Mark Raisler, Author at Headhunters Fly Shop

Thursday June 4th Missouri River Fishing Report

Thursday June 4th Missouri River Fishing Report Just the facts today on the Headhunters Thursday June 4th Missouri River Fishing Report. Flows 5220cfs. Gonna creep up in the next two days. Near 6K? More next week. Water temps currently 56.5F. Up…

New Breed Chicks Rule Tess Edition

June 3, 2020

New Breed Chicks Rule Tess Edition

New Breed Chicks

New Breed Chicks Rule Tess Edition Tess and her first trout on a fly. Nice work Tess. Great times with Tess and her family this week. Sunny, fishing, fellowship. A perfect June week. The Dearborn coming down in flows. Fishable…

Missouri River June Water Forecast

June 2, 2020

Missouri River June Water Forecast

Missouri River June Water Forecast Looking good for the month ahead for the Missouri River June Water Forecast. Yes, normal is what we should expect as we heading the first of the two peak dry fly months fishing he Missouri…

Montana Opens the Borders Today

June 1, 2020

COVID-19, Headhunters Fly Shop Covid Protocols, June 1st, Montana State Open, Safety, sanitized for your comfort, Update

Montana Opens the borders today Today is the day when Montana opens its borders to out fo state and non quarantined visitors. And that is a big deal. June 1st the Governor will allow anglers, visitors, tourists access to the…

PMD Forecast June 2020 Missouri River Montana

May 31, 2020

Bugs, Fishing Report

Cripples, Duns, Emergers, June 2020, patterns, PMD, PMD Forecast, Spinners

PMD Forecast June 2020 Missouri River Montana Lots of folks in with questions about the Pale Morning Dun. Our answer? Yes, that can be a tough one out there. And then sometimes, easy. But mostly in the middle of those…

Achilles Last Stand Led Zeppelin

May 30, 2020

Achilles Last Stand, Achilles Last Stand Led Zeppelin, The Mighty Zep

Achilles Last Stand Led Zeppelin Montana’s Last Stand this weekend. And float and fish they have been. Today again as many Saturdays in the past month have been the Montanans were out in force. A 100 boat trailers at Mid…

Friday Foto and Missouri River Fishing Report May 29th 2020

May 28, 2020

Friday Foto and Missouri River Fishing Report May 29th 2020

Friday Foto and Missouri River Fishing Report May 29th 2020 It’s almost summer! June 21st will usher the sunshine in full time! But the days get longer until the solstice and then turn the other direction. Evening fishing is fun…

Tying the Rusty Parachute Video

May 27, 2020

Fly Fishing Video, Fly Tying

Dead Flies Don't Swim, Guide Fly, Harrop, PMD, Rusty Spinner

Tying the Rusty Parachute Video Squeeky believes that we may see these bugs this week? Water temps in the mid 50’s range! Working their way upwards this week as well with the warmer and hot afternoons towards the weekend! Historically…

Tuesday Trout Bum

May 26, 2020

Peter, Tuesday Trout Bum

Tuesday Trout Bum Local Shop Rat Peter again today with his latest post of what he finds to do when not fishing! It does not happen often as the shop staff is on the water any moment they are not…

Memorial Day 2020

May 25, 2020

We Honor those who have fallen today. At 3pm is time observe a moment of silence. Honor. Respect. Remembrance. In traditional observance, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly…

Future Fly Fishers

May 24, 2020

Future Fly Fishers

Future Fly Fishers Great image today on the Headhunters Blog. Baby Callum patiently waiting while dad finds some good flies. And so it goes. Forward.

Friday Foto The Muddy Mo!

May 22, 2020

Friday Foto The Muddy Mo!

Friday Foto The Muddy Mo! Muddy waters here in the Mighty Mo. Today it is the Muddy Mo! The Dearborn River is blown. Blowing mud from the DB has made the Muddy Mo look like this at Pelican Point. Probably…

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly II

May 21, 2020

and the Ugly II, the Bad, The Good

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly II Thursday in the Missouri River Canyon. And all is good. Sort of. The Good The fishing is damn good. The entire river was fishing well with lots of anglers in the canyon…

14 Day Quarantine Ends June 1st. Montana Tourism Open! What does that mean?

May 20, 2020

Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

14 Day Quarantine, Craig Lodging, Flights, Gov Bullock, Guide Trips, June 1st, Montana Travel, Phase 2

14 Day Quarantine Ends June 1st. What does that mean? It means that out of state visitors and anglers can begin to travel to Montana without a mandatory 14 Day Quarantine Monday June 1st. No longer do you have to…

Montana Opens June 1st 2020

May 19, 2020

Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

Governor Bullock, Montana Opens June 1st 2020

Montana Opens June 1st 2020 Governor Bullock announced 11 minutes ago that he will lift the 14 Day Quarantine effective June 1st. That means out of state residents can visit, stay, and fish in Montana. Until June 1st it is…

Tuesday Tying Video

May 19, 2020

Fly Fishing Video, Fly Tying

Tuesday Tying Video

Tuesday Tying Video The Longhorn Beetle today on the Tuesday Tying Video from Headhunters Fly Shop of Craig Montana. Beetles on the Mo? Yep. Not right now. But I have seen lots of black flying ants! You don’t have to…

Joe Walsh Rocky Mountain Way

May 18, 2020

Bugs, Fishing Report

Bugs, Caddis, fishing report, Joe Walsh Rocky Mountain Way, May, Monday

Joe Walsh Rocky Mountain Way Another installment of great Rocky Mountain music today on the Headhunters Blog. Today rocker Joe Walsh and Barnstorm with Rocky Mountain Way. John mentioned this tune yesterday as a lock for the blog this week.…

High Country Gems Clayton and Arnold

May 17, 2020

FishEye Guy Photogrpahy, High Country Gems, High Country Gems Clayton and Arnold, Scumliner Media

Fly Fishing Video

High Country Gems Clayton and Arnold This is a great piece. Pat Clayton, FishEye Guy Photography, of Phillipsburg Montana and John Arnold, Scumliner Media, of Craig Montana put this together a couple years ago. Awesome footage. Visit John at Headhunters…

May Missouri River Tips for Fly Fishing success!

May 16, 2020

May Missouri River Tips for Fly Fishing success!

Fly Fishing Technique

May Missouri River Tips for Fly Fishing success! Hello all out there in TroutLand! May 16th today. Generally lots of folks in town for our Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off. But not today. Cancelled because of Covid-19. But…

Diane New Breed Chicks Rule #769

May 15, 2020

Diane, Diane New Breed Chicks Rule #769, New Breed Chicks Rule

New Breed Chicks

Diane New Breed Chicks Rule #769 Either her 3rd or 4th post from Diane today. Nice work Diane. We have come to expect nice brown trout from you one the past 10 years. Keep up the good work! Happy Friday…

Mid May Missouri River Weekend Update

May 14, 2020

BWO, Caddis, March Brown, May, Mid May, Midge, Skwala, Sunshine, Weekend Update

Mid May Missouri River Weekend Update All good in the tiny fishing ‘burb of Craig Montana this week. Still slower traffic as many of the out of state guests cannot be in Montana without the 14 day quarantine. But this…

Mothers Day 2020

May 10, 2020

Mother's Day, Peter Speaks, Peter Writes, Thanks Mom

Mothers Day 2020 Ed Note: Again this week Peter speaks to us from Headhunters HQ in Craig Montana. We all have a Mother to thank. Thanks Mom! FYI this is not Peter’s mother. Nope. But it is a mom we…

10 Questions with Chef John of Izaak’s

May 9, 2020

10 Questions with Chef John of Izaak's, Craig Montana, Izaaks, Smoked Meat

10 Questions with Chef John of Izaak’s Izaak’s Restaurant of Craig Montana is open for business this spring. Cars packed the parking lot Thursday night as the smell of Izaak’s smoker out back brought in the anglers like the Mothers…

10 Tips for Missouri River Baetis Success

May 8, 2020

Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Technique

10 Tips, Baetis, Technique, Trout Planning

10 Tips for Missouri River Baetis Success We are all into catching more fish on BWO dries. Actually not true. Some anglers. Not all anglers are interested in the dry fly. I have often stated to those who believe that…

Weekend Fishing Report from Headhunters of Craig

May 7, 2020

Weekend Fishing Report from Headhunters of Craig Turning towards better fishing? Boy we hope so. Inconsistent it has been. And for some, not good at all. We totally agree. For those who do not spend most everyday on the water…

Izaak’s Open Thursday May 7th

May 6, 2020

Izaak's Restaurant

Izaak’s Open Thursday May 7th Open May 7th. Izaak’s! We love our neighbor establishment and Thursday May 7th is opening day! The season started out good, then trouble, now social distancing, sanitizing, and reduced occupancy. May Day has passed. And…

Extinction of the Trout Bum?

May 5, 2020

Extinction of the Trout Bum, Peter Longoria, Ramblings of a trout bum, trout bum

Extinction of the Trout Bum Ed Note: 2nd year shop staffer Peter with todays blog post. We love it. If you follow the progression of both John and Mark it includes many nights, weeks, months in tents, pickup beds, sleeping…

Missouri River and Craig Montana Monday May 4th Update

May 4, 2020

COVID-19, May, missouri river, Missouri River and Craig Montana Monday May 4th Update

Missouri River and Craig Montana Monday May 4th Update All good in this neighborhood. The update of all things Missouri River, Craig, and Montana today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog. Craig Mostly open for business. Headhunters Fly Shop open…

May Day in Craig Montana

May 1, 2020

May Day in Craig Montana

May Day in Craig Montana Plugging along here in central Montana. The first week of Phase One. Shop open, guides out, shuttle crew shuttlin’, flies flying out of the shop. Open daily 8-6. Enjoy the first day of the weekend!

Hump Day Fishing Report

April 29, 2020

BWO, Hump Day Fishing Report, Late April, Midge

Hump Day Fishing Report Not too bad out there Wednesday. Much better than the disappointing bite on endured by many onTuesday. John said it best when he said it seems like an every other day bite. After today, I think…

HH Shop Open, fishing report, and Purple Lightning Bug Tying Video

April 28, 2020

Fly Fishing Video, Fly Tying

Purple Lightening Bug Tying Video

Purple Lightening Bug Tying Video Tie this Purple Lightening Bug up today, fish it tomorrow! BWO’s on the water. Midges on the water. Sometimes fish looking up. Probably not with this high and bright spring weather pattern we are locked…

Headhunters Fly Shop Re-Opening

April 26, 2020

Headhunters Fly Shop, Headhunters Fly Shop Re-Opening

We will be re-opening Headhunters Fly Shop tomorrow Monday April 27. The Missouri River Business Community has been communicating with one another, and while we are excited for the season to start (again), we are also cautious about an influx…

The Montana Song Dick Noel, plus fishing report

April 24, 2020

The Montana Song Dick Noel

The Montana Song Dick Noel Sunny. Friday. The Montana Song by Dick Noel. Status Quo here in downtown Craig Montana. Anglers around. BWO’s and Midge around. Clusters, singles, cripples, emergers. Nymphers getting ’em. Deep, slow, and medium slow water. Pink,…

George Harrison Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth

April 23, 2020

George Harrison, Peace On Earth, video

George Harrison Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth A great tune. A great message. From one of the Beetles. This will get me through Thursday. Opening Monday here in Craig. Give me love, give me peace, give me…

Headhunters Fly Shop Open Monday April 27

April 22, 2020

Gov Bullock, Montana Opens

Uncategorized

Headhunters Fly Shop Open Monday Montana State Governor Steve Bullock spoke at noon today about the opening of Montana Shelter in Place is lifted Sunday in Montana. The Stay at Home order will be lifted for Montana residents. 14 Day…

Reach Cast Video

April 21, 2020

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Video

Reach Cast Video

Reach Cast Video An oldie but goodie on the Headhunters Blog. Since you have been practicing casting the entire month we are reminding you to do a bit of this action too. Some sort of slack line presentation can be…

420 in Craiglandia

April 20, 2020

420 in Craiglandia, April 20, Rasta Lunker

420 in Craiglandia It looks like this… Rasta Blackstrap $20.00 Add to cart Rasta Foam Trucker – Green and White $29.95 Read more Rasta Lunker Die Cut Sticker $4.95 – $12.95 Select options

The very latest happenings Craig Montana 4.20.20

April 20, 2020

Uncategorized

2020, April, BWO, COVID-19, craig, Hatches, Nymhps, Spring, The very latest happenings Craig Montana 4.20.20, Traffic

The very latest happenings Craig Montana 4.20.20 Sunday was awful nice in Craig Montana. Nearly 60, light winds, with a ton of Montanans dragging their outdoor summer toys with vigor through our recently quiet fishing ‘burb. Here are the facts…

Saturday Black and White

April 18, 2020

Saturday Black and White Rain today. 50F. Craig, Montana. Black and white trout release. The longer you stare at this image, the better it gets. At least for me. Love the way the bleached front end of the trout is…

Zappa. Montana. ’73

April 17, 2020

Zappa. Montana. '73

Zappa. Montana. ’73 It’s the weekend. Play Zappa loud. For those who don’t “get Zappa”, so sorry. If Frank makes your ears hurt, or just confuses you, or you don’t understand the music? Elton John may be more your speed.…

Thursday Cold, side of Snow

April 16, 2020

HArdy Creek, Spring, Thursday Image, Untouchables Bridge

Thursday Cold, side of Snow Not anywhere near the ZERO mark this morning but still cold at 25F. The Untouchables Bridge this morning was stunning. A white blanket of snow again yesterday and last night set up a picture perfect…

John Foust. Montana Fishing Legend

April 15, 2020

John Foust. Montana Fishing Legend

John Foust. Montana Fishing Legend I had the privilege of fishing with John a few times over the last twenty years. There is only one John Foust. Met John and Elna when I worked for the Trout Shop Cafe in…

City of New Orleans. Steve Goodman

April 12, 2020

City of New Orleans. Steve Goodman

City of New Orleans. Steve Goodman I think of this tune and sing it often. Good Morning America, how are ya. An American theme song. I think of it as an American Anthem. For now, for yesterday, for tomorrow. A…

Spring Craig Saturday Snow

April 11, 2020

Spring Craig Saturday Snow

Spring Craig Saturday Snow Snowing pretty hard this morning in Craig. In north central Montana. Spring in the Rockies. Will snow through the evening. This coming week we will see more of the same. Plodding along here in Craig. Keeping…

Friday Foto

April 10, 2020

Future Fly Fishers

friday foto

Friday Foto A few years back this scene with the Lasek Family. Colin and Kelley getting it done in June. Been fishing with Kelly for a number of years. Introduce your kids to fishing this year. Do it. A great…

Hello in There. John Prine Dies at 73

April 8, 2020

COVID-19, John Prine, RIP

Hello in There. John Prine Dies at 73 Deeply sad news today as John Prine dies at 73. One of the soldiers that lost their live due to Covid-19. It saddens me along with the loss of life we are…

Craig Caddis Fest Cancelled

April 7, 2020

Craig Caddis Fest Cancelled

Uncategorized

Craig Caddis Fest Cancelled Another cancellation on the list this year includes the Craig Caddis Festival slated for the 16th, third Saturday in May. This annual event, the 15th annual, may be re-scheduled for August. Still thinking about that and…

An April Reminder to not Tread on Redd

April 6, 2020

Conservation, Headhunters Life

Etiquitte, Rainbow, Redd, Spawn, Spawning, Trout

An April Reminder to not Tread on Redd A reminder today regarding the Rainbow Trout Redds currently in the Missouri River. Don’t step on them. They, the eggs and trout doing the fragile incubation and spawning dance of tomorrows trout…

How a Fly Line is Made RIO Products

April 5, 2020

Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Fishing Video

Fly Line, Manufacturing, RIO, The Headhunter Fly Line, USA, video

How a Fly Line is Made RIO Products Cool video from RIO Fly Lines today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog. The Headhunter Fly Line is manufactured by the Idaho Falls gang. Not very often when you get a peek…

Mike revisits the events that brought him to the Mo

April 4, 2020

COVID-19, friday, Life Path, Mike Owen

Mike revisits the events that brought him to the Mo Mike O from Headhunters today tells us the story of how he arrived on the Missouri River and the extenuating circumstances leading to his lifelong passion for Mother Mo. …

Missouri River Montana Campgrounds Closed

April 3, 2020

COVID-19, Missouri River Montana Campgrounds Closed

Missouri River Montana Campgrounds Closed This just in. Campgrounds closed on the Mo. The Holter Dam BLM campsite is closed as of today. Don’t know about the boat ramp. But indications are that it is open. There we folks out…

More closures at Montana FAS sites?

April 2, 2020

Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

More closures at your local FAS sites? Some closures dropped down by the Fish Wildlife and Parks folks two days ago could be expanded as we make our way through the days, weeks, and months ahead. While some larger group…

Somewhere in the Middle of Montana Monday

March 30, 2020

Somewhere in the Middle of Montana

Somewhere in the Middle of Montana Monday Monday morning here in central Montana. Sunny, hi forecast of 57F. Not much wind. A pretty nice Monday. We are sending out online orders this morning to you out there in TroutLand. Tying…

Silly Sunday Scenery Summer Ahead

March 29, 2020

Silly Sunday Scenery Summer Ahead

Silly Sunday Scenery Summer Ahead At the end of this long tunnel we are in… Sit a couple chairs by the river.

Make that list man

March 28, 2020

Make that list man Started writing this morning without a title, without a blog topic, without a direction for my day, without the fly shop open, without a purpose. And that is bad. Awful. Dangerous! No direction is like being…

Spring Sunshine, Snowpack, and Surprises

March 26, 2020