Kelsey Time! May 25-26, 2019

Amazing bass fishing awaits at Kelsey Bass Ranch Memorial Day weekend. Every year, Kaweah Fly Fishers anticipate the annual Kelsey outing. You’ve heard stories about it at every meeting from fellow members, now you can experience it for yourself!

Mark Cave will be the chow master, and you know how well you eat when Mark’s cooking. We’ve only got room for 12 anglers, so don’t wait to call him at (559) 623-5338 to reserve your spot!

Date: May 25-26, 2019

Place: Kelsey Ranch 7400 Merced Falls Road in Snelling, CA.

Here’s a note from Mark: Kelsey Bass Ranch near Snelling off the Merced River will be once again the site of our annual bass outing.  As in the past it will be $100/rod/day for Saturday and Sunday, checks payable to Kaweah Fly Fishers.  We will reserve the entire Lake for our club which means you won’t be run over in your tube by a stranger.  Tubes, canoes, wading, full bass boats and kick boats can all access the 200 acre lake which is full of trophy sized bass.  The owner allows us to dry camp at the launch site which has Port-a-Potties tables, and shade.  The club will feed you breakfast, lunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday and breakfast before departure on Monday.  You can camp in a tent, tent trailer, camper, or motor home at the site.  Fishing is allowed night and day, but you must wear a life preserver at night.  All fishing is catch and release.   No alcoholic beverages on the lake.  The club will provide coffee, bottled water, and soft drinks.  I usually plan a quick breakfast, a deli sandwich lunch, and a BBQ dinner.   There will be “happy hour” snacks, but you are on your own for how happy you get.

On Monday we pack up and make the easy drive back to Visalia in about two hours.  You can set up camp late Friday afternoon and start fishing a 12:01 am Saturday.  It is fun to camp in a place that suggests how it was to be in the valley 150 years ago with the birds singing, frogs croaking, and the wind in the trees (bring earplugs?!).  It can get very windy and cool, but we have had warm days too, so come prepared with rain gear, wind shell, and shorts.  Weather this year is atypical, so it is anyone’s guess.  Let me know if you are coming and I will try to give you info on tackle and conditions.  You can come for one day or both.  Please let me know as soon as you can so I can plan plenty of great chow.  This is always a fun trip and we have some pretty talented bass fishers in the club who are generous with tips, gear and pointers, so come out and give this a try.  I can provide club rods and reels for you and we can also scare up a float tube or two if you need one, so do not let lack of bassing gear keep you home.  You must have waders, eye protection, hat, and a valid CA fishing license.  Call me at (559) 623-5338 or e-mail me at mdcave@sbcglobal.net to help me plan the trip and/or answer any questions.  I would appreciate hearing from you by May 10.  This trip maxes out at 12, so get your 50% deposit in early to hold your spot.    The nearest motels are in Merced.  Lake McSwain is also nearby and has campgrounds with showers and flush toilets.  Lake McClure is also nearby if you want to fish these lakes before or afterwards.

$100/day.