Hello from Bridge Bay!
We are out of the backcountry and can't wait to tell you about it. The Snake River was worth it! After hiking in six and a half miles, we settled in and got straight to fishing. The hike was beautiful and so was our weather. Sunny skies and lower temperatures made for some great mid-season fishing. The Snake brought us to some new fish species for this trip. We caught brown trout and Snake River cutthroat. These fish are aggressive and big. Our crew was so excited to target these fish and showed it by spending long hours on the water without letting up. For some, this was a first backcountry experience and we have to say it was a good one. The backcountry is a privilege to experience, not many get to go to places like this. Experiencing a slice the natural world was like before development and infrastructure is better than gold. Bright stars, quiet nights, and a lack of people make for possibly the most grounding place you can find. The backcountry is a great space for people to unwind and focus on simpler things. For us, the backcountry is home to our most treasured memories. These places and the people you get to share it with create memories that last a lifetime. All you have to worry about is your next meal, your next footstep, and your next fish!
From our campsite at 8C6, we had easy access to some of the best in this section of river. Everyone caught numerous big fish that were simply unforgettable. We ate well back there and got to enjoy some chicken mac and cheese, ramen, and no-bake cheese cake. (The no-bake cheesecake is a backcountry classic, find them in the baking section of your grocery store!) Well-fueled and rested, the hike out went smoothly and we were all happy to sit down in an air conditioned van. The consistent positivity demonstrated by this crew is relentless. Everyone has been so kind to each other, even after long days. The ability to control your mindset is not common and this crew has been on top of it.
Over the next few days we get to take on Yellowstone Lake and its surroundings. Before getting back on the water, we will take some much needed showers, work through some laundry, and do some frontcountry sight seeing. We will check out The Grand Canyon of The Yellowstone: one of the deepest river canyons in the world. With some frisbee mixed in, the rest will have to wait. The Yellowstone River, as it flows out of Yellowstone Lake, holds some of the largest cutthroat in the world. Every year fish migrate from the lake to the river and spawn. This migration continues to get stronger thanks to conservation efforts by the National Park Service. These fish and this river are yet another source of treasured memories for us. Years ago, as Lillard campers, we caught fish that we remember vividly today. A purist's dream: sight fishing on slack water to rising fish is the name of the game. In addition to shots at big fish on the river, we will work to find big fish or the lake. The lake is a grind and to find success anglers need persistence. This crew will test their patience and be rewarded.
After spending our time in the central part of the park, we will head northeast. Exploration is important to us and we really want to show the guys the entire park. We will stay in Cooke City, MT and explore Soda Butte Creek and tributaries of the Lamar River. These cutthroat are just plain fun. Dry fly eaters that don't hesitate are hard to complain about. This will continue into our next backcountry. We are thrilled! Then we are heading to Pebble Creek. Pebble Creek flows cold year-round and holds eager cutthroat in steep pocket water. This creek flows through a tall canyon and is flanked by peaks, over 10,000 feet tall. Tight casting into plunge pools will be a nice change of pace and the scenery will certainly be a big plus. The hike is around five miles both ways, it'll be no challenge for these all stars!
The trip is flying by, but we're having a blast -- having a group like this makes the trip so much fun. Thanks for sending us such a great group of guys!
Tight lines!
The guides and the guys
