1 van, 11 days, 4 of Montana's best rivers, countless memories
In 1974, Montana stopped stocking trout in streams and rivers that supported wild trout populations. That decision ultimately created one of the best wild trout fisheries in the world. Pair that with the 1984 Montana Stream Access Law, which grants public access to most of Montana’s fisheries, and you can understand why Montana is such a special place for anglers. It would take years to explore all the fantastic fishing Montana has to offer, but we have picked some of the best. With our Ennis basecamp as our launching point, we will start by fishing one of Montana's most iconic stretches of water, the Madison and another nearby gem. Then we will head north and backpack into a lesser-known river full of eager trout. After some showers and laundry, we will cap off the fishing with an overnight float trip on either the Missouri, Madison, or Yellowstone (depending on which is fishing best). The final day will be spent highlighting the importance of conservation through our service project with partner The Salmonfly Project. That evening, we will reminisce about all the adventures with a banquet dinner before everyone departs from Bozeman the next morning.
Upcoming Trips
| Dates | Cost | Arrive/Depart Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 09 - Jul 19, 2026 | $4,750 |
Bozeman, MT |
- Ages
-
Entering 7th GradeEntering 8th GradeEntering 9th GradeEntering 10th Grade
- Community Service
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5 Hours
- What to Bring
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We have put together a list of all that you will need for a successful and comfortable expedition. We offer a rental program for most of the big ticket items like fly rods, reels, sleeping bags, etc.. If you are already enrolled, you can rent gear by logging into your account at: https://lillard.campintouch.com/v2/login/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f and navigating to Forms & Documents —> Rental Options.
My 14-year old came back from his trip talking about everything he had learned about fishing and also all of the beautiful places he had visited. I particularly loved how the counselors led the groups in making decisions about the best places to fish, encouraging the group to take the more challenging routes to reach more fishing success- such great learning moments.
- Fish some of America's most iconic rivers
- Chase trophy brown trout, native cutthroat, and hard-fighting rainbows
- Camp steps from the river's edge
- Float fish some of Montana's most iconic rivers
- Backpack into a remote stretch of water full of hungry trout
Species
- Yellowstone Cutthroat
- Westslope Cutthroat
- Brown Trout
- Rainbow Trout
- Brook Trout
Water
- Madison
- Yellowstone
- Boulder
- Ruby
- and more
How, where, and when do participants meet their group?
The Montana Road Trip begins and ends at the Bozeman, MT Airport. Participants can fly to/from the airport on arrival/departure day or be dropped off/picked up by a parent/guardian. Participants can arrive at any time on arrival day. We typically leave the airport by 3 pm, but we can send the van back for later flights if necessary. Unaccompanied minors will be met at their gate. Participants flying as adults should follow signs to the baggage claim. Their LFFE trip leader will meet them there. On the last day of the trip, flights that depart before 2 pm are ideal. We can take multiple trips to the airport, so accommodating early flights is not a problem. Your trip leaders will help you check in and wait with the group until the last participant's flight leaves.
Do I need to have fly fishing experience?
Our Adventures are made up of students ranging in experience from total beginner to expert. Regardless of your skill level, your guides, along with a variety of water fishes, will make you a more confident and independent angler.
Do I need to have fly fishing equipment?
Students are responsible for their fly rod, reel, line, and a few other personal fishing items. Don't have gear? Not a problem. We have quality Orvis rods and reels available to rent.
What other equipment will I need?
A link to a complete packing list can be found under each trip page's what to bring section. Group gear such as tents, stoves, etc., is all provided by LFFE. Personal equipment such as sleeping bags and backpacks are all available to rent.
