Tyler was finally able to join us in Idaho after two months of being away. We were able to squeeze in a day at the Grand Tetons before my dad had to make his way back to Louisiana. Shortly after, Tyler's parents arrived for a week of fishing and exploring. We took a trip to Ketchum for lunch and to replenish the flies we had lost. I have fallen in love with a new midge-like fly called a bishops dynamite and it is...dynamite. It has bright orange thread near the bead head and tail, is super flashy, and the cutthroat love it. We also came across some unique colored Chernobyl hopper that I caught my personal best on.
Once the water returned to a normal flow rate we were able to fish double dry flies, which I think is addicting and can ruin you as a fisherman. Tyler and I got a day to ourselves and had a laid back yet successful trip on the Big Lost. He had a hopper dropper set up and my rod had a double dry rig. We'd switch rods off as the river geography changed, fishing the nymph in deep pools and the dries on calmer runs. Taking turns, fishing till I caught a fish then Tyler would get his turn. We also were able to pull in a handful of trout right by the trailer when we had free time. Nonchalantly casting while balancing on a rock in our house slippers and being able to catch a cute little stocker bow or a wild cutty.
Aside from fishing, we were able to make a drive-by visit to the Grand Tetons as well as Yellowstone national park. Due to excessive smoke in the area from local fires the view of the Tetons was a little obscured. Still, their mass and vast size is very impressive and mesmerizing. The first time I visited Yellowstone we bypassed seeing old faithful but this trip we were able to experience her in her glory, Alongside of 1000 other people. Since we arrived so late in the day to traffic was nonexistent unless there were animals by the road. The thermal pools were by far the most impressive points of interest within the park. The heat and power required to make that amount of water boil is incredible to us. We were able to see another geysery erupt in the background behind one of the pools. Such a sight to see.
I think that day we spent over 12 hours in the truck. I wish we could have gone through Yellowstone a little bit more prepared but all in all, we were able to hit the highlights and get out of there without many crowds or any issues which I am grateful for. This picture of RaeLynn with the waterfall is probably my favorite of all time. EPIC.
