By the 1980s, a century of mining, logging and agriculture had made the Big Blackfoot River of “A River Runs Through It” fame a mere shadow of its former self. But then landowners and conservationists formed the Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Blackfoot Challenge to restore the river.  Since then, restoration has occurred on more than 50 tributaries, habitat improvements affecting 500 miles of stream have been completed and an effective drought management plan is in place. The river has rebounded and today serves as an example of how a collaborative restoration project can help rescue an important trout fishery.