Hello Parents!
We’re currently settled in at Base Camp in Ennis, MT—known by many as the trout fishing capital of the nation. All of the boys have arrived, and it’s already been fun watching them connect. First-day nerves have started to melt away as conversations about fly fishing, sports, and hometowns flow naturally. Cody, Jackson, and I were amped on the drive to the airport, and we’re stoked to finally have the full group together. With a small group of six kids, we’re excited for the opportunity to connect more personally with everyone and help them grow as young men, leaders, conservationists, and fly fishermen. (One guy's flight got cancelled - bummer! That's why there are only five kids photographed here. But he's joining us tomorrow!)
With a shared passion for fly fishing and more similarities being discovered by the hour, this group is already showing signs that they’ll thrive together. As guides, we understand that your reason for choosing Lillard goes beyond just becoming better anglers. Our goal is to help each camper become a more well-rounded human being—on top of learning how to cast a fly rod, tie a multitude of knots, match the hatch, and hook into some beautiful trout. We’re here to inspire the next generation of confident, independent anglers with a strong sense of stewardship and respect for the outdoors.
Quick guide crew intro!
Hi parents! My name is J (on the left) and I will be the trip director for the Yellowstone Adventure. I grew up in Napa Valley before moving to Oahu, Hawai’i for high school. Both proved to be great fishing grounds, from bass fishing in vineyard ponds to chasing pelagics on a kayak in the Pacific Ocean. I graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles this spring with degrees in Business Entrepreneurship and Economics. This will be my first year working with Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions and my third year with the program, including my time as a camper. I’m looking forward to helping the group grow both as anglers and as teammates while exploring one of the most epic landscapes in the country. Outside of fishing, I’m also into trail running, surfing, and I’m an avid cook. I’m stoked for an unforgettable adventure and can’t wait for what’s to come!
Hey there - I'm Jackson White (on the right). I’m a native of northern Arkansas and started fly fishing the renowned waters of the White and Norfork Rivers as soon as I was old enough to hold a rod. My passion for the sport really took off in 2020 when I went on my first LFFE trip—the Montana Road Trip Expedition. I was already hooked on fly fishing, but from that point on, I was hooked on the LFFE experience as well. In the years that followed, I took part in a handful of trip. With every experience, I gained invaluable lessons in leadership, technical skill, and conservation. After graduating high school in 2024, I joined the LFFE Basecamp Crew in Montana. When I’m not on the water with the LFFE crew or chasing browns on the rivers back home in Arkansas, you’ll most likely find me pursuing permit in Mexico, tying flies, or hunting ducks and bucks with my cousin—and fellow LFFE guide—Cody Eaton. I currently work in the outdoor apparel and gear industry, where I’m able to combine my love for the outdoors with my professional pursuits. I’m dedicated to sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm for fly fishing and committed to helping others explore, conserve, and appreciate the waterways I’ve grown to love.
Hey! My name is Cody Eaton and I am from Northwest Mississippi and currently attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and I am studying Biology. I have been involved with Lillard for the past four years. I am looking forward to meeting some new people who all share a love for fly fishing and are ready to catch some big fish!!! If I am not flying fishing I like to spend time hunting or getting in a round of golf.
After meeting up at the airport, we made some sidewalk sandwiches and then made our way to Base Camp. On the drive, we went over the itinerary, got the kids psyched, and played some car games and icebreakers (already hearing some laughs). The group is starting to get comfortable and open up, which is exactly what we want early on.
We’ve shown the boys their “glamping” tents—showers, sinks, full toilets and all—and they’re getting settled in. From here, we’ll dive into some casting lessons, go over essential knots, talk through the native species we’ll target in Yellowstone, and maybe even tie a few flies. If time allows, we might join the Montana Road Trip crew for a game of ultimate frisbee at the local high school. We’ll wrap the day with burgers, a sweet treat, and maybe even discover a few hidden chefs in the group. Then we’ll wind down, review the plan for tomorrow, assign a group leader for the day, and prep for an early start into Yellowstone.
The coming days will include some asphalt miles, group bonding, laughs, tent pitching, campfires, and killer fly fishing on the Madison and Gibbon Rivers. Yellowstone is home to four native fish species: Westslope Cutthroat, Yellowstone Cutthroat, Snake River Cutthroat, and Arctic Grayling—and our goal is for each camper to land all four. We’ll also have chances at Rainbows, Browns, and Brook Trout. After a few days of fishing and dialing in techniques, we’ll lace up the boots and head into the backcountry for our first overnight at Grebe Lake.
We’re pumped for what’s to come and already thrilled with the group we’ve got!
Until next time!
-J, Cody, Jackson, and the crew
