The 2011 River Guardian Fly Fishing Crew!
Day one of the 2011 River Guardian Fly Fishing School kicked off today as we welcomed 17 teenagers from Gardiner, Emigrant, Livingston, Mammoth Hot Springs and Belgrade. This year we are excited to also welcome two impressive young students hailing from the east coast and the bustling metro areas of Washington D.C. and the outskirts of Baltimore. While it looks like we are going to face our fair share of challenges with high water making wade fishing the Yellowstone River a long-shot and inclement weather on forecast, we couldn’t be more enthused about this year’s cast of River Guardians.
After a full morning of leadership exercises and watershed education ranging from the importance of water in the arid west, to the hydrologic cycle, river ecology, riparian habitat and the significance of the Yellowstone watershed, we began to explore the knots that will be vital to these aspiring fly fishermen and women. We have a wide range of ages, backgrounds and personalities all coalescing to create a diverse and lively river guardian crew who are already beginning to demonstrate their potential as guardians of the Yellowstone’s lifeblood, its water.
After building a solid foundation for what it means to be a river guardian, we executed another memorable Christmas in August as we passed out thousands of dollars worth of gear that has been generously provided to this year’s program through donations and sponsors. It is a sight I wish all River G contributors and sponsors could experience as each participants is geared out from head to toe with all of the modern swag and gear that will allow each angler to flourish in our five day program and to begin their own fly fishing odyssey.
Next we journeyed down to the historic Parks’ Fly Shop for a presentation from owner Richard Parks about the fly fishing industry and a discussion reiterating the importance of ethical angling and becoming a river guardian.
Last, we ended the day the way we will begin each of the four remanding days of the program by heading out on the succulent green grass of the Gardiner School football field for an introduction to fly casting. Let the journey begin….
~Michael Leach, Director and Founder
Building leadership and teamwork skills through a team-buidling exercise.
Thank you Anglers West who really hooked us up this year. AW who wanted to up their support to the Yellowstone level provided over $1,400 in gear for this year's program.
Big D all jacked up after the Christmas in August extravaganza where students receive loads of gear including the Simms river shoes pictured, the new River G t-shirt which is Off The Hook and tons of other gear including hats, tools, bugs, boxes, stainless steel waterbottles.
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