The Blackfoot River is one of Montana’s most iconic waters, stretching 132 miles through forests, canyons, and wide valleys before joining the Clark Fork. Made famous by A River Runs Through It, the Blackfoot isn’t just a place—it’s a story, a piece of Montana’s soul, and one of the most scenic rivers to cast a fly. Flowing cold and fast from the Bob Marshall Wilderness, it’s home to native westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and even the occasional bull trout lurking in the deep pools. The river is a mix of riffles, deep holes, and long slicks, making it a dream for anyone looking to test their skills on classic western water.
I spent plenty of days floating and fly fishing on the Blackfoot, taking in the towering ponderosa pines and rugged canyon walls that framed each bend. I wasn’t exactly a pro, but I had the right crew alongside me - a.k.a. friends that were professional fishing guides- that I felt like I belonged out there. Some days, the fish seemed to be everywhere—rising to big hatches, smashing streamers in the deep green runs—but just as often, I was content to watch the river go by, soaking in the same beauty that made this place legendary. You really don't have to be a fisherman to find magic there.
Whether you’re floating through its remote upper stretches or wading the classic runs near Johnsrud, it has a way of making you slow down, appreciate the moment, and understand why Norman Maclean’s words still resonate so deeply: “Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.”
