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.
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.
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, to finishers of the challenge.
Good question. Aside from the immediate worldwide prestige associated with being a Troutman, a custom Troutman belt buckle that will be presented, free, to finishers of the challenge.
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 rectangle of a state that you can pull it off. 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.
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.
Has anyone ever accomplished the Troutman?
Yes. But not many...
5-Time Troutmen / Troutwomen: Bryon Powell
3-Time Troutmen / Troutwomen: Andrew Todd
2-Time Troutmen / Troutwomen: Kristine Hoffman, Cole Dickerson
1-Time Troutmen / Troutwomen: Cody Arnold, Erik Myhre, Matt White
Click here to see details of these heroic efforts.
Will you be the next Troutman / Troutwoman?
run (really long distances). fish (for ALL of Colorado’s trout). beer (probably closer to whiskey…).
And for the truly sick among you who are asking yourselves, is that the hardest challenge you've got...?
No. No, it's 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 and Troutwomen for whom the Troutman is no longer big enough, we present..... ÜLTROUT!!!
