Wednesday Headhunters Fishing Report 10.2.19
Day 2 of October. Liking it already. The morning temps are cool. 17F as we write this. A cool 13F yesterday morning. But the afternoon was fantastic with air temps crawling into the Hi 30’s!
BWO’s: Saw a couple 18’s yesterday. I think that is the Beatis Bicaudatus. Like the look of them. But the big one, the Tricaudatus is yet to be seen. Maybe on the lower reaches. They are coming! Soon we hope.
A great hatch of Pseudo’s, the 24’s, out yesterday though. Good enough to get the dry dropper game working along with the short leash. The short leash was sick in the afternoon. Look for more to come this month ahead into November as the Blue Winged Olive is our primary insect for the Missouri River fall session.
Caddis: Both the small 16’s and the October, I don’t know the smaller one but the October is Trichoptera Dicosmoecus, are on the table. Those tossing the band tan 16 are getting some to hand. Cast it long, drifts it long, hit it hard, and keep at it. Those who follow the advice above are in the game. You gotta stay with it too. Try a Translucent Emerger or Pupa behind your visible fly and get after it. A soft hackle drug behind will get some attention too.
Look for fish working in riffles and beyond. Find the faster water if you like the technique above. Shorelines? If they are quick enough paced.
Callibeatis? Some. A big Adams or Purple Haze is another good choice for your lead fly. Dry-Dropper with a. Two Bit, LGM, Bubble Back, Mkcro May, Peep Show Dark, Radiation Baetis or tiny BWO pattern hung from it will work well. Also do not disregard the power of the Callibaetis Cripple. You could blind that one out there with confidence.
Look for soft water with some silty bottom near you. You will find this bug hatching in this kind of water. If you see a couple CB spinning, tie one on…
Not too much pressure out there. A nice time to be on the Mo. The lower reach may be the busiest? High and bright for the next couple days. We do not care much for that type of bright sky in October and beyond. Overcast is our wish for sure. Do a grey skies dance for us today in your office. Or step outside the cubicle and dance man! Or book a late October or November trip to the Mo, then dance. Promises to be a good one this year.
Weeds: Some and then some days more than some. Not as much up top. Not as much in the Cascade reach. Not much in the churning rapids in and around Half Breed & Sheep Creek. Waning, we think.
Flows and Water Temps: Temps continue to fall. 55.5F this morning. Good times. Trout love that temp! Water flows are hovering above 5K at 5220cfs this am as well. Looks like they may fall according to Stephanie Micek of the DNRC. We will monitor and report to you here on the only updated and accurate fishing report on the Missouri River.
Weather: Average. Cool in the mornings and heating up throughout the day. Get that sun away from us! Looks like nicer air temps as we move through this week ahead. Bring Raingearis, cold weather gear, and flip flops. You can see it all here as we live just on the east side of the Continental Divide. The weather is always variable here in Craig!
Fishing Style? All. Nymphing both deep and short is effective. Close your time of day and fish it accordingly. The secret here is to put the flies where the fish are! Streamer fishing picking up fish too. Swinging? Soft hackles and streamers got it done yesterday on my trip, although they were not attacking it with the fervor we’d hoped for. Today is a new day. Dry-Dropper? Yes. Dry fly only blind fishing? OK. Posted up fishing at rising trout? Some. October and November have it all with fewer anglers in and around you.
Headhunters Fly Shop and Guide Service: Open daily. Early and late. Late shuttles for those who want to explore the afternoon and early evening bite. Boat rentals. Best Flies under the Big Sky. Guide Trips. All kinds of cold weather gear including handwarmers, JetBoil, Thermos and Stanley products to keep those Hot Toddy’s hot, and so much more.
Call anytime as we love to chat about fishing, Trout Spey questions, phone in fly orders…talk to the knowledgeable staff at HH anytime! 406-235-3447
Headhunters is your Entertainment, Education, Information, and Customer Service Leader here fishing Montana’s Missouri River.
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CDC Para-spinner Callibaetis
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DOA Cripple Callibaetis
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Headhunter Fly Line
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Headhunters Tribal Sticker
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Radiation Baetis
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Translucent Emerger Tan
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Translucent Pupa Tan
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Tungsten Radiation Baetis Orange
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Two Bit Hooker Brown
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5 Comments.
Wish Headhunters could be more honest about the report – plain fact is that there have been some real tough days out there where fish have had lock jaw. Maybe that will change as it cools down and maybe it won’t but you could be honest and report it. Weeds also suck big time. Here is a report https://www.orvis.com/fishing_report.aspx?locationid=7473 from an outfitter in Minnesota that I fished with that is honest enough to say go somewhere else. That is what responsible fishing reports are all about
OK Stewart, go somewhere else. And yes, I forgot we can control the weeds. Sorry Stewart, should had them taken out for you.
Here is your fishing report you referenced Stewart. It rules, as you state. Responsible too. A phishing scam . Awesome bro. Preecheateitbro. You are a stand up dude. Putting us down, to get this stellar well thought thru honest report by using our blog, to promote yourself, or this other dude. You are an honest stand up guy. Stewart Kendrick does not like weeds. Obviously our fault. An honest phishing scam dude ‘ol Stewart Kirkpatrick. He also thinks that the prices report is dishonest. I sy read Italy dn make up your mind. We do not inflate or sensationalize the fishing. Nope. Just a report.
Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby:
Kip Vieth
Water flow: 13000 cfs
Visibility: 22 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 70 Degrees F
Water condition: Stained
Best time of day to fish: Heat of the day
Best stretch: Brianerd to Elk River
Best access point: Any landing in that best stretch
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Fish species: Smallmouth Bass/Muskies
Fishing season: May 11th till end of Febuary
Nearest airport: Minneapolis/St. Paul International
Recommended fly fishing leader: 6 Foot Leader
Best fly fishing rod: 9’ 12 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Bank Shot
Best sinking fly line: Bank Shot Sink Tip Fly Line
I do agree with that report though, “Fish somewhere else”. I’m assuming ‘Brianard’ is actually Brainard, and that’s close to where people were getting put in a wood chipper in the movie Fargo. Would like to flyfish for muskies someday though.
Mark Raisler
October 4, 2019 9:03 pm
Here is your fishing report you referenced Stewart. It rules, as you state. Responsible too. A phishing scam . Awesome bro. Preecheateitbro. You are a stand up dude. Putting us down, to get this stellar well thought thru honest report by using our blog, to promote yourself, or this other dude. You are an honest stand up guy. Stewart Kendrick does not like weeds. Obviously our fault. An honest phishing scam dude ‘ol Stewart Kirkpatrick. He also thinks that the prices report is dishonest. I sy read Italy dn make up your mind. We do not inflate or sensationalize the fishing. Nope. Just a report.
Wow Mark… too bad you don’t spend your time doing honest fishing reports instead of promotional advertisements. Really, all I want is a fishing report and not how many flies you have in your bins. Re-read my initial post. I didn’t say anything about you doing anything about the weeds but it might be honest to say that the weeds are (or have been for the lasts 6 weeks) “problematic” and influence technique. It’s ok though – I don’t have to buy your products and you don’t have to buy my opinion. And you might want to check your typos and grammar before you post but your decision to show your ignorance is purely your decision alone as well.