Tsk tsk tsk, beins as I am OFISHKULLY pronouncin myself as da "Tourney Director" I think it's only fair dat I WIN FIRST PLACE!!! (Now where did I put that two headed quarter?) :razz
Men this is already soundin like a "ALL SYSTEMS GO, FULL THROTTLE UP" gig at this point. Maybe we should put up a DEADLINE DATE for those who want to stay at one central place with choice of premium rooms (like if we pick a 2 story joint, most will prefer the 1st floor rooms etc...)??? Those who can't commit until winter time or even nextyear are STILL VERY MUCH WELCOMED TO COME ALONG AND WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU. But you'll have to procure your own rooms/reservations etc... After late fall/early winter the good stuff starts booking up quick down there.
First I think we should list places we've either personally stayed at down there or at least places we are very comfortable with by recommendation of trusted others. Then eventually we can eliminate everything down to maybe a list of "6 Hopefuls" or something like that? Dennis (TNXB21) is going to be in the Lake Fork area the middle of August and perhaps can visit our "6 Hopefuls" and make recommendations from there?
And/or you guys who live in the TX/LA/OK area who frequent the Fork area alot we'll REALLY depend on your input for places to go as well as places to avoid! Rather than "appoint such locals" I'd rather they come forward on a volunteer basis. I'd rather they help because they want to instead of because they feel they need to or because they were asked etc... So "locals" feel free to step aside or volunteer, the choice is yours!
I have been on Fork on 5-6 different occasions (appx 1 week at a time) and stayed at 3 different places.
1st time was Axtons Bass City. That was in March '94 on a church trip/tourney. It wasn't anything special but since it was my first time down there I really can't recall a tremendous amount about it. That was 13 years ago, it could be a freakin Hilton by now. (I wouldn't bet on that tho! :laughing ) The rooms themselves were typical "fish motel" quality. I can't remember anything about the rest of the facility!
MOST of the times I stayed at the Mustang Resort (From '98-'01). I became good friends with the owners son-in-law. His name was Lee Knight and he was a guide as well as a Nitro National team member and was Van Dams tour partner during that era. (He still goes with KVD on a family deerhunt in Canada each year.) I had Lee up to my place in MO a few years ago for a turkey hunt. But I know understand Lee is no longer guiding. (LOL knowing Lee he might not even still be married to Butch's daughter Missy! :embarassed ) The Mustang is a typical "fishin motel" and is right on the lake. The Mustang was the first commerical "bass camp" on Fork so it's old, but clean, neat and affordable. I likewise fished on Toledo Bend and Rayburn in the 80s as well and most all of these "TX bass camps" are essentially the same, a traditional lakeside motel. Some with RV/campgrounds, some with marinas and some with restaurants as well as gas stations. Nothing fancy, but we aint there for the 5-star accomodations, just fishn all day and BSn with buds at night.
One night or two during one of our trips to Mustang my bud and I had made reservations late in the season so we didn't have a room at the Mustang for one or two nights. So they called nextdoor and got us a room at "Popes Resort". The facilities weren't bad but not great, they did have large rooms however! They didn't have the best parking and even fewer recepticles for charging your boat each night (something that Mustang has PLENTY of!). There likewise were signs ALLOVER Popes and even IN the rooms about "DON'T DO THIS, DON'T DO THAT" It was so bad that even my bud said, "You know what I DON'T see? I don't see ANY signs that say THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS"!!! So unless they've changed ownership/mgmt. I'll put Popes on the NO GO list from the start...
It's been '01 since I've been back down there so that's about all the help I can be at this point. The table is open for ALL input from newbies OR old timers.
I'm gettin as excited about this as I am next years rally and NEARLY as much as the new boat!!! :beer:
RA
