Hi all,
The boys kicked off the trip at Madison Campground after an afternoon in West Yellowstone, where we stocked up on flies and treated ourselves to some delicious huckleberry ice cream. After a short drive to the campground, we unpacked our gear and settled in for the first night. That afternoon, we did some sightseeing, visiting the incredible Yellowstone Falls and several hot springs throughout the park. We capped off the day by celebrating Ben’s birthday with a pizza dinner—followed by a dessert of brats (yes, in that order).
The next morning, we packed lunches into our fishing packs and made the brief 3-mile day hike to Grebe Lake in search of cutthroat trout. The boys started catching fish right away and began to grasp the fundamentals of fighting and landing larger fish. It was a great day that laid a strong foundation for casting and fish-playing techniques that will serve them throughout the trip, and it gave everyone a welcome boost of confidence.
After hiking out, we returned to camp and began preparing for our respective backcountry trips. The group split into two teams—one heading to the Snake River, the other to Heart Lake. These locations offer very different, but equally exciting fishing experiences. We distributed group gear, stoves, water filters, and dinners, and helped everyone pack their backpacks efficiently.
The Snake River group dropped off the Heart Lake team at their trailhead before driving to the South Boundary Trailhead to begin their own hike. The first 300 yards included a river crossing, which we tackled safely, and the rest of the hike went smoothly. The boys were energized and eager to chase Yellowstone cutthroat trout on a stunning stretch of river in the southern part of the park.
We encountered some cold weather during the first two days, but the group didn’t flinch—casting and catching regardless of the conditions. After a productive afternoon of fishing, we returned to camp for a dinner of backcountry burritos, then headed back out for an evening session that yielded a few more beautiful fish.
Day two followed a similar rhythm, though with more ominous weather. After a delayed start, we hiked upriver to a few prime fishing holes, where the young anglers hooked into -and landed- several big trout. Despite battling aggressive mosquitoes, the group wrapped up the Snake River portion of the trip with plenty of fish and lasting memories.The next morning, the group hiked out in record time, motivated by the promise of a gas station stop and well-earned showers. We’re now camped at Bridge Bay, right on the edge of Yellowstone Lake, enjoying some rest and hot food.
The Heart Lake group is still in the backcountry—we expect they’ve landed some large fish and are having a great time on the lake. They’ll be joining us at Bridge Bay around mid-day tomorrow, and we’re excited to reunite the full group and share stories.
Until then...
Tight lines,
Joe, Andrew, and Evan
