The Missouri River connects communities and lives across Montana. This breathtaking body of water is a vital source of income for many families. People are drawn to the natural beauty of it. As the gentle currents flow gracefully through the canyons and into the open plains, they carry with them the secrets of Montana’s land. Commerce and life are created around this eloquent body of water. Tourism and other industries all revolve around it. 

The Missouri River is created from the convergence of three powerful rivers: the Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison, which unite to create the longest river in the United States. The Missouri starts in the Bitterroot Range, where the three rivers join, winding north through the Rocky Mountains. The calming current creates a peaceful and therapeutic ride, floating through mountains and prairies, drifting underneath bowing willows and beside glossy currents.  

Northeast of Helena, the river flows through the Gates of the Mountains and up to Holter Dam. Here it carves a place for small towns like Wolf Creek, Craig, and Cascade, eventually escaping into the prairie. Although the Missouri is considered a drifting, almost lazy river, it is also a very powerful one. With flood control, navigation, and irrigation, the river has become a deep channel that is well-controlled. Naturally, the river can transform into a fierce and strong body of water. 

Mike Kuhnert, a local flyfishing outfitter, guide, and longtime family friend, was more than happy to talk with me about this unique and beautiful industry. “The Missouri River is the workhorse of Montana,” says Kuhnert. The spring months bring more water to the area than any other time of the year. Raging water creates waves and strong eddies, which are currents that flow in the opposite direction of the river’s natural flow direction. This led people to nickname the river, the “Mighty Mo.” 

Upstream, the massive Holter Dam holds back the river. Every year, this hydroelectric dam directs the cascading water flow downstream, to the area where most fly fishermen are found. This dam, with the water from the river, powers homes in Helena, Great Falls, Butte, and Missoula, all while using clean, affordable energy. Through the dam, this river provides electricity, jobs, and a way of life for many local Montanans.  

Montana’s outdoor recreation economy grew nearly 30% from 2020–2021, according to the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana. As part of this increase, fly fishing continues to grow more popular. Because of the rise in potential clientele, fishing guides are “victims of our success,” according to Kuhnert. “It’s good to see a new influx in the sport and people who care about conservation,” he says. 

As a professional fishing guide, Kuhnert interacts with people who enjoy the outdoors and conservation. The increase in people affects the number of people who become fly-fishing guides, but this can pose a problem if you have an insignificant number of clients. But Kuhnert, who wasn’t born in Montana, only laughs. 

“I can’t blame people for moving to Montana for the same goddamn reason I did!” he says. 

Mike expressed that he really wouldn’t want to do anything else. Most people become guides because a typical 9–5 isn’t sufficient for their free lifestyles. He says, “I always knew I was never going to be a 9–5 guy. “I woke up one day and said to myself, I am not going to classes, and I am going to become a fishing guide. Twenty-one years later, I am a somewhat successful outfitter up on the Missouri River. I bought a house and have a career, and I am married, and life has turned out wonderfully.” 

When I ask Mike what the best part about the Missouri River was, he says, “Ah, shit—I started fishing the Missouri River in like, 1996. Without getting overly romantic, when I step foot in the Missouri River, all my problems cease to exist for those 8 to 10 hours I am there.” Kuhnert, like many of the other workers in this industry, understands that the best part of the Missouri River is the river itself.  

Guides tell some interesting stories when they have thousands of different clients. Mike remembers one trip fondly. He laughs and shares: “A lady once got scared when a big-ass rainbow trout jumped out of the water. She threw my rod out of the boat. Without hesitation, I jumped out and swam for my rod!” Kuhnert tells me that they still caught fish! 

Being a fly-fishing guide puts Kuhnert in a position to experience all the humanity of fishing, as well as other people’s experiences with the hobby. The Missouri River isn’t only for fishing however. I ask Mike if he had a favorite activity besides fishing. “One of my favorite things to do with some of my friends and other guides when it’s hot as hell is to do a ‘diaper float’,” says Kuhnert. “We put lifejackets through our legs and jumped into the river. We just float to the boat ramp in Craig.” The guides on the Missouri River know how to cool down after a hot day of rowing. 

This river creates lifestyles for many different people. There are more job opportunities in these areas due to the draw of the Missouri River. Kuhnert expresses that the only thing he would want people to know about the river is that it should be respected. “If you want to come visit the Missouri River,” he says, “treat it with respect like you would any natural resource. It’s a limited resource. People who come and visit may be on vacation, but some of us live on this river, and it means the world to us.”