Sunday Checklist for the fishing season ahead!
Thinking about the future and the summer and season ahead this morning. Getting pretty stoked. Like to have more water, less wind, more bugs, free beer, and world peace. But, will have to keep it real and realistic today. Achievable goals!
Fix Broken Rods: Check your rods for bent guides, loose butt caps, ill fitting ferrules, broken pieces. Send them in two months ago. Or today. Most rod manufacturers have online portals to begin this process. Expect up to a month for the rod to comeback to you. The spring is the busiest time of the year for the broken rod department at any rod shop. So if you need or want that rod this summer, today is the day to get on board. Wait a month and you will miss the PMD hatch on your local waters with your favorite dry fly rod.
Invest in some good fishing shades. If you need prescription glasses get on it today. If you can still see the fish without the help of magnification or otherwise, see us at the fly shop for cool modern tech polarized sunglasses. The right sunglasses can help a few fish find the net daily.
Go through the fly boxes. Toss out the shitty broken flies. No need to carry them around. Re-box. Another tough one. If you gt the time, it is always pleasant to open organized and clean fly boxes on the stream. And, impress your buddies! Buy new boxes if you need.
Toss out old tippet. Not worth the nickel to lose many fish. Look through your leader wallet and toss out yellowed and old leaders. Do yourself a favor. Don’t carry around gear you won’t use.
Fix yor leaky waders. If yo cannot find the 109 leaks in your 19 year old waders…maybe it is a sign to treat yourself to a dry day on the river. Skwala, the best int he biz, has some great options here at Headhunters of Craig Montana. All sizes, all models, in stock at Headhunters.
Full line of Skwala outerwear and sportswear available at your favorite fly shop in Craig. Headhunters downtown.
Get your 2026 Montana Fishing License online. Why? Two reasons. Fishing licenses are not sold at most outdoor shops and fishing retailers any longer. Nope. New world.
Book your fishing trip to Montana’s Missouri River with Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service. Guide trips available 364 days a year. Peak times like June and July followed by May and October fill fast. Most long time customers, which is better than 50% of our anglers, book 1 year n advance. If you are looking for peak season periods, today is the day to finalize those plans. June 24th, is it open? Do you have lodging for 4 after the 4th of July? Short answer is no, not really. There are some Swiss Cheese holes in the calendar.
Book lodging for 2026 today, or soon. CraigLodging.com or CraigTroutCamp.com for lodging options locally. 30+ options for lodging presented by HH of Craig. 2 to 12. We have the lodging that you will love.
Get that rod out of the closet and cast a bit. Want to catch more trout this year? Well, get that rod out and cast it. Not for an hour. For ten minutes. Then ten minutes later. Repeat. Just a bit of familiarity will move you forward. Truth.
Install fly fishing and the feeling in the front of your brain. Live it. Love it. Fish it. Happy Sunday out there. We are headed for the best time of the year. Do your snow dance for us. We will be prepping for your arrival this summer at Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service.