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.

Dirty Snowy Party Bitch!

No pics today...and I have a few beauties!!! A dirty snowy little bitch here. 2ft at SOL's house, and Scumliners house too: with 3 1/2 drifts. Scumliner's house enveloped my truck, his too, and J the B's as well...late last night. Quickly ran out of alcohol and enjoyed a short winter's nap.

This AM, ScumL. contracted B 2 the B to pull us out. Success was had 0nly due to Chevy's prowess, yet again.

I got the best vehicle on Earth (CHEVY SUBURBAN) stuck for many, many, many, hours. 5500 lbs. of pain. But B $ E pulled us both out. Chevrolet products to the rescue again...no surprise. He drives a 2005 Chev V6 1500 Short Bed P/U..it's got more balls than a Celtic's locker room.

Ben, Carp Boy, Martineau, Jessie, and a cast of thousands sipping a few cocktails...or a bunch. B $ E has eloquently stated that American MUSCLE beats up on Japenesee Magic ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!*

So the debauchery continues...or the damn snow expires...till we meet again

In or Out?

One of the oddest happenings in my boat, and there have been lots of them, in the last ten years has to do with urination. Not a real pleasant topic, but it is one of those events that is better if you weren't there.

The client in front of the boat asks "Would you like me to pee in or out of the boat?" I replied, "Oh, inside is fine if you are comfortable with that." It is pretty common for men to just lean over and let 'er fly, or dribble, if you will...I have actually seen women do it too...off the back of the boat, the hardcore gals that is.

Some folks are more comfortable going to shore and wandering a distance from the boat and taking care of business is somewhat of a private environ. Those who possess the "Stage Fright Trait", commonly exhibited in stadiums with 37 dudes shoulder to shoulder, prefer this method.

The most common method is to rest your knees on the gunwale and hang your junk over the side of the vessel. Some drips may come in contact with the inside of the boat, but generally a negligible amount. They always say that urine is sterile, so no big deal if this happens.

I was rooting around in the icebox for a Coke for myself and the guest in the back of the boat...when I turned toward the front of the boat, I see the front of the boat fellow anchored in the knee locks and facing forward. His waders are below his waist and the unmistakable sound of pee reverberating off fiberglass. I turned to the guest in back and ask,"Is he peeing in the boat?!?%#!" He replied "Yes, I believe so." My next confused/exasperated comment was predictably, "Are you expletive pissing in my boat!!??"

Those of you who have fished in a late model Clackacraft may have recognized that there is a small drain hole at the base of the bow plate, allowing rain water to drain out. It's for H2O moisture removal only, not the alternative.

Client in the back states, "Of course he is, he does stupid shit like that all the time. I've known him for 25 years, and it doesn't surprise me a bit." Client in front says, "Well there is a drain hole up here for just this purpose, those folks at Clacka have thought of everything. You said it was OK. I asked you In or Out? You said In right?" In a quite rare moment of speechlessness I conjured a response. "I said it was OK to pee standing inside the boat, with the intention of the liquid toxins leaving the boat towards the water. Not to pee inside the boat proper!!

So, that is one of the strangest events to occur in my boat since my uneventful birth as a guide. Pretty damn odd don't ya think.

Capt. Carp Dead Song of the Day: Althea

Strange Guide Behavior of the Day: Finding an overpriced set of oar blades that don't drip too loud, drip patterns are important when you spend 100+ days in the middle seat. Any extraneous noises drive me up a tree...really.

Sol Sungard

Sol Sungard products are arguably the finest sunscreen products on the market. The best thing about this sunscreen is that when it does come in contact with your eyes...they do not water. It is totally safe for ramming into your eyes. If you don't believe me, next time you are in the shop, I will dump some into my own eyes.

I often have clients on the river that have been afflicted by the ol' sunscreen in the eyes syndrome. It does suck. My theory is if you do not want sunscreen in your eyes, don't put it into your eyes. It is kind of an intelligence test...you decide if you will pass or not. If you have a hat on, you do not need to protect your forehead. Think about it.

Sol's Bluewater ultra low chemical-active formula uses Z-Cote, a powerful, microfine zinc oxide that offers transparent and total protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Its unique fragrance-free, emulsion-loc technology means the sunscreen stays on your skin and out of your eyes..but it does not matter!! Skin protecting emollients protect your skin from drying, chapping and irritation. Get some sun, but first get some Sol. Extra gentle, formulated for water sports.

It truly is a dynamite product. The lip balms are super as well. Easy to get on and protects all day. A couple of different flavors, my new fav is Citrus. It rules!

For more info about Sol Sungard Products, visit the Website.

Fly of the Week: Fire Bead Soft Hackle Ray Charles

Capt. Carp Dead Song of the Day: Terrapin Station

Quirky Guide Behavior of the Week: A guide we know, if the fly is not working, even if it is a size 18 PT, he will clip the fly off, break off the hook, and chuck it into the water. That's Quirky.

Feral Cats and Rogue Guides...

Feral cats and Rogue guides are sewn of the same fabric. It is your duty as a free blooded American to do the right thing, and that is to eradicate the problem. You are either part of the problem or part of the solution. The common method for getting rid of the cats is via some sort of shotgun, gunny sack in the river, or any method you desire.

The rogue guides and outfitters is another situation all together. For those of you who do not know what I am speaking about...illegal and uninsured guides are the bane of or business. DO NOT TRUST OR ASSOCIATE WITH THIS CREATURE!! It is highly illegal and those who perform services without licenses, insurance, or any regard to your safety. These individuals are not welcome and should be hung. If you ever see this behavior from a so called guide, phone 1-800-TIP-MONT immediately. It is very difficult to catch and prosecute said guide, but I will not stop trying to help in wiping these fellas off of the face of the earth. Always check for Montana Board of Outfitters licensing information, liability insurance, and Independant Contractor status. It really angers me that these fellas are out there and acting as guides and outfitters. It is your duty to make sure you are fishing with a licensed outfit. Buyer beware!

Tar and feather them! Feral Cats and Rogue Guides must be removed at all costs!

Squeeky wins the Baetis Pool. $25 richer...BWO's at the Craig boat ramp today @ 2:45 MST

Quirky fisherman behavior of the day: Pushups on the center line in downtown Craig. Wow? Have never seen this previously, and now two in two weeks.

Capt. Carps Dead song of the day: Eyes of the World

Baetis Pool?

Headhunters, as of yesterday, has started the Baetis Pool. When will they arrive? I know gambling is not allowed in the office, but who's looking anyway. It is a $5 buy-in, winner takes all.

If you look at the pic on the right, you will see what we have been seeing...a whole lot of NOTHING...save for the midges, which the fish have not been too excited about. An occasional splashy juvenile rise...just like teenagers...making a whole series of inappropriate bad decisions...over and over and over!

It is the 20th of April and still no BWO's. It's OK, but would be great to throw a couple dries at sipping fishy's. The god news of the week is the nymphing has turned around and we are catching some fish...they are in more places than the winter soft edge buckets. Hooray!

Get your fishing pals, your co-workers, your family and start your own BWO Pool. Make it interesting and each toss a C note into the mix. Now that the NCAA March Madness is over, most of us need to find a new gambling fix. This is it.

Get down on your knees and pray to the Baetis god's. Sacrifice your old glass rods, the expired monofiliment that you haven't passed on to the buddies you don't like, that stinky whitefish on your trunk, and shotgun a Budweiser.

It's coming, it's coming, the Baetis are coming...hide some gear in the truck...and tell your wife you are going out for milk...

My 1st Missouri River Love

My first couple years on the Missouri were certainly a learning experience. I did not have enough knowledge or wisdom to fill up a fly cup. I did not know what a mayfly was. I did see pictures and heard tales of east coasters that had wonderful and varied mayfly hatches...Catskill patterns, Beaverkill flies, etc. It wasn't until a couple local guides befriended me and clued me in on what flies and where to fish, what kind of water to look at, the many mind blowing stages of mayflies and so on. My personal naievity did not stop at just the fishing...it included such things as the subconscious attraction to tail waters, small fishing villages, gals with fly rods in the hands casting in the front of drift boats, fun filled evenings and mornings with fuzzy heads. The true reason for this entry has nothing to do with mayflies, but it has a lot to do with my first love on the Missouri. Her name is Heather Filipowicz; a dreamy blond with an infectious laugh.

If you have spent any time on the river in the last 20 years you have invariably bumped into one of the sisters. There are four, I know three...1 blond, 1 brunette, and one red. Dreams are made from a scenario like this. You cannot make this shit up. It's true. Unfortunately for the fella's in town, they all have moved to greener pastures. They have all worked for local restaurants, fly shops, and in any other fishing town businesses while attending Montana Universities. Super neat gals, well adjusted, very funny, who all liked to laugh. These are the type of girls that encouraged skinny dippin' at the lake...and any boy who was within earshot raced to the locale to participate.

I was working at the Dearborn Inn as a cook and my first Missouri love was a waitress. I immediately fell in love. As many of you know, trout bums exhibit this behavior on a daily basis. She certainly did not have the same attraction. What a surprise. A dead end dude flipping burgers at a roadhouse, X's in his eyes, and fantasizing about freely rising trout. What's not to like. Heather and I worked at another cafe together after the eminent demise of the Dearborn...and consequent burnings which the fire Marshall described as fire's with unknown origin. I'll let you figure out that riddle and come to the inevitable conclusion. The doomed business is still not open...not because folks have not tried. It is an outstanding piece of land. Big ideas and pipe dreams. I believe there is lots of bad Ju-Ju associated with the property. There has to be. It was a camp site for the Corps of Discovery July 17th 1805. L & C named Eagle Rock from this very site...maybe some bad shit went down that fateful evening? Who knows. If you know me at all, you understand I cannot tell a short story, just ask my close friends. As I digress...

The way I remember it, it must have been a couple years after our first meeting, and we had become friends...I expressed to Heather that she was my first love on the Missouri. She smirked, tried to suppress her laughter, couldn't. She stated that she was not my first love on the Missouri. I vehemently disagreed. I explained that she was definitely my first attraction here in the canyon. She said to me, now straight faced and brutally honest, "The river was your first love, not me." Well, sometimes the truth hurts. In this case I appreciated the insight that many females have. They know man, even when we believe we have it all figured out. She was spot on.
I saw Heather this morning. It was great to see her. She is a Nutritionist in Salt Lake and succeeding/exceeding in her profession. As are all the Filipichicks. We chatted about this very moment in life. Again she laughed and I joined in the hilarity too.

My first love was the Missouri, the river itself. It still is. She was right all along.