Hi there,
We are excited to share the latest from the trip, and there is a lot to tell.
Yesterday we wrapped up our time in the backcountry with a big hike out. It was a tough one, with heavy packs and plenty of elevation to cover, but every single person on this trip persevered and pushed through to the end. There is nothing quite like that feeling of stepping out of the wilderness after days of hard work in the mountains, and watching this group dig in and support each other through those final miles was something special. The hike out is always a true test of character, and this crew passed with flying colors. We celebrated with some delicious Caesar wraps before pointing the vehicles south. There is nothing like that first real meal after days in the backcountry to remind everyone why the hard work is worth it.
Our time in the backcountry before that hike out was nothing short of amazing. We saw countless fish brought to hand, from small feisty ones that kept everyone on their toes to some real trophies that will be talked about for years to come. The views out there are hard to put into words, the kind of wild, untouched country that reminds all of us why we love spending our summers in the Bob Marshall. This group soaked up every bit of it, and their enthusiasm for the fishing and the scenery never wavered, even when the miles got long.
After leaving the backcountry we made our way south to the Ruby, refueling with some good old Little Caesars for dinner. There is something about a hot pizza after days of trail food that hits differently, and the group devoured it with the kind of appetite only a trip in the wilderness can build. This morning we hit the Ruby hard and were rewarded with a handful of really good fish, a great way to kick off this next chapter of the trip. The energy this morning was fantastic, everyone excited to trade the backcountry packs for a rod in hand on a new river.
Tomorrow is the day we have all been looking forward to — the start of our overnight float. We will put in at Lyons Bridge on the Madison River and float down to Ruby Creek Campground, where we will enjoy riverside pita pizza for dinner and fall asleep to the sound of the Madison running nearby. There is nothing quite like camping right on the riverbank, drifting off to the sound of moving water after a full day on the oars and the fly rod. The next morning we will be up bright and early to continue our float downstream to Varney Bridge, ready to chase whatever the Madison has in store for us.
We could not be more excited for this float. The fishing has been fantastic so far, and with the Madison known for producing some incredible days on the water, we expect nothing less as we make our way down one of the best rivers around. The group's spirits are high, their skills are sharper than ever after this many days of practice, and we cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings.
More updates to come soon.
The Guides and the Guys
