News & Updates

Yes, it is a single winner. Mr. Larry Morgan of Oklahoma took all three places in this year’s Big Bass Contest. Larry’s big fish came from two perennial all star lakes, San Saba Waco Creek Ranch and Longbranch Yates Place.

We never dreamed that a single member would win all three places, but Larry is a great fisherman and was at the right places at the right time. All three fish were witnessed by fellow member Paul Bryan and were caught on a weighted fluke.  Larry did not want to completely divulge his lure presentation, but simply caught lots of really big fish using a weighted fluke. As you might expect the real secret to Larry’s success is in the details of how he presented the fluke to a waiting bass.

Larry will win $600 for first, $150 for second, and $50 for third place for a total of $800! Next year we will have what will inevitably be known as the “Larry Morgan Rule” where you can only win one of the three places. We had over 20 entries with lots of 22 and 22.5 inch bass. FYI a 22 inch bass full of eggs is typically about 7 lbs and a 22.5 inch bass full of eggs should weigh about 7.5 lbs. Larry’s 24.5” bass probably weighed close to 9.5 lbs when full of eggs. We had several fish caught that were larger than Larry’s 24.5 inch fish, but those members were not entered in the big bass contest.

Thanks to all that participated.  We're already looking forward to next years competition!

For those of you interested in lake management strategies there is a seminar for you.  Texas Agrilife Extensions services is hosting Bass Tech Saturday March 24th in Athens Texas . The seminar is an all day event from 8:00 to 5:00.

Session presentations and tours will include Basic Pond Ecology, Water Quality, Pond Fertilization, Do-It-Yourself Fish Population Assessment and Corrective Stockings, Better Bass Fishing Through Genetics, Trophy Bass Management, Identifying and Controlling Nuisance Wildlife, Aquatic Weed Identification and Control, Feeding, Seining and Electrofishing Demonstration, and Aging Largemouth Bass Using Otoliths.

Private Water Fishing is the premier sponsor of the event. The event was held two years ago and had about 200 attendees. Most of these attendess are avid pond lovers and owners of private lakes.

Registration for the training is $70 by March 16, $100 thereafter. Participants may register online athttp://agriliferegister.tamu.edu  and enter the keyword “bass” or by calling 979-845-2604. Registration will be from 7-8 a.m. on March 24. Presentations, tours and exhibits will conclude at 5 p.m. A catered lunch and break refreshments will be included in the registration fee. In addition, each registrant will receive a CD of the proceedings, speaker notes and a copy of Higginbotham’s “Wildlife and Fish Management Calendar.”An optional behind-the-scenes tour of the center will be from 3-5 p.m. on March 23.

Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicator license holders can earn one continuing education unit in integrated pest management.

The center is about 4 miles east of Athens and 75 miles southeast of Dallas. More information on the center can be found at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/.

For more information on the symposium, or to register by regular mail and check, contact Higginbotham at 903-834-6191 or b-higginbotham@tamu.edu or Dr. Michael Masser, AgriLife Extension fisheries specialist, College Station at  979-845-7370 or m-masser@tamu.edu

Posted by: Steve Alexander

We are pleased to announce reduced fishing rates at Glen Rose Rough Creek Lodge. Mallard Lake, the 80 acre lake is one of the largest and most underrated lakes in the club. In August of 2010 PWF shocked 4 club lakes and RCL had the healthiest fish population of any of the 4 club lakes we shocked. We shocked Sadler, no longer in the club, Decatur Beaver Lake; a club favorite, and Cleburne Six O Ranch; perhaps the most popular lake in the entire club. The fish were healthy and the percentage of larger fish was greater than the other lakes. In fact, we shocked a 9 lb female that would have weighed 11 lbs in the spring of this year. It is very unusual to shock a fish this large in the summer.  We felt the day rate of $125 was simply too high; which kept many of you away. The new day rate is only $75.00 for a full day and $50.00 for a half day; with a two person minimum. You will need to bring your own boat and make sure you check in at the Beretta Room at RCL. A great day of fishing would be to fish Cleburne-Six O Ranch in the morning; drive 30 minutes south to RCL have a great lunch at the lodge and catch the evening bite at RCL. For those of you who have always wanted to fish Mallard Lake at Rough Creek Lodge and felt it was just too expensive, it just got a lot easier to fish.

If you want to see the video of this 9lb beauty click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy3dNYAYcPA

Sites participating in the Summer Savings can be found below.  Offers run from August 1^st to August 31^st.  All savings will be removed from the total cost of your outing after your reservation has been placed.