Colorado Adventure II - update 1
Hello from sunny Colorado! This morning, 11 guys from around the country met up with our team at Denver International Airport. Everyone is super excited to get this trip started and start putting some fish in the net. Airport day went smoothly, and we quickly hit the road to our first campsite in Granby, CO. The group is already connecting and building friendships that will last a lifetime. With...
Yellowstone Expedition - update 4
Hey all, We woke up on the morning of the 13th at Canyon Campground in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana and spent most of the day driving through the scenic Greater Yellowstone area on our way to our next campsite in the world-famous Yankee Jim Canyon on the Yellowstone River. The drive itself felt like a bonus adventure—winding mountain roads, waterfalls pouring off cliff faces, and even a...
Yellowstone Adventure II - Update 4
Hello Parents! I’m writing to you on the final day of the Yellowstone Adventure as I wait for the last flight to depart. It’s been a stellar two weeks packed with trail miles, thousands of fly casts, new experiences, deep friendships, and some absolutely beautiful (and big) Cutthroat Trout. We were beyond fortunate to have spent this time in Yellowstone National Park—an incredible place that few...
Montana Road Trip Expedition II - Update 3
Hi Families! Cooke City Adventures & What’s Next After a quick pivot and a new plan, the Montana crew made their way over to Cooke City—and it turned out to be one of the best calls of the trip. This tucked-away corner of the state delivered in a big way, offering some of the most scenic and legendary water Montana and Yellowstone National Park have to offer. We spent the past few days fishing...
Yellowstone Adventure II - Update 3
Hello Parents! The past week has been both spectacular and strenuous—filled with the highs and lows that come with fishing and backcountry travel, all wrapped into one heck of an adventure. You can’t appreciate the highs without first experiencing the lows, and that’s exactly what makes “adventure” such a unique, exciting, and often unpredictable experience. It’s what we live for here at Lillard...
Colorado Expedition - Update 4
Hey families, It’s sad to be writing our final trip update for what has shaped up to be another amazing Colorado Rocky Mountain Expedition. The past two and a half weeks have somehow felt really long and gone by in the blink of an eye. While everyone is ready to go home, get some rest, and return to loved ones, the consensus among guides and campers alike is that we’ll miss being on this trip. It...
Yellowstone Expedition 1 - update 3
Hello all, We just finished up our Slough Creek backcountry! The boys were once again split into two groups, with each spending two nights in one of the most beautiful areas of the park, while the group not in the backcountry fished and explored the rest of what Yellowstone has to offer in the frontcountry. We last published an update after the Snake River backcountry trip, with half of the boys...
Mass Bass Adventure - Update 4
Hi Families! We write you this final update with heavy hearts as the Mass Bass Adventure officially wraps up! This was such an awesome trip with a great group of kids, and we can’t thank y’all enough for sending your sons to spend the week with us. We hope they learned a few things and made memories they’ll never forget. We certainly did! Since we last wrote you, we’ve been staying on the Cape at...
Montana Road Trip Expedition II - Update 2
Hey Families! We just wrapped up a successful couple of days fishing the Ruby River, where everyone was able to find some large, healthy fish. The river treated us well, offering up plenty of exciting moments, some beautifully colored trout, and a few personal bests along the way. The crew has been putting in the time and effort, and it’s paying off. Now we’ve made our way to Ruby Creek Campground...
Colorado Expedition - Update 3
Greetings from Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park! The past few days have been amazing. The boys have really connected, and everyone is having a blast. Here’s a recap of our recent adventures: July 4: We began the day at Green Ridge Campground on Shadow Mountain Lake. After a quick breakfast, we packed our bags and headed to the famed Colorado River to fish, camp, and celebrate the Fourth...
Montana Road Trip Expedition II - Update 1
Hi Families, The Montana Road Trip Expedition is off and running! We welcomed everyone at the Bozeman airport and hit the ground rolling—stoked to begin what’s already shaping up to be an unforgettable adventure. Spirits were high as we loaded up the van and made our way to Base Camp—our home for the next stretch of the journey. Tucked into the scenic hills outside of Ennis, the new setup has an...
Yellowstone Adventure II - Update 2
Hello Parents! Thus far, this trip has been one heck of an adventure—hence the name! We exited the backcountry today, and the crew is currently showering and doing laundry in the town of Gardiner, a small tourist hub just outside the North Entrance of Yellowstone. This stop was much needed, and all we’ve heard from the group over the past two days has been: “Oh man, that warm shower is going to...
Mass Bass Adventure - Update 3
Greetings from Nickerson Campground on the beautiful beaches of Cape Cod! Since our last update, the adventure has been jam-packed with laughs, fish, and tons of new experiences. The group is tighter than ever—forming friendships, making memories, and picking up a few life lessons along the way. Last you heard from us, we were floating the upper stretches of the Housatonic River in search of the...
Yellowstone Expedition 1 - update 2
Hi all, The boys kicked off the trip at Madison Campground after an afternoon in West Yellowstone, where we stocked up on flies and treated ourselves to some delicious huckleberry ice cream. After a short drive to the campground, we unpacked our gear and settled in for the first night. That afternoon, we did some sightseeing, visiting the incredible Yellowstone Falls and several hot springs...
Mass Bass Adventure - Update 2
Hi Families! Greetings from Housatonic Meadows in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts and Connecticut. The trip has been off to a hot start! The weather has been great, the fishing solid, and spirits are high. After airport day, we headed north to the North Shore of Massachusetts and set up camp at Winter Island. This area is rich in both excellent fishing and early American...
Colorado Expedition - Update 2
Hey Families! We just wrapped up the first backcountry leg of the trip today -- it was a huge success! We celebrated in true LFFE fashion—with a gas station snack run, hot showers, pool time, clean laundry, and a pizza dinner. After four nights without the comforts of civilization, all of that was much appreciated. The boys (and the guides!) were more than ready to kick back, recharge, and regroup...
Mass Bass Adventure - Update 1
Mass Bass Adventure Update #1 Greetings from Winter Island Campground! We’re officially wrapped up with our first airport day, and everything went as planned! Everyone arrived safe and sound, excited to kick off this adventure and explore the Northeast’s unique waterways. Travel days are often the longest and most tiring of a trip, but this practiced guide crew made sure everything ran smoothly...
Yellowstone Adventure II - Update 1
Hello Parents, We’re officially settled into base camp after picking up this stellar crew of 12 from the airport. We may have just set an LFFE record—six campers were dropped off by their parents, and the other six arrived on two separate flights that landed just two minutes apart, coming in from Dallas, TX, and Boston, MA. Everyone touched down within a 45-minute window, and we were on the road...
Yellowstone Expedition 1 - update 1
Hello All, Successful first day! No troubles at the airport today and we are super happy with the group of campers. We had a super fun time meeting everyone for the first time. It is always fun watching first day jitters melt away as the kids get to know each other. Today was all about group bonding, we did some icebreakers, a bit of casting instruction - and competition-, and hit a fly shop...
Yellowstone Adventure I - Update 4
Hello Parents! I’m writing to you on the final day of the Yellowstone Adventure. It’s been a phenomenal two weeks in which a tight-knit crew of five young men grew close, shared laughs, overcame challenges, pushed themselves outside their comfort zones, and—most importantly—caught a bunch of beautiful fish. This trip is a Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions staple. Will began guiding these adventures...
Berkshires to Beaches Expedition - Update 4
Hi Families! It’s with a heavy heart that I write the final update of the Berkshire to Beaches Expedition! This has been an unbelievable trip with such an awesome group of guys, and the other guides and I can’t thank y’all enough for sending your kids on this expedition with us. Since our last update, we’ve moved our camp to the North Shore of Massachusetts near the city of Salem—a region known...
Yellowstone Adventure I - Update 3
Hello Parents! The past week or so has been action-packed for the guides and Yellowstone Adventure crew alike! We’ve just arrived back at Base Camp after a spectacular backcountry stint at Slough Creek. The crew is currently showering before we make dinner and do laundry. Everyone’s tired, but spirits are high, and the group is still amped about the fishing over the past few days. After hitting...
Colorado Expedition - Update 1
Our Colorado Rocky Mountain Expedition is officially underway! This morning, eight high schoolers — all from the East Coast — rallied for one purpose: to connect with our fly fishing team and start making memories for an unforgettable summer. Airport day was smooth, with minimal waiting before we hit the road for the longer drive to Granby, Colorado. The group meshed in record time and already...
Bob Marshall Adventure - Update 3
Final Trip Update: Blackfoot River and the End of a Wild Week Howdy folks! After ten unforgettable days in the heart of Montana’s wilderness, our Bob Marshall Adventure came to a close with a two-day float down the legendary Blackfoot River — and what a sendoff it was. Joined by the legend Will Lillard, along with Watson, Coleman, and Aaron’s dad, Phil, we launched our boats at Russell Gates and...
Thorofare Expedition - update 2
Hi all, We made it out of the Teton backcountry! After some big days with over 50 miles hiked, 50 fish landed, and even a mild snowstorm over the weekend, the expedition is officially back in the frontcountry. As we recuperate in Jackson Hole, the group is feeling a little worn down, but with breathtaking views and large cutthroat trout under our belts, this trip was a massive success—an...
Montana Road Trip Expedition I - Update 4
Hey, families! Sad to say, this is our final trip update for what’s been a truly great Montana Road Trip. We’ve had the chance to fish some amazing water over the past few days and share unforgettable moments with a fantastic group of guys. Today was airport day, which meant waking up one group at an absurdly early hour to load into the van for one last ride together. The rest of the boys got to...
Berkshires to Beaches Expedition - Update 3
Hi Families! I’m writing to you from the beautiful beaches of Cape Cod! A lot has happened since our last update — lots of fish caught, big smiles, and memories made. The guys are really coming together and becoming a close, tight-knit group. It’s been incredible watching them build lasting bonds! Before we headed out to the Cape, we spent two days camping on the Farmington River in northwest...
Bob Marshall Adventure - Update 2
Into the Backcountry! Hello again, friends and family! We’re back in civilization after an epic few days deep in the Montana backcountry — and wow, do we have stories to tell. While you were likely enjoying your AC and cozy beds, we were chasing native cutthroat trout through snow-capped valleys, dodging rainstorms, and soaking in some of the most beautiful (and wild) scenery the West has to offer...
Montana Road Trip Expedition I - Update 3
Hi families! Ruby River Reflections & What’s Ahead The Montana Road Trip crew just wrapped up a few incredible days camping and fishing along the Ruby River — and what a stretch it’s been. Tucked away in one of Montana’s hidden gems, we’ve had a chance to slow down, soak up some epic scenery, and get into some seriously fun water. The Ruby gave us everything we hoped for: clear, cold water, tight...
Yellowstone Adventure I - Update 2
Hello Parents! Our trip is rolling along—memories are being made, and plenty of fish have been caught! We’re out of the backcountry and settled into Mammoth Hot Springs Campground along the Gardiner River. Everyone’s freshened up and in high spirits after their showers and laundry, with some claiming it was the best shower they’ve ever had. We’ve covered some ground since our first update. After...
