Getting Away

By Donnie Vachon

We've all learned to live with crowds. If the freeways are crowded, we take the carpool lane. It seems we call in advance to go and do anything today. Reservations have become a way of life.

But, when it comes to your favorite lake, the word "crowd" can take on a whole new meaning. Patience usually comes pretty easy for most of us -- right? We are anglers. We can stand around for an hour or more without scratching an itchy nose in order to catch that giant bass lurking in the shallows. But, when you have to wait an hour to launch your boat we can become very frustrated.

Then, of course, there are the trusty water skiers and wakeboarders who make it almost impossible to fish at certain times.

Are you ready for a change? If so, fishing private waters, or pay-to-play lakes could be your answer.

The Benefits

We have all experienced what pressure can do to a lake. During the week, you had a triple limit of 3- to 4-pound bass, but on the weekends, you can't muster a limit of small fish.

Private waters receive very little pressure. Those 50- to 100-fish days you hear about are really true!

On a recent trip to Vail Lake, located in Temecula, California, I was pleased to see only seven boats on the water, including my own. The seclusion of private lakes make them a great place for family outings.

For the experienced angler, the benefits of fishing private waters are many. They make you a better angler.

When you fish a private lake and you're not catching fish, you can't blame the pressure, because there isn't any. You also can't say there just weren't any fish, because there are plenty. You have to look at your lure selection, and more importantly, your presentation.

If you are serious about learning and improving, private waters make great schools. You have the opportunity to work on your weak areas and catch fish in the process, which increases your confidence level.

Another benefit to fishing private lakes is that you always find fish living in the shallows. Lack of pressure is part of the reason, but the biggest factor is that private lakes generally don't suffer from the big draw downs that most public reservoirs must weather. Lake levels are fairly stable throughout the year.

Cost Analysis

By now I'm certain you're wondering what all this will cost. You might be surprised to discover that it's not as much as you might think.

First, let's take a look at what you're spending now.

Depending on the lake, launch fees can range from $5 to $10. Some lakes even charge you to park your vehicle. Lakes sometimes even charge for fishing permits at $5 each.

Figure out what you're spending each year to fish your favorite lake. For me, it was easy. For my three boys and me (and usually a few of their friends) it was averaging $25 per trip and we averaged three to four trips each week during the summer. After adding up these figures, I realized that a 100-dollar monthly membership payment wasn't too bad after all.

Costs for memberships can vary greatly from location to location. It really depends on your needs and what you are looking for. In some locations you are actually purchasing an ownership, much like a time share. It's a lifetime family membership that you can pass down or sell later.

Unlike time shares, these memberships usually have no limits on when you can use the facilities or how long you can stay.

Memberships of this type may even increase in value, so they can be a good investment.

The cost of ownership can range from $5,000 to $10,000. Most offer long-term financing with payments as low as $100 per month. Sometimes you can find a deal by purchasing a membership from a current member. Look in the local newspapers under vacation properties or time shares, and occasionally one might show up.

When purchasing a membership, use caution. Ask to see a copy of the terms and conditions agreement before you hand over your money. Make sure you have lake rights.

Another type of membership is an annual pass, which will range from $600 to $1,000 per year. With these memberships you have the option of renewing at the end of each year. You do not have any ownership rights.

Finding Private Waters

Finding private waters is relatively easy with internet access. Do your homework, and consider how far you are willing to travel to get to the lake. Determine what amenities they offer and check out the rules and regulations of the membership. Most offer a a one day tour of the lake and facilities. Others will, upon request, send out a free video with brochures to highlight their offerings.

Many of these lakes are on large ranches that have been passed down through the generations and continue as working cattle ranches. Others have been converted to resort ranches, offering their members a wide choice of activities and lodging.

The Lakes

Just to mention a couple of options, Vail Lake and The Kelsey Bass Ranch are two very different locations, both in California, and both with excellent reputations for a quality experience.

Vail Lake is located just outside of the Southern California town of Temecula. It is a near-perfect lake designed for bass fishing. When full, Vail Lake has 1,000 surface acres. Here you will find almost every conceivable type of bass structure. There are tulle-lined coves, scattered brush, dead fall trees, rocky points, steep walls, submerged humps and islands. Fishing can be excellent all year. Explosive topwater action is the draw during the warmer months and some huge bass are caught each winter as well.

In addition to some of the best fishing found anywhere, Vail Lake offers a wide range of other recreational activities. R.V. hook-ups, horseback riding with miles of trails through the hills and around the lake and a swimming pool, all help make a trip to Vail a total family experience.

There are two smaller ponds around the campground that are stocked with fish for the younger anglers. Small cabins are available for members who do not have an R.V. Vail Lake has a lot to offer their members at very affordable prices.

The Kelsey Bass Ranch, located in the California Sierra Foothills, is another great way "to get away from it all."

Kelsey Bass Ranch is a 7,000 acre working cattle ranch and the setting is very rustic and remote. The 120-acre lake offers some of the finest bass fishing around with a lake record of 14.4 pounds.

The number of boats that are allowed on the lake each day is very limited, providing anglers plenty of elbowroom. You won't find jet skiers, water skiers or race boats on this lake.

In addition to the main lake, there are some smaller ponds on the ranch that have been stocked and are producing large numbers of smaller bass.

The main lake holds large numbers of fish and some real trophies as well.

There is a wide variety of structure at Kelsey's. Rip-rap along the dam, tulles in the coves, willow trees abound and during the summer, the weed beds offer some of the best frog fishing in the state.

During the winter months, even bird watchers can enjoy themselves at the ranch. Everything from bald eagles to Canada geese enjoy their time at The Kelsey Bass Ranch.

Corporate memberships are available at the Kelsey Bass Ranch and they have a limited number of days each year that corporate clients can rent the lake out for a day. These rentals can be used for just a fun day of fishing with friends, family or clients. Managers can even set up megabucks-style tournaments complete with a barbecue lunch.

So if you are tired of crowded launch ramps and jet skiers, check out the private waters near you.

For additional information, contact Vail Lake at 909-767-0716 or The Kelsey Bass Ranch at 209-563-6573 or at their website www.kelseybassranch.com.

Editor's note: Donnie Vachon is a member of the Skeeter/Yamaha Pro Team and fishes the Bassmaster trail, WON Bass Pro/Am events as well as local team tournaments with his three sons Daniel, Kyle and Brady.

Donnie is sponsored by: Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Sundown Marine, Quantum, PinPoint, Sawyer Cook & Co. Boat Insurance, Crosswalker Lures, AA's Worms and Propellers of San Diego.