Field Studies

This trip will begin at Chico, with a presentation by river outfitters who fought a proposal to dam the Yellowstone river. Fisheries managers from Montana FWP will discus the fisheries of the river, endangered fish species management, and angler use and conflict issues. The group will float a short stretch of the river, stopping to collect aquatic insects with the assistance of Federation of Fly Fishers Education Staff and Montana FWP Staff. At the conclusion of the float, participants will be returned to Chico.

Federation of Fly Fishers Education Center Tour & Reception

This event will include a shuttle via motorcoach from Chico to Livingston, about 25 miles one-way. Participants will visit the Federation of Fly Fishers International Education Center and tour the facility and learn about the programs it offers, with an opportunity to visit with educational staff. Participants will walk to their choice of dining in Livingston (dinner on own), and will be shuttled back to Chico later that evening.

Yellowstone National Park

$75 per person (minimum 13 participants required – can accommodate up to 40)

Visit America’s first National Park to explore the unique aquatic ecosystems and fisheries resources found in Yellowstone. This guided tour will leave Chico after breakfast, and enter the park at Mammoth, with time to visit other important and historic features on the day-long trip. Lunch will be provided, and the trip will return to Chico late in the afternoon.

Lewis & Clark Caverns & Missouri River Headwaters State Park

$75 per person (minimum 16 participants required – can accommodate up to 40)

This trip will leave in the morning of Wednesday, October 2. Participants will travel via motorcoach through Livingston and Bozeman to the town of Three Forks, where Lewis & Clark first saw the Madison, Gallatin, and Jefferson rivers combine to form the Missouri. You’ll spend some time with a park interpreter, explore the rivers, the park and it’s interpretive displays, and then leave for the one-hour drive to Lewis & Clark Caverns. Once at the caverns, you’ll eat lunch (provided), and then take the one to two hour guided tour of the caverns, which overlook the lower Jefferson River, with an opportunity to learn about the unique fisheries management partnership between local ranches and anglers. There may be time for a bit of hiking on the trails of the park, then the bus will leave for the two hour return to Chico, arriving late in the afternoon.