Written by: Siri Stevens

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1.Whether you’re in Rock Springs for the National High School Finals or Vernal for the Dinosaur Round-Up PRCA Rodeo, some of America’s most amazing fishing is just an hour from your front door. Flaming Gorge is a fish filled impoundment of the Green River that harbours massive 50 plus pound Lake Trout along with Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow and Brown Trout and aggressive small mouth bass. I recommend using Captain Monty for an unforgettable day of fishing aboard his ultra comfy jet boat, the “Trout Teaser”. He’s a local guide with over 20 years of experience fishing here and has everything you need to pluck the fish of a lifetime from the Gorge. You’ll find the most success here by targeting specific fish using a fish finder but you can also just relax and tell rodeo stories while trolling around with down riggers.

For awesome fly fishing, hit the Green River below the dam near Dutch John, Utah. It’s a blue ribbon trout stream that offers outstanding angling opportunities with up to 20,000 cutties, bows and browns per mile. If you’re a spin caster these fish might be a little smart for your liking but they aren’t impossible to catch with the right lures. Last year, a local told me to try an orange and gold spoon and it was an absolute trout slayer.
If fishing isn’t for you, Flaming Gorge’s 91 miles of water still offers plenty of summer fun for the whole family. You can rent watercrafts ranging from jet skis all the way up to houseboats from Lucerne Valley Marina to cruise around in search of the perfect cliff jumping spot.

2. Every morning I stumble around searching for a coffee to help bring me to life and in Rock Springs there’s no better place than Cowboy Donuts for that stout cup of brew. Starting at 5 am, Monday to Saturday, owners Jay and Derek serve up their delicious coffee and donuts to lineups of groggy locals. But it’s their kick-ass kolaches that they’re becoming famous for and if you don’t know what that is, you’ve been missing out. A kolache is the perfect breakfast on the go; a freshly baked, slightly sweet pastry filled with cheese, ham or sausage and jalapeños if you’re looking for a little extra eye opener. (1573 Dewar Drive Suite #4)

3. For a quick sightseeing trip close to Rock Springs, check out the Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Loop. This well maintained, 23 mile stretch of gravel road only takes about an hour and a half to drive and offers amazing views of not only wild horses but also several other types of animals and the beautiful landscape that they call home. The Rock Springs district holds over 2,500 horses that are truly wild, untamed creatures; descendants of horses set free by Spanish explorers in the 1500’s and ranch horses coaxed into their herd through the years. Unlike most rodeo cowboys, these mustangs and their friends are most active first thing in the morning. So grab a cup of joe and a kolache and hit the trail early!

4. Coyote Creek Steakhouse and Saloon is the go to spot for your family’s post rodeo celebrations. As any great steakhouse must, they have a variety of mouth watering beef and chicken dishes prepared in ways that will impress even the toughest palate. It’s their Rack of Lamb au Poivre that’s a real stand out on an already stellar menu. They coat tender lamb in crushed black peppercorns, glaze it with brandy, and then simmer it in rosemary, Dijon, beef broth, heavy cream, and butter. (404 N. Street)

 

 

 

 

 

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