Mark Raisler, Author at Headhunters Fly Shop

Birds

Eagle, friday foto, Image

Friday Foto Spring Eagle Image On the upper Thursday. Not too many floating around from WC down. They must have been int he canyon, the plug of spring boats. A few waders snuggling to find water as well. IT’s gonna…

Dearborn Boat Ramp Work

April 26, 2018

boat ramp, d, Dearborn

Dearborn Boat Ramp Work Some work going on at the only county owned boat ramp on our river. This Wednesday at noon-ish. Will update tomorrow or tonight when we see what has happened. We believe that it is already finished…

New Breed Chicks Rule Spring Edition

April 25, 2018

New Breed Chicks Rule Spring Edition

New Breed Chicks

New Breed Chicks Rule Spring Edition Erin with this beauty yesterday morning. She was fishing with her friend and confidant Annie both of Helena Montana. In the high(er) water? Yep. We love fishing with women here at Headhunters Fly Shop.…

Here we go to 9K! Plus a Safety Conversation

April 24, 2018

2018, Here we go to 9K!, Holter Dam, Spring water flows

Here we go to 9K! Plus a Safety Conversation SWE is still blue on the map above. Warm weather all week long. Will it start coming off? The snow? We’ll witness it here on the ground and report back to…

How to Capitalize on Spring Time Fishing Flows

April 23, 2018

Fly Fishing Technique

Higher Flows, Spring flows, water

How to Capitalize on Spring Time Fishing Flows Guide Eric Mondragon landing a trout with his dog TD in 2011 in the image above. Our last high water year. 2011 was big like 1997. Look at the Russian Olive trees…

Silly Sunday Scenery Blackfoot River Off Color

April 22, 2018

Silly Sunday Scenery Blackfoot River Off Color Westside rivers are all out of shape. Maybe not today, not tomorrow, but this spring for sure. They have a bunch of snow lying in wait, in those hills, in those mountains. Lots.…

Marmot Saturday Wildlife

April 21, 2018

& Wildlife

Marmot Saturday Wildlife

Marmot Saturday Wildlife Sunny. Warm. Windy. This Marmot sunning himself Saturday late morning. The water is rising again on Monday. It is getting higher. Enjoy your weekend. Warm weather this coming week too. What will the snow pack do? We’ll…

Friday Foto The tide is rising

April 20, 2018

The tide is rising

Friday Foto The tide is rising Came up to 8480cfs yesterday. More coming on Monday. This wekend’s weather is gonna be warm! Calm today Friday and super windy Saturday. Decent Sunday. Rain and wind Monday. But no snow in the…

5 Ways to Skin the Spring Cat!

April 19, 2018

Cat, Spring

5 Ways to Skin the Spring Cat! Kinda been off and on out there. Some days better than others, but the theme could be described as not all that consistent. Waters rising off and on, mostly in this last month…

Still some snow in the hills!

April 18, 2018

Still some snow in the hills! In the mountains too. Pooled up water everywhere here and there. I drove back from Kalispell today and witnessed winter. Yep, still alive and well on the westside of the divide. The image near…

Monday Morning Missouri River Fishing Report

Monday Morning Missouri River Water Update & Fishing Report

April 16, 2018

Higher Flows, missouri river, Monday Morning Missouri River Fishing Report, Run Off, Spring

Monday Morning Missouri River Water Update & Fishing Report Montana’s Missouri River Water Update Yes indeed Mother Mo is treating us to above average water this spring. High? No. That is the question we and every other fly fishing professional…

The snow is gone…for a short while

April 15, 2018

The snow is gone…for a short while It came, it went. It’ll come again on Monday, then again later in the coming week. It was so very pretty Friday morning. A cleansing of the dirty snow and dust and mud…

Friday Foto No Snow Please!

April 13, 2018

Friday Foto No Snow Please!

Friday Foto No Snow Please! OK. Bring it. Spring will have to wait. Sometimes spring comes to us in the form of snow, or sleet. Warmer today. But yesterday snowing, 39F, blowing 10+ from the North. Ohhh, that is cold.

Osprey Sunset

April 12, 2018

Osprey Sunset

Osprey Sunset YEs, the Osprey have arrived. Last week sometime. I was away so I don’t know the exact date that our local fish hawks flew into town. Historically on the 30th, or 31st. I think they were a couple…

Missouri River April Tuesday Fishing Report

April 10, 2018

Missouri River April Tuesday Fishing Report

Missouri River April Tuesday Fishing Report Warmer weather today, yesterday, and tomorrow. We dig it. Nymphing not too bad. I found it a bit difficult yesterday. And the fish are moving around a bit with the unsettled water. Today up…

Summer Foreshadowing

April 9, 2018

Bugs, Headhunters Life

Summer Foreshadowing Looking at the end of winter today? Maybe. Before we get to thinking about summer we have to get ourselves into spring. And that may happen this month? We sure hope so. A couple days of 60’s but…

Brown Trout Like Snow!

April 8, 2018

Brown Trout, Snow, Spring

Brown Trout Like Snow! Guide Shane Wilson and this fishy feller got on top of the heap Saturday while snowing and cold on the Mighty Mo. Good to great fishing on a daily clip. Midges? Sometimes. Gotta go to know.…

Silly Saturday Scenery Wishing for Summer Edition

April 7, 2018

Discounted Lodging, Spring, Spring Special, Summer where are you?

Silly Saturday Scenery Wishing for Summer Edition Snow on the ground today. Gone tomorrow? Maybe locally. We are looking at warmer temps for the coming week with daily air temps breaking the 60F mark. On the horizon are BWO’s. They…

Single Handed Spey Video

April 5, 2018

Fly Fishing Video, Troutspey

RIO, Simon Gawesworth, Single Handed Lines, spey, Trout Spey, video

Single Handed Spey Video w/ Simon Gawesworth of RIO Today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog we bring you this fantastic video with Spey Casting Guru Simon Gawesworth of RIO Products. We get lots of questions about this newer style…

Today is our 10th Anniversary

April 4, 2018

Headhunters 10th

Today is our 10th Anniversary John, Julie, and Mark thank you deeply for supporting us through the first 10 years. Today is our 10th Anniversary. April 4th 2008 is when we opened our doors for the first time. A great…

Top 10 Missouri River Spring Time Dry Flies

April 3, 2018

Bugs, Fishing Report

DFO, Dry Flies, HH Fly Shop, Spirng, Top 10

Top 10 Missouri River Spring Time Dry Flies Here they are. The flies we like for spring time dry fly action Missouri River style The dry fly fishing has been sporadic as of late. You can bump into comments of…

Headhunters Spring Special thru April 30th!

April 2, 2018

Brown Trout, Cheap Lodging, craig trout camp, CraigLodging.com, Spring Special

Headhunters Spring Special thru April 30th! Our annual discounted guide trips and local Craig lodging have become quite popular. If we believe Oscar Wilde and his quote, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”…

Silly Sunday Scenery April Fools Edition

April 1, 2018

Headhunters Life, Landscape

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery Winter does not want to relinquish its grasp. So we must fantasize about warmer, longer, dry fly days ahead. Check out the family out wandering this Trico spinner fall flat just under the dam in late July.…

Friday Foto TAKF

March 30, 2018

Future Fly Fishers

Kelley, Laser, Mentorship, Outdoor Education, TAKF

Friday Foto TAKF Think about fishing with your kids this year. You should fish more often with your kids. Or go outside with them. Even if you have to drag them out. Take a Kid Fishing this year. Plan it…

Squeeky’s Missouri River Sow and Scud Box

March 29, 2018

Fly Boxes, Nymphs, Scuds, Sows, Squeaky Oar Lock

Squeeky’s Missouri River Sow and Scud Box Full of heavy, kinky sow bug and scud flies. Lots of them. I think I am stocked for the spring ahead. We may have higher than normal water so I am prepared to…

Missouri River Hump Day Image

March 28, 2018

Headhunters Life, Landscape

Missouri River Hump Day Image

Missouri River Hump Day Image Awful nice here on the river. Sun is out, snow in the hills, and spring on some days has sprung. Status quo this time of year. Guide trips, streamer reports, fly line sales, excitement, is…

Late March Missouri River Fly Fishing Report

March 27, 2018

Dries, MArch, Nymphs, Streamers, Trout Spey, Water LEvel, winter

Late March Missouri River Fly Fishing Report Water flows are above 6K coming out of the dam at 6230 currently. Then add a couple hundred at the Prickly Pear, the Dearborn, the Sheep Creep, Wagner, Prewitt, Stickney and you have…

Aguas de Marco Elis Regina

March 26, 2018

Aguas de Marco Elis Regina

Aguas de Marco Elis Regina Waters of March. That is where we are at. Higher at 6.7K cfs and the fish have spread out a bit. Certainly tougher to find. Smaller sweet spots. Streamer anglers have been finding a few…

Izaak’s of Craig For Sale

March 25, 2018

Un-Fishing

Izaaks

Izaak’s of Craig For Sale Izaak’s opening April 5th! Thursday thru Sundays for a few weeks to start with 4-9pm! Awesome. We can’t wait until se can saddle up to the bar and enjoy fantastic BBQ and more! New items…

Silly Saturday Scenery Muddy Dearborn River Edition

March 24, 2018

Silly Saturday Scenery

Silly Saturday Scenery The Dearborn is a bit blown. IT is not as high as it was at the front end of the week, but she is pushing some mud at a volume of nearly 200cfs. 2011 showed us 5K…

First Friday of Spring Foto

March 22, 2018

friday foto, Spring

First Friday of Spring Foto Fishing is quite good for late March. I think the scale tipped the other way not eh first day of spring. The fishing will get better everyday thru July 5th. Easier I mean. After July…

Hump Day on the Mo

March 21, 2018

Hump Day on the Mo, Spring

Welcome Spring! Hump Day on the Mo The new South Fork Skiff at rest. You can order yourself up one at Adipose Boatworks of Helena. Enjoyed fishing in this last week with Shane of HH and Justin of Adipose. A…

5 Things you don’t want to find in your Drift Boat

March 20, 2018

5 Things you don't want to find in your Drift Boat

5 Things you don’t want to find in your Drift Boat A few items you hope you do not find in your drift boat today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog. Spring starts tomorrow. It is happening, it will. I…

Missouri River Trout Spey Spring Swing Report

March 19, 2018

Fishing Report, Troutspey

Demo Rods, Headhunters Fly Shop, spey, Swing, Trout Spey, Two Handed

Missouri River Trout Spey Spring Swing Report In one word. Good. Some days great. The fish do make the ultimate decision. Fished with Ninch and our Sage rep Thursday and Ninth put on a show. Outfishing Kurt and I by…

Silly Sunday Scenery Spring Edition

March 18, 2018

Silly Sunday Scenery Spring Edition

Silly Sunday Scenery Spring Edition Swing up a couple trout in the tail end of JackPot Slot. A good Trout Spey Bite on Friday! Plan your spring trip to the Mo today. Don’t let another spring slip away?! Happy Sunday.…

Dead Drifter on a Hoody

March 17, 2018

Dead Drifter on a Hoody

Dead Drifter on a Hoody Our most popular Hoody with the Headhunters Dead Drifter art is back. Come by while supplies last. These really do go fast! Happy Friday. The weekend looks good for fishing. Swing on by and fill…

YNP Bans Felt Soles

March 15, 2018

Conservation

Yellowstone Nat'l Park

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY –Aquatic invasive species (AIS) could have devastating ecological, economic, and recreational impacts on Yellowstone National Park. They are costly to manage and extremely difficult to eradicate. Due to the urgent need to prevent these destructive species…

Spring Training in Montana

March 14, 2018

dry fly, Spring Training in Montana, video

Fly Fishing Video

Spring Training in Montana Tomorrow starts the Spring Special here at Headhunters of Craig. Cheap guide trips and cheap lodging. Yes it is coming, Spring we mean. Warm out all week and snow tomorrow. April is the big push for…

Missouri River Tuesday Fishing Report

March 13, 2018

Missouri River Tuesday Fishing Report

Missouri River Tuesday Fishing Report The mercury tipping ht escapes at 62F today. The warmest day since the middle of November? October? Sure was nice. Same weather tomorrow and then headed into a stormy period Thursday and Friday with up…

“Hatred for guides overtaken by Massive Pink Flamingo Floaty”

March 12, 2018

"Hatred for guides overtaken by Massive Pink Flamingo Floaty"

“Hatred for guides overtaken by Massive Pink Flamingo Floaty” Saw a few of these craft hanging from the Sam’s Club roof today. The first thing I thought of was “Hatred for guides overtaken by Massive Pink Flamingo Floaty”. Although the hatred…

Silly Sunday Scenery

March 11, 2018

Headhunters Life, Landscape

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery Blackfoot River Sunday morning. Image shot from Scotty Brown Bridge. Temperature 13F. Still winter on the westside too. But, air temps in Craig 47F today. Getting warmer all week long reaching the low 50’s. A couple dozen…

MountainFilm in Great Falls March 20, Helena March 21

March 10, 2018

MountainFilm in Great Falls March 20

MountainFilm in Great Falls March 20, Helena March 21 Coming to Great Falls March 20th at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center supporting the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation. Coming to Helena at the Myna Loy on the 21st. Back to…

Friday Foto Near Spring Edition

March 9, 2018

Friday Foto Near Spring Edition

Friday Foto Near Spring Edition Nearing spring but ‘ol man winter still has a seat at the table. Lots of anglers over here for the weekend nymphing, swinging, and searching for some rising midge trout. It is all out there…

Spots available in March SPEY CASTING Madness Women’s Session

March 8, 2018

Beth Langell, Education, Instruction, Intro Class, March SPEY CASTING Madness, Sara Roholt, Spey Casting, Trout Spey, Whitney Gould, Women Only

Spots available in March SPEY CASTING Madness Women’s Session Still spots open for the March 24 session. This Introduction to Women’s Spey Casting is presented by Whitney Gould, Sara Roholt, and Beth Langell. An all day affair filled with laughter,…

Top 5 Flies for Swingers

March 7, 2018

patterns, Swingers, Trout Spey

Top 5 Flies for Swingers The weather if fishable. So anglers are fishing. And asking what to swing for flies out there. And we have not only the flies at your Trout Spey fly shop we have the knowledge too!…

Taking today off…

March 6, 2018

Un-Fishing

Taking today off...

Taking today off… Everybody needs a day off. Even us. Today is one of those days…

The minutiae of fly fishing

March 5, 2018

Fly Fishing, The minutiae of fly fishing

The minutiae of fly fishing The last thing I thought of while sorting tiny sz. 22 beats duns was the minutiae of fly fishing. Trying to fool a silly trout with a size 22 beats dun on the end of…

Tying one on

March 3, 2018

Tying one on Snow all weekend long. Snowed pretty hard last night. Why not, after our snowiest February in history we ay as well continue the theme for another month. Shane this last week tying on another trout spey fly.…

Friday Foto March 2nd Edition

March 2, 2018

friday foto

Friday Foto March 2nd Edition Great fishing this last week. Good bite on all three disciplines. Midges coming off daily. The fish like the swing w/ olive flavored flies tied from the end. Nymphers are rejoicing. Thankfully March has arrived.…

Missouri River Weekend Nymphing Report

March 1, 2018

Missouri River Weekend Nymphing Report

Missouri River Weekend Nymphing Report plus Midge Update Just the facts for this short Missouri River Weekend Nymphing Report. Fish the soft inside stuff. Most of the fish are stacked in that type of water. Although a few in one…

Important Dates this Spring

February 28, 2018

Craig Caddis Festival, Dates, Hatches, Summer

Important Dates this Spring Turn the calendar to March, tomorrow. Winter has passed us, almost. Spring, while not knocking in our neighborhood yet, is on the horizon. Below is a list of important spring dates. Now. March 1st. Midges hatching…

Squeeky’s Fly Sort Update, including rants

February 27, 2018

Fly Sort, PMD, SOL, Squeeky

Squeeky’s Fly Sort Update Maybe half way through of my annual fly sorting, configuring, culling process. Certainly making headway. I’m finished with the PMD box most recently. Trico’s done. Worms and such box. Done. Tiny mayfly nimps, done. Scuds and…

Missouri River Swing Report

February 26, 2018

Missouri River Swing Report

Missouri River Swing Report While the wind blew snow around yesterday and it truly felt and looked like it may have been blowing 100mph, I know it wasn’t really. Just like saying you caught 100 fish, we know it felt…

Missouri River Midges

February 25, 2018

Midges

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…

Classic Headhunters Hoody’s

February 24, 2018

Classic Headhunters Hoody's, HH Logo Gear

Classic Headhunters Hoody’s Sara has brought in some kick ass Headhunters originals already this spring. The HH Dead Drifter is back on a hoody. This one is a favorite of our staff and you the American Headhunter. Womens HH logo…

Stealing Happy Hours 311 Video Live

February 23, 2018