Roostercomb II
by Tom Bradley
Roostercomb II
by Tom Bradley
Fishouts are about making memories. The annual Roostercomb trip never disappoints. This was my third trip to the ranch, an amazing opportunity to share the experience with my wife, Michelle and my kids, Pearson and Colette. The drive in alone was worth the price of admission. The wildflowers were in full bloom and multiple crossings of the swelled creek offered a bonus sense of adventure.
The ponds were full and picturesque. The deeper/colder water slowed the top water action a bit, but the patient, were rewarded when fishing deep. The kids caught fish each day, as well as turtles and lizards. A special thanks to Bill Seaman for taking the time to teach my kids how to snare lizards with a grass noose.
The Bradleys enjoyed numerous additional highlights. Michelle was guided on a hair raising off-road tour of the ranch in a rhino 4x4. We accidentally let our truck battery die while at Mustang pond. I chose to run out to the main road (through creeks, etc) just in time to catch Dick, Cecilia, Glen and Debbie driving by-our saviors! The ranch owner, Scott, drove me back out to collect the truck. He chose a high ridge route with amazing views that I otherwise would have missed (there's always a silver lining). The Pearson and Sam ukulele/harmonica jam session rocked the ranch house Saturday night. Michelle enjoyed some peaceful moments while I fished. The kids kept busy paddling boats left at the ponds, wearing out the ranch porch swing and skipping rocks in the creek. Good, old fashioned kid stuff-time in nature. This quote from my nine year old daughter best sums up the experience, "Dad, I woke up when I heard a small bird, it woke up a bunch of turkeys, they woke up the woodpeckers, who woke up all of the rest of the birds and it got real noisy".
Always plenty of great conversation while enjoying a bounty of delicious food. Thanks to Cecilia and Dick for their efforts and to all who helped us make fantastic memories.