Spokane, Seattle, & Portland this week...in Craig June 26th

FFFT has torn up Montana for the past few days… Tonight in Spokane Washington. There are a pile of folks from the former World’s Fair City (‘72) who journey often to the Missouri River. Spokane is a stones throw from here,  a mere 6 hours drive, a thermos of coffee and the Zeppelin CD of your choice. Just push play.

Billings, Bozeman, and Missoula  have just hosted the winter leg of the FFFT leaving a multitude of hard up fly rodders foaming at the mouth…planning and fantasizing about the upcoming spring, summer, and fall. It may just light a fire under some of them…frantically looking for their nymph boxes and a soggy 5 weight coupled with long johns and wool hats. In MT we usually do not have to travel far to dip a fly…just down the road to the nearest drainage ditch; knock a couple hole through the ice and proceed.

Those of you in Spokane…go see the show at the Bing Crosby Theater tonight  @ 7pm. Do it…what else are you doing on Monday night. Cancel the Polka Lessons, they won’t even know you aren’t there. By the way, that is the worst gift your mother-in-law has ever given you.

For those of you residing a little further west, the wet side of the mountains, you too can get in on some of this fly fishing mayhem. The show plays in Seattle Wednesday February 10th and Portland February 12th. But, if you want to see the granddaddy of shows…visit Craig MT for the June 26th outdoor showing @ 10pm…I’m sure there will be some additional events, BBQ’s, free swag, debauchery perhaps…

Many of you have caught fish in this channel

Some great fishing in sight of this photo. Still some snow around the Missouri, not much. Everyday see a few fish rising. Nice and slow. No hurry, no predators…not many anglers. No pressure.

Daily Daydream: It’s Monday and take a mental vacation. How about a few mental dream casts to a sizable Brown. Go ahead. It’s OK…I hope you hook him. He’s ready, and eating!

Your Weekly Fly Fishing Project: Put 2 fly rods on Ebay, and one reel. Sell those dust collectors…really, your kids will not want those old rods when they come of age. Now start shopping for a new fangled Sage, or maybe it’s time for your first Bamboo? Naw, just get the Sage 7 wt. streamer stick and watch your buddies turn green with envy.

Super Solitude...Winter fishing the Mo

The day before the Super Bowl and all is well. Plenty of folks on the river today. Driftboats, wade fishers, spinner tossers, worm drowners, spey casters…all enjoying the day. Come join them, at your leisure.

B & E fished for a couple hours Saturday. He did well casting Fire Bead Sow Bugs and Ray Charles. His advice: Wear warm clothes, bring a thermos of coffee, and when you find ‘em…hold on. He said the fish are in good shape, the whitey’s too.

Birthday Boy Tom from over the hill in Missoula came over for the day with friends and drifted from the Dam to Craig. They stopped in the shop in good spirits with good reports from the river. Great day, great fish, and said pics are forthcoming. We’d love to see the Birthday Brown that Tom caught today.

Looking upstream into Trout Lane

Quiet on the river on Super Bowl Sunday. SOL was at the shop for a spell and did have a few customers…non football fans.

Party @ the Vacation House with Ben, John, Julie, Adair, Mike, and Mark in attendance. We were only missing Andrew and Sara. We hope they were enjoying the game in Headhunters fashion. I don’t know what that entails or means…I guess making the most of the day would be considered Headhunters style. Super Bowl Dip  made by Mark…Velveeta, Rotel, Jalo’s, Bacon, Burger…just add shops of your choice, Yummy. Mike made a pot of Chili, delicious. Ben created a homemade Calzone with Chicken, Spinach, and several white cheeses, outstanding. Julie brought the health plate, veggies and dip, very nice. John brought Chocolate chip cookies and Budweiser. Perfect.

We had enough to eat. For a week. Everybody crawled out after the game  for a long winters nap. Back to work in the morning. Ben to the Cascade school district, schooling the youth of the county. Mike back to his vice and whipping out dozens of tiny flies for the shop. John, Mark, Julie tending to Headhunters stuff, whatever that might be for a Monday. The phone rings and you folks have questions…we answer. Adair, she’s a kid, tomorrow Adair…just have fun. Tuesday, repeat. LTD. She must be learning from her folks.

EDITORIAL NOTE from the author of this BLOG: I Pulled the “June” blog from last week off of this web site. SOL, which is me, thought it a little harsh. May have come across the wrong way. Just a knee jerk reaction to sooo many inquiries about a 3-4 week period in mid-summer. We will keep trying to accommodate you folks and your requests.

Providing the highest quality experience for you, the angler,  is paramount to our philosophy. It is the most important facet of our business and included in our Mission Statement. I expressed myself in a manner that may have not been appropriate for the audience. Come visit any time you please. We will continue to be honest with you the guest and express our beliefs/concerns openly with you. Thanks.

Love every Fish Plate

Seen lots…like to see lots more. Fly rodders are passionate, and spread the word in a plethora of fashions. Stickers, pod casts, websites, blogs, standing on top of a mountain and proclaiming…any medium fit to share the thrill. This plate pulled into the lot today and SOL snapped a quick shot. Fellow in a business suit picking up the new Rio Indicator Line. Wise choice…winter treat for himself. He was travelling for work; could not pass up the opportunity to fish the Missouri…waders in the truck. Smart guy. Getting the line on his reel and getting after it. And it’s only February. He is ahead of the curve! 

Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service settling in...we're here to stay!

Yes indeed, the fly shop is coming back. Like individual pieces finding their way into the complete puzzle. There are of course many more little pieces to complete…but we are ever so close. The rod rack went in today and the Logo Gondola (lower left in photo above) came in yesterday. Scumliner and SOL traveled to Bozeman to pick it up and visit Simms as well. The fishing community is small, even in a huge state like MT, and we bumped into several fishy folks. Nice to see the fishing business healthy and prospering. 

Smiles all the way around as we ( the HH staff)  all enjoy shorter days and still time on the clock to…read several more books, sleep in, stay upwatching the late, late, show, and take a couple, if not a few days off each month. The spring approaches rapidly as we prepare for the 2010 season. I cannot believe the enthusiasm exhibited by the anglers calling to ask questions, research, and chew the fat about their upcoming fishing vacation. Most have visited us before and cannot wait to return. I think it is worse on a guy who has fished here before.  Waiting must be excruciating. Those who have planned the innaural trip to the Mo, that must be tough too. Lots of these first-timers know a guy or two that has been here…and are anxious to see if the big trout rumor carries water. I won’t ruin it for you. 

Headhunters Fly Shop open this weekend for shuttles, flies, info, coffee, gee-gaws, sale Simms stuff, a warming hut for cold fishermen, and Looky Lou’s.

Afternoon @ the Welcome Hole

 The structure near this oft fished area has changed in the last ten years. There used to be a great big hole near the bottom of this run…no more. Now it is filled in with small gravel and a touch of silt. There are a few rising fish here in the summer, and definitely during a spinner fall. Just below is the new fence installed by the Sterling Ranch Co.  

Sterling Ranch lets  many folks wander around the property for most of the year. The exception being in the fall . Anything painted Bright Orange is private property in Montana and if crossed is considered trespassing.   If you have fished between Stickney Creek and the Dam on the frontage road side, you have stepped foot upon Sterling land. They allow access if for all anglers. It is gracious and which they do not have to do. Keep this in mind if you are fishing on the property.  

I have seen folks parked in front of  field entrances, therefore blocking entry and prohibiting daily ranch work. Not too smart. I have been known to leave hand written come to Jesus notes Love Letters slipped under the windshield wiper hopefully educating assholes with blinders on their eyes. It is the same fella who immediately calls the tow truck if some body is parked in front of their driveway. Lets just be aware of others around us and act appropriately. Respect landowner rights while fishing the Missouri.  

Golden Eye's Going Away

Most of the land you cross to wade fish here is private land. Yes, most all of it. The boat ramps are owned by the state and access there is open to all. Tread lightly elsewhere. It is a privilege granted by others that benefits our fishing experience. Keep these items in mind while fishing the Missouri.  

Never park where you know you shouldn’t. Gated fence areas! On the dirt road (Holter Dam Rd) heading to the Dam. That too is an easement and should be treated as private. Park in designated areas.  

Don’t litter, be cognisant of your self and belongings. Go one better, pick up anything you may see strewn on the shoreline or during your travels. We all win.  

Just remember it anytime you are on private property, treat it with respect. Leave gates as they were. If it was closed when you pass through, close it behind you. If it is open, let it remain open.  

If you have any question if a property is private, assume it is and ask permission before crossing. Be on your best behavior and we will continue the longevity of respect and trust between landowner and angler. 

We can all get along with our neighbors…if we try and are aware of our surroundings.

Will we get more? Water is good for fish!

The Year to date precipitation update graph has the Missouri River Basin @ 88%. After last weeks storm it had crept up to 92%. Yes, a smidge below average, albeit not too bad. We had the good fortune to have had great water for the last 2 years. Are we in danger? No. Who knows?

We can survive on a less than perfect water year. We have endured many in the last 10. I do not want to see that again, but nature and water are cyclical. Up and downs, as in life, as in precip from year to year.

About half of the precipitation comes  in the form of rain in June. Of the 10″+ we recieve here in the canyon, 5″ falls to the ground in and around June. So, we will wait and see. The story of anglers lives. Bait, and wait.

We are 10%-23% behind in snow water equivalents in the Missouri River basin. The headwaters are behind which include the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin drainage’s and rivers like the Big Hole and Beaverhead too. Do your local snow dance and send good water vibes to your favorite river basin. It all helps brothers and sisters. Get your kids to join you. Youth never hurt the cause.

Will a less than average water year hurt us and the fishing?  Absolutely not.  As stated before, we are in good shape. The fish are fat, happy, and healthy!

That glorified gopher that popped out of the ground yesterday saw his shadow. As we know, and endured on network TV, it means 6 more weeks of winter giving us ample time to pile up more snow in the hills. The Groundhog knows. But he is wrong 40% of the time. Oh well, predictions are just that. Predictions.

More of this on the way? Yes, according to Pux. Phil, the Groundhog

I believe that fishermen come during the good times and the bad. We are a group of perpetual optimists. Common practice is to paint the picture rosier than it is. It’s true and it’s alright.

If we do have a below average water year, the wade fishermen will come out of the woodwork. They have been strangely absent for the last 5+ years. The fishing became more difficult and some of them looked for greener pastures. Well, that difficult time is over. Come on back, you may like it again.  The fish are bigger, there are more of them, and while not terribly easy to catch, many have swallowed the stupid pill. That will wear off. Lower water=easier wading. That’s a fact Jack! 

For up to date river conditions…keep it tuned to the Headhunters Network. Whether you read the Blog, the Fishing Report, the lodging site @ Craig Trout Camp, visit our photo site (updated lots, not stale, several categories), the Online Headhunters Store, or visit the mothership Headhunters Fly Shop site…or all 6 of them…you will find current information for all things Missouri River and Craig Montana. We keep our finger on the pulse for your convenience!

Mountain Broam on the Missouri

One of the only weeds I know the name of. I do love Mountain Broam. It’s tall, wavy, and handsome. Saw this individual leaning over near the frontage road in-between Wolf Creek and Craig.

Whitetail Deer near the Mo in Craig

Saw a batch of these guys last week during the storm. Lazily eating just down stream of Craig on the east side. Have seen a occasional Wild Turkey in that field too. None today, just a couple nice back straps.

Missouri River Update: Not many fishermen around. A few though. A nice gentleman came into the store yesterday and bought a couple Griffith’s Gnats. I asked him what he was doing, and he replied…”nothin.” I know what that means. I think you do to.

Capt Carp: Back from steelhead mania. Did he catch any? I will never tell.

Scumliner: Building FIS Sledding Runs…Adair in the 2022 Winter Games

J the B: Battling with the new technology in the store. SOL and Scumliner staying clear until the war is won.

SOL: Who knows?

Craig Montana: Quiet.

SOL's Scud Box

Is it time to work on building your Scud Box? When fishing the Missouri River nearly any time of the year, any season, any time…do not mis-place your scud box. 

A good scud box takes time to create. You cannot just go on-line and order yourself up one. I’m sure you could, but without real world trials and tribulations…what is it really worth. Does it carry weight…I mean is it heavy? Bad double entendre. A genuine kick-ass box takes time to develop. When building, err on the obscene side when talking about quantity. Yes, more is better. They do not last forever…and the fish do love them. That combination leads us down the path of ever dwindling supplies. Keep it stocked. That is a  rule. 

If you want to play with the big boys, you may want to arm yourself with two of these stuffed boxes. One of the reasons to carry so many patterns, flies, colors, hook types…is the overwhelming number of too cool fly boxes on the market today. I have been locked into the C & F Designs boxes of all types for the last several years. The sheer number of knock-offs available today will surprise even the most current of gear junkies. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry outfit offers the now blasé Micro-Slit style boxes in amy configurations as there are stars in the sky. I secretly love it. I like fly boxes! 

Organized fly boxes get me real excited. Organized and filled…double the pleasure. 

Pretty in Pink

 How you fill your Scud Box is your perogative. Completely subjective to your angling style, local waters, and anal personality traits. Mine must be itemized according to color, size, popularity, oft and not oft used…Fly boxes are as individual as the user. That is one of the many reasons looking through other boxes is so entertaining; and telling!? 

My cuurent version, let’s call it 3.0, certainly contains a much narrower selection than the previous 2. This time it is mostly Scuds. All colors, weights, and sizes. It has not always been this way. 

The first box was a generic attractor fly box. Scuds were mixed amongst Prince’s, Zug Bugs, PT’s, some gaudy overdressed caddis pupa’s I ties, worms, and any fly I either did not know the name of, any fly found in a lakeside tree, and a rusty sz 10 McGinty. 

Box 2 was with me for nearly a decade. A small black foam inserted $3 jobby bought at a small sports store in Yakima Wa. This included such flies as Ray Charles, Bighorn Scuds, Princes, worms, and lots of bastardized pink and red flies stolen from local guides who had held my hand through the first year of guiding. The Big Pink, Red Death, and some abomination that Capt. Yetter tied. Possibly the ugliest fly I have ever seen…until I fished it. Then of course, version 2.0 was crammed full of the ugly pink fly. That box is now retired as a new box was unveiled in the spring of ‘09. 

Now I am rollin’ with the box above. It consists of many tailwater favorites with the accompanying local standards. The following patterns adorn Sol’s Scud box… 

• Rainbow Czech
• Amex
• Tan Czech
• UV Czech
• Orange Czech
• Berry Nymph
• SH Ray Charles, 4 colors
• Hot Bead Ray Charles, 3 colors
• Pink Lightening Bugs
• Arnold’s Sili-Scud
• generic Scuds, all colors
• Raisler Depth Charge
• a whole pile of random flies purchased 2 dozen at a time @ any fly shop I frequent…one can never have too many 

Fly Boxes fall under the “must have” category in fly fishing. New fly lines, bomb proof rain jacket, new 4 weight with matching reel…these too fall into the same realm…It is all fantasy land and we do our best to stay in it all often as possible. 

When fishing the Missouri  do not forget your scud box. One of them adorns my line nearly every day for the entire season. Do not discount the effectiveness in winter either. Friend and guide Dave Payne fishes it exclusively in the snowy months and into a sz 8! A good mid week project is to begin the colossal task of building your very own scud box.