Looking NW towards Craig 8/1 across Sterling Ranch

This morning before my guide trip. Shouldn’t stop to take photos, as my clients have to wait a minute longer to fish…

…but as of yet, nobody has left.

It’s only half over, the season…and I know it is a mediocre shot.

But I’m the writer, and the photographer, so it’s my prerogative.

Nice Warren!

My GF’s dad Warren with a nice Bow. It is Warren’s second trip to the Mo. Danielle has not dumped me yet…and I am so thankful. Looks like Warren and Andrea will be back next year. Yes, indeed.

Come out and see us. Walk-in trips are being booked daily…but if you want a specific guide, book today.

As Chip Hammersmith once said…”Book early for the good guides.”

Luke Andrews posted up...

Luke posted up on dry fly fish. Darren got this fish to eat a dry, but it was not easy. Fun can be had today onthe Mo with any fishing fantasy that you hold. Bring your ticket and your dreams to Headhunters Fly Shop for fantasy remittance.

It’s good, all the way around. Any way you slice it…it’s good. The fishing part.

Will you catch 100 fish…probably not. Although I could just puke up 6 cups of coffee up this morning for the countless times I’ve heard of 100+ caught in a day…even Rome was not built in a day. 100, come on dude.  You bullshit your friends, I’ll bullshit my friends, but let’s not bullshit each other.

Headhunters is wonderfully busy, as is the river. Not super busy, but a noticeable increase in anglers this last week. The fishing seems to be commensurate with the increase in pressure. Lots f fella’s out towards dark. The fishin’ and the caddis behaviors active in the waning light.

Vivian, nice...

Vivian caught her first fish yesterday…and it does not get better than this. She is so excited, or freaked out she forgot to smile. Thanks Vivian for spending your inaugural fishing day with us at Headhunters!

The fishing is fantastic folks, the water down, and the local fellowship…outstanding. Izaak’s slinging world class dinners until way late…have a cold Budweiser on our porch after a day of successes. We welcome you to cash in that fantasy ticket this summer. Although this ticket never expires…

When in Rome…

Still long and loose my friends. Hit ‘em all. Great nymphers all have this same quality. They never give up, they never assume it’s bottom, they believe in Christmas.

If you don’t believe, Santa will not come.

Some really big fish being caught daily on the Mo. Honest.

Monday already? Friday will arrive not one minute too soon. Well, anyhow…welcome back to your desk.

Goal for you this week: Plan a fishing trip with your kids, your folks, or your neighbor. Fishing is good for your soul. Get out, it’s summertime.

Pssst…change that old fly line. Clean fly lines make everybody smile. Just a suggestion.

Rainbow Swirl photo Mark Raisler

Release photo from this past week. Lots of nice fishy folks wandering the Mo with Headhunters guides in May. Not too many rising fish this week. Strange. Conditions are occasionally perfect.  The sun and moon have not aligned. They will. We’ll be sure to keep you informed first.

Rising fish or not, the fish health is still the conversation most likely overheard in the local apres’ fishing establishments. Joe’s Bar is ringing with praises of large, fat, jumping bows. Dinner patrons of Izaak’s often raise a celebratory cocktail of praise… in deference of our fishs’ obesity.

Jerry enjoying this May day!

Nice sunshine graced us for a spell yesterday. We shed layers and soaked in the sun for a couple hours. Today, overcast, warm, and calm. Tomorrow? Who knows. Just go fishing, it’s the right move. Call us and book now. Talk about sleeping better tonight.

June is around the corner. The fish move into faster, funner water. i, for one, am looking forward to a change of pace. And the dry fly side of life is enticing too. Oh, how I long for dawn til dusk dry fly casting. June 5th-ish is the first mediocre PMD showing. Within 5-7 days, it is game on. My favorite time of the year. Fishing with my dad for a couple of those days, a long time friend and former boss, Rick, Capn Carp, Danielle, maybe even Scumliner. It is important for even me to fish more. It is so damn healthy. Good for SOL’s soul.

Yours too. Think about it. Do it. Fish more.

Some good avail in early June at Headhunters. Our guides are the greatest. Young, full of energy, knowledgeable, and willing to perform daily. And do they ever. Come enjoy a nice trip to the memorable Missouri River this summer. Let us put together a trip itinerary that will accommodate your wishes and desires while expanding your fly fishing skills.

Do not miss the best fishing the Missouri has produce in nearly a decade. Summer 2010 is already turning heads and creating legends…come out and participate in a fly rod fantasy.

Wonderful dry fly fishing during Missouri River summers

Joe and Paul, pictured above, will be attending the dry fly event again this summer. This is their 11th in a row. 5 days does not seem like enough time. These fellas take advantage of their river time and as DFO’s, they get the job done. Once in a while I threaten to tie on a grasshopper…no is the answer. Small dries only to rising fish. Preferably browns…no silly rainbows. Joe usually catches the browns, and Paul is left to the junior fish, the bow. And so it goes, one more year with the Taylors…I can’t wait.

Begin your dry fly tradition today. You will not be sorry. I promise.

Baetis are common on the Missouri River

Some of the last BWO’s  come off. Will they say goodbye soon? This week maybe? Yes, most likely. Move over and make room for the Caddis. Here they come…are you ready?

The Mother’s Day Caddis are here and ready for you to join in the fun. Lots of guests around this May…and they are enjoying great success on the Missouri. Fitzgerald and his Pepsico group were just here for the umpteenth time. Had a ball, and have booked again for the 2011 season. They come in conjunction with the Annual Caddis Festival. They used to come another time slot, but now have made it an annual trip in the middle of May. The fishing is fabulous!

Brendan with another smirk on the Mo!

Rick Schmauch, from Cascade Montana, fishes here a ton. He is guided by Headhunters often. He also fishes on his own 2-3 days a week. retired, almost, and fishing lots. He is one of our poster children, as you see him a lot on our web site.

Rick with a stoic look and an average Rainbow Trout

Mike Ruppert from Helena fishes with us a ton as well. I have not seen Mike in about a month, but am slated to fish with him consecutive Saturdays for the foreseeable future.

We love having repeat business and our clients know they will find a quality career guide at Headhunters Fly Shop. Our business is built on long term relationships and we foster an environment of friendship. Keep in mind our Mission Statement: Education, Information, and Customer Service. We strive to improve daily and provide top notch service!

Shop girl Sara with another nice rainbow!

Sara above with yet another great Rainbow. Our fish this year are off the charts big. I guessed and measured 10 fish on Friday, the past one. I was just shocked at the continual growth of out trout population. The average fish, from the small sample of 10 fish, was 18.25″. Now I am not trying to say that this was an everyday occurrence, but it is damn common. One of the fish skewed the sample, taping out at 22.25″. But, none the less, it was amazing to me. And yes, I did use a sanctioned tape measuring device.

“I have not been around forever, but I have been here longer than most, and I must tell you folks…the quality of fish is astounding. They have gained about an inch in length since the summer of 2009, and maybe an inch in girth! I shit you not…yes, true.”

I started fishing here in May of 1992, and pretty much sucked. That period lasted about 5 years…then I just sort of sucked. I was befriended by a couple locals, and a few fishing guides who took sympathy upon my poor, meaning no money poor and lack of fishing knowledge, helpless soul. What I learned from them was, and should be put in some sort of volume…type of book. Maybe a pamphlet would suffice though. As I digress, as I commonly do…the fish have not been in this kind of health range since the 1999-2001 period. Following the great water years of 1997 and 1998…we are seeing the same pattern. Big, fat Bows, and cool Brown Trouts. Yes, I like the “S” behind trout. Like the plural version, no?

Will we see the fish eat Trico’s on top this July, August? Hope so. We did in the aforementioned time period. Our water column will be very similar this year and I will cross my fingers…you too, do it.

Joe Taylor likes Trico Fish!

Guide and Lodging bookings still coming in strong. If you would like to fish the Mo with one of our terrific guides, or perhaps stay with us here in Craig…give us a shout and let’s get you set up for the trout trip you deserve! Our 1st Class staff is in the shop at 7am daily and ready to help.

Conch Key Mailbox...where we could maybe afford to reside

Launched out of Conch key one day. Ran hard towards Flamingo, blew hard, not much light…super cool. Had a couple eats.

Bunch of goof balls roaming around in the morning. As there always is anywhere in the Keys. Some guy, we named Captain Canada,  stopped by and informed us of where to go, how to fish, etcetera. Bet he’s a good Pike fisherman, stay to what you know fella. Leave the Tarpon up to us. As if I know…

Sage Xi3 11 wt. with a black & Red Toad...both effective tools.

Just loved the Sage Xi3 11 wt lined up with a Rio Tropical F/I Saltwater Line is really great. Casting in the wind is something you will deal with daily in the Keys and the extra weight in the front end of the Outbound really helps. Loading it in the wind is so common that we used this line in lots of applications. The 9 1/2′ clear tip is an added benefit for spooky sight fishing laid up fish. Toss the fly across the line of sight and strip. For those of us me who make an occasional errant cast…the clear tip is much appreciated.

Squeeky Oar Lock amazingly hooked up...even a blind squirrel finds...

Yes, it’s true, even I catch fish once in a great while. The fishing was quite good. Lots of shots daily…we even made good on a good number of them. They are still tough finicky little bitches, but I truly enjoy a challenge and love the hunt. Fishing with Capt. Mike Pollock of Keys and Montana fame. HE owns/operates Meadow Lake Lodge in Ennis for the summer months through Otober. Then back to the Keys until June.  Mike has been guiding out of Key West for 24 years and it shows. Great fun captain with a ton of Tarpon knowledge. suspect he knows a thing or two about bonefish and permit too.

You can contact Mike | flyfishingmike@hotmail.com or phone him for availability | 305/304-5108

Searching, looking, 1000 mile stare...

Fishing at the Marquesas with Mike, and Zach Dalton of Rio. Lots of fun fishing with Zach…great caster, patient, and willing to learn. As we all should be. Makes life, and fishing, much easier on you and your friends if we all participate in the life long education of the angling art. No time for negative, pompous folks unwilling to move forward.

Zach had some neat lines, rods, and stories about the line business. Cast a few lines on the trip. Liked them all. Most important things I learned on this trip.

Fish with clean lines. Clean daily. The Rio Agent-X Line Cleaner is outstanding. I already knew this fact, but was pleasantly reminded again. The overnight cure is the best, try it, you’ll like it.

• Make good casts. Practice in advance.Be familiar with your gear. Reels
• Always listen to your Captain. He is your team leader. He wants it pretty bad too.
• Don’t make bad casts. The frivolous kind. You know, the shitty ones. We all make ‘em. Try to reduce the total number.
• Be happy to experience sight fishing to big fish. Enjoy every moment.

Swimmers...

Dinner at Keys Fisheries in Marathon off of 35th Street. Feed the tarpon roaming around this sub-surface green light while dining on fresh caught creatures from the sea. Real Keys style. Outdoor, over-priced and poor service. The food is damn good though, so it’s best to overlook all the shortcomings of the cesspool of the entire eastern seaboard and focus on the positives.

The fishing. It is fantastic…if you like difficult, big ass fish.