Hello from the Yellowstone Adventure crew! The whole gang has touched down in Montana, where blue skies and 76-degree weather made for a perfect welcome. While we waited for the last few arrivals, the boys wasted no time swapping fishing stories from back home and talking through everything they're hoping to experience in Yellowstone. We have a lot of first-time Lillard campers in this group, and it's been exciting to watch them start discovering what this program is all about — building confident, independent anglers who leave with a genuine love for exploring and protecting the natural world. One look at this crew and it's clear that mission is in good hands. Before telling you more, let us introduce ourselves (from left to right).
Hello! I'm Oliver Mühlenfeld. I was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia and am a rising sophomore at Washington and Lee University, where I study classics and philosophy. I picked up fly fishing in middle school and have since spent my time fishing all over Virginia as well as the Devil's River in Texas. When I'm not fly fishing, you can find me skiing, camping, and hiking. I first experienced LFFE during a high school trip and fell in love with the mission of adventure, conservation, and creating memories. My favorite backcountry meal is the chicken quesadilla, my favorite fly is a CK Baitfish, and my favorite fishing memory was catching my first longnose gar on the Devil's River. A few things about me: I'm a die-hard Manchester United supporter (they're winning the Premier League next year!), I went to a military high school where I got to carry a sword as part of my senior uniform, and I taught myself piano — I can now play a wide array of groove hits from Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson. This is my second summer with LFFE and I can't wait to share that same sense of adventure with a new group of campers.
Hi everyone — my name is Harper Hall! I'm a College Station, Texas native and a junior at Rice University studying neuroscience, biochemistry, and cell biology on the pre-medical track. An eight-time Lillard alum, I began fly fishing at age five during annual trips to Last Chance, Idaho, and have been passionate about the sport ever since. My favorite fishing memory was a day on Slough Creek where big fish seemed to rise on just about any fly you could think of — which is why Yellowstone quickly became my favorite destination. Some of my closest Lillard relationships were built there, and I still fish with friends I met on my earliest trips. My favorite backcountry meal is the Lillard staple: buffalo mac — a tradition I plan to keep alive. I also attended the inaugural Puerto Rico Expedition, which sparked a lasting fascination with the elusive permit, and later served as a leader-in-training on the Thorofare Expedition, an experience that deepened my commitment to environmental stewardship and education. Throughout the year, I compete in local bass tournaments, serve as vice president of Rice Rugby, duck hunt, and conduct research in oncology and Alzheimer's disease. But my favorite time of year is summer, when I return to the water in pursuit of trout. Fair warning: campers will definitely be hearing about my endless love — and endless heartbreak — as a Dallas Cowboys fan (it's our year!), along with my passion for Texas A&M Athletics and the Texas Rangers.
Hello! I'm Jackson White. A native of northern Arkansas, I began fly fishing the renowned waters of the White and Norfork Rivers from the time I was old enough to hold a rod. My passion for the sport truly took off in 2020 when I participated in 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, too. Over the following years I participated in the Maine Expedition, Yellowstone Thorofare Expedition, and Louisiana Redfish Expedition, gaining invaluable lessons in leadership, technical skill, cooking, and conservation with every trip. 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 in Arkansas, I'm most likely pursuing permit in Mexico, tying flies, or hunting ducks and bucks at home. I currently work in the outdoor apparel and gear industry, combining 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.
Right now we're settling into the new Lillard Fly Fishing Basecamp, where a ping-pong and pool tournament is already underway, burgers are sizzling on the grill, and new friendships are forming by the minute. Tonight we'll close out the day with a fly-fishing fundamentals session covering casting, knot-tying, and basic water-reading, followed by our first group huddle to go over the trip mission and kick off our leader-of-the-day tradition — a chance for each camper to step up, take ownership, and pass the torch to the next guy. Tomorrow we'll pack up after a hot Blackstone breakfast and make our way into Yellowstone.
Once in the park, we'll get camp set up along the Madison River and get on the water as fast as humanly possible. First stop: the Gibbon River, which has a well-earned reputation for willing fish and great evening hatches. We're already dreaming about s'mores by the fire afterward. From there, the group will shift into backcountry mode — packing gear, dialing in their kits, and preparing to head into some of the most remote and untouched country in the lower 48.
There are big days ahead. Expect fish photos, trail shots, campfire moments, and stories your kids will be telling for years. Thank you for sending them our way — this one is going to be special.
Until next time,
The guys and the guides
