Cross Country 2026
From Coast to Country: A Cross-Country Camper Adventure
It all started with a tiny camper.
A couple of years back, my wife and I picked up a small inTech Flyer Pursue, and it quickly became our ticket to off-grid freedom. After plenty of short weekend getaways, we decided to take the ultimate leap: a full cross-country road trip starting from North Carolina.
Our route took us north up the East Coast through Massachusetts and New York before we turned westward, cutting across the heart of the country toward Wyoming to meet up with friends flying in to join us. Packing up two dogs and a tiny camper for weeks on the road sounds like a wild gamble, but the trip couldn’t have gone smoother. The weather was nearly perfect the entire way.
From waking up alongside black tail deer on public BLM land to a few close-up off-grid bear encounters, the whole journey had an undeniable Oregon Trail feel to it. Naturally, we spent half the trip cracking jokes about all the dramatic ways we—or the dogs—might meet our doom. Thankfully, we saw no rattlesnakes, and our "wagon" didn't sink during any river crossings!
The Fishing Highlights
While we crossed through dozens of incredible landscapes, a few fisheries stood out above the rest. Here are three highlights from the road:
The Driftless Area, Wisconsin: This region is a spring creek paradise that belongs on every fly angler’s bucket list. We basecamped at Wildcat Mountain State Park and spent time exploring the Kickapoo River and Billings Creek. Between a bright full moon and warm midsummer water temperatures, the bite was tough, but I still managed to bring a few gorgeous wild browns to hand.
Rapid Creek, South Dakota (Below Pactola Reservoir): A true hidden gem. The crowds were nonexistent, and the stream stretches out as far as your legs are willing to carry you. The wild rainbows in this stretch grow impressively large, though they definitely don't come easy. I had to work hard for every look, but the persistence paid off with a single, pristine 24-inch rainbow that put up an unforgettable fight.
Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming: I'd love to drop the exact GPS coordinates for this one, but some spots are too special to burn. Tucked near wide-open BLM land, this off-grid camping spot offered streams that look like they haven't seen an angler in years. The action was fast and continuous—cutthroats, brookies, bows, and browns were eager to take flies left and right. Over just three evenings on the water, I landed more than 62 fish.
Here are a few favorite shots from the road! I hope you enjoy the photos, and I'll see you out on the water. I'm glad to be back in the Carolinas and guiding in WNC again full time! Hit me up if you want to get on the water!
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