I met Steve Day of Golden Trout Pack Trains at the Pleasanton, CA Fly Fishing Show. He said he led pack train trips into the Golden Trout Wilderness, in the Sequoia National Forest in California.  I did a double take and said, “excuse me, come again…”. He explained how he packs clients in by horse with a pack of mules and sets up basecamp along the Kern River, 20 miles into the backcountry. How his clients dry fly fish for big rainbows in clear water up and down the river, right from basecamp. How it’s just a short horseback ride up the mountain to the mecca and the original strain of the Golden Trout in Volcano Creek and Golden Trout Creek.  I could hardly stand it, couldn’t believe what I was hearing and proceed to make plans.

The trip did not disappoint. The horses and the pack train trip in was an amazing experience. The luxury camping right on the Kern River was a complete bonus as my mind was so fixed on the Golden Trout that I didn’t have expectations for this part of the trip but wow, it was amazing. Clearly heading up to Volcano Creek and Golden Trout Creek and seeing and yes, finally catching my first Golden was a magical moment and highlight not only of this trip but my fly fishing experiences. 

On this podcast we hear from the wrangler angler himself, Steve Day and a couple of his amazing horse packers and trip leaders, Savanna Summers & Mari Stusser.

Thanks to Douglas Outdoors for sponsoring this episode and our entire trip across country. The Douglas Upstream 6-piece, 3 weight was a joy to cast and a blast to fish. It’s the perfect rod for backcountry fishing and it’s now my go-to light action rod.

https://goldentroutpacktrains.com

https://douglasoutdoors.com

Also, thanks to our podcast sponsors:

https://www.nor-vise.com

http://www.bissellinsuranceagency.com

https://flyfishingshow.com