UM Hooks for Books fundraiser marks 50 years of ‘A River Runs through It’
The Creative Writing Program at the University of Montana will celebrate the 50th anniversary of “A River Runs through It” – where Norman Maclean wrote his family had no clear line between religion and fly-fishing – during its fifth annual Hooks for Books fundraiser on Sept. 27-29. (UM photo by Ryan Brennecke)
September 24, 2026 12:00 AM
Perhaps no other 20th century book has had a more profound impact on the state of Montana than Norman Maclean’s “A River Runs through It.”
Maclean’s 104-page novella, originally published in 1976 – and the ensuing 1992 movie directed by Robert Redford – helped create what has been called the “big bang moment” for fly-fishing in the West.
In the 50 years since its publication, fly-fishing has exploded in popularity, becoming arguably Montana’s signature outdoor sport. The ripple effect has reshaped both the state’s cultural and economic landscape, transforming Montana into a sought-after destination for fly-fishers worldwide.