11 days, 4 of Montana's best rivers, countless memories
In 1974, Montana stopped stocking trout in streams and rivers that supported wild trout populations. That decision ultimately created one of the best wild trout fisheries in the world. Pair that with the 1984 Montana Stream Access Law, which grants public access to most of Montana’s fisheries, and you can understand why Montana is such a special place for anglers. It would take years to explore all the fantastic fishing Montana has to offer, but we have picked some of the best. With our Ennis basecamp as our launching point, we will start by fishing one of Montana's most iconic stretches of water, the Madison, and another nearby gem. Then we will head north and backpack into a lesser-known river full of eager trout. After some showers and laundry, we will cap off the fishing with an overnight float trip on either the Missouri, Madison, or Yellowstone (depending on which is fishing best). The final day will be spent highlighting the importance of conservation through our service project with partner The Salmonfly Project. That evening, we will reminisce about all the adventures with a banquet dinner before everyone departs from Bozeman the next morning.
Upcoming Trips
| Dates | Cost | Arrive/Depart Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 14 - Jun 24, 2026Jun 27 - Jul 07, 2026 | $4,750 $4,750 |
Bozeman, MTBozeman, MT |
- Ages
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Entering 9th GradeEntering 10th GradeEntering 11th GradeEntering 12th GradeEntering College Freshman
- Community Service
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5 Hours
- What to Bring
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We have put together a list of all that you will need for a successful and comfortable expedition. We offer a rental program for most of the big ticket items like fly rods, reels, sleeping bags, etc.. If you are already enrolled, you can rent gear by logging into your account at: https://lillard.campintouch.com/v2/login/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f and navigating to Forms & Documents —> Rental Options.
My son has attended Lillard Expeditions for teens for the past 4 years - from Colorado to Yellowstone to Maine to Montana, he has had experiences that he will remember for a lifetime. And each year he has grown as a person and as a fly fisherman - and has come to see the participants, leaders and organizers as a summer family, full of strong mentorship, camaraderie and amazing adventures. The parent communications are top notch - this is not an experience to be missed for any teen or family who appreciates fly fishing.
-Megan
- Overnight float fish on one of America's most iconic rivers
- Chase trophy brown trout, native cutthroat, and hard-fighting rainbows
- Camp steps from the river's edge
Day 1
Arrive in Bozeman and prep for the trip of a lifetime at LFFE basecamp in Ennis, MT.
Day 2-10
For nine days, we will fish 4 or 5 different rivers. Our fleet of rafts will provide us access to some of the most famous rivers in Montana. The Madison, Missouri, Yellowstone, and Big Horn are all in play. We will camp feet from the water each night, allowing us maximum time on the water to accomplish our goal... Big, Wild, Trout!
Day 11-12
After fishing some of America's best wild trout water, it's our turn to help give back to this amazing resource. We will spend a day volunteering with a local conservation organization before we relive all the memories at our final dinner together. Depart from Bozeman the next morning.
Species
- Yellowstone Cutthroat
- Snake River Cutthroat
- Brown Trout
- Rainbow Trout
- Brook Trout
Water
- Madison
- Yellowstone
- Bighorn
- Missouri
How, where, and when do participants meet their group?
The Montana Road Trip begins and ends at the Bozeman, MT Airport. Participants can fly to/from the airport on arrival/departure day or be dropped off/picked up by a parent/guardian. Participants can arrive at any time on arrival day. We typically leave the airport by 3 pm, but we can send the van back for later flights if necessary. Unaccompanied minors will be met at their gate. Participants flying as adults should follow signs to the baggage claim. Their LFFE trip leader will meet them there. On the last day of the trip, flights that depart before 2 pm are ideal. We can take multiple trips to the airport, so accommodating early flights is not a problem. Your trip leaders will help you get checked in and wait with the group until the last participant's flight leaves the ground.
Do I need to have fly fishing experience?
Not necessarily. The focus of this trip is big fish on some of the most famous rivers in the US. These big fish are difficult to catch. We work with each participant to help them find success. Some prior experience goes a long way but is not as important as persistence and a willingness to learn.
Do I need to have fly fishing equipment?
Students are responsible for their fly rod, reel, line, and a few other personal fishing items. Don't have gear? Not a problem. We have quality Orvis rods and reels available to rent.
What other equipment will I need?
A link to a complete packing list can be found under each trip page's what to bring section. Group gear such as tents, stoves, etc., is all provided by LFFE. Personal equipment such as sleeping bags and backpacks are all available to rent.
