Blown Out River/Zip Lines/Hideout

 Went to Wyo. Was fantasizing about walking the river with the kids but the dirt road was still snow packed so we went back to the greatest motel in the world!

 Zip Line!

 Liv Saddling up

 Hanging out on the front porch step.

 The boys check out the sights

 Liv looked so pretty in the sun that afternoon...

 The boys go down the slide while sissy goes down the zip line.

 Another shot of Liv in her fishing tuxedo!

 Another one.

 The greatest motel ever!

The fish can wait when you are walking a river with these guys.

Thanks,

Chris Giles

I Really Like Fly Fishing

 And I really like fly fishing with my best good fishing pal Dalton...

As you have seen, we struck out more than a couple times last year with timing the big fish patterns so I think we were due for a EPIC day...

 And it happened. Fish after fish like this one above.

 Check out the light shinning through this guys fins..

 Pretty good scenery at first light. True dawn patrol mode...

 Dalt with another monster...

 One of my favorite fish of the day. Hard to tell from the picture but this guy was a fatty...

 More first light.

 I affectionately call this one the "Screaming Eagle".

 

 Caught this big buck who had some sharp teeth! Man this was a big fish.

 This was the biggest though for me...

 Switched to streamers in the afternoon and they hit the spot!

 Look at the spots on this Hen! One of the most gorgeous Bows you have ever seen.

 New Rising net! How is that for product placement? I do love the net though...

Sometimes you have to put in a long drive and a long day, but at the end of that long day, its all worth it. Here is to a season of good timing and big fish.

Cheers,

Chris Giles

Ashley Tests Her New Rod and Reel

 Gearing up on a lovely Friday afternoon...

 Dylan doesn't know he is about to be stuffed in a back pack for the hike in... At least he has some snacks.

 Styling! 

 Shinny new rod and reel.. She named him "Eddie" after her two favorites Eddies... Eddie Vedder and Eddie Aikau. Sweet name for a fly rod!

 Now he knows he is in a back pack. Still pretty stoked though to watch his mom catch a fish...

 The brown slipped through her hands before we could get a shot... 

 I hooked what I thought was a monster but I had hooked a Whitty in the back. Feels so big on a false hook...

 Ash hooked up and Dylan watching the action...

 Not bad!

The big kids were skiing with Grandma Deb and Papa Don this afternoon. Grateful to be able to get away with just one kid and Ashley. I think she likes it and is already asking if they make cute "Girl" waders... Fun day.

Cheers,

Chris Giles

Darby The Drift Boat

 

Darby sits in the drive way after the long drive from Boulder Colorado.

 

 I have been lusting for a drift boat for years! After many power point presentations (Prestige Worldwide!) to Ash I finally showed her it made sense in more ways than one to pull the trigger..

 I figure the memories ahead with friends and family will be worth their weight in gold.

 We went with Boulder Boat Works out of Colorado. They are made out of a Polymer (the same material as kayaks) which means they are super light weight, durable, and virtually maintenance free. It has TWO Yeti coolers under the two fishing seats. I could go on and on, and if you are in the market you should check out a Boulder boat... My good buddy Cutty has a Dorie version made by Boulder that is  more geared towards white water and he turned me onto to this company. They build 4 boats a month and have a very good reputation.

 You know how it is when you buy something new... You want to just check out every little detail.

Ash christens Darby by saying a few words and smashing a bottle across the bow.

 Finally got out today for the maiden float up in Wyoming!!!

 The moment of impact....

 Success!!!!

 And she is wet.

 The kids checking out all the features of the new boat at the Boulder boat shop.

 Ash with a selfie!

 The kids waiting for me to run the shuttle.

The wind was fierce and that was my biggest challenge of the day. It was blowing us right into the banks no matter how hard I rowed. Wind aside it was a great maiden voyage!

Cheers!

Chris Giles