Mike says…I’d get out there this week Speaking with Mike of Headhunters, on the phone, this morning at Trout Spey HQ standing in my bathrobe drinking Baileys along with a splash of coffee and he said…I’d get out there this week. Weather is conducive for fishing the Mo. Hi’s in the mid 50’s thru next … Read more
Midges It is that time of year. Midges are here. They have been here for a few weeks. But the slush and cold and wind have kept us from the water. Looks like February heading into March may bring us some milder weather. A few of the HH gang heading out this week. Derek was … Read more
February Top 5 Not my favorite month. Not too much going on. Slow. My February Top 5 below this Thursday February 1st. Midges may happen mid month. That is a breath of fresh air. Lends itself to spring thoughts. Already some midge action. Midges dancing around on the surface coaxing trout eyes upwards. Scattered and … Read more
One Month ’til Midges? Spending the week in Western Washington as the hard rain has got me thinking…One Month ’til Midges? I did not start out with this exact thought. It started with the hard rain, and being thankful that it was raining because I like rain. I grew up on the wet side and it … Read more
The midge flies are here.
Some BWO emergences that are pretty stellar too.
As Dangerous Dan Gard used to say…
Cosmic.
It really can be Cosmic. Will the weekend produce that kind of fishing?
Maybe.
As Larry or Capt. Scott used to say…
As many fish rising as there are stars in the sky?
No. Not really.
But is has been good this week. Getting better as we drift towards May.
Get out the dry fly stick and cast a little.
As Squeeky has always said…
Dry fly fishing is good for your Constitution.
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]We have folks all the time want us to call them when the fishing is “off the charts.”
It isn’t yet.
Will it be soon? Yeah, maybe.
Every April the cork comes off and we are looking for that to happen sometime this month. April and May are really, really good fishing months here in central Montana.
Really, really good.
Do they match July, June, or even October? You gotta be the judge of that.
April is drifting by faster than we realize and May will be upon us with some of the shop staff’s favorite fishing. Streamer mania and great blind dry fly fishing with March Browns, BWO’s and midges keeping us busy until the spring caddis show.
As for today, yesterday and the week ahead? Looking good my fishy friends.
Good dry fly days have been had with better and ultimately more consistent days ahead of us. The BWO’s are showing albeit not in huge numbers. Those Baetis boxes should grace your boat or vest for the next month for sure. Para’s, low riding emerges, trapped duns, transitional duns, cripples, and your own home brew patterns will get you through. Look for a Complete Baetis Blog coming soon.
Midges are here in force. Mega midge hatches all day long, on some occasions, will allow you to toss at rising fish when the wind falls below gale forces.
Midges are here in force.
Had to say it twice for effect. Big time midge hatches. Some years we have consistent daily emergences and some years we do not. This is one of the good ones. Midges can get you all revved up from dawn til dusk here on the Missouri River.
Patterns? Clusters, Buzzaballs, singles, G-Men. You have been reading this report for weeks now. All the regular stuff…plus your magic fly. We don’t keep any secrets here at Headhunters. Want to know the secret fly, the secret mayfly for the Missouri River? It’s commonly known as the Parachute Adams.
Good to great. Getting better everyday. Fish moving into faster water as the temps rise and we can really see it. The water is dropping and be aware to adjust your nymph rigs accordingly. The dynamics of nymphing are constantly in flux and those who practice static fishing behaviors don’t use the net as often.
Look for center river water and get it on the shelf. Some are having success in those bank sided bubbly seams and runs. Others are staying closer to the center. Your choice. Lots of ways to skin cat.
Patterns? Wide and varied. Still the primary objective is to sink that fly as fast as possible and keep it there as long as possible. That is the secret to nymphing success. Keeping the bait in front of the target as long as physically possible. Honest. Trust me, I’m a fly fishing guide.
Streamer Fishing is getting better too. The water temps moving upwards gets those trout to move. To move towards that stripped fly. Bright fly bright day. Dark fly dark day. Try that.
The swinging gang is still out there. They are having success in a touch faster water as well. It need not be the stale part of the run anymore. Try stepping through the top ends of some of these runs. A fly with some weight will help in that arena as well.
Need Spey Lines or MOW Tips? We got it all on our on-line fly shop. If not, we will order it today!
The water temps are climbing. Shocker! We would like them to climb slowly. But, we cannot control that sort of deal. Not yet at least. The better fishing is commensurate with the higher water temps. Shocker!
Currently roaming around the 44F mark. Should stall there for a while as we flirt with spring like weather for a couple days. Probably more BWO weather. Shucks.
The flows are in the 3860cfs ballpark and will stay no higher than that for a while. Check out the probable flows chart we will post tomorrow. Low man. May be a low water summer. Honest.
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Headhunters Fly Shop open daily with piping hot free perked coffee to get your day going. Shuttles, the best in flies, Missouri River info and free maps, gloves, hand warmers, sunscreen, bug dope, shit hot cool lookin’ HH Logo Wear including the street ready Craglandia line.
Open late for any post or apres fishing needs like new RIO Perception Fly Lines, demo rods, all sizes of SIMMS only wader made in the states G3’s, and you local lodging source.
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