My journey with LFFE began in high school when I took my passion for the outdoors to the big stage in Colorado. I had grown up fly fishing on our small streams in Western MA and done a bit of backpacking in New England, but it's hard to compare my first trip out West to anything that came before.
Whether it was the first few nights of small stream fishing with Will, tying flies with my fellow campers through afternoon rainstorms, hooking my first cutthroat (and second, third,…), exploring mountain towns, or one of my favorite activities—getting gear clean and packed for overnights in the backcountry—it was all brand new and all part of an expertly curated itinerary I’ve been hard-pressed to replicate since. Trust me, I’ve tried.
But in the 12+ years since my first trip with LFFE, it’s been the tools that they gave me that I value far more. Managing blisters on a multi-day backpacking trip? you won’t find me without duct tape. Water filter not working? I have a few tricks. Where do we think the biggest trout will be? Still working on that one, but who isn’t?
One memory stands out vividly—a spontaneous hike with my late friend, Charlie Parr. Upon collapsing at camp after hiking a 14er in the Collegiate Range, Charlie presented us with a choice: rest our feet for the evening or put the boots back on and hike halfway back up to a lake that might or might not have fish. Long story short, I am often asked for precise directions from friends who see the photos. I had tremendous respect for Charlie’s mindset—an excitement to embrace the unknown and venture far beyond the limits of fishing reports—and now often find myself hiking that extra mile or checking that last pool with that day in mind.
The experiences and friendships built through fly fishing and backpacking have shaped much of my life, leading me to explore the world and connect with a diverse community of outdoor enthusiasts. Above all, they have given me a deep sense of responsibility towards safeguarding our natural resources—a commitment I proudly uphold to this day.
Thank you to Will, Charlie, and the LFFE team for fueling my passion for the outdoors, imparting invaluable skills and lessons, and fostering a lifelong dedication to conservation.
- Quintin Pollart
Quintin participated on LFFE's first Colorado trip and later led trips for multiple summers while attending Bates College. He now lives in NYC and works as a senior associate for Apogem Capitol, but he still makes time to get out and fish.
