Hey families,
It's hard to believe we're writing our final trip update already. The past couple of weeks have been packed with long days, early mornings, incredible scenery, and plenty of laughs. While everyone is definitely excited to get home, sleep in their own beds, and see family and friends again, it's safe to say this group made the most of every day we had together. Watching the boys grow more confident on the water, encourage one another, and build friendships throughout the trip has been one of the most rewarding parts of the expedition. There were days when the fishing was slower, the weather kept us guessing, or plans had to change on the fly, but everyone remained positive and that's what made this such a memorable trip.
Here's a recap of our final stretch together:
July 6th & 7th
Our last few days of fishing began with day trips to two of Summit County's classic tailwaters: the Williams Fork and the Blue River. Both rivers offered a completely different experience from the smaller backcountry fishing we'd been experiencing throughout the trip. The boys spent their time throwing either dry fly or nymph rigs, making accurate casts, and learning just how technical these fisheries can be. Success was somewhat difficult to come by throughout those days. Some anglers connected with beautiful wild browns and rainbows, while others spent plenty of time perfecting presentations and reading water. Even when the fish were picky, everyone enjoyed exploring new stretches of river and taking in the mountain scenery. After each day on the water, we returned to camp tired and already swapping stories about the fish that got away.
July 8th
After several busy days of fishing and travel, everyone was a little tired of all the nonstop action, so we slept in a little and did a quick lake day at Dillon Reservoir. It was nice to enjoy the lake, skip rocks, play games, and simply soak in the views of the surrounding mountains. We also stopped into Cutthroat Anglers Fly Shop in Silverthorne, CO to meet our guides for the following day! That afternoon and evening, we did some fishing on the Colorado River right around our campsite at Pumphouse. The river looked great, and although fishing remained a bit challenging at times, persistence paid off with several nice trout brought to the net. By the end of the evening, everyone was feeling excited for what had become one of the most anticipated days of the trip — the float.
July 9th
Float day finally arrived! We packed up early and met the guides from Cutthroat Anglers, who would be taking us down one of Colorado's premier trout fisheries. Any uncertainty about the river quickly disappeared as the guides put everyone in great positions to find fish throughout the day. The action was steady from start to finish. Several campers landed personal-best trout, while others experienced the excitement of watching big fish chase streamers or sip dry flies from the surface. Between the incredible scenery, expert instruction, and plenty of bent rods, it was one of the highlights of the entire expedition. After getting off the river, we headed back to camp with plenty of stories to tell and smiles all around.
July 10th
Our final full day has been all about wrapping up the adventure. We spent the morning organizing our gear, cleaning out the trailer and van, and making sure everything was ready for the trip home. Once the work was finished, it was time to celebrate. We headed to the Silverthorne recreation center where everyone enjoyed long-awaited showers, time in the pool, and a few spirited games of basketball and ping pong before getting cleaned up for our banquet dinner. Tonight, we'll gather one last time to enjoy a great meal together while reflecting on our favorite memories from the past two and a half weeks. I bet we'll talk biggest fish, funniest camp moments, and what everyone is most looking forward to once they get home. It's a great way to close out an unforgettable trip.
Tomorrow: Airport Day
Tomorrow morning we'll pack up camp for the final time and make our way to Denver International Airport. We'll get everyone checked in, bags tagged, and through security before sending them off toward their flights home. It's always a bittersweet morning — tired legs, full hearts, and a lot of great memories to carry home.
In no time, your boys will be back home sharing stories and catching up on some well-earned rest. From our perspective, this has been another fantastic Colorado Expedition filled with memorable fishing, great attitudes, and an awesome group of campers. Thank you for trusting us with your sons — we hope they come home with plenty of stories, new friendships, and memories that will stick with them for years to come.
Signing off,
The guides and the guys
