Mass Bass Adventure Update #1
Greetings from Winter Island Campground!
We’re officially wrapped up with our first airport day, and everything went as planned! Everyone arrived safe and sound, excited to kick off this adventure and explore the Northeast’s unique waterways. Travel days are often the longest and most tiring of a trip, but this practiced guide crew made sure everything ran smoothly and stress-free. Speaking of, let us introduce ourselves! (From left to right in the photo below)
Hello everyone! My name is Leo Sperry. I’m from Connecticut and learned to fish on CT's many small streams since I was 10 years old. I started as a spin/conventional fisherman when I was about 5, but moved on to fly fishing after a visit to the Orvis store in Manchester, Vermont. I guided on the famous Farmington River in Connecticut, where I learned the nuances of being a fly fishing guide. I attend the University of Montana in Missoula as a journalism major with a focus on photojournalism. I hope to work with conservation organizations and magazines as a photographer someday. I’ve been a camper with Lillard since 2018 and made the switch to guiding in 2023. I have been a part of the Yellowstone Adventure and Expedition as a guide/Leader in Training, the Colorado expedition as a camper, the Bob Marshall expedition as a guide, and the Mass Bass Expeditions/Adventures as a guide. I have a passion for photography and capturing our amazing adventures. I wish I could include other hobbies and passions of mine, but fly fishing has become a livelihood for me; I live and breathe it. I can’t wait to get some fantastic (big) fish photos this summer and to teach your kids about the incredible lessons fly fishing has to offer!
Hey there -- I'm Sean Swenson and I have the pleasure of serving as the Trip Director for this fine group. I grew up in upstate New York in the small town of Saratoga Springs. Since I was young, I’ve spent my summers in the Adirondacks chasing brook trout on the fly and on the coast catching stripers with my dad—that’s where I fell in love with fly fishing and knew it would always be my passion. Since then, I’ve traveled all over the world chasing fish with a fly rod and experiencing everything the sport has to offer.I first heard about LFFE through my friend and fellow Lillard guide Hunt McClary while we were both attending Roanoke College, where I graduated in 2024. I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to guide such amazing experiences in such beautiful places. I love catching big fish on big dries and will never pass up an opportunity to get an eat on top. I’m a licensed guide in both New York and Pennsylvania and guide the Delaware River at the Delaware River Club when I’m not with LFFE. I’m also a registered Wilderness EMT and Search and Rescue Tech.
Hi all, I'm Gavin McMeekan. I grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where I developed a deep love for the outdoors at an early age. Whether it was fly fishing, hunting, or exploring the backcountry, I was always outside chasing adventure. My passion for fly fishing began by exploring the many lakes and rivers around my hometown.After moving to Missoula to attend the University of Montana, I dove even deeper into the sport, spending most of my spare time on the water chasing Montana giants. These days, you’ll find me either tracking game through the woods or on the river fishing with friends.
Our day began bright and early with our first camper arriving in the morning, and others rolled in steadily throughout the day. Between car drop-offs and airport pick-ups, everything went seamlessly. Once our final camper landed at Logan Airport, the group rallied at the van for a much-needed lunch break—cold-cut sandwiches with a full spread of meats, cheeses, and condiments. Full stomachs and good energy set the tone for the rest of the day.
From there, we loaded up and made the drive to Winter Island Campground. After arriving, we did a quick tutorial on how to properly load and unload gear from the trailer—setting the tone for how we want this trip to run: efficient, smooth, and fun.
Once we were settled at camp, we taught the group how to set up their tents, shared some handy camping hacks, and laid out a few ground rules to keep our adventure on track. Then it was on to the fun stuff—fishing skills. We kicked off with a casting demo and gave each camper time to try out their new rods. Once everyone started to get the hang of casting accurately, we shifted into knot tying and fly selection. Fly fishing can feel a little overwhelming at first, but our guide team kept things simple, hands-on, and fun.
After a packed first day of learning, everyone was more than ready for dinner. First-night burgers are an LFFE classic, and this crew was pumped. We grilled up thick burgers, served with country-style baked beans and Caesar salad. Before dinner, we introduced the “cook crew” system—each day, a rotating team of campers will help prepare meals, gaining some solid cooking skills along the way.
And of course, we'll wrap things up around the fire with s’mores—golden-brown marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers—after a quick fire-building lesson.
Before lights out, we'll gather for a quick preview of what’s ahead, including tomorrow’s big charter boat fishing day. We’re beyond stoked about this group—these kids are dialed in, eager to learn, and already starting to bond.
Next time you hear from us, we’ll have some fish stories to tell, salt in our hair, and a tighter crew to show for it. It’s shaping up to be one heck of a trip!
Signing off,
The Dream Team – Sean, Gavin, and Leo
