I can’t remember exactly when I first heard mention of ‘the new shop’ setting up in Craig. It had to have been in late 2007 or perhaps the first weeks of 2008.
For you 1%‘ers out there who are not subject to the whims, dips and drags of the economy, back then the country’s housing market was starting to crumble ahead of the big crash in the fall of 2008. Most business folk were running for cover ahead of the coming tumult; few if any were launching new ventures.
Pub chatter in Bozeman basically characterized the new shop venture as insane; the mere suggestion of setting up a new shop on the banks of one of the true ‘blue ribbons’ which had several other (4 actually) established shops in place was deemed a sure recipe for economic suicide.
Hell, a friend from SLC, a self-proclaimed Missouri expert who grew up in Great Falls, predicted they’d never even get the doors open before they crashed and burned. (In truth, he’s about as good a fisherman as he is soothsayer.)
Yet seemingly against pretty damned impressive odds, the Headhunters Fly Shop not only survived, but by all appearances appears to be thriving. Their very strong web presence pushed more than one shop in the state to update a bit, though from what we can tell it’s their attitude that seems to be bringing customers back to the shop.
These guys and gals seem to want to make fly fishing the Missouri fun and accessible. Why they’ll even dispense honest information about the river without the typical token purchase required. What a novel concept (that appears to working very well).
(A point of disclosure is due here. While we’ve been in the shop several times, we’ve never introduced ourselves to Julie, Mark or John as the Chi Wulff guys. We’ve sorta been stealth observers and unquestionably found this place to be very different from the shops around home.
We’re not silent partners in their business, drinking buddies, investors or even long lost second cousins; though we’d probably become any of those at the drop of a hat (except the cousin thing…). We simply like the concept that the gang there has crafted.
We’ve also begun to chat via email with the guys about a potential project that we’re all trying to get our arms around, though it’s just an idea traipsing through cyberspace right now.)
You guys live and work in one of the most revered locations know to fly fishing man – Craig, Montana. Why Craig and what makes it special for you?
Mark speaking for both Mark and John: Mark (I) just wandered here on a lark. The feller at The Missoulian Angler sent me over here because the Westside was blown out. This was in May of ’92. I could see the fish, but could not catch them. It pissed me off, so I kept at it. Now I can catch a few, but have not mastered the Mo yet, and will probably die trying.
John had fished here a bunch in the 80’s and after long stints in Sun Valley and SW Montana made the move here full time in ’99. John has not moved to another river yet, which is a testament to the staying power of the Missouri. It is one of those places that gets in your blood and is difficult to shake.
Some might have called you guys crazy for starting up a new shop back in the spring of 2008. What sparked your partnership and the creation of Headhunters?
Everybody, and I mean everybody thought it was a really, expletive that starts with as “F”, stupid idea. There were already 4 fly shops on the river and why would we open a 5th? The only people who believed were John and I. I think Julie may have, but I still don’t know. Both John and I were in the Florida Keys for the winter and one of the other fly shops was up for sale. We, with the help of ice-cold beers in the Tiki Bar on Ramrod Key, decided to open a fly shop. We were both outfitters and wanted to position ourselves for the exodus from the other shop if and when it sold to a party that we could not control. So, to insure and take control of our destiny, we made the decision to open a fly shop and see how things went.
John and I have different skill sets and together we believed that the 2 of us, and Julie John’s wife, another strong asset, could create the right environment for success.
Obviously the Headhunters has gotten off to a great start; what do you attribute your success to? What do you want to do better this year?
We had no idea that the economy was headed right into the shitter and it did not seem to matter. Strong customer service, the best guides, and a kick-ass fly selection were important to us and we built the business on those concepts. We truly believed and still do today that good customer service never goes out of style.
We have a strong Internet presence and that has been important to us. We have a lot of fun providing honest information to anglers and both of us enjoy that process. Kind of ‘enjoy the journey, not the destination’ thought process.
Improvements this year include providing free problem shooting clinics for casting once a week at out Craig Casting Club Casting Lane, more BBQ’s, a couple new fresh guides, adding a couple neat lodging properties, and to stay true to our mission statement. We never want to lose sight of the customer. Ever.
There’s more water within a three-hour drive of your front door that you could really learn well in a lifetime of fly fishing. So where do you guys head off to when you need to see and fish something different?
I like the Yellowstone neighborhood and some of those freestones. When I travel to fish, I like fishing big, fluffy flies and cutthroats. Fish that race to the fly entertain me and that is my ideal experience away from the Missouri.
John likes to wander away with his family including his daughter Adair into locations with no people. It is important to fish in an environment that is free from disturbances and the shop environ. Then, and only then can you break fishing down to the lowest common denominator. 1 fly, 1 man, 1 fish.
Saltwater fishing is still a passion of both John and I. Again, the 1 fly, 1 man, 1 fish theory.
More from the Headhunter’s Gang tomorrow.
Tags: People of Fly Fishing
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That is one outrageous image up top.
Headhunters is my favorite fly-shop in the whole world! They (Mark + John) are going to be in the film festival. I’m going to be the guy who wears the t-shirt of the band to the concert. Ha Ha.
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