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, she 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.  During this time, Molly also earned her Casting Instructor Certification through the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF).  

During the last few years, Molly has taught at the National Outdoor Leadership School as an Orvis Endorsed Fly Casting Instructor.  She has also been an invited instructor at the International Women’s Fly Fishing Festivals held through out the U.S. and has taught at various fly fishing shows held in the West.  Molly has been an active participant in the last four Federation of Fly Fisher Conclaves, including Co-Chair in 2005.  She is a lifetime FFF member, a Trout Unlimited member and member of the International Women Fly Fishers.

At this point in her career, Molly has dedicated herself to teaching and introducing people to the sport, art, and joy of fly fishing.  She has provided private and group instruction to nearly 1500 men, women and children of all ages and abilities.

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 has extensive knowledge of  Paradise Valley spring creeks, and the waters of Yellowstone National Park.

Matt is the National Education Coordinator for the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF).  His duties for the FFF include planing 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.

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 for six years, and 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 seperate occasions. His fly fishing education programs give students the tools and experience they need to be skilled, successful, and ethical fly anglers.