Exploring the Backcountry with Colter Backcountry: Two Brother's Innovation for Anglers Who Go Off the Beaten Path

The Fly Box LLC
Feb 15, 2025
5 min read

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The Inspiration Behind Colter Backcountry

In the world of fly fishing, innovation is often inspired by necessity. We sat down with Patrick and Daniel, the brothers behind Colter Backcountry, to hear their take on the need for better gear in remote locations sparked their movement. After completing the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), they realized that traditional fishing equipment wasn’t designed for backcountry adventures. Their solution? Crafting ultralight, durable gear that allows anglers to reach the most secluded waters without the usual bulk and hassle.

From the CDT to Colter Backcountry: The Journey Begins

Patrick, the original founder, started working on the concept for Colter Backcountry as soon as he completed the CDT in 2021. Backpacking for months on end opened his eyes to the importance of minimalist, functional gear.

“That was the first time we were immersed in the ultralight backpacking community,” he recalled. “We realized how essential minimal gear is to travel in the backcountry effectively. A lot of our favorite fishing gear—like packs, nets, and waders—just wasn’t appropriate for backpacking.”

Recognizing this gap, he began designing products specifically for anglers who venture into hard-to-reach places. As the business grew and neared product launch, his brother Daniel joined in, and the two have been running Colter Backcountry together ever since.

The company’s name, Colter Backcountry, is a tribute to John Colter, a legendary frontiersman from the Lewis and Clark expedition. When granted an honorable discharge, Colter chose to return to the American West, exploring vast wilderness areas, trading with Native American tribes, and ultimately pioneering the exploration of the Greater Yellowstone region.

“Colter Backcountry was founded in the spirit of Colter’s rugged journey,”

Innovation Meets the Backcountry: The Thorofare Net

One of Colter Backcountry’s most innovative products is the Thorofare Net, a patent-pending collapsible fishing net designed for backcountry anglers. The motivation? Pure necessity.

“When backpacking or day hiking, it was a huge pain to strap a net to the outside of a pack where it inevitably gets hung up on everything,” Patrick explained. “It’s a bulky item that doesn’t stow well and takes up a ridiculous amount of space. On the other hand, if you go without a net, you inevitably find yourself hooked into a fish that you really need a net to land.”

Their solution? A net that functions just as well as a traditional model but can be easily stowed away. During early development, Patrick and Daniel gathered feedback from fellow anglers, quickly realizing that their personal frustrations were widely shared. This validation gave them the confidence to pursue full-scale production, and today, the Thorofare Net has gained serious traction in the fly fishing community.

Built for the Wild: Durability & Customer Feedback

One of the biggest questions any angler might have about a collapsible net is durability. Can it withstand the rigors of the backcountry? The team at Colter Backcountry took this challenge seriously, working with materials engineers to develop a rugged yet lightweight solution.

The result? A nylon blend reinforced with glass fiber that stands up to water exposure, UV rays, and the demanding conditions of remote fishing trips.

Understanding that anything can happen in the wild, they also back their product with a lifetime warranty.

“If you break one, we’ll fix or replace it for free,” they stated confidently.

Customer feedback has played a crucial role in Colter Backcountry’s development. The company actively engages with anglers through social media, direct surveys, and a contact form on their website.

“We love when people reach out with suggestions on our current products or ideas for future developments,” emphasizing their commitment to continuous improvement.

What’s Next for Colter Backcountry?

But innovation doesn’t stop there. Colter Backcountry has more gear in the pipeline.

“This year, we’ll be coming out with some pretty slick solutions for carrying gear and rods into the backcountry,” (you can stay tuned on their websites 'gear page' )

The brothers envision expanding their product line beyond nets to include a full suite of backcountry-specific fly fishing gear. Their upcoming products may feature ultralight carrying systems that help anglers transport their rods and reels more efficiently, compact wader storage solutions, and other lightweight, durable accessories designed to improve the backcountry fishing experience. Every product is crafted with the same attention to detail and functionality that made the Thorofare Net a success.

A Commitment to Conservation

Beyond crafting game-changing gear, Colter Backcountry is dedicated to protecting the wild places that inspire their products. They currently sponsor two major conservation initiatives:

The Flyathlon is a race series that raises money for native fish conservation.
Fish for Garbage organizes large-scale river cleanups.

“We plan to continue supporting these organizations and are always open to additional conservation partnerships,”

Where to Find Colter Backcountry

For those eager to try the Thorofare Net or stay up to date on Colter Backcountry’s latest innovations, the best place to go is colterbackcountry.com. They also keep an active presence on Instagram (@colterbackcountry), where they share product updates, backcountry fishing tips, and stories from their community of anglers.

With a foundation built on adventure, innovation, and a deep love for the wilderness, Colter Backcountry is redefining what it means to fish in the backcountry. Whether you’re hiking miles into a remote alpine lake or wading through an untouched river, they’re designing gear to help you travel lighter and fish farther.