A Wild Tale of Fins, Friendship, and Finding Your Flow
Book 1: Tales of the Big Horn
Dive headfirst into the current with Trouty McGee, a young rainbow trout with a restless heart and a thirst for adventure. Life in the hatchery is calm, predictable, and, well… boring. But when Trouty is suddenly released into the wild waters of the Big Horn River, he’s swept into a thrilling journey where survival isn’t guaranteed—and neither is dinner.
Out here, the current is fierce, the predators are real, and even the bugs bite back. Luckily, he’s not alone. Enter Waxy Brown, a tough, clever native trout who’s seen it all and isn’t about to let one clueless hatchery fish become osprey food.
With humor, heart, and just the right amount of river wisdom, The Adventures of Trouty McGee: Tales of the Big Horn is a splashy coming-of-age story packed with action, danger, and the unforgettable friendships that help us grow. This freshwater fable explores what it means to leave safety behind and discover who you really are when the current pulls you into the unknown.
Because sometimes, you have to get hooked… to learn how to swim free.
Reading for a Cause
With each book sold, 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Trout Unlimited-Thermopolis.
For more information on Trout Unlimited and its conservation efforts to protect and restore Wyoming’s Wild Rivers, please visit Thermopolis-tu.org
Meet Trouty McGee
Trouty McGee is no ordinary fish—he’s a quick-witted, big-hearted trout with a taste for adventure and a talent for getting out of tight spots. Born in the safety of a hatchery, Trouty dreams big and swims even bigger. With his trusty sense of humor and a knack for making unexpected friends (even with creatures above the surface), Trouty dives headfirst into every challenge the stream—or the world—throws his way. Whether he's dodging hungry pelicans or solving river mysteries, Trouty proves that even a small fish can make big waves.
Meet Waxy Brown
Waxy Brown is a no-nonsense brown trout with a sharp wit. Hailing from the Wind River, where the waters carved through towering canyon walls and the wind howled like a restless spirit, Waxy’s reputation is built on a mix of wisdom, wariness, and a few legendary stunts that no one can quite confirm. She’s gruff but loyal, spending her life dodging boulders, braving rapids, and outmaneuvering predators. Whether it’s keeping Trouty McGee out of danger or outsmarting fishermen, Waxy’s blend of survival-savvy and instincts makes her a true creek legend.
Storytelling by
Elam and Cal Epperson
