Hello all,
We’re out of the backcountry! After hiking over 33 miles and landing many fish over 20 inches, we've made it to our campsite in Paradise Valley, where we’ll begin the next leg of our adventure. Following a much-needed rest day—complete with laundry, showers, and good food—the group is refreshed and excited to get back on the water tomorrow.
Our backcountry journey began with a scenic 30-minute ferry ride across Yellowstone Lake. The boys were awestruck by the breathtaking scenery as we crossed the lake, surrounded by towering peaks and pristine wilderness. After landing on the beach, we hiked three miles to our first campsite, nestled right on the lake. Following lunch and camp setup, we headed to a promising spot nearby for our first afternoon of fishing.
Fishing on Yellowstone Lake can be challenging, and that first day was no exception. Strong winds blew in our faces, and fish were hard to come by—but those who persevered were rewarded with their first catches. We wrapped up the evening with a beachside walk back to camp, dinner, and rest in preparation for the big day ahead.
Our second day was the most physically demanding of the trip. We fueled up with a hearty breakfast before setting out on a 10-mile hike. Midway through the day, we stopped at the inlet of the Yellowstone River to fish. After some classic Yellowstone bushwhacking, we reached a stretch of the river just above where it flows into the lake—a surreal moment, having seen its outlet just days before. Although our time there was short, we managed to land a beautiful cutthroat trout on a streamer, a promising sign of what was to come.
We continued deeper into the backcountry that afternoon. Trail time is always a highlight, as the kids bond through stories, songs, and laughter. That night we camped near a small tributary of the Yellowstone and got some solid rest. The boys who went to collect water were treated to a stunning sunset over some of the most spectacular mountains we’ve ever seen.
Day three was a lighter hiking day—just three miles to our most remote campsite of the trip. This site sat along a beautiful tributary creek where trout fry still lingered after the spring spawn. That afternoon, we explored a new stretch of the Yellowstone River. This area was brand new to LFFE, so we had to cover ground and hunt for promising water.
That evening, we found a slow-moving flat with a few rising fish. The fishing was technical—requiring long, accurate casts and delicate dry fly presentations. The boys stepped up to the challenge. Two smaller fish were landed, and one large fish was hooked and lost. The scene reminded us of similar sessions on the Lamar and upper Yellowstone, and it was awesome to see the boys continue honing their single-dry-fly skills. That night, many of the guys opted to sleep outside under the stars and were rewarded with one of the clearest, most awe-inspiring night skies we’ve ever seen.
The next day, we stayed at the same campsite and focused entirely on fishing. Half the group woke early to chase a potential morning hatch, while the others enjoyed a well-earned sleep-in. The early risers braved a cold hike back to the river and were rewarded with epic fishing. After locating a deep bucket full of rising trout, the group was able to cast to fish sipping dries across the river. Everyone caught fish—many 20 inches or larger—with long casts and precise mends needed to fool them. Watching the group succeed with such technical fishing was a highlight of the trip. Later that morning, the second half of the group hiked out to the same spot and was equally successful—one camper landed a particularly large trout. That evening, we returned to the same stretch for the evening rise. A few more fish were caught, including a fat 22-inch cutthroat that sipped a dry after a perfect cast and a delicate mend.
As we prepared for the long hike out, we reflected on the experience. The fishing had been challenging, but the boys pushed themselves. They covered water, made difficult casts, and ultimately earned some spectacular fish. Their determination was inspiring. Our final day in the backcountry began early with a 16.5-mile hike back to our pickup point. It was hot and buggy, but the boys stayed strong. We arrived at a stunning beach campsite where we swam, watched the sun set, and turned in early—eager for our return to civilization.
The next morning, the boat arrived for another unforgettable ride across Yellowstone Lake. The feeling of finishing a backcountry expedition is hard to beat. After landing, we celebrated with laundry, hot springs showers, and copious amounts of pizza. That night, we camped under the stars in beautiful Paradise Valley.
Today, we’ll fish in Yellowstone National Park one last time before launching our three-day float down the Yellowstone River. This next phase will introduce the group to a whole new style of fishing from boats—something we’re incredibly excited to share.
This backcountry expedition was a truly special experience. The fish we caught, the time spent in remote and wild places, and the raw beauty of Yellowstone made for a journey we’ll all remember for a lifetime.
Tight lines,
Evan, Andrew, and the LFFE Team
