It’s not the kind of post any small, American boat builder wants to write. Early Sunday morning, Adipose Boatworks shared that a fire broke out inside their Helena production shop. The cause is still unknown, but thankfully no one was injured. Thanks to the quick response from the Helena Fire Department and East Helena Fire Department, the damage was contained before it could become any worse.
For a brand known for hand-built drift boats and a tight-knit, Montana-made ethos, the shop is everything. It’s where hulls are laid up, molds are pulled, and long days turn into finished boats that end up rowing anglers down rivers all over the West.
The good news: the heart of the operation survived. Most of Adipose’s molds made it through the fire, with only minor damage to a few. The tougher loss comes in the form of crucial equipment, tools and machines that keep production moving day in and day out. There are still plenty of unknowns. But one thing is clear. They’re rebuilding.
If you’ve spent any time around the fly fishing world, you know brands like Adipose aren’t just manufacturers, they’re part of the community. Rowers, guides, and anglers alike depend on these boats season after season. And like most river people, they’re used to adapting when things don’t go as planned. We’ll be keeping an eye out for updates as they get back on their feet. If you’ve ever floated a river in an Adipose, now’s a good time to send a little support their way.
