Hello Parents!
The past week or so has been action-packed for the guides and Yellowstone Adventure crew alike! We’ve just arrived back at Base Camp after a spectacular backcountry stint at Slough Creek. The crew is currently showering before we make dinner and do laundry. Everyone’s tired, but spirits are high, and the group is still amped about the fishing over the past few days.
After hitting the reset button with showers, laundry, and pizza following our Grebe Lake backcountry trip, we settled into Mammoth Campground along the Gardiner River. The next morning, we woke up to a frigid scene—snow on the cliffside mountain east of our campsite. Still bundled in our sleeping bags, we sang Sam a birthday song before rallying around a morning campfire. The guides cooked up a gourmet breakfast: chocolate chip pancakes, sausage, and eggs. Full and warmed up, we rigged our rods, layered up, and hiked down to fish the Gardiner River. Nobody expected to wet-wade given the cold conditions, but once the sun broke through the clouds, we were sweating through our rain gear and beanies.
Fishing the Gardiner presented a challenge—steep, uneven terrain that was tough to navigate at times—but we gritted it out and ended up landing some beautiful Yellowstone cutthroat on streamers and hopper-dropper setups. Cold, wet, and hungry by late afternoon, we returned to camp, changed into dry clothes, and made a grocery run into Gardiner. Each camper had items to grab from the list, and the birthday boy got to pick dessert (he chose ice cream and donuts). It was a smooth, efficient run. Back at camp, we cheffed up cheeseburgers and chips, followed by dessert and a second birthday song by the fire.
The next day, we relocated to Bridge Bay Campground. On arrival, we were greeted by the resident elk—and warned not to leave chairs out unattended unless we wanted to lose them. After setting up camp, the group was itching to fish. We tried our luck at Yellowstone Lake and ended up landing two giant Yellowstone cutthroat—the biggest any of the guides had seen. That evening, with plenty of daylight left, the campers played ultimate frisbee (or a variation of it) while we cooked chicken stir-fry. Laughter was constant, as usual. We turned in early to rest up for a big day ahead.
The next morning, we hit the road early. Quick cereal breakfast (and coffee for the guides, of course), packed lunches, and drove to the southern edge of Yellowstone to fish the Snake River—one of the park’s best-kept secrets. And it delivered. Everyone caught multiple Snake River Cutthroat, the final native species to complete the trip’s “slam,” with some fish measuring 18 to 20 inches. By late afternoon, we called it a day and made the 90-minute drive back to camp to prep for our final backcountry portion.
In preparation, we reviewed the packing list in detail and taught the group how to properly load their backpacks. This time, the Leader of the Day took the reins. (Each day, one camper is assigned this role, meeting with the guides in the morning to go over the plan, relaying info to the rest of the group, and taking on tasks that promote real leadership growth.) The guides double-checked critical gear and distributed group equipment and food before our nightly meeting, where we assign the next day’s leader, review the game plan, and each share something we’re grateful for. We hit the tents early for a pre-dawn wake-up and cool hiking temps.
On our way to Slough Creek Trailhead, we passed a crowd of nearly 100 tourists lined along the road, hoping for a glimpse of Yellowstone’s famous wolves. As tempting as it was to stop, we had a mission—a five-mile trek to our campsite in the second meadow of Slough Creek. After parking the van and trailer, we shouldered our packs and hit the trail. The first half-mile is a tough uphill stretch, and it took more than a few breaks to get through it. These kids weren’t just hauling clothes and sleeping bags—they packed in stoves, pots, water filters, group food, and full water bottles. It was no small task, but they crushed it.
When we arrived, the view left us speechless: a massive open meadow, herds of grazing bison, a winding creek, and towering pine-covered mountains with stark rock faces in the distance. Once camp was set, we split into small groups—each guide paired with one or two campers—and fished until dusk. The river delivered cutthroat and cuttbows (cutthroat-rainbow hybrids) all evening. We rolled back into camp before sundown, cooked dinner and dessert, and hit the hay.
We let the campers sleep in the next morning… or tried to. The Montana sun had other plans, heating up tents fast. But with a pristine river steps away, rods in hand, and good company all around, no one was complaining. At this point in the trip, these five guys feel like lifelong friends. We’ve built a culture where everyone is free to be themselves. And while these trips are centered around fishing, it’s the memories that last—what you think back on most. Slough Creek delivered that and more.
In between another stellar day of fishing (see the surrounding photos), the group built sandcastles, swam in the creek, wrestled in the grass, cracked endless jokes, and freestyle-rapped around the campfire. That night, we cooked up what might’ve been the meal of the trip—backcountry burritos—and soaked in every minute. The camaraderie in this crew is unreal. And while they may be craving real showers, their own beds, and drinkable water from a faucet, I can tell they’re going to miss each other and the bonds they’ve built.
Luckily, the adventure isn't quite over. Tomorrow we’ll spend our final full day float fishing the Madison River—two campers per boat, experienced oarsmen at the helm, and a shot at some hefty rainbow and brown trout. After the float, we’ll head to Bozeman for our closing banquet dinner—a tradition here at LFFE. Big fish, big stories, and one last memory to cap off a truly unforgettable trip.
Once again, thanks for following along!
Tight Lines,
J, Jackson, and Cody
