October Caddis – HEADHUNTERS

November Missouri River Fly Fishing Forecast

October 31, 2017 by Mark Raisler

November Missouri River Fly Fishing Forecast We are looking forward to the month ahead. November is great fishing. Some of the best parts of the month include the lack of anglers around. Another highlight is the fish that like to rise. Yet another is the opportunity to have the river to yourselves. Another, the quiet-ness. … Read more

Hump Day Fishing Report Montana’s Missouri River

September 20, 2017 by Mark Raisler

Hump Day Fishing Report Montana’s Missouri River Lots of ways to skin the cat out there. Dry, dripper, nymphing, streamer fishing. Your choice. Swinging too. It is all on here in central Montana. You can nymph them up at pretty much whatever depth you like. Some are deep with split shot. Some are deep without … Read more

October, September, Missouri River Montana

September is upon us, October coming soon!

August 28, 2017 by Mark Raisler

September is upon us, October coming soon! Fall is on the way. Yep. But not before some more summer. Fall does not officially start until September and the Autumnal Solstice beginning the 4th week of this pivotal month. Water temperatures will be falling and the days will becoming shorter. We are looking forward to tearing … Read more

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.27.14

October 27, 2014October 27, 2014 by Mark Raisler

Today we are having the first cold weather in a decade. Or so it seems.

We have had themost pleasant fall that many can remember. Sunny and 70F. Standard for the 2014 season.

Today it changes. We command it to change. While this never works the timing of the storm could be the catalyst to get out true baetis out of its shell. Will it actually work? Golly, we hope so.

[forecast]

We have not truly gotten into the period of the year, most of the winter and spring, where the weather will dictate the day. We still have all of November and some of December to get through. The days of November can be so very pleasant. And, no people around.

Wide open dry fly flats…

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.27.14

Dry Fly Fishing

Dry fly fishing continues to be relatively limited throughout the day. If you are into posting up on classic sippers near the bank it has been somewhat limited. But you can go out and seek them out. Go first or go last. Those are the two methods to bank sipping success.

Or just have a better hatch. Really today could be the start. Let’s hope.

Blind dry fly fishing will get you a look or three per mile. Good enough to keep most paying attention. Caddis or a mayfly patterns can work. A skittering big orange caddis has been known to work this past week too. Yep, still.

Many would say that this October has seen the best blind October dry fly fishing in the past several years. Still going…

Streamer Fishing on the Missouri

Good to great depending not he reach, the angler, and the day. Good to great days have been heard and had by all.

The secret? Mostly slow stripping, or the pause. You can strip it fast too, but the fish have been interested in the pause. Or dead drift that SOB. Do it.

Smaller flies like baby sculpins, mini Sculpzillas, small black buggers, micro Zonkers, tiny leeches…or go big if that is your game.

The most popular of the fly lines include both he dry line or the 10′-15′ clear intermediate tips from RIO. We got them all int he shop if you need some help. Those truly savvy streamer dudes have a couple if not three streamer rods rigged. Just like those bass fellers. They have several rods at the ready. Why wouldn’t you?

Nymphing the Mo

Oh, it’s good. Use your normal fall or winter rig. It’ll work.

Missouri River Flows and Temperatures

4420cfs as of Sunday night and the water temps are below 54F. Dipping into the 53 range is good. Still warmer than normal. For sure. It will continue to dip as the week moves through. The flows should remain about the same for some time.

Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service

Open daily all winter long. 730am is when we arrive and we sill stay for your convenience til 7pm. The time change is nearing and we will go to an 8am start and 6pm finish as we move into November.

Tons of stuff still on sale. Rods, fly lines, flies, a few summer items, some fall stuff, a jacket or 3, a bundle of fly fishing accessories…something for everyone.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 9.20.14

September 20, 2014 by Mark Raisler

September and all is well. The river is not empty as we move through the 3rd busiest month of the year.

October is not as popular, but we suggest you may like it. Well only if you like streamer fishing and BWO’s.

As for this weekend on the river, Montana’s Missouri River, we can expect some decent fishing.

Are we setting records on the catch rates? No, not really. If you work hard you can get the job done and enjoy the day thoroughly. Fishing is not always about the catching. Sometimes it is, others not. The days have been so very wonderful as the daytime highs are just right for all day long comfort.

[forecast]

You like? Remember the big party tomorrow on the river, at Headhunters Fly Shop sponsored by Howler Bros Clothing right outta Austin Texas. Howlin’ on the Mo’! begins at 3pm with live music, food, swag, sales, and tons of your favorite fishing folks wandering around Craig and hanging at the shop for a spell.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 9.20.14

The dry fly fishing on any given day can be very good. A good bite on Caddis, some larger mayfly stuff like the Callibaetis and the tiny Anoka’s. Read this killer informational blog by John here about these Pseudo Anoka’s that can just drive us batty!

Blind fishing a big bug of your choosing can work as well. Adams, Caddis, attractors of you favorite flavor, Try it if you lile it. You certainly do not have to do as I suggest. You can nymph too.

We love the falling water temps as the BWO’s should come at some point. When? I actually think they should come earlier but they never seem to follow my plan, my dream. When they do come it is game on. Until then we will have to fill our afternoons with the bigger bugs like the October Caddis, I think John mentioned that if you wait too long…and the streamer bite can be quite good in the latter parts of September before the brown trout make their way towards sex, towards mating, towards spawning time.

Mike Jared — Mike with this nice brown trout fishing with HH Guide Jared Edens!

The entire river is fishing well and the weeds are not a problem. No complaints in the last couple weeks. Pretty light year for weeds anyway and we do not even consider them to be an issue. High line speed casts and some good casting can alleviate mush of the concern. Come into the shop and see where the pressure is and float somewhere else if you lie to get and stay away from other anglers. Some pressure here and there from bank anglers but they too are spread out nicely.

Nymphing is as good as the day will provide. Sometimes the bite is not as good as we like it to be so keep changing those flies. Try all the regular stuff like Czech Nymphs, Purple and Gold Weight Flies, Worms, Sows, some Firebead stuff and Crawdads up top with the selection towards the bottom of the rig patterns like Little Green Machines, Zebra’s, Peep Shows, Purple LB’s, Pearl LB’s, PT’s, Don King’s, Newman’s Own Midge, WD 40’s, Red Headed Step Child’s Juju BWO’s, Tungsten Redemption, and your killer home tied stuff.

Keep it fresh for all day success. If the fish eat the fly right out of the gate and then stop…you have to make the change. You have to dictate your catch rate. Those who wait for success, well…you know how this ends. Make your own destiny and fish hard!

Come on out and join us tomorrow at 3pm for food and music and such. Sale items include summer stuff, shirts, hats, SIMMS, Howler Bros, RIO, demo rods, cheap accessories. Also the new fall gear is in and moving too. Wool shirts, gloves, warm hats, hand warmers, coffee Thermos’, rain gear too.

Shop open daily @ 7am and open late til 8pm for all your Missouri River needs. Shuttles, BS, free info, free coffee…

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 9.13.14

September 13, 2014 by Mark Raisler

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report for this coming week including the weekend.

Warming up although it started out cool this morning throughout the week with air temps apparently moving into the low 90’s this week. Do we believe it? I guess so. While t is not the norm for September we don’t really expect anything different form this mystery month.

[forecast]

Until then we will enjoy the re-emergence of summer. Will we get a few more Trico’s before the Autumn fully sets in? Probably.

The Psuedo’s are out in force and we are getting the normal questions about how to catch them on top. The answer for most smart anglers is to move on down the river until you find tort that may entertain a dry fly. I will spend about 5 minutes on these mostly non eating fake fly fish. Do we care? We only care if they don’t eat our flies, and they commonly don’t. I have already spoken with several fellers that have invested hours on these fish. Are they eating on top? Sometimes. Sometimes they are eating just under the surface.

The nymphers are getting the job done with Purple Weight flies, Crawdads, Czech’s, big Tungsten PT’s, Hare’s Ears, October Caddis Pupa, Tan UV Czech’s, Juju BWO, Red Headed Step Children, Grape Slushy, Two Bit Hooker, Magic Fly BWO, Angel Hair PT’s, Purple Hot Spot PT’s, Gold Weight Flies…

The dry fly guys that are doing well are blind fishing bigger junk like the Hopper still, ants, beetles, Stimi’s, October Caddis dries, giant Adams and the like. Why not blind a few out there. Can’t hurt right?

Streamer fans are starting to froth at the mouth as we near the month of October. It will come. Headhunters has the best selection of Streamer Flies int he county. Fer sure dudes.

Rental Boats from Adipose and guides from Headhunters will get you through the week. Just had a big group right outta Great Falls here this weekend and they had a ball. Some went down river ad got them on the dry. The others went up river and got them on he nymph. Where will you go?

Headhunters open daily @ 7am and open late til 8pm. All kinds of fall clothing in the shop. Is it time for new waders this fall. Toss those leaky ones in the trash and get into a dry GoreTex set for the fall and winter. We can help. Rian gear and warm stuff too. Hats and gloves for all seasons. See you here this months and certainly in October!

Missouri River & Blackfoot River Fishing Reports 9.6.14

September 6, 2014 by Mark Raisler

Both rivers fishing well. Why wouldn’t they? We are heading into one of our favorite seasons. Maybe our favorite? Yours?

The weather is fading into a perfect fall pattern with daytime highs in Craig in the 70’s while across the divide the daytime highs are more like 60’s and low 70’s. Nightime lows will and have brought frost to the boat seats and the brush and trees are starting to show the colors of fall.

[forecast]

Missouri River Fishing Report 9.6.14

Nymphing is the star of this month. Most are up at the dam just whacking the trout. Good to great catch rates if you are into rowing around in circles. Many love this deal and it sure is fun. The best time of the year to engage in circus like fishing behaviors and we can facilitate this kind of day if you wish. It really is its. Rowing around with lots and lots of fish on. Jumping, running, laughing, landing. All can be had at the dam in late August and early September. Stop in for hints of dam success.

If you like fewer folks around and less of a circus scene, fish anywhere else. Wolf Creek, Craig, Stickney, and even to the lower reach. It too has been very busy so check out the traffic levels at your local fly shop before heading out in the morning.

Callibaetis, Psuedo’s, and OCtober Caddis can bring some attention to the surface oriented trout. Ants, beetles, and any attractor that you are comfortable with including hoppers can get your blood pressure higher with spectacular takes and super secret sucking takes too.

The streamer fans are getting a few looks fishing up to too. Not as many weeds, although they are quite tame this year, on the upper sections of river. with the sun high in the sky the flashy stuff that we love can be the key. Skiddish Smolts, R2R’s/Coffey’s Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex’s and the like are lighting it up. Time to get a new streamer line on that streamer rod too. Come in for the best streamer line selection on the Missouri River. We have 10+ models to choose from. RIO, Wulff, Airflo, Orvis all in stock and deep. To get you to the fish!

Fall lodging is filling. Look up your perfect property here on our Craiglodging.com website. The preferred properties include Craig Trout Camp with cabins right here in Craig. Check them out too on the loading site. Get your guided trip here with our outstanding full time guide staff. Get a guide for a couple days, wade fish a couple days, and rent an Adipose Driftboat too!

Missouri River & Blackfoot River Fishing Report — A nice place to be in the morning. Nice sky too.

Blackfoot River Fishing Report 9.6.14

A really nice tome to experience the Blackfoot River. Fishing here not eh Mo for more than a couple days? Try out the Blackfoot with one of our guides. They love it too. Fall colors come earlier as the temps not he wet side of the divide cool earlier int he fall. Near freezing air temps many mornings make this a great late morning and afternoon fishery perfectly designed for the angler heading over the hill.

October Caddis are available to the fish as well as hoppers, Hecuba’s the fall drake, some smaller mayflies, and a few other unidentifiable insects are out too. Crips and duns should entice some killer Cutthroat. As always the streamer fishing can be really good if you are willing to put in the effort. Not a terrible idea to bring 3 rods to the Blackfoot. While we love heading over to this ridiculously beautiful river for the change of pace we almost always defer to the dry fly. Why not. The Missouri provides technical fishing and while the Blackfoot can be techy we love tossing the larger dry flies. The Hecuba is one of those flies that will excite you and the trout.

Hoppers, Caddis, attractor dries, streamers, ants,a dn your terrestrial of choice can get you through the next month. September is quite possibly the best shot on this famed freestone.

We love the fall and it is coming here in September this year. The shop open daily @ 7am and til about 8pm. See you this fall in Craig.