Hello Everyone!
Almost all of the boys (waiting on one more -- airlines are the worst!) have arrived safe and sound, and we are already off to an incredible start. Watching the boys find each other in the airport was one of those moments that reminds you why we do this — games broke out almost immediately, laughter filled the terminal, and by the time we loaded up to hit the road, they already felt like a crew. Something about this group clicked fast, and we have a feeling that's going to carry us a long way over the next ten days. 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 make our way north toward our Bob Marshall basecamp, where a solid set of wall tents is standing by to keep us warm and dry. The weather has been doing its thing out there in the mountains — and honestly, the mountains don't really ask our opinion on that — so we've made the call to push our backcountry section back one day and let things settle. It's the right move, and we're confident we'll be stepping into much better conditions for it.
But here's the thing: we are not complaining one bit about this bonus day. The Bob Marshall country has no shortage of ways to fill a day with adventure, and we plan to take full advantage. We've got some beautiful creeks and rivers nearby just waiting to be explored, and we'll be spending time getting to know each other a little better through some friendly competition and good old-fashioned hanging out around camp. These early days of a trip — before the big miles, before the backcountry pushes, before everything gets truly epic — are some of our favorites. The group is still finding its footing, figuring out the inside jokes, learning who's going to be the first one up in the morning and who's going to need a little extra convincing. That process is half the adventure.
The boys came in ready. We can already see it. Ten days in some of the most beautiful wilderness in the country, with a group that's already showing us what they're made of — we genuinely cannot wait to see where this trip takes us all.
More to come soon!
The Guides and the Guys
