A celebration of America's first national park and the longest undammed river in the lower 48
Ten years ago, Lillard Fly Fishing was one of the first groups in decades to receive commercial use permits for operations within America’s first National Park. As always a dream of ours, these permits soon became the heart and soul of our program and have been a keystone in our ability to fulfill our mission here at Lillard. To celebrate our 10th anniversary with the Park this year, we’re introducing the new Yellowstone River Expedition. Combining all elements of the Yellowstone River that our trips have seen over the past ten years into one unforgettable experience that aims to fully capture the spirit of the longest un-dammed river in the U.S.. Participants will fly into Bozeman and soon begin a 4-night, 5-day backcountry on the headwaters of the Yellowstone River. With the help of a boat shuttle across Yellowstone Lake, you will venture into one of the least visited areas of Yellowstone National Park. In this section of the Upper Yellowstone, you will be casting at native Yellowstone Cutthroat that rarely see another fly. After completing this backcountry, the group will fish the Upper Yellowstone below Yellowstone Lake, which is a famed element of the past ten years of Yellowstone Expeditions and Adventures — the shots at massive Yellowstone Cutthroats that call these waters home never fail to inspire. The trip will then move bellow the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone for a 2-night, 3-day backcountry inside the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, also renowned for its hopper fishing, high fish numbers, and unique natural landscape. After exiting the park, the group will spend 2 days resting, fishing the Yellowstone outside of the Park, and prepping for the final chapter of their adventure, a 2-night, 3-day overnight float on the Yellowstone River. Starting just outside the Park boundary, the float will take the group through the aptly named Paradise Valley, a stretch known to produce great fish in the later months of the summer. After three days in the boats, we will head back to basecamp for a banquet dinner and depart from Bozeman a day later.
Upcoming Trips
| Dates | Cost | Arrive/Depart Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 18 - Aug 03, 2025 | $5,545 |
Bozeman, MT |
- Ages
-
Entering 9th GradeEntering 10th GradeEntering 11th GradeEntering 12th Grade
- Community Service
-
5 Hours
- What to Bring
-
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 son decided to go on this expedition, and he now wants to go on every trip they offer. The opportunities to fish, learn about the area they are traveling, spend time in beautiful locations, and access fishing that most people never know about is a priceless experience.
- Ferry across Yellowstone Lake to one of the most remote corners of the park, and the headwaters of the Yellowstone River.
- Backpack into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
- Multi-day float trip through paradise valley.
Species
- Native Yellowstone Cutthroat
- Rainbow Trout
- Brown Trout
Water
- Yellowstone River Headwaters - above Yellowstone Lake
- Upper Yellowstone - Below the lake and above the falls
- Yellowstone Canyon - Below the falls
- Yellowstone Paradise Valley - Park boundary to Livingston, MT.
HOW, WHERE, AND WHEN DO PARTICIPANTS MEET THEIR GROUP?
The Yellowstone Expedition begins and ends at Bozeman 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 get checked in and wait with the group until the last participant's flight leaves the ground.
Do I need to have fly fishing experience?
Our Expeditions are made up of students ranging in experience from total beginner to expert. Regardless of your skill level, your guides, along with the time spent fishing all types of water, will make you a more confident and independent angler.
Do I need my own fishing equipment?
Students are responsible for their own fly rod, reel, line, and a few other personal fishing items. Please get in touch with us for a complete packing list. Don't have your own gear? Not a problem. We have top-quality Orvis rods and reels available to rent.
What other equipment will I need?
We will send you a complete packing list if you are interested in signing up for one of our Adventure Academies. 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.
