Hi Justin,

 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

This was written by the granddaughter of Ross and Kathy O’Day. Ross, is our head of maintenance. Their granddaughter has visited the ranch the past two summers to share the experience of an A Bar A summer with them.

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