Old Craig Bridge...Pt. 1

Here it is...in Helena Montana waiting for it's new resting place. It will be re-installed using all 3 pieces on the Old State Nursery property and open for all to enjoy...at some point in the future. The Craig Bridge was saved by Bridgeworks Conservancy of Helena in 2007 and will be a part of Nursery Park near the Broadwater property on Hwy 12 heading across MacDonald Pass.

Old Craig Bridge Helena Montana

Mark Raisler photo

The Craig Bridge was almost never built at the Craig location according to documents on the mt.gov site. The bridge was need to provide access to farmers and ranchers on the east side of the river to the Montana Central Railroad at Craig on the west side of the Missouri. Access was also needed to the Benton Road between Helena and Great Falls. There was an antiquated hand line ferry across the Mo until this point and did not carry enough freight for the farmers. 7 mile road rancher Frank Wegner (Wegner Creek enters the Mo on the east side across from Craig) was a huge advocate of building the bridge at Craig beginning in the 1890's. He believed that promotion of the area was achieved by this bridge and wanted to gain the markets of Helena.

Railroad politics nearly squashed the bridge in Craig. A battle between Montana Central RR and Northern Pacific, with mineral shipping of copper and silver from neighboring communities ( Basin and Butte to name a couple) was at the forefront until Wegner turned the tables.

Craig Bridge Looking WSW

Historic American Engineering Record Photo
Library of Congress Public Domain

Resistance, based on these RR complications, from Helena businessmen about the bridge in Craig was beaten when Frank Wegner was elected to the Lewis and Clark County Commission in 1900. Lewis and Clark County let a contract to the Elkhart Bridge Co. in 1902 for the Original Craig Bridge.

Craig did not have the first bridge over the Missouri. That honor was bestowed upon the first community in Montana, Fort Benton. Their bridge was built in 1888 by Milwaukee Bridge Works and completed by Benton Bridge Co. The Fort Benton Bridge is still standing, although it is only open for foot traffic. A designation that a few voices fought for with the Craig Bridge. A battle that was lost. Craig had the second bridge, not bad for a small ranching community. Just 90 years before the fisherman arrived in force.

The significance of the Craig Bridge according to the Library of Congress Historic American Engineering Record is: The Missouri River Bridge at Craig was the second vehicular bridge constructed across the Missouri River in Montana. It provided access to the MCRR station at Craig for the farmers and ranchers living on the est side of the river. It also facilitated the integration of this section of Meagher and Cascade counties into Lewis and Clark County by providing access to the road from Craig to Helena, the closest county seat. The bridge is and excellent example of a pin-connected Pratt through truss of the type built in large numbers throughout Montana between 1887 and 1915. All of its structural components are intact and the bridge retains excellent integrity and association with transportation in the upper Missouri Valley.

Many of you who have been coming to Craig for a dog's age. You fondly remember this bridge and continually lament about the new bridge. I agree...the new version is quite sterile and boring. Nothing like the truss construction of the first version...which only lasted 100+ yrs.

I will be telling the story of the Craig Bridge over the Holiday weekend...while the rest of you folks feast on Turkey, tie some flies, and watch a few football games.

The river should have some anglers out and about, as many have a tradition of their own which includes casting a fly or two...even if we don't have a cool bridge anymore.

Sources include...
Library of Congress Survey # HAER MT-112
Historic Bridges of the United States / Craig
mt.gov Bridge Adoption: Preservation of the Craig Bridge
BridgeConservancy.org
Word of Mouth

Hopper Box...

Hopper Box | 2009

It is blue skies and windy today and it made me think of Hopper weather. Although it is 40F and feels like winter is around the corner we can still reminisce about warmer seasons.

I love hopper fishing...who doesn't? It is a fly we all can see, the big browns love 'em, and when the Missouri River Trout get on them...every fisherman looks and feels like a pro. A feeling we do not always go away with. But when the fish eat the big fly, Rock Star Status for all!

The box above is a work in progress...perpetually changing and morphing into something better. EBitty gave me this box a few years ago and I just had to fill it. It cost me a bundle to acquire enough hoppers to fill it, but empty boxes are for beginners.

Hoppers qualify as flies that we cannot have enough of. If you only have one of any specific hopper, that pattern will absolutely kill them. If you have 23 of the same fly, no luck.

Every time I see a new hopper pattern at "Any Shop USA" I have to buy it. Generally a few of them. Capt. Carp and SOL have decimated hopper bins around the state...drooling and giggling the entire time. It is not uncommon for those two to toss a couple hundred hoppers on the counter at a fly shop.


Various regions have different hopper selections and they all look sooo coool...that they must have them! You never know when you may need an obnoxious hopper, ant, or beetle.

Many anglers would fish a hopper pattern all year long if they could. Some, not many, anglers will not fish a hopper...as they believe it is cheating. DFO fella's like to feed the fish something more complex and much, much, smaller. To each their own...but I love a hopper eat.

Some of our largest Brown Trout are caught on a juicy Hopper every year here on the Mo. Silly Rainbows like the Big Fly too. It must taste like candy for our watery friends. There also seems to be a hopper pattern or two of the year. This year it was the Morrish Hopper...across the state! Folks would come in looking for that specific fly and buy a boat load of them. Meaning at least a dozen. And why not? Don't go on the river without the right fly...at least have one...and we know how well they will eat it if you only possess a singular hopper of any pattern.

Teeth Marks | Morrish's Hopper

The Stalcup's Hopper has been a perennial favorite for a number of seasons now. Possibly the most realistic hopper of the recent past. Joe's, Dave's, Parachute...the list goes on forever and we all have fond memories of individual hopper eats and hopper patterns.

The joy of the hopper is many fold. Big, easy to see flies and a plethora of delicious hopper takes. It's all good friends! I love all facets of hopper fishing...including fly boxes stuffed full of hoppers..

Photo Credits:
Fly Panes | John Arnold
Hopper Box and Morrish | Mark Raisler

Thursdays...

Craig MT during the week are damn slow. This time of year is quiet. As China of Izaak's stated last night, "I like it when we get Craig back." Meaning, not all the folks around, it is quite nice...for a couple weeks...then it is just plain painfully boring.

B & E Ben tying Skykomish Sunrise @ Izaak's | 11/7/09

Although, it does give seasonal businesses time to mend and heal. Having operations that are open every day takes its toll on those who are involved. There are no weekends off, every day is a weekend. So, that aspect of this time of year is enjoyable. Sleeping in, reading the paper, catching up with those friends you have in town who you may not have talked to in 6 months...you know, the normal life kind of stuff. In Craig, you run hard for 210 days in a row.

Thursday night this year will be Fly Tying Night @ Izaak's. A great opportunity for the Craig local set to gather, tie, eat, drink, and kibitz. Last night was a free for all, with no theme set. Ben tied Steelhead flies, John tied Redfish Flies, Mark & Danielle tied Grizzly Hackle Peacock's, and the Kuhnert's tied Zebra Midges. Heckert made us a delightful plate of Beef Straganoff and Melanie a wonderful Choco Chip soft baked slice of heaven with a dollop of ice cream on top.

All locals are invited to this weekly event, or if you happen to be lost and in Craig on Thursdays and don't have anything better to do, stop in and whip one up! I believe there will be some potluck involved as the cold season progresses.

Ben and John Insulating the Floor | November '09
Headhunters stock photo

Scumliner Productions will be putting up fly tying videos of our favorite Missouri River Flies for those of you who tie at home and wish to prepare for your 2010 trip. I am excited about this, as we all can learn more about tying. Casting and tying alike, there is always more!

As the off season Blog moves along, SOL, and hopefully other Authors too, will be writing more instructional and informational style entries. If you would like to see us address any type of situation or discuss any fly fishing topic, or would like to pen an article for the Blog...please let us know.

We are open at the store this weekend for shuttles and a place to hide out of the wind. Saturday and Sunday promise to be very good with the wind going away and the clouds coming in. Get on out here to catch the last hoorah of Baetis before the Holiday Weekend coming.

MMmmm...Turkey...the most over-rated meal of the year.

Vacation Time

Scumliner just returned from a great Redfishing trip in the Gulf. Just missed Ida by a day, but had some epic sight fishing for big Redfish. Man is it nice to get out of town for a few days, even if I have to spend it with Lt. Dan...

Montana Style...

Young Severed Deer Leg | Joe's Parking Lot
photo mark raisler

Things you may see on the ground in Montana never cease to amaze me.

Here is a short Top 5 List:

1. Horse Head; Entire Head, stripped of any hair, eyes still in place, cut off at neckline
2. Small Birds; 2 Song Birds, posed next to the Horse Head
3. 6 Pack Rainer Pounders; Side of road, afraid to pickup based on region of MT
4. Dead Deer; any road in Montana, scattered like confetti at a Bday party
5. Readers Choice; If you've been here, you have an item for this list

Monday, and looking forward to Monday Night Football. I don't even like football, but Craig in the off-season, you learn to like football...or re-runs of I Love Lucy

Capt Carp: Thrashing a 2 Hander on the Clearwater

Scumliner: Back from the marshes of LA, bunches of Red's to hand w/ Lt Dan

SOL: Camel Free 4 weeks today, generally unhappy..but not cranky/pissed

B & E Ben: Planning the interior Re-Mod, insulation under the floors tomorrow

J the B: Reworking the IPod for winter, adding more Hip-Hop to keep Scumliner and SOL active

THE BOSS: In Napa CA with Skidmore for the winter. Sunshine is cool!!

FNG: Back in Boise for the winter. I wonder what's in Boise?

Adair: Living like a 5 yr old...Bliss every moment

The Might Mo: Attracting waterfowl, and wind, and a few anglers

You, the Reader: Planning your next Missouri River Adventure...that's right

Strides...

The Original Exterior Look | November 2007
Mark Raisler photo

...there have been many since our inception...

"Will you just look at that little, red and runty, building?!*#" That describes our initial thoughts about the Headhunters shack. We are still here after 2 years...looking at that little scrappy structure gives us the strength to move forward...ahead...improve...all that positive shit.

Headhunters has made great strides in our short existence in Craig Montana. The exterior has changed, the interior has changed...and both of these things will continue to change.

Interior Work | February 2008
John Arnold photo

What will remain the same is our unparalleled staff, products, and services.

Headhunters Fly Shop Staff will remain the same with maybe add'l cast members forthcoming. Andrew and Sara both plan to be back in the spring of 2010. They will continue to provide outstanding customer service and possess excellent product knowledge. Julie will of course be the anchor of Headhunters with John and Mark continuing to balance time between guiding and shop responsibilities. Ben will be back for his 3rd year with Headhunters guiding and working a limited amount in the store. I anticipate adding another key employee or two for 2010. We are focused daily on how to improve our already great customer service.

There are several Product changes and improvements for this upcoming year. We are changing about a 100 bins of flies. We have 816 fly choices in our Missouri River Specific Selection...that means that Headhunters will have approx. 100 new choices in 2010. Always improving and updating our fly selection is one concept John and Mark are committed to.

Stagnant fly selections
are like stagnant
Web Sites, Fishing Reports, & Blogs...
I hate stale shit!

Shuffling Flies | March 2009
Mark Raisler photo

All the new Super Techy Nymphs, Thingamabobber Attractors, a pile more Hi-Vis Dries, and even more Streamers will be available for your fishing pleasure when you visit this next summer.

We vow to never become the store that is relying solely on retail...we just have the actual stuff you need on the river. Our vision to keep a narrow focus and stay true to the most important facets of Headhunters while managing expectations of both ourselves as well as our clients is how we dictate what will come next. That's a big sentence; Damn True. What this all means to our valued guests is...Quality of Experience and Focus on Service.

We are so proud of our Services and are looking for ways to improve for 2010. All of the Guides that we have worked with will be around for 2010. Your outfitters here at Headhunters, Falls Outfitters MBO #5807 & Get the Drift Outfitters MBO #9031, only hire career guides who perform on a daily basis. They fish hard and we expect them to guide hard as well. Keep in mind that these fella's book a lot of their high season trips by February, and many a year in advance. If you wish to fish with specific guide..as the saying goes..."Book early for the good guides!"

We will have at least 3 Rental Boats this next year and they too are beginning to book earlier every year.

Rainbow & Brown Cabins | Summer
headhunters stock photo

Lodging at the Craig Trout Camp has become Extremely Popular. The Occupancy Rate for rainbow, Brown, and Sutton Place was better than 83% in 2009. If you wish to stay in Craig, next to Headhunters and Izaak's...a stones throw from the Missouri River...make your reservations sooner than later. The high seasons are nearly gone. This is NO BS! Contact us at the shop to hammer out your Craig MT Reservations.

Izaak's will open full time again and better than ever. We are fortunate to have a successful team at Izaak's and we would starve if they were not here. As for visitors...they are truly appreciative as well. Thanks Izaak's for providing high quality cuisine, beer, entertainment, cocktails, and wine selection.

Strides...we never look behind us, we only look forward...this allows us to make countless more strides and to enjoy and embrace the challenges ahead.

Remember: Information, Education, and Customer Service... our achievable goals.

Headhunters Summer Games

Wiffle Ball | Summer Game of Headhunters