Headhunters Fly Shop
Dad on the Missouri. Photo by Mark Raisler.
On the bank of the famous Missouri River in the small town of Craig, Montana is Headhunters Fly Shop. I was introduced to this small-but-mighty fly shop, its owners, guides, staff and angling philosophy, over a decade ago and they all left a lasting impression.
Their preferred style of fishing - headhunting, or hunting ‘heads’ (rising trout) - is among the most challenging and exciting style of fishing for trout, and the Headhunters crew has a unique approach that has been honed over the course of their decades of dry fly fishing on the Missouri.
Headhunters also maintains a blog with almost-daily updates. It’s filled with fishing and river reports, technique and tackle discussions, and other relevant explorations. Just today, guide and co-owner Mark Raisler posted a great overview of the Headhunter style of dry fly fishing: How to Approach Like a Pro. In Mark’s words:
This methodology has come to me over the past 34 years on the Missouri River. It has come from fishing with many friends, colleagues, guides, and family. I did not learn this overnight. It took many years to develop this method. But you can execute this method next time you find yourself in a rising trout situation. Do it. Learn it. Approach like a Pro! Catch more trout! Add your own twist to this and make it your own!
My father was in Montana on solo fishing tour and, on a whim, I called Headhunters to see if I could treat him to a guided trip on the last day of his tour. I was fortunate to find a guide with the afternoon free so booked it. I then texted my father and left him a voicemail, expecting to hear from him that evening when he was done fishing for the day. But I didn’t hear back until way past dark.
It turned out that my father’s rental car broke down somewhere on I-15 between Cascade and Craig. After a few hitched rides, he made it back to his hotel to then begin an 18-hour cluster of phone calls, messages, and holds with car rental company representatives, tow truck companies and drivers, etc., etc.
To make a long story short, my father’s last day was saved by Headhunters’ guide Mark Raisler, who escorted him to the car rental lot in Helena, and still made it back in time for an afternoon on the water together. My Dad called me while on the highway back to the river and there was no hiding the relief and happiness in his voice.
Thank you, Mark and Headhunters, for your kindness, support, and willingness to help a guy in need. If/when anyone heads to the Missouri, be sure to stop by Headhunters Fly Shop for all your necessaries, a guide if you’re inclined, and for some chatter with friendly fishing folks.
(As an aside, I do NOT recommend booking fly fishing guides the day-before. That I was able to find one available is not common practice, so if you’re taking a trip and you’d like the pleasure of fishing with a local guide, do yourself and them a favor, and book ahead of time!)
