Headhunting
Headhunting
Technical dry fly fishing is both thrilling and demanding, requiring precision in marking fish, casting, setting the hook, and managing the fight. Mastering the art of head-hunting takes time and practice, but a few days on the water with the right guide can accelerate your progress dramatically. Not every guide excels at teaching these advanced skills, but at Missoula Guided Fly Fishing, we ensure you’re paired with a seasoned pro who will help you refine your technique and elevate your game.
What to Expect
Over the course of your trip with Missoula Guided Fly Fishing, we’ll focus on key skills to elevate your technical dry fly game. One of the most impactful areas of improvement is refining your cast. Some days, trout will allow multiple shots, but other times, the big one will only give you a single chance—making efficiency in your stroke crucial. We’ll work on fine-tuning your reach cast, perfecting stack mends, and improving overall line management once your fly is on the water.
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Marking rising trout is another skill that challenges most anglers. To fool selective fish, your fly must land with pinpoint accuracy, and if your mark is off, you’ll miss the opportunity. With time, practice, and guidance, you’ll develop the ability to read rises and place your fly in the right lane every time.
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Hook setting is equally critical. You can execute every step flawlessly, but if your hook set is mistimed, you’ll be left wondering what went wrong. Your guide will analyze your mechanics and provide targeted feedback to sharpen your reflexes.
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Finally, once you’ve delivered the perfect cast, nailed the hook set, and hooked into a trophy trout, the real test begins—fighting and landing big fish on 6X tippet. Your guide will teach you how to apply the right pressure and technique to increase your landing success, helping you bring more trophy trout to hand.
Trico, Baetis, & Mahogany
The prime months for targeting trout feeding on mayflies and caddis are March and April, with Baetis and March Browns; June and July, featuring PMDs and caddis; and August through October, when Tricos, Baetis, and Mahoganies take center stage.
The Trico mayfly hatch kicks into full gear in late August and continues through October. These tiny mayflies emerge in late morning, often providing 4–5 hours of consistent dry fly action. Unlike Baetis and Mahogany duns, which thrive in low pressure and overcast conditions, Tricos flourish in sunny weather, making for some incredible sight-fishing opportunities.
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On the best days, we’ll fish all three patterns—Tricos, Baetis, and Mahoganies—encountering rising trout throughout the entire float. The Bitterroot and Clark Fork rivers offer the best mayfly hatches in the Missoula area, with an abundance of prime floats to explore. Missoula Guided Fly Fishing owner and outfitter, Chase Harrison, will personally select a guide who specializes in technical dry fly fishing, ensuring you receive expert instruction tailored to your skills and goals.
What To Bring
1
3- 5 Wt. Fly Rod
We recommend you bring a few rods with you. 3 - 4 wt rods are ideal for protecting 6x tippet when Trico fishing. 5 wt rods are the ideal weapon when you're fighting the wind.
2
Outerwear
Bring appropriate outwear for the conditions, the weather can vary drastically this time of year. Waders and rain gear are highly encouraged. Missoula Guided Fly Fishing will aways have extra gear for you.
3
Sunglasses
Missoula Guided Fly Fishing recommends you have a couple pairs of polarized sunglasses for the varying light conditions. A size #20 Trico is a lot easier to see when you have the right eyewear.