[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Swing Season” is just around the corner, and we’ve even been out doing some prospecting with our ultra-light Spey Rods already. While we’re still in the middle of dry fly season, we’re starting to get some tackle questions revolving around Trout Spey gear for the fall. The biggest rod announcement of the season is the … Read more
Squeeky’s Techy Dry Fly Set-Up Rod: Sage X 9′ 5 weight. This is a sharpshooter rod. Quick, fast, hyper-accurate. Light in the hand and love casting it. Fly Line: RIO InTouch GOLD. Went back to the GOLD when the InTouch no stretch lines were introduced. Awesome! Leader: RIO Powerflex Plus 12′ 4X. Tippet: RIO Powerflex … Read more
Trout Spey Rigs: Braden Today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog we have Braden’s Trout Spey Rig. We thought it would be helpful if we outlined what we use here on the Missouri River during the Swing Season. Braden, and the majority of the HH Gang, swings a fly all winter long. Starting in the … Read more
The Three Kings from Loomis, Sage, Orvis We have them all here in Craig Montana at Headhunters Fly Shop. The Three Kings from the best of the best. Loomis just introduced the Asquith recently. Lots of buzz about this rod. Crisp lightening fast action that you might fall in love with. And it is black. … Read more
Friday Foto and River News Not quite sure what to make of this yet. After you think you have seen it all the Knotted Nymph pops up. Rumors for the last week and now it seems… Down river at the Doll House for those of you who are in the know. The Knotted Nymph is … Read more
The Sage PULSE video featuring Mark from Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig Montana.
Come in and test one out if you wish. We love both the Sage PULSE 590-4 and the 690-4. Perfect rods for the Missouri River or your river.
Graphite IIIe will remind you of your favorite rod. Why not make new memories with a new Sage PULSE.
Headhunters is the place for your next fly fishing visit. The fly shop has all you need for the Missouri River and beyond. One stop lodging, guiding, rental boats, Sage fly rods, including the most contemporary fly selection in Montana.
Enjoy the Sage PULSE Video today on the Headhunters Blog.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/162552341″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Sage MOD Rod Review A short Sage MOD Rod Review today from the Missouri River. The latest rod introductions from Sage include the MOD, BOLT, and the PULSE. The PULSE has been the sales winner for us at Headhunters. A couple reasons for that fact. Mid priced and reminiscent of the the Sage XP. … Read more
The number of good runs for winter fishing here on the Missouri River is what makes us feel fortunate to be here during the several cold and snowy months.
Great runs for winter swinging. The Missouri is full of them. A a fun time to be here because you really get your choice of them. Left and right banks provide you so much water that you will not get tired of this river. We never tire of the MO.
But we are trapped here. All winter long. Hence the two handed rod. An effective tool.
While dreaming of warmer climates we simply return to the Mother Missouri.
The fish are moving into the winter trout lies. Slower and lower. Softer and shallower too. The boring water. They are moving that way.
The fish in this last week had changed location from the previous week. 2 weeks ago the fish would get on the bite early in the swing. In the faster riffle water. And they would take it hard.
I saw less of that behavior this last week. The fish have been eating it for me in the latter half of the swing. Towards the bottom. On the dangle. Twitching it or short strips enticed a few fish to eat.
The twitch or jig was working well. Most of the fish ate it not on the swing, but when I was imparting action to the streamer. Or just after the strip on the pause. But nevertheless becoming involved with your drift is important.
A local fish philosopher once said…
You can either let it happen, or make it happen.
Choose the latter.
The great thing about fishing is that you get to choose how you do it. Every angler is different and has different ideas of how to get that damn trout to bite the hook. You can dictate your destiny. You getta choose the outcome. You get a seat at the spey retrieval table. Check out the video by Scumliner Media McCune Retrieval Techniques blog that precedes this post for more on this topic.
Skagit or Scandi? Flies too.
Flies for the swinger the past couple weeks include some of the streamer all-stars for all river systems. Including the Missouri River in that equation the flies we love include smaller lighter buggers. Those tossing a Skagit line have been using an Intermediate tip or a MOW tip with an un-weighted bugger. Black and olive have been the favorites.
Montana’s best Trout Spey selection here in Craig Montana @ Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service
Have not heard of Skagit fellers adding the bigger deeper tips. But they may be. It is so skinny most everywhere that many Skagit anglers are using dry tips as well. Or the lighter set for the water level of 3300 cfs. No weeds to contend with. The not as weedy season has rewarded us with a not so weedy fall and early winter.
Those throwing the sleek Scandi lines have been using the beaded Bugger. Lighter floating tips encourage a bit of weight in the pattern.
Clousers, buggers, R2R, a couple flavors of the ever popular Kreelex, leeches of all kinds, sculpin patters, the slender Marabou Clousers, Skiddish Smolts in trad., brown, and olive..and more.
Trout Spey Rod & Line DEMO’s. Best Trout Spey selection in Montana.
Remember that Headhunters has demo spey lines for you to try before you buy. Also remember that we stock all things Skagit starting @ RIO Skagit Trout Max 200gr and OPST Skagit 175 gr. on up to the 6, 7 and 8weight spey rods. We have the Scandi selections that nobody else has in Montana. We have the lighter spey and switch lines from Airflo, RIO, OPST, and SA.
Backing, running lines of all types, leaders and tippets too. We are the Trout Spey HQ in Montana.
Rods from Orvis, SAGE, Echo, and more here available for DEMO daily.
November and December ahead…
We are just beginning our Swing Season. Pretty good so far. Much better than the not-so-great fall dry fly bite. The stripping streamer bite was hit and miss too. So as we move out of the unbelievable late fall/early winter nymph mania we are encouraged the the November swinging success stories.
December is traditionally a great Trout Spey month. Our clinics get under way, the river is devoid of any sane anglers, and the fish seem to be amenable to the twitchy trout swinging syndrome.
Come by and see us if you are interested, have any questions, want to sniff around a shop that digs the winter action, are lonely, need a pick me up, or got lost coming home from Bozeman and need to spend a long weekend in Craig MT.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Second look at the SAGE Pulse. One of the newest SAGE fly rods to come out the Autumn of ’15.
At Headhunters Fly Shop and across the industry this rod has come out of the gate strong.
Well received this easy caster and understandably efficient fish fighter is a great rod for the Missouri River. On a river where we can all agree that the proper fishing behaviors should result in actually catching the fish the SAGE Pulse is the All Around Winner.
A number of rods have found their way out the front door and the clear HH Staff Choice coming into the fall leads us to believe that the Pulse may be around for awhile. And why not.
Great for dries, nymphs or streamers!
The buzz around this rod starts with the easy feel in hand. It just feels right, right out of the tube. The second thing you notice is the ease of casting. Made of legendary Graphite IIIe the SAGE Pulse feels like it was made for your casting stroke. Yes, designed specifically for you.
I know that is a reach but the forgiving nature of the Pulse allows you to become intimate with this rod immediately. The third reason the Pulse is becoming a fan favorite is the number of fly lines that it will accommodate. The RIO Gold, Perception, and Grand all match up well with this rod. The RIO LT while not for everyone is a neat line to for the lighter rod wts. like the 3 and 4wts.
The SAGE Pulse is not one of those rods made for one narrowly defined fly fishing task. There are rods that are great for the streamer junkie and rods that are fantastic for the dry fly angler. There are even rods made with only the nympher in mind. But it has become a rare occasion when a rod is introduced that is comfortable achieving all 3 fly fishing disciples.
Introducing the SAGE Pulse. A fly rod that solves many of the fly fishing mysteries.
Feel connected with the Pulse in your hand. The 5 and 6 wts. for fishing the Missouri River are perfect. Whichever discipline whether it be nymphing, dry fly fishing, or stripping streamers you will not be under tooled.
A good bend in the Pulse with a Missouri River dry fly fish
The RIO Xtreme Indicator line turns the Pulse into a nymphing super rod. Easy casting and effortless mending ability you will be pleased with the effectiveness of the SAGE Pulse. The RIO InTouch Gold will make precise tight-looped casts to our often finicky Missouri River sipping Brown Trout. Put a spool of the RIO Grand through the guides and you have a hopper tosser that will rival any more expensive rod. Then turn around and fix up a double articulated streamer and go to work son.
Is the SAGE Pulse for you? Only you can make that decision. If you think you may be interested stop by the shop to demo either the 5 or 6 weight or both!
John Arnold once said in reference to Spey Rods that he used to carry several rods to the river…then he realized that he oughtta just carry one workhorse spey rod. You could say the same for the SAGE Pulse. Why carry a quiver of fly rods when you can carry only one. The SAGE Pulse is the hidden jewel of the current SAGE rod line.
I believe that this would make a great first rod for any angler. Certainly one that wants to enjoy the fly fishing game. A do all end all be all fly rod for those who want a rod that does it all. A fly rod that you will make memories with. A rod that will stand the test of time. It just feels right.
I also have always said one of the Missouri River assets is that it is a fishery for all skill sets. Whether you are a first time angler or one of those fella’s who fishes 100+ days/year…the Mo has challenges for all who attend. The Pulse matches up perfectly alongside this statement. A rod for all situations and experience levels.
Coming in at an-uncommon price point of $450 the Pulse will not break the bank. Match it up with a cool fly reel and the RIO line of your choice and you are off to the river. Stop in and try the SAGE Pulse when in Craig.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It seems like everyone is Jonesing to Spey. We still have several weeks of great dry fly and streamer action left! You’ll still be in shirt sleeves 6 weeks from now! But anglers are coming by, asking for the “swing” report, talking new gear and debating trout vs. birds vs. a quick run over to the Clearwater. So here we go…
SAGE ONE TROUTSPEY IN STOCK
The eagerly awaited for Sage ONE Troutspey is now in stock at Headhunters. Took long enough. A few are already spoken for, and a couple will immediately go into the demo fleet so you can take them out and see what all the fuss is about. Lots of folks coming by the shop and asking about these new ultra-light spey rods. Try or buy, you will like them either way.
We do have them on our online store, so if you don’t want to risk missing out on one, press “Buy”! If you hate it, we will work something out to get you into the right rod, or make a partial refund. I expect these to go relatively quickly, and I’m not sure what the backstroke will be like at Sage.
Troutspey Day #1
Spent Sunday on the river with local trout bum John Heckert, swinging the two-hander down around Cascade. John has been teetering on the edge of the Spey Canyon for a while. He fell in at our Labor Day sale when Ninch and Sara hooked him up with a used demo Echo Glass Spey rod. He does a lot of wade streamer fishing, so it only made sense.
This was John’s first time with a spey rod. We had an excellent instructional day, hitting both banks multiple times and adjusting our casts to the ever changing breeze. Perfect day to be out on the water.
The fishing? Meh. But we did tangle with a few fish. My first spey trout of the fall, and that’s nice. Still a bit early, and the lure of rising fish tempted us to break out the single handers a few times. If you do go, i would go really early and hit some of the long beaches. Swing it way in shallow until the sun hits the water. When there are lots of bugs available, the fish will ignore your swung fly.
Spending the day watching John adapt to a new style reminded me what a great rod the Echo Glass Spy & Switch series is. Really forgiving, but with tons of power and speed if you want it. The only negative that we’ve ever heard regard the weight in your hand. Not terrible, but definitely heavier than graphite.
Still too early
Yes, like I said it’s still bit early and I didn’t really expect the swinging to be phenomenal. But in a month or so, things will relay start to turn on. By Thanksgiving we will be hitting the peak of swing season. Hold your horses! You’ll have to deal with rising fish and incredible nymph for a while yet.[/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][us_image image=”14438″ onclick=”lightbox”][vc_column_text]John Heckert concentrating during his first day with a spey rod. You can tell John is concentrating because he has his tongue out. Like this guy…[/vc_column_text][us_image image=”14439″ size=”medium” align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_grid post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” columns=”4″ items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=”” ids=”14423″][us_grid post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” columns=”4″ items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=”” ids=”8949″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]When you grow up in the West and fly fishing is part of your life, nothing feels much more natural in your hand than a 9′ 5 or 6 weight fly rod. Except maybe a beer. And I have two hands so both feel great.
But if you grown up in Smithers, BC, it’s probably a 14′ 9 weight two-hander. And if you grew up on Big Pine Key (the Isle of Misfits), a 9′ 12 weight Tarpon stick feels as natural in your hand as rusty bicycle handlebars.
Where am I going? In my opinion the biggest challenge trout anglers face when fishing the flats is the change in gear. It’s not the hook-set, not spotting the fish, standing higher over the water, longer casts or guides screaming at you. It’s the unfamiliar feeling of that broomstick action 10 to 12 weight in your hand.
You may be a great trout caster, but the first time you step on the bow of a skiff with a powerful Tarpon rod, you are probably going to display some suckiness. And it’s because that rod just doesn’t feel natural. Not even close.
I do a bit of Saltwater fishing, and it still doesn’t feel ‘natural’ for me to hold a rod over 8 or maybe 9 weight. I can do it, but I have to rewire my brain for a few minutes each morning. And after lunch. I find myself ‘thinking’ about the cast while executing it, something I do not do while trout or Steelhead fishing.
On my most recent trip to the Florida Keys, Julie and I took a pair of new Sage SALT rods. A 9′ #9 for the Permit we didn’t catch, and a 9′ #11 for Tarpon we did. (For techies, the #9 was lined with an Airflow Bruce Chard Tropical Punch, and the #11 with the new RIO Tarpon Quickshooter. Both were great.)
I had cast the SALT a few times on the grass, and last year at it’s introduction at the Fly Tackle Dealer Show. It felt incredible. Fast, light, forgiving. Cast close and far with equal prowess. All of those adjectives you read on every rod review ever written. But there was something a bit different. Something familiar.
But it wasn’t until we got out on the water that I realized that while it did not feel like a Sage ONE 5 weight, it definitely felt way more like a ‘fly rod’ than any other fast-action saltwater rod I had ever cast. Still foreign, yet somehow comfortable. Like Canada.
I noticed that Julie – who typically struggles a little with Tarpon rods – really didn’t have to adjust too much. She wasn’t launching perfect casts 90 feet into the wind, but she was getting it there at regular fishing distances. And she seemed to be concentrating on the placement and retrieve of the fly, more than trying to load up that rod. And that’s when you’re fishing.
The 9 weight really fished like an 8, which starts to get into that ‘familiar’ zone if you’re a trout fisherman. No problem getting it to load up and cast accurately.
It’s actually pretty easy to make a saltwater rod that everyone can cast. Just make it a noodle that loads with no effort, right? It’s been done before (Biix), and we actually had a very slow Epic fiberglass #10 with us as well (the Bandit, which was not designed for Tarpon fishing, but was a blast to fish with). Super easy to cast and quickly put it right on the spot. So why not use something like this?
Because it turns the already difficult battle with a Tarpon into an apocalyptic event. You can fight them well enough with a softer rod at the beginning of the fight. But as the battle turns from watching him run into bringing him in, things become problematic. You can’t turn the fish, and that last 30 feet to the boat is nearly impossible. And the fight is going to last longer because turning a fish can be tough.
Make an already long fight longer (twice as long?) and you might not be so happy. I know this because I watched Julie battle a 65 pounder for half an hour. We had it close enough to the boat to jump on for 15 of those minutes.
So, back to the SALT. It felt more ‘natural’ to me, and made it easier to transition from casting BWO dries on the Missouri one day, to throwing a large Tarpon Bunny west of Key West the next. It still had plenty of power to fight large Tarpon with, however, and that is very important to me (and most Keys guides, I’m certain). Really a perfect balance of easy (for the salt) casting and lifting power.
Highly recommended for trout nerds like us.[vc_icon color=”text” size=”xs” link=”” external=”0″ icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-star”][/vc_column_text][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][us_image image=”12253″ size=”full” link=”” onclick=”lightbox”][us_separator show_line=”1″ line_width=”default”][vc_column_text]Cool image of Julie all bent up with the Swift Epic “Bandit”, and 7′ 9″ 10 weight. Tough to get a Tarpon to the boat with a rod that unforgiving. Swift has recently announced the Epic “Boca Grande” 12 weight, which unlike the Bandit was designed for Tarpon fishing. Should be great![/vc_column_text][us_grid post_type=”ids” no_items_message=”” columns=”4″ items_layout=”shop_trendy” items_gap=”” ids=”8052″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[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.
You folks know we are enamored with the SAGE Method series.
Ultra fast action rods that are perfect for those who like a red big stick with power.
While we love the 5 and 6 weights for summer dry fly and nymphing action we have become pretty excited about the SAGE Method 2 handed rods. We have a number in stock and a pile of SAGE Method Demo’s too. Feel free to stop on by with questions about any of the SAGE models and specifically the Method.
We’ve got better than a half dozen for you to try. Or try the 2 handers at one of our Free 2 Handed Spey and Fishing Clinics. The Saturday session is full but feel free to get on board February 7th and March 7th. Book your slot today.
But stop in anytime at the Missouri River SAGE demo center.
Pretty good stuff from our friends over at Strike Foundry. The new video was shot in October while the Strike Foundry gang led by Marko Baxter came out and shot some video for Strike Foundry Indicators.
Fun group of fellows and they were not afraid of a good time.
Super cool drone footage too.
Thanks again Marko for including us in your Missouri River video!
Brian O’Keefe said it was the best rod at the show. The best rod he had ever cast.
Generally whatever Brian O. of Catch Magazine says about fly rods, if you have seen him cast you would know, we tend to agree with.
John brought in the SAGE Salt based on two things. B.O.’s comment and John’s belief that you will agree.
Get a SAGE Salt for you upcoming saltwater trip to the Keys, the Seychelles, the Bahamas, the Biloxi Marsh, the Delta, the Vineyard…you may want a tool as good feeling and precise as the SAGE Salt.
It’s fun to cast too.
Come in and try one out after wandering Montana’s Missouri River.
