Stan Fagerstrom
04-04-2002, 12:20 AM
Big K Guest Ranch Great Spot For Smallmouth Anglers
By Stan Fagerstrom
Part Two
In my last column I talked about the tremendous smallmouth bass fishing offered by Oregon's Umpqua River. I also mentioned that a great place to stay when you get there is the Big K Guest Ranch.
The ranch, now going into its ninth year of operation, is a few miles back in the boonies southeast of Elkton. It sets on a hillside overlooking a bend in what is arguably the most beautiful stretch of river in all of Oregon.
The Big K Guest Ranch is a dream come true for the man who had it built. He is Alvin Kesterson, one of the old timers in the Elkton area. Three generations of the Kesterson family are presently involved in the operation of the ranch. The Big K is located not far from where Kesterson's parents homesteaded at the turn of the century.
http://www.ifish.net/sfjimb.jpg
The Big K Guest Ranch is located on a hillside overlooking the Umpqua River.
My wife of the past 57 years might be like yours. She'll go fishing with me if the temperature is between 72 and 78 degrees, the wind is out of the west at no more than five miles per hour, the boat seat cushions are soft and fluffy and I promise to stay out less than three hours.
But while she's not big on fishing, she does like nice surroundings, beautiful scenery and good food. I took her to the Big K Ranch. She wants to go back. If you hanker to take the woman in your life to a spot she'll enjoy, (while you go fishing) this is it.
I see a bit of New Zealand in the Big K Ranch and its surroundings. I also see similarities to parts of Montana and Argentina. Oregon is timber country and there's some of the tall and uncut around the Big K Ranch. But the country opens up there above the Umpqua. It's different than what you expect to find in most parts of western Oregon. It could have been a setting for one of those Bonanza TV episodes.
Headquarters of the Big K Ranch is a 12,000 square foot lodge built from Montana pine. This facility houses a dining room and other rooms ideal for smaller conventions, weddings, reunions, etc. Besides the big main building, there are 20 clean and comfortable guest cabins.
If you're the type who can't sleep unless you can hear traffic or other assorted noises associated with the hustle and bustle of the city, forget the Big K Ranch. This is a spot where the hoot owls make love to the crows. You might hear sheep, the lonely howl of a coyote, the call of an egret, the screech of an eagle or the gobble of a wild turkey because all of them are there. Bring your binoculars because you're a cinch to see deer. With luck you might also spot a herd of elk.
This part of Oregon also has its share of bear and cougar. Both have been seen in Big K country. I don't find that surprising. I've had guides tell me about spotting the big cats while drifting the river. If they could talk the Kesterson family's sheep and cattle herds could also tell some tales about these predators. They've found out more than they wanted to know about them in recent years. Bring your camera and plenty of film when you visit the area. You never know for sure what kind of wildlife you might have opportunity to picture.
You might expect the charge for meals in a hide-away place like the Big K to be out of sight. They aren't. A ranch style breakfast, for example, ranges from $8.95 to $10.95. A buffet style lunch will be approximately the same. Dinners run from $14 to $25. The food is not only plentiful, it's also tasteful and prepared to your desires.
If you're a fisherman, you'll want to take a look at the special package rates the Big K offers. You and a companion can get your room, all meals and a full day of guided fishing for a total of $589. This package rate includes all gratuities for your accommodations and meals. It does not include a tip for your guide. Guide tips usually range from $25 to $50 per day.
If you decide to visit this unique bit of Pacific Northwest grandeur and you're coming in from the Portland area, take Interstate 5 south to Exit 162. Take Oregon 99W to Drain, then Oregon 38 west to Elkton. At Elkton turn south on Hwy. 138 toward Sutherlin. After you cross the first bridge on Hwy. 138, watch for Big K signs on your left as you near the top of the hill beyond the bridge. The turnoff is a tad more than five miles from Elkton. Once you leave Hwy. 138 you'll follow a winding gravel road several miles to the ranch.
http://www.ifish.net/sfbigk.jpg The Big K Guest Ranch is located on a hillside overlooking the Umpqua River.
You'll need to make reservations for a cabin, guided fishing or just to go the Big K Ranch for lunch or dinner. Make them as far out in front as you can. As I've mentioned, the Big K's business has been growing since it started seven years ago. Make your reservations as far out in front as you can. The toll-free number is 1 800 390-2445. One of the best spots to find detailed information on the Big K and the Umpqua River is at the Internet Web site www.hooksportfishing.com. (http://www.hooksportfishing.com.) You can also book your trip at this site.
The Hook Sportfishing phone number is 1 800 583-8133.
As I said in the beginning, I've eyeballed my share of fishing lodges. The Big K ranks right up there with the best. Combine its facilities with the excellent smallmouth fishing in the river it overlooks and you've got a package that's hard to beat.
In recent years more and more anglers from all over the country have been finding that out for themselves.
By Stan Fagerstrom
Part Two
In my last column I talked about the tremendous smallmouth bass fishing offered by Oregon's Umpqua River. I also mentioned that a great place to stay when you get there is the Big K Guest Ranch.
The ranch, now going into its ninth year of operation, is a few miles back in the boonies southeast of Elkton. It sets on a hillside overlooking a bend in what is arguably the most beautiful stretch of river in all of Oregon.
The Big K Guest Ranch is a dream come true for the man who had it built. He is Alvin Kesterson, one of the old timers in the Elkton area. Three generations of the Kesterson family are presently involved in the operation of the ranch. The Big K is located not far from where Kesterson's parents homesteaded at the turn of the century.
http://www.ifish.net/sfjimb.jpg
The Big K Guest Ranch is located on a hillside overlooking the Umpqua River.
My wife of the past 57 years might be like yours. She'll go fishing with me if the temperature is between 72 and 78 degrees, the wind is out of the west at no more than five miles per hour, the boat seat cushions are soft and fluffy and I promise to stay out less than three hours.
But while she's not big on fishing, she does like nice surroundings, beautiful scenery and good food. I took her to the Big K Ranch. She wants to go back. If you hanker to take the woman in your life to a spot she'll enjoy, (while you go fishing) this is it.
I see a bit of New Zealand in the Big K Ranch and its surroundings. I also see similarities to parts of Montana and Argentina. Oregon is timber country and there's some of the tall and uncut around the Big K Ranch. But the country opens up there above the Umpqua. It's different than what you expect to find in most parts of western Oregon. It could have been a setting for one of those Bonanza TV episodes.
Headquarters of the Big K Ranch is a 12,000 square foot lodge built from Montana pine. This facility houses a dining room and other rooms ideal for smaller conventions, weddings, reunions, etc. Besides the big main building, there are 20 clean and comfortable guest cabins.
If you're the type who can't sleep unless you can hear traffic or other assorted noises associated with the hustle and bustle of the city, forget the Big K Ranch. This is a spot where the hoot owls make love to the crows. You might hear sheep, the lonely howl of a coyote, the call of an egret, the screech of an eagle or the gobble of a wild turkey because all of them are there. Bring your binoculars because you're a cinch to see deer. With luck you might also spot a herd of elk.
This part of Oregon also has its share of bear and cougar. Both have been seen in Big K country. I don't find that surprising. I've had guides tell me about spotting the big cats while drifting the river. If they could talk the Kesterson family's sheep and cattle herds could also tell some tales about these predators. They've found out more than they wanted to know about them in recent years. Bring your camera and plenty of film when you visit the area. You never know for sure what kind of wildlife you might have opportunity to picture.
You might expect the charge for meals in a hide-away place like the Big K to be out of sight. They aren't. A ranch style breakfast, for example, ranges from $8.95 to $10.95. A buffet style lunch will be approximately the same. Dinners run from $14 to $25. The food is not only plentiful, it's also tasteful and prepared to your desires.
If you're a fisherman, you'll want to take a look at the special package rates the Big K offers. You and a companion can get your room, all meals and a full day of guided fishing for a total of $589. This package rate includes all gratuities for your accommodations and meals. It does not include a tip for your guide. Guide tips usually range from $25 to $50 per day.
If you decide to visit this unique bit of Pacific Northwest grandeur and you're coming in from the Portland area, take Interstate 5 south to Exit 162. Take Oregon 99W to Drain, then Oregon 38 west to Elkton. At Elkton turn south on Hwy. 138 toward Sutherlin. After you cross the first bridge on Hwy. 138, watch for Big K signs on your left as you near the top of the hill beyond the bridge. The turnoff is a tad more than five miles from Elkton. Once you leave Hwy. 138 you'll follow a winding gravel road several miles to the ranch.
http://www.ifish.net/sfbigk.jpg The Big K Guest Ranch is located on a hillside overlooking the Umpqua River.
You'll need to make reservations for a cabin, guided fishing or just to go the Big K Ranch for lunch or dinner. Make them as far out in front as you can. As I've mentioned, the Big K's business has been growing since it started seven years ago. Make your reservations as far out in front as you can. The toll-free number is 1 800 390-2445. One of the best spots to find detailed information on the Big K and the Umpqua River is at the Internet Web site www.hooksportfishing.com. (http://www.hooksportfishing.com.) You can also book your trip at this site.
The Hook Sportfishing phone number is 1 800 583-8133.
As I said in the beginning, I've eyeballed my share of fishing lodges. The Big K ranks right up there with the best. Combine its facilities with the excellent smallmouth fishing in the river it overlooks and you've got a package that's hard to beat.
In recent years more and more anglers from all over the country have been finding that out for themselves.