Fly Fishing Technique Archives - Headhunters Fly Shop

Cast it 25', SOL Rant

SOL Reality Check. Casting at 25′ Disclaimer: If you are a nymph angler fishing with a guide, disregard this article. If you are an angler looking to move beyond guiding fly fishing w/out a guide or competent nymphing rower, then…

How to Approach Like a Pro. Gospel of SOL

October 14, 2024

How to Approach Like a Pro

How to Approach Like a Pro How to Approach Trout like a Pro by Mark Raisler Many times I get asked to show an angler how to catch more trout. I live and work on one of Montana’s most difficult…

3 Ways to get your hands on Brown Trout

October 9, 2024

Brown Trout, Techniques

3 Ways to get your hands on Brown Trout A few quick techniques to get your hands on Brown Trout on the Missouri River. And beyond. You gotta be on the river. That is the common theme. Fishing more gets…

5 Tips for early fall Missouri River Fly Fishing

September 23, 2024

Fall, missouri river, Technique, tips

5 Tips for early fall Missouri River Fly Fishing A few reminders, tips and techniques to get you off the ground this fall. The Missouri River can hand your ass back to you this month. Pseudo’s are out, the weather…

Foxee Minnow Tying Kit JAV

September 5, 2024

Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Video, Fly Tying

Foxee Minnow Tying Kit JAV

Foxee Minnow Tying Kit JAV Pretty crucial for Missouri River fall streamer fishing. This perennial locals favorite works! The weather this week has us thinking more and more about chucking the big fly for big fall brown trout. Rainbows too.…

Do you Row?

August 27, 2024

Drift Boats, helping your buddy, It's a Team Effort, Rowing, Team

Today we talk about the individual charged with helping the angler in the bow of the boat. The angler, albeit important, does not hold the singular responsibility in the vessel. The guy holding those 9′ overpriced sticks is the guy…

5 Tips for Late Summer Fly Fishing Success

August 22, 2024

5 Tips for Late Summer Fly Fishing Success Here we are approaching the end of summer and we bring you 5 Tips for Late Summer Fly Fishing Success. The Missouri River will stump you if you do not do the right…

Sharpie your Hopper

August 13, 2024

Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Fishing Technique, Headhunters Life

Do you use Sharpie, Pantone or Prismacolor markers to add some personalized color to your hopper patters? Lots of Missouri River guides do. So do some of the more particular local anglers. Their belief is that an “out of the…

Dead Flies Don’t Swim Video + 5 Things to Never Do Dry Fly Fishing

July 17, 2024

Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Video

Dead Flies Don't Swim Video & 5 Things to Never Do Dry Fly Fishing, DFO, dry fly, July, Technique, tips

Dead Flies Don’t Swim Video + 5 Things to Never Do Dry Fly Fishing Today is the day to repost this quite popular video and remind everyone that the primary topwater diet for all Mo River trout are dead flies.…

Happy Mondays here at Headhunters Fly Shop

5 Tips for Missouri River Mid June

June 13, 2024

5 Tips for Missouri River Mid June

5 Tips for Missouri River Mid June Yes there is dry fly fishing. Not all day long yet, but that is coming. It’s mostly on-ish?! Missouri River water flows are fluctuating between 4.5K and 6.5KK. Will we see lower flows?…

Missouri River Montana PMD Box

June 9, 2024

Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Fishing Technique, Headhunters Life

Fishing Tips, fly fishing technique, Missouri River Montana PMD Box, Pale Morning Duns, Squeeky's PMD Tips

Pale Morning Duns are part of your day here fly fishing Montana’s Missouri River in June. We love June as the bugs participate more willingly everyday. While the weather this last week has been really shitty, the fishing has stood…

Words of Dry Fly Wisdom

May 14, 2024

BWO, DFO, Guide Suggestions, Midge, Trust Me. I'm a Guide, Wisdom

Words of Dry Fly Wisdom Thinking about the dry fly bite this am before heading to the water today. Some things never change. Fish are wild animals. They are not trained. They do not understand that you did not practice…

May Missouri River Fishing Forecast 2024

May 7, 2024

BWO, Caddis, DFO, dry fly, Hatch Chart, March Brown, May, May Missouri River Fishing Forecast, missouri river, Mother's Day, Nymphing, River Flows, Streamer, Timing

May Missouri River Fishing Forecast Today on the Headhunters Fly Shop Blog you get the May Missouri River Fishing Forecast. What to expect, wish for, and believe for the month ahead. Things to look forward to in May include… More…

The Voice of a Wade Angler

May 5, 2024

Boat Anglers, Respect, Rules, The Voice of a Wade Angler

I used to be a wade fisher. A wade angler. A bankie. Fishing a nice riffle on Montana’s Missouri River Fly Fishingare. I get out and wade fish often. The liberty of the boat is the difference. I can get…

Missouri River Dry Fly Fishing Report April 26th

April 26, 2024

DFO, Dry Fly Report, Raisler Rant Included

Missouri River Dry Fly Fishing Report April 26th This is a dry fly fishing report. Nymphing is great. Streamer fishing and trout spey is hit and miss. Un-real dry fly opportunities in the past month. Continues to get better. Water temps…

Drift Boat 101 Clinic Saturday April 27th in Craig

April 25, 2024

Adipose Boatworks

Saturday April 27th Adipose Boatworks presents Drift Boat 101 Clinic in Craig. Meeting time: 10am @ Izaak’s in Craig What’s Provided: Lunch, cool swag, education, Come for the day and enjoy learning the in’s and outs of drift boating. Breaking down…

How to locate Spring Nymph Water

April 18, 2024

missouri river, School, Spring Nymph Water, Technique, tips

How to locate Spring Nymph Water Lots of discussion every morning at the shop about How to locate Spring Nymph Water here fishing Montana’s Missouri River. I fully understand the confusion. Sometimes we are all confused as to where the…

Missouri River April May Fly Fishing Forecast

Missouri River April Fly Fishing Forecast

April 1, 2024

Birds, Bugs, Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Technique, Nature

April, birds, Bugs, Forecast, May, Populations, Trout, Water LEvels, Weather

Missouri River April May Fly Fishing Forecast No foolin’ today on the HH Blog. Your information source on the Montana’s Majestic Missouri River. Keep us in mind as you pass through Craig this spring. The friendly fly shop in Craig!…

Be Deliberate – Nymphing Tips

March 25, 2024

Braden Lewis

fly fishing technique, Nymphing, Nymphs, winter

Headhunters Guide Braden Lewis with this reminder to be better today on the Headhunters Blog. Be deliberate in your actions when you are fishing. Lately we have been doing a lot of nymphing and having a lot of success, especially…

Missouri River Winter Nymph Fishing Success: Shane’s Top 3 Tips

March 6, 2024

admin

bobber, Nymphing, Shane's Tips, Slack Water, Technique, winter

Missouri River Winter Nymph Fishing Success Shane again with today’s Headhunter’s blog post. We’re starting to see some more consistent warmish weather roll in, and it’s definitely bringing people to the river. I was able to get out last week…

The Comprehensive Guide to Guided Fly Fishing Trips

February 7, 2024

Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Travel, New Breed Chicks

Guide Trips, Guides, Headhunters Guides, How to, The Comprehensive Guide to Guided Fishing Trips

Lots of folks call the shop and inquire about guide services. Many of you who have not had the wonderful opportunity to be guided before, you are in for a trout fishing treat. Squeeky’s father suggested he write this blog…

Guides v. Pitchers

February 6, 2024

Clients, Guides

Guides v. Pitchers Just because your ace is pitching today does not mean he will win the game. Nope. Seen it a million times. Your top hurler for your team has to endure lots of variables. Stadium, air temps, humidity…

5 Winter Mo River Tips

January 16, 2024

Missouri River Technique, Nymphing, Nymphs, Technique, winter

5 Winter Mo River Tips Lots of stories every winter of anglers not getting the catch rates they want during this sometimes frigid and lengthly Montana winters. What are the reasons that lead to too much solace and quiet on…

Monday Morning Missouri River Fishing Report

Cast Today.

January 2, 2024

You vow to get better this year? No? Discontinue reading this short blog today, the 2nd day of the year. Cast today. It is that simple. Lots of short sessions far, far, far, far, far better than one long session…

It's time to work on your casting technique

1 Goal for Winter

December 12, 2023

Casting Practice, Improvement, Practice Rod, Technique

1 Goal for Winter If I had to choose 1 goal for winter, it would be… Understand that every cast has an ending. Finishing with the rod tip, or entire rod, parallel with the water/ground; is incorrect. Every time. Nobody…

Guide to Fly Fishing in the Wind.

December 8, 2023

wind

A great article written by John 10 years ago. Republishing today for your entertainment. And a reminder to practice casting in the wind. Lots. Often. Great wind free and warm week behind us with tons of anglers and spey casters…

Kreelex. Just Add Vise kits

December 4, 2023

Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Video, Fly Tying

Check it. The Kreelex Just Add Vise kit is in stock. Kreelex Minnow. Just a few words about our Just Add Vise Kits today on the Headhunters Blog. And, Kreelex Minnows, fly patterns, are stocked as well. In many color…

Mike McCune – Perry Poke Video

November 21, 2023

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Video, Troutspey

Casting, mccune, Mike, perry, poke, spey, troutspey

REPOST: Love this video shot by John and Mike several years ago. Worth the watch again nd again. Enjoy if you are viewing after the turkey this Thursday! If you haven’t had a chance to attend one of our clinics…

Finish Up, Start Down.

October 23, 2023

Essentials of the cast, Fly Casting

Finish Up, Start Down. A repeat of this article from about 1 year ago. I was out all week guiding and watching anglers cast as they passed. 9 of 10 casters fail at this vital portion of the cast. The…

How to catch those damn Pseudo eating fish!

October 16, 2023

How to catch those damn Pseudo eating fish!, Pseudocloeon

How to catch those damn Pseudo eating fish! Pseudocloeon will drive you nuts. So many bugs on the water and not many fish eating them. Sunny skies and emerging, bulging, fish ignoring your fly as it passes over them 25…

Fly Line Cleaner. Important!

October 11, 2023

Do yourself a favor today, Fly Line Cleaner, RIO

Fly Line Cleaner. Important! The most important thing you can do for your cast today, that will make immediate impact, is to clean your fly line. Lots of products out there that are terrific. The easiest, effective, and inexpensive offering…

Hello Monday Tips for Missouri River Love this week

September 18, 2023

fishing report, tips

Hello Monday: Tips for Missouri River Love this week Start a bit later if you like the dry fly action. No need to be first boat out. Fewer dry fly anglers means a lazy appropriate start time. Fish the large…

5 Tips for Missouri River August Success

August 14, 2023

5 Tips for Missouri River August Success Go early. Early bird gets the worm. First to fish is a good plan. If you think about warfare and the tactics that never fall from favor, you will understand. If you like…

Searching with Attractors Fishing Montana’s Missouri River

August 11, 2023

Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Technique, Headhunters Life

attractor, Education, Hopper, Long Leader, Technique

Scumliner penned this article a few years ago. Information like this is pertinent today as ever! August, typically some of the most productive attractor fishing of the year on the Missouri. And because afternoon hatches can be slim, it’s often the…

The twice annual Reach Cast Discussion

July 27, 2023

The twice annual Reach Cast Discussion

The twice annual Reach Cast discussion kicks off today this Thursday in late July. The other time we talk about this is when me, Mark, has nothing else to say in the mid winter. Or nothing of value daily to…

Efficiency. A Blog by Max Mattioli

July 13, 2023

Efficiency, Max Mattioli

Efficiency. A Blog by Max Mattioli Today Max Mattioli writes this fantastic article bout trout fishing with the dry fly. A great read and thanks to you Max for this Thursday article! Want to fish with Max in 2024? Look…

Top Tips for Wednesday

May 24, 2023

Spring, tips

Top Tips for Wednesday A few tips to get you through the week and how to handle your fishing here on the Mo. Top Tips for Tuesday include… Get on early or get out late. Busy during the day. First…

MLB Pitch Clock vs. Dry Fly Trout Clock

February 27, 2023

cast, Casting Clock

MLB Pitch Clock vs. Dry Fly Trout Clock Ahhh, an interesting dichotomy. As many of you know, MLB fans, that there are some rule changes this season around the league. A pitch clock has been installed for the speed of…

How we learn physical skills in fly fishing

February 23, 2023

How we learn physical skills in fly fishing Perfect practice. That is how we learn physical skills. Golfers do not learn how to drive the ball, by playing golf. Nope. You do not learn how to improve your swing, by…

Common Casting Mistakes: Slack Line, 5 Essentials, Quick Video

February 19, 2023

Fly Fishing Technique, Fly Fishing Video

Common Casting Mistakes: Slack Line, 5 Essentials, Quick Video We see this one executed quite often from not only novice casters and anglers, but surprisingly from seasoned anglers too. Leaving slack line in the casting equation does not ever help…

Happy V-Day: I Said Delicate! Repost of a great Scumliner Blog

February 14, 2023

cast, Casting, tip

Happy V-Day: I Said Delicate! Repost of a great Scumliner Blog Ed Note: Happy V-Day to all you lovers out there from us here in central Montana. A repost today of a great blog John wrote 7 years ago, mid-summer,…

Fly Casting Essential #2

February 13, 2023

5 Essentials of the fly cast, Casting, FFF

Fly Casting Essential #2 All 5 have to happen for the cast to be perfect. Or, even work. 2. Slack line should be kept to an absolute minimum. Pulling taut line, is all the fly rod/tool can do. The rod is…

The 5 Essentials of Fly Casting

February 10, 2023

The 5 Essentials of Fly Casting We tend to think about fly casting more in the winter, as we mentally and physically prepare of the coming summer 2023. Every winter we think about the year ahead, how to improve, and…

Swing Tips: Fish Broadside

January 28, 2023

broadside, spey

Ed Note: A great article from John and Mike McCune. Swing Season is in full effect, with a slight hiccup in the fishing with the below zero temperatures and snow! We’re often asked about how we present the fly when fishing…

Let the fishing guide, guide…

December 17, 2022

Clients, Expectations, Guides, Headhunters Guides

Let the fishing guide, guide… To get the most out of your fly fishing guide trip the best method is to let the fishing guide, guide you. Sometimes I get an angler in the boat who wants to guide me.…

Deep(er) Thoughts on the Headhunter Fly Line

December 10, 2022

Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Fishing Technique

Deep(er) Thoughts, Headhunter Fly Line, Review

Deep(er) Thoughts on the Headhunter Fly Line We wanted to design a line for us. For Headhunters. A couple days ago we published the Headhunter Fly Line Review. As I thought about that blog, I recognized that I left out the…

10 Tips for Missouri River Baetis Success

October 24, 2022

10 Tips, Baetis, Technique, Trout Planning

10 Tips for Missouri River Baetis Success We are all into catching more fish on BWO dries. Actually not true. Some anglers. Not all anglers are interested in the dry fly. I have often stated to those who believe that…

Streamer Season is upon us! Dick Magill Chronicles

October 12, 2022

Streamer Season is upon us! Dick Magill Chronicles The Chronicles of Dick Magill on the Headhunters Blog. Thanks Richard for the blog today. Yes, many have been streamer fishing and it has been as consistent as we could hope for.…

5 Hot September Tips for the Missouri River Fly Fisher

September 12, 2022

Bigs, Nymphing, Rigs, September Fishing, Streamer fishing, Technique, tips

What to do when your September fishing day goes soft? How about a few tips to get the blood flowing and the mind searching for the next best thing. 5 Hot September Tips for the Missouri River Fly Fisher Look…

Only do this. If you want to catch them.

August 14, 2022

cast, Drift, Mend, reach cast, Reach MEnd, SOL Speaks

Only do this. If you want to catch them. For the dry fly angler. Yessir. Reach Mend. Reach Cast. Or some sort of slack-line presentation. Approach quietly. Headhunters understand that the element of surprise is still very effective in war.…

Missouri River Montana Fishing Report 6.22.15

Missouri River August Tips

August 11, 2022

Missouri River August Tips

A few tips to get you through this coming week. It’s gonna be hot and the fish don’t really care for the high and bright sun. Missouri River August Tips Get out early. We’ll see you at the shop before…

Squeeky’s Top 5 Don’ts of July

July 20, 2022

July, Rant, Squeeky's Top 5 Don'ts of July

Or should it be the bottom 5 don’ts of the month? Your choice. I wrote a blog a few years back of the Top 10 Worst Fly Fishing Products and got a ton of flack about it. So if you…

May Missouri River Tips for Fly Fishing success!

May 2, 2022

May Missouri River Tips for Fly Fishing success!

May Missouri River Tips for Fly Fishing success! Hello all out there in TroutLand! May has arrived and the fishing is good. A couple hot tips or suggestions for the Missouri River angler as we move through the month of May.…

Squeeky’s Recent Thoughts: Structure Education

March 30, 2022

Fishing Report, Fly Fishing Technique, Headhunters Life

Squeeky’s Recent Thoughts: Structure Education Thinking a lot, about less and less… My favorite Dead lyric. Late in the tune Althea. Check it here. Kinda outta context the way I think about it, that’s my prerogative as the writer here.…

Dick Magill Chronicles: Streamer Fishing for Nice Ones

February 16, 2022