BIGHORN YOUTH ADVENTURE 2010

The 2010 Youth Adventure was held June 24 through 27.  We again hosted 12 youngsters from across all America.  The weather was perfect for our event, beautiful, pleasant days and evenings with just enough mosquitoes to keep us all slapping, swatting, and flopping our arms.

Front row Lt to Rt: Austin Linder, Chris Williams, Zoe Opie –Alliance Director, Taylor Walker, Brandt  Robison, Carter Witt, Dennis Rammacher, Stone Phillips, Conor Kelly and Hale Harris –Alliance Director. Back row Lt to Rt: Matt Stout (Class of 2009 Volunteer) Evan Griggs (Class of 2009 Volunteer) Dennis Fischer – Alliance Director, Scott Voigt, Wray Sinclair, Colin McDowell and Scott Ellington.    

These kids made the trip to Fort Smith: 

Conor Kelly – Clovis, CA

Dennis Rammacher – Derby, NY

Brandt Robison – Idaho Falls, ID

Scott Ellington – Burlington, NC

Scott Voigt – Lawrence, KS

Carter Witt – Dardanelle, AR

Austin Linder – Montgomery, MN

Christopher Williams – Eagle, ID

Wray Sinclair – Herndon VA

Stone Phillips – Brevard, NC

Taylor Walker – Sherman, TX

Colin McDowell – Cary, NC 

As a little background on this project we must go back to the summer of 2008.  The observation was made that most of the fly fishermen we see are older fellows.  Our Board of Directors then discussed the fact that someone should be doing something to bring younger people to the sport.  Therein was the resolve of the Big Horn River Alliance to do something to introduce some youngsters to ‘big time fly fishing’ the Big Horn River, and hopefully send them home with the motivation to share their experience and bring others into the world of fly fishing. 

As with the 2009 event the Adventure consisted of four days of guided fly fishing and angling instruction on the Bighorn with two hours set aside each morning for fly tying classes. At the tying classes we tied the flies that would be used during they days fishing.  All of the youngsters caught many fish using the flies they tied in the classes. 

Taylor Walker admiring her big rainbow while fishing with long time guide Merritt Harris.                Photo by Patrick Kelly

In addition to the fishing and tying we added several evening events to our 2010 program:

The first evening we held a ‘mini’ Carp tournament on Bighorn Lake as well as a Drift Boat Race which was more than fun to watch.  The idea was to let the youths learn to row a drift boat during the fishing and then exhibit their rowing skills in the race. It appeared that they neglected the learning part as they sought the carp that eluded us all.  A number of small mouth bass were taken but no carp.

The second evening was spent working thru the ‘Smart Cast’ casting challenge course.  Everyone learned something about casting that evening.  Wow, the kids found out that there is always more to learn and more casting techniques to perfect. 

The next evening we had a Blind Wooly Bugger Tying Contest.  Tying flies without being able to see what you are doing is a real challenge.  The fun part is being able to watch the process.  For this writer the highlight was Taylor Walkers beautiful yellow and purple  wooly bugger creation that today graces my tying desk for all to see.

 

A highlight for Scott Voigt was taking this beautiful 25” rainbow (his finest rainbow ever). Scott was guided by “old timer” Paul Dubas.                  Photo by Chris Williams  

On the last evening of the event our Closing Banquet and Awards Ceremony was held at the Big Horn Trout Shop dining room.  Some 50 people attended as all the kids received awards and gifts generously donated by the Fort Smith Angling Community.

Speeches were given by all.  Mr. Rick Williams representing the National office of the FFF and offered kind words about our program. In a subsequent email Rick characterized the Bighorn River Youth Adventure as: “a world-class event for young fly anglers.”  We agree. 

Carter Witt said: “The Bighorn River Youth Adventure was the trip of a lifetime.”  Wray Sinclair wrote: “It was the best experience I have ever had, experiencing how awesome Montana is now makes me want to become a guide there. It was also the best fishing I have ever experienced.”  Chris Williams thanked us by saying: “This program is amazing.” 

Conor Kelly, a Youth Adventurer from Clovis, CA wrote: “We all had a great time and knew it was the experience of a lifetime.  It is something we will never forget and I will tell everybody my age about it even if they don’t fly fish.”  He went on to say: “After hearing about your idea, our club has started their own youth adventure, but I doubt it matches up to the Big Horn.”   

Responding to Conor, we would say any youth adventure that gives young people an angling experience and teaches about fly fishing and fly tying is of real value.  After all, it is our goal as fly fisherman to bring more youngsters into the fold. 

All of this was not possible without the generosity of the many volunteers and donors who so kindly gave of their time and resources.  Thank you so much. The guides that were so generous and shared their experience with this group were the key to the success of the event.  The guides listed below represent some 327 years of professional, full time, guiding experience – A very impressive group indeed! 

Kip Dean                               Tim Church                           Dave Hoffman

Dennis Fischer                    Matt McMeans                      Merritt Harris

Ken Hoines                           Paul Dubus                          Shawn Paul Williams

Kevin Kniss                          Bob Krumm                           Dave Palmer                                    

Mark Gervase                       Brent Downey                      Clint Krumm

Mike Craig                             John Sindland

 Listed below are all those other generous people who donated goods and services. These folks are also a key to the success of these events.  The next time you see them please say thanks.                                       

Zoe and Dave Opie	Absaraka Cabins	Lodging and 100 Lunches
Karl and Trudy Burns	Big Horn River Country Lodge	Dinner and Lodging
Hale and Shelly Harris	Big Horn Trout Shop	Breakfast, Picnic, Fly tying room, Banquet
Steve and JJ Hilbers	Big Horn Trout Shop	Breakfast, Picnic, Fly tying room, Banquet
Eshan and Pete Zaic	Cottonwood Camp	Meals, Committee Member
Tom Schmuecker	Wapsi Fly, Inc, Mountain Home, AR	Lots of Fly Tying Materials
Mike and Diane Atwell	Atwell Associates - Bozeman	Fly lines, leaders
Big Dog' Rocky Zaic	EZPZ Shuttles	Shuttles
Lisa Chavez & Rocky Zaic	EZPZ Shuttles	Shuttles
Board of Directors	Big Horn River Alliance	Organizers and Sponsors
Chad and Brenda Fenner	Yellowtail Market	Soft drinks and water
Matt and Keri McMeans	Kingfisher Lodge	Lodging
Merritt Harris	Guide and Donor	Donated custom net
Frank Johnson		Organizer - Committee
Dennis Fischer	Guide/Alliance Board Member	Youth Adventure Committee, Donor Tackle Belt
Shawn Paul Williams	Guide/Alliance Board Member	Alliance Board Member
Matt McMeans	Guide/Alliance Board Member	Alliance Board Member
John Sindland	Guide	Alliance Board Member
Tim Chrurch	Guide	406-666-2546
Mike Craig	Guide	Guide and Lunch on the river
Dan Mazel	Stonefly Studio – Billings MT	Lazer engraved plaques
Diane Bristol	Simms Fishing Products –Bozeman	Tee shirts and bag
Clint Krumm	Alliance President/Guide	Guide and President Big Horn River Alliance

 

For more photos of the 2010 Bighorn River Youth Adventure click on the Photos link.