Hi families!
Since our last update, we’ve been nonstop—moving, exploring, and soaking in every moment!
On Saturday, after a bit of a travel adventure, we finally united the whole crew. We set up camp at Valley Garden, a favorite local spot for both floating and wading. It’s just a few minutes from Ennis and sits close to Ennis Lake—an ideal place to spend our first two nights. The water was varied in flow, perfect for wading, and our campsite was tucked right along the river’s edge. After sorting through packs and hanging fairy lights in the tents, the girls were thrilled to finally be in Montana! As if on cue, our first night ended with a breathtaking sunset over the river.
This group of girls brings it all: sass, joy, humor, and endless enthusiasm. Watching them grow more comfortable and confident—both with each other and with us—has been such a joy. Our first night together was full of laughter and connection. Madeline shared her new knowledge of fish and rivers, Cordy kept us laughing at the picnic table, Vera started brainstorming some lighthearted pranks, and Ness helped everyone fine-tune their knots.
Learning to fly fish can be tough—it demands patience, focus, and resilience—but these girls are quick learners and totally committed. On day two, we kicked things off with a hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon before heading out early to the Madison. We focused on roll casts, overhand casts, mending, and reading the water. Under clear blue skies and with the mountains showing off in full glory, the girls worked hard and stayed determined. By lunchtime, their casts were smooth and controlled, with beautiful drifts and spot-on placement. We were blown away!
During lunch, Will gave a great talk on aquatic bugs, water ecology, and what it means to be a respectful angler. The girls listened intently and then we hit the road for an afternoon adventure to Three Dollar Bridge, a legendary upper stretch of the Madison. It was a very different type of water—steeper, with deeper holes, boulders, and tighter drifts—and the girls handled it all with curiosity and drive. This session was all about growing independence: tying their own flies, fixing tangles, moving to new spots when needed. They rose to the challenge, and it was truly special to see their confidence bloom.
Just as we were wrapping up, a classic Montana thunderstorm rolled in. We stayed out and had dinner riverside—wet, laughing, and loving it.
On the car ride home, something shifted—in the best way. Suddenly, the whole group clicked even more than before. There was contagious laughter, pure silliness, and excitement about the next day’s adventure. Back at camp, we whipped up a dessert concoction and sat under the stars talking and laughing until bed. As the girls were settling in, we had an incredible surprise: a massive bull moose appeared across the river, grazing peacefully. It was a quiet, awe-filled moment. To our amazement, he showed up again the next morning.
Yesterday, we ventured out to the Ruby River—a much smaller and more technical stream. The girls did an incredible job navigating the narrow channels and tricky drifts. They’ve shown so much patience, and even when tangles or snags happen, the frustration only lasts a moment before they reset and focus back on the goal. After a full day of fishing and learning, we returned to basecamp to begin preparing for the next leg of the journey: five days in the backcountry!
No fish on the board yet—but we’re ready for less-pressured water, big days, and even bigger memories. Chloe, Sloane, and I cannot express how proud we are of this group. They are kind, tough, curious, and full of heart. We can’t wait to see what the next stretch brings!
All our best,
The LFFE Crew
