Hello Parents,
We’re officially settled into base camp after picking up this stellar crew of 12 from the airport. We may have just set an LFFE record—six campers were dropped off by their parents, and the other six arrived on two separate flights that landed just two minutes apart, coming in from Dallas, TX, and Boston, MA. Everyone touched down within a 45-minute window, and we were on the road before noon.
Our full crew hails from east of Ennis, Montana—a small town with one main street, slow speed limits, and a mellow way of life that revolves around fly fishing. Their motto is “Land of 10,000 Trout,” and it’s no exaggeration. Walk into a shop downtown and you’ll likely be greeted by friendly locals who know most customers by name. We’ve got campers joining us from as close as Big Sky and as far as Houston and the coast of Massachusetts.
Before diving into the action, we want to quickly introduce ourselves—the guides who’ll be leading this adventure over the next two weeks. Getting to know who’s on the other end of these updates helps paint the full picture of the experience your kids are stepping into. (From left to right in the photo below)
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.
Hi Parents! My name is J, 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 leaders 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! I’m also a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Hello - I'm Jackson White! 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 the Maine Expedition, Yellowstone Thorofare Expedition, and Louisiana Redfishing Expedition. With every trip, 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.
With a group this size, it can be a little nerve-racking to speak up and settle in. But already, we’re hearing laughter, discovering shared interests (beyond fishing, too), and swapping stories about big fish and wild game hunts. The energy is great, and questions about when we’re going to start fishing have been flying since the drive in.
So far, we’ve moved the campers into their hardwood-floor glamping tents, shown them the showers and sinks, and helped them settle in. After a cold-cut sandwich lunch, the crew jumped right into ping pong, lacrosse, wiffle ball, and football. We then circled up for our opening group meeting and set the tone for the trip.
We talked about the purpose of this experience—what it means beyond fly fishing. LFFE’s mission is to inspire the next generation of confident, independent anglers who care deeply about conservation and stewardship. We reminded the group that this is not a resort-style summer camp. We set expectations high and introduced the principles of Leave No Trace, discussed how to handle fish with care, and covered the smaller details that matter—like never leaving clipped tippet on the ground.
We introduced the Leader of the Day system: each camper will take on the role for one of the 12 days. The leader meets with us each morning to review the plan and field camper questions. They’ll help with gear checks, lead meal prep and cleanup, and take responsibility for small but important tasks—like keeping the water jugs full.
The group showed tons of interest during our trip overview, asking thoughtful questions and showing just how excited and invested they are. That’s not always a given, and we’re already feeling lucky to have such a strong crew. About half the group are experienced fly anglers, and the other half are new to the sport—an ideal mix that let's us pair campers in a way that supports everyone’s growth.
After our meeting, we dove into fly casting lessons, which wrapped with a casting competition. We’re impressed by how fast some campers picked it up—especially those who had never held a fly rod before—and also by the crisp, controlled casting from the seasoned anglers. When rain rolled in, we moved into the barn for a knot-tying seminar. Whether you’re brand new or a longtime fisherman, there’s always room to sharpen your skills and add new knots to the toolkit. Meanwhile, a group of dedicated fly tiers set up in our tying shed—a 10x20 workspace with five stations and a mountain of materials.
As I write this, I’m listening to the soft patter of rain on the barn’s metal roof. Montana weather reports are some of the least reliable you’ll find, so we expect it to be hot, sunny, and sweat-inducing again within the hour. We hope.
The rest of the afternoon will include a riverwalk bug collection and hatch ID lesson, a stop at the local fly shop (don’t worry—we supply them with plenty of flies), and a round of ultimate frisbee at the local high school before dinner. Tonight’s plan is classic burgers and chips, with popcorn for dessert and more games back at camp. We’ll assign tomorrow’s leader, review expectations, and settle in early for our first full day of fishing.
Tomorrow, we head into Yellowstone National Park via the West Entrance and will camp at Madison Campground. For most of these campers, it’s their first time in Montana—and their first time in Yellowstone. They’re in for something unforgettable. Over the next two weeks, these young men will chase all four of Yellowstone’s native species: Westslope cutthroat, Snake River cutthroat, Yellowstone cutthroat, and the elusive Arctic grayling. Our goal is for every camper to land all four.
We’ll also have chances at rainbows, browns, and brook trout. This is an opportunity most anglers would drop everything for, and we just wrapped up our first Yellowstone Adventure trip last week with serious success—so yes, we’re not afraid to set the bar high.
In the coming days, we’ll log some road miles, build group culture, pitch tents, gather around campfires, and get after it on the Madison, Gibbon, and Firehole Rivers. Once we dial things in, we’ll head into the backcountry for our first overnight at Grebe Lake.
With a shared passion for fly fishing and more common ground being found by the hour, this group is already showing signs of thriving. We’re especially excited for the chance to connect with each camper and help them grow—not just as anglers, but as leaders, conservationists, and well-rounded young men.
And while they’ll spend plenty of time learning to cast, match the hatch, and hook into native trout, we’re here for something deeper. Our goal is to help them walk away not just as better fly fishermen, but as more capable, confident individuals—ones who understand what it means to lead, support each other, and care for the places that make this kind of experience possible.
We’re pumped for what lies ahead and thrilled with the crew we’ve got. Thanks for trusting us with them.
Until next time—thanks for following along!
Tight lines,
J, Jackson, and Cody
