Mark Raisler, Author at Headhunters Fly Shop

MArch, Midge, Spring

Missouri River Spring-ish Week All good here in downtown Craig Montana. A couple big events this past week in Craig include the opening of Izaak’s Restaurant for the season. Open 5 days a week, Wednesday thru Sunday, for the remainder of…

Silly Sunday Scenery

March 26, 2023

Headhunters Life, Photography

Craig MT, friday foto, missouri river, photography

Silly Sunday Scenery The Missouri River is Magical. Any time of the year. Looks like it is gonna get green, the grass, as we move towards the latter week of March. Still some damn cold days ahead. Sleep in, come…

Tailwater Sow Bug Tying Video & JAV Kit

March 25, 2023

Fly Fishing Video, Fly Tying

Tailwater Sow Bug Tying Video

Tailwater Sow Bug Tying Video This is the bug you need for spring, summer, and winter too. If you fish the Mo, then you know you need this. Love to tie this from the bend of an oversized Adams fishing…

Friday Foto Late March

March 24, 2023

boat, friday foto, MArch

Friday Foto Late March Angler activity all week long. A change from the past 4 1/2 months. Is spring upon us? Maybe. Probably more winter-ish weather ahead of us. In central Montana we are never too far away from a…

Why we fish?

March 23, 2023

Fish, Question, Why?

Why we fish? We often ask anglers in the boat, on the shop porch, in conversation Why do you fish? As many answers as there are stars in the sky. No right or wrong ones. And that is refreshing. We…

If you only do one thing today, CLEAN YOUR FLY LINE!

March 23, 2023

Fly Fishing Gear

Clean your fly lines, Fly Line, New Fly Line, OPST, RIO, Scientific Angler, Wulff

If you only do one thing to prepare for the 2022 fly fishing season, CLEAN YOUR FLY LINE TODAY! I could not be more adamant about this task. The fly line, as mentioned below is the most important pice of…

Squeeky’s 2023 Guidelines

March 22, 2023

Guidelines, SOL

Squeeky’s 2023 Guidelines Disclaimer: The balance of the HH guide list will gladly fish you with whatever presence or discipline you desire. This is Mark’s ruleset headed into the coming season. Not everyone associated with the HH Guide Crew. Ran…

Tuesday Fishing Report

March 21, 2023

Tuesday Fishing Report

Tuesday Fishing Report Pretty good this last weekend. Mostly nymphers out there as the weather allowed many to come out of their winter nest and fish. Water temps still in the tank as winter is still enforcing its force. 34.5F…

Spring Training Video

March 20, 2023

Fly Fishing Video

dry fly, Sara Spring Training, Spring Training Video, video

Spring Training Video It is here. Spring is here in Craig. We felt it last week. Super busy this weekend again. Lots and lots of boats, wade anglers, and guide trips out there. Spring lodging is happening as well. Always…

Izaak’s Opening Thursday March 23rd

March 19, 2023

Craig MT, Eastside Eats, Izaaks, Opening March 23rd 2023, The most open restaurant in Craig MT

Food, Headhunters Life

Izaak’s Opening this Thursday March 23rd Hooray. Izaak’s announcing opening day is this Thursday March 23rd. Izaak’s will have us smiling with Margarita’s and mouth watering ribs, nachos, delightful chicken wings and the fantastic fresh sheet presented by Izaak’s throughout…

Boat Ramp Etiquette FWP Video

March 18, 2023

Boat Ramp Etiquette FWP Video

Fly Fishing Video

Boat Ramp Etiquette FWP Video Be polite. Be prepared. Don’t block others. So the right thing. Follow the Golden Rule. All that stuff. Enjoy your week. Warmer temps here. Feels good.

Friday Foto

March 17, 2023

Brown Trout, MArch, Streamer, winter

Friday Foto A streamer fish today on the HH Blog. Sunny and cool this morning. A bit warmer tomorrow and Sunday followed by snow again next week. Winter for another couple days here in central Montana, and then some more…

Hump Day Cold, side of Snow

March 15, 2023

HArdy Creek, Spring, Untouchables Bridge

Hump Day Cold, side of Snow Not anywhere near the ZERO mark this morning but still cold at 25F. The Untouchables Bridge this morning was stunning. A white blanket of snow began while we slept and will continue though today.…

Missouri River Montana March 12th Fishing Report

Missouri River Montana Mid-March Fly Fishing Tips

March 14, 2023

dry fly, MArch, March Tips, Mid Month Fishing, Nymphers Unite, Streamer Report, tips

Missouri River Montana Mid-March Fly Fishing Tips More snow on the horizon as I look at the weather report currently forecasting snow Tuesday and Wednesday. A couple inches today and tomorrow. I’d rather not be anywhere else if those damn…

Monday March 18th Missouri River Fishing Report

Monday March 13th Missouri River Fishing Report

March 13, 2023

March Fishing Report

Monday March 18th Missouri River Fishing Report The river is open and the fishing is pretty good. And if you didn’t know, or notice…spring is scheduled to arrive next week. If Mother Nature is on the same page as the…

Silly Sunday Scenery

March 12, 2023

Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery Not snowing currently. This image from stock files. But, it is still winter like here in the canyon. A brief 50F event tomorrow then fading a bit into the 40’s for the week ahead. Springlike weather on…

Missouri River March Fishing Forecast

March 8, 2023

Birds, Bugs, Fishing Report

Bugs, Flows, Hatches, MArch, Missouri River March Fishing Forecast, Weather

Missouri River March Fishing Forecast Things to think about in March Day 8 3rd month here on the Missouri River. The Missouri River March Fishing Forecast looks strong. Below average water levels and warming water temps are what we will…

The Cars. Moving in Stereo

March 7, 2023

Analogy, Moving in Stereo, The Cars, video

The Cars. Moving in Stereo I’ve always thought that we, anglers, need to move in stereo with the fish. So therefore I dig this tune. It calls to me, to the trout, to move in stereo Life’s the same, I’m…

March is for Midgers

March 6, 2023

Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

Midge

March is for Midgers This morning snowing lightly. 12F. No wind. Quite nice. Highs all week long will not reach out of the 30’s. This weekend ahead may bring some pleasant daytime temps. But, midgies do not mind the cold.…

Silly Sunday Scenery PMD Brown Trout Edition

Guide Jokes

March 5, 2023

Guide Jokes What’s the difference between God and a fishing guide? God doesn’t think he’s a fishing guide.

Big Audio Dynamite Rush Video

March 4, 2023

BAD, Big Audio Dynamite, Rock & Roll, video

Big Audio Dynamite Rush Video A throwback today on the Headhunters Blog. This author digs it. Enjoy.

Friday Foto March 3rd

March 3, 2023

friday foto, TGIF

Friday Foto March 3rd A nice Saturday for fishing? Not terrible to day either. Not Amy around. Strange, strange, albeit normal, weather for fishing the front end of the year. The back end of last year too. Portends well for…

Skwala 1st Anniversary Sale 20% off thru Sunday March 5th @ Headhunters of Craig

March 1, 2023

Happy Anniversary, Skwala

Fly Fishing Gear

Skwala 1st Anniversary Sale 20% off thru Sunday March 5th @ Headhunters of Craig Happy to be the 1st fly shop carrying Skwala Fishing Products, happy to announce the 1st Anniversary Sale at 20% off all Skwala gear thru Sunday…

May Missouri River Tips for Fly Fishing success!

Stop SB 497 and Protect Montana’s Public Stream Access, Contact Your State Senator Immediately!

February 28, 2023

Conservation

Stop SB 497 and Protect Montana’s Public Stream Access, Contact Your State Senator Immediately We need your help to protect the integrity of Montana’s Stream Access Law. Contact your state Senator and ask them to vote NO on SB 497 immediately!…

MLB Pitch Clock vs. Dry Fly Trout Clock

February 27, 2023

cast, Casting Clock

MLB Pitch Clock vs. Dry Fly Trout Clock Ahhh, an interesting dichotomy. As many of you know, MLB fans, that there are some rule changes this season around the league. A pitch clock has been installed for the speed of…

Silly Sunday Scenery February 26th

February 26, 2023

Headhunters Life, Landscape

Silly Sunday Scenery February 26th 53F today. Slight wind. Not terrible. Best day all year. So far. Late February. March around the corner. See you there.

The Comprehensive Guide to Guided Fishing Trips

Spring Training means Spring is near

February 25, 2023

Spring Training means Spring is near Baseball has officially returned for the spring. Next, summer, then fall. Ahh, baseball season falls right in line with fishing season. Along with the casting practice we’ve been talking about the past few weeks…

How we learn physical skills in fly fishing

February 23, 2023

How we learn physical skills in fly fishing Perfect practice. That is how we learn physical skills. Golfers do not learn how to drive the ball, by playing golf. Nope. You do not learn how to improve your swing, by…

The Montana Story 40 Years of Success Video

February 22, 2023

Conservation, Fly Fishing Video

The Montana Story 40 Years of Success Video, Trout, video, Wild

The Montana Story 40 Years of Success Video Awesome. A great story about this great state. It is why we have trout like no others. Period.

Headhunters Closed Tuesday-Thursday

February 21, 2023

Headhunters Closed Tuesday-Thursday Blowing hard last night. 60 mph locally. Now snowing, sideways. Will continue for the next couple days. Temps not crawling above the Zero mark beyond tonight will keep us at bay for this period. So, see you…

Common Casting Mistakes: Slack Line, 5 Essentials, Quick Video

February 19, 2023

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Video

Common Casting Mistakes: Slack Line, 5 Essentials, Quick Video We see this one executed quite often from not only novice casters and anglers, but surprisingly from seasoned anglers too. Leaving slack line in the casting equation does not ever help…

February Friday Foto

February 17, 2023

February Friday Foto Fishing along here in Craig. Winds have kept our hats pulled down low . Winds have kept the wave action high. Not quite as windy as the forecast today, yet. Looks like snow for the next several…

HH Fly Shop Hiring for 2023

February 16, 2023

Employees 2023, HH Fly Shop Staff, Now Hiring

HH Fly Shop Hiring for 2023 Update: We have hired a few new shop all-stars for the 2023 season, but still need a few more to join the ranks this season. Love to speak with you about your future on…

Fly Casting Essential #2

February 13, 2023

5 Essentials of the fly cast, Casting, FFF

Fly Casting Essential #2 All 5 have to happen for the cast to be perfect. Or, even work. 2. Slack line should be kept to an absolute minimum. Pulling taut line, is all the fly rod/tool can do. The rod is…

Super Sunday

February 11, 2023

Super Sunday

Super Sunday Big game today. Cloudy here today. Midges showing today? Don’t forget about your valentine. I’d suggest a box of chocolates flies! May be closed early today.

The 5 Essentials of Fly Casting

February 10, 2023

The 5 Essentials of Fly Casting We tend to think about fly casting more in the winter, as we mentally and physically prepare of the coming summer 2023. Every winter we think about the year ahead, how to improve, and…

Dry Fly Applications w/ SAGE R8 Fly Rod Missouri River Video

February 8, 2023

Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Fishing Video, Headhunters Life

Core, DFO, dry fly applications, HH of Craig, R8, SAGE, video

Dry Fly Applications w/ SAGE R8 Fly Rod Missouri River Video Not terrible out there this week. Nearly 50F, and certainly brought joy to all of us here in Craig. Summer foreshadowing? Boy, we thought so! Cool video with Mark…

Spite Hill Caster

February 6, 2023

Casting, ECHO Micro Practice Rod, Fly Rods, Practice

Spite Hill Caster Just dreaming on this Monday. Reminding myself, and all of you out there, to practice casting. I practice in my garage with my practice rod. The inclement weather, and the damn incessant wind , will keep the…

Silly Sunday Scenery

February 5, 2023

Headhunters Life, Photography

Silly Sunday Scenery

Wolf Creek Bridge, in the snow. We hope it no blow, no Mo. Sunday, today. February is short, hooray! Tie midge flies, if you wish. Because soon trout will steadily rise, and we will dry fly fish.

Friday February Foto

February 3, 2023

Foul Weather February Weekend

Friday February Foto Looking pretty good for the weekend comparing to the past week. Gonna creep over the freezing mark today. That is good news. Spitting snow off and on all week long with the white blanket of snow comforting…

Fortunate Youth Thursday

February 2, 2023

Headhunters Life, Un-Fishing

Fortunate Youth, Music, Raggae

Fortunate Youth Thursday Not as cold, but equally as windy as the past week. looks like more wind on the way as we move towards the First February weekend. The fishing should pick up, as the weather allows us to…

Missouri River February Fishing Forecast 2023

February 1, 2023

clinics, Dates, February, Flows, Forecast, Hatches, missouri river, Montana, Vacation Planning, Weather, winter

Missouri River February Fishing Forecast 2023 Welcome to February. Football is nearly over, baseball is around the corner, and the fishing has been above average, when the weather has let us get out there. We are getting nearer to spring…

February Blues and a Couple High Points

January 31, 2023

February Blues and a Couple High Points

February Blues and a Couple High Points February pretty much sucks. Historically average fishing, that means for the winter months. Not comparing the February fishing to the summer months, but comparing it to the winter months. And average is just…

Winter returns to Craig Montana

January 27, 2023

Winter returns to Craig Montana And the rockies. That is the grander result. Snow in Craig today. And tomorrow. And Sunday will be cold. Below Zero Cold. So we wait again for the break. We believe we will be on…

Silly Sunday Scenery Winter Trout Edition

January 22, 2023

Winter trout release. Windy again today. 34F. Sunday. Football on the TV. Not one angler in the shop yet today…they will come. Late start I guess. Enjoy your week ahead. Remember to send in any broken rods and/or reels as…

Some days you shouldn’t fish.

January 21, 2023

Some days you shouldn’t fish. Today is one of them. Blowing a steady 20mph or better. Gusty beyond the base speed. Sunny. Cold. Some days you shouldn’t fish. It ain’t roses everyday.

Tuesday January 8th Headhunters Fishing Report

Headhunters Fly Shop Mid January Fishing Report

January 18, 2023

fishing report, Midges, nymph, pin k, Trout Spey

Headhunters Fly Shop Mid January Fishing Report All good this month. Waking up from the long and deep cold spell here in central Montana. Water temps are 34.3F. Water flows 3600cfs. Shelf ice present on the lower river. Not as…

Squeeky’s Winter Bobber Set-Up

January 17, 2023

Fly Fishing Gear

bobber, Indicator Leader, Pink Flies, RIO, Sage PULSE

Squeeky’s Winter Bobber Set-Up Looks like most of you will be either be swinging flies on your Trout Spey rod or nymphing for the next several months. I too will be engaging in both of these winter disciplines until we…

Silly Saturday Scenery

January 14, 2023

Silly Saturday Scenery

Silly Saturday Scenery Really nice fishing weather this weekend. And lots of anglers out and about. Several shuttles already in the books this morning. You fishing this weekend? We are.

On track, for now.

January 9, 2023

On track, for now. Looking normal out there, around here, following a normal seasonal path here in central Montana. Elsewhere on this earth, on both our our coasts, not as much normalcy happening. The chart above the prediction for the…

Missouri River Fly Fishing January Forecast

January 7, 2023

Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Video, Headhunters Life

fishing, January, Missouri River January Forecast, Slush, spey, troutspey, Weather

Missouri River Fly Fishing January Forecast January Missouri River Weather Forecast Pretty stable for the next ten days with air temps in the mid 30’s at night along with daily highs in the mid 40’s. Lots of cloud cover predicted…

Friday Foto

January 6, 2023

Friday Foto Some fishing out there today. Yesterday as well. Wide yesterday though. Calm, overcast, and drizzly today. Looks quite nice. First week of January. Feels like it too. TGIF?

Essential Addt’l Items for your Drift Boat

January 4, 2023

Fly Fishing Gear, Headhunters Life

Drift Boats, Headhunters Life

Everybody has the basics in their drift boat. YETI Ice Chest, spare oar, extra oar lock, spare boat plug, rain jacket, a heater when it’s cold, gloves… Pictured above are some of the things that I feel are necessary for…

Summer Booking Alert!

January 3, 2023

A System for Success, Alert, booking, Summer

Summer Booking Alert! Guides and Lodging are scarce in June and July. This is your last real warning about June and July. As we stand, only Swiss cheese like availability for guides and lodging in June or July. Late July…

Happy New Year 2023!

January 1, 2023

Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2023! Thanking you and all of our friends and guests. Thank you for a very nice 2022. Looking forward to the best yet? Always hoping. The true drive of any angler. Hope. We hope to see you…

Polar Plunge Craig Montana High Noon New Year's Day 2021

Polar Plunge in Craig at High Noon tomorrow

December 31, 2022