About the 2006 Yellowstone

Cuttie-Thon

Zac Sexton of Buffalo, Wyo., completed the second annual Cuttie-thon, a 27-mile fly-fishing marathon in a record 33 hrs., 38 min, 10 sec., beating his time last year of 34 hrs., 32 min., 28 sec. Mojo, Zac’s English Setter helped lead the way from the start at Loch Leven access to the finish at Carbella Bridge. Their pace quickened thanks to help from friends and family who traveled to the banks of the Yellowstone River to help Sexton make the finish.

An unconventional marathon, the Cuttie-thon is a fund-raising event for the Cuttie-thon Foundation. The Foundation donates proceeds to the Yellowstone National Park fisheries department to help save Yellowstone Cutthroat, the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Denver and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Zac is a type I diabetic and hopes to inspire other diabetics to live adventurous lives, and to fund research to find a cure for diabetes.

Several others participated this year along with the Sextons. Kelly Kinney, of Denver, Colo., began at the starting line with Zac at 5:50 a.m., Sat., Sept 23rd. She fished for about 18 miles, making it just below Meditation Point at about 2:30 a.m. on Sun. The miles of boulder-strewn riverbanks proved challenging for everyone.

“I consider myself in good shape,” said Kinney. “However the pace, distance and fly-fishing skills needed were very challenging. I plan to prepare for this marathon a little better next year by walking with a heavy pack for long distances at high elevations. I also plan to cast better, and know more about insects and fly selection.”

Mike Peck, of Buffalo, Wyo., met Zac at the Emigrant access as the sun slipped behind the Gallatin Mountains. Mike volunteered to fish the most dangerous and longest river section between access points with Zac and Kelly. The group had to fish eight miles in darkness to Meditation Point before getting a break.

“Before we started walking, I was filled with mental anguish, knowing that putting 17 miles on my body was going to be totally miserable,” said Peck. “Eight miles later it physically became a reality to overcome. It’s always rewarding to accomplish a challenge but it’s also a worthwhile experience to see, feel and fish a river for 20 hours straight. It gives you an unforgettable connection and sense of respect for the place.”

Mojo kept setting the pace and stayed in the lead most the way. Zac slipped on a boulder and fell on his side trying to keep up. Lacking injuries, he kept with Mojo and crossed the finish line at Carbella Bridge at 2:33 p.m., Sun. Sept. 24th. Mojo finished a bit ahead, but since he can’t read a stopwatch, it will remain a mystery when he finished.

“Well, Mojo beat me this year,” said Zac. “But I’m going to say the record is mine. I don’t know how I keep doing this, but I do. I’m glad I had so much help this year. The river is a wonderful source of energy. It’s amazing what a person can do if they just put their mind to it. And catching lots of fish sure helps me forget about everything. The 33 fish I caught this year were like 33 boosts of rocket fuel—except I didn’t go much faster than a walk. I always worry about my blood sugar dropping and passing out while I do this, but I didn’t have too much trouble with diabetes. My biggest problem was ignoring the pains in my legs and knots in my leader.

To see more visit: www.childrensdiabetesfdn.org.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will also be receiving funds from Sexton and Well's efforts. The JDRF will use the funds for projects researching a cure for diabetes. To see more on the JDRF visit: www.jdrf.org.

For information on donating to these worthy causes, check out our Donations page.

The Cuttie-thon begins at Loch Leven and fish all the way to Carbella bridge, as described in the map below.