It’s been a rough spring for a lot of fly anglers in the interior West. It was winter until not very long ago, and now that epic snowpack is melting. The meadows at our home place are under anywhere from a few inches to several feet of water. All the places we like to fish are blown out, and they’re going to be that way for a while. I suspect many of my friends are in the same situation. But my buddy Bob Reece at Thin Air Anglers has a solution.
You may know Bob. He’s one of America’s best fly tyers. He’s an Umpqua Signature Fly Designer and writer for Fly Fusion Magazine as well as Gink & Gasoline. But you may not know that he’s an outstanding guide, too. He’s booking trips for the first time on the fabled Horse Creek Ranch near Cheyenne, Wyo. To coin a phrase, it’s a magical place.
Steeped in the history of the old West, it’s 60,000 acres on the east flank of the Laramie Range. Its history goes back to the last century, and the one before that. But it’s also home to 17 still waters that promise the best trout fishing in southeast Wyoming. These bodies of water range in size and all are fed by groundwater springs or free flowing creeks. This helps maintain ideal water temperatures an habitat that grows robust trout populations. There are brook trout up to twenty inches, along with rainbows, browns, cutthroats and tiger trout. Five pound fish are not uncommon. All these waters are fishable from shore, but Bob can provide a boat if you’re more comfortable with that option.
There are also numerous miles of small streams on the Horse Creek Ranch, home to brookies and the occasional rainbow or brown. If you’re a Tenkara angler, these streams were made for you. Keep in mind that this is rugged country, and anglers here need to be in good shape. You’ll be walking several miles a day at an elevation over 6,000 feet. But you’ll be rewarded – you will most definitely be rewarded!
There’s no question that the Horse Creek Ranch is a hidden gem. But the real hidden gem here is Bob Reece himself. Here’s a great guy, a great tyer and an amazing guy who has given thousands of hours of his time to introducing young people to fly fishing. He understands fish and fish habitat. He understands conservation. And he’s a proud TU Business member.
Thin Air Angler
Bob Reece
Cheyenne, WY 82009
(307) 256-2741