Hi parents!
The Bob Marshall Adventure II has officially wrapped up, and we couldn’t be more proud of how this trip turned out. From start to finish, this was a truly remarkable group of young men. They brought huge personalities, a deep sense of responsibility, and some seriously impressive fishing skills. Their energy made guiding not only smooth, but genuinely fun—and it was clear from early on that this trip would be one to remember.
Since our last update, the boys regrouped at our Bob Marshall Outpost, packed up their gear, and set off for the next leg of the journey: the legendary Blackfoot River. We settled into a quiet wilderness campsite along Monture Creek, a beautiful stream full of native westslope cutthroat trout. That night, we prepped for the next day’s adventure and soaked in the peacefulness of the surrounding woods.
The following morning, we loaded up and headed for the upper Blackfoot for our first float of the trip. With summer heat raising water temperatures in the lower stretches, we split up—half the group floated the cooler upper river, while the other half explored a walk-and-wade section downstream. Both groups had great success, and it was hard to tell who had more fun. That evening, we reconvened at our final campsite, Russell Gates, which sits right on the river. We grilled burgers, swapped fish stories, and settled into bed under a wide-open Montana sky, resting up for one final morning on the water.
The next day started bright and early. Local reports had us hopeful that an early morning bite would be worth the effort, so we had a quick cereal breakfast and hit the water by 8:15. While one group floated downstream, the rest of the boys fished a walk-and-wade stretch near camp. Despite ideal conditions, the fishing was a bit slower than expected—though there were still trout caught and plenty of Rocky Mountain whitefish to keep things exciting. Even if the bite wasn’t perfect, it was a beautiful, quiet morning to soak in our last few hours surrounded by nature.
From there, we made our way back to Missoula. The boys hit the showers at the local rec center (with some bonus waterslide and hot tub time), knocked out laundry, and helped us clean out the van. We wrapped up our final night with a banquet dinner at Tamarack, a local favorite of both Gavin and Leo, who attend school in Missoula. After full plates and full hearts, we returned to base camp to pack up and prepare for the early flights out.
This group truly stood out as a guide favorite. Their energy, curiosity, and genuine kindness created a tight-knit community that made our job easy. Whether it was laughing by the fire, helping each other with gear, or cheering on a friend’s first cutthroat trout, these boys embodied what it means to be thoughtful teammates and adventurous spirits.
Thank you for sharing your sons with us. We’re grateful for the time we had with them and are so proud of how they represented themselves, their families, and the Lillard Fly Fishing family.
We hope to see you all again next summer.
Until then, tight lines and best wishes,
The Dream Team: Leo, Joe, and Gavin
