Family Camp Planned At Big K Guest Ranch

[Stan Fagerstrom]

Family Camp Planned At Big K Guest Ranch

By Stan Fagerstrom


Kids of all ages can catch smallmouth in that area of the Umpqua River near the Big K Guest Ranch.

There are precious few places around the United States where I’ll guarantee that you’re a cinch to catch fish.

Fish generally don’t come with guarantees. There are exceptions. The one I have in mind is the Big K Guest Ranch overlooking Oregon’s beautiful Umpqua River. Get to the Big K from now on through September and you’re going to catch fish. Chances are excellent you’ll catch lots of them.

The Umpqua, you see, is loaded with smallmouth bass in the area where the Big K is located. The best time to catch them will be from now through September. Want to get the youngsters in your family interested in fishing? The Big K provides one of the best places you’ll ever find to do it.

I’m not guessing about that. I’ve seen it happen. And it’s a primary reason why I was so eager to say yes when asked if I was interested in helping out with a family fishing camp at the Big K in late August. The camp is being planned by my good friend Steve Babbidge, of Fountain Valley, California. Steve, in concert with the good folks at the Big K, has put together a program that the outdoor oriented family can’t help but love.

The event is to be called the Stan Fagerstrom Family Camp and the dates are Aug. 25-29. All four days and nights are loaded with events designed to be fun for anglers of all ages.

One of the reasons they’ve hung my name on the program is because I’ll be providing personalized casting instructions all four days. If you, your wife or kids need a little help in perfecting casting skills, I’ll be on hand to help. This one-on-one support will cover everything from closed face spinning reels to open-faced reels and the level wind variety.

I’ve done this sort of casting instruction from Baltimore to Brazil and from Tulsa to Tokyo for the past half century. Not a darn one of the spots I've visited provides you with a better opportunity to try out the techniques I teach than the Big K and those Umpqua River smallmouth.

My friend Steve Babbidge also works closely with famed Anglers Inn on Mexico’s Lake El Salto. He has structured the Stan Family Fishing Camp in a fashion that’s similar to the way things are handled at El Salto. All you and your family need do is fly into Eugene. You’ll be picked up there and returned to the airport when the camp is over. The Eugene airport is about an hour away from the Big K.

You can, of course, drive to the Big K yourself if you choose to do so. Get an Oregon map and locate the town of Elkton. The Big K is tucked away in the timbered hills a few miles southeast of Elkton.

The Big K Guest Ranch facility is actually located on a 2,500 acre working ranch founded and is still operated by members of the Kesterson family. I’ve yet to meet anyone who has been there who hasn’t come away wanting to go back.

The Family Camp won’t be limited strictly to Umpqua River smallmouth fishing. You and the kids will also have access to a freshly stocked trout pond located right in front of the Big K. The Big K has horses that guests can arrange to ride. There is also mountain biking, river swimming and a game room with everything from table tennis to fooze ball.

Sooner or later everything pretty much boils down to people. I don’t care how splendid the facility, chances are if the people in charge of things don’t make you feel at home, you aren’t going to like it all that much.

I’ll make the same guarantee in that regard that I’ve already made about Umpqua River smallmouth fishing. The Big K Guest Ranch is a uniquely beautiful spot with people to match. It reminds me a good bit of the wondrous hospitality I’ve encountered on trips to fishing lodges in New Zealand.

I flat out love it and I think you will too. It’s my sincere hope to meet you there in August.


This young man knows how good the fishing is out of the Big K Guest Ranch. He's Tyler Connor, of Olympia.


All the details on the Stan Fagerstrom Family Camp are as close as your computer or your telephone. On your computer go to www.hookadventuretravel.com. You’ll find a link to the Family Camp. You can also contact Steve Babbidge at Hook Adventure Travel, 10408 Placer River Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. The toll-free number is 1 800 583-8133.
Steve’s cell phone is (562) 682-7413.