Trout Camp

Sometimes you just need to fish and get out of the noise. I set out on Saturday morning and arrived at the river in great energy. As I drove up I saw small herds of antelope and mule deer dotted on the horizons. I saw bald eagles and golden eagles, bunny rabbits, hawks, magpies, mice, squirrels,  and coyotes. Swans, ducks, herds of honking geese flying over head two hours after dark, rainbows, whitties, cutty's and browns...

I fished deliberately for 7 hours which was so good. I got to focus in on trout as thoughts of work melted away. My thoughts did wander though as I thought of the first time I came here on a tip from my father in law Randy and a picture of a 24" rainbow! Dalt and I made that first trip and did our best to find the big ones. I also stood at the boat ramp where we christened Darby earlier that year with Ash and the kids. It's become a special spot for sure.

 I caught lots of fish. The browns were in full bloom. I fished hard and drove down a mile or so from camp. Ate smoked gouda and crackers on the drive down. Fished a run for 3-4 hours and caught some very memorable fish.

 Quitting time due to cold hands. Changed the clothes up to deep freeze mode and an old buddy J.W. Hackett pulled up in camp as I was getting the place organized. He and his buddy had floated that day in his drift boat. They were headed home that evening but it was so great to shoot the shit and catch up. We vowed to line up some floats next season and I am looking forward to those floats. 

 Trout Camp

 Spent sometime hanging out at the river that evening watching the birds and then Danny J and Adams rolled into camp!

 The next day we bounced around and Danny showed us some sweet spots..

 Caught this big rainbow.

 Adams was feeling it and got this nice bow.

Danny J wrangled this beauty of a cutty.

All smiles...

Jeffery with a slab.

Jeffery with a big kiss for this old gal.

Caught this 23" hen when I was fishing alone on Saturday which is an all time fish for me. Had to walk up stream to another guy to get my picture taken. pretty amazing and satisfying. Can't wait to get back out there!

Thanks,

Chris Giles

Hebgen

Spirits were high...The first day we went to float Box Canyon but the river was flowing at 250 cfs! Not going to try that. So we went and waded a favorite spot but had bad luck with no fish brought to hand.

Lava rock lines the bottom of this freestone. 

Had a moment at this spot. Took a swim in the crystal clear water. Could feel summer fleeting as I dried in the sun. Sat and gave life a good think. Mean while Dalt worked his way up stream.

Later that day we launched Darby with all of us. Pemi, Fletch, Morg, Dalt and I. Above Dalt fights a famous Hebgen brown.

Pemi's cabin

Ready for anything.

Darby rests after a Hebgen afternoon float.

Big browns with some unreal spots.

The whole crew. We were way over the weight limit but we had to give it a try. She still floated just fine..

Cooking breakfast as a group.

Saturday we floated the Madison from Lyon's Bridge to Palisades.  Fletcher fished off the back with a streamer and Dalt was up front.

Dalt with his first Madison rainbow. He caught 15 or so and the fishing was awesome.

Took this shot at the Palisades boat ramp while Fletcher hitch hiked to grab our rig at Lyon's. When he got back he told us he got a ride with some other drifters and one of them was the Governor of Montana. Never know who you will run into on the Maddy...

Dalt and Fletch turned into cable guys and re-installed the satellite dish that had been taken down for the year. Had to watch the Utes... They won!

Found this classic corduroy hat in Pemi's cabin and wore around one night.

 

View from Pemi's dock is pretty.... Good

Thanks,

Chris Giles

Grim Conditions But Happy To Be Fishing

 The day started out with rain and it came and went all day. We still managed to catch some fish in this small creek and spooked a couple monsters.

 McGuinn nets a really nice one.

 Seeing a fat cut-bow in here was a first. This is usually a cutty strong hold with some browns.

 The lightning got so fierce and we got so cold we dashed for the tall pines. Tried to light a fire but failed. Due to the conditions of course not lack of skills... Crazy how survival sets in and your core starts shaking. We were soaked and very cold and very remote... We pushed on though and caught some nice fish.

 Got a nice one in here.

McGuinn nets a nice Cutty.

 

Cheetos and lots of heat on the way home. 9 hours on the water and we were beat.

Thanks,

Chris Giles

The Green With The Franco's

 The Franco's bought a boat and made a custom frame. This was the maiden journey. 

 They brought their kids Zoe and Devan. Similar ages as our kids.

 Nice little creek flowing in.

 A little sliver of light on the old growth ponderosa's.

 A section on a Friday afternoon. 

 Michael was a bit nervous as was I my first float. Having the kids to boot enhances the survival mode. He nailed it though and totally got the rowing concept.

 Camped at Deer Run and had some really good meals! The kids took a liking to climbing trees which was awesome.

 The Franco's brought squirt guns for all the kids and pirate battles would break out anytime our boats would get close.... Good fun.

 Swimming hole and all the kids went for a swim. The clear water never gets old..

 Caught a nice rainbow in here.

Ash got this great shot.

 Franco's living the life!

We floated the A on Friday afternoon and the A and B on Saturday.

 ROCCO!!!!

 Ash and I

 Liv shows off her squirt gun!

 The ultimate! Ash rowed like a champ. 

 And I fished but it was slow... but I fished!

 Nice rainbow

 All the kids had a blast.

Ash passed a big mile stone this trip. She gets the concepts of rowing. She was ducking and weaving in and out of rocks.

I think Michael and his family are hooked! Can't wait for the next float...

Thanks,

Chris Giles