Bass River Rod & Gun Club, Inc.

Bass River Rod & Gun Club

Celebrating our 89th Year!

History Of The Bass River Rod & Gun Club, Inc.

- The Early Years -

Established 1936

Presented By: Deena Tolley 2026

Introduction

The history of the Bass River Rod and Gun Club reflects a broader story of mid-20th-century American sporting culture, local conservation efforts, and community self-reliance. This history is more than a record of dates and names; it is a story of teamwork, perseverance, and the simple joy of time spent outdoors. What follows is a reflection of the people, events, and shared efforts that shaped the Bass River Rod and Gun Club into the institution it is today.

Established in 1936 during a period of national economic recovery and rising interest in organized outdoor recreation, the Club quickly became a hub for hunters, anglers, and conservation-minded residents of Cape Cod.

The following is an historical account of the individuals and efforts that established and sustained the Bass River Rod and Gun Club through its formative decades. These contributions provide valuable insight into the Club's development and its enduring place within the region's cultural and environmental history.

Tucked away in the quiet heart of the Cape, where pine forests meet tidal waters, the Bass River Rod and Gun Club has stood as a steadfast symbol of tradition, respect for nature, and fellowship. It was founded in 1936 to promote good sportsmanship and fellowship among sportsmen of all ages, and especially to encourage youth to become interested in better fishing, better hunting, and the conservation of the natural beauty and resources of the outdoors.

Founding Years (1936-1945)

It all began in 1936 when five local sportsmen—three from Dennis and two from Yarmouth—returned from a Cape Cod Fish and Game Club meeting. Disappointed by the limited number of quail slated for release in the Dennis-Yarmouth area, they resolved to form their own club. The Bass River Rod and Gun Club was born that very day, named for the river marking the boundary between the two towns in which these five sportsmen lived.1

These first charter members were Otto K. Hoffman, Edmund Fruean, Thomas F. Matthews, Alton C. Schleicher, and Earl H. Whittemore. These founders shared more than a love of the outdoors; they shared a vision: to create a community rooted in conservation and good sportsmanship, where future generations could learn to appreciate and protect the natural surroundings.

Amidst the challenges of the Great Depression and an uncertain global landscape, these founding members came together with a simple but powerful mission—to preserve the land, promote ethical outdoor practices, and build lifelong bonds through shared values.

The Bass River Rod and Gun Club was organized at a meeting in the fire station in South Dennis. After adopting by-laws to govern Cape Cod's newest Sportsmen's Club—designed to bring together sportsmen from Dennis and Yarmouth—Norton A. Nickerson was elected as the club's first President (1936-1938). At that time, it was voted to assess each member 10 cents, with the money to be sent to the State Council to be used for combating legislation and propaganda adverse to sportsmen.2

Land Acquisition and Development

In March 1941, the membership voted to purchase a tract of land in Yarmouth for the propagation of local wildlife and to serve as a fish and game preserve. Through Tom Matthews's influence, the Club acquired land in the northeast section of town from his employer, Mrs. Mabel (Simpkins) Agassiz. The land consisted of approximately one hundred (100) acres of marshland, fresh water, and upland woods. The reservation was bounded on the west by Whites Brook, on the east by the Henry Thatcher estate, on the south by the Old King's Highway, and on the north by Chase Garden Creek.

Restrictions that came with the land stipulated that no houses could be built on it, Mrs. Agassiz retained the right to cut firewood, and there would be no "shooting to kill". An anonymous donation of $200 was made on the condition that the club's membership raise the remaining $400. It was said to be the finest property on the whole Cape for wildlife propagation purposes.

Additional parcels of land were acquired as they became available over the years. Land from Lyman Cook Hedge was acquired in 1941, and approximately 7 acres, where the clubhouse now resides, was purchased from the Town of Yarmouth for $50 in August 1942. An additional 10 1⁄2 acres on Whites Brook was purchased from the Town of Yarmouth for $250 in January 1944. The purchase from the Hamilton Estate in 1952 brought the total acreage to approximately 230 acres of upland and wetlands.

This original tract was mostly cleared land and meadow, which is documented in the club's film footage. In the spring of 1944, club members, under the supervision of Tom Matthews, planted 1,100 trees: 500 red oak, 500 white oak, and 100 hemlock.3 It was noted that this work was completed on a Sunday before noon. Club had become fully incorporated in 1941, and by 1944, membership had grown to around 700 members. Construction of the clubhouse began in 1948. The Club devoted all its energies that summer to work on the completion of the new lodge on the reservation. Members were told that labor, materials, and money were needed for this project. Orrick Robbins poured footings on May 24, 1948, and was in charge of the work every Sunday from 9:00 AM to noon.4 Members held the first meeting in the newly constructed clubhouse in November 1949.

Clambakes

The first clambake was held in June 1941, celebrating two milestones. It marked not only the acquisition of sufficient funds to purchase the land but also an increase in membership to 200, making it one of the largest sportsman's clubs on Cape Cod.5 These events were among the most cherished traditions on the calendar, defining part of Club culture for decades. The final traditional clambake was held in 2002, closing a chapter of community gatherings that had become legendary in their own right.

The Art and Labor of a True New England Bake

The bakes were always performed in the classic, labor-intensive New England style. Before dawn on bake day, teams of members would gather rockweed from Corporation Beach and the Canal in Sandwich, filling sack after sack with the seawater-laden rockweed that formed the steaming bed essential for the traditional cooking process.

As years passed and the workload became too great, the Club shifted to purchasing rockweed, but the authenticity of the bake never diminished. Locals and seasonal visitors alike flocked to the grounds, turning each clambake into a festive gathering marked by laughter, steaming pits, and the unmistakable smell of salt, seaweed, and shellfish. The traditional bakes included lobster, steamers, sausage, corn, and potatoes, and—as tradition would have it—always ended with fresh watermelon.

National Recognition

The clambakes became so popular that they attracted not only members and locals but also visitors to Cape Cod seeking a true regional experience. Their reputation even earned national recognition: National Geographic featured the Club's clambakes in its August 1962 issue (Volume 122, No. 2) in an article titled "Cape Cod: Where Sea Holds Sway Over Man and Land". The publication included both photographs and a written account of the festivities, capturing a cherished piece of Club history.

Tom Matthews Pond

A key founding father, Tom Matthews, served as the first Reservation Superintendent and played a decisive role in transforming the landscape of the Club. In 1942, under his guidance—and with the collective labor of many Club members—the dike was constructed to create the beautiful 50-acre spring-fed pond that remains a centerpiece of the property today.

The pond provides a breeding ground for waterfowl and related wildlife and was stocked with largemouth bass and perch. In recognition of his leadership and vision, the pond was later named “Tom Matthews Pond”.

A serious storm in 1955 wiped out a 15-foot section of the dike. It was believed that abnormally high tides, along with strong wind and rain, weakened the southeast corner of the dike. Fish were left swimming in puddles only a few inches deep. After repairs were completed, it took several days for springs in the pond to return it to its original depth of about four feet.

Conservation Easement Restriction

In 1971, the Club granted and released to the Town of Yarmouth a perpetual easement and restrictive rights. This land has been set aside as a Wildlife Reserve and is closed to the hunting of upland game and waterfowl, except on the salt marsh.

“The Bass River Rod and Gun Club, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation of Yarmouth, Massachusetts, in order to advance the conservation of natural areas of the Town of Yarmouth and to insure the preservation of its lands in their natural state in perpetuity in a manner consistent with the continued operation of the Club for the purposes for which it is organized, does hereby grant, release and dedicate to the town, a perpetual easement and restrictive right, to be administered by the Conservation Commission of the Town, over the Club's lands."

The Charles A. Van Dusen Conservation Area

One of the Club's most influential early figures was Charles Van Dusen, a founding father, longtime Reservation Superintendent, and Club President (1959-1961). His leadership shaped both the land and the conservation ethic that remains central to the Club today.

Van Dusen oversaw a lively and ambitious pheasant-raising program on the Club grounds. Each year, the state provided nearly 100 chicks, while the Town of Yarmouth contributed feed. Neighboring children helped care for the birds by feeding them and cleaning the pens. Once mature, the pheasants were released throughout Yarmouth and Dennis, becoming part of the local game population and contributing to responsible hunting traditions.

Newspaper Drives of the 1940s-1970s

During the 1940s, the "Waste Paper for War" effort was a crucial national recycling campaign designed to collect scrap paper for repurposing into essential war materials. In February 1944, Club members acted as paper collectors when paper was badly needed and there were not enough Boy Scouts for the task. Orrick Robbins (President 1951-1953) loaned the use of his large shed at the wharf to store the paper until it could be collected by the dealer.6

The Club's collection was such a success that they continued collecting newspapers for many years, well after the war ended, generating funds that supported Club improvements and conservation activities. While recycling glass, steel, aluminum, tin, and paper had been accomplished successfully in other Cape towns, notably Osterville and Orleans, the Bass River Rod and Gun Club sponsored an excellent program in Yarmouth. The House Committee and Paper Committee were responsible for the operation, which ran entirely on volunteer power.

Actually, this was the Cape's largest and oldest recycling center. In one year, 300 tons of paper were reclaimed—only 5 tons less than the amount used by the Cape Cod Standard Times. The money received from operations was used entirely for conservation purposes by the club.7 Prior to 1956 when the Ernest Eastman Building was moved on to the Club property, newspapers were stored at Orrick Robbins warehouse on Wharf Lane.

Nelson Hart Nature Trail

Nelson Hart, past Club Treasurer and a dedicated member, collaborated with a small group of members to carve out what would become the scenic trail along the southwest side of the pond. Every week they worked as volunteer trailblazers—rewarded with coffee, donuts, camaraderie, and the shared satisfaction of building something lasting.

The Evolution of Our Shooting Grounds

The Outdoor Range

The Club's original outdoor rifle range was located on the southwest section of the property near the Clubhouse and Route 6A. Once a month, longtime member Al Vera supervised an open shoot for members, using M1 rifles and ammunition supplied by the DCM (Division of Civilian Marksmanship). These early shoots helped establish a culture of marksmanship and safety that would continue to define the Club for decades.

As the Club's popularity grew, so did its need for more space and safer, more specialized facilities. In the early 1970s, the Outdoor Range was moved to its current location on the far northeast corner of the property. This relocation allowed the Club to better manage land use and prepare for future expansion. The former range area soon found a new purpose, becoming a training ground for local police K-9 units and filling a civic need for secure practice space. Years later, as Club interests diversified, it transformed once again—this time into the Archery Field, further extending the variety of sporting pursuits available to members.

Modernization and Safety Enhancements

Beginning in the early 2000s, the outdoor range underwent a major transformation with the installation of overhead safety baffles. Spearheaded by Outdoor Range Co-Chairmen Tim Kent and John Vanderhoef, the project took several years and dramatically improved range safety. The system—known as a "No Blue Sky" design—ensures that shooters cannot see any open sky when looking downrange, preventing bullets from escaping beyond the containment area.

The project required years of planning, engineering, and volunteer labor, but the results speak for themselves. Today, every lane at the Outdoor Range features this safety system, making it one of the most secure and thoughtfully designed ranges of its kind in the region.

A Hub for Competitive Shooting

With improved facilities came growing interest from competitive shooters. Over the years, the Club has proudly hosted a wide variety of competitive shooting events, welcoming shooters from across the region. Among the disciplines represented have been:

● IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association)

● IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation)

● USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association)

● Cowboy Action Shoots (notably in 2005)

● Black Powder Shoots

These matches strengthened regional partnerships and enhanced the Club's reputation within the shooting community.

Indoor Range

Concrete was poured in 1957 for the Indoor Range, allowing members to shoot indoors during inclement weather.8 Over time improvements were made; however, it was not until 2008 that it became a shooting facility the Club could truly be proud of. Improvements included a state-of-the-art air quality system, improved lighting, and overall better visual appeal.

While the project started five years prior with the idea of simply improving the backstop, the renovated range is the result of many volunteer hours by dedicated members. The story goes that Avard "Pappy" Craig, a very active member of the club and a hunter, was one of the first pistol instructors at the club. Therefore, the Indoor Range was rededicated to Avard "Pappy" Craig.

The Shotgun Sports: Growth, Innovation, and Community

Trap Range Early Days—Shooting Over the Marsh

The Trap Range has evolved dramatically over the decades. The original trap field was located near the marsh, where many early shoots were held against the backdrop of tidal grasses.

A Bold Move—1999 Transformation

By the late 1990s, increasing environmental awareness and the Club's desire to expand its shooting programs led to the decision to relocate the Trap Range. Under the direction of Mark Vamos (President 1996-1998), the Trap Range was relocated and expanded. This was not just a relocation—it was a comprehensive rebuild adding high and low skeet houses. The new field nearly tripled the size of the original, adding multiple shooting stations, an expanded safety zone, improved shot containment, and infrastructure capable of supporting larger events and regular member shoots.

To help offset construction expenses, the Club offered members the opportunity to sponsor and purchase concrete shooting positions. A dedicated building was added—a much-needed structure that offered a sheltered area for shooters and, more importantly, a place for good fellowship.

Sporting Clays and Five Stand: A Modern Expansion

As new clay-target disciplines grew in national popularity, Club members expressed interest in expanding beyond traditional Trap and Skeet. Under the direction of Kevin York (President 2021-2023), the Club further broadened its shotgun offerings with the construction of a new Five-Stand field in 2017. Five Stand—a compact variant of Sporting Clays—allows shooters to engage a challenging mix of target presentations from a fixed shooting line. The addition of this field strengthened the Club's appeal to sporting clays enthusiasts and created new opportunities for both training and competition.

Establishment of the Junior Rod and Gun Program

The Bass River Junior Rod and Gun Club was organized in November 1946 with 23 boys present at the first meeting. The Junior Program focused on teaching youngsters the proper use of firearms, fly casting, artificial fly making, and bird lore.

This program evolved into the NRA (National Rifle Association) Junior Rifle Program in 1979. Designed to teach young shooters safety, discipline, teamwork, and marksmanship, the program used .22 caliber rifles and offered competitive training in prone, sitting, kneeling, and off-hand positions. Though many instructors contributed over the years, Mark Cohen (President 1990-1993) was instrumental in establishing and expanding the NRA Junior program, ensuring its continued success and positive impact on generations of young shooters.

And Then Some

The Cook Shack was constructed in 1955 to improve facilities for hosting the annual clambakes and other gatherings. In subsequent years, the original hand-operated Pitcher pump was replaced with an electric well pump, providing a more reliable water source. The Pavilion was later added in 1968, further expanding the sites capacity.

Traditions That Brought Us Together

The Club was the social hub of its time. Whether it was a Clambake, a sold-out Saturday night Dance, or a Christmas Party, social gatherings at the Club were the talk of the town. In 1949, it was noted that the Bass River Rod and Gun Club would seek a larger hall for its Annual Christmas Party, as approximately 200 people were turned away at the Barnstable High School Auditorium where the previous party was held.9

A Legacy of Conservation and Camaraderie

Over the decades, the club grew from humble beginnings into a cornerstone of the local sporting community. It became a place not just to hone one's aim or cast a perfect line, but to pass down stories, teach the next generation, and advocate for responsible stewardship of the environment.

From hosting hunter safety courses to sponsoring youth fishing derbies and conservation clean-up efforts, the club's commitment to education and preservation remains unwavering.

The clubhouse itself has seen many seasons and stories—its walls echoing with laughter after long days in the field, quiet moments of reflection, and the wisdom of old-timers passing along their skills to newcomers.

From its earliest days, the Bass River Rod and Gun Club has stood as a testament to the values that shaped Cape Cod's outdoor heritage—respect for the land, dedication to conservation, and the belief that shared traditions strengthen communities.

The Club has been built not by chance, but by the hands and hearts of volunteers: founders who shaped the grounds, families who tended wildlife, instructors who guided young shooters, and generations of members who ensured that these traditions endured.

A Living Legacy Moving Forward

Today, nearly a century since its founding, the Bass River Rod and Gun Club continues to thrive—rooted in tradition, yet forward-thinking in its approach to conservation and community engagement. While gear and technologies have evolved, the heart of the club remains the same: a gathering place where sportsmanship is honored, nature is revered, and friendships are forged under the open sky.

The Bass River Rod and Gun Club's history is a tapestry woven from countless acts of service, stewardship, and fellowship. Each trail cleared, each program taught, and each event captured on film represents a moment in a larger, ongoing story—a story still being written by today's members.

As we look to the future, we honor the founders and early leaders who laid the groundwork for future generations, ensuring that the sounds of sport, fellowship, and shared purpose will continue to echo across the grounds for decades to come.

We honor those who moved soil, hammered timbers, raised funds, taught new shooters, managed events, and protected traditions. We honor the conservationists who cared for the land and wildlife, and the leaders who nurtured a community rooted in respect and responsibility. Their legacy endures not only in the structures and programs that remain but in every member who carries forward the spirit of the Club. The next chapter belongs to all of us, and the values that began here in 1936 continue to guide us: conservation, camaraderie, and commitment to the outdoor traditions that bring us together.

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the members who generously shared their time, memories, and personal experiences for this document. In particular, I want to thank Bob Tolley (President 1998-2000) and Member since 1968 for his support and firsthand accounts which were invaluable to the accuracy and depth of this historical record.

Preserving the Club's Earliest Memories

One of the Club's most dedicated early members, Alton Schleicher (President 1940-1944), played a crucial role in preserving the history of its first decades. A passionate amateur filmmaker, Schleicher recorded many Club events on 16mm film, capturing meetings, work parties, wildlife activities, and gatherings. Thanks to the generosity of his great-nephew, these films have been recovered and carefully reformatted, ensuring that future generations can experience the Club's early years. Many of the details in this historical document were drawn directly from reviewing those remarkable recordings.

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