Hey families!
Most great fishing trips have a few of the same components that foreshadow epic days to come: The day's sunrise wake-ups, buzzing energy from excitement, and passionate group of anglers all are pointing to the signs of a spectacular trip. This second No Name Lodge Expedition started this morning as we welcomed seven teens from across the US to the island of Puerto Rico. With kids from New York, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, and Illinois, we are lucky to have this geographically diverse group of kids, all coming together with one common goal: to catch big fish, enjoy a vibrant new culture, and make some lifelong memories as high schoolers lucky enough to do this for their summer.
My name is Jack Kenney, the man in charge of the health, happiness, and safety of this group of boys for the next six days here in this beautiful country of Puerto Rico. I’ve been with LFFE since 2015, first as a camper and now as a regional director leading trips all across North America. I was born near Boston, and recently graduated from the University of Vermont in Burlington where I majored in Sustainable Entrepreneurship with minors in leadership and public speaking. With a passion for traveling and seeking new experiences, I have has found myself living in four different countries across the world studying, exploring, learning new languages, and of course, fishing. My love of education and the outdoors keep me directing trips with Lillard Fly Fishing year after year. I can’t wait to help give your kids outdoor, fishing, and life skills that they can take with them for years to come. This is going to be a life changing trip for all of us.
Once the kids touched down in the sunny capital of San Juan, we got lunch then made our way over to the gate for our next puddle jumper flight. With time to kill, the boys traded laughs and fishing stories as they all connected and got to know one each other better before we even got to the lodge. There are few better team building activities then cramming shoulder to shoulder in a small airplane soon to reveal the beautiful new perspective from above. Casuarina pines swayed in the wind as they lined the coast in friendship with palm trees. The mountainous valley revealed the diverse ecosystems present on the island. Wispy sandbars showed themselves beneath the Caribbean Sea as the boys jumped with excitement for the gamefish that must be hiding nearby. Our short flight was followed by warm, welcome from an entourage of the lodges fishing guides greeting us in their trucks to transport us back to where we would call home for the next few days. The short drive showed us a glimpse of the vibrant Puerto Rican communities that we would get the chance to explore over the next few days. Back at the lodge we were able to meet the staff, hear the fishing plans for the next few days, and enjoy a welcoming dinner of the guide's famous chicken quesadillas. This was where we were able to have our first night's ceremony where we went over ground rules, ethos of Lillard Fly Fishing, and gave the chance for the kids to share their goals for the trip. The long travel day started to creep up on us as the sun fell, making our comfy beds that much more enticing.
The guys (and I) really do have a lot to be grateful and excited for over these next few days. World-class permit and tarpon fishing await, with eager and confident anglers ready to have a blast catching them. Early morning wake-ups will be the norm, followed by a yummy breakfast to fuel up for the big days on the water. The boys will fish until around 3pm, stopping only to take pictures and enjoy a locally-made lunch. In the evenings we will be learning and practicing mindfulness, playing fun games, visiting nearby bustling towns, and hanging at the nearby beach. Life is looking sunny side up for these boys for their upcoming week, and I’m feeling so lucky to be able to lead them.
Until next time, tight lines and good times.
~ Jack and the gang
