Yellowstone Fly Fishing School L.L.C.- About Us

Molly Semenik grew up in Michigan and had the beautiful waters of the Mid-West and the Great Lakes to develop her angling skills.  At the age of fourteen, her father gave her his Orvis bamboo fly rod and her venture into the world of fly fishing began.

Since moving West in 1979, Molly began fly fishing in earnest including trips throughout the West and side ventures into salt water fly fishing.  During the 90’s, Molly joined Western Rivers Fly Fishers in Salt Lake City in their effort to introduce the sport to women. 

Molly and her family made the move to Montana in 2000.  With a daughter raised, Molly devoted herself to the profession of fly casting instruction and guiding.  In 2001 Molly became a certified casting instructor through the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF).  Molly also became a guide and started her own fly fishing business “Tie The Knot Fly Fishing.”  Tie The Knot offers women’s destination fly fishing trips with an emphasis on skill development as well as fishing.  In 2006 Molly became a Master Certified instructor through the FFF.  In 2008 Molly became a Montana outfitter.

During the last few years, Molly has taught at the National Outdoor Leadership School as an Orvis Endorsed Fly Casting Instructor, an invited instructor at the International Women’s Fly Fishing Festivals held throughout the U.S. plus taught at various fly fishing shows held in the West.  She is also an active volunteer for the FFF casting program as well as a lifetime FFF member, Trout Unlimited member and member of the International Women Fly Fishers.

Matt Wilhelm’s passion for fly fishing began at age 11 on the banks of the Manistee River in Northern Michigan. Since then Matt has spent his life learning, and sharing with others the sport of fly fishing.

Matt resides in Livingston, Montana in the shadow of the Absaroka Mountains where he calls the Yellowstone River and it tributaries his home waters. Matt also enjoys fishing the Paradise Valley spring creeks, and the waters of Yellowstone National Park.

Matt is the former National Education Coordinator for the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF). His duties for the FFF included planning and implementing fly fishing and aquatic education programs on a local and national level. His angling/aquatic education programs reach between 7,000 and 8,000 students of all ages, and abilities annually.

Recently Matt has been named the Director of Education for the Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species (CANS). His duties include developing educational materials and programs for youth and adults that focus on stopping the spread of aquatic nuisance species and keeping our waters healthy. He also is the fly fishing coordinator for Montana’s Hooked on Fishing program where he plans and implements fly fishing education programs that reach close to 3,500 kids per year. Being a big kid himself, and his years of experience working with youth helps Matt to present the sport of fly fishing to kids in ways that are fun and easy to understand.

For his efforts Matt was named Montana Fisheries Educator of the Year by the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Matt has been an FFF Certified Casting Instructor since 2000 and obtained his Master Certified level in 2006. Matt conducts around 120 casting classes and demos per year. Matt is also a demonstration fly tyer and has exhibited his talents at national FFF Conclaves, and at regional fly tying events. Because of the success and unique nature of Matt's fly fishing education programs he has been featured on ESPN on two separate occasions. His fly fishing education programs give students the tools and experience they need to be skilled, successful, and ethical fly anglers.

Bill Toone’s love for fishing began at the early age of 7 on the waters of his home state Virginia.  Although his early years encompassed all styles of fishing, Bill has been exclusively a fly fisherman for over 20 years.  While primarily a self admitted trout snob, Bill has also successfully fished for many other fresh and salt water species of fish.

Bill lives in Bozeman, Montana having moved from Virginia to pursue his passion for fly fishing and have some of the best trout waters in his back yard, spending countless hours chasing fish around.  While fly fishing on all waters is his love, he is particularly passionate about wade fishing on small to medium size streams and rivers. He loves to teach and share the knowledge he has acquired over his many years of fishing with beginners and experienced fishermen alike.

Bill is Editor in Chief for the Federation of Flyfishers’ magazine Flyfisher.  He is also a published author having written articles on fishing such exotic spots as Bonaire and New Zealand.  In addition Bill is a Master Certified Fly Casting Instructor.  He is a member of Trout Unlimited and a life member of the Federation of Flyfishers. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Federation of Flyfishers and is active in volunteer work with the Federation.  He is also involved with Project Healing Waters, an organization which uses fly fishing as rehabilitation for severely wounded combat veterans.