Happy Birthday Headhunters Fly Shop

Our birthday in downtown Craig today. April 4th.

Our opening day 4.4.08 brought big flaked spring snow. All day. This year? Snow too.

We are moving into our 8th year here on the banks of the Missouri River. We couldn’t be happier.

The Headhunters staff has always been strong and we appreciate the experience level of our shop experts as well as the experienced and highly requested Headhunters Guides. Without these folks we would not be where we are today.

Ninch and Sara keep us on track inside the cozy 574 sq ft @ Headhunters Fly Shop. Heading into their  6th and 7th years respectively these two are the center of the HH operation. Julie guides the ship while John and Mark pull on the oars as well.

Ben Hardy has been with us since day one and continues to lead the pack with other long timers Peter, Jared, Nick, Brett, Ryan, Kurt, Beth, Jeff and a few new to our staff in the last couple years too. Thanks to all who have guided with us and for us. We thank you.

We don’t have a high rate of turnover here at Headhunters. We like it that way. We think you may too. Long term relationships are what make this fishing game fun. The better we know you, the better you know us, the better we can serve you.

Information, education, and customer service is what Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service was founded on, and nothing has changed in the last 7 years. Customer Service is what Headhunters stands behind. Products come and go. Fly shops have lots of different products. Most of the stuff out there is damn good. So, a commodity deal. Fly rods fall from grace, reels, even flies constantly change.

What does not change is customer service. It never goes out of style. We strive for the highest level. Information laden conversation is what fly shops sell give away.. And here in downtown Craig we are full of it.

We have always believed that you wanted to talk to someone on the phone when you are booking your guide trip or lodging reservation. No computer based human-less interaction here at Headhunters. We have integrated the web site info for both lodging and guided trips along with conversation with you the customer to craft the right trip for you. We know that we all have different expectations and needs. We use all technology with a side of personal touch to get to the finish line. To get you into the right riverside cottage and coupled with the right guide. That is one of the reasons we are here all but one day of the calendar year.

Our original plan was to be open 7 months and closed 5 months living the fun filled sunny side of life in the Florida Keys. That plan did not work. Why? After the 2nd winter we thought we should be open all 12 months. Winter anglers on the Missouri River demanded it. They needed a shop to visit when the air temps stayed unseasonably warm. So here we are after 7 years. Open 364 days a year. We do stay home for Christmas. We gotta rest sometime.

We love giving back and enjoying our friends with our famous free BBQ’s, an occasional beer on the porch, working with Project Healing Waters, free 2 handed Spey casting clinics, . We actively donate to various community organizations like Florence Crittenden Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Humane Society, Big Hole Kids Foundation, Upper Missouri River Watershed Alliance, MRF in Great Falls, Trout Unlimited of Helena and beyond, and may more. We love to give back and feel it is important for our staff and ourselves to lead the way in volunteer work and donations to local, regional, and national women, kids and conservation causes.

We enjoy delivering the river news to you here on this very blog and appreciate you remarks, comments, and article suggestions. We try to accommodate. We have always known that you enjoy a tip or two and like reading about the conditions, the fishing report, Missouri River techniques, and what ever whacky thing we think you may need to know about. You have kept it here for the most consistent, up to date, and honest fishing news on the Missouri River. Do you want your fishing information to come from a relative newcomer to the river? We believe you want it from long time tenured Missouri River anglers and residents. Headhunters Fly Shop Blog is the first, the best, and the last…all delivered daily for your fishing consumption.

The building has morphed over the years too. It has been a work in progress. I cannot believe distance we have come. Updating the interior is one of John’s many talents. He has had the vision and has implemented it throughout the years. New merchandising fixtures, updated lighting, one-off cabinets, additional fly bins, rod displays, commercial A/C units, cell boosters for guests, the only free Wi-Fi in Craig, and the like has kept the shop fresh and exciting. No grass growing under our feet. What is next? Oh, we got a few things coming this season to improve your guest experience.

Thanks to the Headhunters loyal customers and friends we have made in the past 7 years. You have helped us mold this fly shop into what it is. Friendly family oriented fun times with the BBQ’s, casting sessions, Drift Boat Drive-Ins, live music events, 4th of July celebrations, Craig Caddis Festival, the new Brews and Browns event this Labor Day Weekend, late nights at Joe’s and Izaak’s, and our own porch.

We have met and developed friendships with so many of you here locally and beyond. That is the rewarding part of our job. Getting to know you. Sharing the both the successes and failure of fly fishing this one of a kind Montana resource. We look forward to continuing those relationships with you our favorite people on earth.

John, Julie, Mark, and the All-Star Headhunters cast are looking forward to another 7, plus 7, plus…as we move ahead here in Craig.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.