Hello everyone!
Our airport day went smoothly, and everyone arrived on time. We’re now headed up to the famous Blackfoot River for the next few days, and we couldn’t be more excited. If you’ve ever watched A River Runs Through It or read Norman Maclean’s writing, you’ve heard of the Blackfoot. It truly is a stunning river—towering cliff walls, crystal-clear water, and sweeping mountain views are just a few of the incredible sights we’ll enjoy as we float its legendary waters.
The crew is buzzing with excitement and can’t wait to get on the water. Over the next few days, we’re hoping for some great hopper fishing and plenty of wild cutthroat trout. This first leg of the trip will be the perfect warm-up for the bigger fish we’re targeting later in the week. To top it off, our campsite for the next few nights is right on the banks of the Blackfoot! With amazing weather and such a beautiful setting, it’s hard to imagine having anything less than a great time.
This trip is also unique because we’re fishing entirely from boats. We’re excited to watch the guys get more comfortable casting from a moving raft and take advantage of how much water we can cover. Over the course of the week, we’ll float countless river miles and explore stretches that few people ever get to see. It’s going to be an incredible overview of Montana’s world-class fishing. From the energy we’re already seeing, we can tell these guys mean business when it comes to fishing, and we can’t wait to see how much they’ll learn and improve over the week.
We’ll continue to send updates throughout the trip—sharing how the fishing has been, letting you know where we’re headed next, and, of course, sending photos of all the action on the water.
Meet Your Guides
I’m Owen Reeve. I’m a student at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, where I study history—especially the environmental history of the West. I grew up in Maryland but got my first taste of western fly fishing on family trips to Utah, where my parents are from. I’ve been hooked ever since. I love the outdoors and spend as much time as possible skiing, hunting, fly fishing, backpacking, and rafting. This is my seventh year with Lillard Fly Fishing, and I can honestly say there’s nothing better than spending time outside with a great group of campers. Outside of fishing, I play guitar and drums and enjoy music as much as I love the river. I’m a certified Wilderness First Responder and a licensed Montana guide.
Patrick Sheehy is a Lillard legend! A New Jersey native, Pat first learned about LFFE when Will gave a presentation to his Boy Scout troop. Already an experienced angler, Pat jumped at the chance to refine his skills on our 2012 Blue Ridge Adventure. Three trips later, he started working as a co-leader while attending Montana State University. He graduated in 2020 with a degree in Early Childhood Education and now directs many of our Montana and Yellowstone Expeditions. Pat is known for his humor, patience, and, most importantly, his knack for putting kids on big fish. When he’s not on the water, you’ll likely find him hunting ducks or turkeys. He is also a certified Wilderness First Responder and a licensed Montana guide.
My name is Sam Streiler. I grew up in Kansas City and am now a student at Montana State University, where I’m majoring in business finance and accounting. I’m heading into my sophomore year and couldn’t be more excited to return to Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions for another summer. Last year, I worked as an intern, and I’m thrilled to be back in a new role this year. I’m especially looking forward to seeing how many massive brown trout my boat can haul in! Fly fishing has become a huge part of my life, and I can’t wait to help these campers experience what makes it so special. When I’m not on the river, you’ll probably find me snowboarding or dirt biking in the mountains of Montana.
Thanks again for sending your boys on this adventure with us—we’re already having an incredible time. We’ll be in touch soon with another update (and, hopefully, plenty of photos of big fish).
All the best,
Owen, Pat, and Sam
