Hello Lillard Fly Fishing Expedition Families,
Our Colorado Adventure II is officially underway! Today campers traveled in from all over the country, arriving in Colorado full of excitement and ready for an unforgettable week in the Rockies. It's always amazing to watch a group of kids who were complete strangers just a few hours earlier begin forming friendships over a shared passion for fly fishing and the outdoors. By the time we left the airport, the conversations were already flowing, and the excitement for the week ahead was obvious. Before we share more, let us introduce ourselves (from left to right)!
Hello! I'm Jack Martin, a native of Richmond, Virginia and a student at CU Boulder, pursuing an economics degree. I fell in love with fly fishing when I was 12 years old, growing up fishing the small streams of the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia in search of native brook trout. These days I enjoy fishing the vast rivers of Colorado and have spent countless days exploring the Colorado backcountry, especially in Rocky Mountain National Park.
This is my first year as a guide but my fourth summer with LFFE — it all started with a Montana road trip when I was 14. I'm a certified Wilderness First Responder. One of my favorite backcountry meals is buffalo mac, an LFFE staple.
My favorite fly is a micro chubby. My favorite fishing memory is a recent one: catching countless 20-inch fish in a blizzard in the mountains of Colorado. Off the water, I love to ski, backpack, camp, and play lacrosse. I'm also a huge Boston sports fan.
Hey families! My name is Max Twito, I grew up in Seattle, Washington. I now live in Bozeman, where I moved to attend Montana State. I learned how to fly fish when I was 13 at a summer camp and have been putting those skills to use ever since. My favorite activities include fishing in Montana, cooking great food, hunting, and exploring.
This is my first year as a guide with LFFE. My favorite fly is a purple perdigon — the fish love it. My favorite fishing memory is landing a musky on a fly at sunset after a long day on the water. I'm a Wilderness First Responder and enjoy learning more about the medical field and other wilderness skills. You can often find me hiking into places people don't typically go, searching for new fishing and hunting terrain. I'm pumped about this summer — we're going to have a great time!
Hi there — my name is Kitchel Snow. I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, and am currently a junior at the University of Denver, where I study Business Information and Analytics. While at DU, I helped start the university's fly fishing club, building a community of students who share a passion for getting outside and spending time on the water.
I began fly fishing around eight years ago and quickly fell in love with the sport — learning the ropes on an LFFE trip to the Wind River Range. I've spent the past two summers guiding for Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions in both Yellowstone National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, experiences that have helped me grow as both an angler and a leader in the backcountry. During the school year, I spend as much time as possible fishing rivers across Colorado, often getting out on weekends.
A few things to know about me: I'm left-handed, and my favorite fly is a Frenchie. When I'm not fishing, you can find me skiing, playing sports, or camping. This summer I'll be based in Colorado as a Trip Director and am looking forward to another great season with Lillard.
After loading up the van, we made the scenic drive to our home for the night at Stillwater Campground on the beautiful Lake Granby. Once camp was set up, everyone settled in and got their first taste of Colorado's mountain scenery.
Before we hit the water, we spent the evening preparing for our first day of fishing. Campers worked on essential fly fishing skills including rod setup, knot tying, and getting familiar with their equipment. Whether it was someone's very first time assembling a fly rod or just a refresher for more experienced anglers, everyone made great progress and is looking ready to put these skills to use. These fly fishing lessons are an important part of the trip and help build confidence before stepping into the river.
Tomorrow morning we'll head to Willow Creek, where campers will have their first opportunity to chase Colorado trout and put everything they learned tonight into action. Willow Creek is a great place to develop fly fishing skills, and we're excited to see plenty of bent rods and smiling faces.
The week is just getting started, but the energy around camp is already incredible. We're looking forward to an amazing adventure filled with great fishing, beautiful mountain scenery, new friendships, and memories that will last long after the trip is over.
Until next time,
Jack, Kitchel, Max, and the crew!
