2,200 miles, 10 states, 3 rivers & 1 5 Hour Energy

Just two short weeks ago I drove cross country with a great friend assisting him in his move from Pittsburgh to Idaho to start a new job. If you include the tram at the Pittsburgh Airport it really was Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

We pulled out of Pittsburgh in a fully loaded wagon and drove 28 hours straight to Fort Smith, MT. En route I found out that I agree with 27% of the licensed medical Doctors that 5 Hour Energy is not healthy and safe for the general public.  Heart palipitations, clammy appendages, tingly sensations. Not good.

After a recovery breakfast at the Spearfish, SD Denny’s, we proceeded to drive through some incredible country. Saw hundreds of pronghorn in Wyoming and eastern Montana.

We spent just over 2 days fishing the Bighorn.  I can’t imagine a better time to be out there.  Cottonwoods lit up. The chatter of pheasants. Good bugs and responsive fish. Fewer guys and boats. What a place.

Rainbows on Tricos

Our main playing partner

After two pretty incredible floats on the Horn we continued westward. Entered the Park through the north entrance.

Just an incredible piece of real estate…no matter where you look.

One of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

Spent a few short hours on the Firehole. My buddy managed to move a few fish swinging flies. I had a hard time focusing due to constant jaw dropping.

So again we pushed off with the compass heading of west. Drove through infamous towns and over famous rivers and on to his new home in Idaho.

Only to awake the next day to a new acquaintance offering us a float on the South Fork. Streamers were the primary ticket on this day. What a blast! Hard to believe I actually got to fish this legendary river.

Aluminum cans filled with goodness…a constant companion.

In my buddies new hometown there is something I had never seen before.  We’ve all seen the used car lots with the little trailer for an office in Anytown, USA.  Here, its the same…just with driftboats!  Pretty cool. Hopefully sooner than later one is parked in his driveway.

The photos are somewhat ordinary. Some trips the camera ends up staying in the bag a bit more.  This was one of those trips.  Too much fun to be had on the river.

And so it concluded after more fishing than either of us really anticipated. Great weather, no car problems, wonderful friendship and trucha for all.