http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2012/09/15/top-10-wild-west-ranches-in-us/

 As you probably know, I went fishing on the ranch last Wednesday and I wanted to give you a quick report and say thanks for the opportunity.  I fished Big Creek from about one mile above the lunch area up to the gate (never went into the meadow).  Of course, I didn’t have time to fish every pool but I stopped and fished some of my favorite spots.  I landed (and released) a total of 34 trout (26 rainbows and 8 browns).  The size ranged from 10 to 21 inches and brown trout tended to be a bit smaller.  The rainbow trout in particular showed good representation of several year classes.  In general, the fish appeared to be in good condition after the past winter. 

 Observations on aquatic insects revealed good numbers of Baetis tricaudatus (blue-winged olive), Paraleptophlebia heteronea (blue quill), Pteronarcella badia (little salmon fly), Hydropsyche cockerelli (tan caddisfly) and a variety of midges.  These and other insects should create some great hatches this summer.  The fish condition also reflected the abundance of aquatic insects.  The presence Pteronarcella badia was additionally informative because this species is known to be a good indicator of favorable water quality and riparian habitat (it has been disappearing from many streams in the west).

 Thanks,

Dave

June 14, 2002

There was a lot of excitement here yesterday. The fishing has been wonderful in the low and clear water-dry flies that normally work later and which work this early in the season is a great treat. So the guides left with a dozen very excited neophytes to explore Big Creek. They split into four groups and one of the guides, Scott Polancich, had his group of three by two likely-looking holes. He carefully gave instructions in casting, how to find the fish, and demonstrated various techniques for bringing them in.

One of the guests, ready to go so Scott gave him free rein and began working with the other two in a pool a few dozen feet upstream. For half an hour nothing happened in either pool, then from the lone fisherman a shout, and Scott, hurried upstream. Instead of a heels-up fisherman, he saw the fellow with his rod almost bent into a U and shrieking with excitement.

Through his polarized sunglasses, Scott could see a huge trout at the end of the line. Shaking with excitement himself, he counseled, “Be calm. Take it easy.” The big fish swam downstream then upstream but couldn’t shake the hook. When the fisherman’s wife heard the commotion she crossed the stream, stepped into a hole and filled her waders but retained her dignity and sloshed across anyhow.

Soon there were three or four spectators. As Scott brought the net under the fish he discovered it was WAAAY too big for the net so reached down and cradled the slippery fish to his body so it wouldn’t escape, almost as if he were tackling it. They photographed the proud fisherman with his fish then turned it free to fight again. Later that evening I talked with both the fisherman and the guide; it was impossible to tell who was more excited.”

http://www.thedailymeal.com/9-dude-ranches-still-living-old-wild-west

Road crews are working to get the road open in the next three weeks. When you come to the ranch this year, you may want to consider a detour over Snowy Range Road. Even in July there will still be snow up there.

At the A Bar A, we no longer have snow on the ground and grass is starting to green up. We keep getting small snow flurries, but they are melting quickly.

Wyoming
My favorite place to be ANYWHERE in the world would have to be Wyoming. I’ve gone there the past two years and I’ve loved every single second of it.
At my favorite place I see my Grandpa getting his hands dirty doing his difficult job living the ranch life. I also spy birds zooming through the trees. I watch as people around me are having as much fun as I am. I see blissful horses running through the pasture, grazing on grass, flowers and occasionally weeds.l notice the wind blowing through the trees.
At my favorite place I hear so many children and grown ups sharing a laugh or two. I hear horses hooves galloping in the distant meadows. I listen to the birds chirping and the creek as it flows forever on. Listening to my horses heartbeat as we ride together brings me to a place of peace and serenity. I hear loved ones all around me. And I could tell, this is where they want to be too.
At this place I smell (the horse manure) and crisp mountain air flowing throught the warm breeze. I also smell the freshly cut grass. It mixes with the sweet smell of my mom’s perfume and all together it smells like home (minus the manure part) I smell our next meal filling the mountain air. The smell of Wyoming smells like home.
At my favorite place I feel a warm hug while roasting by the fireplace. I touch the slightly misted grass on a damp day. Feeling my horse’s deep breaths reminds me of who I am. I feel the warm Wyoming sun rays beating down on my face in my favorite spot in the yard. I touch the jagged pebbles as I walk along the dusty trails in my comfy cowboy boots.
There I taste the delicious food they fix for us. Everytime I visit there, the food is always scrumptious. I shudder…as the horses lope past me free as can be. I inhale the mountain air as it blows my hair back underneath my cowboy hat. Its peace and harmony.
Oh what a beautiful place to be…. Wyoming