Hey all,
We woke up on the morning of the 13th at Canyon Campground in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana and spent most of the day driving through the scenic Greater Yellowstone area on our way to our next campsite in the world-famous Yankee Jim Canyon on the Yellowstone River. The drive itself felt like a bonus adventure—winding mountain roads, waterfalls pouring off cliff faces, and even a quick roadside stop to watch a herd of bighorn sheep scramble across a rocky slope. The boys spent most of the drive trading fishing stories, laughing, and debating which river had been the best so far.
The next morning, we woke up early and met the rest of the Lillard float guides at the Point of Rocks boat ramp for our float down to the Emigrant boat ramp. The float through Paradise Valley was absolutely stunning, with big cottonwoods lining the banks, snowcapped Absaroka peaks towering in the distance, and bald eagles gliding overhead. We got incredibly lucky with bluebird weather, and multiple grand slams were caught during the nine-hour float trip. The boys landed Yellowstone cutthroat trout, whitefish, suckers, rainbow trout, cutbows, and brown trout, with most boats bringing in well over 30 fish each. One camper even hooked into a hefty brown that shot straight under the boat, forcing his guide to scramble to keep the line from wrapping the oar frame—a battle that ended with a huge grin and a quick photo before the release.
This trip was also a great opportunity for the campers to learn from some of the most experienced and knowledgeable Lillard float guides. Between casts, the guides shared tips on reading water, streamer retrieves, and mending techniques that had everyone stepping up their game. A couple of campers even started calling out “fishy” spots before the guides could, and sure enough, they were usually right.
After the long day on the water, everyone was pretty wiped, so we headed back to camp for a simple but satisfying dinner of brats and veggies before crashing early under a bright Montana sky.
The next morning, we woke up early and drove back to base camp in Ennis for our service project with the Madison River Foundation. We conducted field tests on local waterways to analyze flows, water purity, and insect content. The boys loved flipping rocks for mayflies and stoneflies, learning firsthand how important these bugs are to trout health. For many, it was the first time they really saw how conservation and fishing go hand in hand, and several talked about wanting to do similar work back home.
In the afternoon, we went to Ennis Lake for a swim, which quickly turned into an all-out splash battle, cannonball contest, and a few brave attempts at handstands in the shallows. From there, we headed back to base camp for our banquet dinner of steak sandwiches and corn on the cob. After dinner, we played ultimate frisbee at Ennis High School as the sun dipped behind the mountains, turning the sky orange and pink. We wrapped up the evening with root beer floats, laughter, and closing activities before our early airport departure the next morning.
It was the perfect way to end an incredible trip—one full of big fish, new friendships, and memories that will stick long after the waders are hung up.
Tight Lines,
Andrew, Evan, and Joe
