West Elk Expedition Update #1
We got a well needed nights rest after a full day of travelTuesday and rose with the sun to head to our next front country campsite deep in the Gunnison Country. On the way there we got fishing licenses and any fishing essentials that caught our eye. The drive to the campsite left everyone in the van speechless due to the endless rolling hills painted with yellows, oranges, and purples from the...
Yellowstone Adventure 1 (Update 3)
Hello from Yellowstone. Our adventure continues to be an excellent time with a great group of guys in one of the world’s most beautiful settings. Since the last update, we have continued to grow as outdoorsmen, fly fishermen, and environmentalists. While staying at Mammoth campground, we had the opportunity to hike and fish in the incredibly scenic Gardner River Valley, the driest part of the park...
Yellowstone Expedition 1 Update 2
The Yellowstone Advanced Expedition ventured to Slough Creek four days ago, ready to explore one of the parks most famous rivers. Slough Creek is divided into four meadow sections. The front country section that is along the road to the campground, and the legendary first, second, and third backcountry meadows. For the backcountry, the group once again split into halves. Half the group stayed in...
Yellowstone Adventure 1 Update 2
Greetings from the Yellowstone Adventure where we have completed our first backcountry expedition. The trip is off to a great start with a great group of kids and excellent Co-Leaders in Andrew and Logan, Leader-in-Training, Henry. We even had a photographer, Matteo, join us in the backcountry. Given our strong start, we are looking forward to a great time during the remainder. We started the trip...
Yellowstone Expedition 1 Update 1
The Yellowstone Advanced Expedition wrapped up its first backcountry trip with a lot to be excited about. For our first backcountry, the group split in half, one part fishing the famous Upper Snake, and the other making the trek from the the wild Heart Lake along the Heart and Snake Rivers back to the south entrance of the park. Both treks were challenging and the fishing required persistence, but...
Rocky Mountain Expedition I Update #2
We only had one day in between our backcountries, and it is safe to say that we made the most of it. For most of the day, we fished a tailwater section of the Colorado River just below Shadow Mountain Reservoir. This part of the river was full of Browns, Rainbows, Cutthroat/Rainbow hybrids, and even Kokanee Salmon. We got back to camp excited about the fishing that day but even more excited about...
Colorado Adventure II Update #2
As enjoyable as the first half of the Colorado was, the second half surely matched it as the boys continued to sharpen our fishing skills, grew in awareness of environmental concerns, and above all, enjoyed the companionship of new friends. To start the second half of our trip, we took an incredibly beautiful drive over mountains to the west side of Rocky Mountain National park, which featured...
Rocky Mountain Expedition I Update #1
The first night of the trip we stayed at a campsite called Stillwater, which is near Granby, CO. As is tradition, we cooked a delicious meal of cheeseburgers and beans for our first dinner. The second day we drove into Rocky Mountain National Park and fished the headwaters of the Colorado River. Although it was challenging due to the amount of water, many of the camper still managed to land fish...
Colorado Adventure II Update #1
Greetings from the Rocky Mountain Adventure! We have had a great first few days on the water, building strong friendships in camp, and having the opportunity to explore the beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park. With our fishing skills sharper and our hiking legs stronger, we are looking forward to a great remainder of the trip. After heading into the mountains together, we spent the first day...
Yellowstone Micro Adventure Update 1
We can't believe the Yellowstone Hosted Adventure is already halfway over. This hard-working group of anglers have already fished the Gallatin, Madison, Gardner, and some small brook trout streams, but it has all been warm-up for what is to come. We started our trip on the Gallatin River where we set up camp within feet of banks. From our campsite, we fished the sections of the river that lie...
Maine Expedition Update 3 (Pat's Group)
Greetings from Maine! After the incredible fishing we experienced on the Rapid River, the crew headed to Rangeley lakes state park for two nights. Followed by our backcountry expedition in the Moosehead lake region of Northern Maine. After our boat ride back from Lakewood the kids napped while we drove down remote dirt roads to Rangeley lake state park where we set up camp right on the banks...
Maine Advanced Expedition 3 (Dayton's Group)
The Maine Expedition is trucking along strong with our backcountry trip already behind us. For our expedition into the Maine North Woods, the group set out onto Indian Pond, a large tailwater fed pond (more like a lake) that grows some absolutely monstrous fish. We paddled to a secluded campsite where the East Outlet of the Kennebec River flows into the pond, where we set up camp and immediately...
Maine Expedition Update 2 (Pat's Group)
Greetings from Maine!, After all the students cut their teeth with their first fish of the trip on the Magalloway river we made our way to the Historic Lakewood Camp on the banks of the Rapid River. We started this fly fishing pilgrimage with an early boat ferry to the lodge. The boat ride left everyone in awe from the sheer beauty of the north woods of Maine. The sky was seemingly endless and...
Maine Advanced Expedition 2 (Dayton's Group)
Greetings from the Maine Advanced Expedition! As we continue our adventure up to Maine after wrapping up the Massachusetts Pike floats, everyone is getting excited for the trophy Brook trout fishing and reminiscing about monster pike fought, caught, and lost. Over the last three days, we have been floating the housatonic river for pike and smallmouth from drift boats. Despite the challenge...
Ascension Bay Final Update
It has been an eventful few days since you last heard from us here in Mexico. Our first two full days of fishing this trip were amazing, so it was only fair that our third day slowed down a bit. Thursday presented us with some adverse conditions. The winds picked up making casting a challenge, and high clouds rolled in making it difficult to spot fish. In order to alleviate these conditions we...
Ascension Bay Update
We have our first two days under our belts here in Punta Allen Mexico, and it really could not have gone any better. Arrival day was admittedly a bit of an ordeal. It seemed as though half of the US tried to get into Cancun yesterday. The guys valiantly battled the extremely long customs line, which was taking about 1.5 - 2 hours to navigate. Once we were all through, we made the trek down south...
Big Skies and Remote Wilderness for 2020
When planning new trips on public land it sometimes takes years of planning before we even mention the likelihood of the trip taking place. Our Yellowstone trips are the perfect example. After several years of leading commercial trips and personal expeditions into the park, we knew exactly what a world-class teen fly fishing trip in Yellowstone should look like. We were prepared from day one of...
April Availability Update
Returning students are the backbone of LFFE. When our trips are announced in October they quickly fill nearly half of our openings. By the time mid-January through March has rolled on by most of our trips are on a waitlist. But don’t worry. If you are still looking for an exceptional backcountry fly fishing experience for your child we have space on a few Adventures and Expeditions.
Preparing for an Adventure of a Lifetime
It is hard to believe it, but summer is almost here! We are getting excited for another summer full of adventure, learning, and of course, lots of spectacular fishing. As always, if you ever think of any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 828-577-8204 or send me an email at [email protected] In the meantime here is some information to help you or your child...
LFFE on the Road
From roughly June 1st through the middle of September, I live a nomadic life, sleeping steps from some of the best fly fishing in the lower 48. My annual pilgrimage stretches from small mountain streams in western North Carolina to historic fishing camps in Maine, then west to the fabled waters of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the high alpine lakes of the Rocky Mountains. Long before...
Fly Fishing College Prep
Teddy came on his first LFFE trip in 2016. His fly fishing experience was limited at best, but it didn’t take long to realize fishing was part of his DNA. In 2017 and 2018 Teddy came on two trips per summer, including the 2018 NC Blue Ridge Adventure as a Intern Trip Leader. His drive and dedication has transformed him into a true expert. He proved this point on the 2018 Yellowstone Expedition...
LFFE Alum Making a name for himself in the Fly Fishing Industry
I’ve always been okay being that “fishing guy” pretty much everywhere I go because after all, that’s’ who I am. I didn’t grow up on the deck of a boat, on the banks of a river and my dad hasn’t a clue about fishing, but, being out on the water has taught me some of my greatest life lessons. Ever since my uncle introduced me to fishing, I haven’t had a second go by when I don’t think, speak or...
LFFE Online Store Coming Soon
Every year we get a ton of participants, parents, alumni, and friends who ask about buying LFFE shirts, hats, hoodies, etc. We are in the process of building a new website which will hopefully include a complete online store. Our immediate plan is to stick to LFFE branded apparel, and we hope to grow those offerings based on your feedback. If you have something you would like to see please let us...
Colorado Rocky Mountain Expedition II Update
Our first day here in Colorado was largely a travel day, but because everybody got in pretty early in the day we were able to get in some quality fishing. After leaving the airport we drove a few hours to camp near Granby, Co right on the western edge of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). We quickly set up camp then drove into the park to fish the headwaters of the Colorado River. Everybody...
Yellowstone Expedition Final Update
Dear parents and friends, It has been non stop action since our last update. Fishing, backpacking, service, and more fishing! With our bags packed for the backcountry, we left Mammoth early in order to hit the trail before the heat of the day. The hike into Slough creek wasn’t too bad, especially after we made it over the first big hill. We got to our backcountry site around lunch time. After...
Yellowstone Expedition Upper Yellowstone Update
Greetings from Mammoth. The Yellowstone Expedition has spent the last few days fishing the front country of Yellowstone after exiting the Snake River Backcountry. The fishing has been fantastic, and we are looking forward to heading into the Slough Creek backcountry. After exiting the backcountry we headed to Bridge Bay campground which provided us prime access to the Upper Yellowstone River...
Yellowstone Adventure Slough Creek
Greetings from Slough Creek, The Yellowstone Adventure has been busy soaking in the Boiling River and fishing hard in the Slough Creek front country and backcountry since exiting our last backcountry. After exiting the backcountry we headed to Mammoth for showers, laundry, and to fish the Gardner River. Unfortunately, a heavy afternoon storm upstream of us turned the Gardner into chocolate milk...
Yellowstone Advanced Expedition upper Yellowstone BC
The Yellowstone Expedition got off to an early start on Sunday morning as we broke down camp at Gros Ventre campground, just outside of Jackson Hole. From there we headed straight for Yellowstone National Park. Along the way we passed the magnificent Teton Mountains and the scenic Snake river. Once inside Yellowstone we went to the backcountry office. There we watched a video on bear safety in the...
Yellowstone adventure II
Greetings from Gardiner, MT, After spending our first day in Yellowstone doing a knot-tying and casting seminar, we were more than ready to start fishing. Our first stop for fishing was at Tower Creek, where a beautiful stream meanders right behind the campsite. The Creek is loaded with Brook Trout as well many Cutthroat-Rainbow hybrids, and each angler was able to catch some fish. That night we...
Colorado West Elk Update
It sure is good to be back to civilization! We have had quite the week since you last heard from us. This past Saturday we worked with the Crested Butte Land Trust for our service project. We spent the morning pulling invasive weed species from the banks of the Slate River just outside the town of Crested Butte. After breaking for lunch we spent the afternoon demolishing unwanted social trails...
