Our Colorado Rocky Mountain Expedition is officially underway!
This morning, eight high schoolers — all from the East Coast — rallied for one purpose: to connect with our fly fishing team and start making memories for an unforgettable summer. Airport day was smooth, with minimal waiting before we hit the road for the longer drive to Granby, Colorado. The group meshed in record time and already seems to be getting along like old friends. This is a smaller group, with 8 campers and an experienced team of 3 guides — a great ratio to help ensure the best possible trip 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 a lot of the friends I made on those trips. I really value the community that fly fishing creates, and I’m excited to keep sharing that passion.
Hey there - I'm Hunter Shumaker. I was raised in a military family and have lived all around 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. It wasn’t until then that I took an interest in fly fishing. I quickly became a passionate angler, motivated to explore the waters of Eastern Idaho and Western Wyoming. While I’ve spent a lot of time fishing solo, some of my favorite moments have been helping friends and family catch their first fish. This will be my first 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 and have lived my whole life in a suburb of Chicago, IL. I’m currently a student at the University of Denver, where I’m 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 outing on Lake Michigan. These days, I spend most of my time fishing in Colorado and Idaho. When I’m not on campus or out on a local 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 shores of Lake Granby and kicking things off with some group activities: knot tying, casting practice, and a few games to get everyone prepped and excited for their first day of fishing here in Colorado. We'll start things off on Willow Creek, a perfect spot for dialing in skills before we head into the backcountry.
Next up: gear and food prep for our first big adventure — a four-night backcountry trip into the famed Rocky Mountain National Park (via the Green Mountain Trailhead to Big Meadow and Timberline campsites). We’ll be in the backcountry from 6/29 to 7/3. The hiking won’t be too strenuous, and the boys will have plenty of opportunities to target beautiful native greenback cutthroat trout amid incredible mountain scenery.
We can’t wait to hit the water with this group — the stoke is high, and the next 16 days are shaping up to be something truly special.
Until next time,
Hunter, Kitchel, and Travis
