, hand over to a shop employee, and pay for them to organize and fill in. Wow!

Probably the smart way out for those folks who do not want to piss off their wife!

One of the biggest tasks is re-aligning all of the flies in fly shop fly cups. Some have BWO’s, and few streamers clotting up the cup. Some have worms from the spring period with tippet and tangled rats nest type f***ups, other faded and dust riddled flies from your patch. A few cups full of shitty flies that never worked that came right from your tying desk.

Then as you all know that when you get deep into the re-org process…you have a change of plan. A change, a hunch, a strong feeling that the first 11 hrs invested has been a complete waste of time as you formulate an entirely new plan.

Which of course takes 7 new fly boxes.

And a trip to the fly shop. You would order them online, but your wife has designs of using the table for something other than your long winded bullshit yearly fly organization.

Hence the immediacy of the fly shop trip. You could use the empty perfectly good fly boxes in drawers in your tying/man room…but they are old and that just will not stand. You would give them away, but you might need them some unforeseeable time in the future? Right?

Nonsense is the key to fly fishing and that theme runs deep. It infects anglers from age 8 to 88. It is pretty tough to avoid.

That is why we fight so hard for complete and total organization. If your flies are organized, they’re easier to find. Making it easier to catch fish? Maybe that does not correlate.

I think those who cast better generally catch more fish. But it certainly does not hurt to be ready for the game.

All spring we practice casting, read inane nonsensical articles like this one, and organize fly boxes.

Then the fishing season arrives and we in theory should be ready for action? In theory. On paper.

I know I am one step closer to becoming truly ready. My fly boxes are organized, categorized, and filled in anticipation of Trico’s, March Browns, BWO’s, Scud hatches.

A good time to get this task done in yesterday. But if you missed the deadline give it a shot this weekend. Just make sure to pick up a bottle at the liquor store on your way home.

Pick out something your wife likes…it’s for her.

 

Online Trout Flies

Online Trout Flies!

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]We’ve been slowly working on a ‘real’ webstore over the winter, and it’s actually got a few products on it. A much nicer user experience than our previous clunker.

Some of you know we’ve been working on this because you’ve been buying stuff. This week we added a few of our favorite fly patterns as well.

There’s not many, and there won’t be. This selection represents some of our favorites, ones we talk about with customers on the phone, and the patterns most requested in over-the-phone sales.

Ninch and I will add some more soon, but it will remain a ‘best of’ list.

If you’re interested – or just want to look at some fly images – HERE’S THE LINK. You can also go to ‘SHOP’ at the top navigation bar. Let Ninch know if there are any other patterns you would like to see for sale.[/vc_column_text][us_btn align=”center” target=”_self” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fstaging.headhuntersflyshop.com%2Fwp%2Fproduct-category%2Ftrout-flies%2F” style=”6″ label=”BUY FLIES ONLINE!” custom_width=”200px” css=”%7B%22default%22%3A%7B%22font-size%22%3A%2218px%22%7D%7D”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Missouri River Winter Flies

Missouri River Winter Flies

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I don’t know the names of all of the flies in these images. I just don’t anymore. Ninch is the fly mastermind with some suggestions from John and I. But it really is his deal. So as the bins change as the trends change I find myself finding new killer flies to try all the time. Changing it up is fun. Nothing in nature stands still  for too long.

That is the argument for changing flies too. Static behaviors are lame.

So I lost the list of the flies in this post. I know 2/3 of them. So while I do not know the proper names I do know that they all work when you toss them into the Mo.

Add a split shot and a bobber and hold on.

Find slower water too.

Missouri River Winter Flies
Dirty Winter Flies

The dirty winter flies above include Peep Show, some derivation of a Zebra, Zebra’s, FB Sow, Ninch’s Pearl Ninja, Pink Lightening Bug, Tungsten beaded SJW, Rainbow Czech Nymph, Ninch’s Pink Beaded Sow.

Really super slutty stuff works well. Pink or orange or red flavors will get you through the cold months. Black works too.

Dry flies? Check them out below.

Missouri River Winter Flies
Midges.

Buzzball, Dominick’s Reneball, Griffith’s Gnat, Harrop’s CDC Hanging Midge, 2X posted Cluster, CDC Cluster, and more. Any thing you like that looks good on the water. A crap shoot real is the deal. Tie on some sort dropper for a better shot. If you can go that way.

Happy Holidays and we will see you on the river. Or in the bar afterward.

Boat Fly Review Of The Year So Far

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boatflies
Patterns from the island of discarded/forgotten flies.

Since the spring, the employees here in the shop have been saving all the discarded/forgotten flies that have been left in our rental Adipose drift boats. The picture accompanying this post shows the flies that we’ve accumulated thus far.

They offer a pretty good snapshot of how the fishing has been. There are rainbow Czech nymphs and sowbugs from the winter/spring. There are tungsten San Juan worms and wire worms from the spring’s high water period. There are purple comparadun and Stormchaser dries from the spring Baetis period. There’s a March brown in the mix as well. Then there are the pale morning dun emergers and rusty spinners of late spring/early summer, some caddis dries and emergers, a yellow sally nymph, a Buzzball, the ants of summer, the ever present Zebra midges, and some streamers in the mix as well.

If you look closely at the photo, you’ll probably recognize a pattern or two that you caught some fish on this year. Czech nymphs, Zebra midges, Little Green Machines, rusty spinners, pheasant tails, CDC and elk dries, Buzzballs, San Juans… These patterns are definitely mainstays here on the Missouri River. Maybe some of the flies in the picture even belonged to you once. A few of them look pretty chewed up…

While cleaning our rental boats in the next couple of months, we’ll probably find some more trico flies, a callibaetis or two, some baetis/pseudo imitations, hoppers, more caddis (hopefully some of the October variety), and the streamers of the fall. Maybe we’ll throw another picture up here on the blog as the collection grows.

What will you be fishing this fall on Montana’s Missouri River? Do you agree on the Boat Fly Review of the Year so far?

Make your own memories this fall here in Craig. Get on it and we’ll keep the coffee warm for you.

New Flies for the Missouri River

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Once upon a time, Mark and I ordered all the flies for Headhunters. It’s a grueling task, especially when it comes to finding and having faith in new flies that we’ve never tried. These days, the Ninch does all the fly ordering (which I’m thankful for). Ben does an excellent job of finding new productive patterns, using his instincts and listening to the “word on the creek”.

While Ben takes on an extreme load for Mark and I, it means were not in tune with what we have in the bins. Nearly every day I walk by our massive fly selection and notice something I’ve never seen before. Today I picked out a few flies that – were I still guiding every day – I would definitely be trying right now on the Missouri. They have all of the elements I like in mid-summer patterns. While they are not all necessarily new patterns, they’re new to Headhunters and new to me.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO OPEN IN A LIGHT BOX[/vc_column_text][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″][us_grid type=”masonry” post_type=”attachment” items_quantity=”” images=”5733,5734,5735,5736,5737,5738,5739,5740,5741,5742,5743,5744″ 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]

Big Dries.

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]The other day I was picking a few big “foamies” out of the bin for a day on the water. A customer leaned over my shoulder and asked “what the hell I was going to use those for?”. “The Missouri”, I responded. He gave me that “you are a liar look” all fly shop owners have received at one time or another (whether they are telling the truth or not). I wasn’t lying.

Many visitors to the Missouri River during mid-summer are in search of technical “match-the-hatch” fly fishing. And we are too. We love it.

So why would I be picking out some big foam stonefly patterns if I like matching the hatch? Because, I like matching the hatch…

While technical ‘purist” think of PMD, Baetis and Trico hatches when they envision themselves standing in the Missouri, the fact is that we do have a few other bugs that dictate what the trout are looking for. Just a few.

Everyone knows that ant patterns – like Missouri River guide Dave Bloom’s Ant – are a staple for dry fly fishing. I’ve often said that if there was a “One Fly, Dry Fly” contest on the Mo’, I’d choose this pattern. And there’s a reason. Get out and walk the willow lines banks and scabby flats and you’ll see ants everywhere. Ants on bushes. Flying ants. Ant hills. They’re everywhere.

While a #14 ant isn’t exactly a “foamie”, many latin spouting Eastern anglers scoff at the notion of throwing an ant pattern. To them it’s the same as throwing a Royal Wulff or stimulator. But in reality, an angler on the Missouri is most definitely matching the hatch (albeit terrestrial) when tying on an ant pattern.

And those big Foamies? Well, we do have a few Golden Stones and Salmonflies on the Missouri River. A few. We also have plenty of hoppers and Yellow Sallies. If you look around, you will see the big stoneflies and the shucks they leave behind on stream side rocks. And while you won’t see many flying or on the water, they are here. It’s almost like they hatch at night.

And because they are there, our trout eat them. The big ones are always on the lookout for a large winged meal with rubber legs. While guiding “Margarita” Ron Bartek last week, we managed a few fish each day on the big flies. Only a handful of fish, but they all looked like this…[/vc_column_text][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″][us_image image=”5619″ size=”full” link=”” onclick=”lightbox”][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]These bugs are not for throwing into pods below Wolf Creek. They’re best suited towards searching the banks or fast flats when little else is going on. You absolutely need some experience to figure out the right kind of water, but it does work. Sometimes it works great.

Rev. Ninch from the Church of Flyentology picked out a few of his favorites for you to see. While He probably won’t tell you when or where, he’ll show you the bug. Will I tell you? Nope. Somethings you have to figure out without the help of Google. But we’re giving you a start.[/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_grid type=”masonry” post_type=”attachment” items_quantity=”” images=”5638,5639,5640,5641,5642,5643,5644,5645″ 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 PMD Patterns

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Ninch and I were going through the fly bins the other day and pointing out a few of our favorite PMD patterns for the Missouri River. Right now. Cripples and spinners, mostly. There are others. Here are some macro shots of a few of them.

click on the images to bring them up in a lightbox.[/vc_column_text][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″][us_grid type=”masonry” post_type=”attachment” items_quantity=”” images=”5609,5610,5611,5612,5613,5614,5615″ 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 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

 

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 5.9.14

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Good weekend ahead of us here on the Missouri River. Good weather too. If you like potential snow and rain. You should like this weekend just fine.

The tributaries are clear and clean and the entire river is fishing just fine. Some of the normal mayflies for this month are starting to pop and we are just fine with that. BWO’s and a few March Browns seen too. Get on board and keep the dry fly rod out. Get it in the rotation for the weekend and beyond.

[forecast]

Things to remember for the weekend ahead and the Missouri River Montana Fishing Report

Lodging. Not your tent. Unless you like your tent. And your tent companion. www.Craiglodging.com

Boat. Bring your boat or you boat rowing dude, or gal. Rent one, a boat. Rent a rower at Headhunters. Or drag your own over and dump it in the Mo. We will help you with the fly selection and the reaches that you want to see. Go anywhere you want with safe cruising from the top to the bottom.

Flies. Firebeads, a bundle of sows, scuds, worms, Amex, Czechs, the color purple, Peep Shows, Frenchie’s, a plethora of midge patterns, and some cool white streamers. White was the color of the week. Will it hold through the weekend? Maybe. Dries like big Adams, a March Brown pattern or two, midge clusters, Buzzballs, Rabbit Foot Clusters, and many more our Fly Guru Ben McNinch has in store for you the Missouri River angler.

Gear. Raincoats. Handwarmers. Boat Heaters. Gloves.

Smiles. Wide ones please.

Flows. The tribs are clear and clean. No problem there. The Mo is near 9K. Below the Dearborn more like 10K. Its cool with the water temps at 48F bouncing around the last couple weeks with the variable daytime weather conditions. The Dearborn is falling and nearing 600cfs. The Pear shows a similar trend. Clear too.

The Missouri River. Great shape, great hatches, great times.

Headhunters Fly Shop. Open all weekend at 730am w/ free rot-gut coffee, flies, info, shuttles, that killer one of kind logo wear, gloves, new and super cool headwear from Buff, rental NRS Freestone Drifters, SIMMS waders…

 

Headhunters Guides Ben Hardy and Mark Raisler with guests last week at Mountain Place in the image above. We love the sun. The canyon is good and the lower river is getting better. The upper? Busy.

Missouri River Streamer Short List

Missouri River Streamer Short List

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The streamer short list today from the fly gurus at Headhunters Fly Shop. Missouri River Streamer Short List Swingers have been getting them on Brown Skiddish Smolt, Kreelex, and Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow. Strippers have been getting them on Brown Skiddish Smolt, Kreelex, and Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow. As you know, this is only the report. A … Read more

Missouri River Fly Selection

Missouri River Fly Selection plus 400!

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Spring on the Missouri River means greener grass, Midges, Baetis, streamer fishing, and movement at Headhunters Fly Shop. Did you just add 400 more fly bins? You changing the store again? Don’t you guys ever rest? Are you bringing in more Missouri River specific fly patterns? Yes, yes, no, and yes.   We are damn … Read more

Purple Trout Flies

Purple Trout Flies

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Yes, purple continues to be the color of choice. Purple Morrish Hopper, Purple Peanuts, Grape Slushy, Purple Weight Fly, Purple Lightning Bug, Purple Holo Prince, Purple Zebra, Purple Haze… you get the idea. It would seem kind of ridiculous to believe that all flies must be purple to work, but if we sold purple Sharpie’s … Read more

October Caddis Pupa

October Caddis Pupa

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Wait a few days til the weeds disappear and toss this outside the boat. Any cast that lands outside the ‘Adipose Flow’ driftboat is a good cast, Honest. October Caddis Pupa can bring on a big bite. Honest. See your local fly guru @ Headhunters Fly Shop. We got other bugs that work too. And … Read more