Cutthroats and Campfires

July is the perfect time to visit the Eastern limits of the Rockies. The weather is usually mild and the fish are usually hungry. We sent some casts out into a few of the rivers and streams near Nordegg, but decided to dedicate the bulk of our time of the ever popular Blackstone. For the first time in our collective memories, there were actually some other sportsmen on the river. They were quick to tell us that they hadn't seen a single rise or felt a solitary bite the entire day. Not to be deterred, we set about hiking upstream to set up camp and start fishing.

The Eastern Rockies with Comrade Marc

It was such a great day on the river that we barely bothered with the setting up camp part and simply threw down our sleeping bags on the river bank and spent the rest of the day fishing. We each landed some beautiful fish. On his Inaugural visit to this river, Comrade of the R.F.A. Marc Ballantyne landed the Blackstone-Trio by netting a Bull Trout, a Cutthroat and a Mountain Whitefish... all before stopping for lunch. If there were ever any doubts regarding Marc's place in the Alliance, this trip ruthlessly put them to rest.

Campfire Cookin'

Being the newest recruit of the Alliance, Ballantyne volunteered to take charge of the menu. To his sole credit, we ate like kings. The most memorable meal was a delicious fettuccine alfredo slow-cooked over the fire with some refreshing and well deserved beverages graciously cooled by the currents of the Blackstone. We slept under the stars with the mountains as a backdrop and the flow of the river as a soundtrack. We filled the final day by catching a few of the fish that had previously escaped us and exploring and surveying the headwaters of the river upstream from Mons Creek. This was another great adventure that will undoubtedly stand out amongst the countless remarkable exploits of the R.F.A.