Kristy and I just returned from the 1st annual American Packrafting Association "Packraft Round up" in Montana. We didn't know what to expect from the event but it blew those would be expectations away. 

We drove 10 hours over to Montana from Seattle and it was a gorgeous drive. We saw desserts, mountains, lakes, rivers, moose, and deer. All the different climate zones are amazing to drive through.

As soon as we go there, Kristy and I got on the river. We packrafted around the first two bends in the N. Fork of the Flathead river and then hiked back to camp for the evening. It was nice little jaunt and got us even more excited for Saturday. 

That night Moe from the American Packrafting Association spoke and kicked off the weekend. It was so cool to see all these packrafters together. People came from all over the world, the Canary Islands, England, and Australia. The people that this event brought together was amazing. One guy biked into the event and another floated down from Canada for 3 days to the campsite. Some of the pioneers of packrafting, whose videos we had all watched a 1,000 times on YouTube, were there. It was such an inspiring and incredible group of people to camp with. That night we were split into groups based on experience and made our packrafting plans for the next day. 

The next day our group, the "Aquapaddlefiles",  packrafted together down the N. fork of the Flat head river. It was an amazing day on the river with some amazing people. It was great to be able to push ourselves packrafting. We took more difficult lines, practiced self-rescues, and surfed waves. There was no serious consequences on the river and we were surrounded by some of the best packrafters in the world. We all learned so much. Below is a video of the day on the river.

That night John McLain and Matt Brain gave a speech about the beginnings of packrafting in Tasmania Australia and showed some amazing footage of some really cool rivers. As he was preparing for this talk he discovered his old videos and was able to show it to us all. The trips he was doing at 15, in the 80's, were incredible. He is a true pioneer and has some amazing stories to share! Check out some of their material below.

Irenabyss Gallery
YouTube

We had to get back early on Sunday and decided to take our time and fish on the drive back. I caught a cut throat trout and kristy caught two bull trout. We didn't get the chance to fish from the river with The Fishing Table, as that was not the main focus of the trip, but we were extremely please to wet our lines and catch some Montana trout.

The sport of packrafting is growing a lot and I am excited to be a part of the growth. It is amazing to see and hear about how people are using these boats for all sorts of things and are taking them to some amazing places. Make sure to join the APA, its free! They are great people and we cant wait until the 2nd Annual APA Round Up! 

This past Sunday, we enjoyed a wonderful evening of trout fishing from our packrafts. We drove 45 minutes outside of Seattle to a local lake that we hadn't been to in 2 years. We launched the packrafts and started trolling with The Packraft Table. We got hung up in the weeds and were forced to switch it up. I put out the anchor and we switched tactics to still fishing with sinker & bait. Within two seconds, I had a fish on. I landed the trout and it ended up 13 in. 

We wanted to, and are able t,o keep our catch at this lake so I filleted the trout right there and he was on his way to the smoker. 

I re -baited and cast again. About 5 minutes later, fish #2 on! Landed that 11 in. trout.

Now Kristy immediately switched to my tactic. 

10 minutes later it was fish on for Kristy. 

We both caught one more and headed back to dock. It was a great packraft fishing evening

We are looking forward to smoked trout on our salads and some fish tacos. It was such a relaxing evening and a lot of fun. I can't wait for packraft salmon fishing coming up in 2 weeks!

On July 11-13th, 2014 the American Packrafting Association is hosting the First Annual Packraft Round Up. It is going to be in NW Montana on the edge of Glacier National Park.  My girl friend and I are driving to the event and so excited we can't stand it! 

I will most definitely be bringing my fishing rods and be packraft fishing on the N. Fork Flathead river. It is known to have some decent cut throat trout and even some bull trout. We will be bringing The Packraft Fishing Tables and can't wait to see if anything is biting. 

We are excited for the keynote speakers, sessions on the water, raffle, and especially the Saturday night BBQ! I really believe this event is going to be great for the packrafting community and will help strengthen the bonds of packrafters around the world. I hope that this event will continue to grow the sport of packrafting! I will make sure to update you all with a trip & fishing report.  

If you have seen the website and see Kristy or I at the event, make sure to say "Hello"!

Hope to see you there.