By Pete Gray
A trip I always look forward to is our annual Let’s Talk Hookup/Rancho Leonero fun tournament. This year was extra special as not only was it our 25th anniversary of the tournament, it was also sponsored by Cutwater Spirits and they donated $5000 in cash to make things interesting. Both I and “Rock Cod” Rick Maxa along with his wife Dallas attended.
Cutwater founder Yuseff and Ingrid Cherney as well as his partner Earl Kight attended and fished in the tournament, along with John Florence from Aftco. John brought a bunch of giveaways for everyone. It was super fun to have these great people not only sponsor the tournament, but also participate.
The fishing and weather were amazing. Flat calm every day and plenty of fish being caught by all. Yellowfin tuna 20 to 45 pounds were in pods of dolphin about 30 miles from the Ranch. Cedar plugs and hoochies worked best and many boats had easy limits by 9am. There was also an
abundance of stripe marlin offshore and many smaller roosterfish and jacks inshore.
First place honors for the tournament went to Jim and Mike 
“Team Grandpa and the Kid”. They won $3000 cash from Cutwater Spirits and a trip for two to come back and defend their title next year. 2nd place (and not far behind) was the Rodriguez family “Team Hot Rods”. They took home $1000 cash courtesy of Cutwater Spirits. 3rd Place was Chris and Kim “Team Tuna Tamers” who took home $500 cash. Most billfish released was Ken and Kathy “Tequila Little Time” worth $250 courtesy of Cutwater Spirits. Most Rooster Fish Released was Steve “Team Hai Karate” also worth $250. Pam and Phil Bensimon did a fantastic job running the tournament, and Bob Blum and his lovely granddaughter Lora helped. Lora, a professional singer, sang a song dedicated to her late G
randmother, Carole that brought tears to everyone’s eyes. This was the first tournament without Carole, and she was missed.
Host John Ireland and the fantastic staff at Rancho Leonero made sure everyone had a great time. The food, fun and a
tmosphere can’t be beat. The evening dining experience is
truly a spectacular setting. This was the time everyone reacquainted with old friends and made new ones.
Join in the fun next year June 4 to 8, 2022. Make your reservation for your favorite room and boat soon. I know many of those that attended will be back next year! Call Pam or Jennie in the booking office at 800-646-2252.
Bob Blum added the following:
My wife. Carole and I fished the tournament at Rancho Leonero for 18 years. We didn’t fish last year due to Covid and unfortunately, she passed away on October 7, 2020. She loved to fish. In addition to Rancho we annually went to Alaska, first at Kingfisher and later at Whalers Cove. Her real passion was fly fishing. Our last trip together was the Green
River in Utah in May 2020.
In June 2019 We took o than 25 year old granddaughter, Laura Boscow to the Ranch. She had a great time. She learned that fishing is not all about the fish. Some people get it and some don’t. Laura gets it. I wanted to cancel the trip this year and Laura insisted that we go. We caught tuna, yellowtail, amberjack, jack crevalle, pompano and roosterfish.
Laura was a music m
ajor in college, first at U. of Arizona and later at Michigan State. She lives in Houston and has a highly successful business called “Music Lessons In Your Home.” On the last night of the tournament she sang to us a song from the Disney movie “Coco” called “Remember Me.” This was meant not only dedicated to Carole, but also to other people who passed away and loved Rancho Leonero such as Jack Nielson and Lou Duchene. Laura wants to come back and insists we bring her brother, Adam next year, so I hope to see you there! .
