Blackfoot River Outfitters

Blackfoot River Outfitters Family owned fly fishing guides & service oriented fly shop. Missoula, MT Since 1993
Orvis endorsed
Check out our Online Store!
(194)

We are a family owned Orvis endorsed fly fishing guide service and shop. Our two locations, in Philipsburg and Missoula Montana, provide exceptional guiding, information, and gear for fly fishers world wide.

Choosing baby names isn’t easy. We hope this helped.
08/29/2024

Choosing baby names isn’t easy. We hope this helped.

Some of the BRO crew got out over the weekend and crushed some browns! Check out the matching eyes on the streamer and t...
08/28/2024

Some of the BRO crew got out over the weekend and crushed some browns! Check out the matching eyes on the streamer and that brown in the last image!

also Happy Birthday Hunter you’re the best

You only get one… which fly are you going with?
08/26/2024

You only get one… which fly are you going with?

Max Zingler  , a new addition to the BRO guide stuff this year, has been getting some good fish in the boat this season!...
08/22/2024

Max Zingler , a new addition to the BRO guide stuff this year, has been getting some good fish in the boat this season!

While we’re still on the topic of river monsters, let’s bring it back to our home waters where Todd got it done last wee...
08/21/2024

While we’re still on the topic of river monsters, let’s bring it back to our home waters where Todd got it done last week! This beautiful northern measured 45.5” which is enough to make anyone’s day but just shy enough of 50+” to keep Todd coming back in search of its big brother. As if this fish wasn’t awesome enough as is, it went airborne and took Todd into his backing, somewhat uncharacteristic of pike.

Who wants to see the video?

This may look like something out of  , but it’s actually from this year’s trip to  in Brazil! After John hooked into thi...
08/17/2024

This may look like something out of , but it’s actually from this year’s trip to in Brazil! After John hooked into this monster Arapaima, it took just under 3 hours until the fight was over. John says that although he was using a 10wt, he was certainly under gunned. Guides believe that it weighed in at ~185lbs and over 7’ long. As if this wasn’t an incredible feat on its own, this fish was fought from a 14’ long jon boat!

While we certainly can’t promise a fish like this from our Agua Boa trip, it’s pretty incredible that the opportunity is there! Click the link in bio to learn more about Brazil 2025!

For those looking to hook into a fish that is both beautiful and aggressive, the peacock bass should check both boxes. I...
08/13/2024

For those looking to hook into a fish that is both beautiful and aggressive, the peacock bass should check both boxes. In the Agua Boa river, peacock bass are not only plentiful but diverse as well. Of the peacock bass that call the river home, there are three species that anglers may encounter: butterfly, spotted, and temensis. Anglers who join us on this awesome trip will get an opportunity to see these vibrant fish up close and personal!

To learn more about upcoming our hosted trip to Agua Boa visit the link in bio!

We’ve got a great deal over the next week here at the shop! Make sure to stop by and say “hello” for Hops & Hoppers Week...
08/10/2024

We’ve got a great deal over the next week here at the shop! Make sure to stop by and say “hello” for Hops & Hoppers Week!

Today, Brazil Week continues with a variety of different fish that don’t always get as much hype as the peacock bass. Am...
08/09/2024

Today, Brazil Week continues with a variety of different fish that don’t always get as much hype as the peacock bass. Among the peacock bass are gamefish such as arapaima (the world’s largest scaled freshwater fish), arowana, payara (the toothiest of the bunch), piranha, jacunda, biracuda, dog fish, wolf fish, and several catfish species. While many anglers are pretty focused on the peacocks, there’s no doubt that in Brazil the mystery of the bycatch can be just as exciting.

As you can tell, guests on our recent trips checked most of the boxes for the different species of gamefish, however we’re leaving one photo out until the end of Brazil Week because we feel it deserves its own post. Stay tuned for the big reveal.

If you’re interested in making some memories while catching a variety of different species of gamefish, please reach out to us so we can tell you more about this awesome trip. Learn more about our upcoming trip to Brazil via the link in our bio!

Let’s talk about the G-word. Before you start getting creative, we’ll give it to you: “guarantee.” It’s a word that, whe...
08/07/2024

Let’s talk about the G-word. Before you start getting creative, we’ll give it to you: “guarantee.” It’s a word that, when used in the context of fishing, can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointed anglers. Although the word has effectively stayed out of the mouths of responsible outfitters since the conception of Yelp reviews, that won’t stop clients from asking “what if we go on this trip and I don’t catch anything?”

Call us “woke” or “politically correct”, but here at Blackfoot River Outfitters, we don’t use the G-word. One of the wonders of fly fishing is not knowing, and the only way to know for sure is to find out for yourself. That being said, photographic evidence is a powerful thing, and we hope you will take these images into consideration if you are thinking about joining us on our next trip. You don’t have to be an expert angler to get into some great fishing on this trip and guests have even been known to pace themselves.
We can’t guarantee you anything, but know that the folks in these pictures weren’t guaranteed anything either.

If you’re interested in joining the ranks of the beaming anglers in these photos, please reach out to us so we can tell you more about this awesome trip and show you the MANY other photos of fish that were never guaranteed. Learn more about our upcoming trip to Brazil via the link in our bio!

“You know what, my phone camera wasn’t working this weekend. Quite a shame, really.”
08/02/2024

“You know what, my phone camera wasn’t working this weekend. Quite a shame, really.”

While the shop is fine other than losing power, we are going to stay closed today (7/25) so our team has a chance to cle...
07/25/2024

While the shop is fine other than losing power, we are going to stay closed today (7/25) so our team has a chance to clean up after last night’s storm. We hope to see you all in the shop again soon!

But seriously, we hope everyone is alright. For those who aren’t local, we had quite the storm last night here in town. ...
07/25/2024

But seriously, we hope everyone is alright. For those who aren’t local, we had quite the storm last night here in town. Missoula is looking a bit messy this morning. On the bright side, this storm should add some structure to our local rivers & lakes.

We’re closed this morning but once we get our power back and have a chance to do a little cleanup we’ll be open again. We’ll let you know when.

Here’s a fish you likely won’t find on the big three rivers here in Missoula… Who’s been making the extra effort to expl...
07/23/2024

Here’s a fish you likely won’t find on the big three rivers here in Missoula… Who’s been making the extra effort to explore our lakes and small streams recently?

This week Francisco brought his clients over to Georgetown to show them what it’s all about - it looks like they found o...
07/20/2024

This week Francisco brought his clients over to Georgetown to show them what it’s all about - it looks like they found out!

Who’s hitting the lakes this weekend?

Recently we’ve been enjoying sharing different aspects of fly fishing with both novice and intermediate anglers through ...
07/19/2024

Recently we’ve been enjoying sharing different aspects of fly fishing with both novice and intermediate anglers through our education program here at the shop!

We’ve already highlighted our Fly Fishing 101 class this week, which is a great place to start, however we also have a variety of other classes offered for anglers who want to continue building their skills!

In addition to Fly Fishing 101, we also offer classes on Beginner & Advanced Casting, Fly Tying, and Bug Life. As demand grows, so do our offerings, which is why we’re excited to offer a new 1-Hour Rigging class this year as well.

Classes are available for individuals and small groups, with relatively flexible scheduling year-round.

If you’re interested in learning more about our classes, you can visit our website, give the shop a call, or send an email over to Noelle ([email protected]) and we’ll get you sorted!

Happy Thursday! This week’s fishing report is now live. It’s still extremely hot out but cooler nights in the forecast t...
07/19/2024

Happy Thursday! This week’s fishing report is now live. It’s still extremely hot out but cooler nights in the forecast this week give us hope!

We’re starting to see some Spruce Moths now and we suspect that hoppers and other terrestrials will be on the menu soon enough. Make sure you check out our recommended flies in the report to see what’s working.

Here's what to throw and where to go this week:

https://blackfootriver.com/blogs/fishing-reports

This is an appreciation post for you, our amazing, fishy, supportive BRO community! We are honored to once again be your...
07/17/2024

This is an appreciation post for you, our amazing, fishy, supportive BRO community! We are honored to once again be your choice in this year’s “Best of Missoula: Best Fly Fishing Shop.”

Your patronage is not taken for granted and we are so grateful that you choose us to provide you with the the right gear or guidance to get out on the water. It has been an honor to be your destination for fly fishing in Missoula and we look forward to continue growing with you! Stay fishy. - The BRO Team

While we’re a bit light on grip and grins right now, we want to highlight some of the incredible classes that we have to...
07/13/2024

While we’re a bit light on grip and grins right now, we want to highlight some of the incredible classes that we have to offer through our education programs here at the shop!

The first class we’re going to highlight is our Fly Fishing 101 class, usually taught by our incredibly knowledgeable and fishy shop manager Noelle, which walks new anglers through the basics of fly fishing over the course of a two-hour class. Participants get hands-on experience while diving into the main pillars of knowledge of fly fishing. By getting a better understanding of the bigger picture anglers can build off of what they learn in the class and continue to develop their skills on their own. Part of this class will be spent working on the fundamentals of casting a fly rod so that anglers can get a solid foundation before going out to practice on their own.

Classes are available for individuals and small groups, with relatively flexible scheduling year-round.

If you’re interested in learning more about this class, you can visit our website, give the shop a call, or send an email over to Noelle ([email protected]) and we’ll get you sorted!

This week’s fishing report is now live! It’s been extremely hot here in Western Montana as of late but anglers can still...
07/12/2024

This week’s fishing report is now live! It’s been extremely hot here in Western Montana as of late but anglers can still make the best of it by getting out early or finding cooler water in the many small streams and lakes nearby.

Here's what to throw and where to go this week:

https://blackfootriver.com/blogs/fishing-reports

Reminiscing on cooler days…These pictures are from on the Bitterroot back when it wasn’t as hot out, but it you’re looki...
07/12/2024

Reminiscing on cooler days…

These pictures are from on the Bitterroot back when it wasn’t as hot out, but it you’re looking for trout that are as healthy and colorful as these, consider exploring the many smaller streams and alpine lakes that northwest Montana has to offer.

These waters can run much cooler than the major rivers in our area and as a result, trout are more comfortable and eager to feed, much to the advantage of anglers who seek them out.

Things are heating up! With local rivers warming into the low 70s this week, it’s important to be aware of water tempera...
07/10/2024

Things are heating up! With local rivers warming into the low 70s this week, it’s important to be aware of water temperatures where you’re planning to fish and handling your catch properly to avoid unnecessary stress.

Here are a few tips on how to measure water temperatures in the field that we learned from from our friends at as well as some good fish handling practices. We have streamside thermometers on our online store and in the shop for you to put to use this summer!

Join us next Tuesday, July 16th, when the Tour de West comes to visit us here Missoula! Come enjoy beverages, food and t...
07/09/2024

Join us next Tuesday, July 16th, when the Tour de West comes to visit us here Missoula! Come enjoy beverages, food and talking fishing! All are welcome - we’ll see you there!

Jack with a good one in the boat for July 4th! Check out the new BRO logo hat that Jack is wearing and many others on ou...
07/05/2024

Jack with a good one in the boat for July 4th!

Check out the new BRO logo hat that Jack is wearing and many others on our online store or in the shop!

This Independence Day, we’re celebrating the best way we know how - by showcasing our top-tier, American-made fly fishin...
07/04/2024

This Independence Day, we’re celebrating the best way we know how - by showcasing our top-tier, American-made fly fishing gear. Pure, handcrafted quality that speaks for itself and showcases the best this fine country has to offer. Here are just a few of our favorite brands that are made in America.

The past few days have been filled with fired up Rainbows and beaming anglers. John and his clients got it done this wee...
07/03/2024

The past few days have been filled with fired up Rainbows and beaming anglers. John and his clients got it done this week!

The fish have been looking up as soon as the clouds come out and the bugs start flying! Make sure to get out before we s...
07/02/2024

The fish have been looking up as soon as the clouds come out and the bugs start flying! Make sure to get out before we see some really hot weather early next week.

We’re taking a brief break from posting brown trout here to show you some bows that Chad’s clients put in the boat a few days ago. They were stoked!

Let's go, Francisco! Things have slowed down a bit as things heat up but don't take that as a sign not go out, those who...
06/28/2024

Let's go, Francisco! Things have slowed down a bit as things heat up but don't take that as a sign not go out, those who continue to get after it are clearly being rewarded! Make sure to stop by the shop or jump on our online store to make sure you've got everything you need to get it done!

Address

275 North Russell Street
Missoula, MT
59801

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 6pm
Tuesday 7am - 6pm
Wednesday 7am - 6pm
Thursday 7am - 6pm
Friday 7am - 6pm
Saturday 7am - 6pm
Sunday 7am - 6pm

Telephone

+14065427412

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Blackfoot River Outfitters posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Blackfoot River Outfitters:

Videos

Share

Category