Hi all,
Today is the last day, and it’s such a bummer —it’s so hard to see these guys go! It’s been such a pleasure getting to know them and watching them form friendships with each other. This trip absolutely flew by, and we all wish we had more time with this awesome group.
Here’s a recap of the past couple of days:
July 19th:
Once arriving at Pumphouse Campground, the group fired up dinner. A bunch of the boys helped with cooking, especially Judd. The “Judd Burger” was quickly a camp favorite. After a hearty meal, the boys rigged up their rods, eager to target some bigger fish in the Colorado River. A few of the boys got into a couple fish before the sun dipped below the mountains.
July 20th:
We started the day with a quick breakfast at camp so we could get on the water early. Guides from Cutthroat Anglers picked the boys up for a float down a scenic stretch of the Colorado River, targeting big browns and rainbows. The boys crushed fish and all caught at least a 15" trout! For a few, these were the biggest trout they’ve ever caught, and the smiles in the boats said it all. The guides were fired up as well, and were very complimentary of the boys. Once everyone got back to Pumphouse campground, we had our service project. We spent a few hours picking up trash all around Pumphouse Campground. All the boys chipped in and did their part, and it was awesome to see the boys protecting the places we love! For dinner we did chicken quesadillas, which everyone really enjoyed. The boys were super eager to get back on the Colorado River after dinner, so we rigged up some streamer rods in hopes for a chance at a bigger fish. Big browns were crushing streamers as the sun dipped below the canyon walls, and the energy was contagious as shouts of “fish on!” echoed across the river. For many, it was their first time really committing to streamer fishing, and the aggressive eats were thrilling to watch.
July 21st:
We started our day with an egg scramble while packing up camp at Pumphouse. Once packed up, we jumped on the road towards Silverthorne, where the Rec Center and Cutthroat Anglers Fly Shop awaited. The boys enjoyed showers, time in the pool, and pickup basketball at the Rec Center. Everyone had a blast and spirits were high! Once done at the Rec Center, we headed to our final campground, Heaton Bay, in Frisco, CO. We quickly set up tents and made sure everyone was organized for travel day, before heading to Ollie’s Restaurant for our Banquet Dinner. Over dinner, we shared our favorite memories, laughed about some of the week’s funniest moments, and reflected on just how much everyone had learned.
As we come to the end of this trip, we want to share how proud we are of this incredible group. Throughout the week, we watched them grow not only as anglers, but also in their confidence, independence, and appreciation for the waters they explored. Even more rewarding was seeing the friendships they built, the encouragement they offered one another, and the countless moments of laughter they shared along the way. Experiences like these are a big part of why we love what we do.
Thank you for trusting us with your boys and allowing us to be part of their summer memories. We’re grateful for the opportunity and look forward to welcoming many of them back on the water in the years to come.
Tight Lines,
The boys - Kitchel, Jack, and Max
