We did it!
Robert Walters, Joe Larson and I finished the fourth annual Cuttie-thon on Aug. 10th at 3:50 p.m.! It took 33 hrs., 15 min., and 20 sec. to do, but we did it in style. Mike Carlson and Cameron Mortenson made it through the first day, putting in great effort and catching many Cutts.–mostly on dry flies. Everyone had a great time (minus the pain, fatigue, rain and cold), and are now readying themselves for next year.
The first morning was wet from a thunderstorm the previous night. We started a little after sunrise after a hot breakfast of Cuttie-thon Coffee and MaryJane’s Farm oatmeal. The good grub got us off to a fine and enthusiastic start at 6:35 a.m. I managed to hook an 8-inch Snake River Cuttie within minutes of casting on the Greys, but unfortunately lost it before getting it to hand.
Special thanks goes out to those who donated time, money and equipment to this year’s ‘Thon. Tom Sexton, my Dad, did an incredible job of making sure we were fed and watered, and even kept dry when we took a break. Mike Peck fished alongside us, and also helped keep us equipped and happy at access points–even managing to find us after we passed all check points in the middle of the night! Tricia Curley, my mom and Jeff Houston, her friend helped keep blisters, cuts and pain to a minimum, with deft first aid kit skills. Ethan Sexton, my youngest brother, helped keep radio contact through the whole event and made sure we stayed on schedule. Heather Johnson and Mandy Mader cooked a delicious array of food for us to enjoy along the route. Jeff Shelly of Big Horn Meat Cutting donated his delicious jalapeno and cheese sausage and Happy Sticks, which did coincidentally keep us happy while snacking on them along the river.
Our corporate sponsors this year did a great job of providing equipment and refreshments that are so vital to our success. Fishing Properties (fishingproperties.com) donated a custom-built graphite fly rod for the angler catching the most fish, a $500 cash donation and access to their Dead Man Ranch on the Greys. The Oskar Blues Brewery donated a wonderfully cold supply of Dale’s Pale Ale and Old Chub for us to enjoy at the finish line. William Joseph provided two Exodus packs which make packing our rain gear, water, food, beer and fishing gear simple. Cloudveil donated a pair of 8x Pro Waders and boots that kept Mike Carlson dry (until he punctured them with a willow, but repaired with the patch kit), and sure-footed astream. Petzel donated two, very bright MYO series headlamps. MaryJane’s Farm donated a supply of her scrumptious, organic dehydrated backpacking dishes that make preparing an energy-filled and healthy meal simple. The Fly Shop of the Bighorns donated more than $250 of fishing gear including tippets, leaders, flies, sink and float putty and Orvis polarized sunglasses. Cliff Outdoors provided their original fly boxes, which I think are the best designs in the market.
Thanks again to everyone helping make this year a success. I will be putting a PowerPoint presentation together soon, to give to any interested parties. Please let me know if your fishing club, diabetes organization, conservation group or business would be interested in having me as a guest speaker. The Cuttie-thon story is an incredible and inspirational one!