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Since graduating a few months ago life has been great. No homework, a shiny pickup, a steady paycheck, no weekend studying, but as of the last couple weeks something has been missing. I didn’t realize it until I started looking at some of my old pictures.   My life will no longer have any spring break fishing trips. These were the best times I had in school every year. A full week off to drink cheap beverages, camp, and chase fish, what more could a broke group of fish bum students ask for. Our first spring break consisted of one day on the Madison, three on the Big Hole, two on the Ruby, and one the Beaverhead. For some reason the fishing gods were with us because not only was the fishing spectacular, but the weather was great all week considering it was the beginning of March. Then I spent the next couple breaks chasing Steelhead over in Idaho. Steelheading gets in your blood and even though I haven’t been in over a year, I still regularly tie steelhead flies when I’m at the vise.

None of these trips were ever lavish. Most everything we needed for a week could be found at the nearest gas station between stops, barley sodas, hot dogs, coffee, and jerky. I always found it amazing to see how far we could stretch a hundred dollars, including gas costs. I always said I wouldn’t miss anything about school except one thing…spring break. While most were in Mexico chasing the two legged type and drinking Mexican cervezas, us fish bums were chasing those of the pescitorial version and drinking PBR. I’m not sure if it is always the trips that are the most fun, but rather the anticipation and planning. What rivers, what sections, where to camp, what to tie, prepping the boats, etc. I hope I never grow out of loving these trips because if I do, I will no longer be a happy individual. Fishing new rivers, catching new species, and experiencing different places are what being a fish bum is all about. So, on your next spring trip when you see a group of five or six tents, a lot of tarps, and what appears to be enough beer to supply an army, stop and go say hi, because more than likely these guys are the exact version of you at their age. Or better yet, go grab a case of beverages and a pack of hotdogs at the nearest gas station because I can tell you from experience that they will be more than appreciative.



















































...Ben... pulled the pics of your facebook.  First is you, then Jake (look at Jake...wow), Paul, and then KK all from 2007.  That was only 3 years ago.  Crazy.  No worries on the fish bummin', we will still get it done and now since we now collectively have more than $100 (at times) we could even be exotic and get bratwurst and hoagie buns?