Every King Deserves a Castle by Tom Keer, originally printed in Gray's Sporting Journal

Grryb VOLUME THIRTY-SX

ISSUE2

MAYiJUNE 2OII

Everlr Kittg

DcicrvcsdCastlc Thanks to sportirtgcommunities,your drcAmof living in a huntingand fishing parudiseis more attarnablethan you might think. mbyTomKeer

84'

Grayi SportingJournal' www.grayssportingjournal.com

veryone loved Nottman's house,and it is one that I will rememberforever.His house was traditionally tastef,rl but classicallyunderstatedsothat it wouldnt raisean eyebrow.Theappointmentsand accoutrementswere comfortableinstead of lavish, and the setting on the river estuary near the ocean was wild and natural.It stood severalmiles from the quaint downtown and was civiJized,to boot. The housewas big, maybecloseto l-0,000 squarefeet, but no one caredin the leastabout the size.

Nottman was a sportsman, and the modest 1,1200 square-footcottageacross the Belgian block driveway from his house was his castle. The single-floor dwelling had weather-beaten cedar shakesand a hunter greentin roof.In the calport gange sat a firlly restored1981 Jeep Scrambler.A five-station sporting clays courselay off the path that connectedthe cottageto its deepwaterdock Here, Nottman had a choice between a 23-foot SeaCraft, a slew of kayal<s,and a cat boat for gunklroling around. The

boats blocked the duck blind, but when the birds anived in the Iate faJl,the hulls would be put up on blocks. The main house may have been his wife's, but the cottage and the grounds were most certainly his.

While everyone was in awe of the exterior and the grounds, it was hard to separatethatfrom the cottage'sexquisite interior. A mahoganygun cabinetstood in a corner next to the fly-ttrng table, and both of those areaswere next to the rod racks.There were dozensof fy rods, fall-run surf rods, offshore standup rods, and some thick, trolling meat sticks.Leather couchesand chairsstood en gardein front of a big-screentelevisionwhich wasnext to the bar.Awoodburning fireplace took the chill off the air that inevitably leaked through the leaded-glasswindows.

ThewriterJohn Ed Pearceoncesaid, "Home is a placeyou grow up wanting to leave and grow old wanting to get back to." When they're young, sportsmen want to ffavel the world and see all that their sport has to offer. After a

while they miss home, that simple place ofbeing surroundedby favoritegearand like-minded souls.

Nottman createdhis own oasis,and if you're industrious,you can, too. And while you're looking for that perfect place, consider that some may akeady exist. Some version of a sporting community or fractional opportunity may be just the ticket. Walking out your front door to go fishing, riding, or shooting is what it's all about,isnt it?

South CarolinaSporting Life at BraysIsland Plantation The Brays Island homeovt'ners are living what would seem to be a bygone reality-the pastoralpleasuresof a leisure classof Southemplantationovt'ners.The 5,500-acreprivate residentialcommunity features3,500 acresset asideas a nature and hunting preserve.Remarkably,the land is virnrally unchangedfrom its earlier dayswhen BraysIsland functioned as a working plantation.

Whenever they like, rhe 325 co-owners of Brays Island Plantation can walk May/June 2011 ' 85

strong appeal. Situated in the South Carolina Lowcountry betweenCharleston and Savannah, this combination of amenities and location makes Brays Island Plantation more than a gated sporting community. Brays is a haven for those who appreciateboth nature and a host of outdoor sporting pursuits.

In fact, itt a way of life (www.QrailAt 1201).

1.-866-320Brays.com, After a day offshing for trout, equity shareholders can gather around the outdoorfreplace to enjoy a aieza of the Bitterroot Riaer fom their 1,200square-foot coaered deck. from their front porchesinto a private sporting playground to hunt and fish, ride horses, paddle kayaks, play go$ and swing through a round of sporting clays.A spirited match of tennis or a workout in the fitnesscenteris setin the quiet sceneryof oak alleesand camellia

86'

gardens,early 1900s farm buildings of whitewashed brick, blufFedged river views,and nativewoodlandsofpine and palmetto. When you're refreshed,stop by the elegantowner'sInn for lunch.

The mix of naturalbeautyand diversity of activities createsBrays rare and

Gray! Sportinglourn al' www.grayssportingiournal'com

topical Paradise atthe East End of Grand Bahama: Deep Water Cay Island life in the Tiopics revolves around the tides, and at Deep Water Cay it hasneverbeenbetter.Since 1958, DeepWater Cayhasplayedhost to some ofthe most famousnarnesin anglinghistory. A multimillion dollar renovation has poisedthe Granddaddyof Bonefish Clubs for a bright and vibrant future. island is home The 2.1-square-mi1e to a mixed-useclub where homeowners, club members,and visiting anglers becomereacquaintedwith life's simplic-

BneysIsrnxl)"," WTTERE Youn HoME Is A PrerrTATIoTq

5'500 AcrePlantation' 325 Equity Members. 3,500Acre Quail Hunting Preserve. SportingCiaysCourse, designedby Holland & Holland . Five-Stand, Tiap, Skeetand CompleteRifle and PistolRange. 60-milesplus of fuding Tiailsand SandRoads. EquestrianFacilities. Privatel8-Hole Golf Coursewith No TeeTimes ' Freshand SaltwaterFishi4g . Private-BoatRamp . Nature Center with Staf Naturalist .

Historic plantation Inn Full ConciergeService' Pool,Tennis Courts and FitnessFaciliry . LocatedNear Charlestonand Savannah

Membership at Deep Water Cay on Gand Bahama Island cornes uith some ob,oioas advantages-bea"ttf"l blue zuater and fne fsbing berng only a couple.

ity. Activities range from sight casting to bonefish and permit on 25O-square miles of flats; offshore fishing for wahoo, tuna, and mahi-mahi; and reef fishing for a wide variety of species.

Scubadive the blue holes,hookah dive or snorkel the reefs. Spend the afternoon paddling the turquoisewater in a lroryelr.,or come about in one of the club Hobie Cats.

Once on the island, everything is a walkor a goJfcartride away.Theexecutive chef preparesa variety of day-boat seafoodin the breezy ambianceof the Member's Lodge. The Welcome Center is the epicenterof activities,perched next to the marina,theTiki Bar,and the floating docks.PIay a match of doubles tennis or a workout in the FitnessCenter. An afternoon perched in a teak steamerchair by the Infinity Pool or on the privatebeachis a greatidea,too. An outdoor massagewhile you listen only to the waveslapping againstthe shoreis a terrific way to end the day.

O\T&{YOUR OTTNFISHING RETREAI ON THE BITTERROOT RIVER

PeneprsE! MoNrexn Frv FrsHrNG Tuo of TltreeSharesto be Sold

at $400,000each!

VlarmKry! Equal sharing of houseand property One Share Includes: . 150' Bitterroot River Frontage - Beaudful Views!

'09 ClackaCraft Low Profile Drift Boat " ' '08 13.5' NRS Rubber Raft with Cataract Oars * 2,300 Sq Ft home - 2009 Parade of Homes awardwinning REMODEL * Plus an additional7,225 Sq Ft covered deck with a built-in gas fireplace, perfect for large parties . Tivo Master Suites Plus Third Bedroom . All Designer Furnishings, Linens and Kitchenware etc. " Expansive Deck ' Gazebo with Large Hot Tub . Double Garage with Extra Carport . Full RV Pad & Hookups '07 Ford Excursion XLI, 33k miles " 450GL Mercedes,29kmiles 07 "'

,i|} WnOefmefe 88'

Vsit www.MoveMontana.com for additional deuils, photos and vitud tout of home.

Contactr Anne Jablonsti, Windermere Real Estatc . CelL (4OG)546-5516, Ofrce: (406) 541-6550

Gray'sSportingfourna/' www.grayssportingiournal.com

There ^re ^ limited number of lots can build cottagesto where homeor,rmers suit aswell asturn-keyproperties.Members and guests select from two- and four-bedroom houses,completewith all the amenitiesofhome. Sevencottagesare availablefor smallergroups,and all buildings are waterfront and offer spectacular sunriseand majesticsunsetviews.

Deep Water Cay is 100 miles eastof West Palm Beach (www.deepwatercay.

1-8BBcom, info@deepwatercay.com, 420-6202).

Bekn h l.orr;and sThe Ranches

x&eltCreek The Ranches at Belt Creek is an 800-acre residential ranch community that is the vision of Mark E. Hawn and his son, developer Mark Christopher Hawn. Ranch lots are availablefor purchase,and 200 acresare maintained for outdoor recreation by members, their families,and guests.

A firll-time ranch managerand club

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William McKee,ManagingPartner,F{C RealEstateBroker NC 28717 &ffi#n PO Box 523,619 Highway 107 Sauth . Cashiers, (s2B)743.3111. (fax){B2S)743.5068awmckee@cashiers.com 90'

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conciergeoverseeall facetsof the club.

The heart ofThe Ranchesat Belt Creek is the Sportsmen'sClub. Members, their families,andguestschoosebetweenvarious activities.Fly fishing, horsebackriding, kayaking,big-game and bird hunting, sportingclays,go$ ATV excursions, and a rangeofwinter activities.

What makes The Ranches at Belt Creek appealingfor many is the complete freedom that the club offers. Flyfishing equipment, shotguns, horses, kayaks, ATVs, snowmobiles and associatedgear is availablefor use.There is zero upkeep,insurance,and maintenanceto be handled by members.Pick your activity,grabyour gear,and go.

In addition to the seeminglyendless adventuresto be shared on site, homeowners and members are provided with exclusiveaccessto the Hawn's family ranch. The 6,500 acresare located someten minutes up the road from the residentialranch community. Big-game hunters particularly like the ranch be-

causeof its large populations of deer, elk, bear, turkey, and mountain lion.

Bird hunters favor Montana for the pheasant,sharp-tail grouse,Hungarian partridge, sage grouse, ruffed grouse, blue grouse,and chukar partridge. Fly rodders like the nearly eight miles of Belt Creek that winds through the land and offersoutstandingtrout fishing. For more information contactThe Ranches at Belt Creek at www.ranchesatbeltcreek.com.

Montann's Bitteroot River: A Frac-

tional OwnershipOppornrnity Rather than buy and appoint a home on Montana'sBitterroot River,why not buy in to an existing, frrlly appointed home?Windermere ReaI Estate is of: fering two of three sharesin a turnkey, 2,300-square-foot ranch-style home.

An opportunity like this is oriented for seriousfly fishermen or for folks who are looking for a family retreat. The three-bedroom. two-bathroom home

was completely remodeled and landscapedin 2009. Two of the bedrooms are master suiteswith private baths. A gazeboand hot tub are on the property, and the housewon the 2009 Paradeof Homes Award.

The main draw is walking out your back door to access150 feet of private river frontage. For anglerswho want to cover more water or to head to someof the other famoustrout riversin Montana there are two different boats parked on a trailer in the yard.The first is a ClackaCrafit Low Profile Drift Boat, and for streamswith rocks and strainers,there is an NRS Rubber Raft. Two vehiclesare availablefor use:a FlordExcursionand a 450 GL Mercedes.

For someone who loves the Missoula area and wants to be done with the hasslesand get on with the fishing, a fractional opportuniry m y be the very bestbet. Anne Jablonskiat Windermere Real Estate (www.movemontana.com, 406-546-5816)can make ithappen.W

May/June 2011 ' 91