Posts by Mark Raisler

Sunday Swing Trout Happy Easter

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Sunday Swing Trout Happy Easter Raining here in Craig Montana. Happy Easter. This Sunday Swing Trout will brighten our day as we remember the 75F weather and good fishing from this previous week. And, last Tuesday we had snow. A…

Friday Foto Fishing Report 4.19.19

April 19, 2019

Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

DFO, fishing report, Friday Foto Fishing Report 4.19.19, Nymphers, Strippers, Swingers, Weekend on the Mo!

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Friday Foto Fishing Report 4.19.19 I liked the Yes and No format earlier this week. It fits my rapid posting early morning style, and needs. So here we head into another Montana Weekend in downtown Craig. Love to see you!…

New Breed Chicks Rule April Edition

April 18, 2019

April Edition, Francine, New Breed Chicks Rule April Edition

New Breed Chicks

New Breed Chicks Rule April Edition Mark fished with Francine and Casey yesterday in the canyon. We fought all day long, at a leisurely pace. A perfect day. The sun came out a few times, and the wind only blew…

Caddis Fest Live Auction Art

April 17, 2019

Caddis Fest Live Auction Art, Community Fundraiser, Volunteer Fire Department

Caddis Fest Live Auction Art Original Caddis Fest Art by Greg Meyer. He donated last year as well. Happy buyers at the live auction Caddis Fest & BBQ Cook-Off Saturday May 18th. Buy it this year will proceeds going directly…

Leonard’s Awesome Flies

April 16, 2019

Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Tying

Avid Angler, Leonard's Awesome Flies, Rising Water, Spring, Tuesday

Leonard’s Awesome Flies Not my first cup of Leonard’s Awesome Flies. Hopefully not my last either. Long time Headhunters friend Leonard ties some real nice patterns. Always thinking and tying creative Missouri River flies. He ties flies for a couple…

Monday Morning Fishing Report 4.15.19

April 15, 2019

April, fishing report

Monday Morning Fishing Report 4.15.19 The Monday Morning Fishing Report 4.15.19. Midway through our Spring Special here in central Montana. Going well. The other fantastic rivers in the state are somewhat fishing. But, if you want the cleanest water in the…

Sunday Swing Fly Pattern

April 14, 2019

Fly Fishing Gear

Sunday Swing Fly Pattern

Sunday Swing Fly Pattern The Six Pack is the lead fly in this Sunday edition of Swing Fly Patterns. The second below is the Twin Lakes Special. Both great. The water levels still up and you must use a boat…

Friday Foto Spring Water

April 12, 2019

Friday Foto Spring Water

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Friday Foto Spring Water It’s great to be out there daily. We are so fortunate to live and breathe the Majestic Missouri River. It does not escape us. The privilege to drift this dry fly Disneyland. Wonderful. Enjoy your weekend.…

Thursday Fishing Report Update

April 11, 2019

Thursday Fishing Report Update

Thursday Fishing Report Update The feeder creeks have peaked and are falling. The mud coming from both LPP and the Dearborn do not matter enough to make any angler worth their weight in salt flinch. The fishing turned for the…

Mid Week April 10th Fishing Report

April 10, 2019

Mid Week April 10th Fishing Report

Mid Week April 10th Fishing Report The tide is rising. Pretty high too. 7410cfs was the number on Tuesday. They are threatening to raise it higher. The water. And we do not have much control over that. Other than the…

New Boat Smell Dewey’s Adipose

April 9, 2019

New Boat Smell Dewey's Adipose

New Boat Smell Dewey’s Adipose Love the spring. New Boat Smell everywhere. Dewey got himself a new Adipose Flow this spring. Cool color, cool slippery bottom for this cool drifter. You getting a new boat this year? Why not…

Headhunters Spring Special

April 8, 2019

Headhunters Spring Special

Headhunters Annual Spring Special April 2019 We are in FULL SPRING MODE! Yes open and fishing. The fishing has been pretty damn good too! Nymphing rules. Swingers are really doing well. The streamer fishing on a few occasions has been…

Sunday Tribute Video Nirvana

April 7, 2019

Headhunters Life, Un-Fishing

Grunge, Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, Tribute

Sunday Tribute Video Nirvana Kurt Cobain passed 25 years ago this week. April 5th 1994. A pretty big part of my youth was mis-spent drinking, dancing, and enjoying live music in the Pacific NW. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Had an album…

Izaak’s Opening April 11th

April 6, 2019

BBQ, craig, food, Izaaks, RESTAURANT

Izaak’s Opening April 11th Hooray! Izaak’s opening for summer 2019 April 11th. First week of operation Thursday thru Sunday 4-9pm The following week Chef John and the gang will open Wednesday thru Sunday 4-9. I already smell the Smoker being…

Friday Fly McCune Sculpin & Fishing Report

April 5, 2019

Friday Fly McCune Sculpin

Friday Fly McCune Sculpin This fly looks good. I have not dunked it in the water. Yet. This weekend could be the ticket. Great warm spring weather on tap. Flows nearly 6K. Not too much mud dumping from the feeder…

Headhunters 11th Birthday is today April 4th

April 4, 2019

Happy Birthday, Headhunters Life

Headhunters 11th Birthday is today April 4th photo: Jess McGlothlin Media It all started in a Tiki Bar in the lower Florida Keys. This idea. The fly shop idea. Everyone of ours said exactly the same thing upon hearing this…

Saving Grayling Vid

April 3, 2019

Saving Grayling Vid

Saving Grayling Vid A cool mid-week vid from the Centennial Valley near the boarder in Montana. Squeeky’s dad spent 3 summers working on this project. Enjoyed it. Said that everyone should take the drive into this stunning place. And yes,…

Top Ten Mo River Trout Spey

March 25, 2019

Fly Fishing Gear

Headhunters Fly Shop, Richard Magill, spey, Spring, Top Ten Mo River Trout Spey, Trout Spey

Top Ten Mo River Trout Spey Ten Things I Like to Have On The Water Even though rain is falling as I write this, winter is almost over as we passed the spring demarcation last week. People are starting to…

Soul Sunday Marvin Gaye What’s Going On

March 24, 2019

Marvin Gaye, Soul Sunday Marvin Gaye What's Going On, What's Going On

Soul Sunday Marvin Gaye What’s Going On Could listen to this Marvin Gaye song over and over. Great message. Social commentary, not social media, from Marvin Gaye that still holds water. Soul Sunday here on the Headhunters Blog. Cool and…

Friday Foto

March 22, 2019

friday foto

Friday Foto Spring is here. Friday Goto. Squeeky having problems with the BBQ charcoal. An early Headhunters Free BBQ. This one legendary of course because this is the moment that Adair realized that her fathers business partner is not too…

Fishing Meetings

March 21, 2019

Fishing Meetings

Fishing Meetings Mark is at Chico Hot Springs embroiled in Fishing Outfitter Association of Montana Annual Meetings. Fishing politics. Public Access issues. Lobbying. Legislative Issues. Madison River Recreation Plan. Negotiates Rule Making Committee Updates. And some general bullshitting. Mark is…

Vernal Equinox SPRING!

March 20, 2019

Headhunters Life, Landscape

Vernal Equinox SPRING!

Vernal Equinox SPRING! Hooray! We made it. Happy Spring. Bring on the midge hatches. Dry fly soon. Some action out there but sporadic at best. Dry fly action is coming. Streamer fishing is good. Nymphing is good. Spring is good.…

Tuesday Fishy Update

March 19, 2019

Al, Brown Trout, Spring, Streamer, Tuesday Fishy Update

Tuesday Fishy Update I guess they’ll eat a streamer. Al got this one as well as a couple more Monday fishing the Mo with Mark. Our Spring Special is on. Al and Duncan rocked it all day long. Fun times.…

Monday March 18th Missouri River Fishing Report

March 18, 2019

Monday March 18th Missouri River 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 in a few days. If Mother Nature is on the same page…

St Patty’s Day Silly Sunday Scenery

March 17, 2019

Silly Sunday Scenery

St. Patty’s Say Silly Sunday Scenery The cork came out of the bottle yesterday. 25 plus boats on the water. Wade fishermen too. Today? Not as many as some are celebrating St Pat’s Day. Corned Beef tonight for sure. Fishing…

Soul Saturday If you want me to stay Sly and the Family Stone

March 16, 2019

If you want me to stay, RHCP, Sly and the Family Stone, video, Walk Up Music

Soul Saturday If you want me to stay Sly and the Family Stone Super groovy. Sly has a killer voice! A legendary group from the past. Sly and the Family Stone made up of many family, Stone, members and a…

Spring Special starts Friday March 15th

March 15, 2019

Scumliner Media, Spring Special, Spring Training Video

Spring Special starts Friday March 15th Now that you have got your casting game moving in the right direction why not plan a Spring Training Guide Trip with Headhunters of Craig for $400? Knock off the fishing rust so when…

Practice Week continues with Tim Rajeff

March 14, 2019

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Video

Echo, Practice Week continues with Tim Rajeff, Tim Rajeff

Practice Week continues with Tim Rajeff Well, we agree with everything Tim Rajeff is talking about. You should too. A key phrase he mentioned in the opening is that practice happens when you are away from the fish. Practice does…

Mother Nature is Loosening the Noose!

March 12, 2019

boat ramp, March 13th, Mother Nature is Loosening the Noose!, winter

Mother Nature is Loosening the Noose! May be a big weekend ahead of us here in Craig Montana. The boat ramps are open. Image above is the Craig Ramp at 4pm Tuesday March 12th. Below the lot. Plowed Tuesday. Ramp…

SA Casting Loop Video

March 12, 2019

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Video

Practice, SA Casting Loop Video, Scientific Anglers, The SHOW!

SA Casting Loop Video #1 error from casters that I see in the boat? They never stop the rod on either the fore or aft cast. Perpetual motion. Analogous to throwing a dart, you must stop the forward motion of…

Spring Training has Arrived!

March 11, 2019

Spring Training has Arrived!

Spring Training has Arrived! But spring has not. Maybe it will show in two weeks. The true date for the beginning of spring, the gateway to summer. Has that Ground Hog stuck its head out yet? Oh yeah. He did.…

Pick Up the Pieces Average White Band

March 10, 2019

Live Music, Pick Up the Pieces Average White Band

Pick Up the Pieces Average White Band I find myself singing this as we are walking around the shop shoveling snow from roofs, sidewalks, ice dams in the gutters, thinking about how to get the rental boats out from under…

Izaak’s Restaurant Craig Montana Hiring Staff 2019

March 9, 2019

2019 Summer, Help Wanted, Izaaks

Izaak’s Restaurant Craig Montana Hiring Staff 2019 Chef John @ Izaak’s Restaurant in downtown Craig Montana is hiring staff for the 2019 season. Cooks, waitstaff, dishers, bartenders…any and all are encouraged to spend the summer in a damn good fishing…

Boat Ramps/Wade Anglers: Don’t come quite yet please

March 8, 2019

Boat Ramps/Wade Anglers: Don’t come quite yet please Pump the Brakes! Not the time yet to come on out to the Mo this weekend. Or even next week. While a couple of the boat ramps have been cleared downriver, Craig,…

RIO Trout Spey Lines @ Headhunters Fly Shop

March 8, 2019

RIO, Scandi, Skagit, Trout Spey

RIO Trout Spey Lines @ Headhunters Fly Shop RIO Trout Spey Lines @ Headhunters Fly Shop. Yes indeed. With the snow going away in the next couple weeks we may be able to access the river out our back door…

IF4 in Helena Montana Friday Nite 7pm

March 7, 2019

IF4 in Helena Montana Friday Nite 7pm

IF4 in Helena Montana Friday Nite 7pm IF4 in Helena Montana Friday Nite 7pm Grandstreet Theater. The IF4 is sponsored by the local Pat Barnes TU Chapter. Come on down and support local fly fishing, conservation, and film! I know…

Wrapping up the Craig Montana Winter Session

March 6, 2019

Wrapping up the Craig Montana Winter Session

Wrapping up the Craig Montana Winter Session I think we may be wrapping up the winter session here in downtown Craig Montana. Maybe. I am feeling this because the air temps will reach the 30F mark tomorrow. Or are forecast…

March 5th Missouri River Seasonal Status Update

March 5, 2019

2019, 2019 Missouri River Summer Water Forecast Update, ice, Jam, MArch, March 5th Missouri River Seasonal Status Update, Snow, winter

March 5th Missouri River Seasonal Status Update The water is high. The ice is too. Super High! Drove down the river today and it is higher than these photos tell. Flooding on some riverfront properties in the lower canyon. That…

Gould McCune Spey Clinics Spring 2019

March 4, 2019

Fly Fishing Technique, Troutspey

2019 Clinics, Gould McCune Spey Clinics Spring 2019, Mike McCune, spey, Spey Education, Technique, Whitney Gould

Gould McCune Spey Clinics Spring 2019 Headhunters Fly Shop is excited to announce the ever popular Whitney Gould and Mike McCune Spring Spey Clinics coming Spring 2019. April 20th 2019: Intro to Spey Casting April 21st 2019: Intermediate/Advanced Spey Casting…

UMOWA Event Tuesday Nite Windbag Saloon Helena MT

March 3, 2019

UMOWA Event Tuesday Nite Windbag Saloon Helena MT

UMOWA Event Tuesday Nite Windbag Saloon Helena MT See you in Helena for the Annual Windbag Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance Fundraiser with Rob and Halliday Quist 5pm til? Come on down and celebrate winter, the Missouri River, and live music.…

Caddis Fest Poster Submission Madelyne Joan Templeton

March 2, 2019

Caddis Festival May 18th, Poster Submission

Caddis Fest Poster Submission Madelyne Joan Templeton Poster submission for the 13th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off from Madelyne Joan Templeton. This years fest is scheduled for Saturday May 18th. Always the 3rd Saturday in May. We have…

March 1st, more snow, weekend update

March 1, 2019

March 1st, more snow, Weekend Update

March 1st, more snow, weekend update 5 weeks of reasonably cold weather here in Craig along with February snow has kept us on our toes this past month. Actually it has kept us in wool socks and knee high boots.…

Last Day of February. Hooray!

February 28, 2019

Last Day of February. Hooray!

Last Day of February. Hooray! Looking in the rear view mirror at that awful month. The shortest month of the year and I for one am thankful. We had record cold along with uncommon totals on the snow side. Average…

Chasing the Taper Trailer

February 26, 2019

Chasing the Taper Trailer

Chasing the Taper Trailer I do own a couple bamboo rods made by the boys at Sweetgrass Bamboo Rods. They are both great. Love to fish them. Occasionally. I do like the action, the history, and the look of that sweet…

Big Winter Storm in Craig Montana

February 25, 2019

Big Storm in Craig Montana

Big Winter Storm in Craig Montana About a foot of snow predicted for the Craig area in the next 3 days. Nice. Lots more water for the summer. Shoveling out the driveway, the garage, the drift boats, the road. Not…

Summertime Covers

February 24, 2019

Gershwin Cover, Jazz, Miles, No more snow!, Summer Foreshadowing, Summertime, video

Summertime Covers Summertime is a few months away. Shucks. Snowing hard in Craig today. And the week ahead. Not many hints of summer out there. The river is frozen. It is wintertime. Not Summertime! Been singing this tune to myself…

Fly Arrivals this week @ HH of Craig

February 23, 2019

Fly Arrivals this week @ HH of Craig

Fly Fishing Gear

Fly Arrivals this week @ HH of Craig Jig Woolly Bugger Peacock/Black and Peacock/Brown both #8. Gonna be good for our swing crowd. And for the strippers! Tak’s Mini Rainbow #8 Olive Missing Link #20 Squirmy Wormie Jig Hot Pink…

Friday Foto Is February Over Yet?

February 22, 2019

Cold and Ice and Snow, February Blues, Ice Image, More snow on the way!

Friday Foto Is February Over Yet? Pretty tough to see your bobber in that ice and slush flow. But the sun is out today. And maybe tomorrow morning. Until the next snow storm hits us. And that will be Saturday…

More snow, Hump Day, and Squeeky’s unanswered questions

February 20, 2019

Snowpack 2019, Squeeky's Mysteries

More snow, Hump Day, and Squeeky’s unanswered questions Snow in the 10 Day Forecast More snow on the way. Currently snowing here in Craig with 3-5″ expected today into the evening. Not quite as cold coming in at 20F. That…

Headhunters Advanced Dry Fly School July 25-29 2019

February 19, 2019

Fly Fishing Technique

dry fly, Headhunters Eduction, July 25-29 2019, Missouri River Skills, School

Headhunters Advanced Dry Fly School July 25-29 2019 What you’ve been waiting for this winter! We announce the Headhunters Advanced Dry Fly School July 25-29 2019! Yes, a few of your favorite guides we be teaching this Missouri River Dry…

Mo River Eats Missouri River Lunches

February 18, 2019

Mo River Eats Missouri River Lunches

Mo River Eats Missouri River Lunches Kelli has been doing a great job for us here at Headhunters for the past couple years and she will do a great job for you too. If you are traveling this summer to…

Gilman Grips Review

February 17, 2019

Gilman Grips, Review

Gilman Grips Review We met Jeff Gilman this last fall. He brought over some demo oars coupled with his Gilman Grips. An exciting new grip. Yes, not much development in the oar grip arena the past 100 years. While we…

Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project Video

February 16, 2019

Conservation, Fly Fishing Video

Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project, conservation

Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project Video We couldn’t say it better ourselves. A film supporting the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act. It truly is a special place. The entire drainage. Love seeing our friend Stefan Larrson in this short. Love seeing the…

Still cold and snowing in Craig MT

February 15, 2019

Rhoda Island, Weekend Update

Still cold and snowing in Craig MT Your fishing report for President’s Weekend ahead of us. The forecast is terrifyingly cold. Highs reaching Zero degrees or thereabouts. We are in the shop daily. Booking, angering phone calls, selling rods. High…

Pretty in Pink Happy Valentines Day!

February 14, 2019

Pink Lightening Bug Video, Pretty in Pink Happy Valentines Day!, Shop Online bro!

Pretty in Pink Happy Valentines Day! Psychedelic Furs with todays Valentines Day nod. Classic 80’s. Kiss your wife or girlfriend as you hand her the flowers. It’ll take the sting out of you mentioning your fall Blue Winged Olive trip…

2019 Missouri River Summer Water Forecast Update

February 13, 2019