Mark Raisler, Author at Headhunters Fly Shop

Headhunters 2023 Christmas Party: Closing early Saturday Dec. 2nd Closing it up early on Saturday. A good time for our staff and guides with a homespun pizza party in the tiny fishing ‘burb of Craig. Maybe some wings, salads, and…

Tying Ninchs Bubble Yum Scud

November 29, 2023

Fly Fishing Video, Fly Tying

Bubble Yum Scud, Headhunters Own, JAV, Just Add Vise Kit, Order Online, Scuds

Tying the Bubble Yum Scud When you think about the Mighty Mo, and nymphing, you think of scuds, sows, and in the winter months…Pink! Check this baby out. It has a heavy tungsten bead to get you to depth rapidly.…

Tuesday Morning Fishing Report 11.28.23

November 28, 2023

Tuesday Morning Fishing Report 11.28.23 Water temps continue to fall. Fishing stays strong. 41.5F Flows are hiccuping around at 4360cfs. Nymphing is great. It will become not quite as exciting as the water temps fall. Zebra’s and sows galore. Dry…

29 Reasons to visit Missouri River Montana

November 26, 2023

We know you have your own reasons for visiting Montana’s Missouri River every year. Here are a few more reasons to visit this summer. Plus, you need to try out that new Sage R8 on our hard fighting jumping Rainbows!…

Fly Shop Small Saturday

November 25, 2023

Fly Shop Small Saturday Yes we are open. Yes we are small. Yes we are a fly shop. Yes today is Saturday. Shop with us today. Everyday! Yes we thank you. Always online, in store, or on the phone. We…

Holiday Update from Downtown Craig Montana

November 24, 2023

sale, Skwala, Turkey Weekend

Holiday Update from Downtown Craig Montana Pretty slow yesterday as the cold kept many away. And a TDay hangover of sorts whether it be turkey based or otherwise. Dead calm and overcast yesterday. Braden Lewis out guiding locals yesterday. Not…

Louis Armstrong and What a Wonderful World today on the HH Blog

Louis Armstrong: What a Wonderful World this Thanksgiving 2023

November 23, 2023

Louis armstrong, video

Louis Armstrong: What a Wonderful World this Thanksgiving 2023 Up and down weather this past week. The Turkey Holiday with snow today, and cooler weather for the remainder of the weekend. Open at 9am Friday morning with guide trips out…

Happy Thanksgiving from Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service

November 22, 2023

Happy Thanksgiving Week from Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service Hello all! Have a great holiday wherever you may cast your line. Closed Thanksgiving Day 2023. We will be watching football too, eating, napping, drinking, napping.. Come by and see…

Turkey Week Fishing Report

November 20, 2023

Turkey Week Fishing Report Water temps 44.5F Flows below Holter Dam about 4K. Pressure: Waning daily as the days pass us by in November. Guide trips out today, later this week. Guide trips available 364 days a year. Bugs: Fewer…

Headhunters Fly Shop Just Add Vise Kreelex Video

November 18, 2023

Fly Fishing Video

Football, JAV, Kreelex, Turkey

Weekend here in Craiglandia. Sunny today, sunny tomorrow. Maybe some weather this coming week, albeit minor. Bundle of anglers around when the weather is like this. This a pattern that you should tie on when the remained of the box…

Thursday Swan

November 16, 2023

Birds Bugs and Wildlife

birds, friday foto, Swan, Wildlife

A swan this Thursday. A lovely bird. Snowed last night for a couple hours. Just a skiff on the ground, lawn, river banks. High sun this afternoon. Looking for more clouds. Weekend ahead. Looking forward to it!

Missouri River Montana Current Fishing Report 11.14.23

November 14, 2023

Fall, November, Pill Popper, Short Leash, Sow Bug

Missouri River Montana Current Fishing Report 11.14.23 Water Flows hovering around 4K. Water Temps falling at 46F. Angler pressure is above average as the daily temperatures are above average. Hi’s in the 50’s for the next 10 days. Shuttles daily…

It’s Fly Tying Time Just Add Vise Kits!

November 13, 2023

fly tying, Headhunters Own, Just Add Vise, Kits, video

It’s Fly Tying Time Just Add Vise Kits! It is tying time in America! Post Summer Blues got you down? Perk up with the JAV KITS and tie up some winter and spring flies. Many of us try to catch…

12 Month Missouri River Flow Chart

November 12, 2023

12 Month Missouri River Flow Chart, Flow Chart, missouri river

12 Month Missouri River Flow Chart River came up on Friday to over 4K. A big change. According to the DNRC this flow will hold for some time. Looking for an average water year ahead. Will it snow a ton…

Veterans Day

November 11, 2023

Veteran's Day

Celebrating all veterans today November 11th. We honor, remember, and celebrate the service of all US Armed Services in peace and during war. Today we honor the bravery and service of all veterans. We at Headhunters keep these men and women…

Friday Foto Fall Edition

November 10, 2023

Headhunters Life, Photography

Don’t let the fall season pass you by. Or, if you do…no worries. The fish are trapped in the river. They are pretty healthy for this time of year. Do see some Saprolegnia in some brown trout. Has occurred before…

Missouri River Winter Fishing Checklist

November 8, 2023

Missouri River Winter Fishing Checklist, RIO VersiLeader

Fly Fishing Gear

Missouri River Winter Fishing Checklist. All the stuff you need for your winter excursion. Whether you be fishing at your local pond or here on the Missouri you need to be prepared in a different way than you would be…

It’s Winter. Pink Lightening Bug Just Add Vise Kit

November 7, 2023

Fly Fishing Video, Fly Tying

JAV, Pink Lightening Bug, Pink Lightening Bug Just Add Vise Kit

Pink Lightening Bug Just Add Vise Kit This might be a good idea to tie on fishing the Mo this winter. One of the standard issue fly patterns. I first saw it from local legend Dan Gard. Don’t know if…

Monday November 6th Missouri River Fishing Report

November 6, 2023

DFO, Fall, November, Soft Hackle, Swingers, Trout, Trout Spey, Wet Fly

Monday November 6th Missouri River Fishing Report All good here in downtown Craig Montana. Most local businesses in partial operation or closed for the season. But not House of Headhunters near the banks of the Mighty Mo. Nope. No way.…

Falling in Love – with a River

November 3, 2023

Mother Mo

Ed Note: Today on the Headhunters Blog we have a guest writer. A good friend of ours Mark wrote this 5 years ago. A re-post today as I find this a good read. Thanks Mark! That day is today. Mark is…

Thursday on the Mo

November 2, 2023

Thursday on the Mo A nice time of the year to be here! Today specifically. Overcast, moist, light winds, cool. Perfect. A few swing trips out there along with the streamer strippers and an occasional dry fly angler. It is…

November Missouri River Fly Fishing Forecast

October 31, 2023

Fishing Report, Troutspey

BWO, Guide Trips, November Missouri River Fly Fishing Forecast, October Caddis, Private Lessons, Trout Spey

November Missouri River Fly Fishing Forecast We are looking forward to the month ahead. November is great fishing. One of the best parts of the month include the lack of anglers around. Another highlight is the fish that like to…

Headhunters THANKS! Mo River Eats Missouri River Lunches

October 30, 2023

Mo River Eats Missouri River Lunches

Headhunters THANKS! Mo River Eats Missouri River Lunches Kelli has been doing a great job for us here at Headhunters for several years! And sadly now the peak summer season is coming to an end. And Kelli’s lunches are going…

Silly Sunday Scenery

October 29, 2023

Headhunters Life, Photography

Scenery Photos, Silly Sunday Scenery, winter

Cold and snowy here @ Montana’s Missouri River. Although we have seen several anglers out there. Bearing it. Grinning? Pretty good out there. Kinda got the place to yourself. Put in late. Stay out til you are cold. Smile.

Thanks Izaak’s! Izaak’s Closing Tonight October 28th for the Season!

October 28, 2023

BBQ, craig, food, Izaaks, RESTAURANT

Thanks Izaak’s! Izaak’s Closing Tonight October 28th for the Season! A sad day in our Craig Life today as Izaak’s last night for 2023 is tonight October 28th. We thank Chef John and his staff for the great year. The…

Late October November Missouri River Fishing Planner

October 27, 2023

Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

2HTROUT, Fall, MissouriRiver, November, nymph, October, Streamer, Swing, winter

Late October November Missouri River Fishing Planner Good times here on the Mo. Calm this week and last. Calm most of the month. Cold all week long, this week past, including snow and vacant waters. That is the type of…

Friday Foto

October 27, 2023

Headhunters Life, Photography

Fall Montana, friday foto, October Colors

Fall colors in full effect. But, leaving as the snow fell the past couple days. Heavy, decomposing leaves, falling to the ground. Streamer fishing? Getting closer to full throttle. Dry fly fishing? Pretty sweet the past week. True BWO’s showing.…

Currently in Greater Craiglandia

October 26, 2023

Headhunters Life, Landscape

October, Rhoda Island, Snow

Currently in Greater Craiglandia Snowing. 12F. Peaceful.

In The Life of a Headhunter

October 25, 2023

Dry Fly Fishing, Foul Weather, In The Life of a Headhunter

The daily routine of a Headhunter might just go like this… Wake. Look outside to verify cloud cover. If sunny, sleep for as long as you want. If not, rollover and sleep until 10am. 10am. Get out of bed. Make…

Missouri River Montana Snow Ahead

October 24, 2023

Throwback image today on theHeadhunters Fly Shop Blog. May have been the 3rd year open. 2010 image? Highs in the 20’s later this week. Lows in the single digits. Lots of snow forecast as well. 10″-20″? BWO weather? Swing weather?…

Finish Up, Start Down.

October 23, 2023

Essentials of the cast, Fly Casting

Fly Fishing Technique

Finish Up, Start Down. A repeat of this article from about 1 year ago. I was out all week guiding and watching anglers cast as they passed. 9 of 10 casters fail at this vital portion of the cast. The…

Ahhh, Fall Weather.

October 22, 2023

Ahhh, Fall Weather

Ahhh, Fall Weather. We like this forecast. How about you? Should keep the fair-weather anglers off the water. Shop open daily. Guides available. Lodging too. Mo River Booking Hotline 406-235-3447 ext. 1 Mo River 4 minute Voice Fishing Report 406-235-3447…

Silly Sunday Scenery Canyon Image

October 22, 2023

Fall, Image, Silly Sunday Scenery

Silly Sunday Scenery Canyon Image Awful pretty this time of year. Enjoy your Sunday. We will be fishing, and watching football. How about you?

Water Levels Return to Seasonal Norms

October 21, 2023

Water Levels Return to Seasonal Norms 4100 cfs. Normal for this period. We like it. Snow on the way. Enjoy your weekend. Wrap up the outdoor stuff here locally. Get out your wool socks and long johns. See you stalking…

Trout Spey on the Missouri River

October 20, 2023

Trout Spey, Trout Spey on the Missouri River

Troutspey

Trout Spey on the Missouri River Swinging daily here fishing Montana’s Missouri River. Good success swinging soft hackles for the BWO feeding fish. Good success with the leech and smaller buggers this week. Next week? Success with floaters and intermediate…

Good Dry Fly even in the SUN!

October 19, 2023

BWO, dry fly, Nymphers Unite, sun, wind

Good Dry Fly even in the SUN! We hope for more overcast days here this October and November. But some days it is just, sunny. While those days are memorable of the low angler sun, stunning fall vistas, and warm…

Just Add Vise Mozuri Minnow

October 18, 2023

Fly Fishing Video

This fly kicks ass. John created this pattern for the Mighty Mozurri. Check it out on this lovely Hump Day morning. We have Just Add Vise Tying Kits here, including the Mozuri Minnow. Mozuri Minnow from Headhunters Fly Shop on…

World Series Missouri River Style

October 17, 2023

World Series Missouri River Style

I am personally pulling for the National League team, the Phillies. I hate the Astros, cheaters, and dislike the Rangers. Both in the same division as the Mariners. Arizona is kinda boring, so the Phillies with the characters on that…

How to catch those damn Pseudo eating fish!

October 16, 2023

How to catch those damn Pseudo eating fish!, Pseudocloeon

Fly Fishing Technique

How to catch those damn Pseudo eating fish! Pseudocloeon will drive you nuts. So many bugs on the water and not many fish eating them. Sunny skies and emerging, bulging, fish ignoring your fly as it passes over them 25…

Sunday Mo River Foreshadowing

October 15, 2023

Baetis, BWO, olives, Psuedo's, Tiny Olives

Sunday Mo River Foreshadowing Sooner than later. Not yet. BWO’s have been reported here locally. Not what we have seen out there at all. Lots of the baby BWO’s, no longer in the Baetis family, but the smaller cousin. BWO’s,…

Silly Saturday Scenery

October 14, 2023

Good colors this week.The length of this fall is forecast to be lengthly. Yep, the colors will stay around for a while. Uncommon. Generally we get a hard freeze when the colors begin to shine, and the leaves die, then…

3 Guide Tips for Fall Missouri River Success

October 13, 2023

Do you ever fall into a rut? Fish the same water every trip. Fish it because you had success some time ago, some trip where you caught a bunch of beauties? Then, it just has no t been the same?…

Trout. A glimpse…

October 12, 2023

All we get is a glimpse of the elusive trout. We only get glimpses. Mere Glimpses. If you break down the time we tie flies, we plan trips, we talk about trout angling around the water cooler, the leader tying,…

Fly Line Cleaner. Important!

October 11, 2023

Fly Fishing Technique, Headhunters Life

Do yourself a favor today, Fly Line Cleaner, RIO

Fly Line Cleaner. Important! The most important thing you can do for your cast today, that will make immediate impact, is to clean your fly line. Lots of products out there that are terrific. The easiest, effective, and inexpensive offering…

Monday Fishing Report straight outta HHFS

October 10, 2023

Monday Fishing Report straight outta HHFS Looking good for the middle of the week in the fishy weather category. The next few days could be jewels. A couple of the days in each of the last couple weeks have provided…

Water Projections for Montana’s Missouri River near Craig

October 8, 2023

Water Projections for Montana’s Missouri River near Craig Pretty standard. Although yesterday there was a move lower. Will it stay for long? According to the dam operators the drop is to maintain some equipment, and should be back up for…

Saturday October Caddis Image

October 7, 2023

October Caddis

Saturday October Caddis Image Love these big bugs. The largest caddis of the season! Got a few in the past week with one of these orange skaters hanging off the line! Enjoy. Fall is here. The fishing is strong. The…

Friday Foto of Fall

October 6, 2023

Tail

Friday Foto of Fall Tail. Enjoy your Friday. Hope to see you this fall knee deep!

Thursday Fishing Report Montana’s Missouri River

October 5, 2023

Thursday Fishing Report Montana’s Missouri River Flows headed to 3300cfs Saturday am. Currently 3990cfs. Water temps crashing and below 58F, currently. Nymphing very good. Variations of BWO nymphs, midge nymphs, bugger nymphs. Many already short, with the water dropping, most…

Missouri River October Fishing Forecast 2023

October 2, 2023

Bugs, Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

Dry Fly Fall Fishing, Dry Fly Fishing, November, Nymphing, October, Streamer fishing, Streamer Fishing the Mo

Missouri River October Fishing Forecast 2023 Bring on the cloudy, wet, and fall weather that we just love in October. Let’s not wait until November. We do want it in November as well but the October time frame will suit…

Headhunter Fly Line Review

October 1, 2023

Fly Fishing Gear

Advanced, DFO, Dry Fly Line, Headhunter Fly Line, Review

Published a few years ago. Reposting today as we head into the fall session here on Montana’s Missouri River near Craig. The Headhunter Fly Line continues to sell extremely well. Better than we would have speculated when it debuted and…

Cowgirl in the Sand Neil Young Farm Aid 2000

September 30, 2023

Cowgirl in the Sand, Neil Young

Cowgirl in the Sand Neil Young Farm Aid 2000 Love this jam. Love Neil Young. Saturday. Final Day of September. Enjoy the overcast skies and rain on the way. Looks like the water temperatures are falling accordingly for the season.…

Friday Foto End of September Image

September 29, 2023

Friday Foto End of September Image Good looking month will pass us by when we blink this weekend. A better looking, certainly fishing, month as we happily skip into October. Definitely a slower pace as the seasons change which allows…

Autumn Leaves, again

September 28, 2023

Headhunters Life, Un-Fishing

Autumn Leaves, Bill Evans, Bill Evans Trio, Jazz Standards

Autumn Leaves, again Posted several, maybe 4 or 5 versions of this killer jazz standard on this very blog. This year, Bill Evans, plays Autumn Leaves. If you like jazz, and standards at that, then it would behove you to…

Sparrow Fly Tying Video Just Add Vise

September 26, 2023

Fly Fishing Video, Fly Tying

JAV, Just Add Vise, Online Store, Sparrow

Sparrow Fly Tying Video Just Add Vise This pattern, the Sparrow, is a big player in the fall and winter here on the Mo. A true classic as Jack Gartside was the first one to come up with this pattern.…

September Morn-ing

September 25, 2023