Hi Families,
The Montana Road Trip is officially underway! We greeted everyone at the Bozeman airport, loaded up the vans, and hit the road—fired up to kick off what’s already shaping up to be an incredible week of fishing and adventure. After a smooth arrival, we made our way south into Paradise Valley, where the towering Absarokas and winding bends of the Yellowstone River set the perfect backdrop for the first leg of our journey.
Before sharing more, let us introduce ourselves!
Hi parents! I’m Coleman Smith. I'm from Nashville, TN, and I grew up fishing for bass with my father and grandfather. I’ve gone on three different Lillard trips, and this summer marks my first year as a guide. I went on the Montana Road Trip three summers ago, and for the past two years, I’ve been fishing those same waters. I’m excited to begin the summer and can’t wait to get out on the water with this group of guys!
Hi all – I’m Max Wallace. I was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. I grew up an avid hunter and fisherman, but I didn’t get my first taste of fly fishing until the summer after my freshman year of high school on the Yellowstone Adventure—and I instantly fell in love. I’ve been with LFFE every summer since, leading and rowing on trips in both Montana and Colorado. I’m now attending the University of Virginia, majoring in Environmental Science. I spend my free time tying flies and catching native brook trout in the Shenandoah Valley. Can’t wait for an awesome trip!
I'm Zach Zatz. I’m from Denver, Colorado, and first joined LFFE as a participant on one of the backpacking and fishing adventures. With a strong love for the outdoors and a background in fly fishing, I quickly found a home on the trail and the river. I’m now studying Exercise Science at Montana State University, spending my winters skiing at Bridger Bowl and my summers guiding with LFFE. I try to bring a calm, focused approach and an easygoing attitude to every trip—something participants tend to appreciate, especially when the fishing gets technical. Whether I’m tying knots streamside or coaching a cast, I bring patience, enthusiasm, and a deep respect for wild places. I’m a certified Wilderness First Responder and proud to call the mountains of Montana home—for now.
Hi, I’m Luke Dolan! I grew up in New Mexico, where I first fell in love with fly fishing, and I now split my time between guiding in New Mexico and Washington while attending school at the University of Washington. I’ve been lucky enough to guide year-round, chasing everything from high-desert trout to big, aggressive fish in the Pacific Northwest. My love for fly fishing started early—I spent five summers as a Lillard camper, and those trips played a huge role in shaping the angler and guide I am today. There’s nothing better than spending long days on the water, especially when I get to throw streamers. Watching a big fish crush a swung fly will never get old. Guiding lets me share that same excitement with others, and I love helping anglers of all levels experience the magic of a river, whether that’s their first fish or their biggest one yet.
My name is Cole Hauswirth! I grew up in San Francisco and spent much of my early youth fishing around the state. I just graduated Cum Laude from Colorado College, where I studied Economics and Classics. This will be my fourth year working for Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions and my ninth year with the program, including my time as a camper. Every moment has been an incredible experience. Fly fishing and conservation have shaped my life, largely inspired by my time as a camper with Lillard. These passions continue to shape my journey, and I am excited to share them with my campers, hoping to create a lifelong passion. When I am not fishing, I love to ski, backpack, and play golf. I am also a certified Wilderness First Responder.
The drive into camp was full of energy—plenty of laughs, fishing stories from past trips, and speculation about who will land the biggest trout of the week. By the time we pulled in, the group was already swapping tips, comparing flies, and talking strategy for the days ahead. It’s always fun to watch those first-day jitters fade as new friendships start to form.
We’re camped just minutes from some prime access points on the Yellowstone, and the first two days will be a mix of float trips and walk-and-wade fishing on nearby smaller waters. Between the wide-open riffles of the Yellowstone and the tucked-away gems scattered throughout the valley, we have no shortage of water to explore right out of the gate. Even tonight, as we set up tents and cooked dinner, a few of the guys wandered down to the riverbank to practice casting against the evening light—already itching to get a line in the water.
Fishing conditions are looking excellent. Big trout are beginning to key in on hoppers, and we’re already seeing the early stages of PMD hatches—both of which should keep the fish looking up throughout the day. With rods rigged, flies dialed, and the crew already gelling, we’re in a great position to take full advantage of what these rivers have to offer.
We’ll check back in soon with more stories from the water—hopefully accompanied by some great fish photos!
Tight lines,
The MT RT Guide Crew
