THE BIG HORN RIVER ALLIANCE IS POSTPONING THE
BIGHORN YOUTH ADVENTURE BECAUSE OF HIGH WATER UNTIL JUNE 2012.
The following are quotes from the email we sent to the youngsters and parents who were to take part in the 2011 Big Horn River Youth Adventure. At the time we were more than a little concerned about the river conditions and the uncertainty of the days to follow.
“After much consultation amongst the Big Horn River Alliance Officers and Directors as well as the guides and other involved parties we have made the decision to cancel the 2011 Youth Adventure. This is not a decision we take lightly nor do we fail to recognize and understand the disappointment of the youths."
“The heavy late winter snow (at this time 250% of average), and record and near record rainfall over the past two weeks have changed The Big Horn River to something we have not seen in the nearly 45 years that Yellowtail dam has been in place."
“In light of the current river flow of 15,500 cfs and the anticipation of even higher flows our concern for the safety and well being of the youngsters overshadows our desire to conduct this event."
The good news is that all of the kids have agreed to join us on the river next June for the 2012 Youth Adventure. The majority of the parents thanked the Alliance for the bold move and for our consideration of the safety and well being of the youths. After an entire summer of record high flows the river is finally back to a fairly normal flow level and it is easier to look to the future. We look forward to the best Youth Adventure ever next June. We thank all of you who donated time, facilities, and money for the event. It is the hope of the Alliance that the Fort Smith angling community will step forward again and make next years’ event a world class youth adventure once again.
Thank you, Frank Johnson and Pete Zaic, Youth Adventure cochairmen.
BIG HORN YOUTH ADVENTURE 2011
A great opportunity for young people to expand their knowledge of fly fishing is on the horizon. The Big Horn River Youth Adventure is currently taking applications for the 2011 program at Fort Smith, MT on the banks of the world famous Big Horn River. Twelve young fly fishers will be invited by the Big Horn River Alliance for a four day fly tying and fly fishing adventure. All meals, lodging, airport shuttles and guides will be provided free of charge. Air transportation to Billings or transportation directly to Fort Smith must be secured by the participant’s parents, guardian or fly fishing club, or:
NEW FOR 2011
Travel assistance grants are
available on a limited basis and granted based on financial need.
Thru the generosity of donors and supporters we are pleased to be
able to help with transportation expenses for some of our attendees.
We are sincerely encouraging applications from youngsters who would
otherwise be unable to attend our program.
We are also encouraging fly fishing clubs to participate in
the travel grant program.
The following is a quote from Mr. Rick Williams, FFF Director, Executive Council Member and Conservation Committee Representative (Rick observed the entire 2010 program and spoke at our closing Banquet):
The dates for the Bighorn Youth Adventure will be June 23 through 26, 2011 with a travel day before and after. All clubs and councils and individuals are more than welcome to encourage applications from young fly fishers.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS: Any youth, male or female, ages 14 thru 18. All applicants must ‘KIND OF’ KNOW HOW TO FLY FISH AND ‘KIND OF’ KNOW HOW TO TIE FLIES. We are seeking youngsters who want to experience the joy of a ‘big time’ fly fishing adventure and are willing to return home to mentor other young people and encourage others to take part in the great activity of fly fishing.
During their stay at Fort Smith, the Big Horn River Alliance will provide at NO COST all of the meals beginning with lunch June 22rd (travel day) thru breakfast June 27th (travel day).
Lodging will be provided at NO COST by several of the local lodges (double occupancy) in and around Fort Smith.
Guiding will be provided by Mature, licensed, professional guides who have logged thousands of days on the Big Horn. There will be a total of 24 guide days at NO COST to the kids. (Our 17 volunteer guides for 2010 had combined guiding experience of more than 330 years.)
We take our hats off to the Fort Smith angling community for their generous donations!
The days will be busy as the young fly fishers will be picked up each morning at 7:00 am and taken to breakfast at a lodge or restaurant and at 8:00 or 8:30 they will begin their daily fly tying session which will last from two hours. The youths will be taught to tie the flies they will be fishing with that day. The fly tying sessions will be conducted by Frank Johnson (Buz Buszek Award 1984) with the help of several other experienced professional fly tiers and teachers.
The guides will meet the participants at 10:00 to 11:00 and head to the river for fishing. Lunches will be served on the river. The guides will usually stay out on the river until sometime from 5:00pm and 6:00pm depending on how the fishing is or when dinner is scheduled. The young people will be with a different guide each day to experience each guide’s individual guiding and fishing techniques.
After dinner each evening, there will be other activities planned such as: Casting games, Fly tying games, and “You row it Carp Tourney” on Big Horn Lake.
On the evening of June 26th, we will have a special deluxe dinner and an Achievement/Awards Ceremony. All the participants will get an award. This will be a fun time! We will be asking suppliers and manufactures for help to provide some special gifts!
Anyone who is interested in competing for the chance to attend must fill out an application form. The form asks for general information including names and addresses of both parents and applicants, questions regarding angler experience, health and diet questions, and more. There are also three essay questions at the conclusion of the application. The twelve youths asked to attend will be selected by the Bighorn River Alliance based upon their experience and the quality of their essay question answers. Application deadline is March 31, 2011.
For more information and pictures go to our web site www.bighornriveralliance.org and click on Youth Adventure.
Call or email Frank Johnson with questions or to obtain an
application:
Frank
Johnson