Hello all!
What a trip this has been! Our adventure has come to an end, and we’re so sad it’s over. Everyone made it to the airport safe and sound! The past few days have been nothing short of incredible. The Yellowstone continued to fish well for us, and we made sure to soak it all in before heading back to Ennis.
Our last days in Paradise Valley were stellar—everyone caught awesome fish and continued to enjoy the amazing views of Montana’s Big Sky. The days were hot, but we made the best of it by getting “aquatic” every day. (“Getting aquatic” is our codename for swimming, and rafts make for the perfect platform to jump in!) Cooling down in the crystal-clear river kept everyone energized as we explored long stretches of the Yellowstone. Those long river days were worth it, and we were lucky enough to see some amazing wildlife before leaving the valley—golden eagles, bald eagles, albino mallards, sandhill cranes, and plenty of muskrats reminded us how rich with life the banks of the Yellowstone are.
On our last night in the valley, we cooked up pasta with meatballs and then headed back to Chico Hot Springs to make the most of our evening. We swam, laughed, and reminisced about a fabulous trip, trading fish stories, camp jokes, and new memories for hours.
The next morning, we squeezed in a half-day float on a lower stretch of the Yellowstone, and it did not disappoint! Afternoon rain cooled the river and gave us a nice break from the late-summer heat. It was so much fun to explore some new water and hook a few more nice trout—a perfect farewell to an amazing place. We got off the water at 2 p.m. and hit the road for our new basecamp in Ennis, Montana. On the way, we stopped at the locally renowned Town Pump for some sweet treats, and ice cream sandwiches on a hot day proved to be just what we needed!
We arrived at basecamp around 5 p.m. and refueled with delicious meatball subs after a streak of long days. Everyone loved the new setup—pool table, foosball table, and yard games made it easy to have a good time. After checking out the brand-new barn and playing a few intense games of pool, we headed into the town of Ennis to stroll Main Street and play a Lillard classic: rod tube baseball. It’s simple—just a rod tube, a tennis ball, and a baseball diamond—but we had a blast, playing until it was too dark to see the ball.
The next morning, we had pancakes and hash browns before heading to the beach on Ennis Lake to relax and recharge. We swam, laughed, and once more reflected on all the great times we had during this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
All in all, it was an unforgettable trip. Floating with this crew for nine days straight gave us countless opportunities at amazing fish and let us experience the stunning variety of Montana’s waters.
We are endlessly grateful for the boys you sent us on this trip! They were incredibly fun to fish with—hardworking, kind, and hilarious. We hope they keep coming back to Lillard, and we can’t wait to see them continue growing as anglers.
All the best,
Owen, Pat, and Sam
