Hello from sunny Colorado!
This morning, 11 guys from around the country met up with our team at Denver International Airport. Everyone is super excited to get this trip started and start putting some fish in the net. Airport day went smoothly, and we quickly hit the road to our first campsite in Granby, CO. The group is already connecting and building friendships that will last a lifetime. With 11 campers and an experienced team of three guides, we have a great ratio to ensure the best possible experience for your kids.
Quick Guide Crew Intro (from left to right in the photo):
Hi! I’m Travis Tanberg. I grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and I’ve been fly fishing since I was 12. I’m currently a business student at Colorado State University, where I stay busy with classes and stay involved with the CSU Fly Fishing Club. Fly fishing is a huge part of my life—I spend most of my free time on the river. I’ve been lucky enough to go on two Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions, and I’m still close with many of the friends I made on those trips. I really value the community that fly fishing creates, and I’m excited to share that passion this summer.
Hey there—I’m Hunter Shumaker. I was raised in a military family and have lived all over the United States and overseas. After graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in Textile Engineering, I moved to the Jackson, Wyoming area to work in the outdoor apparel industry. That’s where I first got into fly fishing, and I quickly became passionate about exploring the waters of Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. While I’ve spent plenty of time fishing solo, some of my favorite moments have been helping friends and family catch their first fish. This is my second summer with LFFE, and I’m excited to keep exploring new waters and sharing my love for fly fishing with others.
Hi everyone! I’m Kitchel. I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, IL, and I’m currently a student at the University of Denver, majoring in data analytics. Before my first Lillard trip to the Wind River Range, I hadn’t done much fly fishing—but I instantly fell in love with it. Growing up, most of my fishing was on golf course ponds or the occasional trip to Lake Michigan. These days, I spend most of my time fishing in Colorado, Montana, and Idaho. When I’m not on campus or out on a river, you can usually find me skiing, playing sports, or camping. I’m pumped for my second summer guiding with LFFE and can’t wait to get back out there!
Tonight, we’re camping on the banks of Lake Granby and kicking things off with some basic fly fishing instruction. We’ll cover casting techniques and knot tying to make sure everyone is dialed in and ready to fish.
Tomorrow, we’ll hit the water and put those skills to the test on Willow Creek, where we’re confident we’ll get plenty of fish in the net. This will be great practice for the backcountry. In the afternoon, we’ll begin prepping for our big wilderness adventure.
We’ll spend three days (two nights) in the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park, starting at the Green Mountain Trailhead. The first night will be at Sunrise Campsite, about four miles from the trailhead. The next day, we’ll hike two miles back toward the trailhead to spend our final night at Big Meadow Campsite. The hiking shouldn’t be too strenuous, and the crew will have lots of chances to target native Brook Trout and Colorado River Cutthroat Trout. The scenery will be incredible, and we’re bound to see some impressive wildlife as well.
We can’t wait to get after it with this group! With just over a week, everyone’s excited to make the most of our time, hit the water hard, and get fish in the net. We’re pumped for the next seven days!
Until next time,
Hunter, Kitchel, Travis, and the Crew
