mccune

Weekend Tip: Keep Those Hands Down

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Look at this picture and let it burn into your memory banks. For you spey junkies planning on hitting then river this weekend, here’s a tip. In fact it’s THE tip. This is without a doubt the #1 mistake that beginning (and intermediate & sometimes advanced) spey casters make: They let their hands and arms … Read more

Montana trout spey fishing

McCune on Trout Retrieves

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/146467809″ video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]”Exactly how do you retrieve or work your fly?”

We still get this question A LOT. Spend a few minutes with our pal Mike McCune as he goes over a few of the techniques he uses while fishing for trout with a two-handed rod. And feel to free to change it up, or combine a couple of these techniques into your own home-brew retrieve.

You can also learn a lot while watching Mike cast.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Hangman Spey Video – Mike McCune

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/215850449/settings/privacy” video_title=”1″][vc_column_text]Here’s a valuable casting video Mike McCune and I recently shot. Valuable because it is the spey cast I see Mike executing more often than not when we are trout fishing. I have had a number of customers ask me about this cast (it can be seen on other video’s Mike and I have done) and I often refer to it as Mike’s “Pendulum” cast, but Mike refers to it as the “Hangman”. The Hangman possesses a couple of very important advantages over other casts that Mike covers in this video.

This cast is especially suited to the short and light heads we use with our trout spey rods here in Montana. Many of our customers strive to achieve Mike’s completely effortless style of Skagit casting, and this cast is part of that formula.

More video’s from Mike and I coming soon.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Mike McCune Spey Clinic

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[vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”18584″][vc_column_text]Mike McCune will be returning again this spring offering two days of intense Spey instruction in Craig. We are offering two different 1 day session with Mike on March 31, and April 1. Class size is limited to 3, so you’ll be getting lots of hands-on instruction with one of the best two-handed casters and instructors in the business. Mike’s clinics are especially helpful for those seeking to learn the finer points of sustained anchor casting with Skagit heads. We recommend that you have some experience casting and fishing with a two-handed rod before attending, as Mike’s clinics are not what we’d call 100 level.

Where’s Whitney?

Whitney may show up at the clinic, but likely she’ll be on the river as a guide for Headhunters this season. We’re super stoked to have a multiple World Champion caster on our guide staff this year, and you can always hire Whitney for a day of Troutspey on the Missouri if you want to get some personal instruction from one of the best.

Sign Up

Call the shop at 1-877-379-3597 or 406-235-3447 to sign up for Mike’s clinics. With such a limited number of spots available, they will go quick. Bring your own gear, so Mike can work with you and the rod/line combo you are accustomed to. If you haven’t gone “troutspey” yet, we will have some ultra-light rods available for you to try out. That’s a big reason Mike will be on the Missouri River this spring!

Cost is $200 per person, and lunch will be provided.[/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/129327269″ video_title=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Shooting Line can be a Drag – More from Mike McCune

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/193638623″][vc_column_text]More from the Godfather, Mike McCune. One of the most common questions I get at our spey clinics is “how do I manage and handle my running line while spey casting?”. I try to avoid answering this. It’s a personal thing, and there are many opinions and methods for accomplishing this task. Hold line with two-hands or one? Bottom hand or top? Or my mouth? big loops or small? And on and on and on…

In this short video, Mike gives you a basic method for short line management and one for longer amounts of line. If you constantly battle shooting line drag, watch this. I also like this variation from Deneki.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Mike McCune – Perry Poke Video

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/193603477″][vc_column_text]If you haven’t had a chance to attend one of our clinics with Mike McCune – and wife Whitney Gould – this will give you an idea what it’s like to spend the day with him on the water. For those who don’t know, Mike is a longtime AK/WA/OR/CA Steelhead, Salmon and Trout guide. and one of the Godfathers of Skagit Casting and line design. We’re fortunate to have mike spend a little time with us each spring. Some of our staff go spend a little time with him each fall on the Grande Ronde as Dewey and Braden did last month.

Mike and I like to shoot these short videos while out on the river. No plan really, just pull the boat over, turn on the camera and let Mike share some knowledge from years of fishing and guiding. We usually pick a topic that we falls under “frequently asked questions”. He’s an excellent communicator and his visually descriptive terminology will help you become a better caster. I like to keep the camera close so you can watch his hands and feel the rhythm. Most viewers would prefer to watch a wide angle speycast shot from a distance, fluorescent line booming a hundred fifty feet over the water. But you’ll learn more by watching what happens inside the circle.

Here, Mike shows us how to perform the Perry Poke. To be specific, a downstream shoulder, right-handed, river left Perry Poke. Mike also shares some thoughts on ultra-short Skagit Trout heads, anchor point importance and more. When I go fishing with Mike here on the Missouri, this is the cast I see him performing most often. It’s a simple and effective cast. As Mike says, “it’s a good fishing cast”. Agreed.

If you’re interested in improving your spey casting skill set, watch it at least once. After that, turn off the volume and just watch Mike’s hands over and over again.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

McCune/Gould Spey Sessions Recap

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Another long weekend of Spey Casting instruction with Mike McCune and Whitney Gould is in the books. We held 3 classes this year in what turned out to be absolutely perfect weather. No wind. 3 days in a row. In April. Unheard of.

As usual, all attendees were excited to get some hands-on personal instruction from these two instructor/guides. They are both on the same page, but each brings a few different twists and teaching styles. Nearly every student comments to me how much they appreciate the two different viewpoints.

We hope to be hosting them again next year around the same time. They will be around fishing through the week and you may be able to track them down and say hello or ask a question if you hang out in the evening. During the day they will be out fishing of course. Because they’re fishermen.[/vc_column_text][us_image image=”18588″ align=”center” onclick=”lightbox”][vc_column_text]

Here’s a few shots from the weekend classes. I was in and out during the course of the day(s), and I noticed some pretty dramatic improvement from everyone who attended. Mike commented that the lack of wind made it especially easy to try multiple casts and different angles from both river right and left.

Thanks again to Mike & Whitney for providing the instruction, Julie for lunches and our good friends Bob and Andy Maricich for allowing us to use their property for the venue!

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McCune Gould Spey Clinic

Mike McCune & Whitney Gould Spey Clinic

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The dates are set for our 2016 spey sessions with Mike McCune & Whitney Gould. For those looking for some hands-on Spey instruction in a small 3:1 classroom setting, you’ll find no better opportunity. Mike & Whitney are among the worlds best Spey-casters and instructors, and their class is not a “demonstration”. You will be casting and getting personal instruction from both of them. Class size is limited to 6, so you know your getting more than a few minutes of personal help from each of them.

Due to their busy schedule, these will be the only classes Mike and Whitney offer this spring in Montana.

These classes filled up very quickly last year. We are starting with 3 dates, but are open to adding a day if needed (additional dates will be adjacent to existing dates). Why not get 6 of your Steelhead pals together and lock up a class to yourself?

2016 DATES:

One day classes will be held on April 29, 30 and May 1. Cost $200/pp.

Class will be held at a private venue  just outside of Craig beginning at 9:00am. Bring your own spey gear, though Headhunters can provide gear if you need. We recommend that you have some spey casting experience if you plan to attend. Lunch provided by Headhunters.

Whitney will also be available for private lessons for those who would like some 1 on 1 instruction.

Call Headhunters to sign up at 1-877-379-3597 or 406-235-3447.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”16519″][vc_column_text]Mike & Whitney after a day of swinging on the Blackfoot River.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Troutspey Techniques

Mike McCune – Troutspey Retrieve Methods

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mike McCune does an excellent job of covering the primary methods we use to add action to the fly when swinging for trout with our two-handers. You also get to watch some excellent, relaxed, compact, troutspey casting. Watch enough and you might get pretty good.

This may be one of the most oft asked questions we get at the shop. “We understand the cast, but how do we fish the fly?” As Mike says in the video, imparting some action to your fly usually makes a big difference when fishing for trout. If you try to use a dead “Steelhead Swing”, more often than not you’ll have fewer fish come to the fly.

The first “jigging” motion is the main retrieve the Headhunters crew uses on the Missouri River. You can do this with your running line under your rod index finger, or do it independently like Mike. When using mono running line you will want to make a half wrap around your fingers so it doesn’t slip when a fish takes.

We also use his upstream “Madison” retrieve is certain situations, but as Mike states, we use them all and they all work.

Watch the video below.[/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/146467809″][vc_column_text]Here endeth the lesson.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Winter Spey Clinic Dates

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’ve set the dates for the 2015/16 Spey Clinics at Headhunters. As usual, these dates are somewhat tentative, as we occasionally move them due to weather. But we make every attempt to keep those dates solid. We get quite a few attendees from out of the area who make plans far in advance.

These clinics are open to students of all skill levels, but are generally geared towards beginning spey casters. We do have more advanced students attend, and can help decipher any hitches you may have in your cast.

SPEY CLINIC DATES

DEC 5, 2015

JAN 9, 2016

FEB 6, 2016

MAR 5, 2016

The routine will be pretty similar. Meet at the Craig House behind Headhunters for coffee, pastries and a 1-2 hour presentation/Q&A session about equipment, casting and fishing techniques.

After that, we head to our private spot right on the river in Craig. You will see a short presentation on casting, then break up and work on spey casts with our instructors. Teacher to student ratio is typically 4:1.

Post class often involves some equipment/line discussions back at Headhunters. We may also enjoy an adult beverage from the YETI.

Classes will again be limited to 20 students. We turn away plenty of people for each class, so you are limited to 1 clinic per season. Also, if you sign up and cannot make it, please let us know so we can open up your spot to those on the waiting list.

Remember that all equipment is provided, but we encourage you to bring your own rod. If you think you may have the wrong line on it, we have plenty of demo lines for you to try. We will help you get it dialed up.

COST: FREE

Remember, we do these clinics for free! All of our instructors volunteer their time because they love swinging a two-hander.

WHAT YOU NEED

Bring warm weather gear, including gloves, hats and pocket hand-warmers. Bring your own two-handed equipment, but you can still try some of our gear if you wish. It is not unusual for a few of the Manufacturer reps to show up with more rods (and instruction) as well.

HOW TO SIGN UP

Call the shop and sign up. That’s it![/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][vc_column_text]

NEW! WOMENS CLINIC

We will be kicking off the 2015-16 season with a small Women’s clinic with Spey instructors Beth Hood and Sara Roholt. The date is November 14th, and class space is limited to 6-8. No, women do not need to be taught differently than men. This is simply a chance for the gals to get together and learn about spey casting in a smaller, relaxed setting with two excellent two-handed anglers.

We are still working out the details on this class. Call Sara at the shop with any questions.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_image image=”14404″][vc_column_text]SARA ROHOLT[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_image image=”14403″][vc_column_text]BETH HOOD[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][vc_column_text]

McCUNE/GOULD CLINIC

Spey Guru’s Mike McCune and Whitney Gould will be making their annual tour of Montana next spring, and will be bringing their casting clinics to Craig and Headhunters once again. Dates have not been firmed up yet, but expect them to be held sometime in April.

If you can’t wait to see Mike & Whitney until then, contact them through Whitney Gould Fly Fishing and book a trip on the Grande Ronde this fall, or OR/CA this winter.[/vc_column_text][us_image image=”14401″ onclick=”lightbox”][vc_column_text]Whitney Gould & Mike McCune on the Blackfoot River.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Montana trout spey fishing

New Trout Spey Stuff – Video

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When Mike McCune and Whitney Gould were here in April on their annual Montana spey fishing tour, I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days fishing with Mike and talking about the new “Trout Spey” gear he has been working on with Sage and Rio. Yes, little rods and little lines. But with lots of power. Watch first, then ask questions.[/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/129327269″][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][vc_column_text]Having never fished with Mike or Whitney, I quickly learned that fishing for trout isn’t something they do to earn a few bucks teaching spey classes outside the PNW. They really enjoy it, and have been tinkering with ultra-lightweight spey rods for the last 5 years.

Mike had the final versions of some new 11′ 2 & 3 (200-250r) weight spey rods he has been working on with Sage for the last few years. For lines he was throwing final prototypes of the new RIO “Trout Skagit?” lines. Skagit heads 11 feet in length. Yes, 11 feet.

While I’ve been known to badmouth “ultra-light” spey rigs in the past (you don’t need them for the Missouri!), I must admit that Mike/Sage/Rio have nailed it with these. Distance is excellent. Wind performance nearly equal a 6 weight rod. The ability to throw larger flies – which Mike refers to as “payload” – is very, very good. Way past the size of flies that I personally use for trout fishing. And most Steelhead fishing.

Add to that extremely light in the hand and effortless to cast. In fact too much effort will be self-destructive.

The 11′ RIO Skagit head is shorter than you might think is possible. But with a “hands down” casual stroke it launches. You can use 10′ MOW tips on it, or cut your own a bit shorter. One huge advantage of these short tips is that you can strip line in a traditional streamer fishing style without running into junction knots and thick heads.

We will save the rest for the official release this summer.

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