Boulder River · Montana
From the Archives
Lore, Traditions & Artifacts
Rockin' and Reelin'
The Buckarooster mascot — a rooster with a fishing rod in one wing and a guitar in the other. Rockin' and Reelin' captures the twin passions that have drawn men to the Boulder River since 1948: music and fly fishing.
The Highland Margarita
The Official Buckarooster Margarita — perfected over decades and served in generous quantities throughout the week. The tradition of “Dos Margarita Noches” began at Stag 35, and Norv himself created the limit poster that hangs in the cabin to this day.
The Highland Margarita Recipe
- 1 ½ oz 1800 Tequila
- ½ oz Grand Marnier orange liqueur
- ½ oz Drambuie Scotch whisky
- Sweet and sour mix
Honorary Buckarooster #1
In 1963, the Buckaroosters bestowed their first — and only — honorary membership upon President Herbert Hoover, a fellow devotee of fly fishing. The former President accepted the honor by letter from his suite at the Waldorf-Astoria, becoming Honorary Buckarooster #1. The original correspondence — including Hoover's signed letter and the Langworthy reply granting Certificate of Membership Number 1 — is preserved in the cabin archives.
Herbert Hoover was an avid angler who once said, “All men are equal before fish.” The Buckaroosters — who have always believed in the democracy of the river — felt he was a natural fit.
The Pine Tree Award
The Pine Tree Award is presented to Roosters who have returned to the Boulder River for milestone numbers of stags — 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and beyond. The certificate reads:
“Proof of a Strong: Stomach, Friendship, Voice, Wrist”
Each quality represents a pillar of Buckarooster life — the stomach for the Highland Margaritas, the friendship forged over decades, the voice raised in song around the piano, and the wrist for fly casting on the Boulder River.
Bob Langworthy — In Memoriam
Bob Langworthy, son of founder Norval Langworthy, was the heart and soul of the Buckaroost for decades. His nephew Greg Baker delivered this eulogy, excerpted here with the family's blessing:
“At night, full of beer, we'd be sitting around or sometimes laying in bed — and Bob and some of the late night guys would be gathered around the piano, a saxophone, the bass, a snare drum and high hat — and I'd lay there in awe of the quality of music that was being performed — for the first time — with Bob ensuring everyone was playing the music right. It was magical.”
“Bob's last Roost was in 2017 — the 70th year it was held — Bob's 36th year attending. It was great to have him back in his self-described role as Chief Delegator. Meaning he sat on the couch and told everyone what to do.”
“He always let me know how proud he was of me — my Marine Corps career, starting my own software company, or just my improvement year to year in singing and playing guitar.”
— Greg Baker, from the eulogy for Bob Langworthy
The Buckle
A custom belt buckle bearing the Buckarooster logo — “Of the Boulder River, of the Absaroka Range, of the Gallatin National Forest, Montana, U.S.A.” — was designed for the 60th Anniversary Stag in 2007 as a lasting symbol of membership in the brotherhood. Each buckle was personalized with the member's name.