Hi Families!
Cooke City Adventures & What’s Next
After a quick pivot and a new plan, the Montana crew made their way over to Cooke City—and it turned out to be one of the best calls of the trip. This tucked-away corner of the state delivered in a big way, offering some of the most scenic and legendary water Montana and Yellowstone National Park have to offer.
We spent the past few days fishing iconic rivers like Slough Creek, Soda Butte, and the Yellowstone—places fly anglers dream about. These waters are as wild as they are beautiful, and they pushed everyone to slow down, observe, and match the moment. From stalking cutthroat in meadow stretches to working dries through riffles and runs, each day offered something different—and the crew rose to the occasion.
Some of the trip’s best moments didn’t just come from big fish, though there were plenty of those. It was the quiet moments that stood out: campers crouched in the grass, whispering excitedly as a rising cutthroat nosed up to sip their fly… a shared cheer from across the river when someone finally landed a personal-best trout… and the way everyone paused to watch a herd of bison move slowly across a sunlit meadow. Those are the kinds of things you can’t plan but never forget.
Cooke City also gave us more than great fishing. It’s remote, quiet, and full of wildlife—a perfect place to unplug and dial into the rhythms of the river. The group has been rising early, packing lunches, and putting in full days on the water. Evenings have been just as good: tired smiles over hearty camp meals, fish stories retold with a few “new details” added each time, and plenty of laughter echoing around the campsite. There’s a real sense of camaraderie building—one of those bonds that only forms when you spend long days outdoors chasing fish together.
Now we’re shifting gears once again—this time heading south to Ennis, where we’ll wrap up our trip by working with the Salmonfly Project. This is part of an exciting partnership with LFFE, and the goal is to sample aquatic insects and assess overall river health. It’s a hands-on, science-forward experience that brings our time on the water full circle. We talk a lot about stewardship in fly fishing—and this is our chance to give back.
The trip has absolutely flown by, and it’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end. From the remote beauty of Cooke City to the big fish of the Yellowstone, to learning about the bugs beneath it all in Ennis—it’s been an unforgettable stretch. Montana has reminded us why we come back: big landscapes, healthy water, and shared experiences that stick with you long after the last cast.
More to come as we wrap up an incredible run.
Until next time—
Tight lines,
Zach, Coleman, Watson, and Max
