They say money can’t buy happiness, and of course that’s true. But $3.4 million can buy a little piece of heaven in central Alabama, just outside the town of Pintlala and a short drive from the state capitol in Montgomery.
While the sticker price may carry too many zeroes for most of us, you can bet that someone, somewhere is salivating at the opportunity to purchase the property that holds “America’s best bass lake” and “a deer hunter’s paradise.”
The estate known as “Legacy Lakes” is the creation of Ray Scott, the founder of B.A.S.S. and the Whitetail Institute of North America. It is an expression not only of his tastes and appreciation of nature, but of his passion for fishing and hunting.
Let’s take stock of the property the way a real estate listing agent might do it:
- · 200+/- acres in Montgomery County, Alabama, near the town of Pintlala and 17 miles from downtown Montgomery, Alabama’s capital.
- · 74+/- acres of intensively managed fishing lakes, including the 55-acre Presidents Lake and 14-acre Red Eagle Lake maintained with a population of all-female Florida-strain largemouth bass.
- · 80+/- acres of high-fenced enclosure featuring Canadian-genetic whitetail deer that are diligently managed.
- · Among the improvements to the property are a 4,976 square foot ranch-style home built in 1986 and decorated in “rustic elegance.” The house has four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and a two-car garage. The great room is dominated by a massive fieldstone fireplace and whitetail chandelier personally commissioned by Ray Scott.
- · The nearby boat house has a spacious upstairs loft area for guests. A winding path from the main house leads to a rustic two-bedroom guest cabin.
- · 1.5 miles of paved roadway from the public highway to the main residence.
- · List price: $3,400,000.
Now let’s size it up on legend and history:
- · In 2010, Outdoor Life designated The Presidents Lake the best bass lake in America.
- · George H.W. Bush (Bush 41) has fished there and slept in the guest cottage many times.
- · George W. Bush (Bush 43) has fished there and slept in the guest cottage.
- · Four-time Bassmaster Classic champion Rick Clunn caught the biggest bass of his life from The Presidents Lake, a 13-pound, 15-ounce lunker.
- · Many of the country’s top fishing pros have fished The Presidents Lake (often in fundraising competitions) as well as celebrities ranging from Jett Williams (daughter of Hank) to aviation legend Chuck Yeager.
- · Owning Legacy Lakes: Priceless.
Scott finished much of his development on the main residence and adjacent buildings in 1986, when he and his wife, Susan, moved into the house. The lived there until a few years ago when they began renting it to anglers in search of an unparalleled fishing experience. Two days of fishing and three nights in the residence goes for $1,575 per person. A day of fishing runs $495 per person.
Now 82, Scott has decided it’s time to sell.
“It’s tough to leave” says Scott. “But I won’t be far away. I’ll be across the hill on a secluded side of the property in a small cottage on an old 16- acre lake. It’s perfect for me, my wife and our three dogs. I only hope that the next owner will enjoy the estate as much as we have.”
If you’re interested, as in “I’m ready to write a check and hire some movers” interested, Jerry Joe Ingram of National Land Realty is the broker for the property. You can reach him at (334) 300-4273 or at jerry@landinalabamaforsale.com.
For a video tour of Ray Scott Legacy Lakes visit www.NationalLand.com and check out the Montgomery County, Alabama properties for sale, or watch this video from Youtube.
On a personal level, it’s bittersweet to see the Scotts selling the property. They and it have meant a great deal to the community and the many people they’ve touched there.
As for the fishing, I’ve only caught three bass from The Presidents Lake … but then I only made three casts.
Main photo from National Land Reality.