LARAMIE RIVER
After gathering many of its headwater tributaries in northern Colorado, the Laramie River quietly flows through hay and cattle country north of Chambers Lake, glides into Wyoming at the eastern edge of the Snowy Range, continues northward through the city of Laramie into Wheatland Reservoir, passes through the Laramie Mountains, emerges near the community of Wheatland, and finally empties into the North Platte River at Fort Laramie—a journey of over 150 miles through an ever-changing countryside. Throughout this entire length, however, very little of the river can be considered appealing to the fisherman since it is dewatered heavily for irrigation purposes and is inaccessible in many areas because of private property.
The stream is very attractive as it enters Wyoming through the canyons above Woods Landing, and it remains so as it flows beside the barren, low hills, plains and cottonwood flats for the next twenty-five miles to the town of Laramie. As it nears Laramie, however, the shallow currents and siltation are evidence that that irrigation demands have had their effect on both the water and the stream bed. From Laramie all the way to the North Platte, the river is affected by irrigation and, because the water flows through private land, access is very limited.
Since access is difficult along so much of the river, fishing pressure is considerable within the areas that are open to the public—approximately four miles of water above Woods Landing and one small parcel of state land between Woods Landing and Laramie. This reach is primarily a brown trout fishery, although some rainbows will be hooked. The size of both species can be expected to range from twelve to fourteen inches. The browns, in particular, come freely to the dry fly and a variety of standard patterns should be used including caddis and mayfly imitations as well as attractors. Evenings are particularly rewarding with floating patterns.
Additionally a section of water is available to fishermen at the Monolith Ranch, located about five miles south of Laramie, with access from Highway 230. This is a flat, smooth piece of river, but the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has created more favorable holding water by placing large boulders in the stream channel.
Laramie River at Jelm
A word of warning is needed here concerning intense concentrations of mosquitoes along the Laramie, particularly where it flows through flooded hay meadows. These bothersome insects can be highly aggravating to anglers so liberal use of repellent is advised.
In addition to the river, several plains lakes in the Laramie area are of interest to fishermen and, in fact, offer many opportunities for good fishing. These waters include Twin Buttes Reservoir, Gellat Lake, Meeboer Lake, Diamond Lake, Sodergreen Lake and Lake Hattie. Access to each is relatively easy, but the wind blows energetically in this region at times and causes problems for anglers, particularly if they fish from a boat.
The largest and most popular of these lakes is Lake Hattie, located eighteen miles west of Laramie. This body of water, with approximately 2,500 surface acres, is home to browns, rainbows and cutthroats to fifteen inches in length. A campground and boat ramp are available to fishermen.
Diamond Lake is located thirty miles west of Laramie, about four miles north of I-80. Take the Cooper Cove exit and heed the sign that states, “Diamond Lake - 4 Miles.” This body of water at one time produced many fish weighing from three to five pounds, but because of over harvesting, the quality has diminished dramatically. In an attempt to reverse this situation and restore its former reputation, the Game and Fish Department now manages the water as a trophy fishing site, with slot limits and reduced possession allowances. This lake has a rich food supply for the trout, and is a comfortable impoundment to fish from a small boat or float tube.
CHEYENNE
Due to its location in the extreme southeast corner of Wyoming, this capitol city of the Equality State actually is closer in proximity to the capitol city of Colorado than it is to most of the communities in Wyoming. Cheyenne is, however, the gateway to the state for all who approach it from the southeast. With a population of fifty thousand within the city limits and an additional fifteen thousand residents in the nearby county area surrounding the city, it is the political center of the state. Most main offices of state and federal agencies are headquartered here.
Cheyenne’s beginnings were humble, but the town quickly grew in size and stature as economic good fortune prevailed. Originally situated in the middle of Cheyenne Indian country, it got its start in 1867 as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad, and later became a cattle center as wealthy Easterners invested heavily in this growing industry on the plains.
On a national scale, Cheyenne is probably best known for Cheyenne Frontier Days, the celebration held each year during the last full week of July. With a combination of parades, dancing, carnivals, nationally-known entertainment, and one of the biggest rodeos in the world, this “daddy of ‘em all” rodeo week draws participants from throughout the country. The first such event was held here in 1897.
Two museums in town exhibit the history of the area. The Wyoming State Museum delves into the archeology and ethnology of the state and the West, with fine collections of Indian artifacts and military equipment displayed to portray life on the prairie in the early days of Wyoming’s history. The Frontier Days Old West Museum in Frontier Park has a display showing the history of the Frontier Days Rodeo as well as memorabilia from the days of cowboys and Indians, local pioneers, the Union Pacific Railroad, and early carriages and stagecoaches.
Other features of interest in the city are the Governor’s Mansion Historical House and The National First Cover Museum, a one-of-a-kind museum which displays the rarest and most valuable first-edition postage stamps. In Holliday Park the visitor can view the world’s largest steam locomotive, referred to as “Old Number 4004” or “Big Boy.” A page from the old West is portrayed during June and July when the Cheyenne Gunslinger Association performs gunfights and other Wild West activities at Gunslinger Square in the downtown area.
One effective way to do a lot of sight-seeing in a single outing is to take advantage of the Trolley Tour. This attraction, conducted by the Convention and Visitors Bureau from mid-May until September, is a tour which includes historic downtown, a tour of F.E. Warren Air Force Base, and a stop at the Old West Museum.
A popular attraction for evening activity in July and August is the Atlas Theatre. Having a history of silent and sound movies, vaudeville, and as a night club, the theater now is the home of the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players who present heroes, villains and heroines in performances of melodrama. Good fun for the entire family!
To the west of Cheyenne approximately twenty six miles, the traveler can enjoy the camping, picnicking, sightseeing and water sport opportunities offered at Curt Gowdy State Park.


Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce: PO Box 1147, 301 W. 16th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003 - Phone: (307) 638-3388.

Cheyenne Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: PO Box 765, 309 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003-0765 - Phone: (307) 778-3133 or 800-426-5009.