Hey families,
Since our last update, the campers have continued building their confidence and technical rowing skills on the Madison River. We spent a day rowing one of the upper sections of the river, where the faster, narrower water challenged everyone to make more precise boat maneuvers. By the end of the day, every camper had made noticeable progress and was looking ready to take on the walk-and-wade section.
We also had the opportunity to attend an educational event hosted by the Salmonfly Project. Campers watched renowned fly tier Kelly Galloup demonstrate how he ties one of his signature flies and learned from speakers with Trout Unlimited and the Salmonfly Project about aquatic insect hatches, river conservation, and the important role healthy ecosystems play in sustaining Montana's world-class fisheries. It was a great chance to connect everything we've been practicing on the water with the science and stewardship behind fly fishing.
The following day brought our biggest rowing challenge of the week as we floated the Madison's walk-and-wade section. This stretch features numerous Class I and II rapids along with constant rock gardens that require quick decision-making and efficient boat control. After only a few minor bumps early on, every camper navigated the section successfully, demonstrating just how much their rowing has improved over the course of the week. It was exciting to watch everyone put together the skills they've been working so hard to develop.
To celebrate conquering the toughest rowing of the trip, we brought back one of everyone's favorite dinners from earlier in the week — carnitas tacos and quesadillas. They were just as big of a hit the second time around!
That evening, we packed up camp and made the five-hour drive to the Bighorn River, where we are now in our second day of fishing. Like the Missouri, the Bighorn is a tailwater fishery, but the colder water released from Yellowtail Dam creates exceptional fishing conditions. After spending so much time focused on learning the technical aspects of rowing and guiding, the Bighorn serves as a well-earned reward for all of the campers' hard work. So far the fishing on the Bighorn has certainly lived up to its reputation. Every fish we've landed so far has measured over 20 inches, giving campers the opportunity to experience some truly memorable trout fishing, while flexing their new rowing skills on a new river.
We'll spend the rest of today and all of tomorrow on the Bighorn before making the drive back to Ennis. Once there, campers will wrap up the trip just as professional guides do — cleaning rafts, washing vans, organizing gear, and de-prepping equipment. It's a great way to reinforce that guiding is about much more than just catching fish. Finally, we will finish off our final evening with the campers with a big banquet dinner where the campers can reminisce about all their experiences and close out the trip.
On Friday, we'll finish with airport day as we say goodbye to this outstanding group of campers and send our newly minted guides home. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch their skills, confidence, and teamwork grow throughout the week, and we're excited for them to take these experiences with them wherever their next adventure leads.
Until next time,
The guides and the future guides
