Fly Fishing Technique Archives - Headhunters Fly Shop

fly fishing progression, learning, missouri river

I’ve been rolling around a personal progression of fly fishing for a couple years and as of late it has been haunting me daily. I believe that we, as an industry, are educating our anglers in an improper way. We…

How a Practice Rod is Helping Me Catch More Fish!

February 4, 2020

2020. Your Best Year!, ECHO Micro Practice Rod, ECHO MPR, Orvis Practicaster, Practice Casting

How a Practice Rod is Helping Me Catch More Fish! One of my Fly Fishing Goals this year is to Cast Better. And getting out to the lawn, to the river, or the park is not always easy with daily…

Ditching Old Faithful

January 29, 2020

Dick Magill, Ditching Old Faithful, Headhunters Crack Staff, Richard, science, Streamers

Ditching Old Faithful From our revealing Dick Magill, Angler Series comes todays blog by crack staffer and writer Richard. Want to speak with Dick Magill? Stop in and see him weekly @ Headhunters of Craig. When you are on the…

Casting Tip Today from Tim Rajeff

January 15, 2020

Casting Technique, Echo, missouri river, Off Shoulder Cast, Tim Rajeff, video, your brother in law

Casting Tip Today from Tim Rajeff One of the great casters, instructors, and minds in todays fishing world. He also makes some pretty popular rods by the name of ECHO. Tim today talks about Off-Shoulder casting. Truly an important cast…

Successful Situations

January 2, 2020

Successful Situations

Successful Situations Two traits that make fishing some dry fly fishing guides popular with guests is the ability to put the angler consistently into successful situations. Just like good sports coaches, strong educators, great fishing guides…they all have the ability…

Wednesday Workshop: How to get better at fishing, without fishing

December 4, 2019

Accuracy, Assumptions, Casting, Do it, Practice, Squeeky Speaks

Wednesday Workshop: How to get better at fishing, without fishing We have lots of questions like “How can I get better at fishing?” Our answer is always watch more YouTube vids at work Fish more. But if you cannot spend the amount…

Deep(er) Thoughts on the Headhunter Fly Line

November 21, 2019

Deep(er) Thoughts, Headhunter Fly Line, Review

Deep(er) Thoughts on the Headhunter Fly Line We wanted to design a line for us. For Headhunters. A couple days ago we published the Headhunter Fly Line Review. As I thought about that blog, I recognized that I left out the…

Montana Trout Spey Video Scumliner Media

October 8, 2019

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Video, Troutspey

Montana Trout Spey Video Scumliner Media

Montana Trout Spey Video Scumliner Media New, no. Cool, yes. I have watched this a ton of times. And I’m gonna watch it many more today. I love watching good casters. It never gets old. Mental training is important in…

7 September Missouri River Tips

September 24, 2019

7 September Missouri River Tips

7 September Missouri River Tips Enjoy the outdoors. Colors changing, weather changing. Enjoy your friends. Whiskey is a nice liquid to harbor in your flask. Bring your JetBoil too. For the coffee. Dry fly caddis if you dare. Blind it…

What Hopper?

August 28, 2019

Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Technique

Hoppers

Were in the midst of a good hopper season in Montana. From the Yellowstone to the Madison to the Bitteroot, it seems like everyone is talking Hoppers. Same on the Mo’. The hoppers were late – like all the other…

Sub-Surface School Sept. 26-30

August 20, 2019

We’ve only got 2 spots left for our new Sub-Surface Fly Fishing School coming up at the end of September. We talk “Dry Fly” all the time, but the reality is that nymphing is an important part of most modern…

Tuesday Tips to Get You Outta Da Rut!

July 30, 2019

Tuesday Tips to Get You Outta Da Rut!

Tuesday Tips to Get You Outta Da Rut! Find yourself not catching more dry fly fish this year than last? Are you the guy that takes 711 casts to get the rising trout to even eat the fly, while your…

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Wednesday Workshop July Dry Fly Tips

July 17, 2019

DFO, Don't Do This, Wednesday Workshop July Dry Fly Tips

Wednesday Workshop July Dry Fly Tips Do: Make the initial attack cleanly. Surgical. Stealthily. Fish are spooky and if they know the enemy is near, they certainly are not as excited to gobble up you’re offering. Don’t: Rush in there…

Headhunters Sub-Surface School Sept 25-29 2019

Headhunters Sub-Surface School Sept 26-30 2019

May 30, 2019

Headhunters Sub-Surface School Sept 25-29 2019

Headhunters Sub-Surface School Sept 26-30 2019 Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service announcing the Headhunters Sub-Surface School Sept 26-30 2019. A great way to climb your way into the cellar with techniques, tools, and lessons regarding all things sub-surface. Nymphing secrets,…

May Missouri River Fishing Forecast

April 29, 2019

Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Technique

BWO, Caddis, DFO, dry fly, Hatch Chart, March Brown, May, May Missouri River Fishing Forecast, missouri river, Mother's Day, Nymphing, River Flows, Streamer, Timing

May Missouri River Fishing Forecast Today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog you get the May Missouri River Fishing Forecast. What to expect, wish for, and believe for the month ahead. Here we go out of April running full speed…

McCune Gould Spey Clinics – only a few spots left!

March 30, 2019

clinics, spey, Trout

UPDATE – Both Clinics are now full. You can sign up as a backup. Mike and Whitney’s annual spring Spey clinics are coming up and nearly full. In fact the “rookie” clinic on April 20th is full, but there a…

Practice Week continues with Tim Rajeff

March 14, 2019

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…

SA Casting Loop Video

March 12, 2019

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…

Gould McCune Spey Clinics Spring 2019

March 4, 2019

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…

Headhunters Advanced Dry Fly School July 25-29 2019

February 19, 2019

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…

Headhunters Advanced Dry Fly School July 25-29 2019

January 26, 2019

Headhunters Advanced Dry Fly School July 25-29 2019

Things Squeeky learned about teaching fly fishing this year

December 7, 2018

Things Squeeky learned about teaching fly fishing this year

Things Squeeky learned about teaching fly fishing this year I was fishing with an individual who was an upper level angler. An upper level angler in my boat is a feller, or gal, that fishes a bunch. For me that…

Swing Tips: Fish Broadside

November 25, 2018

broadside, spey

Tomorrow is CYBER MONDAY. FREE SHIPPING on ALL ORDERS today, tomorrows and the remainder of the holiday season. Shop with online ease while you get all the things that Santa may forget! We’re often asked about how we present the…

Headhunters Spey Especial Trout Spey Trips

October 23, 2018

spey, Spey Espacial, Trout Spey, Winter Guide Special

Headhunters Spey Especial Trout Spey Trips Headhunters is hosting Full Day Trout Spey Trips for $400. October 15th thru December 31st. Lunch, snacks, and a spey rod if you need one are all included. This especial pricing trip is Spey…

Missouri River Nymphing Techniques | Short Leash

October 11, 2018

Some tips on how we do the short leash today on Headhunters Fly Shop Blog. We use Palsa Tabs for the indicator on this rig. But you can get away with yarn, small Thingamabobbers, or a smaller indicator of your…

Two Fly Trout Spey Rig

September 25, 2018

Rigging Techniques, Scandi, Skagit, Trout Spey, Two Fly Rig, Two Fly Trout Spey Rig

Two Fly Trout Spey Rig Today we look at one way to rig the Two Fly Trout Spey Rig. I have been rocking this rig tied onto the end of my Sage 3110 Trout Spey rod for the last month…

5 Missouri River Tips for a better weekend

September 21, 2018

5 Missouri River Tips for a better weekend, missouri river, Technique

5 Missouri River Tips for a better weekend Short Leash. Rig the bobber rig with a couple Pals Tabs and roll. Find that skinny water and toss it in. 2′-3′ for the distance between bobber and bottom fly. Or go…

Mid August Missouri River Fishing Report

Openings @ Headhunters Fly Shop Advanced Fly Fishing School

September 4, 2018

Fly Fishing Technique, Future Fly Fishers

Headhunters Fly Shop Advanced Fly Fishing School – 2018 Openings for the 2018 Adv Fishing School. Openings for both sessions. Call Mark @ 406-459-8739 or email him mark@headhuntersflyshop.com for any questions about our schools upcoming. Want to get better at…

The 5 Don’ts of Dry Fly Fishing

July 19, 2018

Fly Fishing Technique, Uncategorized

The 5 Don'ts of Dry Fly Fishing

The 5 Don’ts of Dry Fly Fishing We speak often about the ways to catch fish. Today we speak briefly about the way you can assure that you do not catch as many dry fly fish. The number one way…

Tuesday Missouri River How it Works High Water Nymphing Tech

May 22, 2018

Tuesday Missouri River How it Works High Water Nymphing Tech The top tips for the high water period this week fishing Montana’s Missouri River in Craig Montana. Brought to you from your fly fishing source on the Mighty Mo Headhunters…

How to Capitalize on Spring Time Fishing Flows

April 23, 2018

Higher Flows, Spring flows, water

How to Capitalize on Spring Time Fishing Flows Guide Eric Mondragon landing a trout with his dog TD in 2011 in the image above. Our last high water year. 2011 was big like 1997. Look at the Russian Olive trees…

March SPEY CASTING Madness @ Headhunters Fly Shop

January 27, 2018

Fly Fishing Technique, Headhunters Life, Troutspey

March SPEY CASTING Madness We are launching our March SPEY CASTING Madness schedule today on the Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service Blog. March 23rd, 24th, and 25th with 3 spey clinics raising the bar on your Spey Game! It…

The Comprehensive Guide to Guided Fishing Trips

January 3, 2018

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Travel, New Breed Chicks

Guide Trips, Guides, Headhunters Guides, How to, The Comprehensive Guide to Guided Fishing Trips

Lots of folks call the shop and inquire about guide services. Many of you who have not had the wonderful opportunity to be guided before, you are in for a trout fishing treat. Squeeky’s father suggested he write this blog…

2017-18 Trout Spey Lineup

November 15, 2017

spey, Swing Season, troutspey

The 2017-18 Spey season has begun on the Missouri River, and it’s time to layout the gear we use while swinging the Mo’. Last season we began a transition from 6 and 7 weight spey outfits down to true ultralight…

How to Clean a Fly Line Part 1

October 10, 2017

Fly Line Health, RIO, video

How to Clean a Fly Line Part 1 I love clean fly lines. Who doesn’t? Today on the Headhunters Blog we have a vid from RIO about how to get it clean. Want ultimate performance from your fly line? Clean…

Chartreuse Little Green Machine

October 3, 2017

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Tying

Baetis, blue winged olive, Fall Fly Fishing, fly tying, Little Green Machine, nymph

Blue Winged Olives With snow the last couple days, river temps are continuing to drop. This morning the water temp was 54.5 degrees. As this trend continues, we will continue to see lots of pseudos. Before too long we will…

2 Spots Open for Headhunters Fly Shop Advanced Fly Fishing School

September 17, 2017

2 spots open for the first session of the Headhunters Advanced Fly Fishing School October 5-8. Call today for add’l info! Headhunters Fly Shop Advanced Fly Fishing School Want to get better at fishing the Missouri River? Want to improve…

3 Hot Missouri River Rigs for the Weekend

September 8, 2017

Autumn, dry fly, Dry-Dropper, Fall, Hot Rigs, Nymphing, Technique

3 Hot Missouri River Rigs for the Weekend We have not turned the corner but the daily river reports from anglers up and down are becoming more consistent as we move beyond the first week of September. We love September…

Six Essential Flies For The Missouri River

September 1, 2017

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Tying, Headhunters Life

essential flies, flies, fly sale, fly tying, missouri river

A couple days ago, I was digging through one of my fly tying drawers and I found an old shuttle sheet. The shuttle sheet was dated December 29, 2015. On the back of it were scribbled several lists of six…

Trout Flies By Gary Lafontaine

August 15, 2017

books, Buzzball, flies, fly tying, Gary LaFontaine

I have always loved the writing of Gary Lafontaine. The first post I ever wrote for this blog was about his theory of color attraction. I have read a lot of books about fly fishing and fly tying, but Trout…

Spents and Spinners

July 13, 2017

Bugs, Fly Fishing Technique

Spents and Spinners Dead shit. That is what we throw. July is full of dead bugs. And live ones too. The dead ones are easier to eat. Honest. Fish them with confidence. As you can see I am becoming sun…

Sunday Mid-Summer Missouri River Tips

July 9, 2017

Dry Flies, July, tips

Sunday Mid-Summer Missouri River Tips A few quick tips from your friends at Headhunters Fly Shop in downtown Craig Montana this sunny and seasonal Sunday Mid-Summer morning. The fishing is great. Get out early and enjoy the day before the…

Crawfish Flies For the Missouri River

June 12, 2017

Crawfish, Crayfish, flies, Nymphing, Spring Fishing

At some point every spring, trout in the Missouri River start eating a lot of crawfish. It is difficult to know exactly when this will happen, but below are some facts that should aid in your angling success. The Spring Spawn…

High Water Vid from a few years back

May 31, 2017

high water, high water nymphing, June, Mark, May, nymphing techniques, Sara

High Water Vid from a few years back A quick video from 6 years back, our last high water era, with instructional overtones. While this video is a few years old, it still applies to us today. Meaning today! Fish…

Juvie Jigger Streamer Strikes!

May 27, 2017

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Tying

flies, fly tying, missouri river, Spring Fishing, Streamers

Juvie Jigger Streamer At the end of April, Headhunters hosted a Spring Streamer Fly Tying Contest on our Facebook page. We received a ton of awesome entries. Choosing a winner was tough. Each shop staffer and several guides selected their…

Those who Row or Why do some catch more nymphing than others.

May 17, 2017

Education, Nymphing, rental boats, Row Jimmy Row, Rowing Skills

A re-post of an article I wrote a couple years ago. I lieu of the high water we are having the drift boat makes a lot more sense than wading. Wading at 6,000 cfs becomes more difficult. Wade fishing at…

Try the Dry Dropper Rig

May 10, 2017

Dropper, Dry, Rigging Techniques

Try the Dry Dropper Rig Tired of chasing the bobber down the river? Don’t like deep nymhping? Want to break out on the edge? Like the looks a Parachute Adams drifting along peacefully next to the bank? Then a Dry…

Hangman Spey Video – Mike McCune

May 8, 2017

Casting, Hangman, mccune, Mike, spey, Trout

Here’s a valuable casting video Mike McCune and I recently shot. Valuable because it is the spey cast I see Mike executing more often than not when we are trout fishing. I have had a number of customers ask me…

Ninch’s Fish Finder Worm

April 27, 2017

Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Tying

fly fishing technique, fly tying, Nymphs, Spring Fishing, worm

Ninch’s Fish Finder Worm needs to be in your box. Fish like worms. Rising water flushes worms from the banks and bottom of the river into the current. Last week the flows increased from around 5,000 cfs to the current…

Spring Streamers / Streamer Fly Tying Contest

April 24, 2017

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Tying

Spring Streamer Fishing Spring is a great time to fish streamers on the Missouri River. At the time of this writing, the river is flowing at 6,880 cfs and temps are around 45 degrees F. These higher flows and increased temps…

Stalcup’s Cluster Midge

April 20, 2017

Dry Flies, dry fly, flies, fly fishing technique, Midge, Midge Cluster, stalcup

Stalcup’s Cluster Midge Needs To Be In Your Box Stalcup’s Cluster Midge is one of my favorite midge patterns. I always have some in my box during the spring and then again in July when the tricos start to hatch. This…

Rowing 101

April 13, 2017

fly fishing technique, Rowing, Rowing Skills

Hire a guide then take out a rental boat. This is the natural progression, as Mark as has described it, for learning the Missouri River. Hiring a guide and asking him/her a bunch of questions allows you to learn the…

Missouri River April May Fly Fishing Forecast

April 11, 2017

Birds, Bugs, Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Technique, Nature

April, birds, Bugs, Forecast, May, Populations, Trout, Water LEvels, Weather

Missouri River April May Fly Fishing Forecast Squeeky attended the annual Upper Missouri River water Advisory Meeting last week and got the skinny on the upcoming water flow predictions and the update on the trout populations. Lots of folks in…

Why Get Guided?

April 8, 2017

$350 Guide Trips, Spring, Spring Fishing, Spring Special

Why Get Guided? We hear this question a lot in the shop. Mark has written about the subject here and here. If you’ve wondered the same question, I’d recommend that you read these links. The following is a short and timely…

Please Leave Redds Alone!

April 6, 2017