About Us
The Clarks Fork Yellowstone Partnership was created from the dinner table discussion of two good friends who love the Clarks Fork River and the way of life in the valley. The idea quickly grew with the support of local recreationists, conservation agencies and the agricultural community. We were awarded 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation in June 2022, and came to encompass both the Clarks Fork River drainage and the Rock Creek drainage later that summer. Although we are in the beginning stages of our development, historically watershed organizations have flourished in Montana for more than 25 years. In many areas across the state, these organizations have facilitated groundbreaking conservation strategies, and helped to build trust and discover shared values within diverse communities. The geographical area of the Clarks Fork River watershed is large, and encompasses a diverse group of stakeholders. As a non regulatory, community-driven organization, we promote communication and partnership across that stakeholder base to help promote and preserve stream ecology.
Clarks Fork Yellowstone Watershed
The Clarks Fork Yellowstone Watershed is comprised of over 200 miles of rivers and streams and 1 million acres of land. Water is the very lifeblood of our communities. Agriculture dominates the economic engine of the watershed and is also the driver behind our area’s culture of land stewardship and community. Tourism is also important to the local economy, with Red Lodge Mountain Ski Area, the Beartooth All American Highway, Yellowstone National Park Northeast Entrance, and thousands of acres of public lands in National Forest and Bureau of Land Management.
Spanning
over 2,000 square miles
Supplies
water to communities, agriculture, and wildlife habitats
Features
stunning landscapes from arid sage brush prairie to forested mountains, and from archaeology sites to generational ranches
Home
to a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, beaver, grizzly bears, elk and a wide array of birds
CFYP Board
John Wheaton
Board Treasurer & Technical Advisor
Greg Schlemmer
Board Secretary
Tim Nottingham
Board Member
Scott Kerr
Board Vice Chairman
Lindsay Szofran
Board Member
As an avid fly angler, Lindsay has spent many days on the water learning about and appreciating the symbiotic relationships of the ecosystem. She is an internationally recognized fly angler, guide, and conservation advocate whose career connects elite competitive achievement with decades of hands-on stewardship of rivers. She has represented the United States at all five Ladies Fly Fishing World Championships, earned multiple top-10 finishes, and helped the USA team secure its first gold medal in 2025.
A University of Montana graduate with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Business Management and Marketing, she has operated a sales and consulting business for over 20 years. In addition, she has helped operate Fly Fishing Only Adventures with her husband, Andy. Guiding gives her the opportunity to share deep expertise of fly fishing while advocating to protect the ecosystems that sustain Montana’s outdoor economy.
Born and raised in Montana, Lindsay’s commitment to conservation was shaped by growing up on a large farm east of Billings. That background inspired her advocacy for outdoor access, healthy rivers, and the responsible use of natural resources.
Joel Adams
Board Chairman
Joel started life in Columbus and attended high school in Cody. He earned a BS in Geology from the University of Wyoming and an MS in Hydrology from the University of Idaho. He has worked as a hydrogeologic consultant in Oregon, Switzerland, and Montana, dealing with environmental hydrology, radioactive waste site characterization, water resources and water rights. He currently serves as N. American Director for the Mine-Water-Geotech division of IPI Packers.
WHY WATERSHED:
The well-being of our community is a direct reflection of the well-being of our watershed – CFYP provides a forum for diverse voices to be heard, to learn, and to work together on that state of well-being.