No one says it better than our guests

Take a gander at our virtual guestbook, and read what others have to say about their experience at The High Lonesome Ranch. Feel free to propose your own story for entry into our book.

Nick Papadopoulos

Stonefly Vineyards, Director and Chief Fly Fishing Officer

July 2010

Dear HLR Team: I would like to extend my thanks to all of you for making our journey to the High Lonesome so special. Your efforts, seamless attention to detail, and 100% dedication to Wine on the Fly customers is a case study in how to go above and beyond. I have learned a great deal watching you all in action from sun up to sundown and will never forget my stay here. Your vision and values are inspiring to me!
All the best, “Stonefly” Nick Papadopoulos

John Tomke,

Former National President of Ducks Unlimited,
current board member of DU Mexico and Canada,
and member of Boone and Crockett Club.

June 2010

“Another Wonderful experience. Loved it! Thank You.”

Joe Doggett
of Houston, TX
August 2009

“HLR just keeps getting better! Great trip with great hospitality”

Joe Demarco
of Ringwood, NJ
September 2009

“More than advertised! Staff super, kudos Ken, Robin, Mark”

Shalva Janashvili
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs
Republic of Georgia

“Thank you so much for everything. I am returning home with wonderful memories. These few days I have learned so much with great people. It was like living in a fairy tale. Thanks to you all.”

Lori Michaels
of Sky Trekking, Alaska
October 2009

“Excellent meals! Great dog work and handlers, Robbie & Mark top shelf”

Travis Pittman
of Houston, TX
October 2009

“Year 4 as always, great time, great hospitality, great food. See you next year!”

Burk Lowe
of Dallas, TX
October 2009

“3rd Year here Another great hunt. Sure I gained at least 10 lbs from Aunt Lindas food!”

Kent Chapman
of Denton, TX
October 2009

“First timer Loved food, fishing, hunting and scenery will be back!”

Brad & Kimberly Shurett
of South Pittsburg, TN

“Fabulous! I caught my first trout on a fly rod. Im hooked! PSBest massage ever and delicious food!”

Ricky Schroder, Actor,
of Denver, CO

“What a fantastic place!”

Frances & J Carr
of Houston, TX

“Mark is the best fly-fishing guide ever. He put me on big fish. The food was outstanding and the entire operation is very professionally run.”

Trout Unlimited Women:
Sarah, Liz, Susan, Jessie,
Nancy, Barb and Elana

“TU’s first all-women fly-fishing trip. What a wonderful time had by all!”

Clyde Drexler,
retired NBA Basketball Player

“Everything we’ve wanted in a family trip we found at High Lonesome Ranch. Great hospitality, beautiful landscape, great friends, and an unforgettable ambience and experience. Unbelievable horseback riding.”

By Tricia Fitzgerald of Houston, Texas
October 2007

“Truly there is no comparison to the High Lonesome Ranch experience. This was my second visit and again I was welcomed by the staff and felt much like a part of the HLR family. From the meals I enjoyed to the wingshooting and sporting clays course experiences, this place is absolutely first class! I look forward to visiting again soon!”

By Travis Pittman of Houston, Texas
October 2007

“Second time here and I'm already looking at dates to book next year. This is a special place and the hospitality, food and accomodations are first class. Buzz, Robin, Rose, Linda and the rest of the crew are some of the friendliest folks you could ever hope to meet. The guides were great as well....several in our group had never been pheasant hunting before and Mark and Robbie had us on birds the entire time.”

By Megan Subsick of Concord, MA
September 2007

“My dad and I went to the High Lonsesome Ranch, and we had an awesome time. Whether it was the food or the Fly-fishing our expectations were exceeded. Everyone was so nice that I didn't want to leave. The wildlife we saw was amazing. Mark, our guide was so helpful. I cannot wait to go back!”

By Doug Hawthorne of Texas
July 2007

“Robin - Yesterday was a wonderful experience. Thanks to you and Rose, Aunt Linda and especially Mark. We just will be talking about our visit to the High Lonesome Ranch for a long time to come.”

By John Gierach, author of
“Trout Bum“ of Lyons, Colorado
July 2007

“No matter what your flyfishing skill level is, you can do some serious business at The High Loneome Ranch. Unique and exceptional fishery.  I haven’t seen anything quite like it.”

By Richard and Janie Miller of
Atlanta, Georgia
June 2007

“Janie and I have been fortunate in our travels. We have stayed in some lovely places, been hosted by delightful people, enjoyed wonderful cuisine and experienced fun times. The High Lonesome Ranch has set a new standard. We cannot recall a more perfect and lovely setting, facility and experience. The main lodge and dining room were terrific. A special thanks to Todd...you guys know how important it is for a sportsman's wife to enjoy her time fishing.”

By Dolph and Teri Tillotson of
Galveston, Texas
April 2007

“What a delight it was to spend time with you and the other great folks at The High Lonesome Ranch! The hospitality was wonderful, the food superb, and you even managed to provide Chamber of Commerce weather. Seriously, this was a truly wonderful business meeting, and your hard work and hospitality added immencely to that. Thank you so much for everything.”

By Kurtis Kaiser, Cabela's Media Production Manager of Sydney, Nebraska
March 2007

“I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for your help in making a successful television show. Your show on Cabela's Outfitter Journal will begin airing March 26th. Thanks again for your helping make a great show!”

By Martha Ann Walls of Houston, Texas
November 2006

“How do you spell “hospitality”? It is a very long word but I will make a run at it.

buzzroserobinmarkauntlinda

Oops - I forgot to capitalize! At any rate, I hope that you all got the message! I had a wonderful time last week. When I count my blessings, you all, your family and associates are at the top of the list. THANK YOU!”

True Stories from
The High Lonesome Ranch

In May, Ray and Sue Johnson celebrated their tenth anniversary. Not their wedding anniversary, mind you, but their tenth anniversary of coming to The High Lonesome Ranch. Ray has fished all over the world but always comes back here. “This is the only place Sue likes to fish,” says Ray of his wife. Being able to see the quarry is truly a benefit for her, while at times it’s a curse for others. When guiding Ray you have to start telling him it’s about time to quit an hour before you really do because he is notorious for saying “just one more cast.” He would fish through meals and sleep if you let him. I have had the privilege of guiding them for four years and to be honest I don’t know who has more fun: me or them. – Mark Weaver, Head Guide

The 2009 elk season ended with another banner year. Third-year High Lonesome Ranch hunter Mike Berger started the season off with a beautiful 6X6, 354 B&C bull. Ranch guide Todd Weiszbrod had this bull patterned the day before the hunt. But, on the first morning the bull changed his whereabouts and was nowhere to be seen. That afternoon, Todd, Mike, and Jason Lynch were able to locate the bull and Mike was able to harvest this extraordinary animal. Todd was also able to put Mike on a 300+ pound black bear to finish out his hunt. Mike Berger and his brothers Steve and Jim have booked another hunt for 2010 and this will be their fourth season with us. Good work Mike and Todd. Let’s see what the 2010 season has in store for this duo.

Author and TV personality Ron Spomer hunted The High Lonesome Ranch in 2009. He will have an article in “Sporting Classics” and the TV show will be airing this fall with “Leupold’s Big Game Profiles.” Ron hunted with High Lonesome Ranch guide Scott Bystol. Ron and Scott hunted hard for 4 days. On the last day of the hunt, their hard work paid off with a 27” wide 4X4.

In 2007, High Lonesome’s clients harvested some fine trophies. One such guest was Arnie Speiss. With his guide, Chris Furia, and some help from guides Ken Mowerson and Dave Hentosh, Arnie was able to harvest a tremendous Mule Deer. The buck rough scored 221+, had a spread nearly at 34” and was a very large, mature animal. The buck had been spotted early in the morning but was not found and shot until that evening just before dark. The buck had lots of character with huge mass, deep forks, lots of points, and was tall and wide. Hats off to Arnie and guide Chris for a job well done! Arnie's buck was the largest taken on the ranch to date.

The elk season here at High Lonesome is always a high adventure, as witnessed by all of us in 2007. Another ranch record was set by Brian Lehrner and his guide, Todd Weiszbrod, while hunting at the HLR headquarters. Brian shot a huge bull in the morning. We took the trail and it was the next day when we found the animal. What a great bull it was, a 7x7 that gross scored 345”. Just before the elk was finished off, a black bear was seen only a few feet away, but ran off once the hunter and guide got to the elk!

In 2007 another High Lonesome record was broken and set by a Miss Lissa and her guide, Ken Whitney. Lissa caught and released a huge hen rainbow trout at the Sweetwater Pond beat, where it’s a challenge to catch just a normal trout. Kenny was able to get Lissa over the big fish. Now, everyone needs to understand that Lissa did all the work. Made a great presentation, worked the fly and fish just right, set the hook and played the monster with expert care and handling. I’m sure everyone wants to know just how big – right? Well, by using the biologists’ formula, it tipped the scales at 14 pounds! Over 30 inches long with a huge girth! Rest assured that LIssa and her guide have sent copies of their pictures to everyone they know and don’t know – even the ranch director got one.