Walleye fisherman Mike angling @ Holter Dam for Walleye. Summer 2009

Winter, spring… and sort of the early summer…the hardcore fly fishing locals get out and fish a little…not for trout. Catching anything beyond the ubiquitous trout is a treat.

“Walleye, carp, suckers, burbot…anything that jiggles the end of the pole is acceptable.”

The locals, meaning the Great Falls and Helena residents, fish all winter long. While many of them fish in the summer too, there is a contingent that we only see in the shoulder seasons and winter.

All disciplines, for our local residents, are executed for our trout, but they are not always fishing for trout either. There are a good number of walleye caught here all year ’round and many of them in the spring. Deep shelves and fall offs hold our resident population of walleye. Gear guys catch the majority of them and are very effective. Much more so than the gang who enjoy fishing with flies. I have not had the delight yet of participating in this pursuit…and would never turn an opportunity down.

I want to catch them with gear. I think it makes much more sense.

Winter, spring, and even late night covert activities can be very successful if you know the Wizard of Walleye…and when I meet him I’ll let you know.

We are soon coming into the heart of the Ling season. They spawn in late February thru March. Many are caught during the spring frenzy. We will circle the troops at some point this spring and rally for a limit of Burbot.

Spike shows off a trophy Burbot in Mid-Summer

Andrew, Pete, Ebitty, Carp, Scumliner, the Chef… and the cast of thousands trapped in the canyon this winter will be proving once again that even fly fishermen can get skunked with spinning rods in their hands. It  levels the play-field. Just toss more wood on the fire and re-bait that hook my friend. Something will impale itself on one of our hooks.

Scumliner, the “Lord of the Lings”, will be hosting a  Clinic at Headhunters soon. We all need to attend, and learn. I think we should bring in another authority on the matter. Who knows who it could be…there are several, countless, canyon dwellers that are more proficient than myself  at Ling Angling!

Cap'n Carp warming his hands @ a Ling Fire...Missouri River fun 2010

Love this shot of Mike Kuhnert on the Missouri. Campfire for Ling Cod, the landlocked kind. Captain Carp is one fine trout and Carp guide, but Burbot…not so much dude.

This weekend the Mo has seen a ton of anglers. We love it and we wish you were here. Thanks to all for the positive comments on our TV show. We appreciate it greatly. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We have a great opportunity for a inexpensive trip this spring…maybe you should take advantage of it. Your choice.

Capt. Carp: Enjoying the winter fishing. The Spring fishing…the Missouri River…all of it! Thanks for your continued help and support Mike. We are a big fan of yours!! New fly tying videos coming soon from Capt Carp and Scumliner.

Scumliner: Making friends on the Missouri daily…lots. Making friends on many rivers…for 24 years. Return clients again… I know it is a short track record…but he will come around.

J the B: Guru, all day long. Thanks Julie! The most important and integral member of our staff. Bar none!

THE BOSS: Returning to Montana from his winter hiatus in Napa Valley…we look forward to his return. Andrew with even more responsibilities. Our best phone and front end fellow. 3 years in the store…let’s hope we don’t have to pay him more…although he is worth every penny.

FNG:…aka Sara: Coming back in April, May?: Whenever it may be…come back baby…energized and happy!

B & E: Year 3, same as Andrew. We love having these guys back for the third year. They are the backbone of Headhunters. Ben has transformed the shop this winter…he will be guiding full time…with a strong cadre of return clients. Great job Ben. Still in the store when he is not building boats, teaching, chasing trout, girls…

SOL: Back from Colorado and skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, boozin’, hanging with Danielle. Ready for the best year of Headhunters, his 19th year on the Missouri…20 more to go.

The Missouri River: Big Fish, low water, dry flies…status quo.

Craig Montana: Busy this weekend, Monday can be your day. Call in sick…we won’t tell.

Dry Fly of the Week: Parachute Adams…size, your choice.

Wet Fly of the Week: Gray Hackle Peacock

Nymph of the Week: Pink Ray Charles

Fly Line of the Month: Rio Nymph Line

Yahoo of the Week: Circus-Kir-Patricka

Sunny, Sunday, and Solo. Winter Flyfishing on the vacant Missouri River

Yet another day on the Missouri. Could not ask for a more beautiful, stunning morning. It was a touch cold, meaning awfully chilly, coming in at 1 degree @ 8 am. Did not pass anybody out jogging on my way to work.

There are some anglers who have put in @ Craig. Floating all the way to Mountain Palace. Ballsy move. It will rise to a whopping 30 this afternoon. The sun will make it feel even warmer.

When the mercury reaches any temperature over 40 deg. on the river, it feels like spring. The warmth slowly seeps into your skin…a nice feeling. I’m sure you can relate if you are not fortunate enough to live near the southern border of America. The rest of us, north of you sunburn candidates, are ready for some sunshine. It’s this damn February that fouls me up. It never ends, this month moves at a glacial crawl.

Mountain Palace from I-15 looking NNW. Great vantage point for checking out subsurface structure.

Bluebird and just perfect today. Not a breath of wind. Quiet too.

Fishing reports from yesterday, Saturday, were mixed. Some said it was slow, but also cited the cool weather and falling snow did not do wonders for their angling attitude. They limped home to hot showers, hot toddies, and the Olympics from Vancouver BC.

Nymphing is still outstanding. Our fish gotta eat. And if you have witnessed the obesity of them in the last 2 years…you would know that we cannot starve this population.They have not missed too many meals/hatches over the last 2 years.

Hours, not moments, of dry fly bliss have been experienced already this spring. This is a pleasant surprise. The midges usually do not come out in full force until mid-March. Come and enjoy their company on any overcast and calm afternoon.

Mucilin, old school. Many uses. Many still use the proven product. The Gink alternative.

We welcome smearing Gink all over ourselves battling with the Gink bottle to squeeze out the smallest of drops. It can be so difficult to get gink out of the bottle when the temps are below 50 F. I have, as I’m sure you have too,  tried several techniques for getting that goo out of the bottle when it’s cold. A short list of what not to do…

1. Cutting it open with a knife, trying not to fillet your index finger skin from the bone. Not very safe.
2. Ramming hemostats into it with the cap off. Either get none, or way too much.
3. Shoving the whole bottle into your front pants pocket to warm it up. Generally the caps flips open and drips entire contents down your leg, ruining your overpriced fishing pants forever.
4. Buy a new bottle in the morning before fishing. Good idea. But you left it on the dashboard, cap open draining the whole bottle into the defroster vents. Therefore insuring that pleasant Ginky Smell through next winter too.
5. Marry the 7 bottles floating around in your boat bag. I heat up a pot of water, toss all bottles in. Warm until runny. Combine 7 partial to make 3 full bottles. Remember to return to boat bag.
6. Just buy Mucilin. Go old school. It still works, yes indeed. Then simply open, depress a finger, warm between fingers, apply. Fish.

Please come feed our fish...specimens like this average Brown need to eat all year long!

This fella here was caught when the Gink is runny. I Like fishing in shorts, floppy hats, and chugging ice cold Yeti Cokes…but there is a certain satisfaction of hooking a trout on a dry when the temps and fishing pressure are below normal. A mentor of mine, Larry Tarmelli,  once said “The fishing ain’t good until the Gink is Goopy.” I like that line.

A reminder that our fish are as healthy as they have been in 10 years. Those of you who fish the Missouri annually already know, those of you who don’t…my strong suggestion is that t=you make a pilgamage in the next couple years. Well, only if you want to see a fishery at its finest.

Yes, the water levels are below normal. About 20%. We could, can, and do have wet springs, so the river is unpredictable. What I can tell you is that based on Missouri river precedent…seasons following big , above average water years fish very well. I looked back at flows after the ‘97-’98 deluge…and the prognosis is good. The direct correlation of increased recruitment, increased average size, increase in overall population, & propensity of trout to rise following above average water years is pretty solid.

Is it scientific, and provable? Well, I don’t know. Is this theory based on some hard facts. Yes. I have done some research. I also have seen nearly 2 decades of  Missouri River seasons, flows, fish and fishing behaviors, kooks, short timers, both fat & skinny fish on the Missouri. It is a hunch, I know. I trust hunches…

The Fly Fishing Fun HQ...in the Central Business District, downtown Craig

“If you come and do not have a positive experience in Craig, the Missouri, and Montana…well then go home cause we don’t want ya.”

If you like PMD’s, and I think you might, this will be a great year. I generally see PMD’s the first part of June, with the hatch in full swing mid-way through the 2nd week in June. The lower river can see emergences well before this, based on weather and water temps. Our brown trout love a well presented PMD pattern. As you know, tie both Inermis and Infrequens patterns in 14-18, and a couple 20’s for good measure. Never disregard a Rusty Spinner in 18, I like the 16 better though.

Rambling about the upcoming dream season is over for today, thanks for participating…

signed, Squeeky Oar Lock