Mid May Missouri River Weekend Update

All good in the tiny fishing ‘burb of Craig Montana this week. Still slower traffic as many of the out of state guests cannot be in Montana without the 14 day quarantine. But this weekend will sure bring out the locals as well as representatives from around the great state of Montana.

Spring Opener for Fishing: Streams like the Dearborn near Craig are opening for fishing the traditional opener third Saturday in May. And this year is no different. Little Prickly Pear is also opening.

Headhunters will be doing Dearborn Shuttles so stop in and get your self hooked up, or call it in as well. Headhunters has a plethora of Dearborn flies to choose from. Stop in and get a few for your Dearborn journey this week or next. The water levels look perfect.

State Campgrounds Open: All of the Fish Access Sites FAS are open. According to the BLM Montana website the campground at the Holter Dam is still closed.

Izaak’s Restaurant: Open Wednesday thru Sunday 3-9pm Located in Craig.

Shotgun Annies: Open daily 11-8, Breakfast Sat-Sun 730. Located in Wolf Creek.

Taco Shack: Not open

Headhunters Fly Shop: Open daily along with extra long weekend hours. Friday 8-7, Saturday 7-7. Shuttles daily. Guide trips daily. Cabins in Craig @ Craig Trout Camp along with 30+ river cabins and rooms to choose from. Your lodging source here on the Mo.

Full bins of flies and more arriving as we finally get to you your mask wearing smiling faces here in Craig. Fly lines, leaders, and all the things you forgot at the house or need to replace this year.

Wear your mask in the shop and get a free fly! 

The Headhunters Fly Shop TakeAway Window is in full operation too. If you just want a shuttle, and packet of bobbers and a couple flies, fishing license? Use the TakeAway Window satisfying our Physical Distancing protocols.

Call in your shuttles if you wish. We can take the call and get your vehicle shuttled while you are on the river. Shuttle Rules still in effect include No Early Outs, and we reserve the right to say NO if we get too many!

March Browns: Yes. Riverwide. Mid day hatch. Post up and make a great first drift. Duns and Cripples are mighty fine.

BWO’s: Riverwide. Cripples and emerges. But on the chew you can get them on the good old Adams.

Midge: Ubiquitous. I’ve given up in light of the larger bugs that demand not only more attention form the trout, but from the angler too. Clusters, drop a tiny black soft hackle from the end and drag it around near those inconsistent splashy risers.

Skwala? Some still tossing it out there. Much more fun to watch than a floating midge pattern!

Caddis: The Mothers Day Caddis is near. This could be the weekend. Mid Canon and beyond is the right place. Size 14 big and bushy. When our trout get on them, a floating caddis fly of your choice will work. I am fond of the sz 14 X Caddis. But there are certainly more out there that will get the job done.

Nymphing: Sows and scuds. Mayflies and Caddis. Worms and Zebra’s.

Streamer Fishing is spotty. The overcast skies have been helping. Decent. Have not heard of anyone really punishing the fish on the big rod recently.

A few things not happening this weekend include the 14th Annual Craig Caddis Festival and BBQ Cook-Off. Not happening. Out of state guests who have not quarantined are not happening either. Big raucous parties. Nope.

But fishing is happening. Families, friends, fishing, camping, camp-firing, telling stories and lies, and beer. There will be fun.

Stop by and say hello. We are happy to be alive and well in Downtown Craig Montana.

Look us up if you need a guide trip this month. Plenty of guides available. Want to fish with a specific guide that is commonly booked? Now is your window of opportunity.

Be well. Be safe. Have a great Montana Weekend!