Uncategorized Archives - Page 5 of 5

fly fishing technique, missouri river

Good friend Erich Bittmann and myself went out for a quick afternoon session Thursday. A couple hours casting and fishing from Stickney Creek to Spite Hill. Just perfect. A few fish and some good times. Enjoyed the mild weather that…

Macroinvertebrates On the Back of an Envelope

February 2, 2016

Braden Lewis

Birds Bugs and Wildlife, Bugs, Nature, Uncategorized

If you like aquatic macroinvertebrates (river bugs), here are some “back of the envelope” calculations that may amuse you. The UMOWA 2015 Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Report reported that the greatest density of macroinvertebrates occurred between the Dam and Craig. The density…

Sunday Morning Fishing Report Headhunters Style

January 24, 2016

fishing report, Midge, Warm, winter

Ever use a hook sharpener? A good idea if you want to increase your hook-up rate. A cheap investment for a giant return. Write it off as an investment in your fly fishing year. While cooler yesterday than the high…

Rainbow Czech Nymph Video

January 11, 2016

Bugs, Fly Fishing Video, Uncategorized

Rainbow Czech Nymph Video Headhunters very own Fly Tying Kits for your winter fly tying consumption. Winter is a good time to tie up a box full of the #1 selling fly on the Missouri River. It is losing ground…

2015-16 Spey Rod Lineup

December 15, 2015

Fly Fishing Gear, Troutspey, Uncategorized

Here is the 2015-16 Spey rod lineup at Headhunters for those interested in casting and fishing with two-hands. With the introduction of micro-spey rods in the last couple of years, we definitely are seeing a switch in both what we carry…

Friday Foto

October 16, 2015

friday foto, Weekend October Fishing Report

Randy Hicks of Rocky Mountain Angler in Boulder CO fishing with Headhunters in conjunction with the annual RIO Products trip to the Missouri. Randy fishing the Missouri River for the first time. He has fished many other Montana rivers and…

Late September Missouri River Flies

September 27, 2015

Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Gear, Uncategorized

Late September Missouri River Flies

Flies for the late September time frame. Fishing the last couple days pretty tough. Inconsistent for sure. Guides and anglers alike soaking their sorrows at both Izaak’s and Joe’s Bar the last couple nights. The water levels dropped a bit…

I guess we’re starting Troutspey a little early…

September 15, 2015

Headhunters Life, Troutspey, Uncategorized

SAGE, spey, troutspey

It seems like everyone is Jonesing to Spey. We still have several weeks of great dry fly and streamer action left! You’ll still be in shirt sleeves 6 weeks from now! But anglers are coming by, asking for the “swing”…

Smoke and Fire Report

August 29, 2015

air quality, fire, forest, smoke

Woke up early this morning and I could see the sky. Meaning I could see some definition, clouds, the sun itself. It’s been a few days. Very thick fire smoke has been plaguing North Central MT for a while now.…

Fly Hacker: Camp & Boat Tunes

August 13, 2015

Fly Fishing Gear, Uncategorized

Flyhacker, Nixon, panel, solar, speaker

Whether it’s a casual float/fish day with the family, the front of a flats skiff, or around the campfire in Steelhead camp, more and more folks are taking their music/media into the outdoors. It’s so easy now. You’re iPhone can…

Madison River Report

August 12, 2015

madison, river

A brand new Otter Raft from NRS has been sitting on it’s trailer in my garage since May. Pathetic. Last weekend, Julie and decided it was time to get it wet. Our search for some good flows for a family…

Dual Sport

July 22, 2015

dual sport, holter, Nick, perch, Stipech

The other day top-guide Nick Stipech invited me to go do a little Perchin’ up on Holter Lake. He did some recon off the dock the evening before and said it was good. He though we should take my Towee Calusa…

Crowds. Your Choice.

July 15, 2015

crowds

I’m going to ride along with some of Mark’s recent posts and advice, like this recent article about July Do Not’s. July is the time of year that the fishing is great, but the masses descend on Craig as well.…

Low Water and Weather – Outlook

June 18, 2015

I’ve long believed that extremely long periods of hot weather have a greater negative impact on trout and trout fishing than low water alone. We are heading into our normal “low flows” of summer. While we have enough to keep…

Craig Caddis Festival & BBQ Cook-Off Saturday May 16th

May 15, 2015

Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off This Saturday in Craig MT. Parade begins at 4pm BBQ Cook-Off begins at 4pm. Silent Auction at 4pm. Live Music with Max Hay at 4pm Live Music with Rocket to Uranus @ 8pm. Live…

Friday Foto Renegade Edition

April 24, 2015

Friday Foto Renegade Edition

Friday Foto Renegade Edition today on the Headhunters Fly Fishing Blog. Montana’s daily fishing blog from the Missouri River. Renegade’s still catch fish. Honest. This one caught by Ryan Smith of Avid Angler in Lake Forest Park Seattle WA. He…

Headhunters Famous $300 Spring Special

April 1, 2015

Fly Fishing Travel, Headhunters Life, Uncategorized

Headhunters Famous $300 Spring Special

Headhunters Fly Shop is in full swing with the $300 Spring Special. Yes, guided fishing trips and discounted lodging here in Craig Montana. Craig Trout Camp has lodging starting @ $125 and it has become very popular for this 45…

Aurora’s and Chinese Spacejunk

February 25, 2015

A little un-fishing today at Headhunters. Which I normally do not do. Most of my ‘un-fishing’ activities are not blog worthy. But I’ve been creeping around at night chasing the Aurora Borealis with my camera this week, and got a…

Back to Spey

February 13, 2015

Fly Fishing Technique, Headhunters Life, Uncategorized

mcCourtney, ryan, spey

Ok, I did a bobber report the other day. I hope you liked it, and that it helped you find success on the Missouri. If so, you should know that I made it all up. I only swing a two…

Fly Tying Night in America

February 4, 2015

fly tying, Fly Tying Night in America, George Daniels, Sowbug, video

Our biweekly tying event is again in Craig tonight @ Headhunters Fly Shop. 6-8pm with Ninch, Max and Braden, Mark, and maybe additional Headhunters around. Come one come all to this relaxed fly tying affair. Watch this on Hans Stephenson’s…

New Breed Chicks Rule Winter Edition

January 27, 2015

Carrie, New Breed Chicks Rule, Winter Edition

Carrie with this nice winter caught brown trout this last weekend. Caught it on the swing. Nice work Carrie, thanks a ton for the photo and keep on swinging! P.S. Randall and Carrie also lost a couple Switch rods…

Silly Sunday Scenery

January 4, 2015

Silly Sunday Scenery

More snow over the weekend. We may be catching up for the unseasonable weather leading up to today. Oh, save for the two periods with high temps topping out below zero. While we may not stay for long this weekend…

“Tailout” Steelhead Film by Scumliner Media

December 29, 2014

Fly Fishing Video, Uncategorized

A cool film made by Scumliner Media a few years back. Enjoy it on this Monday. Hope you are enjoying it at home or away. “SuperNatural” – Tailout Teaser from scumliner media on Vimeo.

Strip Strike or Sweep?

December 10, 2014

I released a new video, Switch it Up, featuring some two-handed fishing on the Missouri River a couple days ago. Last night I was going through a bunch of FB comments and shares in my inbox, and noticed that PNW Spey…

Workshop Wednesday. Tying a Soft Hackle Fly Video

November 19, 2014

Fly Fishing Video, Uncategorized

fly tying video, Soft Hackle, Tying Video

Cool video produced by In the Riffle about the proper way to tie a soft hackle. Many only wrap one full wrap as too many hackle fibers can minimize the effectiveness of this should be tied slight pattern. Enjoy on…

Echo Glass Spey Rod – First Look

November 4, 2014

Fly Fishing Gear, Uncategorized

Echo, fibergalss, spey. switch

With the resurgence of fiberglass fly rods, it was only a matter of time before someone brought archaic glass technology to the two-handed market. Leave it to ECHO to be the first with a production model (there are some blanks…

Headhunters Glass by Phil

November 4, 2014

Headhunters Glass by Phil, Project Healing Waters

This super cool triple layered hand made glass plate arrive this last week from our friend Phillip Allen from Pennsylvania. Phil fish with buddy John a few years back in conjunction with Project Healing Waters. We love you Phil. Say…

Always Worth the Trip Video

October 7, 2014

Always Worth the Trip Video, Blackfoot River, Scumliner Media

Here is the latest video from Scumliner Media from some fishing from Mark and John on the Blackfoot River this past month. Get over there in the next week. Like this one and you may have some really good fishing!

Howlin’ on the Mo’! Tomorrow Sunday Sept 21st 3pm

September 20, 2014

Howlin' on the Mo'! Tomorrow Sunday Sept 21st 3pm

You coming tomorrow for the fall party of the year? We hope so! The menu is set with Chicken Skewers & Peppers, Garlic & Onion Burgers, Kosher Dogs, salads, chips and more! The Wrinkle Neck Mules will a lose be…

DeYoung – Redfish Confetti

August 21, 2014

Fly Fishing Video, Headhunters Life, Uncategorized

art, Derek DeYoung, video

Here’s a neat video from our bud and famous Montana artist Derek DeYoung. You get to watch the process of a DeYoung painting in creation, and Derek shares a little story about Redfish, one of his – and our –…

Missouri River Photos by Jon Covich

August 20, 2014

jon covich, phtography

We had a visit from well known angler, photographer and tackle rep Jon Covich last week. Jon was taking his boys on a fly fishing trip through Montana before they had to go back to school. I asked these boys…

Birthday Girl on the Elk River BC.

August 14, 2014

BC, cutthroat, juie

Today is Julie’s Birthday. You can’t wish her well face to face, because she is floating down the Elk River in BC (in the front of the boat, of course), sticking big Cutties on dries. Single dries. Julie making the…

Team Headhunters Great Falls Voyagers Baseball Re-Cap

August 10, 2014

Team Headhunters Great Falls Voyagers Baseball Re-Cap

Yep we did it. Team Headhunters went to the ballpark last night and rented a Suite for the staff and the guides. Fun was had by all. The Voyagers lost 8-3. No worries. We ate well and tipped a couple…

Friday Foto

August 8, 2014

All you need to get through the day here on the Mo. The fly patch says it all. A couple Trico patterns, a few subsurface jewels, and a few hoppers. Enjoy you river day. It is quiet today. Nice. Shop…

Freestone Reprieve

July 31, 2014

Sara and I hit the Blackfoot the other day, along with my 9 year old daughter Adair. Rumors that some Spruce Moths were hatching had us up early and on the water, despite the fact that we’ve been working very…

Silly Sunday Scenery | PMD Spinner

July 20, 2014

Silly Sunday Scenery | PMD Spinner

PMD Spinner hanging from the web of life here on Montana’s Missouri River. Happy Silly Sunday Scenery from all of us here at Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig Montana. Enjoy.

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 7.20.14

July 20, 2014

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report

Late July and all is well. The dry fly fishing has been fantastic and aided in part from the false overcast this last week from the fires to the North and to the West. Now the smoke has been blown…

No Fish. No bugs either.

July 6, 2014

A common wade fishers belief. That there are no fish below Craig. I do understand that the upper is classic wade water and that the wade fish opportunities are not as prolific downstream…but having said that, there are some ways.…

New Breed Chicks Rule #879

June 18, 2014

New Breed Chicks, Uncategorized

Jan, New Breed Chicks Rule #879

Jan Lindsey with this nice brown trout fishing with Headhunters Guide Jared Edens. Does it look like we like to fish with women? Well boy we do. Headhunters loves to fish with both men and women. But the women seem…

Happy Fathers Day!

June 15, 2014

Calgarians, Father's Day, Fathers and Sons

Happy Father’s Day from all of us here at the epi-center of trout fishing in America. Yesterday Flag Day, today Father’s Day, tomorrow? Monday I think. Staying and fishing with us here at the Craig Trout Camp are Lance, Brian,…

Skipping Rocks

May 30, 2014

missouri river, team Headhunters

Ninch, Mark and I headed out on the river yesterday. The plan was to shoot some video and get a day on the water together. An option that will be rare for any of Team Headhunters for the next few…

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 5.20.14

May 20, 2014

Welcome to the Headhunters nearly daily fly fishing report for Montana’s Missouri River. Flows still at 9K and water temps flirting with 50F. The tribs are still relatively clear and viz below the Dearborn, 987 cfs, is about 2 1/2…

The Hutterite or Wrong?

March 27, 2014

bad poets, Hutterite, poetry, team Headhunters, The Driftwood Cascade MT

A couple of our guide just love the Driftwood in Cascade Montana. A bar with a grill. In central Montana. And they ought-ta like it. There are not a large number of restaurants in our neighborhood. The Missouri River Inn…

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 3.25.14

March 24, 2014

The short fishing report from the info source Headhunters this morning. The last week brought us snow and cold temps. This week, starting today brings us much warmer temperatures and no snow. Just rain. Fishing is good. For many it…

Stream Access Battles

February 11, 2014

If you spend even 5 minutes a week surfing around blogs, forums, FB & Twitter, you should at least be aware that Montana and Utah continue to battle small but powerful (well funded) lobbies and individuals attempting to shutdown rivers…

Tailout | Scumliner Media

February 11, 2014

John’s video last year that debuted at Down the Hatch Video Festival in Missoula. A cold spey clinic today with lots of indoor action. Next week, outdoor action too. Although we will venture out for a short, and frozen, casting…

Sunday Science – Salmon GPS

February 9, 2014

salmon, science

From WIRED Magazine – by Mary Bates Interesting read from the wires… how those Salmon and Steelhead get back to the creeks they were born in. Salmon Inherit a Magnetic Map Young salmon with no experience of the world, and without…

Spey Clinic moved to Sunday

February 4, 2014

Spey Pride!

Due to the super cold temperatures forecast for the end of the week, we are forced to move our free spey/two-handed clinic to Sunday, instead of Saturday as scheduled. Temps on Saturday are forecast to be 0 degrees when we…

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 1.8.14

January 8, 2014

Cold ? Yes. Good? Yes. It really does not change much in the winter months. The weather changes more often than any other factor. Water temps wobbling between 34F and 35F. Pretty standard for winter months. Last year the water…

Benny Hill Sunday Funny Film

December 29, 2013

Fever with Benny Hill and Dilys Watling. One of my favorites as a kid. Still funny.

Friday Foto | Winter Seat

December 13, 2013

Headhunters Life, Photography, Uncategorized

phtography

You may remember this image in the summer. It was warmer. Much warmer. Planning for your summer, your Missouri River summer of 2014? It is not too early. In fact, the lodging and guiding choices in June, July, and August…

Last Chance for the Women’s Fly FIshing Photo Contest!

October 14, 2013

New Breed Chicks, photo contest, phtography

Tomorrow is the last day we will be accepting entries for our “Girl’s Rule, Boy’s Drool” photo contest. Get your entry in now! You can go to our Facebook Page to see all of the fantastic entries we’ve received. Thanks…

New Breed Chicks Rule | Hooked Up Version

October 13, 2013

More hooked up gals from New Breed Chicks Rule. Annie Osborn form the Missouri River in June 2013. Thanks Annie. You rule!

A nice Welcome Back…

August 30, 2013

Squeeky back in the house today. Scumliner has been carrying his weight and more during my hiatus to Seattle. Hope I can make him proud, and write decent content for a change. He’ll be away this coming week Atlantic Salmon…

Big Sky Photo Contest Winner!

August 7, 2013