The Vermillion Brothers

Dan, Jeff, and Pat Vermillion built Sweetwater Travel from a lifetime of fishing, travel, guiding, conservation, and exploratory programs.

The Vermillion brothers grew up in Montana and across Latin America, then built Sweetwater Travel around the kind of fishing, exploration, and practical field knowledge that cannot be learned from brochures. Each brother brings a different history, language, and specialty to the company.

Oldest Brother

Dan Vermillion

Dan Vermillion, the oldest Vermillion brother, grew up in Billings, Bolivia, Ecuador, and most importantly on the banks of the Yellowstone River.

After graduating from American University and managing lodges overseas and in Montana, Dan returned to get his law degree from the University of Montana.

His stint as an attorney in Billings ended with an epiphany as a flock of geese passed his window on a particularly fine fall day. Weeks later, he retired from law and joined Pat, Jeff, and Ron Meek to help build Sweetwater Travel Company.

Dan is the go-to man for legal issues and has inherited his father's love for public service and punishment. Dan is the Fish and Game Commissioner for Montana, and not an unpaid day goes by without an hour or two on the phone with concerned hunters and fishermen about elk, wolves, or trout. Dan has spent a big part of his career fighting for Montana's fish, wildlife, and public lands.

Dan is married to Lynn Donaldson and has three kids: Charlie, Ben, and Chase. Dan runs Sweetwater programs in Mongolia, the Bahamas, Brazil, French Polynesia, and Montana.

Dan Vermillion and Sweetwater Travel fishing history

Dan Vermillion fishing and guiding background

Sweetwater Travel family fishing history

Middle Brother

Jeff Vermillion

Jeff Vermillion is the middle brother. Over the years, Jeff worked hard to avoid work so that he could fish more and explore the world.

His first venture, Flojo Ventures, Chilean for "Lazy Dude Ventures," was a dud, though he managed to explore large swaths of the Brazilian Amazon and Chilean Patagonia.

Jeff became fascinated with taimen in Russia because of a close friend and co-guide, Max Mamaev, who gave him tube mice flies that he had to find a place to use. Those flies, and close family friend Jeff Griffin, led to him meeting Purevdorj. One year later, Jeff and Puji figured out a plan to launch fly fishing programs for taimen in Mongolia.

Jeff grew up in Billings, Chile, and Brazil, and is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. Jeff was the first brother to tie the knot, marrying Catherine Cranston in July of 2003. When not skiing with his daughters Ella and Sole or bird hunting, Jeff manages Sweetwater's British Columbia programs and exploratory ventures.

Jeff Vermillion exploratory fishing travel

Jeff Vermillion fly fishing travel background

Sweetwater Travel exploratory fishing programs

Youngest Brother

Pat Vermillion

Pat Vermillion was Margaret and Dale's third and final attempt for a daughter. Despite this fact, Pat is the happiest of the three boys.

In fact, he is the only person we know looking forward to the never-ending nuclear winter. Aside from his wife Jen, deep powder and fish pretty much sum up Pat's ever-present smile.

Pat grew up in Billings, Rio Grande, Argentina, and Ecuador. Pat is fluent in Spanish, jet boats, and making sure the company does not go broke chasing dreams. He is the finance guy and Alaska specialist, having guided 13 seasons there.

Pat's newest project is the Royal Coachman Lodge near Dillingham, Alaska. It is Sweetwater's first fly-out operation and is in the heart of some of the best fishing in Alaska. Pat and Jenn have two daughters, Jose and Isla, both the best saleswomen in the company. Jose is a professional egg broker, and Isla recently broke the Girl Scouts' all-time one-customer sales record by selling 26 boxes of cookies to a customer who prefers to remain anonymous.