HOOKS FOR BOOKS

September 27-29, 2026. Missoula, MT.

Please join us on September 27 – 29, 2026 in Missoula, MT for the fifth annual Hooks for Books, a weekend of fly-fishing, camaraderie, and fun to benefit the Creative Writing Department at the University of Montana. Select lucky anglers in teams of two will fish some of the world’s premier trout streams, including the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and Clark Fork Rivers with the region’s top guides, to catch rainbow and brown trout. Participants will experience Missoula’s culture, cuisine, and special surprises. 

Included in your registration is an opening night reception with cocktails on Sunday, an auction with live entertainment, dinner and drinks Monday night. And finally, we close out the event on Tuesday with an evening of fine dining where we will honor a literary legend with the Writer’s on Water 2026 Award. Hooks for Books is not a competition and anglers of every level will have a great time, but for those who want to challenge their skills, we also offer a few special surprises for the experienced angler. All our events are held in beautiful and historic downtown Missoula, and since guides will meet participants at the hotel, there is no need to rent a car.

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About

Hooks for Books is a charitable fly-fishing event that benefits the University of Montana’s Creative Writing Program. All net proceeds support the program. It was founded in 2021 by UM Alumni, Tim O’Leary and Chris Dombrowski,  combining their love of literature, fly fishing, and the UM. O’Leary is an entrepreneur and writer, and Dombroski is a renowned poet, fly-fishing guide, and Director of the MFA program.

Like many universities, UM has experienced severe budget cuts that continue to impact the Creative Writing Department, and Hooks for Books supports those shortfalls to build a new generation of writers, while giving visitors the opportunity to experience some of the world’s finest trout fishing and the beautiful community of Missoula—a place where “the river literally runs through it.”

UM’s Creative Writing Program is one of our nation’s oldest and most prestigious, with an international reputation. Founded in 1920, it began offering one of the first M.F.A. degrees in 1966, and has boasted such iconic Western writers as Richard Hugo, Madeline DeFrees, Judy Blunt, James Lee Burke, Rick DiMarinis, and William Kittredge, while hosting Pulitzer Prize winners, Richard Ford and Jorie Graham, and literary luminaries, David James Duncan, Jess Walter, Susan Cheever, Barry Lopez, Hunter S. Thompson, Ken Kesey, and dozens of others. Graduates have become essential voices in literature and the arts, penning bestsellers, critically acclaimed books (many that have been adapted into films), while being awarded Pulitzer’s, Pushcarts, and almost every literary honor. We appreciate the support offered by Hooks for Books contestants and sponsors to continue this important legacy of literature.

Register

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Registration for 2026 opening soon!

Registration includes:

• Swag Bag
• Two days of guided fishing with river front lunch
• Opening Night Reception at Cranky Sam Public House including hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, craft beer, or wine.
• Auction evening at Zootown Arts & Community Center including entertainment, catered dinner and complementary beer and wine
• Writers on Water Award Dinner at Brasserie Porte Rouge with complementary beer and wine where we will honor literary legends influenced by the natural environment. The Hooks for Books Hemingway Awards will be bestowed to notable anglers and guides.

Registration does not include travel, lodging, or practice day guides.

Please reach out to us at hello@ocardinal.com for any questions.

Guest ticket sales for evening events coming soon!

Schedule

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Sunday, September 27th

Monday, September 28th

Tuesday, September 29th

Accommodations

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This year we are thrilled to have negotiated great rates at The Residence Inn at $249 per night and a more budget friendly option at the beautiful Wren Hotel, with king rooms at only $164 per night.

Please contact Lily Janson, Residence Inn Sales Coordinator at 406-218-7108 or ri.msori.sales@marriott.com directly for booking assistance. Please do not phone the front desk.

Please note that our event dates are Sunday, September 27^th – Tuesday, September 29^th. You will notice that the Residence Inn has generously extended the Hooks for Books group rate to include Saturday, September 26^th. Please select your arrival and departure dates carefully and take advantage of the extended discounted rate if you plan on arriving in Missoula a day early to have a practice day fishing or to explore the town!

If you choose to stay at The Wren and choose to arrive a day early, please contact Crystal Brubaker, Task Force Manager, The Wren for booking assistance at 559-906-1716 / cbrubaker@columbiahospitality.com 

Writers on Water

2026 Writers on Water Award to be announced

Donate

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Can’t make the event but would like to support the UM Creative Writing Program? Please donate below:

Sponsors & Supporters

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We are proud to have assembled the best crew of outfitters and guides in Western Montana. Our past outfitters — Missoulian Angler, Renegade Fly Fishing Outfitters, and Missoula Fly Fishing Outfitters — and guides have accrued over 200 years of guiding experience on this watershed.

Our thanks to sponsors and supporters that include:

2025 Recap

We are pleased to announce that our 4^th annual Hooks for Books was once again a sell-out with anglers attending from all across the USA, raising $114,000 to benefit the Creative Writing Department at the University of Montana!