Only Fins Podcast

Salmonflies, Family Fishing & The Night I Spent in the Bolivian Jungle

Toby:
Welcome back to the Only Fins Podcast. I'm Toby Swank with Fins and Feathers Guide Service here in Bozeman, Montana.

Today I'm joined by both of my sons, Alex and Matthew. We've spent the last month doing something we rarely get to do—fishing together here in Montana during June.

Normally we're traveling somewhere else this time of year, but this season we've been chasing salmonflies, throwing streamers, fishing lakes, and enjoying one of the best early summers I can remember.

June in Montana

Alex:
One of the highlights for me has been finally getting to fish the salmonfly hatch the way it's supposed to happen.

I've spent several evenings in the Gallatin Canyon throwing big dry flies, and we also had some outstanding days on the Yellowstone.

Toby:
It's been unusual.

Most years those rivers are still high and dirty. Even when salmonflies are hatching, you're forced to fish tight to the bank.

This year we've been able to fish long seams, softer edges, and even fish rising out in the middle of glides. It's been one of the best June dry-fly seasons I've ever seen.

The Fish That Haunted Alex

Alex:
One of our photo trips almost ended with heartbreak.

I hooked a huge brown trout on the lower Madison and lost it almost immediately.

That fish stayed in my head for over a week.

Eventually I went back.

Same stretch.

Same mindset.

And this time I caught what I believe was the same fish.

Whether it actually was or not doesn't really matter—it felt like redemption.

Toby:
I was proud of you.

Not because you caught it.

Because losing that fish bothered you enough to go back.

That's something every serious angler understands.

Some fish never leave your mind.

Bolivia

Toby:
Speaking of redemption...

Bolivia felt the same way for me.

My first trip there years ago was difficult. High water, tough fishing, and a lot of missed opportunities.

Going back with my dad and my two boys completely changed that experience.

Matthew's Perspective

Matthew:
Originally the trip was supposed to be just Grandpa and me.

Then somehow Alex and Dad managed to turn it into a family adventure across South America.

I'm glad they did.

It became one of the best trips of my life.

Fishing somewhere that remote with my father, brother, and grandfather is something I'll never forget.

First Impressions

Toby:
What surprised you the most?

Matthew:
Honestly...

How physical it was.

I imagined floating through the jungle and making casts.

Instead we were climbing cliffs, scrambling over boulders, swimming rivers, and hiking through thick jungle with machetes.

It was real adventure.

Alex:
That's something people don't appreciate about Bolivia.

You're not just fishing.

You're earning every cast.

Dorado

Matthew:
Golden dorado were unlike anything I'd ever seen.

They're incredibly aggressive.

You watch them hunt in shallow water, charge flies, explode on the surface...

It's impossible not to get excited.

Toby:
And then there were the pacu.

I remember hearing that Alex had landed a giant one.

Apparently I'm no longer the big-fish guy in the family.

The Changing of the Guard

Matthew:
I hate admitting it...

But Alex has been catching the biggest fish lately.

Toby:
It's becoming a trend.

Maybe next trip we stop letting him make the first cast.

Alex:
Or maybe I've finally earned it.

How Bolivia Changed

Alex:
Dad, how different was this trip compared to when you first went?

Toby:
Night and day.

When I first visited, the program was still developing.

Most of the fishing came from boats on just a couple rivers.

Now helicopters open up an entire watershed.

You're fishing rivers that were almost inaccessible before.

The adventure level is completely different.

The Night in the Jungle

Toby:
Then came the day I'll never forget.

I was fishing with Santiago.

Everything had gone perfectly.

The fishing was incredible.

Late in the afternoon clouds rolled in.

The helicopter never arrived.

Back at the Lodge

Alex:
We made it back before the weather completely shut things down.

The trip leaders told us you were safe.

They had communication with Santiago through an inReach.

So we knew you were okay...

But we also knew you weren't coming back that night.

Alone in the Jungle

Toby:
At first I wasn't worried.

Then it started getting dark.

Really dark.

We couldn't get a fire started.

I was soaked.

Cold.

And for the first time in a very long time...

I had a genuine panic attack.

I finally told Santiago.

"I think I'm having a panic attack."

He looked at me and said,

"Then let's build a fire."

That simple shift—from worrying about tomorrow to focusing on one problem—changed everything.

Eventually we got the fire going.

Once we had warmth, everything settled down.

The goal became simple:

Stay warm.

Stay dry.

Wait for daylight.

Morning

Morning finally came.

The helicopter still couldn't reach us.

So...

I rigged my rod and started fishing again.

Santiago looked at me like I was crazy.

But there wasn't much else to do.

I caught a nice dorado.

Later I even landed my first pacu of the trip.

Eventually we heard the helicopter.

I've never been happier to hear rotor blades.

Back at the Lodge

I expected everyone to be waiting.

Instead...

My dad was standing there.

Everyone else had already gone fishing.

Apparently nobody was going to waste a day because I spent the night in the jungle.

Alex:
We figured you were fine.

The fishing was too good.

The Best Day We Never Shared

Ironically...

The morning Dad was stranded in the jungle turned into one of the best days of fishing Matthew and I have ever had.

We spent the entire day throwing mouse patterns.

Watching giant dorado explode on the surface.

At one point I hooked the biggest dorado of my life.

That fish really started my recent streak of catching unusually large fish.

Looking Back

Toby:
Even with everything that happened...

I wouldn't change the trip.

Fishing with both of my boys—and my dad—made it unforgettable.

Watching the three generations experience a place like Bolivia together is something I'll always remember.

Papa

Alex:
One thing that made the trip even better was having Grandpa there.

Everyone fishes for different reasons.

Dad loves solving the puzzle.

Matthew loves the adventure.

I love chasing big fish.

Papa?

He just likes catching fish.

If there are fish in front of the lodge...

He's perfectly happy staying right there.

Wrapping Up

Toby:
Between Bolivia and this incredible June in Montana, it's been one of the most memorable stretches of fishing I've had in years.

Getting to spend Father's Day here, fish with my sons, and share these experiences is something I'll never take for granted.

Thanks for listening.

We'll see you next time on the Only Fins Podcast.