Greetings from Bridge Bay — the trip has been going great and we are pumped for more! Our trip started off with a quick change of plans. Some considerable rain hit the park and we pivoted from the Bechler backcountry to Grebe and Cascade Lake. The rivers got a little high, and heading to the lakes turned out to be exactly the right call. Our group split up into two groups of six. One group hiked to Cascade for their first night, then made their way to Grebe. The other group went to Grebe first, then Cascade.
Both lakes fished incredibly well, and we all caught numerous fish of size. The action was consistent throughout, and it was one of those backcountry experiences where it's hard to find a reason to put the rod down. Both campsites were nestled right on the lakeshore, and we enjoyed some seriously delicious backcountry cooking to cap each evening. Chicken mac & cheese one night, chicken pesto pasta another, and an Oreo cheesecake that disappeared faster than anyone expected — all well earned after intense days on the water. At Grebe and Cascade, we caught Westslope cutthroat trout and arctic grayling. Arctic grayling are pretty hard to find — they live in northern regions and high altitudes, and the chance to catch a rare native fish is always a privilege we cherish. In addition to the fishing, we were treated to some remarkable wildlife: a breeding pair of tundra swans with babies and two pairs of breeding loons made for unforgettable moments away from the water. The wildlife served as a powerful reminder of just how wild and alive Yellowstone still is.
After catching too many fish to count, we hiked out to the van and headed into West Yellowstone for some showers and laundry. Getting out of the woods and cleaning up is always a great feeling — freshly showered and back in clean clothes, the group had a noticeable second wind. We stopped by a fly shop to stock up on a few essentials and grabbed some snacks at the gas station before heading back into the park. A beautiful evening drive through the Hayden Valley carried us to our campsite at Bridge Bay. Along the way, we spotted bison, elk, and numerous kinds of waterfowl — a fitting welcome back into the heart of Yellowstone.
We got set up for the night and started cooking meatball subs, which the crew agreed were a serious hit. We hung around the campfire, recounted fish stories, pored over maps, and talked through the fishing still to come. Over the next couple of days, we'll stay at Bridge Bay and fish across the park. There's a lot on the table and we are eager to fish it hard. The Snake River, Yellowstone Lake, and the Yellowstone River are just some of the options we'll be lucky enough to explore.
Our next backcountry stretch in Slough Creek is on the horizon, and these next few days on the water will have us dialed in and ready to catch 'em up. Slough Creek has some of the best dry fly fishing in the world and we are absolutely stoked. This trip has been such a treat, and we are so grateful to be sharing it with such a great group of guys. Happy Fourth to all — we'll be in touch soon!
All the best,
Owen, Charlie, Kellen, & the guys
