Headhunters Life Archives - Headhunters Fly Shop

Why I Fish. Dick Magill Chronicles

December 6, 2021

Why I Fish. Dick Magill Chronicles A Top Ten List from Dick Magill today on the HH Blog. Thanks Richard. Appreciate it! To escape the pressures of society. To relieve stress. To heal the mind and soul. To avoid people.…

Hebgen Dam Fixed, Madison Flows Restored

December 2, 2021

Mark Raisler

Conservation, Headhunters Life

Hebgen Dam, Madison River, NWE

No Comments

Hebgen Dam Fixed, Madison Flows Restored NorthWestern Energy image above NorthWestern Energy (NWE) reported last night that Hebgen Dam gate is open and outflows to the Madison River are restored. The water in the river is rising as desired. Crews…

Madison River Crisis, Wind, and December

December 1, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

December, madison, NWE F**ked up, wind, winter

Madison River Crisis, Wind, and December Madison Flows Plummet to 177cfs As many have heard or seen on the Insta and other social sites the water in the Madison is low. The dam malfunction with Northwestern Energy at the wheel…

FISHSKI Video today. Great Skiing Weather?

FISHSKI Video today. Post T-Day Slumber.

November 26, 2021

Mark Raisler

Fly Fishing Video, Headhunters Life

FISHSKI Video today. Great Skiing Weather?

FISHSKI Video today. Post T-Day Slumber. All we got today is wind, and clouds, and sun. Fishing this holiday weekend with a few anglers out there today swinging, stripping, nymphing. Watch this classic first. Then tie flies. Rest your weary…

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Happy Thanksgiving from Headhunters Fly Shop, Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family and friends today as we hang out at home waiting for nap time! We are thankful for many things including theMissouri River and you our fishy friends. Get the most from this day of rest…

Late Fall Friday Foto

November 19, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

First Day of Fall Friday Foto

Late Fall Friday Foto Today is one of he nicer days this fall! It is certainly not winter yet. Highs in the 40’s and 50’s this coming week. Wind is forecast for the weekend of course. Just when you want…

Wednesday Gone Fishing

November 16, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Wednesday Gone Fishing Shop open early for a couple guide trips heading out, then closed at 10am for a staff fishing day. Yep, GONE FISHING WEDNESDAY @ 10am. Stop in early if you need us, or anything from us. If…

Silly Sunday Scenery Mid-November Edition

November 14, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Fall

Silly Sunday Scenery Mid-November Edition Craig Boat Ramp, Craig Montana. Fall. November. 2021.

Saturday. The Weekend. And Bob James w/ Autumn Nocturne

November 13, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life, Nature

Saturday. The Weekend. Calm in this image. But today not that calm. Pretty windy. Wind in the forecast again tomorrow. Will it ring true? The forecast? We’ll let you know Monday if the wind came for a visit. Guessing is…

Friday Fall Foto

November 5, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Friday Fall Foto

Friday Fall Foto Posted up Headhunting. Guide Beth Langell stalking BWO rising trout. Fall is happening. You coming?

Tuesday Foto November Edition

November 2, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Tuesday Foto November Edition The Mink on the Missouri River. Common. Fun to watch. A couple Trout Spey trips out. A couple more tomorrow. And the next day. Come by and get hooked up on one of these this late fall.…

Try New Water this Fall fishing Montana’s Missouri River

October 31, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Try New Water this Fall fishing Montana’s Missouri River Get out there and try something new. We here on this blog speak often about breaking new ground, trying new things, and finding new water for yourself. Even on this limited…

Friday Foto from Headhunters of Craig

October 29, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life, Uncategorized

Fall

Friday Foto from Headhunters of Craig Fall is good. We had a long one this year. Thank you 2021. The leaves are nearly gone. Soon we will go back to our primary color, tan. We are enjoying the remaining moments.…

2021 Fall Services Update

October 24, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Silly Saturday Scenery

2021 Fall Services Update Spawning Browns out there on the river. Recognize gravel reads and stay off of them. Active sex regions deserve our attention, not romping, not stomping, not upsetting the natural process. Don’t stomp on them. Enjoy the…

Friday Foto Fall Session

October 22, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Friday Foto Fall Session A stunning fall here in the canyon. You can check out the pics, or get in your car ad drive here. Headhunters opens at 8am daily.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.21.21

October 21, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.21.21 Water flows: 2670cfs. Water temps: 53F-54F. Nymphers: Sows, scuds, midge larvae, early. Mayfly nymphs late. Dry Fly Anglers: Look for the BWo’s to come off after 2pm. Lower canyon and beyond for a few…

Silly Sunday Scenery

October 17, 2021

Mark Raisler

Bugs, Headhunters Life

BWO

Silly Sunday Scenery Water temps diving. BWO’s emerging. Trout rising.

Friday Fall Foto

October 15, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Friday Fall Foto Fall. Swing Season. DFO’s Unite. Bugger Chuckers Strip. The après fish drinks always taste good.

Jim Hill Memorial & Celebration of Life Oct 16th 4pm

Jim Hill Memorial & Celebration of Life Oct 16th 5-7pm

October 13, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Jim Hill Memorial & Celebration of Life Oct 16th 5-7pm Image above, not Jim. Jim Hill Memorial and Celebration of Life Saturday October 16th 5-7pm at Old Craig School. Join Julie and friends for a tribute of an exceptional fisherman…

The Jet and Randy Steal Home

October 10, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life, Uncategorized

The Jet and Randy Steal Home Unreal. The ability to steal home requires smarts, speed, and patience. Just like a good dry fly angler. The dry fly angler, a successful one, has to be smart. Watching the rise form, understanding…

Silly Saturday Scenery

October 9, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Silly Saturday Scenery Great colors out and showing us the Montana fall. A good one is here as the air temps have cooperated and not frozen the leaves. When that happens they turn black and go away. Ya know ’cause…

October Water Forecast

October 6, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Low Water, October

October Water Forecast Low. That is the word. Will remain low. Still a discrepancy in the USGS Holter Dam and Cascade gauges. Hmm. Lots of fun to be had as the subsurface structure is exposed. Super fun for stripping and…

Missouri River Streamer Love

October 5, 2021

Mark Raisler

Bugs, Headhunters Life

Fly Patterns, Streamers

Fall means streamer fishing Montana’s Missouri River. We dig it. I think the streamer strike is the best 1 1/2 seconds in fly fishing. Dry lines, intermediate tips will suffice. Flies. You gotta have flies. Flies are cool. Streamer flies…

Riviera Paradise Stevie Ray Vaughn

October 3, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Riviera Paradise Stevie Ray Vaughn Riviera translates as Coast. While we do not live on the coast we do reside on the banks of Mother Mo. So this tune has always had a place in my heart and it is associated…

Silly Saturday Scenery

October 2, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Autumn, boat, net, Steve Collie, Wolf Creek Bridge

Silly Saturday Scenery HH Guide Steve Collie scooping one out fishing with the Ron Vogel group today above the Wolf Creek Bridge. Autumn is here. It is beautiful. Quite busy fo rah first week of October as well. Lots of…

Missouri River Fall Fishing Forecast 2021

September 27, 2021

Mark Raisler

Bugs, Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

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

Missouri River Fall Fishing Forecast 2021 Bring on the cloudy, wet, and snowy 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…

Autumn Leaves. Freddie Hubbard.

September 26, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Autumn Leaves, Autumn Leaves. Freddie Hubbard., Jazz Standard, Missouri River Fall Jazz

If you know this tune you will love Freddie Hubbard playing this most important of this non-American Jazz Standard written by the French and the English lyrics added by Johnny Mercer in ’47. Autumn Leaves played by American horn player…

7 September Missouri River Tips

September 15, 2021

Mark Raisler

Fly Fishing Technique, Headhunters Life

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…

Why it is important to reflect on days like today 9/11

September 11, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

9/11, Honor, Positive Behaviors, Why it is important to reflect on days like today 9/11

To understand why, how, where we come from. To respect those who came before us. To honor those who have fallen innocently. To honor and respect those who fight for our freedom. So often we forget that most of us…

Overcomplicating. Andy speaks on the blog today

September 7, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Andy McEwen

Overcomplicating. Andy speaks on the blog today Overcomplicating. A trap so easy to get caught in while fishing a technical tailwater like the Missouri River as we move from late summer into autumn. Fish simple patterns with impeccable drifts instead…

50% off of any fly in the shop? Yes!

September 3, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

50% off of any fly in the shop? Yes! Labor Day weekend is here, and that means our annual fly sale is happening. You can get any fly in the shop at 50% off this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 4th…

Trout Spey Camp? No. Trout Spey Guide Trips? Yes.

August 31, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Trout Spey Camp? No. Trout Spey Guide Trips? Yes. As we navigate the current Covid world we unfortunately are not gonna host our now world famous Trout Spey Camp this fall. Total Bummer. Although we will be guiding Trout Spey…

Craig Caddis Festival Saturday August 28th 3pm

Craig Caddis Festival Saturday August 28th 4pm

August 25, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

CaddisFest

Craig Caddis Festival Saturday August 28th 3pm BBQ @4pm What to expect at this year’s Caddis Festival: AWESOME FUN! -The parade kicks off the afternoon – don’t miss it! Line up at 2:45 at the fire station to participate and…

Rise. Herb Albert.

August 22, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life, Un-Fishing

'79, Hrb Albert, Rise

Rise. Herb Albert. A big tune in ’79. I remember it well. Great title as well. Although no connection with the rise (forms) we like. I also love(d) Tijuana Taxi from ’65. My folks had that LP. I wore it…

Off Air | Friday August 13th

August 13, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Shop Open daily 530-8pm. Guide trips and lodging and shop staff ready to help in any way you need this grasshopper and Crawfish season. The Blog will be Off Air for a few days. We know how hard that can…

Sandy Sunday Scenery

August 8, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Sandy, Sandy Sunday Scenery

Sandy Sunday Scenery PLongoria’s great pup Sandy. Best pic I’ve seen all month. You look good Sandy. Great in fact. Happy Sunday Sandy. Shop closed at 4pm Sunday for employee party!

Whatever Gets You Through the Night John Lennon

August 4, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life, Un-Fishing

John Lennon, Music, video

Whatever Gets You Through the Night John Lennon Great track to get stuck in your head today. Sir Elton John on backup vocals. The duet version is sweet too. Happy Hump Day. Warm and smoky here in Craiglandia. The Harris…

FWP Harris Mtn Fire Update

July 31, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

FWP, Harris Mtn Fire, Holter Lake

FWP Harris Mtn Fire Update Firefighting Needs Could Lead to the Closure of Lower Holter Reservoir From Log Gulch Campground to Holter Dam The lower end of Holter Reservoir may be closed this week to allow fire-fighting resources access to…

Friday Foto Steven Johnson Carp

July 30, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

carp

Friday Foto Steven Johnson Carp The shop gang is out there hunting for Carp. And bagging a few.

Harris Mountain Fire 7.27.21 Update

July 28, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life, Un-Fishing

2021, fire, Harris Mtn, Wildfire

Harris Mountain Fire 7.27.21 Update Lots of smoke in the immediate area. Lots of smoke throughout Montana. We have not had cancellations due to smoke in the air. Anglers fishing without problems. If you have concerns about your upcoming trip…

Rain.

July 25, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Rain

Rain. Bring it. It would help. Tremendously.

Missouri River Hoot Owl begins Wednesday 7.21.21

July 20, 2021

Mark Raisler

Conservation, Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

Missouri River Hoot Owl begins Wednesday 7.21.21 This just in. Missouri River Hoot Owl begins Wednesday at 2pm. Fishing hours are 12am to 2pm. No fishing beyond 2pm. Nothing will change for the guided trips out of Headhunters Fly Shop.…

Friday Foto

July 16, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Friday Foto Kurt Michels out with long time Headhunters John and Sean Sweeney. Father and son been fishing here a long time. beyond the 20 year mark. Good morning for the dry fly. Patience is certainly an asset when tossing…

Rock Creek Fire Update Monday

July 12, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

2021, fire, Rock Creek, Safety

Rock Creek Fire Update Monday All good as we move into Monday morning here in Craig Montana. Light smoke yesterday with high winds early evening tapering off into the 9pm hour. Looks like 80% containment as of last night. Hope…

Clean. Drain. Dry.

July 7, 2021

Mark Raisler

Conservation, Headhunters Life

aquatic invasive species, Cldan, conservation, Drain, Dry

Clean. Drain. Dry. Follow these rules and stop the spread/growth of invasive species here and beyond. Your duty as an angler, boat owner, all around good human being. I pull the weeds from my craft at the boat ramp daily.…

Happy 4th of July!

July 4, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

4th, Independence Day, July

Happy 4th of July! Happy 4th. Be safe. Or go nuts. Safely. Historically a slow fishing weekend here on the Mo. Family time. But, with the temps rocketing upwards and a high of 99F forecast for today there will be…

What will happen if the Mo falls under a Hoot-Owl restriction?

July 3, 2021

Mark Raisler

Conservation, Headhunters Life

What will happen if the Mo falls under a Hoot-Owl restriction? If the weather, the water conditions, and the direction/protection of Montana’s resources require Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to enable a Hoot-Owl restriction we will… Respect and adhere to the…

July Missouri River Water Trends

July 2, 2021

Mark Raisler

Conservation, Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

July Missouri River Water Trends Lots of questions as we move into the month of July here in central Montana this hotter and water starved 2021 summer season. While there is wild and rampant speculation about the possibilities and outcomes…

Happy Fathers Day from Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig Montana

June 20, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Father's Day

Happy Fathers Day from Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig Montana This trout caught this past week was a warrior. Happy Fathers Day to all of you Old Warriors. Young ones too. Fathers help us all the way through life. We…

Friday Image

June 18, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Friday Image Pretty scary.

Hump Day Fish w/ Dane

June 16, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Dane, Eli, Fish w/ Dane, Rainbow, Release

Hump Day Fish w/ Dane Water temps warming. Be safe. Get out your dry fly rod. Fishing with Dane and Eli the last couple days. A real treat. Fellers that enjoy learning. And that learning paid off. Thanks fellas for…

Plastics

June 13, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Plastics Plastics. Think about it. The Graduate. Mrs. Robinson. Simon and Garfukel. The Lemonheads. Shoulda invented the better bobber. I disregarded advice from my parents friends too… Dammit.

PMD Friday

June 11, 2021

Mark Raisler

Bugs, Headhunters Life

Mega-Hatch, PMD, Summer

PMD Friday If you have dry fly fished here before you know the drill. Cripples, emergers, spinners. Although I have seen some eating the dun this year. Long time Mo River Guide and local Helena boy Kurt and I were…

We Ski Cousins Saturday June 12th @ Izaaks

June 10, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

Band, Izaaks, Live Music, We Ski Cousins

We Ski Cousins Saturday June 12th @ Izaaks Live on the Deck @ Izaaks Saturday June 12th 4-8pm. Come enjoy a few beverages and hear this locally legendary band We Ski Cousins! Fish the day, eat and drink with entertainment…

It’s Dry Fly Season! The Headhunter Fly Line

June 8, 2021

Mark Raisler

Fly Fishing Gear, Headhunters Life

DFO, Dry Fly Line, Fly Line, Introducing the Headhunter Fly Line

The Headhunter Fly Line Today speaking about the Headhunter Fly Line. A dry fly line designed by Headhunters manufactured by RIO for our dry fly obsessions! It is finally dry fly season here on Montana’s Missouri River. And no better…

Sunday Scenery on the Missouri River

June 6, 2021

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

July, Sunday Scenery

Sunday Scenery on the Missouri River All is well here on the Missouri River. Ed Kruse perusing the flats. PMD’s on the horizon. Caddis in the evenings can be good. We are on hold kinda, til the next big thing…

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