St Patty’s Day Missouri River Montana Fishing Report
Wearing green today and fishing the green too. St Patty’s Day Missouri River Montana Fishing Report here on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog this Thursday March 17th.
Green buggers, Little Green Machines, Green Weenies, and the like should all be on fire today. Just because they are the correct flavor.
I for one am gonna fish the Corned Beef Bugger…
St Patty’s Day Missouri River Montana Fishing Report
Water temps on the rise still. Currently at 38.5F and has gone as high as 39F this spring. It can only go up from here. The fish are responding with bigger runs, higher jumps, and more!
Water levels at 3780 cfs. Pretty standard as of late. Will it come up this spring? Maybe. We would have to have some significant rain snow, sleet, storms, weather, winter, spring, etc. We will let you know here on this informative Montana flyfishing blog.
Spring Special $350 Guide Trips
Guides out daily and a ton of rec anglers too. Wade fishers are here in force on the weekends, some during the week. Fishing anywhere they like. Always more up top than down below. Do you like to fish the mid river runs? We like all of it. Mostly trying to be away from the masses.
Craig Trout Camp Lodging Discounts
The Spring Special has already got some traction with Craig Trout Camp lodging anglers nightly. How about the Craig House @ $250 that sleeps 6 and has fantastic kitchen including a gas cooktop, convection oven, large fridge, microwave, coffee service, an island, large dining area, equipped with a giant flat screen, leather couches, big porch with a BBQ, two full baths, jacuzzi tub…home away from home.
Craig Montana & Izaak’s Restaurant!
Izaak’s opening March 24th for your dining pleasure. Joe’s Bar open daily @ 8am and rocking til the wee hours for your apres fishing game. No word on when the Trout Shop is starting up their deli.
Izaak’s is the best of river dining. Anything from a killer 7oz fresh beef burger to wonderful apps to house smoked ribs and brisket to lighter salad options. Fresh is always best. And Izaak’s is the only place to offer river cuisine of the highest level. Have them shake you up a world class Martini or choose from a bunch of local Montana craft beers on tap. Don’t forget about the plethora of bottled beers too. Hours to follow as we get closer to the 24th.
Nymphers Unite
The word on fishing is good. Nymphing is heating up daily with catch rates increasing as the sun gets higher in the sky. Pink is still hip. Firebeads, Pink LB’s, Sows, Rainbow Czechs, Amex’s, Ninch’s Bubble Yum, Barbie’s, and any of those gaudy winter and spring flies.
Split shot or not. Your choice. But getting it down is key. If you have a good sinking home brew scud with tungsten and lead on the shank…let it fall.
Find middle speed waters tapering to the historic slower winter waters. The medium slow water is the key as of late. Medium speed and medium to deep slots are all good. Find ’em and fish ’em. Stop in for up to the minute reports.
Dry Fly Guys
Inconsistant. The best action is late in the afternoon above the Wolf Creek Bridge. Or down river too if you are in the boat. Wade anglers can meander upriver after a meal at the Oasis Thurs-Monday nights closing at 7pm. Don’t be late or you will go hungry.
Get out your clusters and your singles. Be ready if the wind stops on any reach of river. Snow today, with the evil Nth Wind! If it does knock off you will find some fish responding to the midge bug.
Streamer Junkies
Sink tips and dry lines both getting it done. Weighted and un-weighted patterns as well. A bit more action on the fly will find a few that will take a hard look at your jigging, sliding, injured patterns as they encroach the boat. Come in for the best in streamer selection in the Tri-County area. Honest. 150+ streamer bins will keep you interested. The fish too.
Trout Spey on the MO!
Daily activity at Headhunters with Trout Spey fun, demo rods out the door, Q & A sessions, and rod sales. Add a rod to your quiver this year…not a single hander but a 2 handed lover. Rods from Sage, Orvis, Echo, T & T, and more available at Headhunters in Craig. The market leader in all things Montana Spey. We have the lines you need as well from RIO, Airflo, Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics OPST, and soon SA. I would venture that we have more spey lines than many shops have single handed lines. Over 150 spey line, tips, and leaders available in stock today in Craig.
Swingers are out there and getting it done with a good jig stripping rhythm. Skagit and Scandi dudes and the associated schools landing fish on the Mighty Mo. Stop in for suggestions on kick ass swinging runs. We got plenty here in central Montana.
Headhunters Fly Shop & Guide Service in Craig MT
Headhunters Open @ 8am and late til 6pm. I bet we adjust that evening schedule soon to accommodate the spring afternoon temps and the mood that goes along with longer days, smiling anglers, and those all fired up about fishing.
Shuttles daily, flies, fly lines, coffee, Abel & Hatch reels, all the new SIMMS products, really killer HH Logo wear with some new hats and logo’d shirts that you cannot live without…see you in Craig soon.
