August 5–9, 2026 | Dillon, Montana
The 2026 High Fives x Access Unlimited Montana Fish trip was one for the books. Hosted at Silver Bow Lodge in Dillon, Montana, this year’s adventure brought together 54 people, including 10 High Fives Athletes, making it the largest Montana trip to date.
Over four unforgettable days, athletes, families, sponsors, donors, and friends came together for much more than fishing. From floating the Beaverhead River to shooting clays, ripping side-by-sides, swimming, and spending evenings together at the lodge, the trip was all about getting outside, trying something new, and building community.
After everyone arrived on Wednesday, the group hit the Beaverhead River on Thursday and Friday for two days of fishing. There was plenty of friendly competition along the way, including awards for the biggest and smallest fish. Darlene from Monster Energy helped bring the energy and fun to the river, while athletes, volunteers, and supporters shared time on the water.
One of the standout moments came from AJ from San Jose. While floating down the river, AJ decided he wanted to get in the water himself. Before long, he was swimming in the Beaverhead with a huge smile and the kind of attitude that captured what the entire trip was about…saying yes to the experience and making the most of every opportunity.
The adventure continued off the river with a day at the gun range, where the group had the opportunity to shoot clays. Side-by-sides also gave everyone another way to explore Montana. Wildfire smoke settled into the area during the trip, but it did little to slow the group down.
It was also special to have Danny and the Smith Optics team join the experience, along with Brett, owner of a Colorado fly shop. Both jumped right into the High Fives and Access Unlimited community and helped make the week even more memorable. Families were an important part of the experience, too. With a little crew of kids running around the lodge, the trip had the feeling of one big family gathering.
The group closed out the trip together with a screening of MEND, sharing the story of Jesse Alberi, his life-changing injury, and the experiences that ultimately helped inspire Access Unlimited. After days spent fishing, exploring, laughing, and trying new things together, watching Jesse’s story was a fitting way to bring the Montana adventure full circle.
High Fives intern Chase Bromstad summed up the experience:
“The High Fives x Access Unlimited trip to Montana, hosted at Silver Bow Lodge, brought together athletes, sponsors, and donors for an amazing experience that everyone will never forget. The dense smoke from nearby wildfires stood no chance of stopping us from having fun. We spent our days fishing, shooting, off-roading, and enjoying each other’s company at the lodge. It was an amazing opportunity for everyone to get outside and try new activities that some had never experienced before, creating lasting memories together.”
With 10 athletes, 54 people, and countless memories, the largest Montana Fish trip yet showed exactly what can happen when adventure and community come together.
High Five to Access Unlimited, Silver Bow Lodge, our sponsors, donors, volunteers, families, and everyone who helped make Montana Fish 2026 possible.
