We are officially off and running, and we could not be more excited.
Boys have come in from all over the country, and watching this group come together in the airport was something special right from the start. Fish stories were already being swapped before we even hit the road, friendships were forming fast, and the energy this group is bringing is exactly the kind that makes a trip like this one to remember. We loaded up and pointed ourselves north toward the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and the excitement in the van was electric. Real quickly, let us introduce ourselves (from left to right).
Hello! My name is Nico Bonta. I was born in Washington D.C., but moved to Breckenridge at a young age, where I developed a deep passion for wildlife and rivers. Since then, everything I do involves being outside. I got my first fly rod when I was 11, and from then on my passion for fishing and the environment skyrocketed. I've been on multiple LFFE trips over the years, starting with the Colorado Adventure — my first true fly fishing trip. I was immediately hooked on the thrill of exploring alpine lakes and living out of my backpack. I was on the first Bob Marshall Expedition in 2023 and helped guide the Bob Marshall trip in 2025. I'm a rising sophomore at the University of Vermont, studying Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. In my free time, you'll find me outside — whether that's skiing (I competed in freeride for multiple years), mountain biking (one of my favorite summer activities, and a sport I also raced at the varsity level), rock climbing, or of course spending time on the river.
Greetings! My name is Travis Tanberg. I grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado and am a two-trip LFFE alumnus and a current student at Colorado State University, where I'm pursuing a degree in Tourism and Business. I developed a passion for fly fishing at the age of 13 and loved spending my summers exploring rivers across Colorado. Outside of my academic and professional pursuits, I enjoy skiing, backpacking, and participating in a variety of sports. 2026 is my second year as a guide and my fourth year with Lillard. I'm also a certified Wilderness First Responder and a very experienced outdoorsman.
Hi there! My name is Watson Bean. Growing up in Portland, Oregon, I developed a passion for fly fishing and the outdoors at a young age. I began fly fishing when I was 11 years old, swinging flies for steelhead on the Deschutes River. Those early experiences on the water sparked a lasting interest in fisheries, conservation, and wild places — none more memorable than the day I finally landed a steelhead in the pouring Oregon rain after days of persistence on the water. Now a senior at Montana State University studying Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management, I've fully embraced Montana's rivers, mountains, and outdoor opportunities. My connection to the state deepened in 2020 when I embarked on my first LFFE trip, a Montana Road Trip that left a lasting impression. When I'm not on the water, you might find me in the backcountry fueling up on my go-to trail meal: beef stroganoff. This summer, I'll be joining the Montana Expedition trips and am excited to share my enthusiasm for fly fishing, wildlife, and the outdoors with participants. I look forward to helping create memorable experiences on and off the water while exploring some of Montana's most spectacular landscapes.
Tonight we settle into our campsite right on the Sun River at the trailhead of our backcountry route. The weather is absolutely beautiful, and we plan to make the most of every bit of it. There will be swimming, some friendly competition, and a brat dinner to fuel up after a long day of travel. It is the perfect way to shake off the airports and start feeling like a real expedition.
Tomorrow is all about preparation. We will be sorting food, dialing in gear, and getting our backcountry packs ready to go. There is something about the organized chaos of pack prep day that really starts to make it feel real for the boys, and we love watching that moment hit. Pack weight gets debated, snacks get rationed, and somewhere in the middle of it all a group of strangers starts to become a team. Once everything is squared away we will get back out on the Sun for some more swimming and fishing before we rest up for the big day.
Because on Saturday, the adventure truly begins. We hit the trail into the Bob Marshall Wilderness for four days deep in one of the most wild and beautiful places in the country. No roads, no noise, just mountains, rivers, and whatever the wilderness decides to throw at us. After we make our way back out, we still have six more days of adventure ahead exploring rivers, fishing new water, and seeing what else Montana has in store for this crew. We have a lot of ground to cover and a lot of memories left to make.
These boys are ready. We are ready. Let's go.
More soon,
The Guides and the Guys
