Recorded Q&A Session
- Watch the Recorded Q&A Session on August 5, 2026 HERE
Event Schedule
Each day is centered on fishing adventures, concluding with evening social time. We urge individuals to engage with each other in the Montana Facebook Group or the Montana DIY WhatsApp Channel to form fishing friendships and coordinate weekend adventures.
- Thursday 9/10/26
- Some Arrive and DIY Fish
- 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Social Meet-Up and Registration Pick-Up at the Yellowstone Beer Company
- 7:30 pm – Group Photo at the Yellowstone Beer Company
- Friday 9/11/26
- DIY Social Fishing and Potluck at 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River
- 9:00 am to 10:00 am – Hands-on Fly and Leader Set-Ups for the Social Fish
- 10:00 am – Weekend Safety Briefing
- 10:15 am – Group Photo at 3 Dollar Bridge
- 10:00 am to 11:00 am – Registration Packet Pick-Up
- 10:30 am to 12:00 pm – DIY Social Fishing
- 12:00 pm – Potluck
- The Wretched Mess Festival at the historic Union Pacific Dining Lodge in West Yellowstone
- 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm – Festival Hours
- 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Lydia Wickizer at the Tyers Table
- 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm – “Intro to Fly Fishing” with Heather Hodson
- 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm – Live Music with Opening Band and Headliner Zach Nytomt Band
- 7:30 pm – Group Photo at the Wretched Mess Festival Near the Beer Area
- DIY Social Fishing and Potluck at 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River
- Saturday, 9/12/26
- DIY Social Fishing and Registration Pick-Up –
- 9:00 am – Meet at the Ice Lake Trailhead Parking Lot
- Carpooling is HIGHLY recommended, as there are minimal parking spots and you’ll save money getting into YNP
- 12:00 pm – Lunch at Ice Lake
- 9:00 am – Meet at the Ice Lake Trailhead Parking Lot
- The Wretched Mess Festival at the historic Union Pacific Dining Lodge in West Yellowstone
- 10:00 am to 5:30 pm – Festival Hours
- 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm – Lydia Wickizer at the Tyers Table
- 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm – Live Music with Opening Band and Headliner North Fork Crossing
- 7:30 pm – Group Photo at the Wretched Mess Festival Near the Beer Area
- DIY Social Fishing and Registration Pick-Up –
- Sunday 9/13/26
- DIY Fishing on Own and Depart
- Upload Your Photos to the Google Photos Folder
Registration Pick-Up
- Pick-Up Dates and Locations
- Thursday 9/10/26 –
- 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Registration Packet Pick-Up at the Yellowstone Beer Company
- Friday 9/11/26–
- 10:00 am to 11:00 am – Registration Packet Pick-Up at 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River
- Saturday 9/12/26 –
- 9:00 am – Ice Lake Trailhead in YNP
- Thursday 9/10/26 –
Note: If you’re unable to pick up your registration bag, please email [email protected]. We can arrange shipping at your expense or coordinate a pickup.
Group Photo Scheule
We wanted to share the opportunities to be part of our group photos throughout the weekend. We have heard from past DIY event registrants that it would be helpful to announce group photo times in advance so everyone who would like to be included knows where to be and when. To make participation easier, we have scheduled several group photo opportunities this weekend and wanted to share the times with you.
- Thursday, 9/10/26 –
- 7:30 pm – Group Photo at Yellowstone Beer Company
- Friday, 9/11/26 –
- 10:15 am – Group Photo at the Social Fish at 3 Dollar Bridge
- 7:30 pm – Group Photo at the Wretched Mess Festival By the Beer Area
- Saturday, 9/12/26 –
- 9:15 am – Group Photo at the Ice Lake Trailhead Parking Lot
- 7:30 pm – Group Photo at the Wretched Mess Festival By the Beer Area
Wretched Mess
We’ve intentionally scheduled our Montana event to coincide with the Wretched Mess Fly Fishing and Art Festival, happening the afternoon and evening of Friday, 9/11/26, and all day on Saturday, 9/12/26.
This event offers a unique opportunity for participants to connect, learn from industry experts, and come together in celebration of fly fishing and art. The Wretched Mess will feature a vibrant community atmosphere with educational clinics, delicious food, refreshing beer, and live music. Come say hi at the iFishiBelong booth outside by the casting pond.
