Our longest Expedition for those looking for a challenge with the ultimate reward of big trout!
Yellowstone and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are a fly fishermen’s paradise. The thousands of miles of water offer something for everyone. Beginners can find non-stop action for small but eager trout while advanced anglers refine their skills on technical water filled with large but selective trout. This expedition is designed specifically for those seeking the latter. With 17 days and a more flexible itinerary, we will have time to chase trophy trout on all of Yellowstone’s most famous rivers. Matching blanket caddis hatches on the Madison, nymphing up trophy cutthroat on the Gardner, throwing hoppers on Slough Creek, pounding the banks of the Yellowstone with big streamers, and when it is time to wrap things up, we will head back to Bozeman for a full day float fishing trip down the Madison or Yellowstone River. This is the perfect expedition for experienced anglers looking to take their fly fishing skills to the next level! Hurry up space is limited.
Upcoming Trips
| Dates | Cost | Arrive/Depart Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 29 - Jul 15, 2025 | $5,245 |
Bozeman, MT |
- Ages
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Entering 9th GradeEntering 10th GradeEntering 11th GradeEntering 12th GradeEntering College Freshman
- Community Service
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10 Hours
- What to Bring
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We have put together a list of all that you will need for a successful and comfortable expedition. We offer a rental program for most of the big ticket items like fly rods, reels, sleeping bags, etc.. If you are already enrolled, you can rent gear by logging into your account at: https://lillard.campintouch.com/v2/login/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f and navigating to Forms & Documents —> Rental Options.
Highlights
- Fish some of America’s most famous rivers, including the Madison, Gardner, and Lamar
- Float fish the productive and scenic waters of the Madison or Yellowstone River.
- Take in the natural beauty of Yellowstone’s unique ecosystem
- Camp out under a blanket of stars
- Enjoy great food while reliving your adventure with friends around the campfire.
Our 13 year old son did the Yellowstone trip last year, and it could not have been more positive. He describes it as "life changing", and he came home from the trip strong, tan, and happy. He had wonderful stories of watching otters play as they fished, amazing wildlife, and sleeping in a hammock with the brightest stars he had ever seen above him. We highly recommend this program!
The Yellowstone Expedition begins and ends at the Bozeman, MT Airport. For students flying to and from the trip start, you can look for flights that arrive at any time on the first day of the trip. On the last day of the trip flights that depart before 2 pm are ideal. Please contact us to receive the full parent itinerary including the schedule of our periodic trip updates.
A flexible itinerary allows us to go wherever the fishing is best. This trip contains two backpacking sections of 2-4 nights. Count on wetting a line on Yellowstone’s most notorious waters including the Yellowstone, Lamar, Gardner, and Slough Creek. The final three days will include some volunteering within the National Forest, float fishing the Madison or Yellowstone River, and a delicious banquet dinner at a local Bozeman restaurant.
Species
- Yellowstone Cutthroat (native)
- Westslope Cutthroat (native)
- Snake River Cutthroat (native)
- Arctic Grayling (native)
- Brown Trout (wild, non-native)
- Rainbow (wild, non-native)
- Brook trout (wild, non-native)
Water
- Madison River
- Gardner River
- Lamar River
- Yellowstone River
- Slough Creek
- many more
HOW, WHERE, AND WHEN DO PARTICIPANTS MEET THEIR GROUP?
The Yellowstone Expedition begins and ends at Bozeman Airport. Participants can fly to/from the airport on arrival/departure day or be dropped off/picked up by a parent/guardian. Participants can arrive at any time on arrival day. We typically leave the airport by 3 pm, but we can send the van back for later flights if necessary. Unaccompanied minors will be met at their gate. Participants flying as adults should follow signs to the baggage claim. Their LFFE trip leader will meet them there. On the last day of the trip, flights that depart before 2 pm are ideal. We can take multiple trips to the airport, so accommodating early flights is not a problem. Your trip leaders will help you get checked in and wait with the group until the last participant's flight leaves the ground.
Do I need to have fly fishing experience?
Our Expeditions are made up of students ranging in experience from total beginner to expert. Regardless of your skill level, your guides, along with the time spent fishing all types of water, will make you a more confident and independent angler.
Do I need my own fishing equipment?
Students are responsible for their own fly rod, reel, line, and a few other personal fishing items. Please contact us for a full packing list. Don’t have your own gear? Not a problem. We have top-quality Orvis rods and reels available to rent.
What other equipment will I need?
We will send you a full packing list if you are interested in signing up for one of our Adventure Academies. Group gear such as tents, stoves, etc., is all provided by LFFE. Personal gear such as sleeping bags and backpacks are all available to rent.
