Tiger Hunting 2007

Adam Van Schelt and I took some time to hunt for a trout that may seem meaningless, but to us they were trophies. We were looking to hook up with the Tiger trout. We headed to Washington Lake.

Although small, it was another species of trout under my belt. It is a great feeling to see new creatures of this life. Every trout we released.

Adam finally broke in his new flyrod & reel. Besides the locked keys in the car, waiting for new ones to come up 6+ hours later...and a nasty rain storm to sit through, it actually turned out to be a great trip. Adam knows I am giving him a hard time.

The butter yellow color and brown spotted pattern gives this trout its name. They are really fun to look at.

Adam is an expert Kayaker. He used this to his advantage to manuver to where the fish were jumping. He was the first to land one.

Focus, focus, focus. It was such a beautiful day on the lake.

Wind River Trip 2007

Dave, Kent, and I at our 1st rest looking at the grassy ridge we needed to go over just over Dave's pack. We were so excited to finally be on the trip we planned for so long ago.

From the car we were to climb 3000 feet in less than 4 miles. Talk about a gut check. It was now or never.

There were roughly 100 (no joke) switchbacks like this throughout the trip. This kind of hike is not for the inexperienced or weak. It makes you wonder if you want to do it again. We took it one step at a time. That's me just ahead.

As we came around a bend we ran into this view. It was breathtaking. It was the first real lake of the trip we came across.

The coldest water I have ever crossed. This is a glacial river. The glacial silt comes off the high peaks and looks like this. It felt great on our feet that had been walking more than 20 miles... until about half way across. Then it felt like a million needles were stabbing your body. We actually bathed in this on our way back. It was an bone chilling dip to say the least.

Quite a somber and beautiful morning. No sounds of cars, people, cell phones, or computers. It was nature at its most raw level. Dave's Sierra Design ClipFlashlight is at the base of the picture.

Up on top. I felt like I was in a magazine of Patagonia. We were about 12k feet at this point. Off in the distance is the tallest peak in Wyoming. Mnt. Gannett usually has snow on it year round.

Wind River Trip 2007

Kent and I looking over our final decent into what we had been waiting for for a long time. It was a beautiful site. This was more than three dozen miles from any trailhead in the backcountry. One mistake and it would probably be your last.

The first Golden caught. I was so excited to catch this in a little stream. I now had a new species under my belt and felt great.

This golden is about 12 inches and has just lost its paw marks. The golden trout are such a magnificent fish. A true gift.

If you only knew the years of planning, sweat, and tears that went into this moment becoming a reality. It was awesome.

Dave had the Wonka Golden Ticket this trip. He came to grips with what many flyfishermen only dream of. Behold the mighty Golden.

Wind River Trip 2007

This was on top of horse ridge looking at what we had come form a few days prior, and now we were about to hike down and up over. The little saddle I am pointing to is were we were going to be in less than 24hrs. from that point. A beautiful sight, but a grueling reality check.

Man we were tired at this point. We woke up and treked to our last camping spot.

Our final night was in a burn area. It was surounded by burned trees and new growth. I thought this would be a good picture of my REI Half Dome II tent in action.

Just as this lake seemed to be a dud, I hooked into this 16 in. Mac. It is the first one I've ever caught, and the only one of the trip.

On our last bend before our final desent to the car, we were met by a family of Wild Big Horn sheep. It was a site to see. You couldn't ask for a better farewell to an aewsome trip.