BWO Archives - Headhunters Fly Shop

Words of Dry Fly Wisdom

May 14, 2024

BWO, DFO, Guide Suggestions, Midge, Trust Me. I'm a Guide, Wisdom

Words of Dry Fly Wisdom Thinking about the dry fly bite this am before heading to the water today. Some things never change. Fish are wild animals. They are not trained. They do not understand that you did not practice…

May Missouri River Fishing Forecast 2024

May 7, 2024

Mark Raisler

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. Things to look forward to in May include… More…

November Missouri River Fly Fishing Forecast

October 31, 2023

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report, Troutspey

BWO, Guide Trips, November Missouri River Fly Fishing Forecast, October Caddis, Private Lessons, Trout Spey

November Missouri River Fly Fishing Forecast We are looking forward to the month ahead. November is great fishing. One of the best parts of the month include the lack of anglers around. Another highlight is the fish that like to…

Good Dry Fly even in the SUN!

October 19, 2023

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, dry fly, Nymphers Unite, sun, wind

Good Dry Fly even in the SUN! We hope for more overcast days here this October and November. But some days it is just, sunny. While those days are memorable of the low angler sun, stunning fall vistas, and warm…

Sunday Mo River Foreshadowing

October 15, 2023

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

Baetis, BWO, olives, Psuedo's, Tiny Olives

Sunday Mo River Foreshadowing Sooner than later. Not yet. BWO’s have been reported here locally. Not what we have seen out there at all. Lots of the baby BWO’s, no longer in the Baetis family, but the smaller cousin. BWO’s,…

It’s Dry Fly Season! The Headhunter Fly Line

July 15, 2023

Mark Raisler

Fly Fishing Gear, Headhunters Life

BWO, 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…

Monday Morning Missouri River Fishing Report 5.15.23

May 15, 2023

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, Caddis, fishing report, March Brown, May, May 15th, Midge, Sow

Monday Morning Missouri River Fishing Report 5.15.23 Flows forecast to go to 6K today. Will it happen? It could. Flows currently 6360cfs. DB 851cfs, LPP 324cfs. Monday Morning Missouri River Fishing Report 5.15.23gthjn trips somewhat colored. Not enough to factor into…

Late October Missouri River Fishing Report

October 23, 2022

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, Fall, Late October Missouri River Fishing Report, Nymphers, October, Swing Bite

Late October Missouri River Fishing Report All good here on the Mo. Snow this week. Seasonal weather will bring those fish back to the surface. We just finished with an uncommon windless October session tied in with high and bright…

Monday Morning Missouri River Fishing Report 10.10.22

October 10, 2022

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, dry fly, fishing report, October, Streamer, Swing

Monday Morning Missouri River Fishing Report 10.10.22 Water Flows at 3500cfs. Not terrible. Will do for now. Want more, but that is a wish. Water Temps at 59F. Good. Will fall this week some. Dry Fly Report: Afternoons mostly. A…

Thursday Fishing Report straight outta Craig MT

Thursday Fishing Report straight outta Craig Montana

May 5, 2022

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, fishing report, March Brown, May, Spring, Streamer

Thursday Fishing Report straight outta Craig MT Flows 3110cfs Water Temps 46F. Crazy hitch yesterday?! Dry Flies coming off daily. Sun does not help them stick on the water though. An today with temps nearing the 80F mark the wings…

Headhunters Fly Shop Missouri River Montana Fishing Report April 21st

April 21, 2022

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

April, BWO, fishing report, Flows, Midge, sale, Spring, Streamer, Temps, water

Headhunters Fly Shop Missouri River Montana Fishing Report April 21st Most of the snow on the banks has dissipated and the boat ramps are clear. The fishing is damn good and the weather is cooperating. There will be some traffic…

Tuesday Fishing Report 4.19.22

April 19, 2022

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

April, BWO, fishing report, Flahsy, Spirng, Trout Spey

Tuesday Fishing Report 4.19.22 All good in the canyon this coming week. Does not look like much more snow but we are in the Rocky Mountain region. The Divide is within sight, and the weather can truly change within a…

Don’t be afraid to practice, or change your approach

October 18, 2021

Mark Raisler

Fly Fishing Technique

BWO, DFO, dry fly, Missouri River Technique, Practice, Technique

DON’T BE AFRAID TO CHANGE Watching the NLCS this past weekend I had some thoughts stirred up by the unique approach the LA Dodgers took for game 1 and the final game of the NLDS. What was so exciting was…

Silly Sunday Scenery

October 17, 2021

Mark Raisler

Bugs, Headhunters Life

BWO

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

Monday Missouri River Fishing Report 5.24.21

May 24, 2021

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, Caddis, fishing report, Flows, March Browns, May, Midge, nymph, Streamer, Swing

Monday Missouri River Fishing Report 5.24.21 Some damn good fishing out there right now. And the fish have begun to look up. 50F water temps. They have been up to 53F this year. Lat week. Tuesday. Then plunged with the…

Wednesday November 4th Fishing Report

November 4, 2020

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, DFO, fishing report, HH of Craig, Junkie, November, Nymphing, spey, Streamer, Trout Spey, TROUT2H, Wednesday November 4th Fishing Report

Wednesday November 4th Fishing Report Another winter storm lurking out there for the latter part of the week as we continue to see non-seasonal warm temps coupled with the ubiquitous sun inspired winds. And that is how it has gone…

Smoke Jumper BWO Tying Video

September 24, 2020

Mark Raisler

Fly Fishing Video, Fly Tying

BWO, dry fly, fly tying, Smoke Jumper, video

Smoke Jumper BWO Tying Video Our good friend Hans Stephenson over at Dakota Angler with the Smoke Jumper BWO today on the Headhunters Blog. We like this fly. We like cripples here on the Mo. We like small flies. We…

Mid May Missouri River Weekend Update

May 14, 2020

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

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…

Hump Day Fishing Report

April 29, 2020

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

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…

The very latest happenings Craig Montana 4.20.20

April 20, 2020

Mark Raisler

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…

Thursday, Halloween, The Nat’s WIN, and November Ahead

October 31, 2019

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

and November Ahead, BWO, Fall, Halloween, Nymphing, Swing, The Nat's WIN, Thursday, Trout Spey

Thursday, Halloween, The Nat’s WIN, and November Ahead Not much to report today other than the river is quiet. Not too many around. Not one guide trip out the last couple days. And that is good. Why? Because it was…

Late October Weekend Missouri River Fishing Report

October 25, 2019

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, dry fly, Fall, fishing report, flies, Guides, lodging, Streamer, Trout Spey

Late October Weekend Missouri River Fishing Report Fishing is heating up. It has not been a record fall as we write this fishing report mid day Friday October 25th. Fair fishing. Not fo the fickle. Those who fish here more…

Sunday Scenery BWO Image

May 5, 2019

Mark Raisler

Bugs

BWO, Sunday Scenery

Sunday Scenery BWO Image Dreaming of BWO’s. We have some coming off in the upper lower end. And probably the lower end too. And a few fellers are tossing dry flies at them. Ladies too! Water at 10K. Not too…

Missouri River Headhunters Fly Fishing Report May 7th

Missouri River Montana Headhunters Fishing Report May 7th

May 7, 2018

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, fishing report, Guide Trips, high water, May, Nymphing, rental boats, Safety, Spring, Spring Flies

Missouri River Montana Headhunters Fishing Report May 7th High water techniques apply. Fish towards the bank, or away from it. The best catch rates are those hugging the bank and tossing into the deep trough that lines the bank. Soft…

Monday October 23rd Fishing Report

October 23, 2017

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, Monday October 23rd Fishing Report, Nymphing, Streamer

Monday October 23rd Fishing Report Just the facts today not eh Headhunters Fly Shop Missouri River Monday October 23rd Fishing Report. It’s fall.It’s October. It’s killer. Decent dry fly despite the high and bright sun. Find those singles on the shore…

Mid October Missouri River Fishing Report 10.12.17

October 12, 2017

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, fishing report, Hot Flies, Nymphs, October, Streamer

Mid October Missouri River Fishing Report 10.12.17 Good times in the fall months as we look at the Mid October Missouri River Fishing Report 10.12.17. We love the last couple months of traditional fly fishing here in central Montana. IT does…

Playoff Fishing here on the Missouri River

October 9, 2017

Mark Raisler

Bugs, Fishing Report, Headhunters Life

3rd Season, BWO, dry fly, fishing, October, Playoff, Streamer

Playoff Fishing here on the Missouri River It is go time here. Playoff fishing here on the Missouri River. Excitement daily as we are headlong into the fall fishing period. And it is good! I sighted many real life BWO…

Friday Foto FF School Edition

October 6, 2017

Mark Raisler

Headhunters Life

BWO, Fall, friday foto, Nymphers Unite, Streamer Love, You oughtta get out here

Friday Foto FF School Edition All is well here as we move into the fall period on the Mighty Mo. We are entrenched in the Wolf Creek Lodge with our annual Advanced Fly Fishing School that kicked off last night.…

Missouri River Fishing Report September 26

September 26, 2017

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, Fall, fishing report, missouri river, Nymphing, Pseudo, September 26, Streamer

Missouri River Fishing Report September 26 All good here in this neighborhood as we move into the last week of September and have October on our minds. The fishing has us thinking that direction too. The Dry Fly Bite Getting…

May 4th Missouri River Fishing Report

May 4, 2017

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, Fly Fishing, March Brown, May, Mother's Day Caddis, report, Spring, Water LEvels, Weather

May 4th Missouri River Fishing Report Water levels falling a bit to 7.3K and wear temperatures rising upwards to 48F. So some movement yesterday in the action. Along with the water fluctuations we now bring you summer air temperatures for…

Late April Fishing Report from Headhunters

April 25, 2017

Mark Raisler

Uncategorized

April, bobber, BWO, fishing report, Midge, nymph, Streamer

Late April Fishing Report from Headhunters The water levels are holding just below 7K. Water temps are in the 45F range. Both real good. May see some movement in the water column this week and will let you folks know…

Missouri River Tax Day Fishing Report

April 18, 2017

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

April, BWO, Hot Nymphs, Midge, Skwala, Streamer, Tax Day, Water Flows

Missouri River Tax Day Fishing Report Mid April and today we bring you the Missouri River Tax Day Fishing Report. The water is rising per the predictions and statements of Stephanie Micek of the DNRC. More rain, snow, precip means…

What I did for Spring Break: Watch my wife and daughter catch fish on Dry Flies

April 14, 2017

John Arnold

Headhunters Life

BWO, Dry Flies, Julie

Everyone at Headhunters fishes. Some more than others, and some not as often as they once did. Our GM Julie falls into the latter category, but still loves the sport. She and I always try to catch one of the first BWO days…

Missouri River Weekend Fishing Report

March 17, 2017

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

Big Shoals, BWO, fishing report, Pink, Shuttles, SmithFly, Weekend

Missouri River Weekend Fishing Report Looks like, fishes like, we are heading into that first big spring fishing transition. Many Headhunters out this week with both the staff and guided trips fishing a number of days. Consensus? Change is happening…

The New Kid in Town. Meet Mr. BWO

March 13, 2017

Mark Raisler

Bugs, Fishing Report

BWO, Foreshadowing, Mayfly Nymphs, Spring, Think

The New Kid in Town. Meet the BWO While we still primarily see life through pink colored fly lenses and will be for at least another month, we began flirting with a different shade of blue this week. The Blue Winged…

Saturday Missouri River Fishing Report 10.29.16

October 29, 2016

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

browns, BWO, Craig Lodging, Fall, Rianbows, Trout Fishing

Saturday Missouri River Fishing Report 10.29.16 Some BWO’s around but not tons of them. We are hoping that we will see far more this weekend. Today, tomorrow, and Halloween for sure. The weather on Monday looks fishy for sure. Rain…

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.24.16

October 24, 2016

Mark Raisler

Uncategorized

BWO, Fall, October

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 10.24.16 About another month of single handed dry fly fishing. We have seen some real BWO’s around and it should pop this week. Will it? Oh, on the baetis gods really know. But we can…

Mid-Week Missouri River Update

September 28, 2016

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, Fall, fishing report

Mid-Week Missouri River Update The sun is out, the bugs are not, the subsurface bite is on. The sun will go away as we roll over this hump day and look towards the weekend. Rain on Saturday. Back to fall…

Missouri River Montana Holiday Fishing Report 5.23.15

May 23, 2015

Mark Raisler

Fishing Report

BWO, Caddis, fishing report, March Brown, May Fishing, Memorial Day, Missouri River Montana Holiday Fishing Report 5.23.15, PMD

While it has been kinda hit and miss today seems to be fishing quite well. Reports in at lunch from the gang fishing WC to below Craig somewheres validate that the weather pattern has settled in and the fish are…

Missouri River Baetis Nymphs to get you through the week

May 4, 2015

Mark Raisler

Fly Fishing Gear

BWO, Fly Patterns, Missouri River Baetis Nymphs

This week, or at least the front end looks like the sun may play a role in the dry fly game. So what do we do when that happens? Nymph. We love having the option to get the net wet…

Missouri River Baetis Image

April 19, 2015

Mark Raisler

Birds Bugs and Wildlife, Bugs, Headhunters Life, Photography

Baetis, BWO, BWO's, Image

Check it. Baetis are here. Big time. Call ahead if you need a Doctor’s Note from us. We can totally forge one of those. Then you can fish guilt free this week. That Baetis Flu is going around and you…

SEARCH THE STORE

Product categories

Sign Up for our E-Newsletter

Subscribe