Hi Families,
The Montana Road Trip Expedition is off and running! We welcomed everyone at the Bozeman airport and hit the ground rolling—stoked to begin what’s already shaping up to be an unforgettable adventure. Spirits were high as we loaded up the van and made our way to Base Camp—our home for the next stretch of the journey. Tucked into the scenic hills outside of Ennis, the new setup has an unreal view of the Madison Range and easy access to the rivers we’ll be exploring all week.
After arriving at camp, we got everyone settled into tents, issued gear, and went through a quick orientation. With rods rigged and licenses in hand, the group was ready to kick things off. Dinner was a laid-back affair: burgers sizzling on the grill and a lot of laughter as everyone started to get to know each other. We wrapped up the evening with frisbee and stories around the campfire, soaking in the pink alpenglow lighting up the peaks around us. It’s safe to say the group is already bonding, and we’ve got an awesome crew.
Meet your guide team:
I’m Watson Bean, from Portland, Oregon. I’m a student at Montana State University studying Fish & Wildlife. I grew up fishing for salmon in Oregon and was introduced to fly fishing on the Deschutes River when I was 11, casting classic wet flies for steelhead. When I was 15, I attended a Lillard Fly Fishing Expedition (the MT Road Trip); it’s the reason I chose to attend MSU! I now spend my free time fishing the rivers and lakes of Montana anytime I can. I’m pumped for the summer!
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!
Last (but not least!), 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.
The group is fired up for our first full day on the water—tomorrow, we’ll be floating and fishing the legendary Madison River, where the hopper bite is just beginning to heat up. This time of year, big trout are looking up and crushing terrestrial patterns along grassy banks, and we’re excited to take full advantage of it. After dialing things in on the Madison, we’ll head over to the iconic Yellowstone River and also explore some smaller local waters that are perfect for walk-and-wade sessions.
Between the variety of fisheries, the rising temps, and the active fish, the conditions are lining up for a week of explosive eats, beautiful trout, and unforgettable memories.
We’ve got a strong crew, and it’s already clear this group has what it takes to make the most of every moment on the water. We’ll check in again soon with updates from the rivers!
Tight lines,
Watson, Coleman, Max, and Zach
The MT RT Ex 1 Guide Crew 🐟
