Greetings from Craig, Montana!
Our time on the Blackfoot was nothing short of spectacular. For three days, we fished for native westslope cutthroat trout in waters largely untouched by human influence, soaked in the rugged beauty of northwestern Montana, and readjusted to the rhythm of camp life. The stretches of the Blackfoot we explored felt like stepping back in time—before heavily managed fisheries—offering a glimpse of what wild rivers once were. Today, the Blackfoot stands as a testament to successful conservation efforts, and we were lucky enough to experience it firsthand.
As amazing as the fishing was, the views were just as memorable. Our first put-in at the junction of the North Fork and the main Blackfoot took us through spectacular river canyons, massive boulder fields, and winding turquoise waters. After catching some beautiful trout on our float from the junction downstream, we loaded up the boats and returned to camp for a well-earned rest.
The following day, we tackled a lower stretch of the Blackfoot, putting in near the small town of Ovando and taking out at a charming old wrought-iron bridge. The takeout, aptly named “Three Stall” for its tiny three-vehicle parking lot, gave us complete solitude on the river. Having the water entirely to ourselves was a rare gift and a true immersion into Montana’s wild public lands. Back at camp, we were treated to another stunning sunset over the river—perfect weather and brilliant skies felt like the Blackfoot’s way of saying goodbye.
After a couple of long, rewarding days on the water, we called it an early night to rest up for the next leg of our adventure. The following morning, we packed up camp—tents, boats, gear, and all—and made a quick detour into Ovando. The historic Blackfoot Commercial Co., established in 1897, felt like a true time capsule. We grabbed some snacks, chatted with the friendly staff, and soaked up a little Montana history before buckling in for the drive to the legendary Missouri River.
The trip from Ovando to Craig was beautiful, winding through Lincoln and crossing the Continental Divide before dropping into the Missouri River drainage. Craig—“Craiglandia,” “Trout Town USA,” call it what you will—is an angler’s paradise. Roughly 100 miles below the Missouri’s headwaters, Holter Dam creates one of the most prolific trout tailwaters in the United States. Rolling hills and distant mountains stretch in every direction, painting a picture that feels pulled straight from the pioneer West.
The river itself is just as impressive. Cold, consistent water and rich insect life support an incredible population of healthy, powerful trout. Once again, we’re spoiled with “oceanfront property,” camping right on the riverbank near Craig’s tiny town center. It’s a nice change of pace from the remote Blackfoot camps, offering both easy river access and a fun little slice of Montana culture.
We fished the Missouri today and already brought some trophy-sized fish to the net. Over the next few days, we’ll be floating different sections, throwing mostly crawfish patterns, and keeping an eye out for pods of rising fish to capitalize on some epic dry-fly opportunities. The weather looks perfect—cooler temps that are great for both the trout and us—and the boys are fired up. Their energy is contagious; you can feel the excitement every morning when rods are rigged, boats are launched, and everyone’s dreaming about that next big fish.
Once our time in Craig wraps up, we’ll head to southwestern Montana for the final leg of the trip. Depending on river conditions and the latest reports from our fishing friends across the state, we’ll either hit the world-famous Madison River, the Yellowstone River, or a combination of both. Both options have us beyond excited.
The Yellowstone is the longest undammed river in the contiguous U.S., a true freestone teeming with cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and rocky mountain whitefish. Its stretches through Paradise Valley—towering mountains, massive skies, and that unmistakable “Big Sky Country” feel—are some of the most beautiful in Montana. The Madison, meanwhile, is a 100-mile riffle with incredible structure, rich insect life, and healthy trout populations. Plus, we’ll have the chance to stop by Lillard’s new headquarters in Ennis, complete with a new barn, a pool table, and yard games for the boys to enjoy.
No matter where we end up, we’re in for an incredible finish to what’s already been an unforgettable trip. The group we have is fantastic—motivated, energetic, and endlessly excited to fish. Their enthusiasm makes every day on the water a blast, and we feel lucky to be spending this adventure with them.
We’ll check back in soon with another update and, hopefully, some more great fish stories!
All the best,
Owen, Pat, and Sam
