Literary accounts of fishouts in the recent past,
to make you sorry you didn't go.
O'Connell-Bourdet Ranch Bass Fishout
By Cecilia Stipes
O'Connell-Bourdet Ranch Bass Fishout
By Cecilia Stipes
This year's bass fishers included Tom Pelikan, Kevin and Tom Deetz, Dave Jensen, Bill Seaman, Dawn Wagner, Coleman Segal, Lee Fitzsimmons, Elaine Cook, and Dick and Cecilia Stipes. After an early morning breakfast at Casa de Fruta, we locked our cars into 4-WD and headed across the highway and through the gates of the O'Connell-Bourdet ranch.
The air was cool and crisp, and an early morning fog clung to the rolling hills as we caravanned over hill and dale to one of the hidden fishing locations. It was a little fishing haven with a cabin and two ponds nestled in a remote part of the ranch. As we approached, a small group of wild boar rushed for cover and on an adjacent hill a band of wild turkeys was spotted scratching the slopes for their morning meal. Scott Wilkinson and his trusty dog, Doc, were our guides once again.
Without delay, Elaine managed to hit the water first in her float tube. Much to her surprise, the fish were unusually slow in responding to her efforts. Soon after Bill Seaman hooked into his first fish, I caught a couple and then Kevin Deetz who discovered a honey-hole. With every cast, he got a willing fish. Meanwhile Elaine remained fishless! Rumors started flying around the lake that suggested Elaine might need a refresher course on fly fishing for bass. As the story went, success prevailed finally when she floated behind a wall of reeds that harbored a plethora of bass of varying sizes. Those of us respectfully on other parts of the pond were reassured of her bountiful catches by spontaneous gleeful cries emanating from behind the reedy curtain. Aaah, all was well again for Elaine as she hit her stride.
Tom found that his "Hall of Fame" white gurgler proved once again to be "theÓ perfect fly just as it had on the Roostercomb fishout. The gurgler attracted numerous blue gills unable to swallow the large hook, but worked perfectly on the large-mouth bass. Even our 13-yr. old club member, Coleman Segal, surprised himself by catching a whopper bass (15-16 in.) upon casting his popper near the reeds. Tom had a good fight from a sizeable bass in the 4-lb. range that took him quite a while to bring to the surface which I photographed. Dave, Dawn and Lee saw a good amount of action as well. Meanwhile, after some fishing, Dick organized a barbecue for the group back at the cabin which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone mid-day as we sat on the deck overlooking the picturesque pond.
After 2 hours of post-lunch fishing, the fish-action seemed to slow down considerably. It was then decided it might be best to seek out another pond. Before heading down the mountain to another fishing pond closer to the ranch house, a presentation was made to Coleman. He was awarded the "Big Bass" cap (graciously provided by Tom Deetz) for his big bass and productive day of fishing. Then in view of the ponds we ceremoniously had a group photo taken by Scott. The drive out across the hilltops offered us spectacular views of the valley below. The day of fishing ended about 6:45 p.m. with everyone tired and satisfied and heading home with memories of a beautiful outing with good friends and a good day of fishing on a very special ranch.