Ouiji Board Water Management and Mother Nature

Constant calls to the shop about predicted water flows...let's think about that one.

Yes, I know it is a valid question. I try to answer this crystal ball equation every time. It usually proceeds like this..."No, I do not know. It's a connundrum.

I have been here on the Mo for some time, and I do remember the big water years and do remember what happened after them...but am I familiar enough with Mother Nature...and am aware of the multiple factions involved with the water management decisions, including FWP, BLM, B of Rec, commercial interests well down stream of us, flow pulses for spawning Pallid Sturgeon, etc, etc, etc.

Been to water meetings, constantly talk to folks in the know who have been here for much longer than myself, stare at the river most everyday, try to follow historical weather patterns, read the Farmer's Almanac, and practice Chinese meditation while doing naked Yoga-Pilate's summoning the Water Gods to channel even just a small bit of wisdom to my guide size brain

...and I still have NO IDEA what the water will do at any given time. You like Apples? Well how do...

Tell you what...Call Oboma on the Red Phone...ask him!

Bottom Line...NOBODY KNOWS...except for the Water Management Ouiji Board Operators and Mother Nature, and even they are learning daily.

BIG 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN CRAIG MONTANA...COME CELEBRATE AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY IN THE EPICENTER OF TROUT FISHING

Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service will be hosting our 2nd Annual 4th of July Party with Kick-Ass Activities all day long.

Free BBQ @ Noon until Dusk

Wiffle Ball, Badminton, Horseshoes, Micro-Practice Rod instruction, All day long. We provide the free fun portion.

Echo Gecko Kids Rod Casting Competition: Off handed, meaning casting with your non-traditional hand. Just distance. 3 casts per contestant. Admission Free. Come try your hand at the best kids rod ever made. Maybe the first kids rod ever made. Ends @ 8pm. Winner gets the Echo Gecko, dead last competitor gets a Micro Practice Rod.

Smallest Bikini Contest & Most Patriotic Costume: Airflo Fly Line for the Winners

Donations for the Craig Fire Department Accepted

Firework's @ Dusk

Izaak's Open 6am til ?

Pig Roast @ 4pm for Donations for Craig FD

Live Music @ 7pm on Izaak's Porch: Max Hay performs Folksy Rock Jams

Keg on the porch too, $1 Drafts of America's Finest Beeron it's finest day...Budweiser

Fireworks @ Dusk

Joe's Bar: Open 8am til 2am...see Michelle for your perfectly mixed cocktail or ice cold fancy Micro-Beer. Tip her well, she works her ass off, and she's nice.

You must attend the Buggest Bash 4th Extravaganza, pun intended, in the Tri-County Area...you won't be let down...Our fishing here is said to be pretty good too!

Call Headhunters for a 4th of July Update and to bug our top notch shop staff with questions about the flows and when we anticipate them to be historically normal. Those who are normal do not have a place in flyfishing.

Yes, it's taped.

Jim Arkin with a 22 1/4" Brown. Yes, it is taped. Jim is a big smiling fella and caught this beauty on a spent caddis. Probably the prettiest rise form I have seen this year. Outstanding!

The deal about fish length and size...I call bullshit if you tell me you caught a handful of fish over 20"...especially if you are in the bar. Not that I don't believe you, but if you are throwing out numbers like that, I expect them to be taped.

Jim and Ed are Headhunters and they speak truth. They have steelheaded around the world, caught boney's and list continues. They do not lie.

So go out and get 'em, but don't lie to me.

You bullshit your friends, I'll bullshit my friends, let's not bullshit each other.

Capt. Carp's Dead Song of the Day: One More Saturday Night

Fly of the Day: CDC Tent Wing Caddis

Dumb-Ass Guide Move of the Day: Lose your anchor...if you don't take your foot of the anchor release, it keeps on going, going, going...Yes, it's me, SOL, once again not getting any smarter. Who woulda thunk!

Oar Whore?

What's your vote? I vote yes on my own behalf.

This connotation does not in any way relate to inappropriate sexual behaviors but instead to the willingness of career guides to perform maneuvers in the safe confines of the boat allowing our guests to hook as many fish as humanly possible...and sometimes against their will. Putting fishermen into successful situations is what we do best and are always striving to achieve the most positive outcomes.

SOL lost this oar while landing a fish, crashed into the bank like a your sister on the sticks completely oblivious to my where abouts with total disregard for my vessels proprioception...having lost my own bio-mechanical awareness many years ago...the bow careened into the bank levering the ass end and the anchor off the soft shoal and into mild pandemonium. Landed it, stuck it, no broken rods... just another cookie cutter Brown of 18 and change.

Shameful walk, stumble, & slip upstream to retrieve overpriced counter-balanced Sawyers.

Just another daily example of how I am not getting any smarter...I am hopefully getting wiser.

Another day with my clients drawing the short straw. My boat is short too. You think about that one.

Superguide witnessed yet another daily melee transpire and become reality. He never tires of hysterical laughter on my behalf.

LG would say, "Standard, pretty standard." My friends, get on the Montucky Lanyard if you want to keep up with the cool cats. If you don't know what I am referring to, do some research and get on board. Minor plug for 406 Productions

The fishing is white hot and I am here to tell you...if you want to catch every fish you see, make the first cast count. If you want to catch every odd fish, go to another river. Funny inside joke with myself.

Bad Guide Statement of the Day: "Dude, if you want to fish this bank, (after said guide cut off another guide,) just drop our anchor and wait 5 minutes. It's cool Bra'."

Missouri River Statement of Fact and Truth: We don't have to lie about the size of our fish

SOL's Catch Phrase of the Month: Encourage the Drift

Fun, funner, funnest...you choose

Yet another party at Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service. Here is Andrew with his perpetual smile glued to his face...an anomaly...not really. He is even smiling when catching our ubiquitous White Trout. He is still smiling while hooking biggy browny on dry flies. That last picture of him on the Blog was not a fish on a streamer, but his largest to date on a dry. So, my bad Drew...correction noticed and handled my friend.

Think ahead and come on out to the Mighty Mo...there are lots of great fishing towns in our wonderful world...some are fun, most are funner, and then we arrive at Craig Montana, the funnest trout town on the entire earth.

Not only are our fish giant and getting fatter every day...but if you want to try your hand at Wiffle Ball, Micro Casting Rod Olympics, or casually tipping back a cold Budweiser from our Porch 65qt Yeti..this is the place.

Come an join us any afternoon @ Headhunters...but not if you are some sort of bump on a log, waterlogged and sinking...those folks need not apply.

Quirky Guide Behavior of the Day: Forgetting to write down the correct shuttle and getting pissed at the shop for your stupidity...Note: I have done this multiple times!

Capt Carp Dead Song of the Day: Uncle K-Hole's Band

Fly Fish Chick in the House!

Yes, it's true, Fly Fish Chick has arrived on the Missouri. She is seen here with Curt Michels and Tom Warren's Nephew Randall the Rock Star about to embark on an epic journey...or at least one filled with laughter, a few cocktails, and a few large rising Brown Trouts.

I like calling them Trouts, yes, in the plural, because just touching one of our leviathan's is equal to fooling with fish on many other rivers. We are so damn fortunate to have the Missouri here for us to enjoy. And enjoy it we do.

A large part of the fishing experience is meeting folks, and developing relationships. What else would I or you rather do, or any of the folks that grace us with their presence. Fellowship before, during, and after the day is a large part of the fun! Most of us sling shit at each other...boy it really is fun. I will say it again, and I believe I have said it before..."friends don't stab each other in the back, they stab you right in the front"

I would love to do a joint blog with FFC, and proposed the idea this a.m. We will try to give it a whirl. Or maybe fantasize about it at the very least at Joe's whilst embracing pints of iced cold beer. FFC and I , back in the day yo, would sing along with Jimmy 'the Guitar Playing ' Bartender. I think we may have had a couple glasses of brown liquor to facilitate and lubricate the vocal chords. For those of you who know FFC, she can carry a tune. And if you follow her Blog at all, you also are familiar with her affinity for good music and having an absolute ball in any given situation.

This time of year brings a pile of non-local locals...good fishing, good friends, and good times.

Welcome Fly Fish Chick, look forward to seeing you and the cast of thousands.

Capt. Carp Dead Song of the Day: Anything in the 1st set @ Shorline in the 70's

Fly of the Week: Anything with a huge Tungsten Bead on it...as the flows are coming up.

Presentation is important when dealing in the 3 most important F's: Food, fishing, and F g!

Do some sort of jig/dance to appease the water gods, to bring it down to 7000 CFS, and keep it there for the summer. Fish love to rise @ that level. They stay big and chunky too!

Summer Soltice and Boat Wash

The longest day of the year...you should be fishing late tonight. The trout love to eat well into the night and therefore you should be hangin' a few big browns.

We are cleaning up after a successful Bikini Boat Wash and BBQ. Great fun was had by all. Over $500 was raised for the Craig Fire Department ...thanks to all who donated and attended. The next scheduled Bikini Boat Wash will be Labor Day Weekend...put it on your calender.

the fishing is as god as it gets right now, for those of you who would like the heads up about how good it is...now is the time. It should continue for the next couple months, but keep in mind the Big Browns get really dumb this time of the year, so get out here and enjoy outstanding fishing.

Carp fishing is starting to heat up as well. If you would like to fight a fish substantially larger than our over sized trout, this is your game. Capt. Carp is our resident expert and he is booking Carp trips as we speak, so give us a call to book a big fish trip to remember.
Nymph of the Week: Hogan's Military Mayfly / A great PMD pattern

Dry Fly of the Week: Limestone Cripple / A terrific PMD Crip pattern
Worst Guide Outfit of the Month: An Itsy-Bitsy-Teenie-Weenie-Yellow-Polka-Dot-Bikini
Fly Line of the Month: Rio's Carp Line...it will turn over the tasty morsels we toss at Carp

Whuzzup at Headhunters...

Here's just a few of the things that have been going on and are coming up at Headhunters:

2nd Annual
BIKINI BOAT WASH
Saturday June 20th (tommorrow!!)
The ladies of the Missouri River are helping out the Craig Volunteer Fire Dept. by holding their second annual Bikini Car/Boat Wash. Let them buff your boat (and car if you like) in just a few minutes. The gals had 'em lined up last year, so be prepared to wait a few minutes...you'll enjoy the scenery. The boat wash will be held from noon until 9pm. Cost is $25 for your filthy boat, and $40 for your filthy boat and POS Rig. Just the thing for those involved in the Missouri River Cleanup tomorrow. Cleanup Volunteers receive an additional $5 discount. Every cent goes to a good cause, so help our community out. A limited run of Headhunters "Get Wet" ladies boat wash T's will be available as well.

BBQ Saturday Night
Following the Bikini Boat Wash, Headhunters will be hosting a free BBQ for all of our loyal friends and customers. Chef Martineau will be wearing the apron, so expect more than the typical BBQ. Izaak's will have live music on the deck as well, so it should be a good time. No doubt that Tracy Allen will be on the mound for whiffle-ballers. We will also be accepting donations for the Craig Volunteer Fire Dept.

More YETI Coolers!
We've just recieved a third shipment of Yeti Coolers, and they'll likely go fast. We've got 15, 25, 35, 45 and 65 quart models available. The hot weather is here and it's time to keep your adult beverages cool. All the cool guides are buying them, shouldn't you? You get what you pay for...Buy Yeti! FREE ICE for the rest of the summer if you buy a Yeti! Rememer, we can drop ship your YETI cooler anywhere in the Continental US in 2-3 business days. Just give us a call and we'll take care of the rest.

Fishing is on Fire
These are the salad days for the Missouri...heads to hunt all day long. Days like we're having remind us why we choose to live, work and play on the 'Mo. It doesn't get any better than right now. Our guides have been busy showing our guests some of the finest fishing the US has to offer.

Can your G-Friend do this?

The real question is, do you want your girlfriend to out fish you?

My answer is yes! Chicks look pretty damn sexy in $400 breathable Simms waders too. Add the Headhunters visor and you have a winner!

Lisa on the right can fish well, and she is just picking it up. It was her 3rd trip to the infamous Mo and she is like a train out of control...she never wants to leave...and can you fault her for that? Certainly not.

She will probably beat you in a hand of Cribbage as well.

One of the reasons she is ascending rapidly up the fly rodding ladder is a direct result of her casting instructor. Yes, she is smart enough to take casting lessons and it shows. Smart Girl. We all could use a casting lesson now and then. Tiger Woods takes lessons...think about that one.

Love to see smiles on the faces of our clients, and every body's clients for that matter...this is an environment for fun, and we are here to not only promote it but to perpetuate it.

Chicks with fly rods are super sexy...

Fly of the Week: Rusty Spinner

Best comment overheard on our porch this Year: "Craig is like college...fishing, drinking, and all of your friends around to rip on."

Capt. Carp's Dead Song of the Day: You know he hates the Dead...so this is a perfect avenue for SOL to continually upset him. Friend's don't stab each other in the back, they stab each other in the front. So it is: Saint Stephen

Great Lawyer Story: A client of mine is an attorney, so I asked him about hos best or worst trial. He said he was a civil lawyer and it was not that exciting...but he did sit in on a divorce trial. The judge asked the wife why she was filing for divorce. She replied, "All my husband wants to do is work, fish, and work in the garden." The judge replied without looking up, "And what's so wrong with that mam?"

By the way...the fishing is SHIT HOT...quit that job of yours and come out...you know you don't like the job anyway brother. We are always looking for shuttle drivers. A perfect opportunity to watch rising fish while driving trucks nicer that yours.

New Breed!

Yes, indeedy...the pic on the right is the new breed of fly fisherman @ the new breed of fly shops. Educated, friendly, and can cast like the dudes on the videos we rent.

Coffee, KISS TShirt, late starts, late evenings, boxes full of CDC Biot bodied magic, and a new Loomis GLX Max with a Galvan Spoke. His other rod he brought with him is a 8 1/2 5wt. IM6 Winston with a Hardy made before the war. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

I know some of you still discount this look, and insist that bagdraggers like this fellow could not possibly know the difference between a reach cast and a bow and arrow cast or even identify the sub amigo stage of a mayfly...but you would be wrong. This is the type of character that could tell you what year Joe Brooks published his first book...and that the edition you bought is definitely the second edition based on the ISBN number.

I appreciate anything different in this wonderful business...and this speciman is a welcome sight in our delightful pursuit of fishy's on a fly. A breath of fresh air...

The New Breed...

Yes indeedy...

Capt Carp's Dead Song of the Day: The Wheel

Chris's Iron Maiden Song of the Day: Run to the Hills...New Breed Bra'

Quirky Solution E-Mailed to SOL for his actual Squeeky Oar Locks: KY Jelly

Moderation...Nooooo!

I have always subscribed to this theory...Nothing in moderation, only things in excess...if I have to do anything in moderation I cannot do it. I is just how I roll. No apologies, none.

This is so true in the flyfishing game. Guides are a case in point. They cannot do things in moderation. Most folks are comfortable fishing weekends and holidays, and coming on a destination trip once a year. Guides do not possess this trait. They have to fish everyday and pattern their life around the everyday pursuit of the trout fishing dream. LTD BABY. Living the dream.

Guides do have fun...just look at the smiles at 11pm at Izaak's next door to the shop. Laughing, giggling like little school boys. The Peter Pan Syndrome. They never grow up...which allows them to enjoy every minute of everyday. That is a statement that not many cubicle workers can agree with. And if you can, I bet you are the life of the office Christmas party. Although you may be the individual caught photocopying pics of your arse.

Back to the excess idea. I am the sort of fellow that likes to get the net wet. That equates to beating 'em up on a daily basis. If I am nymph guiding I lose a little sleep over not putting 30+ in the boat. I don't lose much sleep, but it does take me an additional 30 sec. to slip into blissful slumber. That delay is consumed with techniques to improve myself and my clients. Could I teach it in another way, address their strong points and build upon them, yell more? The latter is a thing of the past. The new breed of guides do not yell...they may get a little excited and speak in tongues...especially after the excess portion of the day which generally includes a large portion of the blue bottle...known in these parts as Bombay Sapphire. I believe the lime additive is an antidote for the hangover. The thing with clear liquors is...well there are a lot of things. Let's leave it at that. That brown liquor is evil.

The picture up top is evidence of a local boy in the throws of excess, pun intended. This poor fella fell to the peer pressures of guides after consuming mass quantities of the clear. He had unwisely and ignorantly thrown out the possibility that he could inhale a full #10 can of Nacho Cheese while standing in bad company/synonym guides. The good Queso...all 6# 11 oz. of it, save for a smattering left on the bottom. He managed to put it down with a large soup spoon in under an hour. I was not privy or present to these behaviors, but the photo did find its way to this computer...so I had to use it. It would be sacrilege to pass up the opportunity. That is excess.

Excess is a way of life. By no means do I advocate banging heroin or baitfishing, well I do advocate the latter, but not the former. But excess allows one to be totally consumed by activity of choice, and picking a healthy pursuit will breed happiness. So is excess equal happiness. You tell me. Money does not buy happiness, but fishing 150+ a year could start you down that path. Try 300 and see what that does for your soul. Seeing clients get absolutely thrilled at hooking a gorgeous Brown with a sz. 20 dry allows both parties involved a moment of bliss. Excess and bliss...now there is a nice partnership.

So when you are in town next and see the HH gang discussing better ways to catch fish, improved fly patterns, teaching techniques, the idiosyncrasies of the dead drift, casting left-handed with the Micro Practice Rod, or the new Echo Gecko improving our double haul or reach cast, or our favorite post fishing game...Wiffle Ball in the Concrete Jungle of Metropolitan Craig Montana...you too will understand that behaviors in moderation do not belong in my life, nor any of the stellar HH staff. Only behaviors in excess...

Capt Carp Dead Song of the Day: Black Peter

Circuskirpatricka Fly of the Day: CDC Caddis...without question

Bad Idea of the Week: Chugging 2 bottles of 5 hour ENERGY. It contains 8333% of your daily B12 and 2000% of your B6...what a buzz.

Squeeky @ 40

Ain't it a bitch...I can't see, I don't listen, I enjoy self deprecating humor...and the negative moniker of still being a fly fishing guide is the least of my worries.

Tomorrow I will be 40 and over the hill. I have realized that Crown Royal, Bombay Sapphire, and Tequila do not agree with me...thankfully I have found the life blood of Vodka. I know some are snickering that a Cape Cod graces my hand most evenings, with the Budweiser in the other. Ahhh...simple pleasures are still available.

I still enjoy roping as many fish as I can force into the net, and getting the net wet drives my passion on a daily basis. Fellowship with folks in the fishing business is the secondary reason I am still hangin' in. How wonderful is that. Fishing and talking about fishing.

Here is a secret to those who feel like age is getting the better of them...find something you love and make it your everyday pursuit. I saw the Doc last summer and he was amazed that my blood pressure was so low...I mentioned to him that I sleep soundly and do not worry about anything...all those emotions that require energy are not necessarily healthy. He agreed wholeheartedly. Keep in mind there are dark sides to this lifestyle and I won't bore you with the lengthy list.

Here is my sappy thank you list for the folks that have helped me to this point in life. I believe in mentorship and encourage all to find as many mentors that you can can in life. My folks are at the top of the list...without parents none of us would succeed. I still thank Chris and Jerry from the Trout Shop, even though they may want to ram a screwdriver into my neck these days...I learned a whole lot about the fishing business from those two. Tom Bramble, Larry Tarmelli, Mike Bushly, my business partner Scumliner, Capt. Scott Yetter, Famous Amos, Fritz, Daly, Budweiser Chucky, Capt. Carp, E. Bitty for his constant encouragement, and all who believed that we could open yet another fly shop in downtown Craig...and I can tell you the list was very, very, short. For all the non-believers who laughed and scoffed at us...do you like apples? Well...how do you like them apples.

I will get back to you after the celebration that will certainly ensue tomorrow. 40 is not bad. 40 is the new 30 right. I hope that one of my Bday gifts is a fake ID that says I'm 28...nice

Trust?

Would let your kids fraternize with an individual like this one? I certainly would not, albeit I don't have kids. This fine specimen was lurking on the porch of Izaak's last Saturday for the weekly festival with The Bridger Creek Boys...a great Bluegrass Band out of Boze-Angeles. He is not a bad kid, Dustin, and becoming interested in fly fishing...you certainly not fault him for that. Intrigued is a better word. I had a long chat with him, he did not like me shooting digi pics of him... and he will be seen on your local waters in the future...just keep him off your porch with your daughter.

The second picture here is of shop guru Andrew and a nice brown caught on a streamer down low. He is not afraid to go down low...just ask him. Andrew is fishy SOB and loves to impart his knowledge on any and all who frequent Headhunters. We are so thankful for Andrew and his expertise and product knowledge is absolutely terrific.

Andrew usually smile a little more than this photo shows, but he may have had a few libations while fishing. We will let this one slide this time. Very nice brown trout A.M.

Capt Carp Dead Song of the Day: Candyman

Fly of the Week: UV Hunchback Scud Pearl/Pink

Quirky Guide Behavior of the Week: If your guide is twitching in the morning...it is one of several serious problems..1. Too much alcohol last night, or not enough. 2. He saw his girlfriend's car at another guides shanty. 3. That is the good news, finally can focus on fishing again...nice.

Damn Pretty...

Damn Pretty Picture...I have taken this shot a number of times and never ceases to impress me. Not the photo taking prowess, but the nature of this perspective...I have it in many permutations of good lookin'. You folks that frequent the Missouri recognize this locale...those of you who don't...well...maybe you should visit. You only live once, so get your ass out here and let your soul fill with the most beautiful fishing experience of your life. I know you will have several and hopefully countless memories etched within your subconscious...but here is my proposal.

Why you let another experience pass you by? Experiences in life and fishing are so more important than another million dollareenies...or whatever your financial situation is...get more life experiences...your family will appreciate it...not to mention your Super-Ego...remember that is th opposite of your Id...keep the Id hidden, he does not advance your soul.