January

January Missouri River Forecast

Missouri River Fly Fishing January Forecast

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Missouri River Fly Fishing January Forecast

January Missouri River Weather Forecast

Pretty stable for the next ten days with air temps in the mid 20’s at night along with daily highs in the mid 30’s. Lots of cloud cover predicted so may be a decent time to fish?

The average temperature for January includes a highs of 35F and lows of 15F with 0.51 inches of precip which adds up to about 9″ of snow. The wind chill can be impressive with winds from the north. The prevailing wind is generally from the southwest which is not nearly as biting as the evil wind. Check out the 2020 totals here on US Climate Great Falls site.

The water temperatures are not terribly cold. Yet. Currently hovering around 35-ish. Bouncing between 35-37F for the past couple weeks. Without the frigid well below zero temperatures for a good long spell the river will not become slushy or un-fishable.

The water levels are holding in the lower than average zone by  about 1400cfs. Don’t know as of posting what the water direction will be before the end of the wet season in June, but we do know our snowpack is below average.

 

January Fishing Forecast

Cold. Our coldest fishing month. Or one of the top 3. Again we will not know the outcome until later this spring. The non winter-like November and December have led us into quite a boring start for the New Year. Wear warm clothes, warmer socks, and bring your Thermos.

Morning fishing is for those who like to sneak out there before the fish are bothered by the winter sun. Some wait until after breakfast to begin their slow journey to the river. Fish the noon til 4pm slot until the sun stays out later if you like the meat of the day.  As the winter fades to spring then you may begin to enjoy the morning more often. But that is a couple, or a few months away.

Nymphers come on strong in January. The primary attack for fish catching includes anything pink. Or at least start with anything and then figure it out. Firebeads are really a hot ticket in the next couple months. Really strong through the end of spring.

Fish the real winter water all month long. The stale stuff. Almost stopped, yet still moving.  The inside bends towards the end of the moving area. Then focus on depth. The water is pretty low so go with shorter than normal rigs. Split or not is your choice. A house divided on this lead filled topic.

Swingers comprise about half of the winter Missouri River angling participation stats. Skagit fishers are getting fish on the line. Fishing pretty well from top thru the canyon. Check with the shop before heading out for not only boat ramp health but shelf ice coverage.

Headhunters Fly Shop

Open daily for all things Trout. Your leading Montana fly shop for all things Trout Spey. We have the full lines of RIO, Scientific Angler, OPST, and Airflo spey lines, tips ,and accessories. We have become the authority in this arena with the entirety of the staff engaged and involved with the two handed rod all winter long.

January is a busy month for booking spring, summer, and fall guide trips and nightly Missouri River lodging. You want to start your Missouri River legacy this year? Or continue your family Montana trip? Start making your Montana trout memories by getting your name on the books for 2021.

Headhunters open daily @ 8am til 1pm. Mask Mandates continue at Headhunters of Craig.  Enjoy your January whether you be skiing, finishing up the waterfowl season, or hibernating. Give us a shout. We love talking trout![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/88700134″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Holiday in the Sun Sex Pistols

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[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

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

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery

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Headhunters Guide Max Mattioli rocking the upper river with a guest Saturday. Sun and some wind and some trout.

The week ahead looks like unseasonably warm weather again. Light winds too. Come out and fish. If you wish!

February is on deck. Look for a February Forecast on the way. More spey reports. More fishing reports. More summer 2016 updates. More fantastic daily rambling bullshit coming at you from downtown Craig Montana.

The epicenter of Missouri River fly fishing.

Friday Foto & Fishing Report

Friday Foto & Fishing Report

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Friday Foto & Fishing Report

A landscape at Cellphone Bluff.

Windy and warm this week. Threatening some snow maybe this afternoon?

An awakening on the river this week as well. Lots of anglers out and about as the weather allowed for springlike clothing. The water temps are up a bit and the shelf ice  has disappeared from the banks. The snow is nearly gone on the flats, still some in the hills. But for the most part all gone.

It will return but not in the near future. Warmer temps will grace us for the next week at least. As mentioned above the wind usually is the ugly unwanted partner. Makes for good casting practice.

Missouri River Weekend River Tips

  • You can fish other runs other than the upper river. With the ice free arena ranging from the dam to at least Mountain Palace you can roam. Some anglers even fishing below MP to Pelican Point. Swingers can be found anywhere.
  • Trout Spey fans are fishing the Clouser, small leeches, Kreelex, buggers, Marabou Clousers, Skiddish Smolt, Mozuri Minnows, and may more. The two handed game is pretty strong as of late. Come by for all you need in lines, leaders, tips, and flies. We are the information source wen it comes to Montana Spey.
  • Nymphers are finding trout in the slow, the medium slow, and even some medium speed waters. Most of the anglers are not rocking split shot. Most of the anglers are finding Pink to be the answer. If you cannot stomach the fruity flies you may try Zebra’s, grey sows, Ray Charles, Little Green Machines, Worms, Depth is the key for bobber fishers. Find it. Fish it. Love it.
  • Skittering Midge present in backwaters, eddies, and along inside edges. Fish it if you can. Flies that can entertain Mo River Trout include CDC Hanging Midge, Midge Cluster, Buzzball, Adams, Griffith’s Gnat, CDC Cluster, Double Posted Cluster, Bunny Dun Midge, and more.
  • See us for your shuttle this weekend. Fill up your coffee cup or Thermos while you get the skinny at Headhunters. Always discounted winter  lodging @ Craig Trout Camp and a few other select river properties. A good time to demo and Adipose Drift Boat before the masses arrive. We also facilitate the Project Healing Waters boats which are always free of charge for vets and active duty military members. Call today to reserve one of two Adipose and Headhunters sponsored drifters.

Headhunters is your only full time fly shop on the Missouri River. Thanks for your patronage. Open all 7 days @ 8am.

Friday Foto January Edition

Friday Foto January Edition

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Headhunters Guide Max Mattioli hooked up above Craig yesterday.

Cold? Yes. Too cold? No. Fished for 3 hours. A perfect afternoon.

Nymphed with big pink flies. Effective.

The fish are in slow water but found several fish in slow plus 1 tick. Interesting in that the water temps are in the 33F range. Wade fishing requires a warm blooded angler. Or heated wading boots.

This weekend some snow, perhaps. Sunday looks to be really quite nice. A hi of 38F. Saturday looks like 1-3 inches of snow.  A mixed bag for sure.

TGIF. Enjoy your weekend even if it does not include trout fishing.

 

Missouri River Weekend Fishing Outlook

Missouri River Weekend Fishing Outlook

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Missouri River Weekend Fishing Outlook

The weather has turned for the better. Way better. Or warmer. Some wind attached to the warmer temperatures as well. Pretty normal. We get a few spells like this every winter and the local anglers take advantage of the opportunity.

If you check out the ned several days it looks like snow will be occasionally falling from our Montana skies. Not much, but threatening daily. High temps in the 20’s and low 30’s. Certainly fishable. Yesterday a bundle of wade anglers on the water with more than a handful of boats above Craig. Even a few below town too.

Swingers and nymphers alike. About half and half. Curious trout spey anglers in the store taking advantage of the demo rods and full line of trout spey gear on hand in downtown Craig. Look us up if you have any questions about anything spey related.

Firebead is  the hot fly. Tailwater sows holding their own. Foxy Clousers, small leech patterns, and traditional streamer patterns are reputed to bring winter trout to hand.

A guide trip or two on the water this weekend as some are experiencing cabin fever. If you need a way out…we can help. Demo your Adipose Boat at Headhunters this winter too. Interested in getting one of those hot Montana skiffs in your driveway? Stop in for any info in regards to the Adipose Flow.

Successful fly tying night last evening at the store. The regular crew was there in force tying and bullshitting. Streamers, bobber flies, and some techy small summer flies were tied. Fun times. Next Fly Tying Night in America Wednesday January 27 6pm.

Still some cool stuff on the sale rack. Always new and updated fly lines, terminal tackle, winter wear including a bevy of gloves and hats. Your Missouri River SIMMS dealer with Howler Bros, Orvis, and tons of cool Headhunters Logo Wear.

Open daily 8-6pm for shuttles, winter discounted lodging at Craig Trout Camp, and all things trout…

 

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 1.12.16

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Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 1.12.16

A break in the cold weather yesterday led some anglers to creep into the cool winter waters. Central Montana’a Missouri River never closes. It does become un-fishable a few times a year, but these periods are often short.

The air temps this week will reach the mid and upper 30’s and may even creek into the 40F range. Oh so nice a break like this in January. Sun, then clouds, then snow as she will turn for the worse and dip towards chilliness again.

Today at the shop we are counting flies. Fly inventory day. A short 3-4 hour period with all hands on deck will take care of this annual task.  We generally handle north of 100K flies. Quick work for nimble counters.

As the slush has left the waters for the week we enjoy a few opportunities to fish. May get out in the boat later this week. The snow day on Thursday looks really quite nice. Fish anywhere to Mid Canon with ease. I’d take a look at the boat ramp, the ending boat ramp before I launched the boat. Just for kicks. 4WD is probably a must for any boat ramp with pitch to it.

Wade anywhere as well but watch the shelf ice. Most of the river has some sort of shelf issues. Be very careful if you choose to winter fish.

A feller was in yesterday that had hooked a few on a cluster midge. That is cool. That time is coming. By February there will be more dry fly opportunities.

Slow water is the key. Get the fly near the bottom and let it ride. Albeit slowly. Patience is good for a winter angler. Use split if you have to. Most of the time in those slower water zones you can get away without the weight.

Winter flavors shine. Headhunters as your Winter Fishing HQ has your back. We have a wide selection of pink patterns. We got bobbers too.

The swingers are out there too. Less ice in the guides for both the single and double handers this week will bring both sets out. The swingers are getting some action in the tail end of the swing. Not as much on the big front end swing. But still moving the fly is a good idea. Or letting it be still can sometimes work too.

Smaller trout spey flies like the traditional bugger, Clousers, Marabou patterns, Skiddish Smolts, and your good ‘ol home brews!

Give us a shout or stop in any day 8-6. We are here in Craig MT daily.

Visit us at any of our Social Sites too…Instagram, Facebook, or Vimeo.

 

Missouri River Montana Winter Fishing Report 1.7.16

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Still winter out here, out there, on the river. Cold as she goes.

As John stated yesterday we have cancelled our Saturday Trout Spey Clinic as it will be too damn cold for any good kind of learning. One of the first tenets of learning is putting the student in a comfortable situation. Therefor allowing the mind and body to be focused on the task at hand. 7F does not create the correct learning environment. Nope.

Missouri River Weekend Forecast

Wind Chill values falling below ZERO for the near future. Too cold to fish for sure.

So this a call for you to focus on tasks at home. Like getting your tax shit together. Sound like fun?

Doing tax work only sounds fun until you try to fish in below zero air temperatures.

Then it becomes fun…

So, what will you do? Watch playoff football? A good second option after you do some expense receipt fiddling.

Missouri River Montana Winter Fishing Report 1.7.16

Those who have been fishing have been cold. A theme is developing swiftly here. Shelf ice is a problem. The winter water is full of shelf ice. Out a ways too. Slush and large 10-30ft square ice plates are floating down the river too. Kinda dangerous folks.

The normal winter fishing report is as follows…Cold. Water temps in the low 30’s. Still warmer than the air temps for most of the week. Swing it if you choose. Dunk it if you like. But no floating flies around this week. Sorry. In a month or two we will get our dry fly rods out of storage.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_grid columns=”2″ post_type=”attachment” items_quantity=”” images=”16374,16373″ orderby=”post__in” items_gap=”4px” items_layout=”gallery_default” img_size=”us_600_600_crop” overriding_link=”popup_post_image” breakpoint_1_cols=”2″ breakpoint_2_width=”768px” breakpoint_3_width=”480px” breakpoint_2_cols=”4″ breakpoint_3_cols=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Of course we would love for you to come out for a visit. But bring a bottle of Fireball and stay awhile. Inside the shop.

After you get those taxes in the bag plan out your fishing vacation for the summer. Call us up and we will get you on track.

The skiing in Montana has been pretty good so many Montanan’s are out recreating on the slopes. And why not. Good snow begs to be skied upon. And those snow machine families are enjoying it too.

Happy Weekend to all whatever you might find yourself doing!

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