Everybody's Working for the Weekend!

If you remember this catchy tune, then you should certainly take an afternoon break...right now...gather your cubicle mates and sneak out to the hall and shotgun a ice cold beer. That's the best way to start your weekend of either fishing or dreaming about fishing. Loverboy, bad boys out of Canada, knew how to rock and roll. They have probably forgotten but we can carry the torch for these outdated 80's rockers. The album name, do they still call them albums?... could also be construed as weekend foreshadowing. I hope you all get lucky in one fashion or another...your choice.

Pop in the cassette tape, get on your red leather pants...even if you have to lay on the floor and have your wife tug, pull, stretch them on...they still look good...tease your hair, and get after it.

One more thing about Yeti Coolers...we just received a new batch of them this morning. They are selling like hotcakes, or kick ass coolers, and we have a baker's dozen more as of today. They are so hot that if you read your local newspaper in the last few days you may have seen this AP article stating the Bear Proofness and ice keeping capacity.

Thanks so much for participating in our Blog experiment...all courtesy of Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service...Kicking Ass in Craig MT for just over a year now.

Capt. Carp Dead Song of the Day: Bertha

Fly of the Day: Translucent Emerger

Good Times @ Headhunters!

Here we are for another year on the Missouri...not that the shop has been here for long, but we intend to be a presence on the best river in the west for a couple decades to come. That is a good lookin' crew on the right. You recognize Andrew, Ben, Julie, John, and Mark...but who is the new face in the crowd...Sara Roholt. We are so happy to have another female in the store, and for customer service reasons as well. She is not just another pretty face...this chick can fish!

It's true of both of the Headhunters gals. Julie is no slouch either. Boys, she can toss a fly further than most of you...no BS. Julie spent a number of years in Sun Valley fooling those finicky Silver Creek fish, and did some guiding as well. We would love her to guide here, but she has proven too valuable in the store keeping Scumliner and I out of trouble...out of trouble for the most part.

Sara will be a guide for us in the future, she has the skills. She will learn the intricacies of the Missouri in a hurry and will be putting guests on fish when the time comes. Keep her in mind for your wives, girlfriends, or daughters if they prefer a female guide. I know a few men who will prefer her as a guide too. Women guides have a tremendous amount to offer and present a different angle to fishing.

Sara came to us last summer while she was trout bumming around the Montana rivers and fell in love with Craig and the MO. When we saw the need for an additional employee she was the first on our list. She made the fatal mistake of moving to a town consumed by thoughts and dreams of trout. We cannot fault her for that, we too made the same mistake...although I would not call it a bad choice.

The upshot of this blog is that Headhunters continues to strive forward offering the ultimate experience in Downtown Craig Montana. The finest in customer service, personnel, and the utmost in Missouri specific fly patterns. We are so happy to have Sara as another HH All-Star.

Stop in and see not only our new staff member but the rest of the crew for instant reports on the Missouri and how we are hookin' 'em in these above average river flows.

Capt. Carp's Fav New Band: Sweatshop Union

Freestone River Fishermen Tip of the Month: Stay off the banks fellas, this is not a freestone river, IT IS A TAILWATER AND NOT ALL THE FISH ARE ON THE BANKS, THERE ARE FISH ON EVERY SHELF LINE, which includes the SECOND AND THIRD SHELFLINES!! Just trying to help and educate. Yes, there are fish on the banklines, but there are more elsewhere. Streamer fishing to some extent can be fished in this manner, but you nymphers should try additional methods. You will become a stronger fisherman...it is just like adding another tool to your box...and that is a good thing. It was an excruciating painful learning curve for me too, but with perseverance and humility even a thick skulled moron like myself learned the subtleties of this vast slow moving pond. New learning requires patience and a willingness to regress for a time period, but then...you start catching a pile of fish, and that's OK.

Fly of the Day: Bloom's Caddis...Yes, a dry fly...those who are in the know are floating the canyon, late in the day!

Memorial Day Recovery

Craig was pretty wild over the Holiday weekend. A big BBQ at Headhunters, followed by an all night live music session on the deck at Izaaks. I love the people and food at Izaaks, but must admit there are times that I wish Headhunters was a bit further away from the fun vortex (North Dakota, maybe). Tons of fishermen and women were in town, and with some long anticipated warm weather, everyone cut loose. This picture pretty much sums it up...

Missouri River Catch All

What a fabulous resource, the Missouri River. It truly is one of the two catch all rivers in the Trout Capital of the World, Montana. The Bighorn being the other. Both great rivers and the two consistent tailwaters in the state. When the rest of the state is blown, we are still fishing. What a privilege for us here on the MO. May and June in a normal water year, like the present, allow anglers throughout the state to still fish in clean water. The Missouri River can withstand an enormous amount of pressure. With 35 miles of fishable water, an average width of about 100 yards, and fish scattered from bank to bank, allows an inordinate number of both drift boats and bank anglers ample room.

Our population of fish is not just glued to the banks, as in other rivers, they are located in various types of center river structure as well. We commonly see anglers from freestone rivers tossing the fly at the bank, and with some success. There are fish in the middle too fellas. Keep your eyes open and watch some of the guides and make a mental note as to what type of water they are fishing. Then try to emulate their style.

We are a very friendly river as well. All of the guides and most of the visiting anglers are more than willing to share information, explain in detail the flies, depth, mending techniques, etc, etc, etc. You may be blue in the face by the time they get done speaking to you, with so much local information and knowledge, and a few of their favorite patterns. I believe it is one of the friendliest rivers on earth. We encourage dissemination of information on this river...and are not afraid to share it.

We are pretty fortunate to have an outstanding population of fish as well. With about 4000 catchable fish per mile we have a lot of opportunities. What a pleasure. So, there are enough of those finned creatures for everybody.

So, come one-come all to the Mighty Mo. We will be on the rise, the water, but we will still have fishable water from the Dam to Mid-Canon...which is enough. Keep in touch with the fishing report for how we are doing...or call us for an up to the minute report and we will be happy to chat.

Capt Carp Dead Song of the Day: Row Jimmy

Guide Truth of the Week: We would rather have chicks in the boat any day of the week!

Best Hot Dog Sauce of the Month: Sriracha...but only if you love the Rooster!

New Boat Smell Part 2

There are drift boats...and there a really freaking nice drift boats. The boat on the right is the latter. Mark LeGrande's Montana Boatbuilders Recurve is truly the most beautiful boat on the river, or any river for that matter. B $ E and Mark are out in it today, and it really does not matter if they catch any fish...because the girls that will be lining the shore and swooning at the boys will be enough entertainment for the week.

Marks' better half Madeline may be one of said gals, but it may really be her boat, and she has let Mark use it for the day.

If you have not laid eyes on this manufacturers product yet, do yourself a favor and visit the website for a daydream that you will return to over and over. Do yourself a huge favor and buy one, your wife will love it, she doesn't need that new Mercedes anyway. Just ask her.

That's Cool Dog!

Even Skidmore's lab looks good in a Yeti hat. Beyond the Firebead Ray Charles Soft Hackle's, Headhunter's Logo'd Simms Solarflex Shirts, piles of accurate river information; Yeti Coolers are the hottest selling item at Headhunters this month. We have sold through the first 11 and are re-ordering another large batch. The tan version is damn hot right now, who is not tired of white coolers that don't keep the beer cold? I'm over it, fer sure dude.

Buy a Yeti Cooler from the coolest fly shop in downtown Craig and receive free ice for the year. Now that kicks ass!!

The 35qt. and the 45qt. are the preferred boat models, with the 15qt. and 25qt. ideal for the back of the truck.

Memorial Day Weekend Festivities.... Headhunters cranks up the BBQ season with the first of many free BBQ's on the porch on Saturday May 23rd. Come and join us for fellowship and plenty of fish chat, and of course a little BS. We'll be eating some of the leftover Tri-Tip from the Craig BBQ, as well as burgers and my favorite, the tube steak.

Come and catch a few fish on the World Famous Missouri River beneath a BOBBER, and then swing by for a belly full of BBQ.

2 Theories...

I have always believed there are 2 theories....You can either let it happen, or you can make it happen.

Which one did you choose? I choose to make it happen. Those who travel through their fly fishing life and wait for things to happen do not catch as many fish. Those who go out and make it happen catch lots of fish. Steve Z. from Idaho on the right is a fellow who chose to make it happen.

Fly Fishing is a participation sport. It is not like watching golf on TV. I commonly have folks in the boat who just want to let it happen and choose not to participate. Yes, a qualified local guide can make your catch rate increase by a wide margin, but you still have to participate.

Do the right thing and participate in your fishing...and make it happen!

Fly of the Month: Fire Bead Soft Hackle Ray Charles

Cool Reggae Band of the Week: John Brown's Body

3rd Annual Craig BBQ

The Craig BBQ benefiting the Craig Volunteer Fire Department was an outstanding success. Thanks to all who participated and to all who generously donated their time and hard earned dollars. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was well attended and everybody seemed to enjoy the nicest day of our never ending cool spring. Temps in the mid 70's helped the turnout and the libations that were consumed.

All the businesses in metropolitan Craig sported BBQ's...but ours was by far the best. I can say that because Andrew and I made the Tri-Tip on your right; slow cooked, and dyn-o-mite. Andrew whipped up some sort of zippy sauce, slapped it on a bun, thinly sliced cross grain Tri-tip...and we added J the B's famous coleslaw for a culinary delight. We did not win the competition, but we certainly had the most fun...no question. Fishing is inherently fun...add BBQ for a day to remember. If you have not made it here for this event, put it on your calender for 2010. It will be the same Saturday 364 days from now. The Spring Opener for creeks coincides with this weekend...so visit us after catching a few trout on your favorite small creek!

There were 9 competitors this time around, and if you like to eat, there was certainly something for everyone. Izaak's had 2 bands play...and our good friend and guide Russ Dobryzinski entertained the early afternoon crowd for a good hour too. Thanks Russ, good show.

Thanks as well to Capt. Carp, Luke Andrews, J the B, Adair, Andrew Martineau, Peter Skidmore, B and E Ben, Scumliner, and a cast of thousands for helping Team Headhunters once again kick-ass...we do have a lot of fun here in Craig...we put the fishing back in flyfishing and the fun back in Craig. Not that it has ever left, it just needed a little nudge in the right direction.

Doing the right thing?

Bludgeoned the shit out of my finger last Saturday. Fixing my Ckackacraft boat trailer. Thought that I was doing the right thing. Got off the water, came to the shop, found the tools that I'm not allowed to use, Scumliner's new ratchet kit...of course I am not allowed to use it, I lose shit...I'm a guide.

Dropped a 30#-40# roller on my left ring finger. Broke it. Smashed the living shit out of it. Can I still row? Yes. Will I use my handi-cap as an excuse for not catching fish...yes. I warned my clients that I have tomorrow that I may suck. They said, "We know, you suck when you are healthy!!

Had to give the trip to B & E Ben..he rocked 'em...standard. They don't want me next year...another guest lost to Ben. Getting used to it.

Scumliner suggested I go to the doctor. I declined his adamant nudges. Then he mentioned I was not 22 anymore. So, I went.

Tuft fracture of the finger. No worries. I'm back.

Book early for the good guides. Book late for fella's like me...not getting any smarter. Just ask my folks.

Stuff we're excited about...

New Leaders:
We're carrying some great new leaders for 2009. The Rio Indicator Leaders have been flying off the rack. These are straight leaders, which are much more accurate and effective for deep nymphing ion the 'Mo. The are 10' in length, with a 2 foot butt section tapered to 8 feet of tippet. Easily cut back to whatever length yu desire. The Freshwater Shorty from Umpqua is the leader to use with sink tips. 5 ft. and comes in 8, 10, 12 and 16 lb. For floating line streamer fishing, the RioMax Leader is the choice. 10 ft. and comes in 8, 10, 12 and 15 lb. strengths. Umpqua has the Power Taper Leader, which we prefer for throwing medium to large dries in the wind. The long butt section transfers energy very efficiently. Don't forget how inportant your leader is to your fishing system!

Headhunters Logowear:
The 2009 Headhunters Logo stuff is in, and more is on the way. All the cool kids are wearing it. We've got a whole new selection of caps, knit beanies, t-shirts, Simms fishing shirts, hoodies, and other "must have" stuff. Top sellers have been the Simms Softshell Windstopper jacket, Bottlecap T's, and of course, our large selction of headwear. Don't forget about free Headhunters Stickers.

Costa Del Mar:
Costa has some very hip new frames out for 2009. We forecast the Permit will be the new hot frame. The Lee Wulff meets Gangsta look is very cool, and provides maximum protection from the sun and you buddies crazy casts and hook sets. The Harpoon remains our top seller...just ask your guide. All Costas are available in any frame lens combination.

Dr Slick Split Shot Pliers:
With the help of our buddy Tim Tollet (Frontier Anglers, Dillon), the good doctor has developed these great hemo-style clamps that hold split shot. They also have a blade fro removing any size shot from you leader. Mandatory for tailwater nymphers...

Echo Gecko:
The ultimate childrens fly rod (but could be fun for adult as well). I won't try to describe it...you just gotta come in and see it.

More coming...

Rod Tube Cannon / Explosion!

Here's what happens when you let your 4 year old nephew play with your new Orvis fly rod. I don't know who is less intelligent, your 4 yr old nephew, or you for buying any Orvis product.
On the right is evidence of a manufacturing mistake and group think...your choice. The "O" gang, and no this does not stand for the good "O"; which you may have experienced in the last moon phase, most guides have not, but that is because gals wisely get rid of us when the novelty where's off.

Group think is, if your not familiar with the term, what brought the Space shuttle down in the mid 80's. This is the brain trust that has been developing and producing that last 2 decades of loss leaders. So, they've got that going for themselves. There is one caveat in the recent past, the Helios really does cast well, light, and attractive...but don't fart while in the same room with it, or you will be returning yet another broken rod...why do you think Orvis has such a great warranty program, if they didn't, the oldest rod company in the US would have gone tits up a century ago.

So, the bottom line is not to ship your rods via UPS/Fed Ex if you want this result. It did happen to be an Orvy rod, and now the owner can use it for overpriced toothpicks. The good news is they are warrantied for life.

Capt. Carp Dead Song of the Day: Ramble on Rose

Fly of the Week: Fire Bead Ray Charles

Kuhnert's cooking Turkey Dinner for the gang tonight...we'll let you know how it went. SOL

Casting Obsessions

The need to pull that fly rod out of the case and just cast? You either have it or you don't. I go through various phases of casting obsession. I feel the need as of today...because the last time I cast...I really sucked!!

The fly rodder in all of us dictates that we stare intently at any body of water we pass in the car with complete disregard for safety of either ourselves or passengers inside. Not paying attention to the road is not a healthy or safe act. It can cause one to drive his vehicle into the river, a farm pond, or even mud puddles in your favorite defunct shopping center.

Casting anywhere that you find water feeds your soul. That includes closed swimming pools in Nashville, Tennessee. Capt. Carp and SOL trespassed over the fence, hiding from the cantankerous nighttime desk clerk...there had been several doses of Crown Royal administered by the nurse at Hooters...the diagnosis was that we looked anemic and needed immediate help in the form of brown liquids...we respectfully accepted our weak state and followed the scantily clad, tight fitting white t-shirt clad Hippocratic oathed gal's prescription; greedily choking down said prescription. Sorry that I don't have pics of the nurse, my bad. Carp and I both agreed that she must have been practicing for some time and surely was an authority on the subject.

The only reason that Capt. Carp I and went into the hospital, I mean Hooter's, was for the chicken wings...no, it was because it was the only bar open within crawling distance of the Motel 6. My favorite travelling roadside inn; I have a fetish with Tom Bodet...for another Blog in the future, or not. Some things are left better unsaid.

So, SOL with the camera, Carp with the rod, and clandestine behaviors all doped up from our nurse...and you can clearly see what transpired...fly cast obsessive debauchery.

Does it get any better? Good clean fun...

Selfish Guide Behavior of the Week: Having a heater in the boat for yourself...not your clients...I've always said, "I didn't say you couldn't bring your own heater."

Capt. Carp Dead Song of the Day: Touch of Grey...the one true fans despise

Westsider Nymph Rig of the Year: Dropping a nymph off of a Skwala...6 inches...that's not nymphing...if it's not 7ft from the bobber to the split...it's not nymphing bro'brah

Get your Yeti?

Now that the staff of Headhunters has sobered up from the snow parties that thankfully ended with the snow melt...we need to keep our adult beverages cold for the impending summer temperatures. This cooler on the right, the Yeti Tundra Series is THE ANSWER! Not only does it look cool, it keeps your beer cool too.

Yeti’s next generation cooler. Over 2” of insulation in both the body and lid are combined with a freezer-quality seal to create optimal ice-retention. The Roto-molded one-piece casing withstands high-impact use and harsh environments. Innovative features include integrated, heavy-duty T-Latches and molded-in, self-stopping hinges. In addition, incorporated rope-handles, non-slip/non-marking feet, and recessed leak-proof drain plugs are also Yeti original design.

The Yeti seems to be the best Ice Box on the market...and they are proud of them. This is not your father's ice chest. For serious guides only!

Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service now carries the Yeti line for those of you who need and deserve the best. Goes hand in hand with your local the quality of your local information, education, and customer service leader.

We have the Tundra Series in 35 qt. and 45 qt. Perfect for the boat, back of the truck, or porch. If you really want to impress your friends and throw a kick-ass BBQ on the porch...go big and get the 120 qt.

The Roadie Series in 15 qt. & 25 qt. are in the store...ideal for keeping cold ones in your SUV for chugging after a great day on the Mo.

The Roughneck Series in 25 qt. & 40 qt., which is a touch less expensive...perfect for your wife's sister's husband. He will appreciate the gift, and then become envious of your cooler looking cooler!

Get on board, be the first on your block to own a Yeti.

A couple links to look at and drool...Yeti Website or check out the Yeti Blog and learn how to make your Yeti perform like a champion.

Fly of the Week: It's anybody's guess...how about a Leadwing Coachman...swing it.

Guide Bitch of the Week: Low Holing...you dirty bastards...just don't do it. C'Mon?!!

Capt. Carp's Dead song of the Day: Beat it on down the line

Word of the Day: Nefarious...used in a conversation about his fishing buddy.