Bear Lake Camp - Sold

New Owner is Bill Drane of Prospect, KY

Here is what I know so far...

My father called me about three weeks ago after a phone call from Chuck. Chuck called to tell my father that he sold the camp.

On Tuesday (11/28/00) after work, I received an e-mail from the new owner and proceeded to call him up. I had a great conversation with Bill Drane, the new owner of Bear Lake Wilderness Camp and I wanted to share some exciting information with you. I also wanted to reopen a link to the GrapeVine so we can reconnect and discuss this turn of events. Here is a summary of our discussion:

The new owners name is Bill Drane of Prospect, KY. The camp e-mail is currently blwc@aol.com and Bill's e-mail is MajorDrane@aol.com. Bill is the owner but currently works for UPS. His brother Hunter and his father Jim will be running the day-to-day operation of the Camp. Hunter will serve as fishing guide. Bill sounded excited to get started next year and tackle the challenges he obviously faces. He is hoping to spend as much time as possible at Bear Lake but it will need to fit in around his current full-time job.

Bill has been a guest at Bear Lake for 3 years. He shared a technique of his that I thought was a great idea. Since the fish cleaning station was so dilapidated, his group cleans the fish in the field. While the fish are being caught, or at the end of the day before they pack out of the lake, he cleans the fish. The air is fresher, water is closer, and the packout weight is less. What a great idea.

Here are some of the changes he discussed with me. Remember, these are just ideas. Some of these things might take years to develop, others might not happen at all. I found the prospect of changes on the island very refreshing. We will have to see how it turns out. I imagine much will depend on the customer base he is able to develop. To help this effort, he is attending some fishing shows "south of the Mason/Dixon". He might hit a show in Cinci or Indy. I told him to make sure he lets us know s0 the locals in that area can get a chance to meet him before this next summer.

Repair back lake boats with a welder and developing a retirement schedule so the back boats are refreshed more often.
Electricity to the cabins, maybe, eventually.
New fish cleaning facility
Guides cabin moved closer to the lodge and a community pavilion built for group activities and meals. Sounds like Bill wants to develop a steady, returning customer base.
Clean the junk off the island, clear much of the brush and chip it for paths between the cabins.
Cleaning out the tackle shop and selling more necessities than tackle, aspirin, bug stuff, sunscreen, etc.
Guide services are cut in half to $100/full or $60/half

2 new cabins on the back side, 1 cabin where the sauna is and eventual replacement of the existing cabins. Sounds like the new cabins are real log-type cabins.
New latrines, perhaps moved closer to the middle of the island. He thought the latrines the Persian Gulf were better than the camp's latrines.
New Showers, perhaps a four staller in the center of the island with a new water tower
The weekly cost is remaining $599/person. The rates were scheduled to be raised to $700/person for the 2001 season. Bill thought he would keep it the same as last year. And he is honoring our price agreement with Chuck through 2003.

Before this news, I felt unsure about the prospect of a Bear Lake 2001 trip. The condition of the camp was terrible and the atmosphere unchanged. After talking to Bill, I am as excited as ever. Sign the GrapeVine and let me know what you think as well as post questions there for Bill. I think Bill is a bit more web savvy than Chuck and he is excited to hear what ideas we have for improving the camp.

Visit the website for Bear Lake Wilderness Camp at http://www.blwc.com

This page was last modified on 02/07/2002 1:00 AM