The Rocking Z Guest Ranch in Montana, offered by Ranch Rider, has a firm stance on the environment having already signed a conservation agreement way back in 1995. Their commitment extends to encompass the whole of working ranch life, from the use of vegetable oil powered irrigation pumps to the development of bio-diesel for all the ranch’s tractors and earthmoving equipment.
More recently, however, the ranch has been working with the Montana Fish Wild Life and Parks Foundation to preserve the fish habitat at the Little Pickly Pear Creek, which flows through the ranch.
The Rocking Z offers fly-fishing for guests on either the Little Prickly Pear Creek or on the Missouri River, and while riding is a central activity, many visitors come to the ranch solely to fish. In fact, according to the owners, it is not unusual to catch a 20-inch Brown Trout.
Tony Daly, Managing Director of Ranch Rider comments: "Fishing and ranching are inextricably linked, the wilderness areas surrounding ranches providing perfect opportunities for amateur and more serious anglers. Ranch owners also have a firm commitment to the land. This is where they live and work, so it’s not hard to see why, as stewards of the earth, they act to preserve the flora and fauna for future generations."
The programme engineered by the owners and the partnering foundation has been set up to protect a section of the creek, that is an important spawning ground for Brown and Rainbow trout. The ranch has fenced the area to protect it from all domestic livestock. This has helped to provide better water quality and lower stream temperatures for the fish habitat. The owners have recently recorded a two-degree reduction in temperature over the summer months, their efforts having a positive effect on the fish population.
Ranch Rider offers several ranch stays, which include opportunities to specialise in fishing, including the Rocking Z. The Paradise Guest Ranch in Wyoming, offers a four-day fishing trip for angling enthusiasts that can be added to the ranch stay; the Hideout at Flitner, a luxury working ranch in Wyoming, offers fly-fishing as part of the holiday; and the K-Diamond-K Guest Cattle & Guest Ranch in Washington leaves afternoons free for trout fishing.
Ranch stay prices at the Rocking Z with Ranch Rider start from £890pp including all accommodation (based on two adults sharing), transfers, gratuities, meals, and all ranch based riding. Excludes International flight.
Ranch Rider offers flights from the following departure airports; Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Additional departure airports including Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds/Bradford, Humberside, Teeside, Newcastle and Norwich are available at a £50pp supplement. Telephone Ranch Rider on 01509 618811 or visit Ranch Rider at www.ranchrider.com for further information. ATOL PROTECTED No 4660 ABTA 96395/V9150.
