For those flyathletes looking to push themselves to the limit, to supremely test their fly fishing prowess, and to wash it all down with some huge craft beers…
Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce the Troutman Team Challenge…
Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce the Troutman Team Challenge…
What is the Troutman?
Simply put, the Troutman Team Challenge is akin to a Flyathlon competition on steroids (except that due to obscure provisions within The Wilderness Act of 1964, and the fact that much of Colorado’s best fishing falls within wilderness, it cannot be a competition, but instead must be a “challenge”). In order to become a Troutman, you must complete the following:
1) Run at least a trail marathon (26.2 miles or more)…
2) …with an elevation gain of more than 3,000 vertical feet…
3) …and catch four trout species…
4) …washing the entire adventure down with a craft beer greater than 12% ABV…
5) …all within 12 hours.
But what if there aren't 4 trout species in my area?
As this is the Troutman, we must insist that a majority of the fish species caught on your journey be salmonids (trout, char, freshwater whitefish, grayling...). With advanced coordination and approval, we will approve one substitute non-salmonid species to count towards the 4.
Do hybrids count?
Potentially. An easily distinguishable hybrid (e.g. Tiger trout or ) can count if you need it to, but something like a cutbow where there can be a spectrum of hybridization, this is definitely a gray area that we feel less comfortable in. Again, we encourage you to reach out ahead of time to see if your anticipated species assortment is likely to raise any red flags.
Simply put, the Troutman Team Challenge is akin to a Flyathlon competition on steroids (except that due to obscure provisions within The Wilderness Act of 1964, and the fact that much of Colorado’s best fishing falls within wilderness, it cannot be a competition, but instead must be a “challenge”). In order to become a Troutman, you must complete the following:
1) Run at least a trail marathon (26.2 miles or more)…
2) …with an elevation gain of more than 3,000 vertical feet…
3) …and catch four trout species…
4) …washing the entire adventure down with a craft beer greater than 12% ABV…
5) …all within 12 hours.
But what if there aren't 4 trout species in my area?
As this is the Troutman, we must insist that a majority of the fish species caught on your journey be salmonids (trout, char, freshwater whitefish, grayling...). With advanced coordination and approval, we will approve one substitute non-salmonid species to count towards the 4.
Do hybrids count?
Potentially. An easily distinguishable hybrid (e.g. Tiger trout or ) can count if you need it to, but something like a cutbow where there can be a spectrum of hybridization, this is definitely a gray area that we feel less comfortable in. Again, we encourage you to reach out ahead of time to see if your anticipated species assortment is likely to raise any red flags.
Wow, that sounds miserable! Why on earth would someone attempt such a thing?
Good question. Aside from the immediate worldwide prestige associated with being a Troutman, a custom Troutman belt buckle that will be presented free of charge to first-time finishers of the challenge. However, because we are not made of money, subsequent successful Troutman efforts can be rewarded with a buckle (but we will need you to cover the cost of that second, fifth, tenth one...).
Good question. Aside from the immediate worldwide prestige associated with being a Troutman, a custom Troutman belt buckle that will be presented free of charge to first-time finishers of the challenge. However, because we are not made of money, subsequent successful Troutman efforts can be rewarded with a buckle (but we will need you to cover the cost of that second, fifth, tenth one...).
What is this crap about it being a “team” challenge?
Safety in numbers, bro. That, and with multiple people involved (at least 2), you can better document your accomplishment so we don’t have to call bullshit on you.
Safety in numbers, bro. That, and with multiple people involved (at least 2), you can better document your accomplishment so we don’t have to call bullshit on you.
OK, I’m convinced. Where will this “team challenge” take place?
Quite literally, anywhere within our big, beautiful country that you can pull it off. However, if you would like to tackle the Troutman in a different state than Colorado, please email us so we can discuss appropriate qualifying fish / beer details.
What rules are there, if any?
No vehicles can be involved, no support staff (i.e. no one meeting you with a brown trout somewhere), no cheating… You will need to document your experience with a .gpx file showing your route (unless we are with you when it happens), at least 4 fish pictures per participant (no sharing fish, and each photo must have the date, time, and GPS coordinates attached to it), and a photo of your big ABV celebration beer.
NOTE: We understand that some people don't drink alcohol for perfectly legitimate and/or responsible reasons. This does not disqualify you from attempting our long-distance fishing challenges. That said, you are required to do "something" special at the finish of your attempt to celebrate the relative insanity of your accomplishment. For example, instead of a high octane beer, you could eat a Carolina Reaper pepper, or drink a quart of half and half, eat a half dozen jelly donuts, or blast yourself lightly with bear mace. These are all just terrible suggestions, and we are open to others, but for your alternate celebratory media to count, you must obtain prior approval by sending an us email.
Let’s do this! Do I need to register or anything like that?
No. Once you figure out where and when your attempt will take place, let us know and we will put you up on this page so other flyathletes can know what a crazy SOB you are.
And while you don't need to register for the Troutman, since we are a conservation organization doing extraordinary conservation things, we strongly encourage you to use this opportunity to help us benefit native fish by Crowdfunding For Conservation as a part of your Troutman attempt. Although there is no minimum fundraising threshold to hit, by completing the Troutman, you are among the best of the best Flyathletes in the world and have the opportunity to leverage that excellence for native trout benefit. (And by fundraising you can help offset the cost of your one-of-a-kind custom belt buckle!)
Has anyone ever accomplished the Troutman?
Yes. But not many...
Click here to see details of these heroic efforts.
And for the truly sick among you who are asking yourselves, is that the hardest challenge you've got...?
No. No, it is not.
We are a bit like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory in that we are always imagining even more ridiculous ways to push the envelope. And so for those Troutmen / Troutwomen for whom the Troutman is no longer big enough, we present.....
Please note that these ultra-distance Flyathlon challenges are progressive, in that you must achieve each challenge to attempt the next.
run (really long distances and up big hills). fish (a lot). beer (high octane).
Quite literally, anywhere within our big, beautiful country that you can pull it off. However, if you would like to tackle the Troutman in a different state than Colorado, please email us so we can discuss appropriate qualifying fish / beer details.
What rules are there, if any?
No vehicles can be involved, no support staff (i.e. no one meeting you with a brown trout somewhere), no cheating… You will need to document your experience with a .gpx file showing your route (unless we are with you when it happens), at least 4 fish pictures per participant (no sharing fish, and each photo must have the date, time, and GPS coordinates attached to it), and a photo of your big ABV celebration beer.
NOTE: We understand that some people don't drink alcohol for perfectly legitimate and/or responsible reasons. This does not disqualify you from attempting our long-distance fishing challenges. That said, you are required to do "something" special at the finish of your attempt to celebrate the relative insanity of your accomplishment. For example, instead of a high octane beer, you could eat a Carolina Reaper pepper, or drink a quart of half and half, eat a half dozen jelly donuts, or blast yourself lightly with bear mace. These are all just terrible suggestions, and we are open to others, but for your alternate celebratory media to count, you must obtain prior approval by sending an us email.
Let’s do this! Do I need to register or anything like that?
No. Once you figure out where and when your attempt will take place, let us know and we will put you up on this page so other flyathletes can know what a crazy SOB you are.
And while you don't need to register for the Troutman, since we are a conservation organization doing extraordinary conservation things, we strongly encourage you to use this opportunity to help us benefit native fish by Crowdfunding For Conservation as a part of your Troutman attempt. Although there is no minimum fundraising threshold to hit, by completing the Troutman, you are among the best of the best Flyathletes in the world and have the opportunity to leverage that excellence for native trout benefit. (And by fundraising you can help offset the cost of your one-of-a-kind custom belt buckle!)
Has anyone ever accomplished the Troutman?
Yes. But not many...
Click here to see details of these heroic efforts.
And for the truly sick among you who are asking yourselves, is that the hardest challenge you've got...?
No. No, it is not.
We are a bit like Willy Wonka's chocolate factory in that we are always imagining even more ridiculous ways to push the envelope. And so for those Troutmen / Troutwomen for whom the Troutman is no longer big enough, we present.....
- ÜLTROUT- 50 miles, 5,555 feet of gain, 5 different fish, 15%+ ABV beer, 18 hours
- LUCIFISH- 66.6 miles, 6,666 feet of gain, 6 different fish, 16.66%+ beer, 24 hours
- Coming Soon: FINSANITY- 100+ miles, 10,000 feet of gain, 10 different fish, 20%+ beer, 48 hours
Please note that these ultra-distance Flyathlon challenges are progressive, in that you must achieve each challenge to attempt the next.
run (really long distances and up big hills). fish (a lot). beer (high octane).
