| Dear Angler,
We want you to really enjoy your fly-fishing trip and pack trip adventure with us this summer. The intentions of this letter are to limit any confusion about the trip and prepare you as much as possible. Our goal is to make your fishing and pack trip excursion a great experience. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to improve our service to you. Our wilderness fly-fishing and pack trips are run out of Hellroaring Camp, located 8 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. We fish some of the most beautiful streams, high country lakes and rivers that Montana has to offer. Our recommended 5-day fishing trip allows us one day to pack in, 3 days to fish, and one day to pack out. The horse pack trip to camp is approximately 5 hours through magnificent country. We stop for lunch on the divide, about one third of the way to camp. Our string of horses and mules are dependable. Previous riding experience is helpful but not required. Once in camp, you can relax by the creek and enjoy beautiful Bull Moose Meadow. Your sleeping accommodations are in comfortable, carpeted, wall tents with foam padded cots, and wood stoves. Propane lanterns are available but most people prefer to use their headlamps. There are 2 to 4 anglers per tent. A hot shower is also available. We eat in a central eating tent with delicious food prepared by our camp cook. Please let us know of any special dietary needs in advance. If you want any alcoholic spirits be sure to purchase them before leaving Bozeman. Fishing each day will begin after breakfast. We ride and walk to our various fishing destinations. The creeks and lakes are inhabited by native cutthroat trout. The water is cold so we recommend you bring waders. Please remember to wash all sandals, boots, and waders before coming on your trip to help protect our waters and wildlife. You can spin cast or fly-fish but fly fishing is our preference. Even the novice will catch fish in these waters. Flies that typically work in the areas you’ll be fishing include: dry flies such as yellow and red attrackter bugs ranging in size from #12 to #18 or nymphs (wet flies) including “red copper johns”, lightning bugs and your common bead headed nymphs ranging in size from #16 to #20. Yellow bodied grasshoppers work as well, specifically “daves”. Last year at Carpenter Lake we were stripping bead headed Woolie Buggers and non-beaded Buggers dropping a Flashback hears ear as well as yellow and red attrackter bugs. We typically catch and release. Sometimes we pack the mules with kitchen equipment so you can enjoy your catch for lunch. If you do not want to fish everyday, there are many ways to enjoy the back country. You could spend your days exploring, riding, or hiking to various destinations. These might include a hike atop mountains exceeding 10,000 ft. in elevation, horseback rides with spectacular views, panning for gold, exploring Indian encampments, photography trips filled with abundant wildlife or meadows lush with wildflowers. Maybe you would rather read a book, journal, meditate or paint by one of the pristine streams or high country lakes. Our guides are well acquainted with the areas where you will be riding, hiking, fishing, and exploring. They are experienced outdoorsmen and flexible to your needs. Whatever your endeavor, our guides are there to assist you every step of the way. The weather in July and August is usually very comfortable. Daytime temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees. On clear nights the temperatures can range from 20-40 degrees. However, the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness weather is variable. Prepare for the changing mountain weather. Be sure to check ABO’s suggested equipment list. We want to concentrate on your wilderness adventure the same as you, so please take care of all business transactions by the listed deadlines. The most important thing to remember is a great attitude. Be ready to enjoy a wonderful trip, a memorable experience and the special things the mountains have to offer. Sincerely,
Cameron S. Mayo |
