Hi families,
Today is the last day, and it’s bittersweet—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 21
After an amazing breakfast, the boys packed up their gear and got ready for a day on the Colorado River. On the way, we made a stop at the Upper Williams Fork, where we threw hopper-dropper rigs for brook trout and a few rainbows. Many of the fish were eager to eat, and the boys loved sight-fishing to trout feeding in the riffles. It was great to watch their casting and mending skills improve with each fish.
Later, we continued deeper into the mountains toward Kremmling, CO, where we stayed at Pumphouse Campground, located along the Colorado River and Gore Canyon. Before fishing, we completed our service project, which involved cleaning up the entire campground and collecting a ton of trash—trash that might otherwise have ended up in the Colorado River system. Other campers and boat launch users were so appreciative, and of course, the fish and wildlife benefitted too.
After finishing up, we fueled up with quesadillas for dinner, then about half the boys grabbed their rods and tried some streamer fishing right from camp. The action was awesome! 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 22
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. Despite slightly challenging conditions due to higher water temperatures, the boys stayed focused and worked hard. Their persistence paid off, and by the end of the day, they had landed some impressive fish. For a few, these were the biggest trout they’ve ever caught, and the smiles in the boats said it all.
After the float, we made sandwiches and packed up camp before heading to our final stop in Silverthorne. We visited Cutthroat Anglers so the boys could stock up on flies to bring home, and the guides there surprised everyone with free hats from the fly shop—an awesome parting gift. Afterward, we hit the rec center for a well-deserved swim and showers before heading to our banquet dinner at Ollie’s. 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. A friendly game of cornhole wrapped up the evening, with plenty of bragging rights earned.
As we wrap up, we just want to say how proud we are of this group. Over the course of the trip, we watched them grow as anglers, become more confident in their skills, and develop a true appreciation for the waters they fished. More importantly, we watched them form friendships, support each other, and laugh harder than we can count. It’s the kind of experience that reminds us why we love doing what we do.
We’re grateful you trusted us with your boys, and we can’t wait to see many of them back on the water in future summers.
Tight lines,
The boys – Travis, Kitchel, and Hunter
