Baldy in a tree | Missouri River Friday | mark raisler photo

Saw this fella hanging out in a tree the other day.

Cool this morning, feels like good fishing weather. They, who predict this sort of thing, claim the wind will blow this afternoon, or before. Hogwash!

Calm, 45F, overcast…BWO Mania. I always cross my fingers for the perfect Baetis Bonanza. Sometimes it happens.

Fly Fishermen are dreamers, so why not dream big. Would not make fantasy sense or logic to not dream big.

Bumped in to this fellow yesterday

Great fishing yesterday. Absolutely fabulous. Nymphing was the key. Anything I put on seemed to work. It does not go s=down that way often enough, because it’s fishing, that’s why.

Rainbow Czech, the Worm, large LB’s, small LB’s, Sunkist Baetis nymph, Firebead anything, fancy PT’s, Mirage’s, Rainbow Warrior’s…you get the drift.

Arthur from back east with head shot

Lots of anglers on the water today. The shop was bustling all morning long. Several guides out today, and a few of our guests are down from Calgary, Kalispell, Big Fork, and locales further south too. The Spring Special is unfortunately over. It was very well received and we anticipate a return next spring as we were so pleased with the participation. Perfect for those of us who love a spring tune up and a chance to learn new techniques, floats, casts…or just to have somebody else row the damn boat for the day.

The Spring Special in conjunction with the also discounted Craig Trout Camp lodging seemed to be the key. Even for those who live relatively close. Just like a spring fling, the Spring Special put smiles on our faces, yours too. I expect us to begin next year in mid to late February. I do believe part of the success was due to our warmer than normal water temps and air temps. While we all like the precip that we are due in the spring; sun can be construed as a nicety we all enjoy.

Having a ball on the Missouri River in late April

Upcoming Events on the Missouri River | Headhunters Fly Shop | Craig Montana

Today: Great fishing. It’s true.

Tomorrow: The same.

May 15th: Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ benefittiung the Craig Volunteer Fire Department.

• Starts at noon with the parade of course. Local kids, a few floats, tossing of candy. Sorry, no clowns allowed. An extravaganza through the center of town. Should take all of 10 minutes. Make a float, ride a bike, or anything creative, goofy…
• Craft Fair at the Craig Training Center (Fire Dept) 12:00 to 4 pm.
• BBQ Cook-Off 4pm til 7pm, or until the food runs out. All our local businesses are participating. The 3 fly shops, Joe’s Bar, Izaak’s, Fish Net, and several other local BBQ experts. A fun time to fish and fill your belly.
• Silent Auction all day at the Craig Bar. Lots of local art, fishing stuff, gift certificates, etc. Donations now being accepted.. see contact info below.
• Live music by “The Helena Buckets” 5pm to 8pm at the Log Jam/Izaak’s porch.
• If you want to participate in these activities, parade, Craft Fair, or come and BBQ, contact via email  replies@izaaks.com  or call Sharon 406/235-9957

May 15th: Spring Creek Opener…the Dearborn, and other recreation waters opening on this 3rd Saturday in May.

June 26th: The Fly Fishing Film Tour sponsored by Headhunters Fly Shop & Izaak’s of Craig. Film starts at 10pm on the porch of Izaak’s This is an outdoor event and featured out of doors for your viewing and drinking pleasure. Folks from around the state, and around the union will be here to participate in the event of the early summer! Only 7 more opportunities to see the films this year. Come and enjoy a great film tour site along with great PMD/Caddis fishing.

Headhunters Fly Shop open daily @ 7 am. Stop in for any river needs, free hot coffee too.

July 4th: America’s Birthday. Come, fish, drink, encompass yourself in fun, watch the 4th greatest firework’s show in the US of A. Honest. BBQ’s, games, casting comps, prizes, hanging out with your best fishing friends. Plan on it.

Late July / August: Can-Am Mo Bow Tour. Fish the two best rivers in Nth America. Check out this link for more info or call us at Headhunters 406/235-3447

Come and enjoy the 4th of July with us...your'e invited!

Fly of the Week: Sunkist Baetis

Nymph of the Week: Dorsey’s Mercury Baetis Nymph

Dry Fly of the Week: Nymen’s DOA Baetis Cripple

Streamer of the Week: Skip’s Brown Trout Minnow. It rules.

Fly Line of the Month: Rio’s Outbound Short F/I

Hot Selling Item of the Week: Simms G3 Guide Pant. The most comfortable waders of all time, says Sumliner.

Near the Headhunters doorstep in Craig, railcars leaving

Today the train will leave Craig Montana. Hooray! We look forward to taking pictures without the rail cars in the back ground. So relish in the removal of our worst eye sore since?

The wildlife will appreciate it too. They have had to meander around aimlessly to find the walk through to access the river. Everybody likes the turn around. The fish never minded, but the rest of us were unhappy.

Snowing today in downtown Craig. BNSF staff preparing for additional work

Will hopefully get a few shots of the engine rolling through this metropolis…Melanie from Izaak’s will probably get the scoop. Izaak’s is open nightly now through the season. Open at 4 pm during the week and at 11am for lunch Saturday and Sunday. Guide lunches available too. Call or stop in the night before for morning pick-up.

Road grinder machinery near Craig at the Dearborn.

Road construction all summer long here in the canyon. Right now they are working on the southbound lanes from near Stickney to Pelican Point. Then they will focus on the northbound until August, maybe October. Depends on who you talk to.

Also tore up the Rest Area at Mid Canon and are rebuilding as I write. I guess some new super structure with flushing toilets is on the way. Or so I am told.

Andrew and Sara taking out the staff boat.

Headhunters staff and Scumliner restored Pete’s original drift boat. From back in the day, the early 80’s…now in the staff stable here at Headhunters. Sara and Andrew took it out and got it all smelly…and caught some fish too.

Lone angler fishing on the Missouri. Love the solitude of the Mo. Lots of water and lots of fish. Come out and visit us, or not. Just remember…you cannot make up fishing days. Gotta go to know brother.

Headhunters on the river...snow or not, it's good!

Give us a shout today to book your summer trip. We promise it will not be snowing…maybe. Lots of guides out this week at Headhunters, even today there are several. This weekend will fish well and there are a set of folks smart enough to have booked a couple $300 guided trips. Smart.

Catch rates have been good and hatches some what consistent. Nymphing is good, streamer fishing can be real good. Yesterday was on fire. Small and flashy the theme. Skip’s Rainbow Trout Minnow and the Brown one too. Stop in and peruse our kick-ass streamer selection and fill up your Thermos with piping hot coffee.

Twice as Nice...2 for the price of one! photo Mark Raisler

Great weather today and more to come this weekend. Highs today in the mid 50’s. Light winds forecast for today, NNE 3 to 8 mph. Friday high near 63 SSE around 6 mph. Saturday 67, Sunday 66.

Need any more excuses to get out and fish a little. How about the best spring fishing in 2- years. Some say it is better than some of our summer fishing? That may be a stretch, but it is damn good folks! Midge fishing is very, very, very good. Add some BWO’s sitting tall on the surface, and you have lots of sipping fish.

Still selling Sage Fly Rods like hotcakes. The new TCX is getting lots of attention. I fished twin Z-Axis in the boat this week…clients loved them. Easy casting goodness. No broken tippets either. Great rod for fighting fish with cast-ability for many casting styles. Good stuff.

Also, Fly Vines by LG are all the rage. Come in this weekend and see the bracelets, lanyards, and the brand new glasses straps. Super Cool friends.

Headhunters Guides are enjoying great successes daily with clients form all over the Northwest. The Spring Special is hard to beat. Call today, or stop in, for the $300 guided trips. $100 lodging completes the package. We have had guests from Seattle, Spokane, Portland, Idaho, Helena, Great Falls, Bozeman, Whitefish, Havre, Alberta, Saskatchewan…where do you come from? We love all anglers and regions!

Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service is open daily 8am-at least 6pm, longer on the weekends.  This spring has been just great. Stop in this weekend for anything you may need on the World’s Greatest Dry Fly Stream. Missouri River specific flies, stream information, guide trips, boat rentals, lodging needs, Simms clothing and waders…everything you need.

Baetis will unite us!

Acres of Midges hatching daily on the Missouri according to Headhunters Fly Shop

Yes, literally acres, large vast expanses of midges hatching today. This photo above taken on the edge of the Craig Bar today @ 345pm. The air is calm, no wind. A real surprise for us here in lonely Craig Montana. It has been blowin’ too hard for the last week plus. A nice respite does not go un-noticed by the humans…and certainly not our trout. They truly rise to the occasion!

Wow...check out the sheer number of Midge Shucks. Crazy Wild!

This picture displays an incredible amount of Midge Shcucks. Check that shit out. The bank is lined for miles like this. River wide, bank to bank, for 35 miles. Very nice. Nobody here today, the fish are experiencing little pressure. Cuda, The Giant, and dogs are fishing bridge to bridge, alone. Skidmore, a HH guide,  and a couple other yahoo’s from west of the Rockies are fishing somewhere below Craig…and have called in an up-to-the-minute fishing report…Skawla’s, BWO’s, and Midges choking the skies…not a soul around and sipping fish by the miles. Did he say BWO’s? Yes, he did. I will confirm this evening and get back to you folks tomorrw. They are angling below Mtn. Palace towards Pelican and the water is a little warmer downstream.

Andrew is out on a Headhunters dry fly afternoon. He could not stand it any longer, and begged for a hall pass. I walked to the Craig Bridge, saw the flat lit up like a Xmas tree, and sent him out the door with midges in hand. Cannot keep a good employee in the shop with such kick-ass fishing. Cannot lose sight of why we are involved the fly fishing biz.

A slippery slope awaits those who forget about the magic of fishing. Don’t let this happen to you…that’s an ugly thought!

Scumliner, J the B, and Adair are on a short family fly fishing excursion away from Craig for the week, or a part of it. They too recognize the positive effects of fishing, with the family no less…I would guess there will be some video. If not, Adair was too busy hangin’ ‘em for John to have the net as his primary tool, not the camera. Julie will most likely be stalking the banks for that wily Brown Trout with her new 5wt TCX. Adair is lined up with the best kids rod on the market, the ECHO Gecko. John just re-lined it for the ultimate performance Adair demands!

A few suggestions for Top Water Midging

We love to catch fish on top. It is the Headhunters Mantra. Always the first choice is to attack the trout on top. The photo above represents 4 flies that should compliment your fly box this spring.

• Great flies for a midge afternoon include the Griff. Gnat. The top fly is a pattern that takes it up a notch. The  #14 Cluster Midge by Solitude flies is rock solid. 2 parachutes wrapped with Gizzley Hackle for ease of sight, clear swiss straw wings flank the specimen, and the peacock herl does what it has for generations. A couple Micro-Fibbetts complete the package. This fly flat out works!
• Next is the #18 Snowshoe Midge Cluster tied by Umpqua. We brought this little killer in last year and it has gained momentum ever since. Originally a guide choice, the rest of us found it to be very visible in both bright sunny conditions, as well as show up equally great in the glare! The trout adore this gem. We cannot keep these in the bin too long. They leave in 3′, 6’s, and dozens. I see why. Good generic pattern for many small fly situations.
• Eisenhower’s favorite fly, the #18 H & L Variant, is one of our favorite’s too. Works well for Midge, small mayfly like the Trico, or just a solid pattern to be used as a second fly in a double dry rig. Not as flashy as some of the new flies available today, but a perennial favorite for those who keep tradition close to their heart.
• Finally the #18 Hi-Vis Parachute Adams rounds out this mini-selection. How can you beat this pattern. Easy to see, fish love it, and covers many bases. Need I say more? No.

Midge Nymphs that work...cool too.

I love to trail a tiny midge nymph off the back of a dry fly. Whether it be fishing for a specific fish or just blind casting my way down the river, it seems to make a lots of sense. Some big fella just might need a snack.

• The top fly is a #20 Midge Modger. A black glass bead, peacock, a white tuft for the external lungs, and small. Just right. One of our top selling midge flies year after year. It must work, people come in and ask for it by name.
• Below the Modger is a new pattern this year for Headhunters. A #20 Quigley’s Tung Bead Drowned Midge. That’s a mouthful…for the fish too. The tungsten bead gets that fly into the trout face pronto! Flashy stuff aids in the appeal along with the wide hook gap too.
• Moving clockwise, the next fly that rules is a #20 Chessemen Emerger. 3rd year for this fly in the bin. It too is a proven pattern. Made for the Colorado streams and rivers, the Missouri maintains  strong midge production throughout the year which allows this fly to catch fish daily. Great fly for midging at the Dam, dropped off of a Baetis Bug, or a big fluffy Caddis.
• The clear glass bead that the #20 Mercury Black Beauty Flashback is integral to the success of this fly. We love flash, beads, and small profiles when fishing the Missouri. There is nothing wrong with a black thread fly, but why not step it up while fishing. Work is boring, fly fishing should not parallel the rest of our lives.
• Finally a #20 Black Zebra Midge. The most consistent midge fly ever? Well, maybe. It sure gets fished a lot. And for good reason. It produces on the Missouri from the Dam to Cascade, and virtually every stream in the world. If you don’t have a decent selection of these…well, I don’t know what to say.

The Midge fishing can be off the charts when the weather is right. You all know what that weather is. We dream of it nightly and look forward to the days when it occurs. Give us a ring at Headhunters Fly Shop for informative and accurate fishing reports. Or just to BS. Thanks, and we’ll be seeing you here on the Mo.

Even the town dogs love Izaak's cuisine.

Some shots from last night at the greatest restaurant in downtown Craig Montana. The reviews are in and it is a success. The new menu will be loved by many anglers this season.

Len Gross party with a glass in hand.

Izaak’s has added more seating looking towards the river. Why not enjoy the food and the view? A few Montana beers on tap help those aching muscles after a great day on the river. Have Chris pour you a tasty cocktail if you do not like the hops.

Full Bar enjoying apres fish beverages

All happy faces here. A terrific gathering place in Craig Montana. We are really lucky to have Izaak’s here in town. Beats the hell out of O’Connell’s dogs on the roller.

Capt. Carp and Leonard discussing fly design...

A touch windy today, not too bad though. Still very fishable. We are here doing shuttles, drinking coffee, and enjoying the Headhunters Life. Come join us, we love all comers.

Can you smell the goodness...have a taste.

Just a tease until you get here. We will save you a seat.