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when the lake was W
By Darren Shell
e all know that our wonderful lake has been the same size since its humble beginnings back in 1942/43. But I think if we all think back a little, we’ll agree that in many ways, this lake is smaller than it used to be. Let’s look at some of our early days. I’ve not boated on this lake as long as many of the lake-lovers of the Dale, but I’ve spent 38 seasons here, and I’ve seen how things have changed over the years. Even before my time here, so much has come and gone. Why, when D. L. Hayes caught his world record smallmouth bass here in 1955, it took him nearly an hour just to get to his fishing hole up in the mouth of Wolf River from his boat slip at Cedar Hill.
The horsepower in his then-huge boat just doesn’t carry water to the new 250 horsepower bass boats that race from one end of the lake to the other in minutes. It sure seemed like a big lake then. In fact, most boats were tiny wooden runabouts, sometimes even without engines. Most marinas were fishing camps—not lavish resorts with all the wonderful amenities. Believe me, those old wooden row boats were no speed machine!
Willow Grove, 1940’s
John Gorman and Dock Owner, Lloyd Harrison 1969 Mr. John Gorman and his wife, Bea, could just barely ski their kids with their little 75 horsepower Mercury. Their short trip up the river to catch their number two world record smallmouth in 1969 was still a long way in that little boat. I suppose it was worth the long drive way up river. I bet they’d be amazed with how far out the docks now spread into the river—now that the lake has shrunk around it.
Dale Hollow Marina, 1950’s
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