Final Trip Update: Blackfoot River and the End of a Wild Week
Howdy folks!
After ten unforgettable days in the heart of Montana’s wilderness, our Bob Marshall Adventure came to a close with a two-day float down the legendary Blackfoot River — and what a sendoff it was.
Joined by the legend Will Lillard, along with Watson, Coleman, and Aaron’s dad, Phil, we launched our boats at Russell Gates and set our sights downstream toward the Clearwater confluence, more than 17 miles away. The Blackfoot greeted us with clear water, cool mornings, and hungry fish. It’s the kind of river that gets in your bones — winding through pine-covered hills and limestone canyons, past deer on the banks and bald eagles overhead. At one point, Aaron remarked, “The bugs are like birds, and the birds are like dinosaurs.” For many of us, it felt like floating through a painting.
From the very first riffle, it was clear the fish were going to play. Trout rose eagerly to our big dry flies — fat foam hoppers and chubbies skittered across the surface like an open invitation, and cutthroat, rainbows, and even the occasional brown showed up to take a look. Meanwhile, the deeper runs and drop-offs were stacked with whitefish, happy to keep our nymph rods busy between dry-fly eats.
In addition to the fishing, our float had a meaningful conservation component. On the last morning, we paused to collect salmonfly samples as part of an ongoing effort with the Salmonfly Project, an initiative gathering data on the health and distribution of this iconic western hatch. These prehistoric-looking bugs are a vital food source for trout and a key indicator of clean, cold water. With vials, data sheets, and a careful eye, the crew helped contribute to long-term research aimed at preserving the lifeblood of rivers like the Blackfoot. It was a great reminder that as anglers, we’re also stewards — and that even small contributions can make a big difference in protecting what we love.
This stretch of river was more than just fun fishing — it put all the skills we’d built throughout the trip to the test. Over the past week, we’d spent long days wade fishing in mountain streams, perfecting our casting, learning to read water, and working on line management. This float was the final exam, and the whole crew passed with flying colors. From the bow of a moving raft, it’s a different game — reacting quickly, keeping your cast tight, and fighting fish on the move. Every angler had moments of growth and breakthrough. Watching them rise to the challenge was one of the most rewarding parts of the trip.
Between casts, the stoke stayed high. There were laughs from boat to boat, friendly competition, a few epic net jobs, and plenty of celebration when someone landed a fish on their first cast — or their fiftieth. The rhythm of the float — cast, mend, strip, net — mixed with Montana’s wide skies and steady current to create a kind of flow state that’s hard to describe unless you’ve felt it yourself.
Of course, no good river story is complete without a little effort at the end. When we reached the Clearwater takeout, we found ourselves facing one last challenge: a steep, dusty boat ramp — and no trailer in sight. But instead of calling it a day, the crew rallied. We hauled our six boats up the hill by hand — heavy frames, dry bags, and all — leaning into the work with the same determination and teamwork that defined the whole trip. It wasn’t easy, but it was the perfect way to end: shoulder to shoulder, with sweat, laughter, and that quiet kind of pride you only get from doing something the hard way.
As we packed up gear and rinsed off in the river one last time, there was a feeling of both satisfaction and bittersweet goodbye. This week was about more than fishing. It was about learning new skills, pushing past limits, unplugging from the noise of daily life, and reconnecting — with nature, with each other, and with something bigger than ourselves. In the mountains, we found solitude and silence. On the trails, we found grit and resilience. Around the campfire, we found community. And on the river, we found joy — the kind that comes from simplicity, wild water, and a fly rod in hand. We’re heading home tired, a tad sunburned, and carrying more stories than we could ever fit in this post. But more importantly, we’re heading home with a deeper appreciation for these wild places — and for the people we shared them with.
Of course, no great adventure is complete without one final feast. After breaking down boats and saying goodbye to the river, we traded our rain gear for hoodies and made our way to Five Guys for a well-earned banquet. Burgers, fries, and milkshakes all around — not a veggie in sight. It was loud, messy, and perfect. The kind of meal that hits different after a week in the mountains. Full bellies made for a fitting end to the journey.
Thanks for following along on this adventure.
Until next time, keep your flies dry and your lines tight.
– The Bob Crew
Drew, Owen, and Adrian
