Chasing Browns and Capturing Beauty: Leo Sperry on Guiding, Conservation, and Storytelling

With: leos_flicks

Some people are born with a natural feel for the river — and Leo Sperry is one of them. We caught up with Leo (@leos_flicks), a young angler and gifted photographer who made his way from the stocked streams of Connecticut to the wild waters of Montana. Between guiding with Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions and chasing trophy browns on his own time, Leo's been crafting a story that runs deeper than trout and tippets. Here's how he found his rhythm on the river—and what keeps him coming back.

1. What first got you into fly fishing, and how did that passion evolve as you made your way from Connecticut to Missoula?

I’ve always had a deep love for the outdoors. I was lucky to grow up in a small Connecticut town surrounded by ponds, streams, and thick woods. I started fishing at age 6, catching bluegills on Barbie rods with my dad. Eventually, I graduated to my first “real” rod to chase bass. One day at the local Bass Pro Shops, I wandered into the small fly fishing section and saw a taxidermy tarpon hanging above a TV playing Flip Pallot catching tarpon on a fly. I was hooked instantly. I picked up fly fishing around age 11, teaching myself on stocked streams near home. Nobody in my family fly fishes, so everything I learned came from trial, error, YouTube, and Google. By high school, I was fishing constantly. During my senior year, I interned and guided on the Farmington River with Antoine Bissioux—The French Fly Fisherman. He’s been my biggest mentor and is hands-down one of the best anglers I’ve ever met. I owe so much of my growth to him. When it came time for college, I followed the pull west to the University of Montana. Since moving to Missoula, I spend 2–6 days a week on the water. I’m constantly on forums, OnX, and digging into western tactics and river systems. I also connected with Brett Downs (@down to fly) an insanely talented angler and photographer who’s helped me adapt and fast-track my growth out here. I wouldn’t be where I am without people like Antoine and Brett. They’ve shaped who I am as both an angler and a person.

2. You have a unique eye for capturing the soul of fly fishing — when did photography become part of your journey, and how does it deepen your connection to the sport?

Photography has always gone hand in hand with my love for fishing. It lets me freeze the moments I live for. I’ve always seen myself as a fly fisherman first, photographer second—which I think actually makes me a better storyteller behind the lens. I care about the small things: tying a fly, a flower on the riverbank, or a perfect cast unfolding. I started shooting when I was 14 with a little point-and-shoot my mom gave me. Eventually, I graduated to her old hand-me-down Nikon DSLR with a kit lens and outdated tech. Honestly, learning photography on a “crappy” camera was one of the best things that ever happened to me—it forced me to really understand light and composition. A turning point came during my first Lillard Fly Fishing trip. I brought that old camera to the Yellowstone backcountry and took a shot of a cutthroat lying in just an inch of water, glowing with color. Mateo Moretti, another big inspiration, looked at some of my photos and gave me the boost of confidence I really needed, even if, looking back, those shots were rough. That little bit of encouragement meant the world to me at that age.

3. As a guide with Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions, what’s one lesson you try to pass on to every young angler who steps into the river with you?

Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions has been a huge part of my journey—both as an angler and a guide. If there’s one lesson I try to pass on, it’s that our trips aren’t just about fishing. Of course, we teach important skills on the water, but 70% of the impact happens off it. Cooking, backpacking, communication, teamwork, and resilience—those are just as important as casting a fly. My goal on every trip is to help these kids become better young men, not just better anglers. And in return, guiding has made me a better fisherman. I still love chasing 20+ inch brown trout (they’re my favorite), but I get just as much joy watching a camper catch their first fish. I’ve also come to see teaching as something that extends beyond the river. Whether I’m in class, on the water, or just hanging out, I try to bring that same energy. And at the core of it all is conservation. I want these kids—and their kids—to have the chance to fall in love with wild places the way I have.

4. From the lens of @leos_flicks, what makes a perfect fly fishing photo — is it the fish, the light, the setting, or something more personal?

I don’t really think there’s such a thing as a “perfect” photo. Photography is so subjective—that’s what I love about it. There are accounts with thousands of followers whose photos get praised but don’t speak to me, and then there are tiny pages that blow me away. That said, light and subject are key. If you want good photos, you have to put yourself in front of good moments. I shoot a lot of fish photos—which I’ll admit is a weakness of mine. But I’m working on capturing more of the in-between: the preparation, the small details, the emotion. Balancing being a fisherman first and a photographer second can be tough. But that balance also keeps me grounded and intentional with what I shoot. Most of the time, I try to let the story unfold naturally and just be ready when something meaningful happens.

5. How has living and fishing in Montana changed your perspective on conservation? Do you see your photography as a tool for protecting the waters you love?

Montana gave me a whole new lens on conservation. In Connecticut, fishing culture exists—but it’s not central the way it is out here. In Montana, fly fishing is a way of life. With that comes a strong conservation ethic. The effects of climate change—droughts, wildfires, warming rivers—are felt deeply here. Trout need cold, clean water. And those ecosystems are under real threat. I see my photography as a tool to help protect them. I try to show people why these places matter—through the fish, the water, and the wild beauty that surrounds them. Trout are incredibly beautiful animals. Their patterns, colors, and environments are pieces of art in themselves. If my photos make someone pause, appreciate, and want to protect that—then I’m doing something right.

6. What’s next for Leo Sperry — any upcoming trips, projects, or goals for @leos_flicks?

Right now, I’m kind of living day to day—fishing, learning, shooting. I don’t have any huge trips lined up, but I’m always planning. Fall is all about chasing big browns for me, and I’ll be spending time exploring more of the wild places around Missoula and beyond. My goals are pretty simple: keep improving as an angler and a photographer, keep finding those magic moments, and share them as honestly as I can through @leos_flicks. As the world changes to a video oriented system, I also want to grow as a videographer. This will help me tell my stories, and bring people into my life. I want to keep growing, catching better fish, taking better photos—and telling better stories.