Two Views...

Mountain Palace | August 2009 | River View
photo Mark Raisler

The beauty of the Missouri never ceases to amaze us. It's one of the many reasons we stay here year after year. We are so privileged and thankful to live and play surrounded by scenes like these. Every direction you look holds breathtaking views.

If you have not visited the Missouri, we invite you too.

If you have, we invite you to reflect and reminisce.

Mountain Palace | October 2009 | Scenic Lookout View
photo Mark Raisler

There are fish here too.

All you need to know...

Yes, it's time.

You got time? I got time.

Blanket hatch of Psuedo's.

A couple, meaning 2, Tricaudatus sightings.

Lt. Dan says, "Bald Kitty Rules!"

Dan, who comes several times a year, also says, "If you are not here, you must have a real job."

He is a pilot for some failing airline, used to work for Uncle Stupid, and claims he can fish. The jury is still out. I will say that Lt. Dan fishes more than you, major destinations every month...sometimes twice...and is not afraid of a pretentious little bitch of a saltwater flat with the wind blowing hard across his right shoulder. He actually catches a few of them.

Above; Lt. Dan enjoying yet another sip of Red Breast @ Headhunters Fly Shop

Having said that, let me remind you of the previous short, unimportant paragraph. " If you are not here, you must have some sort of job that does not allow you to fish 100 days a year. I am blessed and fortunate to have such a position. Not everybody can be me."

Remember, SOL did not say that. It is merely a quote that mirrors Dan's salty, crude, infectious demeanor.

Enough of that yahoo Dan. It is happening here on the Missouri. We are about ready to break on through to the other side.

We would be happy to see you and share stories about big trouts brother.

Capt. Carp's Dead Song of the Day: U. S. Blues

Dry Fly of the Week: Brook's Sprout, Baetis sz 16, Trad. Royal Wulff sz 16, or anything

Nymph of the Week: Mercury RS-2 Baetis

Streamer of the Day: Anything small and black...remind you of anyone mentioned in previous blogs? Product of the Week: Hand Warmers

Drink of the Week: Hot Toddy, not sure if I spelled that correctly.

Theme of the Month: Wait til' noon, then go hammer 'em.

As serious as SOL can be: Please come, you will not regret it. In the space of time, it is such an insignificant amount of time...a speck of sand.

If not this fall, certainly next.

Harvest Dream...

Harvest on the Missouri - Oct 2009 - Pelican Shit Islands
Mark Raisler photo

The Might Mo and you.

Harvesting the fish of a lifetime...

...make it your dream.

Can you visualize it?

Try, try, and try again...my friend.

October Fishing...

Baetis equals rising fish.

If you don't like the cold...don't come.

If you like rising trout...yes, come.

Real fishermen come in October...

Some even in November...nobody here.

If I was even sort of good at writing...I would have written a Haiku.

But I'm not.



There is snow here now. Great fishing from noon til four. It kick's ass.



Do not come if you like to catch fish with dry flies!

Rebirth of a River...

Craig looking Sth 10/3
photo Mark Raisler

Wow.

Takes my breath away and allows SOL to feel all close to the Mother Earth and Mother Missouri all at the same time.

Up early today snapping a few photos to overcome the guilt feelings I carried with me at least all of yesterday for sliding on my duties here at the shop...this is an uncommon emotion for me...today rebirth.

Rockin' CSNY @ the shop this AM and every soul that has passed through the hallowed doors of Headhunters is rejoicing...some of them have even busted out a little rebirth jig.

The river is in fantastic shape for an outstanding fall run. Water temps have dipped into the high 50's with today's temp at 59F. Saw a couple true Baetis yesterday and a pile of Pseudos. Fished dries all day and was able to find enough for a satisfying trip. Still a few weeds out there and some are sniveling. Deal with it or stay home fishing friends. What's a little weed when you have the opportunity of hooking a trophy brown on an Adams.

The inevitable BWO explosion is damn close. Rebirth is imminent.

If I've told you once I've told you a 1000 times...quit your desk job, at least for the month of October. Give yourself an opportunity to enjoy the fishing month of a lifetime. Break out of that cocoon and reconnect with your fishing passion.

Make the right choice...choose Rebirth.

Who are You?

Here is a quiz for those of you who do not know which camp you are in. Devised by many industry professionals. This is not a joke and should be taken very seriously. You may find yourself in the middle somewhere. Answering yes to both sides of the equation. This is normal and should not freak you out.

Old School: You always know where your fishing vest is and wear it frequently while fishing.
New School: Hemo's, fingernail clippers ($0.69 kind), 2 C & F Designs boxes overstuffed.

Old School: In bed @ 9pm, up @ 5am. Fishing @ daybreak.
New School: In bed @ 4:30am, fishing @ the crack on noon.

Old School: 1 Martini, maybe 2 if the fishing was good.
New School: 1 bottle of Martini's, maybe 2 if the fishing was shitty.

Old School: Fly box full of Quill Gordons and Mickey Finns
New School: Fly box full of CDC Cripples and Sculpzilla's

Old School: Still fishing with your Sage RPL. "This rod is as good as any new fangled rod."

New School: Stole your dad's RPL. "Well, it's a 9ft lever. It'll work."

Old School: Donated $500 to Trout Unlimited this year.
New School: Donated 42 hours of volunteer work with Trout Unlimited this year.

Old School: Fishes a WF line. Only DT left is still on Pfleuger Medalist.
New School: Fishes a DT line. Only WF is on hopper rod. Also on Pflueger Medalist.
Note: The Rio Gold is a line that both schools can agree on...shameless kick-ass product plug.

Old School: Buys a new high end reel every year. And an extra spool.
New School: Buys a new high end reel every year. "Another spool? New School just buys another entire reel.

Old School: Retrieves line on the right side of the reel.
New School: Retrieves line on the left side of the reel.

Old School: Your wife cannot believe how much time and money is invested in fly fishing.
New School: Cannot remember last girlfriend's name, but she hated that stupid sport too!

Old School: Can name 10 legends of fly fishing that New School has never heard of.
New School: Can name 10 yet to be legends...incidentally he may be one.

Old School: Respects the history of the sport. Recognizes the importance of casting upstream at rising fish.
New School: Recognizes the history of the sport. Respects casting upstream, but would rather cast down and across at rising fish.

Old School: Knows what the fish are eating & matches the hatch. Sz 22 Psuedo Emerger.
New School: Knows what they are eating & and tosses anything over sized and gaudy. Sz 12 Cinnamon Ant

Old School: Chats about fishing while drinking a well aged Scotch neat.
New School: Chats about potential girlfriends drinking PBR on tap.

Old School: Practices casting on guide trip in between spots.
New School: Takes casting lessons and practices in back yard.

Old School: Fantasizes about giant trout daily.
New School: Fantasizes about giant trout daily.

Old School: Fishes with guides for their experience, fever for trout, and their work ethic.
New School: Fishes with guides because they are in similar income brackets and can swap generational failure stories.

Old School: Pays with Credit Card to accrue Airline Miles.
New School: Pays with Credit Card because he has no cash.

Old School: Has dogs at home for hunting purposes.
New School: Has dogs with him/her because whatever pheromones puppies/dogs emit attract women like no other abject known to man. Dogs really are man's best friend.

Old School: Have a plethora of terrible off color jokes and are not afraid to tell them.
New School: Wish they were as wise as the Old School and really wish they knew as many off color jokes!

After taking the quiz, how do you score? If you are either 50% on either side...that is definitive. Are you in the middle? Are you where you want to be?

If you want to be on the other side, you can certainly book a trip with any counselors/coaches/guides @ Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service. The best in the business, damn straight!

Improvements all the way around...

Craig Boat Ramp under re-construction 10/01
photo Mark Raisler

Craig Boat Ramp under construction until Mid-October. Can we use it until blacktopping day? The powers that be say the decision will be made day by day. So, we will keep you informed.

Apparently they are paving the entire ramp. I guess it will be better. What is next? Flushing toilets, actual garbage cans? Who knows. Bring it all is my feeling.

Random Rainbow Release
Headhunters stock photo

Why go without in the land of plenty. Just like the Mo; boat loads of trout.

Capt. Carp Band of the Day: He loves the Black-Eyed Peas...or not

Nymph of the Month: Any PT derivation

Dry Fly of the Week: Parachute Adams

Emerger of the Month: Any BWO

Weather Dream: Overcast, moisture in the air, calm, 45F air temp, 55F water temp, blanket hatch of Baetis

If you like fall fishing...why not give the Mo a whirl. You might like it!